How Many Applications is Too Many?

Recently I received an email from a reader who compiled 3 dozen applications and wondered if it was too much to ask faculty to submit 3 dozen letters. So how many applications is too many?

Three dozen? Too many. One dozen? Certainly appropriate.

The important thing is that you narrow down your applications to programs that you'd actually attend if offered admittance. Just the other day I spent time with one of my own students and helped her narrow hew list down from 32 to 18. In this case, a student applying to a very competitive area and set of programs, 18 is on the high side but still managable. So it's a judgement call. Also remember that submitting applications quickly adds up as each application requires an application fee that can range from $50 to over $100. Maybe that's incentive to weed through your applications....