Applying to only one school

[binko]

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I've mentioned before that I'm only applying to one school, because it's the only one I really want to go to. If I applied and got in to other ones instead, I would be in the awkward position of having to turn down acceptances to re-apply to the school I want.

There are many reasons why this is the only school I want. I am already enrolled at the university as an undergrad so I've had a lot of time to get to know it in depth and I really feel the atmosphere of the med school, the university in general, and the town are a perfect fit for me. My husband and I also own a wonderful house here that we just bought in October, and my husband has a job at the university that he likes. I've also had contact with med students and administrators in the med school here, and they are all consistently friendly, helpful, and positive about the school. So I have a lot of really solid reasons for wanting to stay where I am and go the the med school here.

My question is this: would it look bad to the adcom to see that I didn't apply anywhere else? Are there potential negative views of this that could be taken? Or would they see it as a positive, essentially a letter of intent in actions rather than words?

Also, I was thinking of tossing an application to a "dream school" that I'm unlikely to get into, like Mayo. Would that look better or worse than only applying one place? If I did somehow get in to Mayo, I would still feel really torn about whether to go there or to stay where I am – that's how much I love this place.

I only applied to one school for undergrad, and only even looked at one other school, so I have no experience with a big multiple-school application process.

TIA for any advice or insight.

 

[binko]

If they have an early decision option then try that.

I don't think they do 🙁

 

[Greonis]

The adcom will only know that you applied to one school if you tell them, as the entire list of schools that you choose to apply to is not disclosed in your application. Therefore, unless you want them to know, you do not have to worry about it affecting your application in any way. That having been said, even if they did know that their school was your only choice, I can't imagine it hurting you in any way. If anything, I would guess that it would increase your chances of being accepted, since they'd know that accepting you would guarantee matriculation.

On a different note, you should know that the application process is extremely volatile, and even if you have perfect stats, stellar EC's and an immaculate interview, you could very well find yourself with a rejection from this school. You need to account for this possibility and make other plans, be it applying to other medical schools, preparing to obtain a degree in another concentration, or having some sort of job/responsibility lined up. If becoming a doctor is extremely important to you, I encourage you to apply to many schools abroad (to increase your odds) and work something out with your husband. You can always return to the area once you've finished your studies/residency, since medical school is not a permanent commitment, and being forced to reapply next year could be both draining and demoralizing.

 

[slowbutsteady]

I would not tell them it is your only application. It looks like you care more about convenience than actually becoming a doctor.

so many people turn their lives upside down for a chance to practice medicine. Looks like you won't.

That was my reaction, so some adcom members may also react that way.

 

[genswim24]

That having been said, even if they did know that their school was your only choice, I can't imagine it hurting you in any way. If anything, I would guess that it would increase your chances of being accepted, since they'd know that accepting you would guarantee matriculation.

I disagree slightly. I think a lot of people on ADCOM's want to know that you are willing to do a lot to be a doctor. Applying to only one school might show that you only want to go to medical school if everything goes the way you want it to and it's under your perfect conditions. It's similar to why so many interviewees ask "what would you do if you didn't get in this cycle". Most want to hear that you will improve your candidacy and try again.

Now I am not saying that for some people the fact that you show so much dedication to the school won't be looked at positively. Just keep in mind it may be a negative in some people's view as well.

edit:slowbutsteady beat me to it

 

[flip26]

How competitive are you for this school? If you really go through with this, you should be well above their averages in terms of stats - you should be a nearly perfect applicant for their school - you should know their mission inside and out, and reflect your perfect fit in your PS, essays, and interviews.

I believe you are nuts to apply to only one school, if for no other reason than losing the opportunity to do "practice" interviews at other schools. Also filling out secondaries for other schools and interviewing at more than one school will force you to more deeply examine your goals and motivations, making you a better applicant and interviewee.

Houses can be sold, and husbands can lose jobs and/or get other jobs. You are attaching way too much importance to place - it is blinding you to the realities of the risks and uncertainties in the med school application process.

