College Applications Applying to Colleges: How Many is too Many? Written by Elizabeth Heatonon October 26th, 2014 I began my admissions career at the University of Pennsylvania, where I chaired university selection committees, evaluated potential athletic recruits as one of the school's athletics liaisons, and oversaw the university's portfolio of admissions publications. I also served as second chair in the selection committee for the school's flagship interdisciplinary Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology. A frequent contributor to USA TODAY and The Huffington Post and a graduate of Cornell University, I bring exceptional skills to the craft of essay writing paired with experience reading and evaluating thousands of admissions essays. I can offer expert advice on a wide range of college admissions topics, from colleges' expectations for high school curriculum choices and standardized test scores to choosing the right extracurricular activities and essay topics. Prior to joining the University of Pennsylvania, I worked as a public relations professional and served for a decade as a member of the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network. Learn More About Elizabeth college admissions process, college applications, paying for college, Have you ever wondered why students shouldn’t apply to too many colleges? Or how many is too many? College Coach admissions expert Elizabeth Heaton recently spoke with Peter Howe of NECN’s Money Saving Mondays to answer these questions. What does this have to do with saving money? It’s no secret that college is expensive, but one frequently overlooked financial factor is application fees, which can go as high as $100 each. With many students submitting 10, 12 or more applications, these fees add up. One way to cut those costs is to avoid mass-applying to dozens of colleges. Watch the video to hear Beth’s thoughts on: How many schools a student should target The additional benefits of creating a more balanced list of schools When is the right time to get started? How can you keep my child on track? Get all the answers to your most pressing questions. Find Out More Related Resources Read | Posted on September 10th, 2024 What is a Brag Sheet and What Goes on It? Read | Posted on May 13th, 2024 Should You Submit an Optional Portfolio with Your College Application? Read | Posted on May 6th, 2024 UT Austin’s New Approach to Recommendation Letters