Bad idea to apply to only 2 schools?

[S6MD]

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So, I have a 3.95 GPA BUT a 27 MCAT.

I'm retaking 7/29, practice scores are ranging from 31-36. I'm a LA resident, currently work at LSU-NO, and I would choose LSU-NO or LSU-S over any school in the country (mainly cause these schools are so dang cheap). My logic is this: if I can't get into my state schools, then my chances at OOS schools would be pretty slim.

I'm thinking about applying to just these two schools. Is this a terrible idea?

If so, what OOS schools should I apply to?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

I'm thinking about applying to just these two schools. Is this a terrible idea?

yes. /thread

 

[Onres]

So, I have a 3.95 GPA BUT a 27 MCAT.

I'm retaking 7/29, practice scores are ranging from 31-36. I'm a LA resident, currently work at LSU-NO, and I would choose LSU-NO or LSU-S over any school in the country (mainly cause these schools are so dang cheap). My logic is this: if I can't get into my state schools, then my chances at OOS schools would be pretty slim.

I'm thinking about applying to just these two schools. Is this a terrible idea?

If so, what OOS schools should I apply to?

I would apply to a few more. Would you rather have to reapply or go somewhere else?

There's nothing wrong with your choices but 2 seems like taking a chance. Do you know their stats for applicants/interviews/acceptances for instates?

 

[Onres]

yes. /thread

Not really. Depends on their stats for accepting residents. I only applied out of state because I wanted to go out of state, and it wasn't taking a chance at all with my score if I would have wanted to stay instate. So I think if he/she can score 34+, it's almost guaranteed.

I think with state schools it's much less of a crapshoot than with top schools. Think about it. If those schools accept mostly residents, and if he (hypothetically) barely stands a chance of getting into those, then he virtually has zero chance at OSS or private schools.

 

[S6MD]

Do you know their stats for applicants/interviews/acceptances for instates?

Both schools have around 600-650 apps. LSU-S interviews about 250 and accepts 120. LSU-NO interviews a few more and will accept 240 this year.

 

[LizzyM]

Your 27 MCAT is only slightly below the avg for each of those schools and they are very generous with their interview invites (compared with some big private schools that interview only 5-25% of applicants).

So, let's say that you have a 65% chance of getting into one or both (which I think if a fair assumption). How do you feel about a 35% chance that this time next year you will not be preparing to matriculate in Louisiana but might be back at square one? You could improve the odds that you will get in somewhere by applying to a few more schools that are friendly to OOS applicants and that have LizzyM scores close to your own 66.5. You could also hold off & submit late(r) with your new MCAT scores. Late is not great but it is better than waiting until next year.

 

[Narmerguy]

Not really. Depends on their stats for accepting residents. I only applied out of state because I wanted to go out of state, and it wasn't taking a chance at all with my score if I would have wanted to stay instate. So I think if he/she can score 34+, it's almost guaranteed.

I think with state schools it's much less of a crapshoot than with top schools. Think about it. If those schools accept mostly residents, and if he (hypothetically) barely stands a chance of getting into those, then he virtually has zero chance at OSS or private schools.

No. Applying to two schools is pretty much always a bad idea, state schools or not. You could accidently goof up on your interview, get someone who looks at your app that is just having a bad day--any number of things could happen that gets you rejected. Plus, keep in mind that your state school also rejects people with high stats as well.

Applying to two schools is either incredibly stupid or incredibly arrogant.

 

[Onres]

No. Applying to two schools is pretty much always a bad idea, state schools or not. You could accidently goof up on your interview, get someone who looks at your app that is just having a bad day--any number of things could happen that gets you rejected. Plus, keep in mind that your state school also rejects people with high stats as well.

Applying to two schools is either incredibly stupid or incredibly arrogant.

I disagree because it depends on the state and on your stats. At least in my state, which only has 2 schools, I could have gotten into both quite easily, I withdrew from one before interviewing, because I got into the other one. Their admissions criteria is fairly straight forward, good mcat/ gpa, volunteering, shadowing = acceptance. They don't put a whole lot of emphasis on "fit" like other schools tend to. Also, schools with strong preference to residents are much less competitive because there are much fewer residents that apply than overall applicants. For instance, my state school got a bout 3200 apps last year, and only 500-600 were instate, interview around 400, 140 of which would be accepted.

I think SDNers like to exaggerate.

You really think if he's that bad of a candidate he won't get into state schools but will get into some OSS or private school? I bet it happens, but rarely.

