Too Many Applications?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello to everyone. As a new member of CC and a junior, I have been browsing the forums for information much more often than posting. Since I have joined, I have seen threads keep popping out in which kids are asking, "Why didn't I get into this school? What have I been doing wrong?" Then I look at the number of colleges most of these kids applied to and it ranges anywhere from 11 - 26. </p>

<p>Now, I know that the Common App is used by a lot of schools, but it seems to me like 26 applications is way too much. How can you write a uniquely personal and deeply honest answer for 26 applications? And even if you are using the Common App, surely you are not being entirely smart and applying to schools that fit you. Your answer to that essay is not going to fit every single one of 26 colleges. It seems so obvious to me that this might be a large reason for some kids being rejected from a lot of schools!</p>

<p>Then there are the ridiculously high standards at this forum. I asked for my chances in a chance thread, but I took them with a grain of salt. How can people believe that applying to some schools does not come with the risk of rejection, especially (but not exclusively) at the top tier? </p>

<p>I realize that by posting this a lot of people will probably think that I am personally attacking them. I certainly don't mean to. Please, don't be offended by what I am saying. I have pretty much just put my thoughts down, and I'm wondering what you all think of them.</p>

2

<p>Well everybody is diffrent... thay have their own unique way of doing things.</p>

3

<p>I would recommend NOT doing 26 applications. You cannot put the personal care required into 26 applications, which hurts some people's chances I think. I agree with every point you make in the second paragraph.</p>

4

<p>Just make sure you have matches and safeties mixed in with your reaches and there's no need to apply to 26 schools.</p>

5

<p>I think part of the reason why people apply to so many schools is because they are qualified for the most prestigious, but there is no guarantee that they will get into those schools if they apply to only a couple, since the admissions to ivies and other top LACs and universities seem to be pretty random. These people, since they are so well-qualified, don't really want to go to their safeties. So they apply to a bunch of really good schools and hope that at they'll be accepted at at least one. Still, 26 schools is a bit over the top.</p>