How many schools are you applying to?

[aspiringhistorian]

I'm gearing up to apply for a PhD in History and I'm becoming more and more terrified (while also becoming more and more excited). At the moment, I have a list of about sixteen respectable schools and I'm not sure if I'm setting myself up for an unnecessarily stressful/expensive application process or if this is common. I'm going through them and double-checking the faculty and whether or not they could support my specialty within Modern European history, so it may change and be whittled down (or, god forbid, expanded) as the summer goes on.

How many schools are you applying to or are you thinking of applying to?

Edited June 10, 2011 by Minerva

[natsteel]

I just applied this past season, but my mentors all advised around 10 schools in order to get a decent spread. The key is to apply broadly among different "rankings" to give yourself the best possible chance. For someone completely intent on pursuing a PhD with no geographical restrictions, I'd say at least 6 to 8 but, preferably, anywhere from 8 to 12 depending on how many fits you find.

[Bukharan]

16 seems like a lot. Although more and more people apply to 10+ schools.

I applied for eight this last season.

I agree with natsteel: apply for schools of different rank, spread the risk. I would recommend applying for six-ten; definitely, include at least 2-3 safety schools (yet safety ones to which you would happily go). Do not apply to schools to which you wouldn't go - this is a waste of money on applications!

[aspiringhistorian]

16 seems like a lot. Although more and more people apply to 10+ schools.

I applied for eight this last season.

I agree with natsteel: apply for schools of different rank, spread the risk. I would recommend applying for six-ten; definitely, include at least 2-3 safety schools (yet safety ones to which you would happily go). Do not apply to schools to which you wouldn't go - this is a waste of money on applications!

I'm just nervous because it seems like the graduate school application process is a little less formulaic than the undergraduate process... so even designating a university as a "safe" option is difficult. But I'll work on it, thanks!

[Safferz]

I have ten in mind, only one of which I would consider a "safety" (my current school). 10+ feels like a lot, but I'm sure it can be done smoothly if you begin preparing over the summer so everything on your end is ready to upload once applications are available.

[TMP]

As many as your sanity allows. Do the applications for your top choices and early deadlines first. Then see how your sanity is by the end of December for January applications.

[ReallyNiceGuy]

Here's my strategy. I'm not sure if it's sound or not, but it makes sense to me:

2 PhD programs that will almost certainly reject me, but hey, who knows?

2 MA progams I REALLY want to attend (I want to improve my CV for PhD programs)

3 MA programs that seem interesting and would provide a decent fit

5 MA programs that I feel really good about: these were determined based on the following criteria (in addition to a Prof who could potentially advise me): I have undergrad Profs who have friends at these institutions or they are relatively close to where I live now. My reasoning is this: I am willing to relocate, but only if the offer and institution are worth it.

I wish you the best of luck.

[natsteel]

I'm just nervous because it seems like the graduate school application process is a little less formulaic than the undergraduate process... so even designating a university as a "safe" option is difficult. But I'll work on it, thanks!

This is absolutely true. There are fit factors and there are also political or logistic factors beyond your control. It's not uncommon for someone to get into their top choice and rejected by their so-called safety schools. In applying to doctoral programs in History, there is no such thing as a true safety school. Nevertheless, pick a few schools outside the top 50 or even 100, depending on fit, as your "safeties."

[ZeeMore21]

I applied this past season to 14 schools...majority were in the top 30 but I did make sure to include some "safety" schools...schools that were still competitive but I felt a bit more comfortable with admissions-wise. I will admit that when December came, I did go a bit insane since I was still in school. But I do think it is better to be safe than sorry...especially since it seems as though admissions gets more and more competitive each year. I think that anything under 10 applications is a gamble.

16 applications might be possible if you start working on your applications this summer, meaning that you should already have a draft of a personal statement and writing sample. They wouldn't have to be perfect right now, but at least you have something to work with instead of starting from scratch in the fall. Also, make sure you give your rec writers a heads up early so you don't have to be waiting on them come deadlines!

Edited June 11, 2011 by ZeeMore21

[cliopatra]

I think I will be applying to 6 schools. In Canada I don't have as many choices

Question for those applying to many schools: are you contacting any potential supervisors prior to applying to all of your schools? Or only your top choices?

Thanks!

C

[goldielocks]

I'm applying to 8-10 programs in the US, 2 in Canada, and 3 in the UK. Like others have already posted, it's good to apply to a range of programs so that you can maximize your chances. It's going to cost a small fortune in application fees, but hopefully it will pay off. I'm working hard on preparing applications this summer so that I don't have to spend too much time on them this fall.

[sandyvanb]

I'm not sure yet, I'm still refining my list...

[Two Espressos]

I'm still forming my application list for next year (and I will continue to do so until I begin applying in Fall of 2012), but I plan to apply to 8-10 schools max. Although doing so might improve my chances, I cannot possibly see myself applying to over 10 schools.

[sankd]

I'm still forming my application list for next year (and I will continue to do so until I begin applying in Fall of 2012), but I plan to apply to 8-10 schools max. Although doing so might improve my chances, I cannot possibly see myself applying to over 10 schools.

It is a lot of money. I did 11.