How many is too many?

[looseygoosey]

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Out of 18 secondaries I completed, I have already received 11 interview invites and two of my very top choices havent had MSTP committee reviews yet. (There are a couple schools i know i will withdraw my interview from if i get an early acceptance.) Although I would love to visit each and every school, I feel i might get burned out if I go to all of them.

How many interviews is too many? Or should I just sack up, take out loans and have a great time on the interview trail?

How many schools did the experienced members of this board interview at? Feel free to PM me if have advice and dont want to post it.

 

[Neuronix]

I went to 11 schools and I can only feel like I didn't go to enough. It depends on the way you feel, but if you like interviewing, go to as many as you want. I really don't think 18 is extreme at all.

Good luck!

 

[NikoSuave]

I thought it was typical that people applying to md/phd programs applied to fewer schools than md only. I guess not. 18 secondaries!? How long did that take?

I would say though, if the program inspires you, go for the interview. It sounds like you are going to be accepted in a couple places anyway.

 

[Habari]

i applied to abou the same number of programs, and went to 12 interviews ... and canceled the other 7. this is a heinously large number of schools to goto - very draining, and not nearly as fun at the end. after interviewing at 12 schools, i had the option of going to 11 revisits - which i went to about 5. while for the most part i enjoyed them [towards the end i was seriously sick of traveling] - it was most certainly overkill. if you have 11 interview offers at this point, and are waiting on the other 2 places [chances are you will be offered interviews] - i would start being judicious about where you go. going to one or two 'practice interviews' at places not that high on your list is warranted [they are all the same], but going to 5 or 6 places you are not that interested in is simply a waste of everyones time and money.

getting this many interviews at good programs this early is a sign that you will definately have some choices, barring bizzare personality quirks, or being seriously socially whack [and one would be surprised at how that can be overlooked]

now that i'm in the program, i could definatley do with the thousand extra dollars i need not have spent.

 

[coldchemist]

I applied to the same number of schools. Then again, my numbers are not very high considering the average MD/PhD matriculant. I feel that spending the extra money is worth it, because if I only apply to eight schools and don't get into any schools I will probably become suicidal. I put a lot of effort into the 19 applications that I have submitted, so if I don't manage to get any acceptances I will at least know that I did my best. And that I can live with.

 

[u2psalm40]

well said, coldchemist.