Optimal number of applications

[VioletAyame]

I'm applying to grad schools for the first time, and I don't know if this is a silly question or if anyone else is concerned with this, but is there an optimal number of schools that you shoud apply to? I now have a list of over 20 schools which I'm trying to narrow down to 10, but maybe that would still be a lot. I don't want to overextend myself with 10 different personal statements and my professors with letters of rec, but I don't want to miss the opportunities with some good programs out there.

 

Please let me know what you think. Any opinion or advice is greatly appreciated.

Edited September 12, 2013 by VioletAyame

[gellert]

It really depends on your field.  Some fields are more competitive than others, and so in those cases, you'd want to send out as many applications as there are schools you are truly interested in (and would happily attend).  Cut any schools that you're even slightly iffy about.  

[Loric]

Send out applications to schools you've researched, feel that you'd want to attend, and have perhaps established some sort of rapport with the the faculty via email or conferences or something.

 

My understanding is that the first school is the wrong school for like 50+% of first time grad students. There's this panic to get accepted so they blanket apply and then pick what "looks like" the best option on paper.

 

I will tell you straight up from personal experience that I didn't apply for two programs I thought I had no chance of getting into - and regret it - and picked two modest "reach" schools that I did apply to and was accepted to both. In both cases I had met with the faculty and essentially had a spot held for me before I ever even sent them my formal transcripts or paid any fees.

 

Going further on that, when faced with the decision between the two schools I chose the one that had the best facilities, al these honors under their belt, shiny new everything to work with. Omg, it was a nightmare. I hated those people. I still hate those people. HATE HATE HATE. I have a hard time articulating my pure and utter hatred of those people and the BS from them I put up with during the 6-7 months I tolerated them. After getting there I learned that the last 3 people filling my position (in my area of study you essentially sign on to teach and work in a lab in addition to classes - so they're moreso hiring a coworker to have lunch with than a student to lecture) had all quit as well. For reasons that soon became painfully obvious.

 

And the school I didn't go to.. with things a bit worn around the edges, a student body that was like the line to buy tickets for ComicCon.. (whereas the other school was -oh- so fashionable!).. well, I regret that decision infinitely.

 

So.. apply to places you're genuinely interested in and if you've made even the smallest attempt to be less than just an "applicant number" you'll probably get in. If the decision resolves itself by there being only one program - then that's what you're going to do if you're going to grad school this year. If there's more options - learn from my mistake and make sure you don't hate the people first.

Edited September 12, 2013 by Loric