How Many universities should I apply?

[jvpjvp]

Hello there,

I am applying this December to Universities in Sociology and anthropology. My main question is how many universities I should apply. Any experiences or comments?

[Shamrock_Frog]

The most important part is research fit, so be sure and pick universities that do research in the area in which you want to do research.

[_kita]

Most professors I know encourage students to apply to about 8-10 programs minimum, if funds allow it. However, as Shamrock_Frog mentioned, research fit and program fit is the most crucial element. So, if you're able to apply to all 10 programs, still focus on that fit first and foremost. 

[sierra918]

I'm also applying to Anthropology programs for Fall 2016. I couldn't agree more that Fit is most important. I had a list of about 8 programs I planned to apply to. Then, I emailed potential POIs at each program asking if they would be taking students and to find out if they would be interested in working with me. From those conversations, I narrowed it down to 4 potential programs.

[random_grad]

10 should be about right. Fit is important but sometimes other factors play into decisions in a given year.

Edited June 1, 2015 by random_grad

[bsharpe269]

I applied to 10 and have mixed feelings on whether it was too many. If you are a solid applicant then 5 schools is probably plenty. You may get rejected from one or two since there is a bit of randomness in the process but you should get a few offers at least. If you are a bad applicant then you probably won't get offers anyway. I guess it's the in between applicants that should cast a wide net so they at least get 1 offer. Though it's really hard I determine how solid of an applicant you are...

Applying to 10 schools is very costly so if I were to do it again then I might knock a couple off my list. I actually ended up really liking the programs I would have crossed off once I visited though. Also, I ended up being really unimpressed with a couple that I expected to be impressive based on ranking and prestige of faculty members there. The school I ended up choosing was one of my top choices before I visited but had I not chosen that school, the two others that I would have ended up strongly considering where near the bottom of my list before visiting. Anyway, I think the biggest advantage of applying to around 10 schools is that your top choice after visiting may end up being one that wouldn't have made the list if you only applied to 5.

[victorydance]

I think 8-10 is the sweet spot. 

[rising_star]

I applied to 7 PhD programs and that was too many for me because they weren't all a great fit for me. That is, I didn't "click" with some of the POIs when I visited (I visited after getting accepted) so, I could've saved some money by applying to fewer. If you know exactly what you want to do, it's easier to contact POIs in advance about research fit and narrow down your options.

[eeee1923]

I also applied to 7 programs and found it to be too many - mostly because I was fortunate enough to interview at all of them and that was quite an exhaustive experience. 

 

I say 7-10 is good if you can afford it. Remember that there are quite a few other expenses tied to this process - sending GRE scores, transcripts, traveling, etc. - so make sure you only apply to programs that have at least 3-5 PI's that you could seriously see yourself working with. 

[missmusical]

My teacher says "in grad school, there are no safety schools". While that is pretty pessimistic, I agree that you should apply to at least 10. This teacher suggested 10-15 schools

[knp]

15! That's so many. Man, this process is going to be expensive.

[rising_star]

If it helps, knp, psychologists are well known around here for applying to more schools than folks in other fields. If you were to ask on the history specific subforum, I'd think you'd find a lot of people saying 15 is WAY too many. My guess is that historians are more in the 8-12 program range...

[_kita]

Rising Star nailed it. Psychology, especially anything in clinical or social, has some of the most extensive app processes.We apply to way more schools, and have far more competition in those few schools. Psychology is a hot topic in undergrad, the applicants who are competitive are more than you may expect. In sociology and anthro, I don't know the competitive level. If it's as ridiculous ( about 3-8 acceptances to 300-400 applicants) I suggest finding your highest price point, and factoring in what you can afford. 

 

 

My selection process is based on needing to stay local. So I'm applying to every school within what I consider a commutable distance (for me 1 1/2 hrs) with programs I want. Luckily, I have the budget to pull it off, since I've been stashing the money away for just that. My process will be a lot more limiting and offers only 8 schools. Luckily, those schools are within a diverse range and competitive level.