<p>^ I don't think it should be frown on. It's a good strategy if one needs merit aid.</p>
<p>Our oldest (D) applied to 8, S1 applied to 6, and now S2 has applied to 4! We are learning to whittle it down to a manageable number--and S2 has seen many schools! He was going to apply to 2 others, but having been accepted to 2 of his "top 3", with a "likely" letter from the 3rd arriving last week, he decided to "ditch" the other two apps!</p>
<p>My son applied ED to one school, but wanted to get the recs out in case he didn't get in, so he applied to another 8 or so. Two were rolling, most were Common App, guidance had a cow. Sorry, I told them very nicely, this is your job, send out the stuff. Thankfully, he got in ED, but found out Dec 20th. Guidance Office closed on Dec 21st, so were they supposed to send out 8 transcripts, letters of recommendations, etc in one day if he hadn't gotten in? For maybe 80 kids? Better safe than sorry, I said.</p>