how do you guys decide which schools to cut from your applications?

[coralfangs]

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when the schools are almost the same to you (same tier, similar tuition, close geographically, same attractiveness)?
especially those REACH schools?

 

[modelslashactor]

i am admittedly not a great eliminator, but the biggest thing is to only apply to schools you can really see yourself attending over the other schools on your list. i had a couple schools that were ranked highly and close to home that i decided not to apply to because there were other schools near home that i would rather attend, regardless of on paper comparisons.

for the reach schools, that's tough especially if your stats are good. i would apply to schools that you would always be wondering 'what if?' if you didn't apply and those that you have a realistic shot at (ie, some similarly ranked schools have greatly different acceptance rates for whatever reason)

 

[heeseop]

when the schools are almost the same to you (same tier, similar tuition, close geographically, same attractiveness)?
especially those REACH schools?

eenie meenie minie mo
works everytime 😀
no but seriously, take a look at their match list, financial aid, student population, etc.

 

[coralfangs]

seriously, it's that "WHAT IF" factor

what if i didn't apply but the adcom somehow would have liked my PS or LOR and crap, etc........

 

[modelslashactor]

i took a look at your list. you have some state schools on there, im not sure if they like out of staters so you should check the msar on them. as for your reaches, man you got me because you've got a competitive app. just pick and choose, or if money provides don't cut at all.

 

[braluk]

id get rid of schools i probably have a ridiculous small shot of getting into (i.e. washington, or harvard. Ill keep my reach schools at 1 or 2. Aside from that OOS state schools with low OOS acceptance rates are also a candidate for elimination. then after that, if my list is still too large, then i start removing schools i would know i will be extremely unhappy at.

 

[coralfangs]

i took a look at your list. you have some state schools on there, im not sure if they like out of staters so you should check the msar on them. as for your reaches, man you got me because you've got a competitive app. just pick and choose, or if money provides don't cut at all.

since i'm international, they will all cost the same for me,
so i guess i will just cut the ones with slim chances like harvard and duke according to braluk
i chose those state schools because i know i will enjoy the music scene in those areas and they accept quite a few international students (vermont for example)

id get rid of schools i probably have a ridiculous small shot of getting into (i.e. washington, or harvard. Ill keep my reach schools at 1 or 2. Aside from that OOS state schools with low OOS acceptance rates are also a candidate for elimination. then after that, if my list is still too large, then i start removing schools i would know i will be extremely unhappy at.

ya, i am doing that right now, haha

 

[roca88]

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