If you鈥檙e a high school senior, you鈥檝e likely wondered, 鈥淪o, how many colleges should I apply to exactly?鈥�
It鈥檚 a question with a less-than-simple answer. Unfortunately, no easy number fits every student perfectly. If you scour the internet, you鈥檒l find the most common suggestion is to apply to 6-12 undergraduate programs, which is a pretty big range.
Of course, that number can vary depending on your student profile, including your GPA, extracurriculars, intended program, financial needs, and the program’s competitiveness.
It鈥檚 a long list of considerations that determine the strength of your candidacy as a college student, but most important is finding the best possible fit while juggling all the factors that make you a unique candidate.
Applying to college: Narrowing down how many undergraduate programs works best for you
Now you know you鈥檙e not alone in asking, 鈥淗ow many colleges should I apply to?鈥� It鈥檚 time to unpack how others are tackling this question.
To narrow in on your final number, look at the admission rates of your top choices. If you鈥檙e applying to mostly highly selective universities, you may want to expand your list so you鈥檝e still got options if you do receive a rejection letter or a waitlist offer.
Even with a strong high school record and extracurriculars, apply to at least a few safety schools you鈥檙e confident you鈥檒l get into. It鈥檚 always good to keep choices on the table.
Think of 6-12 schools as a starting range, and decide where your number needs to be based on the types of programs you鈥檙e looking at, their acceptance rates, your test scores, and other factors. Maybe six is more than enough options for your palette, or maybe it鈥檚 safer to cast a wide net if you鈥檝e got your eye on a few exclusive programs.
Applying to college: Balancing your choices
How to apply to college depends almost entirely on your high school record, so you鈥檒l want to look into compiling a list that has schools you鈥檙e not sure you鈥檒l get into (reach schools), some schools you鈥檙e pretty confident you鈥檒l get into (target schools), and schools that you鈥檙e almost certain you鈥檒l get into (safety schools).
Also keep in mind the admission rates for the specific degree you鈥檙e considering; whether you鈥檙e applying to Bachelor of Arts programs or Bachelor of Science programs can affect the school鈥檚 final decision.
Remember, you don鈥檛 have to navigate this decision-making period alone. Sit down with your guidance counselor to understand how your GPA, standardized test scores, and extracurriculars factor into your college application. Be sure to consider your admissions safety and financial safety. Look into financial aid and see what you鈥檒l qualify for before finalizing your list of undergraduate programs.
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How to build a balanced college list
Create a balanced list with the help of a guidance counselor or parent. Break down your list of schools into categories of reach, target, and safety schools. This gives you options while ensuring you can attend college in the fall.
Admission is never guaranteed, so be mindful that you may not get into all of your target schools. You might want to consider having at least two safety schools on your list that you鈥檇 be excited to attend. The idea in creating a balanced list is to minimize your risk (i.e., stress) while also making sure you鈥檇 actually like to attend any of the schools on your list.
When to consider applying to more colleges
If you鈥檙e still looping anxiously on 鈥淗ow many colleges should I apply to?鈥�, then you may want to throw in a few more. This is important if the majority of schools on your list are highly selective. Applying to more schools can give you more opportunities for admission, financial aid, and/or scholarship options.
This can be particularly relevant if you鈥檙e applying for specific Bachelor of Science programs with a particular concentration or research opportunities. Or perhaps you鈥檙e applying for Bachelor of Arts programs and looking to study under a particular professor.
When to consider applying to fewer colleges
Sometimes, submitting more applications isn鈥檛 the best option. If you鈥檙e concerned about burnout or feeling overwhelmed, it might be time to take a step back and really consider your list. Whittling down your list to a handful of schools can give you realistic options and free up time to learn more about them or even tour them.
You鈥檒l want to think about the ask of each application. Do they require supplemental essays, additional questionnaires? How much extra time will that cost you? How much does each application cost? Is that within your budget? Consider these things before you start filling out your applications. Think about which schools matter to you and why you鈥檇 want to attend.
Choosing colleges based on program fit
Deciding where you want to attend college is likely your first really 鈥渁dult鈥� decision. It鈥檚 important to balance program fit while staying conscientious of what your life will look like at that university.
You may start with how to apply to college, but the real question is which colleges you’re applying to and why.
Comparing undergraduate programs
When you鈥檙e first compiling your list and asking, 鈥渉ow many colleges should I apply to,鈥� it can be overwhelming. Start early (yes, your junior year is best) so you can take breaks and enjoy the research and exploration, rather than rush it or burn out when you should be enjoying your senior year.
Once you鈥檝e narrowed it down to a few schools, dig deeper into each university to compare undergraduate programs. Look at faculty connections, location, research opportunities, internships, and career prep. Consider what you want to do after graduation and which schools best align with your goals.
Looking beyond reputation
When possible, go in person to tour the campus and get a sense of what student life feels like. Just because a school has a big name or good reputation doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 the right fit for you.
Dive into the program itself, considering:
- Are internship placements available?
- Do your preferred programs require capstone projects?
- Is studying abroad financially feasible?
- What are the course requirements?
- Who鈥檚 graduated from this program, and where are they now?
These questions (and more) are worth considering when applying to college, but you also want to factor in your feelings and fit. The best school for you is the one you鈥檇 be super excited to attend.
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As discussed, there isn鈥檛 a magic number of colleges every student should apply to, but the 6鈥�12 school range is a good starting point. Your ideal number might be different. Start by exploring colleges and building a list of schools with programs that interest you. Places you can picture yourself at for the next four years.
Ready to take the next step? Learn more or apply today.