What is the maximum amount of private schools you can apply to?

There’s no official rule on how many private schools you can apply to—you won’t get a slap on the wrist for aiming high—but casting too wide a net can backfire. Think of it like juggling flaming torches: essays, interviews, campus visits, and deadlines all in the air at once. The more schools you add, the more likely something drops. Most families stick to a smart mix of five to eight schools, including reach schools (your dream picks), target schools (a solid match), and safety schools (still great, just more likely). Quality matters more than quantity, so focus on making each application shine instead of spreading yourself too thin.