Ok, guys. I am really struggling regarding the number of sites. I am currently thinking about applying to 20 sites. Hear me out on my reasoning and let me know what you think.
Here's my rationale:
2 of my sites don't give interviews at all
3 of my sites interview less than 15% of applicants
3 of my sites are with the BOP. For a variety of complex reasons, I don't expect to get an interview with them or at least more than one. I feel about 80% confident of this outcome based on conversations with the system-wide training director. (Also, these factors are specific to BOP and do not relate to anything about my application - like I said complicated).
Based on these factors, I feel like I am really applying to closer to 15 sites in actuality and I am nervous about limiting myself out of the gate.
This is my fist time applying. I am a nontraditional student with children and not sure how that and other factors might play in.
My DCT has "strongly encouraged" us to apply to no more than 15, but one of my friends is applying for 18.
People who have been through this process in my program have told me that trying to do more than 10 interviews is awful and they wished they would have applied to less, but my program has had a 100% match rate for 4 years, so I don't really fully consider the threat of not matching. I have. Not something I want to happen to me.
Let me know what you think on number. Is 20 too many? How about 18? Any recommendations are welcome. I just need your opinions ASAP as I am going to start submitting today and tomorrow - FINALLY! Most of my apps are due 11/15 though, but some choices need to be made now....😱