What's the Deal with College Common App Limits?

Okay, so I'm planning out how many colleges I want to apply to and noticed that the Common App has a limit. Why is there a cap on the number of schools you can apply to through the Common App? Is that something I really need to worry about or do most people not hit that limit?

Hey there! Great question about the Common App's limit. It's indeed true that the Common App has a maximum number of colleges you can apply to using their platform, which is 20 colleges. This cap exists primarily to encourage students to carefully consider and research the institutions they are interested in and to prevent the spreading of resources too thin – both for applicants and the colleges themselves.

Applying to numerous schools takes a considerable amount of time and effort, not just for the actual application but for the supplemental essays, tracking various requirements, recommendations, and interviews. For colleges, each application requires attention from admissions officers, and an excessive number of applications can strain their resources. From a practical standpoint, college admissions officers prefer students who have thoughtfully chosen their institution, which a lower number of applications can sometimes indicate.

In terms of whether you need to worry about hitting the limit, that really varies individually. Most students don't come close to this cap and typically apply to between 5-10 colleges. If you're considering a broad range of schools, you might approach the limit, but it's a good practice to focus on those colleges where you see the best fit academically, socially, and financially. Just remember to keep a balanced list that includes safety, match, and reach schools, and you should be in great shape! Best of luck with your applications!