Do not do what I did. I applied to 11. Biggest waste of moolah. I got accepted to two (one of them being my top choice) and waitlisted everywhere else (and rejected by like, 3 or 4). It was the most expensive thing Ive ever done because I had like 4 interviews. My vmcas was 1000 and then you have supplementals which are 50-80 a piece and flying to interviews. Then transcripts cost a bit. And supplementals are a pain to fill out.
Less than ten. More than 3. Those are my reccs. Emiloo was another one who applied to a shizton and she did quite well herself.
I completely agree with TW. I admittedly shotgunned because I am slightly older and didn't want to have to apply too many times. I had no idea how competitive I would be (well I think we all have an idea, but deep down you doubt yourself a lot) and I personally applied to schools in areas I wanted to live. I also applied to schools with more OOS spots. I almost applied to GA before I realized they had one OOS spot. So do your homework. I applied to Western knowing they tend to look at the whole application more than some other places, but looking back it was a waste of money because I could have never ponied over the dough for the cost of their program.
Interviews are EXPENSIVE! I had 5 (went on 4) and each cost me a minimum of $500, some upwards of $700. My VMCAS app also cost I think about $1200 and all my supp apps cost about $700. GRE scores cost me around $300.
Each school you apply to adds a HUGE cost to the process, especially if you get interviews!
My advice... do your homework before you waste your money. I totally admit I didn't go about it right, and wasted money. If I would have started younger, I would have only applied to my IS and maybe 2 or 3 others. I got into 5, still waitlisted at 1 and turned down a 5th interview, but it really only takes 1 acceptance!
Can you afford the tuition at that school?
Do you seem competitive for that school?
Would you want to live in that area?
Would you be compatible with their curriculum (PBL vs traditional)?
Are you interested in a special program they offer?
Take your time figuring it out! Research each school!