HELP! Magic number of schools to apply to

[CRCprofessional]

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My apps have just been released to the schools, and I've been thinking of adding a few to the list. I do have preference in terms of location, but I was wondering how many schools should I really apply to give myself a reasonable chance for acceptance?

MCAT: 27Q (10 VR, 9 BS, 8 PS)
cGPA: 3.4
sGPA: 3.25
ECs: EMT-Basic certified, working in clinical research for almost 2 years (1 year of direct patient interaction), volunteer at free medical clinic, organic chem and molecular bio research, shadowing of DOs & MDs

Current schools applied to (7 total):
-NOVA
-LECOM-B
-Touro-NY
-Touro-CA
-WCU
-Edward Via - Carolina
-ATSU-AZ

How many more do you think I should add (within reason here, I'm not made of money...)?

 

[gmcguitar4]

Apply to 3-4 more. Always good to be safe.

 

[dudeliness]

View attachment 21575

 

[dudeliness]

But seriously, the mantra is to apply broadly and early. While you aren't really early, and you aren't super late, you can at least apply broadly. The ones you have picked are a good start. Why not add the other LECOM? LMU maybe? KCOM? KCUMB? Pretty much any school that isn't a super region-specific school.
Good luck bro

 

[Iheartnachos]

Id apply to a few more if you want a better shot at getting in somewhere this cycle.

 

[dudeliness]

.

 

[yolo12]

In my opinion, there is no magic number.

I had a person in my interview group who applied to 52 schools and another who applied to 10. The number of medical schools you apply to is the last thing to worry about.

I applied to 19 DO schools and some schools ask you. I responded with a confident answer.

 

[CDTcorp]

View attachment 21575

That is awesome, lol.

 

[timmaycakes]

I agree there is no magic number. However, my personal experience is to assume you will probably be writing and paying for secondaries for most schools. I thought it would be a good idea to apply to a ton of schools and ended up buried under a pile of secondaries and eating ramen for a couple of months 😀

 

[411309]

My apps have just been released to the schools, and I've been thinking of adding a few to the list. I do have preference in terms of location, but I was wondering how many schools should I really apply to give myself a reasonable chance for acceptance?

MCAT: 27Q (10 VR, 9 BS, 8 PS)
cGPA: 3.4
sGPA: 3.25
ECs: EMT-Basic certified, working in clinical research for almost 2 years (1 year of direct patient interaction), volunteer at free medical clinic, organic chem and molecular bio research, shadowing of DOs & MDs

Current schools applied to (7 total):
-NOVA
-LECOM-B
-Touro-NY
-Touro-CA
-WCU
-Edward Via - Carolina
-ATSU-AZ

How many more do you think I should add (within reason here, I'm not made of money...)?

your chances are slim at nova because they're booked far ahead. im guessing you are in the southeast region id reccomend applying to the new schools too.

 

[Moosepig]

20 seems to be the number bandied about on SDN.

 

[CRCprofessional]

Thanks for the help! Sadly, I can not afford to apply to 20 (or ALL for that matter....) schools. It's just not financially possible. I will add a few more and hope for the best...

 

[JeetKuneDo]

I think 20 is too many. I applied to 15 and it was too many. A good number would be around 10-12. Just make sure they are all ranges of schools and not just the ones like CCOM, DMU, etc.

 

[CRCprofessional]

I think 20 is too many. I applied to 15 and it was too many. A good number would be around 10-12. Just make sure they are all ranges of schools and not just the ones like CCOM, DMU, etc.

Thanks! I'm bumping it up to 10 (D.O., I'm also applying to 3 M.D. schools) and calling it a day. I can't afford any more.