Hey everyone, I've been working on college application strategies and I'm curious if there's a recommended number of college applications a person should submit. What's the ideal balance between safety, match, and reach schools? Any advice on building a balanced application list is appreciated. Thanks!
Hi there! It's great that you're thinking about building a balanced college application list. There's no magic number when it comes to how many colleges you should apply to, but a common recommendation is around 8-12, depending on your specific needs and circumstances.
A general rule of thumb is to apply to at least 2-4 safety schools, 4-6 match schools, and 2-4 reach schools, although your list can vary based on your personal preferences and objectives. When my child was applying to colleges, we found this approach helpful for covering all the bases without feeling overwhelmed.
It's important to not spread yourself too thin and focus on choosing schools that are a good fit for your unique interests and goals. Don't forget to consider factors like location, campus culture, and financial aid when building your list. For further guidance, I highly recommend CollegeVine's in-depth article on building a balanced college list: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-make-a-college-list
Best of luck with your college application journey!
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