PS: unless you can apply ED, NEVER tell anyone it is the only school you applied to. They have no way of knowing this unless you tell them. It will not be viewed positively by any adcom, and could very well be construed as a big negative RE your motivations.

 

[futureboy]

OP, are there any other med schools within a reasonable distance of your house? I would apply to those schools as well to increase your chances. From what I've seen, many schools make admission offers to only 5-7 percent of applicants.

 

[iamgoaloriented]

If your goal is to get into medical school, only applying to one school is possibly the worst thing you could do. No matter who you are or how good you are, a school can reject you for a lot of reasons.

But if you are sure that this is the only school you would ever go to, then hell maybe you have the right idea. Why spend time and money applying and going to places that you arent gonna go to school at?

I doubt that anyone would know you applied to only one school unless they asked you, but I think I was asked how many schools I applied to by someone once or twice. If you have a good reason to want to stay and one place, then tell them what that is when they ask. Otherwise I wouldnt worry about it.

 

[futureboy]

How competitive are you for this school? If you really go through with this, you should be well above their averages in terms of stats - you should be a nearly perfect applicant for their school - you should know their mission inside and out, and reflect your perfect fit in your PS, essays, and interviews.

I believe you are nuts to apply to only one school, if for no other reason than losing the opportunity to do "practice" interviews at other schools. Also filling out secondaries for other schools and interviewing at more than one school will force you to more deeply examine your goals and motivations, making you a better applicant and interviewee.

Houses can be sold, and husbands can lose jobs and/or get other jobs. You are attaching way too much importance to place - it is blinding you to the realities of the risks and uncertainties in the med school application process.

PS: unless you can apply ED, NEVER tell anyone it is the only school you applied to. They have no way of knowing this unless you tell them. It will not be viewed positively by any adcom, and could very well be construed as a big negative RE your motivations.

I agree with this sensible advice. It may be difficult, though, for the husband to give up a good job he likes, especially in this job market.

 

[phospho]

How competitive are you for this school? If you really go through with this, you should be well above their averages in terms of stats - you should be a nearly perfect applicant for their school - you should know their mission inside and out, and reflect your perfect fit in your PS, essays, and interviews.

I believe you are nuts to apply to only one school, if for no other reason than losing the opportunity to do "practice" interviews at other schools. Also filling out secondaries for other schools and interviewing at more than one school will force you to more deeply examine your goals and motivations, making you a better applicant and interviewee.

Houses can be sold, and husbands can lose jobs and/or get other jobs. You are attaching way too much importance to place - it is blinding you to the realities of the risks and uncertainties in the med school application process.

PS: unless you can apply ED, NEVER tell anyone it is the only school you applied to. They have no way of knowing this unless you tell them. It will not be viewed positively by any adcom, and could very well be construed as a big negative RE your motivations.

very well said...

OP, under your avatar it says Athens, OH, are you talking about OU (DO school)? If so, how competitive are you? I know some people hate leaving that area.

 

[drizzt3117]

I think there's a reasonable amount of people who only applied to their state schools. That's not necessarily the best course of action (unless you are in TX, or very competitive for your state schools, and don't want to go OOS) but it's doable, and in OH that might be a good idea as you have quite a few state schools. That could be somewhat of a compromise.

 

[Greonis]

Those are compelling reasons for the OP not to mention applying to only one school, although I'm not sure I agree that it can only be a detrimental thing. For example, "fit" is something that is highly valued by many medical schools, and the OP's decision could be viewed as honoring that idea. But - and I suppose I should have stated this earlier - this is nothing more than speculation. Moreover, it doesn't discredit what has already been said about applying to only one school in such a fashion being a very unwise decision.

That having been said, none of us really know for sure how such an applicant is viewed will depend on the school and/or the particular adcom who reviews the application. Therefore, I suppose it would be best for the OP to adopt a "better safe than sorry" approach and not mention it to avoid the possibility of being looked upon in a negative light. Almost all applicants who are accepted, after all, probably never mentioned to their schools that said school was their only choice (excluding ED), so there's no need to add an additional piece to the puzzle that has the potential to worsen things. It is far better to present with a strong application that is honed to the qualities that are highly esteemed by the particular school.

