does the average number of schools to which md/phd applicants apply differ substantially from straight-MD? my guess would be that unless one is highly qualified, one would apply to more programs because it's highly competitive... is 15-20 a reasonable number?

Z

15-20 is not only reasonable, it's practical. Earlier in the game, the number of schools one applies to can be quite liberal. If you are a competitive applicant, you'll get many interviews. Interviews are longer, more exhausting, and expensive. However, once you land the interview, your chances of acceptance are higher than for straight MD (the interviewee-to-matriculation spots ratio is lower for MD/PhD).

True.

Interviews are longer, more exhausting, and expensive.

Interviews are definitely long and exhausting. I think many MSTP programs pay for your travel and hotel when you come interview - at least that's how it was many years ago when I did MSTP interviews.

But for MSTP, you interview with like 50 people over 2 days.

The interviews ARE greuling. I really dont; think I have the energy to go on more than 5 assuming of course, that I get to interview at all the 5 schools I'm applying to.

The interviews ARE greuling. I really dont; think I have the energy to go on more than 5 assuming of course, that I get to interview at all the 5 schools I'm applying to.

I applied to 11 places, got interviews at somewhere around 8, and then only went on a few interviews because it was so tiring. I probably will do a similar thing with upcoming residency interviews. :laugh:

The 15-20 figure seems okay for primaries, but it's a real pain (and financial burden) to do >14 secondaries and >7 interviews and probably unnecessary if you're getting a response from pretty much everyone. I ended up doing ~8 interviews and ~12 secondaries in the end.