How many interviews

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How many interviews should one go on that will most likely guarantee a spot somewhere? I heard 8.

Look at the match outcomes from the NRMP website. For 2005, those who ranked 10 matched 92% of the time, 11=97%, 12=91%, 13=92%, 14=93%, 15=96%, more than 15=94%

So there wasn't much of an advantage to ranking 15 vs 10....I would say 10 is the number.
 
The 2007 data is also available at www.aamc.org/matchoutcomes

Over 90% of US seniors who ranked at least 7 or more programs matched, so statistically speaking you would probably be fine with that many. However, I think I will most likely be doing more than that. It appears that there is very little added benefit to doing more than 12 if you look at the data. I do feel bad for the 2 sad saps who each did 16 or more interviews and STILL didn't match.
 
From the charting outcomes it looks like 10 was the magic number. You just didn't seem to get as much bang for your buck after that. I still figured I should for 15 or so, because the more places I rank the bigger the top half of my rank list is. I guess I'm thinking if I end up at my 7th ranked spot out of 10 I'll feel more like I was scraping the bottom of the barrel than if I end up at my 7th of 15. Just a perspective thing. I also was thinking if you wanna apply out of your league the more you apply to the more you can get crazy with that and still have enough around to ensure you match. You don't wanna not match cuz you lose a year and your chances of getting into a solid program go way down.

Justin
 
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