Hopefully, the OP will decide to apply to more than one school, making this a non-issue.

 

[binko]

OP, are there any other med schools within a reasonable distance of your house? I would apply to those schools as well to increase your chances. From what I've seen, many schools make admission offers to only 5-7 percent of applicants.

The thing is, I really like this school. If I got into another one instead, I probably would end up turning down the acceptance and re-applying to this one. I've gone to three different schools for undergrad (if we're only counting the ones in the USA) and I've never seen people so willing to spend time helping the students anywhere. The director of admissions himself sat down with me and took a lot of time helping me map out a plan. I was actually going to wait until next application cycle ('10/'11) to apply, but he encouraged me to try for this cycle if my grades were good winter and spring quarter (they were/are so far).

OP, under your avatar it says Athens, OH, are you talking about OU (DO school)? If so, how competitive are you? I know some people hate leaving that area.

Yes, I'm talking about OUCOM. I think I'm pretty competitive for this school, but if I don't get in this cycle, my plan is to continue taking more undergrad sciences (the admissions director gave me a list of what they like to see – of course it was like 4 years' worth of just upper-level classes, so there's no way I'll run out of stuff to do) and re-apply. I also have a good job and volunteering connections in the area, so I'll have plenty of stuff to do to strengthen my app if I need to re-apply. They also have an invitation-only post-bac program for people who applied and didn't get in, and if you complete the program you're guaranteed an interview.

My only question is about what the adcom will think of this. Basically: will applying to Mayo/other schools I don't have a prayer of getting into look good or not? (Advice seems to indicate it won't because they won't know.) And, should I tell them they are my *only* choice?

 

[Stixman28]

The adcom will only know that you applied to one school if you tell them, as the entire list of schools that you choose to apply to is not disclosed in your application.

Im pretty sure that's not true. when you look at your printable amcas application, every school you submit an application to is listed at the end. whether or not schools get that page im not sure...but in the applicants copy, it is embedded.

 

[binko]

So would it be better for me to apply broadly, get in to some school I don't want to go to, and turn down the acceptance to re-apply to OUCOM? Because I've heard on here that turning down an acceptance to re-apply is a very bad idea.

 

[phospho]

So would it be better for me to apply broadly, get in to some school I don't want to go to, and turn down the acceptance to re-apply to OUCOM? Because I've heard on here that turning down an acceptance to re-apply is a very bad idea.

If you're going to turn down the other acceptances (if you get any), then there's no point in applying to other schools...

However, I still think you're putting all your eggs in one basket. What if it's time to apply for residency? The way medical education is set up in this country, it's almost expected of you to be able to pick up and go.

However, OUCOM isn't very competitive, and I think you have a great chance of getting in there.

 

[drizzt3117]

Im pretty sure that's not true. when you look at your printable amcas application, every school you submit an application to is listed at the end. whether or not schools get that page im not sure...but in the applicants copy, it is embedded.

schools do NOT get that page.

OP, if that's the only school you want to attend, then only apply to that school. Just be prepared that if you never get into that school, you'll never be a physician.

 

[Lauren87]

I would apply to more than one school. What if you get rejected? Even if by your stats you're a shoo-in, I would still apply to more than one school, because I've seen people with great stats get rejected. I got rejected from my safety school and got into a school much more prestigious. Declining offers from schools is not awkward, it's easy. So I would say, what will you do if you don't get in. Would you rather apply to other schools and consider them or would you rather re-apply next year.

 

[rocketbooster]

if you want to become a doctor, you will apply to more than one school.

do you want to become a doctor? yes, so start working on that list!

 

[drizzt3117]

I would apply to more than one school. What if you get rejected? Even if by your stats you're a shoo-in, I would still apply to more than one school, because I've seen people with great stats get rejected. I got rejected from my safety school and got into a school much more prestigious. Declining offers from schools is not awkward, it's easy. So I would say, what will you do if you don't get in. Would you rather apply to other schools and consider them or would you rather re-apply next year.

They already said that they'd rather reapply then go to a different school...

