45 schools too many?

[cargirl110]

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This will be my third time applying. I want to make sure to do everything I can to improve my chances, so I am applying early and broadly. Previously,I did apply to 25+ schools but had no luck due to low MCAT and late timing. Would applying to 45+ schools be too many? I just want to be safe and not limit myself. Do schools look down on you if you apply to so many schools?

Thanks!

 

[fireflygirl]

This will be my third time applying. I want to make sure to do everything I can to improve my chances, so I am applying early and broadly. Previously,I did apply to 25+ schools but had no luck due to low MCAT and late timing. Would applying to 45+ schools be too many? I just want to be safe and not limit myself. Do schools look down on you if you apply to so many schools?

Thanks!

oh dear - do you have more than $3000 and hours to spare to pour over secondaries? Also, there is a point of diminishing return when it comes to med school....I have heard that after 25 schools, it's really not worth it. Maybe it might help you to talk to an advisor about how your non-science and science GPAs, and MCATs would help you apply to a broad range of schools that might maximize your chances. Have you thought about DO schools? I really think you are setting yourself for some disappointment after putting in a lot of money and time into your secondaries. I think it would be wiser to think about your stats and think of 20-25 schools that match your applicant package.

 

[cargirl110]

I want to apply to DO schools too, but have yet to shadow a DO physician. I have been asking every DO in my area, but they all say no citing privacy concerns. The reason for 45 schools is cause my stats are average, and from a lot of the advice here, it seems to help to apply early and VERY broadly to a lot of schools if you are an average applicant. I basically chose every private school that is not in the top 20-30 and all public schools that take OOS. Anymore suggestions?

 

[gman33]

Have you improved your low MCAT?
Give some stats if you want advice.

 

[cargirl110]

3.5 AO, 3.54 BCPM, First MCAT - 24M, Second MCAT - 30N ( 8VR, 10 PS, 12 BS).

Good research and clinical experiences. However, my grades show a downward trend, I received two C's and one D my senior year because I had medical issues. I wrote about it in my PS to explain my downward trend, but I know it is no excuse. As you can see, my numbers are average and not stellar which is why I was wondering is 45 schools is too much.

 

[pride4jc727]

Just as long you have the money to pay for all of them. In addition, use the LizzyM score to may be cut down the list so you are not wasting $$$ on schools you don't stand a chance at getting an interview and then a possible acceptance.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I want to apply to DO schools too, but have yet to shadow a DO physician. I have been asking every DO in my area, but they all say no citing privacy concerns. The reason for 45 schools is cause my stats are average, and from a lot of the advice here, it seems to help to apply early and VERY broadly to a lot of schools if you are an average applicant. I basically chose every private school that is not in the top 20-30 and all public schools that take OOS. Anymore suggestions?

I would not let not having a DO letter stop you from applying. I know plenty of folks who gained acceptance without a DO letter. I think you have a real good shot at getting into DO schools just apply. If your going to spend money on those MD schools who did not give you a chance before, why not try spending some one DO schools you might get lucky.

Good Luck

 

[gman33]

Schools won't know how many schools you apply to unless you tell them. I think they can find out in like May or something, but at that point it doesn't matter.

Since you have pretty average stats, I'd say the most important thing is to apply to schools that accepts average candidates. Get a copy of MSAR or just check out all the school websites. Don't waste time/money applying to schools that are out of reach.

A friend of mine applied to 42 schools this past cycle. He had below average stats and got in. His thinking was he only wanted to apply once and was willing to go anywhere.

I'd say if you can afford it, apply to every school where you have a good shot and would be willing to go. If you are interested in DO schools, I'd also apply to a few of them. Try to get a DO letter if you are going to do that.

 

[xeulee]

I want to apply to DO schools too, but have yet to shadow a DO physician. I have been asking every DO in my area, but they all say no citing privacy concerns. The reason for 45 schools is cause my stats are average, and from a lot of the advice here, it seems to help to apply early and VERY broadly to a lot of schools if you are an average applicant. I basically chose every private school that is not in the top 20-30 and all public schools that take OOS. Anymore suggestions?

You can get the AOA to help you search for a DO by sending an email here. If you still don't end up finding one, a lot of schools allow you to have a MD write one.

