<p>Casting a wide net to me means applying to a few of the very top schools, a few of the very good schools, and also a few that a child would be happy to attend and would very likely gain acceptance. Applying to ten of the most competitive schools might not necessarily enhance the chances given the low acceptance rates of the schools listed in the OP. Then again, there is the legitimate point of view of going big or go home. If your child absolutely wants to attend a BS, you may want to consider a few slightly lower ranked schools provided they are close to ski areas like Holderness in the White Mountains. :)</p>