How many colleges should a student apply to?

The importance of choosing colleges that are a good fit for the student, coupled with a keen understanding of what needs to be in the college application are the two most important reasons to have an educational consultant working with each student throughout the college process.

With approximately 4500 colleges and universities in the United States, a typical high school senior will apply to five to eight colleges each year. Of those applications, some will be to "Safety" schools, "Reach" schools and "Probable" schools. The goal is to provide each student with a range of schools so that they have options in the admissions process.

Once the list of colleges is determined, a student then sets out to show their uniqueness through their application, essays and letters of recommendation. This is a daunting task when students are competing for acceptance at colleges and universities that many of their friends apply to from the same high school. And even more frustrating, is how to set oneself apart from the thousands of college applicants each year.

Take the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor for example. In the 2012-13 academic year, a record 42,500 applicants applied for admission. U Mich accepted 36% of these applicants, making it a "most selective" university. Admissions officers at a large university such as this don't have time to read every piece of paper that an applicant sends. Therefore, it is important to make an impact early. One must put their best foot forward, right from the start, if they are going to get the attention of the overwhelmed admissions officer.

College advising provides individual direction for each student to capitalize on their best chances at each college or university on their list.

For more information, contact:
Kristina Wilson, M. Ed.
914-329-9232
kristinawilson007@gmail.com
collegeadviser1@twitter.com
kwilsoncollegeadviser.com