 

[dynezxice]

on the offchance that you get accepted to another med school but not the one you want and you turn it down, the chances of getting into A med school when you reapply are slim to none, so unless you're a risk taker I don't suggest applying to other schools that you're not likely going to. on the other hand, I don't recommend applying to only one school bc the whole med process is crapshoot; you'll never know what's going to happen as many people here have pointed out.

 

[TerdFerguson]

If you're going to plunk down the cash to apply to the first school, you may as well apply to a few more. You probably already know that AMCAS charges you the most for that first school, then significantly less for each school after that.

Are you really that attached to OH? Poor kid.

 

[RoadRunner17]

If you really won't consider going to any other schools, then just go for broke. But let it be known that you know what you are getting yourself into.. no point in sending in an AMCAS application anywhere when you want to apply to an osteopathic school via AACOMAS.

 

[dw2158]

i'm going to come right out and say what some others have been dancing around: you may need to suck it up and get out of your comfort zone if you really want to be a doctor. i'm pretty dead-set on location in my life too (manhattan, in a rectangle between 70th and 110th, riverside and FDR) but i'm applying to schools outside of that small, small radius because i'm committed to this.

not to put myself on a pedestal, but i think i've done a fairly good job creating a list of schools (see mdapps) that i'm comfortable with but will also give me a good shot at getting in somewhere(s). you'd be well suited to do this as well.
/self-aggrandizement

 

[phospho]

If you're going to plunk down the cash to apply to the first school, you may as well apply to a few more. You probably already know that AMCAS charges you the most for that first school, then significantly less for each school after that.

Are you really that attached to OH? Poor kid.

It's an osteopathic school, so the OP won't be dealing with AMCAS...

Also, I agree that OH isn't the best place in the world, but the OP is talking about Athens, OH, which is very different from the rest of Ohio.

Although I'm sure this isn't why the OP wants to stay there, OU has been consistently ranked in the top 10 party schools (which is a great thing when you need to take a break and let off steam). Also, Athens is one of the most beautiful towns I have ever seen (it's also one of the most haunted towns in the U.S.😀), so I can totally see why the OP would like to stay there.

But again, OP, you will most likely need to leave there eventually, unless you get really really lucky when it comes residency time.

 

[futureboy]

The more I think about it, this might one of the rare times where it may actually make some sense to just apply to one school. The OP seems to know the admissions director pretty well, and her husband works for the university. If the OP's application is good, she seems to have a reasonable shot at admission. She has an SMP/re-apply option if she doesn't get in.

I know this against conventional wisdom, but it could work...

 

[TerdFerguson]

It's an osteopathic school, so the OP won't be dealing with AMCAS...

Also, I agree that OH isn't the best place in the world, but the OP is talking about Athens, OH, which is very different from the rest of Ohio.

Although I'm sure this isn't why the OP wants to stay there, OU has been consistently ranked in the top 10 party schools (which is a great thing when you need to take a break and let off steam). Also, Athens is one of the most beautiful towns I have ever seen (it's also one of the most haunted towns in the U.S.😀), so I can totally see why the OP would like to stay there.

But again, OP, you will most likely need to leave there eventually, unless you get really really lucky when it comes residency time.

Fair enough, I actually lived in OH for a time but never ventured to Athens to see it for myself. I suppose my impression of OH is a little "off." Sigh, if only CWRU and the Cleveland Clinic weren't in Cleveland 🙄

 

[phospho]

Fair enough, I actually lived in OH for a time but never ventured to Athens to see it for myself. I suppose my impression of OH is a little "off." Sigh, if only CWRU and the Cleveland Clinic weren't in Cleveland 🙄

out of curiosity, where in ohio did you live? where do you live now?

and i know what you mean about CWRU and the clinic being in cleveland... i've heard that so many times...

it gets really depressing here for a more than half the year (this year it's been exceptionally depressing) w/o any sun, etc...

 

[usermike8500]

Honestly, with a decision as important as applying to grad school, I would drop a couple $40 application fees and apply to just a few other schools, maybe around your local area.

