colleges to apply to, but there are some pretty good strategies to go by. The main thing is to divide your list into three categories. You should apply to high-end schools just in case the universe is ready to grant you a wish. Next, consider the colleges that are likely to accept you. Finally, cover your bases by including a community college or university that would be your fall-back position should all else fail. The number of colleges to put on each list is up to you and will likely be determined by the following:" />

Applying to College: It’s a Numbers Game


There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to the number of colleges to apply to, but there are some pretty good strategies to go by. The main thing is to divide your list into three categories. You should apply to high-end schools just in case the universe is ready to grant you a wish. Next, consider the colleges that are likely to accept you. Finally, cover your bases by including a community college or university that would be your fall-back position should all else fail. The number of colleges to put on each list is up to you and will likely be determined by the following:

1. How much will it cost? Plenty. While application fees vary, it’s not inexpensive. The range is roughly from 50 to 100 dollars and that’s not all. Each time you request a copy of your ACT or SAT scores to go out, there’s a charge of just under $10. So if you were planning on including at least three colleges to each of the three categories, do the math before you make your final decision.

There is help available in some cases. If you can prove financial hardship, check each admissions office to see if there’s a program in place to waive the fees. If not, go to your high school to see if they offer any support. If coming up with the funds for your college education is a huge concern, don’t rule out those fall-back colleges. Sometimes they offer better scholarships in order to lure students their way.

2. Time spent. If money isn’t a problem, perhaps time is. Did you know that it can take between two and five hours to prepare every college application package? You don’t want to cut corners here; the college essay alone is very time consuming if done well. If your list of schools has ten names on it, that could mean 50 hours of work ahead of you.

3. Have you evaluated each college to make sure it fits your current needs? Sometimes, we start envisioning ourselves going to our parent’s alma mater or campus of our favorite college team from the time we are little. Before you spend the time and money to prepare your application for these types of schools, ask yourself if they truly fit the needs that you’ve grown into. Put your list of schools in each of the three categories in front of you and do some soul searching before you begin. You just might find that you can shorten your lists.

When it comes right down to it, of all the colleges in the United States, less than 200 of them turn down more applications down than they accept. Try to relax, do some soul searching and then get busy. This may be a stressful time for you, but it can also be very exciting.

Kim Williams is a school counselor in Maryland. Her special interests include co-curricular scholarship programs, online colleges and online degree programs in the sciences.