 

[FattySlug]

It is a tried and true method. Apply broadly. You can never go wrong with it. Out of all the things you could take a risk on, why this?

 

[Reggie V]

2 schools? Bad idea jeans

 

[StudyShy]

Apply to at least a few more. It's better to apply for more than have to apply again next year.

 

[S6MD]

I should mention that I did submit TDMSAS, although I'm not expecting much love.

It's just that the cost of attendance at LSU-NO and LSU-S hovers around 14,000 (tuition). How can you beat that? Compared to going to an OOS school for the cost of 45-50K a year, I feel like I'd almost rather wait a year if not accepted.

Regardless, I think I'm going to apply to other schools. I'm sure this has been discussed to death, but which schools seem to be OOS friendly?

 

[Tapepsi]

I'd say just apply to those 2 schools and wait to see how you did on your 2nd MCAT before adding more school.

And I'd agree with your 100%. It would be worth it to wait another year just to get IS tuition. You really can't beat that and it will make your debt so much lighter.

 

[S6MD]

Went ahead and listed South Alabama.

So many choices.

Hope 7/29 MCAT gives me a shot @ some other schools.

 

[BushidoBrown]

Yes, don't be cheap.

 

[Onres]

Went ahead and listed South Alabama.

So many choices.

Hope 7/29 MCAT gives me a shot @ some other schools.

You could always apply to others after you get your score. Good luck!

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

apply to 10 schools (broadly), you should be good if your app is strong and you break 30+

 

[S6MD]

I will get my scores back around Sept 1st. Is this considered late if I begin adding more schools then?

 

[GS Mikami]

Hey I know someone who got into LSU-NO with a 4.0 and a 24. If your EC's are good a think you have a decent chance of getting an interview.

PM if you need more info.

 

[LizzyM]

I will get my scores back around Sept 1st. Is this considered late if I begin adding more schools then?

In all likelihood, those schools will not get to your application until November. That said, every year, people who take the MCAT in August get admitted to begin the following year so it is not too late.

 

[Onres]

In all likelihood, those schools will not get to your application until November. That said, every year, people who take the MCAT in August get admitted to begin the following year so it is not too late.

Yes. This was my case. I didn't get my score until late september.

 

[S6MD]

Thanks for all the responses. Good luck to everyone applying.

 

[Jeff Smoker]

As opposed the the neurotic people on this SDN, I don't think it's a bad idea, especially if you pull your MCAT up. I did the exact same thing. Applied to LSUHSC -NO and Shreveport. Interviewed at NOLA in January, and was accepted two weeks later. Didn't even wait to interview in Shreveport (a pretty trifling town by the way). Cheap to apply, cheap to travel for the interview, cheap tuition, great education. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[bucks2010]

I disagree because it depends on the state and on your stats. At least in my state, which only has 2 schools, I could have gotten into both quite easily, I withdrew from one before interviewing, because I got into the other one. Their admissions criteria is fairly straight forward, good mcat/ gpa, volunteering, shadowing = acceptance. They don't put a whole lot of emphasis on "fit" like other schools tend to. Also, schools with strong preference to residents are much less competitive because there are much fewer residents that apply than overall applicants. For instance, my state school got a bout 3200 apps last year, and only 500-600 were instate, interview around 400, 140 of which would be accepted.

I think SDNers like to exaggerate.

You really think if he's that bad of a candidate he won't get into state schools but will get into some OSS or private school? I bet it happens, but rarely.

As opposed the the neurotic people on this SDN, I don't think it's a bad idea, especially if you pull your MCAT up. I did the exact same thing. Applied to LSUHSC -NO and Shreveport. Interviewed at NOLA in January, and was accepted two weeks later. Didn't even wait to interview in Shreveport (a pretty trifling town by the way). Cheap to apply, cheap to travel for the interview, cheap tuition, great education. PM me if you have any questions.

+1 - I wouldnt worry about it too much

 

[SanAntonian]

I had a 27 MCAT the first time I applied to four schools in Texas, not including Baylor. RESULT: No interviews 🙁

So, I have a 3.95 GPA BUT a 27 MCAT.

I'm retaking 7/29, practice scores are ranging from 31-36. I'm a LA resident, currently work at LSU-NO, and I would choose LSU-NO or LSU-S over any school in the country (mainly cause these schools are so dang cheap). My logic is this: if I can't get into my state schools, then my chances at OOS schools would be pretty slim.

I'm thinking about applying to just these two schools. Is this a terrible idea?

If so, what OOS schools should I apply to?

 

[LizzyM]

Just to state the obvious -- Louisiana is not Texas.

