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Getting into College:
» How Many Schools Should You Apply To?
Finalizing Your College List
Some students send as many as fifteen applications, while others send only one. How many colleges you apply to depends on your personal situation. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you create a balanced list.
Apply to a range of schools
Your college list should include approximately five to eight colleges, but there isn't one "magic" number.
- One or two colleges where you feel you'll most likely get in -- say, a 90-100% chance. These are usually called "safeties" or "backups."
- Two to four colleges that are overall good matches -- say, a 75% chance of getting in. These are colleges that fit academically and socially.
- One or two "reach" colleges -- say, a 25% or less chance of getting in. These are colleges that present an admission challenge.
The key is to plan your list now, so you're not making last-minute decisions. Here's a worksheet to help you get a handle on your college list:
Don't go overboard
There are several reasons to apply to only those schools where you're sure you want to go.
- The application fee at most colleges is around $50. Applying to a large number of schools can be expensive.
- Applications involve a lot of time and effort. There are many steps, and each item must be done carefully. Quality is better than quantity when it comes to college applications.
- You may be taking a spot away from another applicant who really wants to go to that school.
Seek help
Your guidance counselor or college adviser can help you determine the number of schools that's right for you. They know you and your academic history and can recommend good fits.
Early Decision & Early Action Plans
What Are They and Are They Right For You?
Have you noticed a new buzzword in your school hallways or counselor's office? "I'm applying early decision." "Will I be notified early?" Has all this early talk gotten you prematurely anxious about applying to colleges?
The early bird gets the worm
This cliche is the basic concept behind early decision and early action plans. Your "worm" is knowing in December whether or not you've been accepted at your first choice college. Then, hopefully, you can enjoy the rest of your senior year without stressing about getting into college. The "worm" for the colleges that offer these plans is locking in students early in the process who really want to go to the school.
Early decision vs. early action
Early decision plans allow you to apply early (usually in November) and get an admission decision from the college well in advance of the usual notification date. But there is a catch. Early decision plans are "binding," meaning if you apply as an early decision candidate, you agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. Although you can apply to only one college for early decision, you may apply to other colleges under regular admission. If you're accepted by your first-choice college early, you must withdraw all other applications. Usually, colleges insist on a nonrefundable deposit well in advance of May 1.
Early action plans are similar to early decision plans in that you can learn early in the admission cycle (usually in January or February) whether a college has accepted you. But unlike early decision, most early action plans are not binding, meaning you do NOT have to commit to a college to which you've applied for early action. Under these plans, you may apply to multiple colleges and compare offers of admission and financial aid. Usually, you can let the college know of your decision in the late spring, or when you've decided.
Should I apply under one of these plans?
You should apply under an early decision or action plan only if you are very, very sure of the college you want to attend. These plans make a lot of sense if one college is your clear preference and if your profile closely matches that of the students at that college.
Do not apply under an early decision or action plan if you plan to weigh offers and financial aid packages from several colleges later in the spring. Also, you shouldn't apply early if it is to your advantage to have more of your senior year work to show a college. If you plan to woo an admission office with your excellent grades this year, you may want to wait until after the semester ends to apply to colleges.
Who offers early plans?
More than 400 colleges offer an early decision plan, an early action plan, or both.
Do your research
Before applying under an early action or early decision plan, research all your options to decide which college is the right one for you. Does the college have everything you want in a school?
A last word of advice
Get advice from your guidance counselor and other trusted advisers before applying to a college as an early decision applicant. In the fall, it may seem appealing to get the college decision over with, but as your senior year progresses, you may find your academic and other goals changing. On the other hand, you may be very confident that you will thrive at a certain college. If so, you're the type of student for which early decision was created.
What Selectivity Means For You
Understanding Admission Factors
Admission officers evaluate applications in different ways, depending on how selective, or competitive, their college is.
Levels of Selectivity
At one extreme are "open admission" colleges. These schools require only a high school diploma and accept students on a first-come, first-served basis. At the other extreme are very selective colleges. They admit only a small percentage of applicants each year. Most colleges fall somewhere in between.
- Less selective colleges focus on whether applicants meet minimum requirements and whether there's room for more students. Acceptable grades are often the only requirement beyond an interest in college study. The SAT® I or ACT may be required, but test scores are usually used for course placement, not admission.
- More selective colleges consider course work, grades, test scores, recommendations, and essays. The major factor may be whether you're ready for college-level study. You could be denied admission because of a weakness or a lack of interest in higher education.
- Very selective schools have as many as ten to fifteen students apply for each spot. Admission officers look carefully at every aspect of a student's high school experience, from academic strength to test scores. Since many applicants are strong academically, other factors -- such as your essay -- are critical. Although they receive a great deal of publicity, only a small number of colleges (fewer than 100) are this selective.
Admission factors
Selective colleges consider these factors for admission:
- courses taken
- counselor/teacher recommendations
- ethnicity
- grades
- application questions and essays
- geographic location
- grade point average
- personal interview
- alumni relationship
- rank in class
- activities outside the classroom
- major/college applied to
- admission test results
- special talents and skills
There's no general agreement about which of these factors are ranked as more important than others. Most admission officers place weight on your high school record.
How important are extracurricular activities?
The significance of activities has been exaggerated. While schools do consider them, they're looking to see if you've shown a long-term commitment in one or two areas.
Need-blind admission
Most colleges have a need-blind admission policy. This means they decide whether to make an offer of admission without considering your family's financial situation.Other colleges are need-sensitive; they do consider your family's financial situation in the admission process. These colleges know they can't satisfy the financial aid needs of all applicants. Some schools use need-sensitive admission when deciding to accept a borderline student or to pull a student off the waiting list.
Match yourself with admission standardsBefore you consider your college search complete, compare your academic and personal qualifications to those of students typically admitted to schools where you want to apply.
Price Isn't The Only Consideration
Look Beyond The Cost Side Of The Equation
Although price is an important consideration, it shouldn't be the only one.
Consider value
Try to judge the value of each of your colleges. Value depends on how you weigh the benefits you will receive compared to the price you pay.
The price part of the equation is relatively straightforward. Value is more difficult to define. In the end, you should choose an affordable college where you will be both comfortable and challenged, and where you can work toward your goals productively.
Consider fit
Choosing a college involves thinking carefully about your academic and personal goals, and deciding which college matches your needs and best prepares you for your future. Factors to consider:
Location
Where is the college located, and how far is it from home? Are you comfortable with the campus setting?
Size
What's the size of the student body? How does it affect courses and your interactions with professors and students?
Diversity
What kinds of students attend the college, from what parts of the country, and with what types of backgrounds and experiences?
Academics
Does the college offer programs that interest you and prepare you for your future career? What's the quality of the faculty, especially in your major?
Campus life
What do students do when they're not in class? Do the living and eating arrangements appeal to you? How about the social scene?
Athletics
If you plan to play a varsity sport, are you comfortable with the coaching staff and your teammates? If you don't plan to compete in intercollegiate athletics, do the intramural and recreational sport programs meet your needs?
Extracurriculars
Does the college have the types and range of extracurricular opportunities you're interested in? Is it easy to get involved?
Facilities
What types of facilities will you have access to? These include the library, laboratories, student center, theater, and athletic facilities.
Computing resources
Does the college have a program where students can purchase computers at a special rate? Are there high-speed Internet connections in the dorms? Are experts available if you need help?
Getting into College
» Deciding Where to Apply
Creating a Powerful Application
Letters of Recommendation/Essays
Acing Your College Interview
Making Your Final Choice
The White House Initiative gratefully acknowledges collegeboard.com for providing the content found on this page.
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