Applying to too many schools?

[MedicJosh]

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Ok, so I currently have 23 schools on my list. Stats briefly are:

GPAc: 3.81, GPAs: 3.64, MCAT: 35R B 11, V 11, PS 13

Thousands of Hours of clinical experience as an EMT and then paramedic
ER Shadow
Volunteer Firefighter
EMS Research since March
Publication in EMS Magazine


I'm a NY resident and I'm applying to several out of state schools that have preference for instate students: UCSF, UC Irvine, Baylor, UNC Chappel Hill, University of Michigan, UMDNJ, UMDNJ RWJ, U Miami

Do you think by applying to 23 schools I'm going overboard or is it worthwhile considering my chances at 8 of the 23 are slim due to being an out of state resident?

 

[sha15]

Go big; you're a really good applicant, no regrets.

 

[macsta]

I think your application is fairly strong. Do I think 23 is a lot? Yes. But, I rather go overboard...there really isn't any disadvantages of applying to a lot schools if you truly want to go there and you have the money.

 

[roseglass6370]

Applying to too many schools?...

...I've never heard of such a thing!!

 

[Deathstar]

avg is about 15. 8 more can't hurt. I'm going to apply everywhere I realistically can. GL getting in.

 

[MedicJosh]

sounds good, thanks all!

 

[kpcrew]

As long as you are willing to go to those schools, why not?

 

[SS01]

Go for it definitely because you'd rather be safe than sorry! I applied to 21 schools and got interviews at just 7 if that gives you any perspective.

 

[Nymphicus]

If you can:
- keep the quality of secondaries good and complete them all efficiently and timely
- say honestly that you like all the schools you are applying to
- make time/afford all the interviews (and secondaries) you may or may not get

then there really is no limit to how many schools you "should" apply to.


*also just a heads up, the UMDNJ's are extremely in state biased unless you have some sort of state ties. Also, the RWJ secondary is very long.

 

[AvidAvatar]

I think you look fine. My application is very similar to yours and I'm applying to 30 schools because flexibility is really important right now. There is no negative to applying to a bunch of schools if you have the bucks.

For the love of God, make a secondary spreadsheet and keep careful track. They pile up fast! 😀

 

[tttttc]

I'm a NY resident and I'm applying to several out of state schools that have preference for instate students: UCSF, UC Irvine, Baylor, UNC Chappel Hill, University of Michigan, UMDNJ, UMDNJ RWJ, U Miami

Do you think by applying to 23 schools I'm going overboard or is it worthwhile considering my chances at 8 of the 23 are slim due to being an out of state resident?

Your chance of getting into any of those public schools is slim at best, unless you apply to MD-PhD. UNC is impossible. Don't waste your money. You should apply to more private schools.

Baylor is private, but they do have a instate preference.

 

[ceasefire]

Be absolutely sure that would would be happy to attend ANY of the 23 schools to which you're applying.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Be absolutely sure that would would be happy to attend ANY of the 23 schools to which you're applying.

This.

You're a great applicant, and unless you have a red flag or royally screw up interview, you'll get accepted somewhere even if you apply to fewer than 23 schools. But, if you really love all 23 schools, apply to all of them. Can't hurt! Just don't apply to a school that you won't be able to demonstrate interest in, it's a waste of time with your stats and ECs.

 

[isoquin]

Be absolutely sure that would would be happy to attend ANY of the 23 schools to which you're applying.

Agreed. 23 seems reasonable. In comparison with the $100,000+ debt you're about to take on, tacking on a few extra application fees don't mean anything.

 

[MrLahey]

Agreed. 23 seems reasonable. In comparison with the $100,000+ debt you're about to take on, tacking on a few extra application fees don't mean anything.

+1 people make too big of a deal about apply to a few more schools...for the COST? Them peeps crazy

 

[Socialite19]

Ok, so I currently have 23 schools on my list. Stats briefly are:

GPAc: 3.81, GPAs: 3.64, MCAT: 35R B 11, V 11, PS 13

Thousands of Hours of clinical experience as an EMT and then paramedic
ER Shadow
Volunteer Firefighter
EMS Research since March
Publication in EMS Magazine


I'm a NY resident and I'm applying to several out of state schools that have preference for instate students: UCSF, UC Irvine, Baylor, UNC Chappel Hill, University of Michigan, UMDNJ, UMDNJ RWJ, U Miami

Do you think by applying to 23 schools I'm going overboard or is it worthwhile considering my chances at 8 of the 23 are slim due to being an out of state resident?

I think, but I'm not entirely sure, this belongs in the what are my chances section, but....

You seem like a pretty good applicant. I would think that you are a shoe-in to get accepted somewhere. Having said that, applying broadly never hurt anything but your wallet. So if money is not an issue, apply broadly even to reach schools. You could be the OOS applicant they accept.