How many colleges should I apply to was seriously one of the first things I stressed about, because everyone around me kept giving totally different numbers. I ended up applying to 9, and for me that felt like the sweet spot.
I did 2 reaches, 4 targets, and 3 safeties. Anything more than that would have wrecked me with supplements, fee stress, and trying to keep deadlines straight. What helped most was not chasing a random “good number,” but making sure every school had a reason to be there.
My basic rule was:
- at least 2 schools I would genuinely be happy to attend
- not too many reaches
- a list small enough that I could still write solid essays
Honestly, I think a balanced list beats a huge list. A lot of people ask how many colleges should I apply to, but I think the better question is how many can you apply to well.