How many master's programs should I apply for?

[Elleiram]

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I'm not sure if I'm posting this on the right place, but it looks like I may not get out of this cycle with an acceptance. It sucks, but really not much I can do at this point, so I'm preparing for the worst.
I think a lot of it has to do with my below average sGPA (3.17, cGPA is 3.41). I've looked at a handful of master's programs with DO affiliations, as well as a couple of those with MD affiliations. I know retaking a couple of classes is way cheaper, but I really want to go back to an academic setting and I think it'd help me tremendously.

How many programs should one apply for? Is it like medical school where applying to 15 schools is the norm, or like undergrad, where you can get away with applying for 5 schools? I'm not sure how the application process works for these things, so I'd appreciate comments, especially from those who have been there, done that 🙂

 

[s5260205]

If you are set on doing SMP, the number of applications isn't as important. You should look for the programs with the best linkage with the medical school (i.e. do you get any advantage in applying to the affiliated medical school) and selectively apply to these programs. The number would then depend on how much money you are willing to dump into the applications. SMPs with linkage are competitive, and you should apply to as many as possible.