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My public school in New York only allows us to apply to 7 different colleges. Is there any way to veto this or somehow apply "privately?" My school says that they have this rule because the head of the guidance department has to write recomendations for each of the 400+ students applying to colleges and he will be overwhelmed if the number is higher.

Any help is much appreciated. Thank you.

By Nj777 (Nj777) on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 10:11 pm: Edit

Some colleges dont need any recommendations. Heck if u apply to the UCs, your school wont have any clue since they dont need official transcripts either.

By Justperfect (Justperfect) on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 11:06 pm: Edit

i think anymore than 5 means you dont feel you have a good chance,i applied to 4 and get into all of them, i think 7 is too much,for you apply 5 safety and matches and 2 reach schools

By Elizabeth22 (Elizabeth22) on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 11:27 pm: Edit

If the schools are on the common app, can't he just use the same recommendation multiple times?

By Vulcano (Vulcano) on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 11:49 pm: Edit

Just apply to schools that dont require recommendations or become good friends with your counselor and see if she won't mind writing a few extra recs for you.

By Mom101 (Mom101) on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 12:15 am: Edit

To me this is really an issue for many kids, especially those borderline for a "class" of schools. Say those with mid 1400 SATs and in the bottom part of top 10% at HS. They will probably get into some top schools but not others, and applying to many seems like a good strategy. More and more schools are doing this. Highly competitive HSs are especially trying to limit the number of ivys to up their overall acceptance numbers. Has anyone challenged a school on this?

By Crystal_Baller (Crystal_Baller) on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 02:29 am: Edit

I'm thinking of perhaps writing an editorial in my school newspaper about this to raise student awareness and perhaps the local papers will take an interest. I'd love to hear if anyone else is in a similar situation and what they have done.

About the common app, Elizabeth22, I think it would be to my disadvantage because if I did that then I wouldn't be able to check the little box that says I waived my right to see my recommendations. I heard it boosts your chances if you waive it.

By Anthony (Anthony) on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 05:22 am: Edit

"i think anymore than 5 means you dont feel you have a good chance,i applied to 4 and get into all of them, i think 7 is too much,for you apply 5 safety and matches and 2 reach schools"

Why would *anyone* even think about applying to 5 safeties, unless financial aid was a major issue and the applicant had no idea which safety school would offer a full ride?

Sorry but for most applicants that is a very poor strategy.

By Vulcano (Vulcano) on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 11:33 am: Edit

Especially on this board.

By Mom101 (Mom101) on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 12:33 pm: Edit

I think it's more than someone might want to apply to 5 reach schools in hopes of getting into one.

By Glamourbaby19 (Glamourbaby19) on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 05:42 pm: Edit

You will probably not want to apply to more than seven schools anyway - the applications are so time-consuming and stress-inducing that the meer thought of even two more applications after finishing seven will make you want to quit college before you even begin. Also, many applications (to selective and non-selective schools) only ask for a written recommendation- which means no forms for your GC to fill out. If that is the case, you can just ask her/him to make a few copies of that recommendation letter, and maybe you can use it for a few schools and call it "one" rec instead of a few.

By Neo (Neo) on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 07:52 pm: Edit

Another thing to do is just to get your GC/teachers to make one general rec letter, and have them copy/paste it into each school's application, remembering to change the names as needed.

That's what my teachers did.

By Anthony (Anthony) on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 11:48 pm: Edit

Exactly Mom101... Applying to 5 reach schools in hopes of getting into 1 is a good strategy. Applying to 5 safeties and 2 reaches is just selling yourself short.

By Go123 (Go123) on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 10:26 am: Edit

is it true you can only get financial aid from a certain number of schools?