Applying to only one school

[vin5cent0]

---

Members don't see this ad.

There isn't a single school other than that one in your general area? Beggers can't be choosers, and in the case of applying to med school, you are often the begger. I wouldn't gamble my future that much just because you REALLY like one school. Be honest, how many other schools have you seen? Just because you like that one doesn't mean you won't like others.

 

[BJPENNSTATE]

dont worry...ur definitely getting into ur Ohio DO school...with a 33 MCAT and a 3.5 GPA..im surprised if u didnt get an automatic interview invite

with a 33MCAT and a 3.5...ur competitive in half of the MD schools...if u choose to apply

 

[BTC]

I would apply to a few other schools solely for the reason to better inform your decision. Unless you've toured a few medical schools, talked to students, have experience taking on similar debt levels, and know exactly what you want to specialize in, I have a hard time believing that your undying commitment to a singular school is an informed decision.

Specifically, being an Ohio resident, you have the opportunity to go to some great Allo schools and for ridiculously cheap. Why anyone would forgo that opportunity to attend a DO school just so you can struggle with the rest of your career is beyond me. (I am not meaning to incite a DO vs MD debate, I am only meaning that there are far fewer residency / physician positions for DOs, especially in Ohio). $100,000 in extra debt is a lot of money. It will most certainly significantly affect every major decision in your life after medical school - marriage, home purchase, starting a family, etc.

Also, things can change over a year. People change their minds a ton about medical school. Ask a current medical student what they look for most in a medical school and then ask them if that's what they were looking for when they applied. I will bet you a dollar that it's very different.

I don't know you or your age but I think it would be very easy for an interviewer to listen to a 22 year old speak about only wanting to go to one school and decide that they are immature and reckless. This very well isn't the case but I think you could easily make that impression.

 

[dw2158]

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?

so you spoke to someone in admissions and got your answer... which was basically what all of us here on SDN were saying (okay idea but consider casting a wider net).

 

[binko]

I would apply to a few other schools solely for the reason to better inform your decision. Unless you've toured a few medical schools, talked to students, have experience taking on similar debt levels, and know exactly what you want to specialize in, I have a hard time believing that your undying commitment to a singular school is an informed decision.

Surroundings and general atmosphere are incredibly important to my quality of life and to my ability to self-motivate and teach myself important material. I learned this the hard way by committing to live abroad for a year in a place that looked nice on paper but wasn't a good "fit". I have lived in Athens since October and I love it. Might there be another school I could love more? Possibly. But I'm not going to drop what I already know I love for the possibility that something might be equally nice somewhere else. This is the same way I knew I was ready to marry my husband: Are there more objectively "perfect" men in the world? Might they be interested in me given the chance? Quite probably, but that really doesn't bother me or affect how I feel or live. I wouldn't break up my marriage to try to find a "better" husband and I wouldn't break up my marriage to try to find a "better" school either. Now, if I don't get in after 2 tries I might consider widening my net of schools out of necessity, but my husband doesn't want to leave his job and I don't want to be separated from my husband. I know for residency I'll have to go at least a moderate distance, but things will be different then and we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I definitely don't want to uproot him twice for my education, and if I do that without being absolutely required to it would just be cruel.

Specifically, being an Ohio resident, you have the opportunity to go to some great Allo schools and for ridiculously cheap. Why anyone would forgo that opportunity to attend a DO school just so you can struggle with the rest of your career is beyond me. (I am not meaning to incite a DO vs MD debate, I am only meaning that there are far fewer residency / physician positions for DOs, especially in Ohio). $100,000 in extra debt is a lot of money. It will most certainly significantly affect every major decision in your life after medical school - marriage, home purchase, starting a family, etc.

And being the wife of an OU employee, I get tuition breaks.

Also I want to do OB/GYN and plan to return to Athens after residency to work in the underserved, rural appalachian areas. This has been my goal since before I even knew what a DO was.

Also, I already have a marriage and a home. As for starting a family, my husband wants to wait for a long time regardless of financial or other logistical factors. He simply doesn't think he'll be ready for a child for a decade or so.

Also, things can change over a year. People change their minds a ton about medical school. Ask a current medical student what they look for most in a medical school and then ask them if that's what they were looking for when they applied. I will bet you a dollar that it's very different.

I've been out of undergrad and doing my own informal post-bac for a year and a half now. I know what I want.

I don't know you or your age but I think it would be very easy for an interviewer to listen to a 22 year old speak about only wanting to go to one school and decide that they are immature and reckless. This very well isn't the case but I think you could easily make that impression.

Actually if I get an interview this cycle I will be 24 when I interview. Also I don't see "I want to keep my marriage stable and allow my husband to keep the university job he values" as translating to immature and reckless.

