<p>As a rising senior, I have a list of colleges to which I'm considering applying. My problem is that it consists of 21 schools... and I'm NOT applying to 21 schools. How can I decrease the list? I've tried reading college books and stuff, but I feel guilty crossing places off, mostly in fear that I won't get in the schools I keep. I'm looking at mostly highly selective schools but really have no idea where I could and couldn't get in... /: Help!</p>
<p>I’m a rising senior whose also in the same boat. The most highly selective schools are reaches for everyone, so you don’t want to make your list too top-heavy with just ivy’s and other top 15 universities. Pick a couple safety schools that you would be happy to attend, if it doesn’t work out with the super-selective schools. The majority of your list should probably consist of mid-reach/match schools that you believe your stats are competitive for. Make sure that you have a specific and good reason that you’re applying to each college, don’t just apply to a school because it’s an ivy, or because you feel that it’s really good.
As far as being worried about not getting into colleges on your list, I’d need to know more info about your stats and the actual colleges you’re looking at. Try to get your list down to 12-15 colleges, just so you can put your best effort forth on each.</p>
<p>The best way to cut down a list of highly selective schools is to get a strong handle on where you really have a shot. It’s a good idea to look at common data sets, Naviance and talk to your counselor to achieve a realistic list.</p>
<p>What are you stats?</p>
<p>Do you need financial aid? If so, would you qualify?</p>
<p>If you need aid, do you know if your schools meet need or would they gap you/or expect large loans?</p>
<p>You can definately have some reach schools on your list, but make sure to keep some matches/safety schools. That’ll keep you from needing to worry over whether or not you’ll get accepted to schools(especially because you say that you’re looking at highly selective schools)–I guess it depends what your stats are like</p>
<p>There are websites that will give you a pretty good statistical analysis of whether or not you will get into a school. Try <a href="http://www.%5B/url%5D">www.</a> I would say apply to no more than 4 schools where they say you have a 50-50 chance to get in. You should be able to narrow it down to 9 schools altogether. 4 reach, 3 match and 2 safety. To narrow it down, if you are very analytical you can use a spreadsheet where you list the things important to you in a school, give each thing an importance weight, and then rank each school in each category (1 to #of schools). This isn’t perfect, but should rule out a few.</p>
<p>Wait until the applications are released and then glance over them. Chances are you will rule some schools out just because they have too many essays or have prompts you don’t really want to write about.</p>
<p>ricegal: What website are you suggesting? All I see are a bunch of asterisks… 
I already have a pretty intense spreadsheet, but I can’t narrow down too much from there. /:</p>
<p>MY STATS
Class rank: 4/1156 (Highly competitive school; send a handful of people to Ivies and other selective places every year)
GPA: 4.58/4.00 (weighted) & 4.00/4.00 (weighted)
ACT: 36
SAT: 2360 (800 CR, 770 M, 790 W)
PSAT: 217 (Commended; possible semi-finalist)
Waiting on SAT II scores (ack! tomorrow!)</p>
<p>By the time high school is over, will have taken 12 AP classes
AP World history (self-study): 4, AP European history: 5, all other scores pending</p>
<p>Fluent in Marathi, Hindi, and Spanish</p>
<p>State-ranked math team member: 9,10,11,12
Model UN at University of Chicago: 10 (honorable award), 11 (verbal award), 12 (President)
Interact Service club (over 200 hours through this alone): 9, 10, 11, 12 (Exec board & President)
Photography published in school & national literary magazines
Girls State representative and state senator 2010
Track & Field (pole vault & hurdles): 9, 10 (JV), 11, 12 (V)
Shotokan Karate for 6 years (3rd degree brown belt)</p>
<p>Assistant in Medical/Surgical department of local hospital: 11, 12
Tutor at math & reading center: 11, 12
Intern in Political & Communications Center of political campaign: summer before 12</p>
<p>… I think those are all of the big things; I have a couple little things here and there too.</p>
<p>Excellent stats</p>
<p>What is your likely major and career?</p>
<p>Will your parents pay for wherever you get in?</p>
<p>Do you want a large or small university/college?</p>
<p>Thanks, but I’m still reeeeally nervous. </p>
<p>Major-wise, I’m looking into either pre-med (neurology, maybe) or international relations. Pretty different, I know, but I plan on applying undecided right now?</p>
<p>Yes, my parents are okay with expensive schools, as long as they are ‘prestigious’ by their standards. </p>
<p>And I want a small-ish university, but not an unknown one.</p>
<p>OKAY. Got SAT II scores this morning…</p>
<p>Biology M 770
Literature 750
Math II 800</p>