Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Sending applications to 20+ colleges?

Hi all! I'm a high school junior working on my college list. I'm thinking of applying to more than 20 colleges, is this advisable? What should I consider before deciding? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

a year ago

Applying to over 20 colleges can be extremely time-consuming and may not necessarily increase your chances of getting into a better school. Here's a breakdown of some factors to consider before deciding:

1. Application fees: Many colleges charge application fees, and these can add up quickly when you're applying to more than 20 schools. Look into fee waivers if cost is a concern, but be mindful of the overall expense.

2. Time commitment: Each application takes time to complete, particularly when writing supplemental essays. If you spread yourself too thin, the quality of your applications might suffer.

3. Organizing deadlines: It can be challenging to keep track of all the application deadlines, requirements, and materials for multiple schools. Make sure you have a good system in place to help you stay organized.

Instead of applying to such a large number of schools, try narrowing down your list to around 10-15 colleges. You can categorize them into three types:

1. Reach schools: These are colleges where your academic profile is below the average for admitted students, but you'd love to attend if you get in. Aim for 2-4 reach schools.

2. Target schools: These are colleges where your academic profile is around the average for admitted students. You have a reasonable chance of getting in and feel positive about attending. Aim for 4-6 target schools.

3. Safety schools: These are colleges where your academic profile is above the average for admitted students, increasing the likelihood of both getting in and potentially receiving scholarships or merit aid. Ensure that you'll be happy to attend these schools. Aim for 2-4 safety schools.

By focusing on a well-rounded, manageable list, you'll be able to dedicate more time and effort to each application, improving the quality and potentially increasing your chances of admission to your top choices. It can also streamline the decision-making process once you receive your admissions results. Good luck!

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.