Life as a high school senior is stressful enough, but when you add college applications on top of it, the well being of students can take a heavy toll. Yet, many have taken on the challenge of applying to a questionable amount of colleges. Maybe, one could say too much.
According to the Admission Trends Surveys conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the number of applications for four-year colleges have increased more than twice. In the fall of 2005, 17 percent of first-time freshmen applied to seven or more institutions, while in 2015, it reached 36.
In attempt to resolve the debatable question “how many schools should I apply to,” students gave their own input on the situation. Some revealed that they are only applying to 5 colleges, while others are applying to 10 or more. However, they all have their own reasons for why they have decided on the amount. Not all of them are applying to the same schools, which is important to understand their stance in this dilemma.

JONATHAN RAPP

Q: What schools are you applying to?
A: I’m applying to George Mason University, Virginia Tech, William and Mary, University of Virginia, Christopher Newport University.
Q: Why are you applying to this many schools?
A: I’m only applying to five schools mainly because of how selective I am. I want to pursue computer science as a major, and three of the colleges I’m applying to (VT, W&M, CNU) have five year master programs, which significantly increases the salary for comp-sci based careers. I like UVA for the campus and GMU because it’s less expensive.
Q: Why should someone apply to just 5 or less?
A: Honestly, only applying to five colleges is risky as it severely limits your potential choices after getting accepted. In fact, you have a higher chance of not getting in at all solely because there aren’t a lot of choices. It’s just that some I originally liked that I no longer do.

MUSTAFAH QURESHI
Q: What schools are you applying to?
A: I’m applying to Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland (Baltimore County), University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and George Mason University.
Q: Why are you applying to this many schools?
A: Most of my match schools and safety schools are in state, while the two out of state schools are essentially reach. There weren’t many in state schools that appealed to me other than the three I mentioned.
Q: Why should someone apply to just 5 or less?
A: I think five schools is a good amount of schools to apply to because at least you have some choices and variety without going overkill and applying to 10 or more. I think a bachelor’s degree is a bachelor’s degree no matter what school you go to. The only reason I would consider applying to more schools is if I was looking for a specific attribute of a school.

SYDNEY WUHRER
Q: What schools are you applying to?
A: Clemson, University of North Carolina, Duke, University of South Carolina, East Carolina University, Davidson College, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, William and Mary, Mary Washington University, and Christopher Newport University.
Q: Why are you applying to this many schools?
A: I’m applying to more than 10 schools to not only allow for a cushion in the event that I don’t get into my top school, but also have options in terms of majors, distance, and cost for when it comes down to my final decision.
Q: Why should someone apply to a lot of schools instead of just 5 or less?
A: I don’t think it matters how many schools you apply to as long as you apply to a school that you are certain to get into and would potentially go there if didn’t get into any more competitive ones.

ZAK BELKHAYAT
Q: What schools are you applying to?
A: I’m applying to Georgia Tech, MIT, Princeton University, Purdue University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Olin College, Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, and Caltech.
Q: Why are you applying to this many schools?
A: I’m applying to 10 schools because it doesn’t take too much effort.My parents encouraged me to apply to 10 because it keeps my options open.
Q: Why should someone apply to a lot of schools instead of just 5 or less?
A: If students can afford to, they should apply to 10 or more schools because they will have options and may find that they want to go to a school that accepted them when one of their top five hasn’t. Considering fee waivers and the ease of common app and coalition, applying to numerous schools is just a safer and better idea for students who want to figure out their future.