The Common App has helped millions of students kickstart their college journey. It’s now easier than ever to apply to multiple schools. But how many colleges can you actually apply to on the Common App, and how do you decide the right number?
In this blog, we’ll break down the Common App limit for college applications, some key factors to consider when building your college list, and common application mistakes to avoid.
- How Many Colleges Can You Apply to Using the Common App?
- Factors in Choosing How Many Colleges to Apply To
- Tips for Creating Your College List
- Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
How Many Colleges Can You Apply to Using the Common App?
You may apply to up to 20 colleges on the Common App. You may add or remove colleges from your list at any time, but once you’ve submitted an application, you won’t be able to remove that school from your My Colleges list.
Twenty colleges might sound like a lot, but with thousands of options in one application portal, narrowing down your choices can feel overwhelming. That’s why doing your research is super important. Before you start adding colleges left and right, take the time to consider what you’re looking for in a school, such as your intended major, location, campus life, cost of tuition, and other factors that will influence your decision.
With colleges receiving more applications than ever and acceptance rates dropping yearly, many students are playing it safe by applying to as many schools as possible to boost their chances of getting into college.
In 2018, high school senior Jasmine Harrison from North Carolina applied to 115 colleges and got accepted to 113 of them. Talk about casting a wide net! But is that really a good thing? How much is too much when it comes to college applications?
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should
While the Common App allows for up to 20 college applications, many experts agree that actually applying to all 20 might be overkill.
Remember, filling out the general profile questions and uploading your personal statement doesn’t mean you’re done. Many colleges, especially top-tier and selective schools, require additional information such as supplemental essays, sometimes more than five.
You’ll need to craft compelling, tailored responses for each school—simply swapping out names and copy-pasting answers won’t cut it. And honestly, the college application process is stressful enough without piling on extra, unnecessary applications. Plus, application fees are expensive! Only those who need them the most often get application fee waivers.
Narrowing down your college search
So, how many colleges should you apply to? It’s generally a good idea to apply to a small range of schools to improve your chances of getting into the best program for you. A study by a Harvard University professor found that students who apply to four schools instead of three are more likely to be accepted into selective programs, which can lead to better long-term financial outcomes.
During the 2024-2025 application cycle, the Common App reported over one million distinct applicants, which means each applicant submitted applications to an average of six schools. That’s reasonable enough.
However, if you really want to maximize your chances, aim for 8 to 12 schools. Yes, that’s a fair amount of work, but it gives you a solid list of options. Here’s how to break it down:
- 2-4 reach schools. Reach schools are ultra-competitive colleges where your chances of getting accepted are lower but not impossible.
- 3-5 target schools. These are schools where your grades and test scores match those of the average student they accept.
- 2-3 safety schools. These are schools where you’re very likely to get accepted because your grades and test scores are higher than their average.
Keep in mind that these are just general ideas. In reality, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The number of colleges you should apply to depends on many factors, which we’ll discuss in the next section.
Factors in Choosing How Many Colleges to Apply To
As mentioned earlier, applying to more schools means committing more of your time and money, so you need to carefully assess the number of colleges (and which colleges) you apply to. To help you make an informed decision, think of the factors below.
1. Your competitiveness
It’s super important to evaluate how competitive you are as an applicant when deciding how many schools to apply to and categorizing schools as reach, target, or safety schools. You want to ensure that how you categorize each school matches your strengths and weaknesses and that you have a solid number of schools in your target and safety categories in case your first-choice colleges don’t work out.
2. Application costs
College applications aren’t free. Typical fees range from $60 to $100 per school, so if you’re applying to ten schools, you could be looking at $500 to $1,000 in just application fees. Plus, you’ll need to consider other expenses, such as SAT/ACT score submissions and campus visits.
3. The time and effort you can commit
When applying to a college, you’ll need to write essays, secure recommendation letters, and answer supplemental questions. It’s not something you can rush overnight. Instead of applying to too many schools, focus on a manageable list and submit well-thought-out applications rather than stretch yourself too thin.
4. School fit
You should only submit applications to schools that match your academic interests, goals, and financial needs. Before hitting submit, research the school’s academic programs, campus community, location, and cost to make sure they align with what you really want. Applying to multiple colleges just to rack up acceptances isn’t a good use of your time or money.
5. Admissions policies
Some colleges have Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) policies that restrict how many schools you can apply to in the early round. For example, Restrictive Early Action (REA) and binding Early Decision policies may limit your options, preventing you from applying elsewhere until decisions come out.
