How many colleges to apply to?

I'm thinking of applying to 8 colleges...does that sound like a good amount of schools to apply to? How many colleges to apply to?
Ya, if you want to have a torturous time deciding which one to go to when all 8 accept you.





Rule of thumb:





Apply to 1 ';reach'; school. A school that will take some work to get into but that you are willing to work for.





Apply to 1 ';given'; school. A school you are basically guaranteed admittance to just in case, like a state school or a local university.





Apply to 1 ';perfect fit'; school. This is the school that you think would be the best fit for you for whatever reason (such as major, proximity to home, dorm living, etc)





After you apply to those, you can add 1 or 2 more if you undecided on which school would be your ';prefect fit'; school, or if you reach school is your perfect fit school.





Overall, I think 4-5 schools it the limit. There is nothing stopping you from applying to 8, but you are only going to go to 1 so why waste the application fees on 2-3 schools you know you won't go to.





Don't apply to schools just because your dad went there, or because your friends are going there, or because you want to see if you can be accepted. I applied to MIT because my dad is alumni and I wanted to see if I can get in, and I wanted to be able to brag about getting into a top school. I had no intention of ever going there. Those are not good reasons to apply to schools.





Only apply to schools you are passionate about, REALLY want to go to, and that have programs you love. If that is 8 schools, then so be it. Just note that $40 average application fee x 8 schools is $320.





Also, applications usually ask what other schools you are applying to. If you are applying to 8 schools, that will look like you don't care or are totally confused.How many colleges to apply to?
8 is pretty typical now. Everyone has an easy time choosing reach schools but safety schools are trickier. You need ones you can both definitely get into and definitely afford.





If you're aiming for top schools I'd apply to 3 reaches, these schools can be pretty random in who they accept. Then I'd have 3 match schools, ones you have at least a 50/50 chance at given recent years admissions. Then 2 safeties, with 1 being one you could afford with the worst possible financial package,
It will depend on your GPA . If you are going to pursue your undergraduate degree , I think it's fine , but if you are going for your masters I think you need2 or three more.


It also depends on the admission rates of each college and their admission requirements.
I wouldn't apply to more than 6. Make sure that you REALLY want to go to the schools. Don't just apply because you think you'll get in or that you want to compare financiall aid. I'd say minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6.
I think you should leave it to 4 or 5. 8 is too much and the application fee differs from each school. Some schools are $80 to apply so think about schools you really want to go to. Good Luck!
Research will tell you to apply to no more than 4. Anymore than that and Admission Officers feel you really have no interest in their school.