How many colleges does the average student apply to?

In the application process, what would you say is the typical number of colleges that a high school student applies to? And what's a healthy range of target, reach, and safety schools?

The number of colleges a student applies to can vary widely, but on average, most students submit applications to around 6 to 12 colleges. This can include a range of different types of schools to ensure your bases are covered: safety, target, and reach schools.

For a healthy mix, you might consider the following breakdown:

1. Safety Schools (2-3): These are colleges where your academic profile is well above the average for admitted students and where your chances of acceptance are high. It's essential to maintain a genuine interest in these schools, as you might ultimately end up attending one of them.

2. Target Schools (3-5): These colleges are a good match for your academic profile and extracurricular activities, as your credentials typically fall within the middle 50% of admitted students. These schools are where you have about a 50% chance of getting accepted.

3. Reach Schools (1-3): Reach schools may be more competitive than target schools, and your chances of getting in are less predictable. These are schools where your academic profile falls below the middle 50% of admitted students, but you might still have a shot due to your extracurricular achievements or other personal factors. Extremely selective institutions like the Ivy League would also fall into the reach category, regardless of whether your academics are within the middle 50% because they are so competitive.

The primary goal is to strike a balance between the three categories. Remember that every student's list will be different, and your personal range of schools should be tailored to your preferences and circumstances. Factors such as location, size, academic offerings, financial aid, and campus culture should also play a role in your decision-making process.

Ultimately, focus on finding colleges that will be a great fit for you both academically and personally, while also ensuring that your application list is well-rounded and diverse.