| I think 5-8 is a good amount. You want enough to give you options come April but not so many that your apps lose their interest. Make sure most schools are matches, though! Unless you go to a challenging school, 3.7 is not going to make super-reachy schools any easier. (It's a respectable GPA, of course! Just that a lot on your list are super-selective, and will be looking for any reason to narrow down the application pool.)
Also, your list of schools is pretty diverse. I'd look at issues like size, geography, selectivity, and definately proximity to major cities! Dartmouth and UPenn are about as different as can be--what attracts you to them? Obviously, you can't visit every school, but try and experience a wide variety of types. That way, when you're done visiting, you know that LACs really aren't for you or you couldn't stand a rural environment. There's no need to apply to 5-8 practically identical schools or anything, but make sure you have a reason for applying to each one: that you feel you'll be successful and fit in for four years. |