How to know how many schools to apply to?

[eggfish]

There are only 3 schools I'm interested in, really.  University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, and University of Wisconsin - Madison.  Is it dangerous to apply to only 3 schools?  

 

I haven't taken the GRE yet, but I took a practice test and got V 157 and Q 160.  My GPA is a 4.0, and I still have 2 more weeks to study for the GRE, so I think I should probably be somewhat competitive, although I am lacking in extracurriculars and relationships with professors (quite introverted, made worse by clinical depression, and also transferred schools).  To how many schools do you plan on applying?

Edited September 9, 2015 by eggfish

[Puffer Fish]

The "right" number of schools is the number that you feel is enough to have a chance at admission, but not so many that your writing resources nor your fit for the program are spread thin.

For me, that number is 6. For others in this forum, that was 2. For even others, that number is more than 12.

Considering the preliminary stats you've posted, I think you have a shot as long as you get good LORs and your SOP is solid.

[Crimson Wife]

It also depends on how competitive the schools you're aiming for are. If you're looking at schools with admissions rates in the 10-15% range, then you need to apply to more than if the schools that interest you are in the 20-30% range.

[talkingcake]

It's also a good idea to keep in mind how many letters your professors are willing to write. They use roughly the same message for each school, but some professors refuse to send more than a certain number. It's good to ask beforehand just in case