<p>I have such a huge list of colleges I want to apply to but not enough money to pay for all the apps. How many colleges do you guys think is a good amount. What is the max a person should apply to?</p>
<p>5-7 .</p>
<p>I think 8 is the max for a good amount, but around 6 is best.</p>
<p>A friend of mine applied to 20! I think that's overkill. Keep it in the single-digits.</p>
<p>If cost is a factor for you, you can ask the admissions offices about fee waivers. It doesn't hurt to ask.</p>
<p>I say apply to as many as you want that won't detract too much from your life/school work. I know it might be too much work to apply to like more than 10, but with admissions the way it is and the need for financial aid by many, it is important that you apply to multiple schools</p>
<p>One of my friends applied to twenty five. Rejected or waitlisted from all but one (and it wasn't one he particularly liked). I think ten or more just puts a huge strain on you and it seems that you might spread yourself too thin.</p>
<p>son's friend applied to 11 because his father "made" him. there was so much paperwork involved between him and the school. he couldn't keep track...several of his schools never received counselor recs and one never got transcripts. he just assumed the school would do all of it....he was busy with his course load and his sports....so, unless you personally are very organized and are willing to track all paper work, i would say apply to 6-8. my children(3) only applied to 6 and it worked well. Make sure your safeties are really safe and good fits because you never know.</p>
<p>Someone on CC has a great idea (that I wish we could have followed last year)....Goes something like this: (don't hold me to this.....I think it was JHS who suggested it, so you may want to peruse past posts)</p>
<ol>
<li>Apply to one non-binding EA school that you love if you can. (if it's a safety, that's even better) (If you have an ED school, obviously that one as well...)</li>
<li>If you are accepted, you can pare down your RD list knowing you have one acceptance in your pocket in the fall (before RD apps are due)</li>
</ol>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>