How Many Colleges Should You Apply To? Tips for Building a Balanced College List

According to Forbes, in the 2023-2024 college admissions cycle, college hopefuls applied to almost six schools on average. However, many college counselors recommend applying to 8-10. If possible, start researching schools before your senior year to schedule visits or virtual tours. This will help you eliminate schools that may not be the best fit for you. Remember, you want to be happy attending any school on your list!

How do you decide which schools to apply to?

Building a "balanced college list" is key to ensuring success. Without knowing your specific profile, here's a general guide:

• Reach Schools (0-25% acceptance rate): Apply to 2-3. These are schools where your chances of admission are slim but still possible.

• Target Schools (26-70% acceptance rate): Apply to 2-3. These are schools where you have a good chance of getting in based on your academic record.

• Likely Schools (71-100% acceptance rate): Apply to 2-3. These schools are where you're very likely to be accepted, giving you solid options to fall back on.

  
  

It’s important to remember that some excellent schools have higher acceptance rates, and not every "top 30" school is automatically the right fit. Factors like location, campus environment, size, available resources, and extracurricular activities should also guide your decision.

A good place to start your research is by using tools like Big Future's "How to Decide Which College to Attend" and Fiske's Guide to Colleges. These can help you discover schools that might align with your preferences. For example, if you're drawn to Penn State, Fiske might suggest five other similar schools worth considering.

At Future Bound, we offer a personalized college tracker to keep you organized as you compare and contrast your options. As you narrow your list, we can suggest similar colleges that fit your preferences. Our tracker also helps you manage important details like scholarships, deadlines, costs, academic programs, and more.

Ready to find the right fit? Schedule a free consultation with us today, and we’ll help your scholar build a balanced college list and discover schools that truly match their needs.