A portion of the book, New Rules for College Admissions, states:
There is, however, a ratio that should be taken into consideration when deciding how many schools to apply to:
- 2 Dream schools
- 3 Just right schools
- 2 No problem schools
If you really want to apply to more dream schools, make sure you add another school to each of the other two categories, to maintain a balanced ratio. Based on my experience, seven is the ideal number of schools you can focus and complete the best applications possible. Completing fewer than five applications is too risky, in my opinion. And if students are completing more than ten applications, they are usually spreading themselves too thin. As long as a student has a good range of schools, do not worry about applying to more than seven schools.
Listserv Discussion Question One (PLEASE RESPOND): Agree of disagree with the above statement. What is the most strategic number of colleges to apply to? Explain. What needs to be talked about in this discussion?
Sunday, August 30, 2009
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34 comments:
I definitely disagree with the book's advice. Students have the right to apply to as many schools as they desire, because many different parts of the country contain promising, yet often unexplored options. Even though the book states, "Being clear on a desired geographic location can help eliminate hundred of schools and drastically narrow down a large list of options", students may never realize the golden opportunities that exist in all fifty states if they feel they must apply to a limited number of schools (Kramer 61). For example, if a student who applies to ten schools obviously owns more of a chance to explore a different part of the country than a student who applies to a few school just in his/her backyard. Applying to more schools than seven creates the following benefits: greater chance of acceptance, diversity of selection, and most importantly, the opportunity to discover a new setting. In sum, sometimes people do not realize how much they will enjoy a new place until they experience it firsthand! I would like to hear more comments concerning the benefits and risks of applying to school located in completely unfamiliar territories.
(THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE!)
Please playa, for real! You know shorty only wants to apply to her dream school. So Kim says, go for broke and just apply to one baby! If you don't get in, then sink or swim!
(THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF AN INAPPROPRIATE LISTSERV RESPONSE!)
I definitely agree with the books advice! The more schools students apply to the more stress they'll have. Applications take a while to complete so if students plan to apply to more then 8 schools the less time they'll have to focus on school work. Some students may think they'll have a higher chance in getting into a school they want to attend, if they do apply to 10 colleges. But i choose to believe that the less time spent on applications for colleges, the more time you'll have to focus on things that can get you into the one college you really want to attend. So in my opinion, 7 would be the ideal number of colleges to apply too.
i think they should apply to about 7 school ...3 cuny..and 4 suny
I somewhat agree with the books thesis with the 2:3:2 ratio but I believe there's a better way of determining the right amout on colleges. Depending whether you're an "A" student or if you're somewhere between a "C or D" shall you make your decision on how many school you shall apply to. If you're the "A" student that you should apply top about 5 because you possess most basic requirements your dreams schools are looking for. On the other hand, If you're the "C" student then the max amount of schools i suggest you apply to is 10. While still applying to all your dream schools and then leaving room for schools that possess other factors in which u may require like cost, location etc. and Schools you have a definate chance of getting into.
I definitely suggest that people should apply to 6 through 8 school for a better percentage of getting accepted, but people got to know that the college they want.
Ahem Ahem(clears throat) i think you should pick 6 schools 2 that you really think you can get into, 2 you might be able to get into, and 2 that you really would like to get into but just incase you dont you have those other 4 choices.
I feel as though when applying to colleges,you should consider at least 10 schools. The reason being is because, you would want a variety of choices. You should have at least 2 Ivy League schools, the 4 schools you are considering going to, and 4 schools that you know are easy to get into. That will give you a 50% chance of getting into any of your choices,let alone just about all of them. I want more options as to which if I go to one of the schools I got accepted to,I will always have the opportunity to transfer after a year or so. So I do not agree with "Seven is the ideal number of schools you can focus and compile the best applications possible" (BP-5).
i agree with the books advice becuase if your mind is set that in one of those 7 colleges your applying to your going get accpeted then why not.But if your not accpeted to any of them what are your options than? so I also disagree because if you apply to more colleges the more chance you get to see other colleges you do get accpeted to.
I think that the most stategic way to apply to college is to free your schedule and apply to as many schools as humanly possible therfore increasing your chance in getting in to college tenfold
Personally me, you should be able to choose as many colleges as you want, but make sure it's enough. You wouldn't want to chose just 3 and not get accepted to any because then whats your back up plan? The most you should choose is a range between 7 to 10. The more colleges you choose, the greater possibility you have of getting accepted to 1 or more colleges.
I feel that when high-school students start to apply to college, they always receive advice about the need to select a variety. Although I agree with my student, Donya, I think that too much variety results in students applying to some schools that they really do not want to attend. For example, a student doing research on schools might see a new school that offers unique majors. This student may not have any interest in choosing these majors, but might still apply to the college, simply because it represents a greater variety. Although the pages from this college guide highlight the need for variety, think about this analogy. When you go to an ice-cream store, you may try a sample of all the different flavors, but you do not necessarily order full cones! What do you guy think?
Also, who is Pinksmyworld? I forgot!
I agree with the book's advice suggested, as students always question whats the fair amount of colleges that should be applied, and this is a great example to outline off of. It isn't a set rule, but it takes the best from both worlds, as 7 schools is a fair amount to apply to, yet doesn't bother the student from making an absurd amount of college essays making his essay only half as good. The ratio of 2:3:3 creates the opportunity to apply to 2 dream schools, 3 just right schools, and 2 fail safe schools; creating less stress on the student and maximum results.
Correction: ratio of 2:3:2
When applying to colleges students tend to believe, that the more colleges they apply to the better the chance to get accepted. Students need to keep in mind that the number of colleges they apply to can not be the same for every one. Some students might not have the expectations to get into the school of their choice, so applying to more colleges can give them the opportunity to get into a descent school. Just keep in mind, the more schools students apply to the more work and time it can take.
