How Many Graduate Schools Should You Apply To?

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Number of graduate schools you should apply to | Master's degree

So you have decided to tread further on the path of education and pursue a higher degree. Great! How many graduate schools should you apply to? A question that often brain-fogs aspirants, getting it wrong can wreak havoc even for the most well-rounded grad school applicant.

Stellar undergrad performance, strong extra-curricular involvements, and decent work experience/internships need to be aligned with the right educational institutions. And coming up with a well-researched list of target schools is pivotal to this alignment.

I would say a list of 6–8 should suffice. It should be categorized into three: safe schools, moderate schools, and ambitious schools.

Safe Schools: The admission committee doesn’t have a reason to reject your candidature. You tick all of their requirements.

Moderate Schools: Selection-Rejection ratio of 60:40.

Ambitious Schools: You don’t stand a good chance. More of a shot in the dark.

Preparing for GRE? I have a blog post just for you!

And I’m saying this from experience. Having managed to secure admits to an esteemed master’s program in the US from multiple renowned universities, I had to do my research on the number of schools to try for.

Here are some other posts that may be useful to you:

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5 Lb. Book of Gre Practice Problems: 1,800+ Practice Problems in Book and Online - 2019 Edition

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GRE Prep by Magoosh

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Comments

hema said…
Very Interesting. Share more ideas and thoughts. Thank you
Reading Comprehension
Reading Skill


August 27, 2021 at 4:02 AM
ieltsfirst said…
Thank you for providing me with such valuable information about IELTS General Online Classes Delhi. This article provided me with some useful knowledge. Continue to make posts like this.
September 10, 2021 at 9:07 PM
Rum Tan said…
Thanks for sharing your journey. It is always wise to learn from others' experiences. It is only possible when somebody shares. You explained your preparation strategy and practice tactics for Reading Comprehension, Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and quant for GRE in a very useful way. I am sure many students will get benefits from your post. SmileTutor’s outstanding GRE, GMAT, and SAT teachers can help your child can get top scores in any of the standardized tests.
November 28, 2021 at 10:58 PM
kevin said…
This article offers excellent advice on how many graduate schools to apply to, which is a crucial consideration for prospective students. Understanding the GRE Test Pattern is equally important when preparing for applications. Familiarity with the test structure, including the sections and types of questions, can greatly enhance a student's preparation strategy and confidence on test day. Your insights on managing graduate school applications are very helpful, and it would be great to see more content on effective GRE preparation as well. Thanks for sharing such valuable information!
June 22, 2024 at 4:32 AM
Higher Education said…
Great advice on choosing the right number of graduate schools to apply to! For those with a bachelor degree, finding the right balance ensures you target the best fit for your further education and career goals.
Read more: bachelor degree
August 4, 2024 at 8:24 PM
Anonymous said…
dsada
February 26, 2025 at 3:11 AM
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