May 25, 2010
Why Applying to 3 Schools is Better than 5
Let go of the shotgun approach to applying
Old Application Approach:Apply to 5 schools and hope to get into one
New Application Approach: Apply to 3 schools, get accepted into your top choice, and wait for scholarship offers from 2/3
Why 3 Schools is Better than 5
Applying to 5 schools usually leads to four rejections and one waitlist. You might be thinking, “But five schools will improve my chances”. How? How will five crappy, half-ass applications improve your chances over three kick-ass applications? How not visiting any school because you’re too busy applying to 4/5 help you get admitted? Make some hard decisions, cut schools 4 and 5, and get accepted into a top choice.
Top Five Reasons Why You Should Apply to Only 3 Schools
- Improves your chances of getting accepted into your top choice
- Makes time for visiting all three schools (which you will find out later makes a huge difference)
- Produces 3 school-specific essays rather than 5 copy-pasted essays
- Saves you from spending $180,000 on your 4th or 5th choice
- Cheaper
The idea that you should apply to 5 schools is a relic of the old application strategy and a by-product of the admissions consulting business.
Why Applying to 5 Schools Doesn’t Work Anymore
Prior to the recession, in a less competitive application market, a shotgun application strategy might have worked (I don’t know, I didn’t have this luxury). But in today’s competitive applicant pool, you must have a laser focus on your target 3 schools to get accepted into your top choice.
“Those who admire the massive, rigid bone structures of dinosaurs should remember that jellyfish still enjoy their very secure ecological niche” – Beau Sheil
Why Most Admissions Consultants Recommend 5 Schools
Think about the Admissions Consultant business model: sell the client on an initial consulting service then up sell on similar products that take less work to complete. Most Admissions Consultants charges between $500-1500 for the 4th and 5th school (we only sell 3 schools). Schools 4 and 5 take little work – same resume, recommendation, and usually essays – but bring in more revenue. Why wouldn’t they recommend 5 schools? You need choices, right? Wrong, and here’s why:
Brett,
Richard Battle-Baxter sent me. I just launched a new website called PoetsandQuants.com and would like to occasionally feature some of your blog posts, particularly those that track your MBA journey at Tuck. Of course, I would link back to your site and give you full credit for the post. The benefit to you is obvious: you’ll get far more readership than you otherwise would and a lot more traction for what you’re doing. Let me know if you’re interested.
Best,
John