Common App Max Colleges

Are you a high school senior and getting started with your college applications? As application season approaches, you might be narrowing down options for colleges or universities you would like to apply to. If you are among the many students using Common App, this post is for you! Read on to find out what the maximum number of schools you can use the Common App to apply to is, as well as some tips on how to narrow down which schools to apply to. 

Common App Max Colleges

The maximum number of colleges or universities that you can apply to using the Common App is 20. Although this seems like a small number compared to the 1000+ schools that accept the Common App (click here for the full list of schools), many schools require anywhere between 1-5 supplemental essays in addition to the Common App essay. You need to carefully choose which schools you apply to in order to ensure you submit a competitive application to all of them. 

Here are some tips to help you choose which schools to select when shortlisting schools to apply to using the Common App:

• Research thoroughly before adding colleges to the Common App. Choose colleges that align with your interests (e.g.: close to home, have majors that you would like to pursue, good scholarship opportunities, etc.)

   

• Consider your intended major, campus size, location, community, and cost. Does the school offer exactly what you are looking for in terms of majors? How much does campus size matter to you (e.g.: a smaller campus with more interactive class sizes, or a bigger campus with more opportunities to network)? What is the cost of attending this school (eg: public vs private, student loans vs grants/bursaries/scholarships, etc.)

   

• Create a balanced list with both reach and attainable options. This means having a mix of schools with high acceptance rates as well as schools with lower acceptance rates. This leaves room for a backup in case you do not get accepted by the more selective schools. 

   

• Seek guidance from counsellors, teachers, and family. For example, your school's guidance counsellor or teachers may have insider information on that respective college from networking events or from helping past students. Your family members may also provide helpful insights, for example, if you have an older sibling who goes to one of the schools you have in mind. It is also a good idea to discuss finances with your family before choosing a school (e.g.: will they pay your fees or will you need to take a student loan?). 

   

• Visit colleges or attend virtual sessions and tours. This will give you a feel of what the campus environment is like, which could help you make a decision. 

   

• Most students don't even end up applying to 20 colleges as it takes a lot of time to write supplemental essays for each of them. Aim for a balanced list of 8 to 12 colleges to ensure you can dedicate enough time and energy to creating a strong application profile for each of the schools you apply to.