A conceptual issue on admissions probability

lavendercloud
Sat, 26 May 2007 01:36:43 +0000

Obviously, applying to a lot of schools stretches your apps thin, particularly if you apply last-minute. I applied to 13 schools and, while I got into Amherst and am very excited about it, I would not do that again. It is a crapshoot in a number of ways; for instance, between two schools which you like equally well and think you have an equal chance of getting into, you might be accepted at one and not the other - so if you’re trying to minimize applications, what if you apply to the “wrong” one?

Of course, safeties are vital; I had 3 definite safeties and one more assumed. If I hadn’t gotten into any of my top choices, any of those schools would have been great for me (though it still would have been hard to choose). But 1 or 2 safeties probably would have been enough, and I didn’t need so many matches and reaches, either.