Anyway, I just posted what the adcom guy said because I want to share the knowledge, since it's an actual piece of information, not just speculation.

 

[umean2tellme]

Do you really know enough about other medical schools to say you would turn down an acceptance elsewhere if you didn't get into your top choice? I think you should just take the time to get to know more about other schools, talk to students that go there and maybe do some campus visits so you can really say that that's your one and only dream school. Plus it would suck if you end up getting a bad bounce and they reject you, thus wasting a whole year. You never know what can happen in this process, if I were you I would apply broadly, you never know how much you'll like another school once you check it out. Good luck.

 

[binko]

Do you really know enough about other medical schools to say you would turn down an acceptance elsewhere if you didn't get into your top choice?

Yes, already! I would have to sell the house I love and just moved into, in a market that sucks, or else let it stand empty four years. My husband would have to quit his job that he loves and just started and is going to pay for his master's degree and is paying for my post-bac classes. We would have to leave the town we both love and invest tons of time and money in searches for new housing and new jobs.

I think you should just take the time to get to know more about other schools, talk to students that go there and maybe do some campus visits so you can really say that that's your one and only dream school. Plus it would suck if you end up getting a bad bounce and they reject you, thus wasting a whole year. You never know what can happen in this process, if I were you I would apply broadly, you never know how much you'll like another school once you check it out. Good luck.

I might like another place, but I would not like it enough to do what I described above if I didn't have to. Spending one more year in a place I enjoy, taking more classes with professors I really like, to strengthen my app, and continuing to volunteer for causes that I genuinely care about while working at an interesting job that I love is not "wasting a year" in my book.

 

[TheGoodGoodTime]

I would apply to a few other schools solely for the reason to better inform your decision. Unless you've toured a few medical schools, talked to students, have experience taking on similar debt levels, and know exactly what you want to specialize in, I have a hard time believing that your undying commitment to a singular school is an informed decision.

Specifically, being an Ohio resident, you have the opportunity to go to some great Allo schools and for ridiculously cheap. Why anyone would forgo that opportunity to attend a DO school just so you can struggle with the rest of your career is beyond me. (I am not meaning to incite a DO vs MD debate, I am only meaning that there are far fewer residency / physician positions for DOs, especially in Ohio). $100,000 in extra debt is a lot of money. It will most certainly significantly affect every major decision in your life after medical school - marriage, home purchase, starting a family, etc.

Also, things can change over a year. People change their minds a ton about medical school. Ask a current medical student what they look for most in a medical school and then ask them if that's what they were looking for when they applied. I will bet you a dollar that it's very different.

I don't know you or your age but I think it would be very easy for an interviewer to listen to a 22 year old speak about only wanting to go to one school and decide that they are immature and reckless. This very well isn't the case but I think you could easily make that impression.

Yeah. Clearly you're not trying to start anything. Especially with a completely baseless argument.

The problem here is not with her decision to only apply to OUCOM, but rather that it appears that you've already mounted your high horse.

 

[majahops]

"..." #1 thing NOT to do.

 

[dragonfly99]

If you are only 23/24, and you feel that strongly about only going this one place, I think you can just apply there once, if that is what you want. I think whether it affects you not at all, positively or negatively (in the minds of the adcom) is totally dependent on who is interviewing you and looking at your file. Personally, I might wonder a little if the person REALLY wants to be a doctor vs. not, but others might take it as a commitment to their school and that geographic area. Also, I think most do realize that things change if you are married, owna house, etc.

You can always do this, and if you don't get in, then consider applying more broadly the 2nd time around. IMHO it's just a big PIA to have to apply multiple times...I know because I had to do this all twice to get in.
In general it is a bad idea to only apply to one place, because med school admissions is just so competitive...I mean a lot of schools accept maybe 5-10% of the applicants. Since you are in Ohio, I would personally recommend applying to other schools that are within a few hours driving distance (especially since you don't have kids yet). That is what *I* would do. Nobody can make this decision for you, and it sounds like you already know this school well, your spouse works there, it sounds like you have good connections and solid academics, all of which should give you >> normal chance of admissions there. You ARE putting all your eggs in one basket, though. I wouldn't do it, but I'm not you. I'm not married with a house and a spouse who doesn't want to move.

I also think tuition should be considered...is it worth it to go into >> debt for this DO school (if that would be the outcome) vs. some state MD med school in Ohio. I am just asking...

 

[dw2158]

OP, i want to make it clear from the beginning of my post that i'm not trying to attack you. i respect your desire to keep your family life, home, etc. intact throughout medical school. taking this into consideration, it seems like you were basically 100% decided to do this when you started this thread. you also knew you had access to the admissions dept at your choice school and that they could answer the one question you had better than any of us could. so why post at all? you had to expect that people here, who agonize over their lists with upwards of 20 schools on them, would express surprise and concern about your decision. also, it's a DO school and this is pre-allo. basically, i just don't get why you started the thread. but i wish you luck getting into your choice school.

