When it comes to applying to college, one of the most common questions students ask is, “How many colleges should I apply to on Common App?” The answer to this question is not a simple one. There is no magic number that applies to everyone, as each student’s circumstances are unique. That said, a good rule of thumb is to apply to five to eight colleges.
When choosing which colleges to apply to, it is important to create a balanced list. This means including a combination of “safety,” “match,” and “reach” colleges. Safety schools are those that you are almost certain to be accepted to, based on your academic record and test scores. Match schools are those that are likely to accept you, but may require a slightly higher GPA or test score. Reach schools are those that are more competitive and may be difficult to get into.
It is important to note that the number of colleges you apply to should be based on your individual circumstances. If you have a strong academic record and test scores, you may be able to get away with applying to fewer schools. On the other hand, if your academic record is not as strong, you may want to apply to more schools to increase your chances of being accepted.
Ultimately, the number of colleges you apply to on Common App is up to you. However, it is important to create a balanced list of safety, match, and reach schools. Five to eight applications are usually enough to ensure that a student is accepted into a suitable institution, depending, of course, on the individual student’s record and circumstances.