I think students should apply to about 10-12 schools. As everyone else mentioned variety is very important. I believe students should have a lot of options in order to make the right choice. The right choice would be the school that best fits what the student is looking for. As Donya mentioned, it would be easier for a student to transfer within a year of an accepted application. I disagree with the books advice because a students options would be really limeted. I believe the ratio should be 3:3:3:3 Meaning three dream schools,3 with a 50% chance of acceptance,3 CUNY's, and three extra ones just in case. As young adults we dont know exactly what we want. I know many students will change their mind about what school they want to attend. Maybe you decide to go away for college, later on you realize home is the place for you. You might have applied to a school nearby your hometown and would perfer to attend there.Therefore my ratio will fit everybodies needs.
I think that in every person's case the senario and ratio is very diferrent. Some people have many more things to factor in where some may on have to worry about theri grades while others worry about grades, money, location, and various other things. The college application process i something that takes a long time. I also think that in some cases that starting this process the summer before your senior yea may actually make the decisions harder on a person. the person may not even really think about their decisions or just go along with the first peuce of advice they get on how many schools to pick. for a person like myself i am lookin to apply to about 9-12 different school based on my own personal situation but i cannot say how much or give a ratio to another person on the decision they should make.
I think that in every person's case the scenario and ratio is very different. Some people have many more things to factor in where some may on have to worry about their grades while others worry about grades, money, location, and various other things. The college application process i something that takes a long time. I also think that in some cases that starting this process the summer before your senior yea may actually make the decisions harder on a person. the person may not even really think about their decisions or just go along with the first piece of advice they get on how many schools to pick. for a person like myself i am looking to apply to about 9-12 different school based on my own personal situation but i cannot say how much or give a ratio to another person on the decision they should make.
I think that you should start off with at least searching how many colleges have what you are looking for, then as time goes by start narrowing your list to about 5-10 colleges. This helps because you have those you are really interested in, those that are mid level to what you want and last those that you know you can get in. Its best that as a senior you expain your choices in which paths you can for take.
I think you should just apply to whatever has your best interest. If you want to apply to five go a head. Your futre is in your hands.
i belive that the strategic number to apply to colleges should be atleast five . below five is not enough. that wont give you enough options or varitaty. it will seem like your really not taking up your time and looking for the right colleges.if you choose more than five than it will become more difficlut for you. you will have to do essays look for each college extra actitives and so much more. it will be very time comsuming and can get you stressed and even fall behind. atleast if you choose five colleges you can be sure that you will be atleast accepted to two and then from there can choose the college of your choice.
OK. I agree with the book also!. Students should have the right to apply to as many schools as they desire. That not only allows them to expand their knowledge of whats out there, but it also helps them to establish a well organized plan for the near future.With such limited choices of schools that prevents many students from getting to know other schools first handed and the opportunities they can gain from applying there.Being limited to schools creates compitition and troubled teens,because the low ammount of schools students apply to they tend to get the job done fast and not with deep critical thinking. This is, because others arise compitition when getting there schools down and an increse in acceptances. Students should have the choice to apply to as many schools as they want with a minimum of 15.
I definetly agree with the idea the book is trying to give. In total that wouldn amount to 7 schools. while you are aplying to school you still need to have in mind that other school work has to be done. you will never go wrong with the books structure because you are to get excepted in atleast one school. by you picking alot of schools you might do a wack job, or even loose focus in school. by following this structure you will have time to do really well on ur essays and have a better chance to get excepted.
I disagree with the books advise a little, students have the right to apply to a great number of schools of their choice.I suggest that students apply to ten or more colleges. Applications take a while to complete but that is determine on how a student manages their time when appyling for college. If applying to ten colleges, you should apply to three good colleges counting your dream school. Three middle colleges and four colleges that you have a great chance of geting in.
The most strategic number of schools to apply to is 10. I say 10because you are guarenteed to get accepted in a college, applying to 7 colleges is too risky. Applying to less than 7 colleges is almost a gauranteed rejection, especially for a C student, an A student has a better chance but overall apply to 10 colleges so your guaranteed at least 1 acceptance.
i definitely think students have the right to choose 10 colleges as most students do. When you choose less then 10 colleges is not good because in most cases they wont pick u in none. But when you choose 10 colleges the maximum u would be more secure in case they don't pick u in your first 5 choices u have options to choose from the other 5 colleges. Is also not good to pick more then 10 colleges because if they pick u in 6 of your dream colleges u would be confuse in which one to choose from.Also if you choose more then 10 colleges and u get pick in one u don't feel like going to , u just gave up and opportunity for another student to attend to that college.So in my opinion u have the right to choose 10 colleges.
10 is the best number
i agree with the books advice. That is because the more colleges you apply to the more options you have. You can not just apply to the one college you really want, because although you are positive you are going to get in things happen and you dont , then what ? what college are you going to since you only applied to one, and that one college didnt accept you. You have to keep your doors open as weel as your options. The more amount of colleges you apply to the more options you have because you like all colleges you applied to therefore you wont have a problem attending any if you get accepted. Also if you get accepted to more than one, its all in your hands and you can compare and choose which is better :)
I partially agree with the 2:3:2 ratio because when your applying to college you should apply to colleges that you always dream of attending,however, you should include colleges that you know for sure that you will be accepted into whether if you are an honor student, average or below average student because there is a college out there for everyone. My opinion is that I believe students should be allowed to apply to 10 schools for the most,not every student is at the top level in school that way its easier for them to get into a college average and even below average, it would be harder for them to be accepted into any college if they just apply to seven schools.So I think students should choose 10 because all students will have a better chance of getting accepted to at least one college or if their lucky more.
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