Hey, y'all! Okay, so I've been wondering...what's the record for the most applications one person has sent to colleges? Are there high schoolers out there applying to like 30 or more colleges? Seems excessive even to me, but I'm intrigued.
I think the highest I've heard about anecdotally is around the 40-50 range, which is clearly very, very rare and generally not recommended. Most students apply to much fewer colleges - typically between 7 to 15. This allows for a mix of safety, target, and reach schools.
Keep in mind that each application requires a fee (unless you qualify for a fee waiver), a significant amount of time, and sometimes additional essays or supplements. While you hear stories of those high amounts, those are outliers. The true average number hovers around 9-10 applications per student.
With college applications, the saying "quality over quantity" rings true as the time and attention given to each application matter far more than the total count. It could be detrimental to apply to too many schools because it spreads thin your ability to customize each application to demonstrate specific interest and fit.
So, while it's certainly possible to apply to a large number of colleges, it's vital to consider the time, effort, and costs involved, and to focus on those schools where you’re a good fit academically and socially. At the end of the day, you can only commit to one school!
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