Right now, you may be adamantly against going to any school other than your #1 choice. But you may be singing a different tune a year from now if, due to no fault of your own, your #1 choice school decides to reject you for arbitrary reasons.

Besides, you can always withdraw from applications later.

 

[TerdFerguson]

out of curiosity, where in ohio did you live? where do you live now?

and i know what you mean about CWRU and the clinic being in cleveland... i've heard that so many times...

it gets really depressing here for a more than half the year (this year it's been exceptionally depressing) w/o any sun, etc...

I lived in Cleveland while I worked in a research lab at the CC after college. Eventually decided I needed to move back to the east coast. I go to school in Philly now.

Sure the rent was cheap and clinic is amazing, but even CWRU couldn't convince me to stay there for 4 more years!

 

[futureboy]

Honestly, with a decision as important as applying to grad school, I would drop a couple $40 application fees and apply to just a few other schools, maybe around your local area.

Right now, you may be adamantly against going to any school other than your #1 choice. But you may be singing a different tune a year from now if, due to no fault of your own, your #1 choice school decides to reject you for arbitrary reasons.

Besides, you can always withdraw from applications later.

There aren't really any other "local" schools in the OP's area. The closest school is probably Ohio State in Columbus, about a 2 hour drive away (I'm in northeast Ohio, so my southern Ohio geography isn't the best). The University of Cincinnati is maybe 2-3 hours away. They're too far away to commute to, but they're close enough to come home on weekends (if you can swing it in med school). Also, I don't see the OP getting rejected at OU but getting accepted to Cincinnati or Ohio State, but stranger things have happened.

 

[fahimaz7]

If they don't have EDP, apply to more than one school.

 

[ImNotBritish]

OP, we are in pretty much the exact same situation, only a year apart. I applied to only my state school this past season. I too got a lot of incredulous questions here on SDN because of it. But our motivations (I say "our" because that's how similar they are - owning a house, jobs, connections, etc) need only to be strong enough for us individually. Not everyone on SDN's dream school is UCSF or Yale. While I am mentally prepared to leave for residency, I feel as though my state school is where my performance would be strongest for med school.

This past year, I interviewed and was waitlisted at my school. Given my position on the list, I don't foresee getting off of the list this year. My plan was to give myself one application cycle of applying only to the one school. In my reapplication for next year, I will extend my list. I think this is the best plan of attack for me, given that I already took a year off of undergrad before applying. Maybe the best plan for you would be to apply twice before extending your application to other options. There are so many people that end up reapplying for one reason or another, I don't think you're crazy for potentially having to reapply to get into your dream school. (For the record, my faculty interviewer applied four times to my state school before being accepted.)

Good luck, I'm rooting for you.

 

[phospho]

Sure the rent was cheap and clinic is amazing, but even CWRU couldn't convince me to stay there for 4 more years!

 

[EagerCraft]

Don't aply to other schools just to turn them down. You seem like you have a pretty good shot at getting in the first time, but yes, if you turn down an acceptance elsewhere just to reapply to your school of choice, that could look bad. It would make no sense to apply to an allopathic school just to show broad interest, because AACOMAS can't see your AMCAS application anyway.

I disagree with other posters. Particularly if you are applying to an osteopathic school, if the ADCOM knows you are applying to only one place, that may help you because it shows a genuine interest in the school and the profession. You can also personalize your personal statement for that school to catch their attention right away.

There are no guarantees in this process, but if it is the Ohio school or bust for you then what do you have to lose. Good luck.

 

[bashir]

OP, the people telling you you are crazy for only applying to one school obviously do not understand what is important to you, and are giving you advice based on what is important to them. You seem to be very sure in your desire to go to this school and only this school, so I really don't understand why you would consider applying somewhere else. You do NOT want to "risk" getting in to a different school given that you'd probably reject the acceptance and thereby substantially jeopardize your chances for next cycle.

The ADCOM doesn't need to know whether or not you are applying to other schools unless you wish to discuss it during your interview. This is just speculation, but I could see it being a benefit to let them know that they are your one and only choice, and that you will do whatever it takes to get in, especially if you spin it as being all about the school rather than just the city. A strong applicant who has a genuine, deep desire to attend their school would, I think, be appealing to any ADCOM. As long as you fully understand the fairly high risk of not getting in this cycle with this strategy, I say go for it. Good luck!

