Narrowing Your List

Admission Selectivity

Review your college list carefully before creating your short list of colleges, the ones to which you will be sending applications. Don't be afraid to reach out and apply to your dream school, the one you would love to attend if admitted. Just remember that you may not be admitted and therefore, have to apply to a larger group of colleges that represent different levels of admission difficulty. All students, regardless of their performance in high school, need to be realistic about college admissions. You may have a reach, and a good match or target school, but you should always have a safe school on your list. Your school counselor or college advisor can assist you in making these decisions.

You should also review your college choices with financial considerations in mind. You should not be afraid to apply to an expensive college or university and apply for financial aid. At the same time, you should also apply to a college that you can afford to attend if you don't get sufficient financial aid. Loans are always possible.  For information on the various student and parent loans, visit the Education Loans section of this website.

Financial Considerations

The first rule to follow is "don't let the cost prevent you from applying" to the colleges that are high on your list. By the same token, be realistic about college since it is a major expenditure. Financial aid may help make your dream college a reality with a combination of scholarships and grants, loans, and work-study. However, even with financial aid, you and your family may decide to make other decisions. The time to prepare for this is in the fall of your senior year of high school. Make the cost of college part of your family conversations and look for colleges that you can afford in the event that you are not satisfied with your financial aid award.

How Many College Applications?

There is no magic number of applications that is right for all students. There are many variables including the number of reach colleges on your list. Financial considerations can also impact the number of college applications you file. Finally, the application fees may limit the number of applications you submit.

As a general guide however, consider 5-7 colleges as a good number to consider. You may also want to include one or more colleges that might offer a scholarship based on some special attribute such as athletics, music, or your academic field.

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