Is there a thumb rule for the number of schools to apply to?

<p>So far I will be applying to 6 schools, including one safe school.
I don't really believe in the 10-schools rule. However, I'm interested in what others have to say. Is one safe school too less? How many schools did you apply to?</p>

<p>I would say apply to 2 safeties, to be actually safe. Everything else is up to you. If you're aiming for the top schools, you will almost be forced to apply to a large number(8-12) of schools because of their low acceptance rates. However, if you are admitted early decision, then you don't have to worry about any of this.</p>

<p>For average students, I'd say 2 safeties + 5 matches + 3 reaches.</p>

<p>For top students, I'd recommend 2 safeties + 1 match + 7-9 reaches. That's assuming you're applying to top 20 schools for your reaches.</p>

<p>Try and find a match or safety that you can apply to rolling or early action. It will really cut down the number of applications you may have to do. I heard back from four of my schools before Jan 1. Dartmouth ED, Chicago EA, Oxford, Michigan Rolling. I got deferred from Dartmouth, but I got into Chicago and Michigan so I was able to cut back on some matches and safeties. I'd say for a top student, 10 is reasonable.</p>

<p>5 is a good number, making sure that you're applying to at least one safety that you know you'll be admitted to, can afford, and would enjoy. I suggest: one safety, 3 match, one reach school. Above all, make sure you have a safety that you can afford and would enjoy. A safety isn't a safety if you can't afford it or hate it.</p>

<p>no rule of thumb exists. at the end of the day it's your choice. you apply to 10 as you you can apply to 100.</p>

<p>IMHO</p>

<p>1-2 Safeties
2-5 Matches
1-3 Reaches</p>

<p>4 - 10 Total</p>

<p>I'd say about 8, give or take 2.
2 safeties
2 matches
2-4 reaches</p>

<p>no there is no thumb rule. . . I applied to 23 colleges</p>

<p>I would suggest 1 safety 1 match and as many reaches as you want. If best comes to best, you might get lucky and get accepted at one of your reaches</p>

<p>My college counselor suggested (as a rough guide) 3 safeties, 3 matches, and 3 reaches/far reaches, plus 1 other (whether it's a safety, match, or reach)- though lots of people applied to more than that. I applied to 2 safeties, 3 low matches/safeties, 2 matches, 2 reaches, and 2 far reaches.</p>

<p>I think more than 2 safeties is a waste. I think 10-12 is reasonable given the competition these days. Its much harder to predict success. </p>

<p>4 reaches
5 matches
2 safeties</p>

<p>Has anyone thought of this: Ask your parents what they feel is a reasonable amount. There's no way I would support my kids' applying to more than ten out of the sheer principle of wasted money. I'd force them to cut it down. You can't tell me there's any difference in the applicant's mind between numbers 15 and 23. Really.</p>

<p>If you need two safeties to feel guaranteed of admission, then your safeties aren't safe enough. However, two safeties will guarantee a choice for you, and thus a guarantee that you will not be without options.</p>

<p>Make sure you like your safeties and that you are certain you can afford at least one of them (based on your own resources and their typical financial aid outcomes). The other can be more iffy financially, but you won't really have a choice if you know you won't be able to afford it, will you?</p>

<p>Have enough matches to be reasonably assured you won't get shut out of all of them. To my mind a match means you have anywhere from a 40% to less-than-safe chance of admission (you can sometimes find admission grids at schools with these odds, but intuitive appraisal is enough). You can get a rough approximation of odds by comparing your statistics with typical grades and test scores in a school's academic profile and overall selectivity, but be honest with yourself about a wider scope of considerations: do you have a liability that might make most schools less likely to accept you in spite of your stats (such as a discipline/behavior problem on your record)?</p>

<p>Bottom line on matches--I'd say three at least, as long as at least one of the three is a "very likely."</p>

<p>Lastly, if more selective schools are of interest to you, consider what you will feel like if you did not at least attempt to apply to them. I think most people would regret not at least trying for a few "reaches." I'd advise two to satisfy potential regrets, but if you won't feel regret, feel free to pass. Likewise, if there are more that catch your eye, feel free to extend the count. But remember each application represents an investment of time and resources, so don't apply to so many that you can't take a good, focused shot at them.</p>

<p>For me I applied to 4 schools. My safety was my match plus 3 reaches.</p>

<p>Personally I'm applying to 3 safeties, 4 matches/low reaches and 4 extreme reaches.</p>

<p>@kameronsmith - I agree, I think if you find one safety (95% sure) and one school that you're content with attending and fairly sure you can get into (70%), then the rest can be reaches, especially if you're aiming for the top. Otherwise it's good to have a balance.</p>

<p>I'm hoping my son will just fall in love with one of his safe schools. :-)</p>

<p>I know of no rule of thumb for the optimum number of schools. When you want some financial as well as admissions safeties, that can affect the number of schools. Also kids who don't know what they want at the beginning of the process may apply to a number of safety schools to have a pick from them. My son's school list had more safeties and matches than reaches, as he was not looking at schools in those terms as he considered them. It was a factor that kicked in after he put the school on his list. Had he put together a wish list of reach schools, then he would have to go looking for some schools where he would be likely to get accepted. When he did his list, that was not necessary, as it was not an issue to him.</p>