Anonymous
04/13/2015 08:15
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
The universities have created a really complicated structure and admission to the best state schools has become much less reliable. At the same time, colleges generally have made multiple applications less work and have bought into CB's evil plan to encourage kids to take SATs early and often. I think it's rationality rather than craziness that drives people who can afford it to encourage their kids to apply to lots of colleges.
I applied to only two schools as a HS Senior (was already in a program that gave me guaranteed admission to state flagship). Took the SAT once, after studying on my own from a book of sample tests. And didn't do any road trips to tour campuses, though was familiar with a number because of ECs.
Thus far, DC is on the same path (minus the locked-in state school). But if EA doesn't yield any acceptances, then it'll be time to apply more broadly. I get the CYA aspect of safety schools, but this whole "balance" notion seems like BS to me. Why spend 2/3 of your energies on schools you probably can't get or don't want? Makes more sense to hone in on matches and, if they're highly selective, to tell DC not to get particularly invested in any one, but to apply to many.
I applied to only two schools as a HS Senior (was already in a program that gave me guaranteed admission to state flagship). Took the SAT once, after studying on my own from a book of sample tests. And didn't do any road trips to tour campuses, though was familiar with a number because of ECs.
Thus far, DC is on the same path (minus the locked-in state school). But if EA doesn't yield any acceptances, then it'll be time to apply more broadly. I get the CYA aspect of safety schools, but this whole "balance" notion seems like BS to me. Why spend 2/3 of your energies on schools you probably can't get or don't want? Makes more sense to hone in on matches and, if they're highly selective, to tell DC not to get particularly invested in any one, but to apply to many.
Anonymous
04/13/2015 06:36
Subject: Re:What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
Good to see that, years after Crazy U, rich parents are taking a much more relaxed approach to all this. 
Anonymous
04/13/2015 06:27
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
Anonymous wrote:Number is not important, strategy is important. Our high school actually impeded the process by not being ready with their recommendations. For public Us which notify early, a few early acceptances mean DC will submit fewer applications overall. I thought the school's delay in having recommendations available was to keep all seniors working hard as far into senior year as they could - or... maybe just laziness on their part. It was frustrating.
I agree strategy is key. Doing your homeowrk is also key. I think some of the people that say to apply to tons of schools (IMO more than 8) are just throwing a bunch out there and seeing what sticks. It takes time to visit and tour schools, figure out what you (student) wants. You don't have to go far to do the first bit of homework most "types" of school are near the metro area. It isn't just a numbers game about academic achievement and finances, does the student want an urban or rural or suburban campus? Does the student was a larger or smaller school? What is the student interested in studying? Does weather matter (hot, cold, allergies)? Does being near family matter? Does the student want to live on campus all four years? Does the student plan on coming home during the semester? Does the student plan on living at home and commuting? Is the student interested in being in an Honors College? Does gender diversity matter? Does ethnic diversity matter?
Anonymous
04/12/2015 23:22
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Your plan makes good sense and sound advice, and a plan I think we will use. The other apps ready to go are money in the bank and, hopefully, we won't have to use them.Anonymous wrote:EA at the school where DC is planning on using it is restrictive -- DC can't apply EA (or ED) to any other private college/university in the U.S.; but DC can apply to a U.S. public U system or to schools in other countries.
I appreciate the fact that DC can do both a public and a private early. More information earlier = more options and better decision-making IMO. But it only works that way if the public system the DC is interested in has rolling admissions or EA. And the DC has to have apps ready to go in case both schools say no (or ask again later --Magic 8 ball reference is intentional!)
But many schools give out merit aid early--so applying EA really can make a difference. And a school that limits your ability to do this could be costing you real money.
Might be useful advice for others, but not relevant in our case. Top choices for DC don't do merit aid (at least not at our HHI) and in our circumstances it doesn't make sense to choose a school based on cost.
That's nice, but surely there are some students at your school whose circumstances aren't as comfortable as your family's?
Sorry -- we were talking past each other. The school I was referring to that restricts EA isn't DC's HS -- it is the university where DC is applying EA.
Anonymous
04/12/2015 22:05
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
Number is not important, strategy is important. Our high school actually impeded the process by not being ready with their recommendations. For public Us which notify early, a few early acceptances mean DC will submit fewer applications overall. I thought the school's delay in having recommendations available was to keep all seniors working hard as far into senior year as they could - or... maybe just laziness on their part. It was frustrating.
Anonymous
04/12/2015 21:27
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Your plan makes good sense and sound advice, and a plan I think we will use. The other apps ready to go are money in the bank and, hopefully, we won't have to use them.Anonymous wrote:EA at the school where DC is planning on using it is restrictive -- DC can't apply EA (or ED) to any other private college/university in the U.S.; but DC can apply to a U.S. public U system or to schools in other countries.
I appreciate the fact that DC can do both a public and a private early. More information earlier = more options and better decision-making IMO. But it only works that way if the public system the DC is interested in has rolling admissions or EA. And the DC has to have apps ready to go in case both schools say no (or ask again later --Magic 8 ball reference is intentional!)
