Hello, I'm planning to do an MBA next year. I'm about to take the GMAT and TOEFL. I also have to focus on schools to send my results to. So, my question is:
As there are many applicants and around 1/3rd effectively enters into the school, how many MBA did you apply to?

Only 1 because you were very self assured to be accepted?
Between 2 and 4 because you have more than one school you were interested in?
Or 5 or more to be sure to have a school?

Many thanks for your answers.

Here in the states it is better for you to do your research. Then decide upon one MBA school you want to go to, then apply to that one school. Applying to Many school can be costly and time consuming.
You have to pay your application fee, then you have in some cases to write an extensively elaborate essay, then you have to get three people to recommend you etc. I don't think you want to do all that. Best way, go online research about the school undersatnd the difference between tier 1, tier2 and tier 3 universities and colleges. Just know that tier 1 school are also extremely expensive. But everyone especially employers rev about the education. Additionally get it clear in your mind what you want to achieve you MBA status for: To be learned and be part of the MBA elite? - To find a better Job or promotion or to be more competitive.
Also find places to study for your GMAT for a few months, learn how to take the tests. That is half the battle, and, understand the culture of the questions. Its very hard to score high if you are a foreign student and you take the tests cold turkey. For Americans it is no brainer, but we still prep for it. Because the school system questions and quizzes from high school on follow the GMAT questions. They are not hard, just tricky. But for example a question qith five multiple answers, everyone in the states know that there will be two answers that are completely off the wall, dead wrong, then there will be an answer which is somewhat right, then the last two one is almost right and the other is absolutely right. You pick the absolutely right answer.
for example (2+2X2 the correct answe is (a) 4, (b) 10, (c) 6
(d)8 (e) None of the above.
Most americans will pick the right answer in 1 second. While people from foreign countries who are not arithmentic or math oriented will pick an answer they are not sure whether it is correct or not. There is only one correct answer as you will agree.

Thanks Mindmaker,
as always I found your input very helpful. I plan to apply for an MBA in NYC next year. Do you think 3 schools (NYU, CBS; Fordham) would be enough? As I am not sure whether I get into these (tier 1) programs, I thought I should also add Pace and Hofstra, just in case...
I plan to go back to Europe after the MBA where NYU, CBS and also Fordham are well known brand names. However, I cannot really assess how competitive these programs are.
M.

I don't know why you would be going back to Europe, but that's your choice. You look like you would have a great career here in what ever you chose to do. The schools you mentioned are all top notch. If you have the bucks you might as well throw in Wharton (Penn) University Of Chicago at windy city or the loop, Kellog is not bad either. Then Rutgers, Seton Hall and Stevenson all within NYC reachThen ofcourse the cliche's or Ivys, Havard, Yale and Princeton. I am sure you know that.
All these great schools are really good at opening employment opportunities with top 500 companies or to join the elite MacKenzie Management Consulting. However if you have a job already, it does not matter much which university you get your MBA from. Infact I know some unaccredited colleges, that are not only quantitative, but they teach the stuff that future business success will be pivotal upon.
Don't get me wrong going to a top school has several advantages. (1) They have more board of directors on companies world wide than most schools. (2) The networking strategies for hiring, promoting and mentoring have grown from a science to an Art. (3) .. and Yo always have that "halo" where ever you go.
When you graduate look me up. I want to work for you.

Mindmaker, thanks for your reply! I am working with a Scandinavian company, which has encouraged me to do an MBA. In Europe, US MBAs enjoy the best reputation. I know that there are good schools in Chicago, but I want to stay in the NYC area for personal reasons. I will look at the other schools you mentioned in your post, thanks!
Maria