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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think it's crazy for a school to limit the number of colleges a student can apply to.  Today, getting in is totally random.  You may not get into Duke, but happen to get into Harvard.  The kids who apply to as many schools as possible (so long as they can put their heart and soul into each of the essays) has the best chance of winning the lottery that is today's college admissions process.[/quote]

If every kid did this, then the odds of admission would go down even further for every kid. It would be mutually assured self-destruction.

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+1 -- The problem at Sidwell is not the limit on the number of applications; the problem is that the counselors pretend that strategic considerations don't exist -- instead of helping kids and parents figure out a strategy, including choosing safeties that kids can live with.  The result: one-quarter of the class applies to Michigan and one-quarter to Tufts (with a significant overlap here among students falling in the middle-quarter of the grade).  MADness.   [/quote]

Just to be sure I understand - Michigan and Tufts are seen as safeties?  Because neither is a sure bet for the kid in the middle of any school's distribution. Especially if 20-25 other kids from the same school are also applying....

I wonder if the counselors deserve all the blame, or if some blame should fall on the families. The parents are thinking, "Hey, my kid already beat 1/12 odds to get into Sidwell, and what with having the Obamas' school on his application, he should be a shoe-in for Harvard."  Then the counselor chickens out, doesn't stand up to the parents, doesn't point out this is unrealistic, and doesn't urge the kid to find some safeties to love....[/quote]

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