 

[BTC]

Yeah. Clearly you're not trying to start anything. Especially with a completely baseless argument.

The problem here is not with her decision to only apply to OUCOM, but rather that it appears that you've already mounted your high horse.

Actually no. Were you just looking for a reason to throw in that clever high horse comment?

I am not disparaging DO. In fact, I looked into it seriously. But the facts speak for themselves:

1.) DO schools are significantly more expensive than a state allo school. Sounds like the OP is an exception to this because of her unique circumstances.
2.) DO residency/job options are more limited than allo docs.
3.) DO is not a ubiquitous term in the public. This has the possibility to lead to numerous career complications due to other people's ignorance.

So, like I said, it is hard to find a reason why someone would forgo a state allo school for DO school. In the end, allos and DOs do the same thing. Why pay more so you can do it in fewer places?

It appears the OP has found her reasons, however. Some of them appear to be justified, others not. She also doesn't seem to be receptive to the advice she came on here asking for. But she's a gray 23, not 22, so there's nothing to really worry about.

OP, if you really want to help the underserved, go to a school that makes the best financial sense for you. It is not noble to take on unnecessary financial debt. It is dumb. Given your situation, however, it sounds like the cheapest school very well might be OU. I would still recommend, like most everyone else on here, that you take a serious look and apply to a few other schools just to be certain and also to give the appearance of due diligence. Yours wouldn't be the first time someone got rejected from a medical school due to the false assumptions of an adcom.

 

[Doc Henry]

I am on of those crazy people who only applied to one school. It was not because that was the only school I would go to, but more for financial reasons. I fully intended on re applying broadly next year if it didn't work out. In the end it worked out great for me because I got in!!! I don't have to retake my mcat, saved thousands of dollars on applications, and get to stay close to my family. That being said, it was super risky and I knew most likely I would end up reapplying.

Oh, and the school will have no idea if you applied anywhere else. I'm happy I wasn't asked at my interview, but be prepared to answer the question, and defend yourself. To be honest, your reasons for only applying there don't seem very defensible to me. If I were you I would give it a shot this year, with the plan of eventually applying broadly if you really do want to be a doctor.

 

[futureboy]

There has been some good discussion here, but we seem to be at a bit of an impasse. Like others have said, the OP seems to have made up her mind to apply to only one school. Other folks think it's a bad idea. Personally, given her situation with her house, her husband, and his job, and that she's only 23, it makes at least some sense to take 1 or 2 shots at OU only before applying more broadly. She's been advised of the possible consequences of doing this. I'm not sure there is much more to say...

 

[TheGoodGoodTime]

Actually no. Were you just looking for a reason to throw in that clever high horse comment?

I am not disparaging DO. In fact, I looked into it seriously. But the facts speak for themselves:

1.) DO schools are significantly more expensive than a state allo school. Sounds like the OP is an exception to this because of her unique circumstances.
2.) DO residency/job options are more limited than allo docs.
3.) DO is not a ubiquitous term in the public. This has the possibility to lead to numerous career complications due to other people's ignorance.

So, like I said, it is hard to find a reason why someone would forgo a state allo school for DO school. In the end, allos and DOs do the same thing. Why pay more so you can do it in fewer places?

It appears the OP has found her reasons, however. Some of them appear to be justified, others not. She also doesn't seem to be receptive to the advice she came on here asking for. But she's a gray 23, not 22, so there's nothing to really worry about.

OP, if you really want to help the underserved, go to a school that makes the best financial sense for you. It is not noble to take on unnecessary financial debt. It is dumb. Given your situation, however, it sounds like the cheapest school very well might be OU. I would still recommend, like most everyone else on here, that you take a serious look and apply to a few other schools just to be certain and also to give the appearance of due diligence. Yours wouldn't be the first time someone got rejected from a medical school due to the false assumptions of an adcom.

I think I read into your initial comment incorrectly, and for that I apologize. I am actually going to attend OUCOM in the fall despite having 3 other MD acceptances (2 OH, 1 MI).

Sometimes other factors weigh into major decisions besides title and money is what I am trying to say. Because of this, I don't really think discouraging the OP is a really good idea. Especially considering she has very good reasons for doing what she is doing, and seems to know what she wants out of life. Although I'll admit, I'd never have the balls to apply to only one school, but I was fortunate to have choices however...

EDIT: and FYI OUCOM's tuition is comparable if not cheaper than many of the schools I visited/interviewed at in OH as an IS resident.

 

[futureboy]

OP, I assume you realize that by reprinting the adcom's response that the adcom may be able to identify you here on SDN if you used your real name.

