<p>I am of the opinion that one must apply to as many schools as one possibly can. Each application should be as strong as it can (don't dilute your efforts while increasing the no of apps). Money spent in applying (around $100 per college) is nothing compared to the tuition or financial aid dollars. College selection has many factors involved. No need to rush now. In April, after all the acceptances and aid packages are in, decide in a calm and thoughtful manner. I also think that one should apply to as many reaches are possible. The argument that it will prevent others from getting in is a flimsy one. This is one chance for you to do the best because after that you are usually stuck for 4 years.
As I said before I have finished applying to 9 places (4 reach + 2 match + 2 safety). Now I am planning to send another set of (up to) 6 applications in December after I get some results. Once you do one application well, the rest are far easier.</p>
<p>applying 8 at the most.</p>
<p>Can't speak for anyone else, but I CAN speak for my D. She is applying to 11 because most are small, selective LACs. There is absolutely no way of knowing if she will be accepted. Then there is the matter of cost ... because financial aid packages do vary, it is important to have options.</p>
<p>I still can't believe that the average is over 10. That's a lot of money.</p>
<p>^^^ Lets say one is applying to 5 more colleges than what you think is a resonable number. That is only 500 dollars more, it is not a lot of money. Let us not be penny-wise and pound-foolish! You can potentially get thousands of dollars saved in tuition+fees cost.</p>
<p>I agree with kelsmom. Also, I'm applying to 12-13 because about 7 of those colleges offer substantial merit aid, but I'm clearly not guaranteed anything. Applying for a lot of scholarships from a wide variety of schools increases my chances of getting somehing somewhere. I figure if I can get a substantial amount of money at one college, it'll make up for the lost money in application fees. To me, applying to more (if you have the resources, the time, etc.) is worth it, if you think you can get something out of it. At least I don't have to put all my eggs in one basket.</p>
<p>There's nothing wrong with applying to a lot of schools. It's called covering your bases. The problems come in when people just panic and start to apply anywhere and everywhere because they have no idea what they want or where they think they might get in. I am applying to about 12, but that is because I would really go to any of them if I got in. I really can't decide.</p>
<p>I think I'm going to apply to anywhere between 6-10 schools.
If I do end up applying to all ten, four of them I have fee waivers for so it's all good :) I'm not spending more than $400 on application fees!</p>
<p>I disagree with the not applying to a lot of reaches thing. I understand the money issue, and it's getting reaally pricey so I need to cut my list down, but aside from that, if the applications can get done, I think it's okay. The "reach" schools I'm applying to, I basically fall in their range, but because it is SO competative that I know there is a good chance I may not get in...but I might. There are quite a few of these schools that I REALLY like and think I could be happy at a number of them, but to chose only 2, say (when what I'm considered a match grade-wise is different than a match practically speaking in this crazy admissions game) when I could apply to several and maybe get into 1 or 2, leaves my options open. When it's a question of somewhat chance, I figure if I apply to enough, the probability that I get into one is better.</p>
<p>i know someone applying to 26 schools!</p>
<p>3, one safety, one slight-reach, one reach.</p>
<p>who is applying to the most colleges?</p>
<p>I'm surprise so many kids are applying to ten or more colleges.</p>
<p>currently 8, but I might have to add on a couple more in january after EA decisions are out.</p>
<p>Oh my gosh, why are so many people doing more than 10?</p>
<p>Everyone at my school thinks it's crazy that I'm applying at 6 (3 EA, 3 RD). I've got two safeties (NCSU, UNC-CH), two reachish (WUSTL, Chicago), and two impossible (Columbia, Dartmouth)</p>
<p>9.</p>
<p>3 Reach
3 Match
3 Safety.</p>
<p>Aint that pretty.</p>
<p>17...........</p>
<p>For all you people applying to 10+ schools....</p>
<p>Aren't you afraid that your guidance counselors, teachers, and parents are going to HATE you?</p>
<p>You guys are nuts.</p>
<p>Nope, because my teachers only have to fill out one Common App rec form and copy it.</p>
<p>I'm doing 8.
But one is a quick app that took about... 5 minutes.
So 7.
And 6 are common app.</p>
<p>I think that's fairly reasonable...</p>