 

[Brent8927]

OP, we are in pretty much the exact same situation, only a year apart. I applied to only my state school this past season. I too got a lot of incredulous questions here on SDN because of it. But our motivations (I say "our" because that's how similar they are - owning a house, jobs, connections, etc) need only to be strong enough for us individually. Not everyone on SDN's dream school is UCSF or Yale. While I am mentally prepared to leave for residency, I feel as though my state school is where my performance would be strongest for med school.

This past year, I interviewed and was waitlisted at my school. Given my position on the list, I don't foresee getting off of the list this year. My plan was to give myself one application cycle of applying only to the one school. In my reapplication for next year, I will extend my list. I think this is the best plan of attack for me, given that I already took a year off of undergrad before applying. Maybe the best plan for you would be to apply twice before extending your application to other options. There are so many people that end up reapplying for one reason or another, I don't think you're crazy for potentially having to reapply to get into your dream school. (For the record, my faculty interviewer applied four times to my state school before being accepted.)

Good luck, I'm rooting for you.

I'm another person in the "applying to your dream school/just one school" boat 🙂

To the OP:

A lot of people don't understand, but ultimately it is your life, and if this is the program where you will be happiest (and make sure it is--though you've convinced me!) then go for it. Just be willing to accept the risk.

When I applied last year, I unfortunately never got interviewed. I did tell them towards the end of they cycle they were the only school I was applying to (I hadn't told them earlier because they may interpret my applying to one school to mean I'm not dedicated to becoming a physician). However, when I interviewed there this year (yippie!) my interviewers were extremeley impressed at my determination, and I was given a straight out acceptance (which is rare at that school in March) two weeks later 🙂

I did apply to additional (6 total) programs this year since at a certain point the desire to become a doctor overrides the desire to attend my dream school, but I was most certainly willing to postpone medical school by a year if it meant getting into my dream school--which it did!

Good luck OP, I'm rooting for you as well (and I'm rooting for you too ImNotBritish!)

 

[Slack3r]

Applying to only one school might show that you only want to go to medical school if everything goes the way you want it to and it's under your perfect conditions.

if you want to become a doctor, you will apply to more than one school.

do you want to become a doctor? yes, so start working on that list!

Yeah, god forbid you have anything else important to you than the "holy privilege" of becoming a doctor! 🙄

you may need to suck it up and get out of your comfort zone if you really want to be a doctor.

Why? Why is it too much to expect to spend 4 years of your life and several hundred thousand dollars in a place that you want? Because "BY GOD WE'RE DOCTORS, AND EVERYONE KNOWS A GOOD DOCTOR SACRIFICES PERSONAL WELL BEING AND HAPPINESS FOR THEIR JOB!!!ONE"? Explain the rationale to me, maybe I'm just not as "dedicated" as you. 🙄

OP, apply to one school. If you don't get in, there's always next year. If you really have no desire to attend another school there's no point in uprooting your life just for medical school.

 

[sarahg]

If you'd turn down any other acceptances and reapply rather than go to another school, then don't apply to any others. Having turned down an acceptance before will look worse than applying to just one school.

 

[dw2158]

Yeah, god forbid you have anything else important to you than the "holy privilege" of becoming a doctor! 🙄

Why? Why is it too much to expect to spend 4 years of your life and several hundred thousand dollars in a place that you want? Because "BY GOD WE'RE DOCTORS, AND EVERYONE KNOWS A GOOD DOCTOR SACRIFICES PERSONAL WELL BEING AND HAPPINESS FOR THEIR JOB!!!ONE"? Explain the rationale to me, maybe I'm just not as "dedicated" as you. 🙄

OP, apply to one school. If you don't get in, there's always next year. If you really have no desire to attend another school there's no point in uprooting your life just for medical school.

