How many medical schools?

[Dr. Starostik]

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🙂 Hi, I just registered yesterday and was wondering how many medical schools one usually applies to.

 

[rockstar2525]

My advisor recommended 10-13, although I know a lot people on this forum applied to over 20. I applied to 16, but only ended up sending secondaries to 13. I still may apply to a few DO programs too. Good luck with the apps!

 

[liverotcod]

I really depends on how much money you have available to apply, what your goals are, and how strong your application is.

You will spend, on average, $150 per school you apply to, and then if you get an interview, you will have travel costs.

If you are looking to stay in a particular region, or limit your tuition costs, or go only to a top-10 school, or for some other reason aren't interested in casting a wide net, then you might apply to only a few schools, or even go the early decision route (1 school)--but realize that applying to only a few schools could potentially mean not getting in anywhere and reapplying.

If you have a strong application, then you can get away with fewer schools, but you should still pick some schools where your stats exceed the school averages, some where your stats are middle-of-the-road, and one or two reach schools.

 

[RaistlinMajere]

As many as you possibly can, factoring in cost, quality of each app, and your stamina. Assuming that you're an average candidate, I would apply to 20, but really focus on 10 or so that you can do well. Some people apply to 40 and I think that's crazy. I doubt that they do all their secondaries, but they may have more energy than me.

 

[YzIa]

I had heard that the national avg. was 8.
Granted, on this board it is much, much higher than that.

 

[wxl31]

turned in 26 primaries. withdrew from 2 just cuz i didn't meet their LOR reqs. finished 20, then went to balanced my checkbook and realized i was broke. stopped at 20.

 

[MsEvolution]

I don't know what the average is, but I applied to 15 allo and 6 osteo. The secondaries and the $$ have been killer... but as long as I get in, it will be worth it...

 

[liverotcod]

I had heard that the national avg. was 8.
Granted, on this board it is much, much higher than that.

I would venture to guess that our overall acceptance rate is much, much higher too 😎 . No real way to gather the stats, I suppose.

 

[aparecida]

My US News and World Report book says 12 is the average. My adviser thinks I'm crazy for applying to more than 5, but I think she's crazy period 🙂 I applied to nine, which is less than most people here but I honestly don't want to go to the others and if I don't get in at my two (not very selective) state schools, I'm not getting in elsewhere either. If I lived in New York, Texas, or California, I'd be applying to a lot more, of course.

 

[Fed Meat]

If I lived in New York, Texas, or California, I'd be applying to a lot more, of course.

Why Texas? They probably have it the easiest of any state. Awesome locations, plenty of schools, and a very good chance of getting into at least one program.

As for how many schools to apply to, it really varies. If you're from South Carolina and have a pretty good app (say 3.7 31), you could probably get by just applying to the two South Carolina schools. If you're from a more competitive state, you may need to apply to more.

 

[RaistlinMajere]

My adviser thinks I'm crazy for applying to more than 5, but I think she's crazy period 🙂

The stories that I hear about advisors are truly scary. I am fortunate to have had a good one, but most of them seem out to lunch. Five schools is to few even for a superior candidate.

 

[DocMizzle]

Five schools is to few even for a superior candidate.

Again, though, it depends on your location. Here in OH there are 6 allo schools. Even a decent candidate has a great shot at getting in somewhere in OH. In fact, over half of OH applicants in 2003 matriculated.

A decent applicant from CA, however, would have much less of a chance of matriculating only applying to 5 or 6 schools.

To the OP, only apply to schools you know you would attend if they accept you. The exact number you apply to depends on your application strength, financial status, location, and the selectivity of the schools. No one here can tell you what the magic number is, it just depends on your specific situation. I applied to 9 schools, 5 in OH, and I felt that any more than this would be a waste of my time and money; I am confident that this is enough to get me in somewhere, and hopefully I will end up with several acceptances so that I can have a choice between schools.

 

[Supadupafly]

I made the mistake of ignoring my pre-med advidor's advice of 10-12. I had no idea what my chances were, compounded by my stats, which were a little lower than I had hoped for. I applied to 24 schools (3 Osteo, 19 allo, 1 joint program, & 1 international). I wore myself out on secondaries and interviews, ran up my credit cards, then got accepted to several schools & offered intervews at many more, which I declined.

Don't do it. I don't want to wish the hell of going through that process or the debt I incurred on anyone. Pick 1 or 2 schools that are a long shot, 5 or so that you really want to get into, 3 or four "Safety schools", and 1 or 2 "super saftey schools". If that doesn't get you in somewhere, you probably need to improve your application and apply next year.

When you see the admissions stats, keep in mind that each school is comparing the number of PRIMARIES they get for the acceptance rate. A ton of those are from people either don't meet the mininimum requirements or have some other factor like lack of English ability or a ton of "F"s on their transcripts.