 

[Pedsbro]

I want to apply to DO schools too, but have yet to shadow a DO physician. I have been asking every DO in my area, but they all say no citing privacy concerns. The reason for 45 schools is cause my stats are average, and from a lot of the advice here, it seems to help to apply early and VERY broadly to a lot of schools if you are an average applicant. I basically chose every private school that is not in the top 20-30 and all public schools that take OOS. Anymore suggestions?

The previous poster gave the same advice I would've...the AOA has a list of DOs who are willing to let you shadow. I'm actually quite shocked that so many DO's have told you that...I doubt privacy is the real reason. What makes them more special than all those other docs (MD and DO) that allow students to shadow them? I'm currently shadowing a pediatric neurosurgeon who is a DO...he was more than willing and so were other DOs I had asked (can't beat shadowing a peds neurosurgeon though, so i picked him). Most of those DO's know a lot of osteo schools require a letter from a DO and shadowing experience.. Some schools say they will take MD letters, but they always PREFER a DO. Don't give up...check the AOA site and you'll find one! You definitely have a good shot at DO schools with those numbers.

As far as applying to a lot of schools, my brother (who is a doc) told me to "cast a wide net". If you can afford it, why not apply to any schools you think you have a good chance at? Check out the new MSAR book and the school websites on their previous class profiles and also use the LizzyM score as someone pointed out earlier. If you can find 40 schools that are within your GPA/MCAT range and your ECs are in line with their mission statements and selection factors, why not???

 

[fireflygirl]

3.5 AO, 3.54 BCPM, First MCAT - 24M, Second MCAT - 30N ( 8VR, 10 PS, 12 BS).

Good research and clinical experiences. However, my grades show a downward trend, I received two C's and one D my senior year because I had medical issues. I wrote about it in my PS to explain my downward trend, but I know it is no excuse. As you can see, my numbers are average and not stellar which is why I was wondering is 45 schools is too much.

I think your MCAT is solid but you may have some problems with your GPA especially if the downward trend is closer to application. However, since it was due to medical concerns, you may want to address that in your PS, briefly, and let it come up in interviews. But just be ready to face some resistance. You may want to give yourself another year to get an uphill trend for your GPA and take some upper level science courses. If that's not an option, then as others' have already said, take a look at the MSAR and apply to a wide net of schools. Also, don't let the not shadowing a DO stop you - just go ahead and see if the AOA can help you and if not, just go ahead and apply.

 

[Weoh]

As far as choosing schools, I'll echo what another poster recommended. Get a recent or current copy of the MSAR. It'll give you an idea of how competitive your scores are at all med schools (there are some online "competitiveness calculators," but I'd put my faith more in the MSAR. In terms of numbers alone (not considering your downward GPA trend), you are in the bullseye for an acceptance-- that's why 45 seems like overkill IMO.

That said, make sure that your list includes the so called "third tier" schools. They are excellent programs that produce excellent physicians. And if you want to be a doctor, and you feel like you might be on the line b/t getting in or not getting in to med school, you have to be willing to consider them. Applying broadly means applying to schools where your stats are competitive, and to schools where your stats are overly competitive. Sure, toss in a few "reach schools", but always include the ones that make you look like a super applicant. I'm sure lots of folks don't get in b/c they didn't apply quite broadly enough.


W/ regard to DO- if you have an interest, apply. Whether or not you've shadowed a DO physician or have a LOR from a DO. Again, a lot of people won't become docs b/c they're not willing to: a) consider a program that they see as beneath them, or b) go the DO route. Don't be in either group that doesn't get in anywhere.

 

[Blade28]

Agree with the excellent post above by Weoh.

As always, I tell people to apply widely and early - lots and lots of schools if you can afford it! I had average stats when I applied to med school and I still applied to a little over 30 schools.

Best of luck.

 

[arlingtondoc]

Agree with the excellent post above by Weoh.

As always, I tell people to apply widely and early - lots and lots of schools if you can afford it! I had average stats when I applied to med school and I still applied to a little over 30 schools.

Best of luck.

i agree with both of these posts....

apply to as many as you can/want. remember that it is expensive to apply to that many maybe $5000 if they all want secondaries. but some screen and thin the herd so to speak first. the secondaries take forever but some can be reused partly or entirely. those are the two factors that should judge how many you apply to.

i applied to a ton myself, 48 MD and DO, and completed 38, interviewed at 6 and got into two outright and am waitlisted at the rest.

i had no DO letter and that didn't hurt me at all, only one school that i came across required one (rocky vista) the rest recommended it.

