how many colleges should i apply to?

It matters a lot to plan out college applications and have a decent amount. I'd say to aim for 6-10. However, this is my advice and to be frankly honest don't go for the universities that are just appealing visually. Go for the ones who specialize in your major or in your career. I ended up pas on private universities and ultimately picked SHSU because it was the #1 university for criminal justice. I don't regret it. But like I said, I'm just basing it off on what I've experienced.

It does not matter. 5 is a good amount but I believe the most you can apply to 8-10. That is what it was when I was in high school. I applied to 8 and only got into 3 (with summer classes to ) and was waitlisted for 2. But I would advise starting at a community college. You save more money that way.

I would choose 3 you are hoping to attend and 3 backups a backup (a school you know you’ll get into) for every school you are hoping to unless those are literally every school you really want to go to.