<p>Hi. I'm an int'l.
So, I'm applying to a GREAT number of good colleges (15+, after serious choosing), and quite a few of them are in fact impractical (like princeton, MIT and Caltech which I simply just wanted to try and see...also love them though).
The problem is, my mom saw that (thanks to common app's error period) and she's now strongly dissuading me from listing them all. She says that I've listed TOO much and AOs will instinctly dislike me and very likely will reject/waitlist me, because I had so many options that I just looked aimless and very likely won't attend Rice. She says it's like she won't even bother looking at a man's resume who have changed 11 jobs in 2 years.
But it's not true...I have solid reasons for every colleges in the list, and Rice is in fact one of my top choices. It's so unique and just instantly captured my heart. So I seriously want to attend, and her words trouble me.
Will writing this much hurt my chance?</p>
<p>IMO, listing them all is better than lying about it.</p>
<p>If your essays and application are good and they show your interest to attend Rice, I don’t think this matters. If they are generic, then it likely shows them that you are applying all over.</p>
<p>Isn’t the deadline past on applying to those schools?</p>
<p>I think particularly as an international it will be understood that you are applying to several schools. But yes, each school’s application needs to be unique and tailored to that school specifically.</p>
<p>Uh. The deadline passed for Rice. It was Jan. 1 at 11:59. In fact, many of the Ivy League schools or more prestigious schools have already had their deadline pass already.</p>
<p>As for listing many schools, don’t worry about it. As long as you showed demonstrated interest, then you’re fine. I listed 5 schools. You’ll be okay, as long as you already applied.</p>
<p>@arrozconleche Wasn’t it technically January 2nd at 11:59 due to the Common App Crash? </p>
<p>It doesn’t matter cause it’s all ready passed, but I just want to know.</p>
<p>I also did the same thing as the OP(and I’m also an int’l): I listed ~15 schools in that section, mentioning something like: “these are all the schools I’m considering, I may not apply to all of them though.” However, my list wasn’t final, and I sort of rushed to catch the interview deadline. After better research, I ended up applying only to about half of them, and no extra school. Was listing all the options I had in my mind at that point a bad move?</p>
<p>Sorry for kind of hijacking this thread, my question is related to that of the OP though. :)</p>
<p>I agree with many of the other posters. It’s much better to be honest because the admissions officers will understand, and if you don’t, they might suspect that you’re not being honest, so just be yourself. That’s the best advice there is.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I do not think so. I listed a whole slew of schools and got in to Rice.</p>
<p>that question shouldn’t hurt you. Honesty is more important</p>
<p>I only put the state schools I applied to.</p>
<p>@Antarius, did Rice offer you a large merit scholarship?</p>
<p>To quell the fears of future applicants, I don’t think it matters how many you name. I applied to 16 total and listed as many as I could for the word limit and was accepted. Here’s word for word what I put:</p>
<p>“I have applied to the University of Florida, Wake Forest University, Notre Dame University, the University of Virginia, Carnegie Mellon University, and Drexel University. I expect to apply to Cornell University, Washington University of St. Louis, and the Cooper Union. (it’s a long list, but Rice is my number one!)”</p>
<p>Also if you dont write anything in that section, thts fine too. Did tht, got in!</p>