<p>I’m applying to only three schools - Reed, Harvey Mudd, and MIT. But my friends are applying to much more - good friend 7, best friend >10. </p>
<p>I’m only applying to these three, as I feel its an adequate representation of my interests. I think I’ll get into Reed, maybe Mudd, and maybe-maybe MIT. Even if I applied and was accepted to <em>insert name of prestigious school like Caltech or Dartmouth</em>, I’d prefer to enroll in Reed. </p>
<p>It’s just disconcerting and perhaps worrying - am I doing the right thing? Is it wise in this ultra-competitive era? I know I’m an international so admissions will be more difficult and unpredictable, but I just don’t feel the love for other schools. Sometimes I do feel slightly pressured and unsure if I can be satisfied ultimately.</p>
<p>I think that you are doing the right thing. When I applied for colleges, I could only muster up 3 of them, and I did so well after the admission dates passed. My lack of interest in the process didn’t hinder my college experience as I had the good sense to big decently prestigious large state universities where numerous diverse opportunities were available. I don’t think you should feel pressured into applying to a dozen schools because other people who are less secure do.</p>
<p>If I get into University of South Florida, I probably won’t apply to some schools that I’m holding off on. So if I get in, I’ll have only applied to 4.</p>
<p>Mathematically speaking, it’s probably not a smart idea. Reed, according to collegeboard, has a 34% acceptance rate, and even for someone incredibly smart (as I will assume you are), that’s a risky “safety.” Is there ANY other easier-to-get-into school that you would feel comfortable putting on your list? Just in case?
But I’m very averse to taking “risks” or “gambles.” If you truly feel like that’s the right choice for you… I’m sure others have done it =)</p>
<p>You’re making the fallacious assumption that colleges with the same acceptance rate rejected the same caliber of people. Schools attract different levels of applicants. For example, UFlorida’s acceptance rate this year was in the 20’s but it’s barely in the top 50 on USNews.</p>
<p>Two of my kids applied to 10 schools each. We were nervous about the process, and kept adding schools “just to be safe.” They got in everywhere, so we ended up doing college re-visits and struggling every time a new financial aid letter arrived. We started playing the “what if” game. If you got in at A and B, would you choose A or B. Choice is B. If you got in at B or C, which one would you choose…etc. It turned out that they could actually pare down the list quickly to 4-5 choices. Financial aid did play a role in knocking one off a final list, and putting one at the top of another final list. </p>
<p>Next kid is probably only going to apply to 3 or 4. It looks like she’s going to be perfectly happy to stick with safety schools (which happen to be reasonably priced too). </p>
<p>I think 5 is a good number, as long as you have at least 2 good safeties on the list so you have an acceptable choice no matter what happens… the problem with your list, is that these aren’t really safety schools. Each of them are so competitive that anything can happen, even to good candidates. . There are so many universities that you should widen your net a bit to find some more “safeties.”</p>
<p>I think <5 schools is a good number to aim for if you’re very focused–as you seem to be–about what you want, but you do need a safety. Reed is not a safety. What’s your favorite (relatively) in-state public?</p>
<p>I only applied to six schools. It was a mistake, I ruled too many top schools out for reasons that six months later I regretted. I definitely falsely stereotyped schools. If I could go back in time I would tell my high school self to apply to more schools. You honestly only really know a school upon visitation days. Luckily I was much smarter the next time around, and I was able to choose between some of my favorite schools in the world as a transfer.</p>
<p>Fewer than five is fine as long as one is a safety. And if you are not willing to attend as school it isn’t a safety, it’s a waste of application money. None of the OP’s schools is a safety but the OP is an international and I don’t know if there is a US safety school for internationals.</p>
<p>Remember schools pick you, not the other way around. I find it hard to believe that a top student could only find less than 5 schools he/ she likes.</p>
<p>I’m applying EA to one school, and I’ll hear back from them before any other RD deadlines. If I get in, I’ll apply to 3 other schools. If I’m rejected, I’ll apply to 5 other schools.</p>
<p>omegared: If you’d only be happy at 5 schools, then you shouldn’t be applying to the other schools. Most especially safeties–you MUST find a safety that you’d be happy to attend, otherwise it’s not a safety.</p>
<p>I disagree with the statement that schools pick you and not the other way around. Schools may prevent you from entering (at least into a degree program) but the picking is really done by the student.</p>
<p>fiona, I would suggest that you find another school that is “safer” than Reed, unless you have a safe alternative in hand in Singapore or elsewhere–or unless you would feel comfortable not going to college next year. College admissions can be extremely unpredictable, especially at LACs where they are not going strictly “by the numbers.”</p>
<p>I’m assuming from the three schools you’ve selected that you want a school that is strong in the sciences, with the opportunity to study the humanities at a high level also, either at the same school or at a closely allied school. I would suggest that you look at the University of Rochester as a very good school that provides similar opportunities but is somewhat safer for a top student.</p>
<p>Our D applied EA to her second choice school; objectively it was a safety for her, and she was admitted. Then she was a bit more relaxed when she applied RD to her first choice school which was a match, and was very happy when she was admitted.</p>
<p>So if you can find an EA school that you really like and it’s a match or safety, it could make the application process much less nerve-wracking.</p>