But many schools give out merit aid early--so applying EA really can make a difference. And a school that limits your ability to do this could be costing you real money.
Might be useful advice for others, but not relevant in our case. Top choices for DC don't do merit aid (at least not at our HHI) and in our circumstances it doesn't make sense to choose a school based on cost.
That's nice, but surely there are some students at your school whose circumstances aren't as comfortable as your family's?
Anonymous
04/12/2015 20:35
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
I'd do 12 -14 if money doesn't limit you, and include some schools which don't have supplements, or are a 'group' app like UC's or SUNY
Anonymous
04/12/2015 20:30
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
10 is a good number. Reaches are always reaches - whether it's an ivy or not. The schools that are becoming more of a crapshoot are the ones your DC "should" get into. This seems harder to predict. The main thing is to make sure your DC likes their safeties and would be happy going to one. I'd do 3 reaches- 4 shoulds, and 3 safeties. You literally never know how it will work out, and I've just been through the process 2 years in a row.
Anonymous
04/12/2015 20:19
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Your plan makes good sense and sound advice, and a plan I think we will use. The other apps ready to go are money in the bank and, hopefully, we won't have to use them.Anonymous wrote:EA at the school where DC is planning on using it is restrictive -- DC can't apply EA (or ED) to any other private college/university in the U.S.; but DC can apply to a U.S. public U system or to schools in other countries.
I appreciate the fact that DC can do both a public and a private early. More information earlier = more options and better decision-making IMO. But it only works that way if the public system the DC is interested in has rolling admissions or EA. And the DC has to have apps ready to go in case both schools say no (or ask again later --Magic 8 ball reference is intentional!)
But many schools give out merit aid early--so applying EA really can make a difference. And a school that limits your ability to do this could be costing you real money.
Might be useful advice for others, but not relevant in our case. Top choices for DC don't do merit aid (at least not at our HHI) and in our circumstances it doesn't make sense to choose a school based on cost.
Anonymous
04/12/2015 19:27
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
Anonymous wrote:Your plan makes good sense and sound advice, and a plan I think we will use. The other apps ready to go are money in the bank and, hopefully, we won't have to use them.Anonymous wrote:EA at the school where DC is planning on using it is restrictive -- DC can't apply EA (or ED) to any other private college/university in the U.S.; but DC can apply to a U.S. public U system or to schools in other countries.
I appreciate the fact that DC can do both a public and a private early. More information earlier = more options and better decision-making IMO. But it only works that way if the public system the DC is interested in has rolling admissions or EA. And the DC has to have apps ready to go in case both schools say no (or ask again later --Magic 8 ball reference is intentional!)
But many schools give out merit aid early--so applying EA really can make a difference. And a school that limits your ability to do this could be costing you real money.
Anonymous
04/12/2015 18:34
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
Your plan makes good sense and sound advice, and a plan I think we will use. The other apps ready to go are money in the bank and, hopefully, we won't have to use them.Anonymous wrote:EA at the school where DC is planning on using it is restrictive -- DC can't apply EA (or ED) to any other private college/university in the U.S.; but DC can apply to a U.S. public U system or to schools in other countries.
I appreciate the fact that DC can do both a public and a private early. More information earlier = more options and better decision-making IMO. But it only works that way if the public system the DC is interested in has rolling admissions or EA. And the DC has to have apps ready to go in case both schools say no (or ask again later --Magic 8 ball reference is intentional!)
Anonymous
04/12/2015 17:28
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
Anonymous wrote:Your app list must be balanced. If you have 7 reach schools, balance with 5 mid range and 5 safeties. It's a ton of work, but the student has to protect themselves from being shut out. The early action path can work,but make sure the notification date gives the student time to prepare alternate apps, if needed. Ex: notification date of Dec 15? Some guidance offices need a lead time of 2 weeks BEFORE Christmas break to send out transcripts, recommendations etc.
We went ahead and had the guidance office send transcripts, and sent SATs to all schools DC planned to apply to. Once DC got an ED defer and EA acceptance (Dec 19) he revised the list and dropped a few safeties. So we spent a few $ but no rushing.
Anonymous
04/12/2015 16:48
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Your app list must be balanced. If you have 7 reach schools, balance with 5 mid range and 5 safeties. It's a ton of work, but the student has to protect themselves from being shut out. The early action path can work,but make sure the notification date gives the student time to prepare alternate apps, if needed. Ex: notification date of Dec 15? Some guidance offices need a lead time of 2 weeks BEFORE Christmas break to send out transcripts, recommendations etc.
Are you suggesting 17 is the perfect number?
Anonymous
04/12/2015 16:46
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
Your app list must be balanced. If you have 7 reach schools, balance with 5 mid range and 5 safeties. It's a ton of work, but the student has to protect themselves from being shut out. The early action path can work,but make sure the notification date gives the student time to prepare alternate apps, if needed. Ex: notification date of Dec 15? Some guidance offices need a lead time of 2 weeks BEFORE Christmas break to send out transcripts, recommendations etc.
Anonymous
04/12/2015 16:28
Subject: What is the perfect number of college apps to submit?
^^This is my understanding too.