 

[krystibrow]

Our situations are similar, but I have three schools in my area. Unfortunately, I am a CA resident, so I am stuck with applying to highly competitive schools (UCSF and UC Davis)

I am married, and I have a stepson. My husband and I can't move because we risk losing our son.

In our situation, because we are married, we have to begin the balancing game a little earlier than others. In this case, before we apply. I dont think that you only applying to one school says anything negative about you. I think you are looking at the bigger picture, the whole pic, in terms of your family. For me, I have realized that it is not about how much "I" want to be a doctor. I have to think about my husband and my stepson.

It may be a challenge, but good luck to you!! It sounds as though you have put a lot of thought into your decision (with your contacts and such), so I'm pulling for you!!

 

[binko]

OP, i want to make it clear from the beginning of my post that i'm not trying to attack you. i respect your desire to keep your family life, home, etc. intact throughout medical school. taking this into consideration, it seems like you were basically 100% decided to do this when you started this thread. you also knew you had access to the admissions dept at your choice school and that they could answer the one question you had better than any of us could. so why post at all? you had to expect that people here, who agonize over their lists with upwards of 20 schools on them, would express surprise and concern about your decision. also, it's a DO school and this is pre-allo. basically, i just don't get why you started the thread. but i wish you luck getting into your choice school.

Because I didn't ask what you think I should do, I asked whether I should tell the adcom or not. Which I sort of already did by e-mailing the admissions director. I just posted the email from him to share the info.

 

[binko]

OP, I assume you realize that by reprinting the adcom's response that the adcom may be able to identify you here on SDN if you used your real name.

I keep in mind the fact that I'm identifiable whenever I post. I don't post anything I want to keep a big huge secret.

 

[horo1988]

What I meant from my previous post was that if she decided to go to an OOS school for example, her marriage would likely to be fluctuated. I assume that her marriage relationship is still young since she is only 22 at the time.

And also for that promotion vs family analogy, if there is a highly prestige hospital offer you to become a board member, but its kinda far away from your family. In the meanwhile, your aunt just got diagnosed and being said by a doctor that she has cancer. If the cancer is your specialty, would you accept the offer or stay to help your aunt?

Sorry for going off the thread haha, but I just wanna clarify

 

[binko]

What I meant from my previous post was that if she decided to go to an OOS school for example, her marriage would likely to be fluctuated. I assume that her marriage relationship is still young since she is only 22 at the time.

I didn't get younger since my last post. Still 23.😉

You're right though, my marriage is still pretty new. Spending some time establishing a solid foundation before traipsing off to another part of the state (oh and also I don't have a car) is definitely important.

Also on a general note, I think my original post was misinterpreted. I'm not asking if I should apply to other schools so I can go to them. I was asking if I should apply to some no-shot-in-hell schools to rattle off when the adcom asks me where I'm applying, or if I should just tell them I'm only applying there, or if I should keep it quiet altogether. Based on what the admissions guy told me I've decided to skip the superfluous apps and just tell them if they ask.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[dw2158]

Because I didn't ask what you think I should do, I asked whether I should tell the adcom or not. Which I sort of already did by e-mailing the admissions director. I just posted the email from him to share the info.

i understand that. the "one question" i was referring to was about whether the adcom's knowledge would help or hurt. i'm saying it seems you had already decided to disclose to them that you were applying to one school, so why post here? you had to expect that by bringing up the topic you'd get these responses. also, i'll reiterate that this is the pre-allo forum. whatever.

 

[binko]

i understand that. the "one question" i was referring to was about whether the adcom's knowledge would help or hurt. i'm saying it seems you had already decided to disclose to them that you were applying to one school, so why post here? you had to expect that by bringing up the topic you'd get these responses. also, i'll reiterate that this is the pre-allo forum. whatever.

I hadn't decided when I first posted. The reach schools I was considering applying to are all allo schools which is why I posted here. I posted the adcom's response so this thread could have something more than speculation in it in case anyone was in the same situation as me and was searching for info.

 

[binko]

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

Oh when I said they don't have EDP I forgot to mention that they do, however, have rolling admissions.

 

[Premed Worrier]

I think you should go for it. If this truly is the only school you want to go to then only apply here. It does not make a bit of sense to waste time, energy, and money on applying to other schools if you will eventually turn down the acceptance. It sounds like the dean basically gave you the go ahead to apply so you must be pretty damn competitive, judging by your MDapp it looks that way. I say go for it and don't f up your interview. Good Luck.

 

[binko]

You can also personalize your personal statement for that school to catch their attention right away.

Is this a good idea? I was considering it and since the admissions director told me they won't hold the one-app thing against me I thought it might be good. On the other hand, "why this school?" is a really common question on secondaries, and I don't want to "use up" that essay on the primary.