How Many Schools Should I Apply To?

One important decision to make when considering college applications is how many schools you should apply to. After all, of all the top colleges where you may gain admission for college, you're only going to attend one. So the choice can be quite difficult, and may take a good deal of time.

First, when considering college admission requirements, also consider what the price or cost of applying may be. Some of the top colleges and universities charge a fairly substantial "processing fee," which could run upwards of $100. It's a good idea to consult a college admission guide that offers to rank the top colleges, provides data on SAT requirements, and clearly explains the college application process to you.

After a list of prospective colleges has been made, it's a good idea to separate these universities into three categories: top colleges you "wish" to be admitted into, the "good chance" schools, where you're likely to receive admittance, and the "no doubt about it" schools, who'll be more than happy to offer college admission if you simply meet their minimum college admission requirements.

Everyone wants to get into the top colleges, or the schools with a college rank in the "top-twenty," so GPA and SAT admission requirements are quite high for these "wish" schools. With some of these top colleges, they ask for a 3.7 GPA or better and a minimum score of 1200 on the SAT exams just to be considered. If you don't meet these criteria, then think about what needs to be done.

Your "good chance" schools are the top colleges and universities that you know will consider your application and are possibly going to offer admission for college. Set your sights on these schools and make sure to understand their criteria, or college admission requirements, to increase your chances.

The "no doubt about it" schools are the top colleges that will act as an insurance policy in case, for whatever reason, your college application process doesn't go as planned. Consider applying to at least one of these schools as necessary and try to measure other aspects of this top university - like college life, tuition costs, location, attractive curriculums, etc. - when making your decision.

In answer to the original question, "How many schools should I apply to?" the answer is based on your personal limitations. At least one from each category is a good start, but if you can afford more and have the time to fill out the applications for college, as many as possible depending on your willingness to actually attend these top universities if they decide to offer you admission.

In other words, don't waste your time and theirs. Understand as best you can each college's admission requirements and work within their guidelines to increase your chances for gaining admission to the top college of your choice.