How Many Applications do Most Students Send Out?

Planning my college application strategy is starting to stress me out. Typically, how many applications does a high school student send out? I've heard some people apply to like 20, but I'm not sure if that's the norm or not. Also, how many reach, match, and safety schools should I consider applying to?

When it comes to the college application process, it's crucial to remember that quality over quantity is key. Most students typically apply to between 5 and 10 schools, but this number can vary significantly based on individual circumstances and college application strategy. It may go as high as 15, but these are rare cases.

A well-balanced college list should include a mix of reach, match, and safety schools – about 2-3 of each is a good guideline for most students.

'Reach' schools are colleges where your academic credentials fall below the school's range for the average freshman. They're long-shots, but they should still be schools you'd be happy to attend.

'Match' schools are colleges where your academic credentials (grades, SAT or ACT scores, and class rank) fall well within (or exceed) the school's range for the average freshman. You're not guaranteed admission, but you're certainly competitive.

'Safety' schools are colleges where your academic credentials exceed the school's range for the average freshman. You can be reasonably certain you'll be admitted, as long as you meet basic requirements like course work.

While it may seem like applying to more schools increases your chances of acceptance, it's important to ensure that every application you submit is strong and well-thought-out. It's better to hand in a few awesome applications than many mediocre ones. So focus on finding the schools that fit you well academically, socially and financially.