Which colleges do most students apply to?

Hey! Just starting to look into the application process and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of colleges out there. Knowing the ones most students apply to might help me narrow it down a bit. Any suggestions on where I should start looking?

It appears you're interested in knowing which colleges receive a high volume of applications as a starting point for your college search. Rather than focus on the number of applications, it's important to consider other factors such as the college’s academic programs, its campus culture, its location, its size, as well as financial aid and scholarships. Nevertheless, to answer your question, Stanford University, UCLA, UCSD, and Harvard University traditionally see a high volume of applications each year.

Stanford University, for instance, often has an application pool of over 40,000 applicants but has a very low admission rate, common among Ivy League and other highly selective colleges. On the other hand, UCLA and UCSD, both part of the University of California system, see extremely high application numbers given the large population of California and the reputation of the UC system.

Again, remember just because a school receives a lot of applications doesn't mean it's the best fit for you. Your college selection should be holistic and factor in various aspects that align with your career and personal goals. It would be good to research the colleges, check their programs, campus life, and resources before making a decision.