What is an average number of colleges to apply to?
It varies from place to place and student to student, but based on the sample size of around 50ish kids who I know how many places they’ve applied to at my school, that number seems to be about 4. For higher stats kids aiming for that number, it’s around 7 or 8.
I think 4 is low…I think 6-8 is reasonable for most people. You want one or two safety schools, one or two reach schools and four or so matches.
On the low end, 6-8 is the new average (I agree with happy1). I think anyone is crazy to only do 4, unless they’re mainly aiming for safeties/a sure thing like state schools (that they qualify for, can afford and would be happy at). The average-above-average kid does 10-12, in my experience. Then on the high end, kids going for a lot of reaches seem to do 15-20.
I applied to 7 schools. It all depends on what major you want to do, where you want to go, and many other factors. Don’t apply to the school just for the name brand; actually research the school and why it might be a fit for you. Depending on the number of reaches you have, your number may be higher than average.
The average is probably lower if you average in ED and people who apply EA and don’t bother with more applications. In our high school five or six years ago about 15% applied ED, and another 15% EA somewhere. I’m guessing that number is higher now. One of my kids applied to 8 schools, the other to 7. I think that is a good number for most kids applying to selective colleges. If you are chasing merit money you may need to apply to a lot more.
For the average student? No more than 3 or 4. Most kids don’t look far beyond their state schools and maybe some nearby privates.
I applied to four, three OOS, one in-state.
The average in my school is one or two in-state schools.
It just depends.
Four pages of answers to this question recently asked under High School Life: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/1848924-how-many-colleges-did-you-apply-to-p1.html
Enjoy!
Update: I actually applied to eight!
I’m a twin, I did 14 and my brother did 5. He’s just very sure what he wants, but I’m a little more indecisive. I guess it depends what kind of person you are
According to College Board, the average is 4. I applied to 14. I know people who knew where they wanted to go, applied, and got in. I want to give myself a variety of options (and, like @anon9362, I’m also indecisive). I know many people on both ends of the spectrum so it all depends on what you’re willing to do.