How many colleges should an international student apply to?

I'm an international student planning to apply to colleges in America, and I'm unsure how many I should include in my list. Should I apply to more schools as an international applicant, or is there a recommended number?

Creating a balanced college list as an international student, it's generally recommended to apply to around 10 to 15 schools. This way, you can have a diverse list of options and balance of reach, target, and safety schools.

In this total number, break it down into the following:

1. Reach schools: These are colleges where your academic qualifications fall below the school's range for the average first-year student. You should apply to 3-4 such colleges.

2. Match schools: These are colleges where your academic records are very much in line with the average first-year students. It should be more or less 4-6 colleges.

3. Safety schools: These are colleges where your academic records surpass the range for the average first-year student. Around 3-4 colleges makes a good sense.

Remember, just as significantly as the number of applications, the diversity of schools in terms of selectivity is also crucial. If you choose only highly selective schools, you run a much higher risk of being turned down by them all, so cover your bases.

Finally, ensure that each school on your list is one you'd be genuinely happy to attend, not just a placeholder to pad your application pool. It is important to thoroughly research and visit (physically or virtually) these institutions to understand if they fit your academic and personal wants.