How many colleges should you apply to?
OK, you’ve completed your searches, taken your tours, and had a million conversations about what your ideal college experience looks like.
Now it’s time to apply.
There’s no limit to the number of colleges you can apply to. But preserve your time and sanity — most experts will tell you to keep it under a dozen.
The College Board recommends five to eight, with a mix of:
- safety colleges, where you expect little chance of rejection
- target or match colleges, which fit your needs best and are likely to accept you
- reach colleges, which carry the greatest risk of rejection
If you want to aim for your dream schools, go for it. But set realistic expectations. Record low acceptance rates at some colleges make them highly competitive for all applicants. Look for alternatives that may be lesser known but still offer a great education.
Yes, you’ll probably get some rejections. It happens to nearly all of us. They’ll sting a bit, but you’ll bounce back, and if you’ve followed the above advice, you’ll find yourself in a rewarding educational experience — even if it isn’t the one you’d initially imagined.