Tips for Creating Your College List
We’ve talked about how many schools to apply to. Now, let’s touch on how to choose the schools on your list. Even your safety schools should be a good fit for you personally, academically, and socially.
1. Prioritize your wants and needs.
You’ll be spending four years of your life in college. Don’t pick a school covered in snow for half of the year if you hate the cold. Or, if you prefer a tight-knit community, don’t choose a massive university with thousands of students. Think of what’s really important to you and build your list around that.
2. Choose colleges known for your major.
Alongside picking schools that match your preferences, make sure the colleges you apply to are a good fit for your chosen major. Does it have a strong program in your chosen major? Are there professors whose work excites you? What specific resources, like research opportunities or internships, do you want to take advantage of?
If you’re into entrepreneurship, UPenn’s Wharton School is a great choice with its top-tier business programs and strong alumni network. If film and media are more your thing, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts might be a better fit, thanks to its industry connections and hands-on learning experiences.
3. Consider specialized programs.
Before you finalize your college list, consider exploring programs you’re unfamiliar with, such as dual-degree options, consecutive degree tracks, or open curriculum colleges like Brown University or Amherst College. Who knows? They could be a good fit for your goals and interests.
4. Visit your first-choice schools.
If you can, visit the schools at the top of your list. Actually being on campus is much different from just looking at photos online. You’ll get to see what life would be like when you tour the campus and take it all in first-hand. If you can’t visit, try a virtual tour.
5. Don’t apply to colleges you don’t want to attend.
You should only apply to colleges that genuinely align with your interests, goals, and the kind of college experience you’re looking for. I know it might be tempting to apply to a college because of how well you fit into their criteria. However, if you can’t see yourself studying there, then it’s probably not the place for you.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Even small mistakes in your application can hurt your chances. Here are some common pitfalls you’ll want to avoid:
1. Prioritizing quantity over quality
Applying to too many colleges means risking submitting weak or rushed applications. Instead of focusing on sheer numbers, make sure each application reflects your best work and aligns with what the school is looking for.Â
Admissions officers are trained to spot applications lacking genuine interest, so if your essay sounds like it’s just recycled from a previous application, that might hurt your chances—even at your reach or safety schools.
2. Not researching enough
Cutting corners on research can lead you to apply to schools that don’t fit your goals and interests. For example, you apply to Dartmouth because of its excellent reputation, but you only realize later that its small-town setting isn’t the best fit since you prefer a big-city environment. This wastes time and makes it harder to decide if you receive multiple acceptance offers (But hey, congratulations?).
The best thing to do is to curate a well-researched list, which means you’re only choosing from schools that really align with what you want.
3. Ignoring details
When you’re choosing colleges, it’s just as important to look at what they don’t offer as what they do. Will they give you enough financial aid if you need it? Can you realistically meet their deadlines? Are you looking at their overall acceptance rate—or the lower rate for regular decisions? Keep an eye on the fine print so you’re not caught off guard later.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Common App limit for college applications?
The Common App lets you apply to up to 20 colleges per application cycle. That’s a generous number, but don’t feel you must max it out. Better focus on schools that truly match your goals and interests than apply everywhere just because you can.
2. Can you apply to more than 20 colleges on the Common App?
No, the Common App limits you to 20 college applications. Some students try to get around this by creating multiple accounts, but that’s not recommended. Applying to too many schools can be overwhelming and hurt the quality of your applications. A thoughtful, balanced list will serve you better in the long run.
3. Are there other platforms where you can apply to more colleges?
Yes, besides the Common App, there are other platforms where you can apply to more colleges. The Coalition Application is accepted by hundreds of schools, while ApplyTexas lets you apply to public universities in Texas. Additionally, some colleges like MIT and Georgetown have their own application portals, so make sure to check each school’s website.
4. Is there a limit on how many colleges you can apply to?
Technically, there’s no limit. But more isn’t always better! Applications take time, energy, and money, and it’s easy to spread yourself too thin. Instead, aim for a good mix of reach, target, and safety schools.
Takeaways
- The Common App lets you submit up to 20 college applications per cycle.
- Each application takes real effort. Think multiple essays, fees, and deadlines.
- Instead, build a balanced college list of around 8–12 schools that fit your academic, personal, and financial needs.
- Avoid common mistakes, such as rushing through your applications, failing to research schools, and ignoring important details.
- If you’re unsure, consider working with an admissions expert to build a sound application strategy.
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