Hi I just found out that my university only allows me to apply to a limited number of medical schools (25). Is this common? Is there anyway around this, or do I need to go through my university to apply.
Are you talking about your school's pre-med committee? This doesn't make sense because they send the LOR to either AMCAS or interfolio. They don't send out n LORs...just one master into a portal for mass distribution.Hi I just found out that my university only allows me to apply to a limited number of medical schools (25). Is this common? Is there anyway around this, or do I need to go through my university to apply.
Unfortunately, they can. If a school requires an applicant to sign an agreement in order to be considered for a committee letter, they can essentially list any requirements they want. They cant force you to agree but then they dont have to offer you a letter. And if you try to get around it, and the committee finds out, they can send an updated letter with an IA for violating the agreement.
Schools did this for two reasons. The one they tell you is to make sure that you arent spreading yourself too thin, applying to schools way above or below your range, and similar. The one they dont tell is they do this for their benefit and reputation by only endorsing highly competitive candidates.
With AMCAS having centralized letters for both committee and individual, premed committees that still have this dated policy, would have trouble enforcing it. But be careful
Unfortunately, they can. If a school requires an applicant to sign an agreement in order to be considered for a committee letter, they can essentially list any requirements they want. They cant force you to agree but then they dont have to offer you a letter. And if you try to get around it, and the committee finds out, they can send an updated letter with an IA for violating the agreement.
Schools did this for two reasons. The one they tell you is to make sure that you arent spreading yourself too thin, applying to schools way above or below your range, and similar. The one they dont tell is they do this for their benefit and reputation by only endorsing highly competitive candidates.
With AMCAS having centralized letters for both committee and individual, premed committees that still have this dated policy, would have trouble enforcing it. But be careful
No, the risk is that schools that still enforce this policy are usually those that have excellent premed committee reputations. Not having a committee letter from a school like this would be a red flag. I also agree with the @Welshman that for most solid, traditional candidates, 25 is more than enough schools to apply to.
For reference, my biggest regret of this cycle was applying to 37 schools, 25-27 would have been adequate, but then again the schools I likely would have cut are the ones who have interviewed me so far... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I think your advisor is an unicorn.Applied to 26. Advisor outlined 12 schools she thought were highest yield for me. 7 of my 8 interviews ended up being out of those 12. With the other apps I wish I did nothing but reaches that interested me instead of a couple reaches and a handful of low-yield schools.
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I think your advisor is an unicorn.