Applying to Many Colleges, Too Many?

Is there any limit or optimal range for the number of colleges one should apply to? I heard about people who applied to a crazy amount of colleges and it got me thinking. How many colleges is realistic? What should the balance be between reach, match, and safety schools?

While there's no absolute limit to the number of colleges you can apply to, a generally accepted range is to apply to 8-12 schools. The reason for this is to ensure you have a good balance between reach, match, and safety schools, while also being able to devote adequate time and effort to each application.

The exact balance of reach, match, and safety schools will depend on your individual circumstances, but a common recommendation is the 2:2:1 rule. This suggests applying to a ratio that comes out to around 3-4 reach schools, 3-4 match schools, and 2-3 safety schools.

Reach schools are those where your academic profile falls below the school's range for the middle 50% of students. They're a "reach" because your likely acceptance is lower, but not impossible.

Match schools are those where your qualifications match (or very closely match) the school's average enrollee. These are schools where you have a reasonable chance of being accepted.

Safety schools are those where your academic credentials exceed the school's range for the middle 50% of first-year students. They are colleges you are almost certain to get into because your grades, test scores, and class standing are well above average for admitted students.

While this can be a good starting point, it's important to remember that every student's application situation will be unique and you should consider factors such as finances, location, and program of study when finalizing your list.

One crucial thing to keep in mind is the potential workload. Each application will require time and effort to make sure they're done well. Many schools use the Common App, which streamlines the process, but supplemental essays, if required, can still take considerable time.

Remember, it's about quality, not quantity—it's better to have well-crafted applications to a few carefully selected schools than rushed applications to many.