The Application Process

You need to think about where you would like to apply, and you need to assess your chances of acceptance. A faculty member could help you in doing this. You should rank your applications. Decide how many applications you will send. Then rank the schools according to your preference and to your assessment of your chances of acceptance. Send a small number to your highest preferred schools. You know these are probably only hopefuls. Send the greater number to the schools that rank in the middle of your preferences. These are the schools, where you feel you have the best chance of receiving an offer, according to your careful assessment of your abilities. Finally, send a few to the schools not so desirable but still acceptable to you. This is so you will have something to fall back on if you don't receive offers from the more preferred schools.