<p>This is a topic that I've always wondered about but could never get any real information on. Since college admissions have become so competitive and admissions rates have become so insanely low, I was wondering how many applicants apply to schools that they really have NO business applying to. I'm talking situations where people apply to places like HYPSM or whatever highly selective college and have GPAs well below average but apply to a school just because they know that it's good. What would anyone think? I'm guessing at least somewhere around 10% at most elite schools.</p>
<p>Anything is speculation</p>
<p>1) The effort to track this percentage would be complex. Not only are you looking at those who don’t make the first cut ( a good percentage) but you’re asking admissions officers to even note which were unreasonable. </p>
<p>For what purpose? To alter future marketing strategies to solicit to fewer of these fantasy applicants? Don’t see it worth the time or effort b/c there will always be these zero chancers.</p>
<p>2) Whatever the percentage, the odds are still terriffic against even the viable candidates. This discussion crops up occasionally b/c nervous applicants are hoping to tease out any glimmer of hope (the more unrealistic applicants, the better my odds! Yippee!) out of a ridiculously harsh admit rate environment. Don’t give into this mentality – it’s harsh and a percentage point one way or another isn’t going to help you sleep any better.</p>