Does the # of schools you applied to affect your chances for acceptance?

[bloop]

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I read a thread some time last year that said that the dental schools you've applied to have access through AADSAS to the entire list of schools you applied to.

With this, are applicants who've applied to a lot of places at a disadvantage? Like, when considering such applicants, I wonder if adcoms pass over and deny acceptance to such individuals because they figure that they'll probably get accepted at another school? Anyone know anything on this topic?

 

[sobe55]

Not sure about what they can see from AADSAS, although im under the impression that they dont see that info.

during my interviews, the deans/admissions directors kept telling our groups that we were invited because they know we will get into dental school somewhere, may be it will be here (at w/e school we were interviewing at).

So...if youre invited for an interview, they letting you know youre a competitive applicant and youre probably going to be accepted to multiple places.

 

[jmt1984]

I can't think of a scenario where a particular school would make a judgment about an applicant based solely on the number of schools they applied to.

If however that applicant had below average stats, and they applied to a bunch of schools to increase their chances, it would look as if the number had something to do with it, but in the end, it is always about the numbers and the rest of the application.

 

[BLTDENT]

I applied to 23 schools and got into 7 so I don't think applying to a lot of schools is a disadvantage. It is an advantage. I was asked at a couple of school how many schools I applied to so I would assume that since that had to ask the question, they didn't know that info through AADSAS.

 

[rrpnow]

i just had an interview where they asked me why i've applied to so many schools... they had my list from last year (i know this, because he mentioned UMKC and i only applied to that dental school last year) and this year... so they aadsas does send that info out..

 

[Osity]

i just had an interview where they asked me why i've applied to so many schools... they had my list from last year (i know this, because he mentioned UMKC and i only applied to that dental school last year) and this year... so they aadsas does send that info out..

I applied to 16, got into seven schools (out of 9 interviews). I also canceled two post-December interviews. If the schools really do see where you have applied (I actually had one school's secondary application have me list all the schools that I applied to), if anything, I think it would be an advantage. If you are competitive, then they realize they are competing for you with other schools. That is purely hypothetical, but who knows.

On the other hand, if you only apply to a few schools, then you are severely hurting your chances of getting accepted somewhere. You might have a bad interview, get overlooked, or any number of things could happen.

My point is that you should apply to an appropriate number of schools (~15) so that you can have room for error for that bad interview or schools that overlook your application. Be smart, and don't worry about the extra application cost for each school because it will be way more expensive if you have to re-apply in the following cycle.

 

[mr24]

I applied to 16, got into seven schools (out of 9 interviews). I also canceled two post-December interviews. If the schools really do see where you have applied (I actually had one school's secondary application have me list all the schools that I applied to), if anything, I think it would be an advantage. If you are competitive, then they realize they are competing for you with other schools. That is purely hypothetical, but who knows.

On the other hand, if you only apply to a few schools, then you are severely hurting your chances of getting accepted somewhere. You might have a bad interview, get overlooked, or any number of things could happen.

My point is that you should apply to an appropriate number of schools (~15) so that you can have room for error for that bad interview or schools that overlook your application. Be smart, and don't worry about the extra application cost for each school because it will be way more expensive if you have to re-apply in the following cycle.

Osity you are a very smart kid. you must have went to a great university or had a great mentor during the app process. i agree 100% with what you said. and schools do not know how many schools you applied to!!

 

[revoapparel]

Definitely great advice! I looked at the which schools should you apply to thread and applied to pretty much all of the top 10 schools that accept out of state applicants + 2 NC in-state schools + a few reach schools. Applied kinda late though 🙁 but I have 7 post-december interviews. Hopefully one will lead to an acceptance!

 

[mr24]

7 interviews should definately land a few acceptances. good job.

 

[Moonie87]

I remember calling AADSAS and asking about that, they told me no school can access the list of schools you applied to or got an acceptance from, the only way they know is if you tell them.

 

[bloop]

Thanks for the responses, guys! I feel better. I applied to quite a few places because I was uncertain how things would go for me (this is my first cycle applying and I graduated a pre-med thinking I'd head to dental school and didn't have as much dental experience).

I got 6 interviews though--4 really, since I got rejected from a place post-interview and another of my interviews is for an alternate spot. I was just getting nervous and bent out of shape because I haven't heard any good news from anywhere yet, my two state schools included, and have been playing out every scenario for why they might reject me. 😳

I thought there was some truth behind that thread saying that adcoms have access to the list of schools you applied to. I have alright stats, so I feel like I have a shot somewhere but as it's getting later and later, I'm super nervous.

 

[Maygyver]

I would say applying to 15 places is quite a lot. I think the average would be much more near 8-10.

 

[poki]

I applied to 22 schools, looking back now that was way too many...I really should have done more research before I applied because I could have narrowed down the list before sending my applications and saved myself some money...

no, schools dont care how many other schools you applied to, I was asked this question at alot of my interviews and I just replied honesty, dont think it hurt me at all...

if youre concerned about not getting in, I think 15 schools is a good number

 

[Osity]

I would say applying to 15 places is quite a lot. I think the average would be much more near 8-10.

It depends on your situation. If you are in-state and have good stats, you can probably do 8-10 schools. If you don't have a state school (like me), I would definitely suggest 15-ish. Then again, if I knew what I know now about certain schools when I applied, I probably would have applied to 10-12.

 

[dentalWorks]

I read a thread some time last year that said that the dental schools you've applied to have access through AADSAS to the entire list of schools you applied to.

With this, are applicants who've applied to a lot of places at a disadvantage? Like, when considering such applicants, I wonder if adcoms pass over and deny acceptance to such individuals because they figure that they'll probably get accepted at another school? Anyone know anything on this topic?

Everything in this post is a myth.

During the interview times (between August - Late April), schools do NOT have access to the number of schools you've applied to. They do however (sometimes) ask you that question ~ either in interview or when you fill out 2ndary. I applied to 18 schools this cycle, and everytime I had an interview or a 2ndary that asked me this very question, I was very honest. Schools like Temple, Detroit Mercy, and Buffalo all knew how many schools I applied to and how many interviews I had, they still accepted......Applying to ALOT of schools does NOT hurt your chances, I am living proof of this

As matter of fact, the opposite is true, the more schools you apply to, the higher your chances are for landing interviews.

 

[veronikrunk]

I applied to six schools total. At interviews I was asked why such a low number. Honestly, the process was pretty expensive for me (didn't mention that part at interviews), and I figured I wouldn't want to be stuck being accepted to schools in places where I wouldn't want to move. It worked out nonetheless with one rejection, 3 interview invites and 1 acceptance.

I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to apply to as many schools as you can afford to increase your odds. Go with your gut and know what the schools you apply to are looking for.