Most students Apply to 4 or fewer schools

<p>he applied if I remember correctly to one school in particular where on paper he’d be a shoe-in…the WL never opened up for him.</p>

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<p>This is true. However, if you read back over that thread from last year you’ll see that he basically treated this school as a “they’re going to take me no matter what so why put in much effort” throw away application. Additionally, this school was one likely to get many applications from students with musical talent, which Andi and her son had expected would be his drawing card because he has such exceptional talent. </p>

<p>Let me give another example that I’ve mentioned time and time again. Yale has the rep of being “the” Ivy that kids with EC’s related to theater should apply to. After all, they have such a terrific drama program, wouldn’t Yale be thrilled to see my or my child’s exceptional talent and EC’s in this field? So, what happens? Yale gets truckloads of applications from kids with just this type of background. And, it rejects truckloads as well because it has a surplus to choose from. So, a kid applying to Yale expecting to get in because of stellar theater background better have something else to offer that Yale doesn’t have a surplus of. Now this doesn’t mean that a theater kid shouldn’t apply to Yale, but they better have some other options and keep their mind open about loving them just as much as Yale, including, perhaps, some other Ivy schools that don’t have a surplus of theater kids knocking down their doors. Same thing with want-to-be-doctors applying to Johns Hopkins or future financiers applying to Wharton. THAT’S where a well-targeted list begins. Sure, apply to “the” school you like best, but don’t make the mistake of believing it is the ONLY school for you, your child, or students like your child.</p>

<p>In college admissions, you have to think like a marketer, and decide which customers are going to want and need what you’re selling. Yep, you can still try to sell those customers who don’t really need what you’re selling because they can get it from other, perhaps better sources, but first, focus on the target customers who do want or need what you have and appreciate them. Some of them will even be highly selective schools suitable for exceptional students.</p>

<p>Again, my opinion only. No need to agree with me. :)</p>