<p>If it’s inability to decide, I doubt that it’ll be any less challenging once you hear back from all the colleges. What happened to the nice, simple 2 reaches, 2 matches, and 2 safeties? All these extra applications are fueling the “Tuft’s Syndrome” and making college admissions just that much more difficult.</p>
<p>For my son, it was purely for financial aid reasons.</p>
<p>I applied to thirteen schools because my family does not qualify for financial aid. I applied to so many because I wanted to increase my chances for recieving merit scholarships, and thankfully, I got a full tuition merit scholarship to one of my schools. I thought it would be difficult to decide when I applied because I didn’t think that I would be accepted with a large merit package–I hoped, but I didn’t think I would actually get it.</p>
<p>I applied to eleven schools so that I could compare financial aid offers and so that I had the best overall possibility of getting into one of my reaches.</p>
<p>Finances and frankly for some kids its insecurity about their admissability to various schools. But in this day and age, its really common. I think 8-10 schools is sufficient. Beyond that, I have a problem…especially if you have no intent of going there and only want to collect acceptance letters.</p>
<p>Its not always as sinister as you think.</p>
<p>The common application process has greatly increased the volumes of applications. And admissions offices have caused this with their quirky admissions policies and decisions.</p>
<p>I think that students should apply anywhere they see themselves really fitting in and making a great situation. if you can find 15 schools that fit you very well, that you have a possible chance of gaining admission to, then apply.</p>
<p>I applied to lots of schools and would highly recommend it. I got full rides from a number of schools and it gave me more options.</p>
<p>i applied to 11 because my college counciler made me. 6 of those were state schools so were basically checking boxes on the same app. of the out of state schools, 1 was a safety and the other 4 i really really liked.</p>
<p>low admission rates and financial aid.</p>
<p>D applied to 7 schools. Difference between best and worst fin. aid packages from private schools, who all received the exact same financial info: $15K.</p>
<p>That is why kids apply to so many schools!</p>
<p>This is a game. Right now, by far the best strategy is to apply to a lot of schools.</p>