 

[Medicine4Bruhs]

Does LSU accept non-residents?

 

[LizzyM]

OP, I have a new thought about this.... apply to your two schools. The problem I can see now is that if you don't get into either school but you get into an expensive private school far from home (somewhere with ice 😱 and snow 🙁 ), you'll be back asking if you should decline the offer of admission and reapply with the expectation that with a stronger application a year later you are a shoo in for admission to LSU. This happens every year and there is a chorus of "why did you apply somewhere you didn't want to attend?" Apply to two schools and take your chances. You can always apply broadly (and early) in June 2012.

 

[S6MD]

Again thanks for the responses everybody.

I would have applied EDP to LSU-NO if my MCAT had been higher. It'll be too late to apply EDP upon getting my scores - plus I've already listed other schools on AMCAS.

@LizzyM: I'm not as much opposed to going out of state as my previous posts may indicate. I'm very much caught up in the fact I have two good state schools with dirt cheap tuition. To think my four years @ LSU could cost me only 60K in tuition 😱

My thinking was always if my two state schools won't show me love with a 27 MCAT, then how the heck could I possibly get into a decent school OOS. I'll likely add Tulane and a couple others in the next coming days. With 30+ on the 7/29 MCAT, I'll be adding lots of schools.

Thanks everyone.

 

[S6MD]

Does LSU accept non-residents?

LSU-NO will be accepting up to 40 OOS students this year. LSU-S is strictly residents. Not sure how the "up to 40" will actually play out; although, I think the school is working hard to raise a little money. Tuition costs just went up a bit...add 2K to a crippling 13K tuition rate

 

[235788]

Yes, don't be cheap.

cheaaa drop stacks on apps like the big boys

 

[BushidoBrown]

cheaaa drop stacks on apps like the big boys

The Ross Boss has Dirt McGirt's back #winning

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

cheaaa drop stacks on apps like the big boys

it's just money right?

M.O.B

 

[MrBird]

applying to 2 schools (granted, only if they're your state schools) is only a bad idea if you're a California resident, which you are not.

Good to go, my friend.

 

[rentedmule]

I will get my scores back around Sept 1st. Is this considered late if I begin adding more schools then?

Yes, you will be at a slight disadvantage, but if you get a decent score on the MCAT it will be pretty insignificant. I actually processed my AMCAS without an MCAT while listing a handful of schools and then received my score in the end of August, added some more schools, and then received all my secondaries in early Sept.

This put me at a disadvantage because most of my secondaries were sent a lot later (mostly my fault) then I wanted to due to my commitments during the school semester. Nevertheless, though late, I did receive some interviews and, with some luck, got accepted off one of the waitlists.


tl;dr Yes, you may be at a slight disadvantage, but if you complete your secondaries ASAP and do decent on your re-take you should not have any significant problems.

 

[ash914]

Just to state the obvious -- Louisiana is not Texas.

I thought Texas was really good for in-state applicants, just given the large number of schools. Is the in-state applicant pool just so large it offsets that?

 

[LizzyM]

I thought Texas was really good for in-state applicants, just given the large number of schools. Is the in-state applicant pool just so large it offsets that?

check this out:

https://www.aamc.org/download/161700/data/table21-mcatgpa-statemat2010.pdf.pdf

avg gpa for matriculants from TX and LA are about the same but TX matriculants have an avg MCAT that is almost 2 points higher than the avg MCAT for matriculants from LA. Given that both states are unfriendly to OOS applicants, what you have is an almost closed system in each state.

 

[S6MD]

thought I'd bump this thread with my new MCAT.

I went ahead and added quite a few schools; hopefully, I'm within their range.

So now you guys can't flame me for only applying to two schools (which I still think wasn't a bad idea given the 27 MCAT).

thanks guys & gals.

 

[HumbleMD]

thought I'd bump this thread with my new MCAT: 32

I went ahead and added quite a few schools; hopefully, I'm within their range.

So now you guys can't flame me for only applying to two schools (which I still think wasn't a bad idea given the 27 MCAT).

thanks guys & gals.

srsly?

Get off your high horse and apply to more schools. It isn't worth the time or money to gamble another application year against your pride.

 

[CodeBlu]

thought I'd bump this thread with my new MCAT: 32

I went ahead and added quite a few schools; hopefully, I'm within their range.

So now you guys can't flame me for only applying to two schools (which I still think wasn't a bad idea given the 27 MCAT).

thanks guys & gals.

Apply to at least 10 schools. You'll be fine.