wow. overreact much? all i was saying is that the OP needs to get her priorities straight. if just getting into med school is #1 (which it is for many people) then by all means, she should apply to a bazillion schools, and "turn her life upside down" (as an earlier poster said) to get a chance to become a physician. if location is #1, then one school it is. i was merely suggesting that there is a balance to be struck-- i have no desire to leave the city in which i currently live, but i recognize the realities of this crazy application process so i'm applying to a bunch of schools in the same geographical region as well. i think this process is not too random to limit yourself a little bit (whether it be geographically or otherwise) but i do think it is too random to limit yourself as much as the OP is.

anyway, even though i don't want to leave my city, i do have trouble understanding the OP's desire to go only to this one school. she has virtually no experience seeing other places. perhaps other programs would appeal to her as well if she just opened up her mind a little!

 

[witness23]

arrr...

dont.

 

[pride4jc727]

If your goal is to get into medical school, only applying to one school is possibly the worst thing you could do. No matter who you are or how good you are, a school can reject you for a lot of reasons.

But if you are sure that this is the only school you would ever go to, then hell maybe you have the right idea. Why spend time and money applying and going to places that you arent gonna go to school at?

I doubt that anyone would know you applied to only one school unless they asked you, but I think I was asked how many schools I applied to by someone once or twice. If you have a good reason to want to stay and one place, then tell them what that is when they ask. Otherwise I wouldnt worry about it.

I agree. So what happens if you are rejected here? I do not see a plan B here and thus, you would be screwing yourself out of other worthy opportunities to attend medical school.

 

[runie46]

.

 

[flip26]

Just FYI... apparently adcoms are able to see the entire list of schools you have applied to. I don't know why the are allowed to, but my friends dad works on the adcom for UIC and he told me that.

FYI - no, they can't.

 

[Brent8927]

Agreed--something very fishy is going on if they can see the other schools you apply to, because AMCAS keeps this a secret; it's a breach of confidentiality if they share that information.

I know sometimes schools may ask where else you are applying--perhaps this is what your friend's dad was referring to?

 

[scrambizle]

OP: Since you're probably an OH resident (own a house in OH), why don't you try applying to all the allopathic state schools? There's 5 + CWRU that I can think of. If your husband has a job at a university, I'm sure he could find another one in OH - tons of colleges all over the state.

 

[kavorca]

I don't think telling the school that they are your only choice is a bad idea. There are reasons people cannot/will not move. I see it no differently than people sending schools letters of intent and interest while they are on waitlists or trying to get interviews. I think if you have a good reason for staying in town then you should tell them.

 

[binko]

I'm glad to hear there are people who understand sort of how I feel. I know I'll probably have to go farther for residency but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. There are a lot of good residency options in the state. I love Ohio and have lived in all different parts of it (as well as in other places too – it's not like I'm afraid to leave).

As for priorities – getting into med school is one of my top priorities. But so is my happiness, and that of my husband. I don't think that having to reapply once or twice is the same as giving up on being a doctor.

I think I will talk to the admissions director and see what he thinks about it. I'll report back when I have some solid info.

 

[binko]

So here's what the director of admissions told me:

We really do not know what schools a person applies to other than our program, unless we ask them. If one were to find out you only applied to one program they would just worry that you are placing all your eggs in basket, so to speak. With the competitive nature of medical school admissions most folks think it is prudent to cast a wider net to enhance their chances for admission. We would not hold applying to only OU-COM against you.

 

[horo1988]

I disagree with some folks saying that applying to only one school will affect your admission because you are not willing enough to become a doctor.

To me, what it needs to become a doctor is not just a person who wants to accomplish his or her career. By having said that, if you sacrifice your own family, your husband and other close friends to become a doctor, I don't think you are a kind-hearted person. Do you care about their feeling at all when you decide to leave? What if you become a doctor, and you have to decide between your own promotion and your patients? Would you choose your career over your patients since you choose to become a doctor regardless how your family members feel?

A doctor needs the passion of practicing medicine. True, but to me, I would be caring about other people's feeling as well as my patients more.

I support binko because of this very good reason: she doesn't want to disrupt her family.

If she turned out to enroll in a different school, then none would guarantee anything about her sucessful marriage.