 

[Blade28]

i agree with both of these posts....

apply to as many as you can/want. remember that it is expensive to apply to that many maybe $5000 if they all want secondaries. but some screen and thin the herd so to speak first. the secondaries take forever but some can be reused partly or entirely. those are the two factors that should judge how many you apply to.

i applied to a ton myself, 48 MD and DO, and completed 38, interviewed at 6 and got into two outright and am waitlisted at the rest.

It's infinitely better to apply widely and early the first time rather than have to apply a second time. That is, if you can afford it.

If you're reapplying, many of your secondary essays can be reused (just need some editing/fine-tuning).

 

[Wylde]

This will be my third time applying. I want to make sure to do everything I can to improve my chances, so I am applying early and broadly. Previously,I did apply to 25+ schools but had no luck due to low MCAT and late timing. Would applying to 45+ schools be too many? I just want to be safe and not limit myself. Do schools look down on you if you apply to so many schools?

Thanks!

yes, 45 is too many!

After you apply to around 25 schools, the remaining are going to be far out of your range (ie if you have a 3.5/30, you get ZERO benefit from applying to the top 20-30 schools). Many schools only accept <10% OOS as well.

Apply to all the schools that have >30% OOS and average stats below yours or within ~.2/2.

 

[GreenShirt]

Good improvement on the MCAT. Like others have said, 45 is ok if you have the money and time to spend. But remember applying broadly means applying smartly not just to a lot of schools. Make sure the MD schools are within your range. You really should consider throwing in some DO, Caribbean and European schools just to cover your butt (if you don't get in US MD on your third time, do you really want to have to go a fourth round with these other schools?). Not every DO school requires a DO LOR (although a lot do, so get it if you can).

 

[nick_carraway]

I agree with sentiments about applying to as many schools as you can afford, as many as you can handle, and as you many as you can see yourself matriculating at.

Unless there's a reason to limit your list, making arbitrary limits of 25 schools or 30 schools or 32 schools just serves to rob yourself of opportunities.

You already know that the what-ifs that come up at the end of an unsuccessful cycle are pretty tough to deal with.

You don't want to go through this process a third time at the expense of even more money and more time.

At least at the end of the cycle, the most you'll be able to say is "gee I didn't need to apply to so many" instead of "gee what if I had applied to more?"

Just use the MSAR to see which schools you'd be interested in attending. I'd recommend checking out the MSAR thread with its Excel file to see the 10th percentile GPAs. It's more of a help than the previous editions of the MSAR that just showed the minimum accepted GPA.

Good luck!

 

[cargirl110]

I agree with sentiments about applying to as many schools as you can afford, as many as you can handle, and as you many as you can see yourself matriculating at.

Unless there's a reason to limit your list, making arbitrary limits of 25 schools or 30 schools or 32 schools just serves to rob yourself of opportunities.

You already know that the what-ifs that come up at the end of an unsuccessful cycle are pretty bad to deal with.

You don't want to go through this process a third time at the expense of even more money and more time.

At least at the end of the cycle, the most you'll be able to say is "gee I didn't need to so many" instead of "gee what if I applied to more?"

Just use the MSAR to see which schools you'd be interested in attending. I'd recommend checking out the MSAR thread with its Excel file to see the 10th percentile GPAs. It's more of a help than the previous volumes of the MSAR which just showed the minimum accepted GPA.

Good luck!

Where is this MSAR thread with the Excel file? I have never heard of it! Thanks for the advice.

 

[nick_carraway]

Where is this MSAR thread with the Excel file? I have never heard of it! Thanks for the advice.

Here you go: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=6533232&postcount=4

If I had known these percentiles last year, I would've swapped some schools for others so hopefully it'll help to refine your list.

 

[RxnMan]

This will be my third time applying. I want to make sure to do everything I can to improve my chances, so I am applying early and broadly. Previously,I did apply to 25+ schools but had no luck due to low MCAT and late timing. Would applying to 45+ schools be too many? I just want to be safe and not limit myself. Do schools look down on you if you apply to so many schools?

Thanks!

45 is fine. Make sure that they aren't all "top-top" schools. Apply to a wide range of schools, and do so as early as possible. Check out the FAQ for tips on how to schedule things.