How many programs to apply to

[hawthorn9797]

Hello all, I want to thank everyone in this forum for guiding me through med school applications, med school, and now residency applications. This will likely be one of the last posts I make from a medical student perspective but I hope to contribute to the community for many years to come.
I am applying IM this fall. I go to KCUMB and am an average DO applicant.

Board Scores:

step 1: 223
step2: 250

comlex 1: 556
comlex 2: 578

no comlex PE due to scheduling bogus...banking on it getting canceled.

Goal is to stay in the Missouri region. Wondering if any of you outstanding people have any insight into how many programs I should apply to or any other tips.
Thank you so much in advance.

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[Mad Jack]

20 should be good, I'd imagine. You want at least 10 interviews. If you go more academic heavy, add a few more, but if you're apllying community heavy that should be plenty

 

[hawthorn9797]

20 should be good, I'd imagine. You want at least 10 interviews. If you go more academic heavy, add a few more, but if you're apllying community heavy that should be plenty

Thank you so much for the reply. I appreciate it

 

[Mad Jack]

Thank you so much for the reply. I appreciate it

I would strongly recommend reaching out to recent grads btw. I'm familiar with the NE, but your area could be more or less competitive.

 

[CocoMelon0531]

Audition at your #1 dream program.

Otherwise, you're competitive for all the programs in the area, including academic places in desirable cities of the Midwest. Best of luck.

Oh, don't even bother taking that PE unless you're guaranteed of a Pass. This is one of those occasions in which an empty PE score is better than a failed score.

 

[hawthorn9797]

Audition at your #1 dream program.

Otherwise, you're competitive for all the programs in the area, including academic places in desirable cities of the Midwest. Best of luck.

Oh, don't even bother taking that PE unless you're guaranteed of a Pass. This is one of those occasions in which an empty PE score is better than a failed score.

Thank you so much for the reply, that is very reassuring. Yeah my PE was canceled and now I will certainly not be able to take it before graduation so that is a big concern! Thanks again

 

[AlteredScale]

Hello all, I want to thank everyone in this forum for guiding me through med school applications, med school, and now residency applications. This will likely be one of the last posts I make from a medical student perspective but I hope to contribute to the community for many years to come.
I am applying IM this fall. I go to KCUMB and am an average DO applicant.

Board Scores:

step 1: 223
step2: 250

comlex 1: 556
comlex 2: 578

no comlex PE due to scheduling bogus...banking on it getting canceled.

Goal is to stay in the Missouri region. Wondering if any of you outstanding people have any insight into how many programs I should apply to or any other tips.
Thank you so much in advance.

At minimum: around 30. Especially if gunning for university programs. If goal is just staying in area then you can apply less (maybe 20ish), but those apps better be going to essentially all safety programs (community programs that have a good amount of DOs, not 1-3 a year).

 

[hawthorn9797]

At minimum: around 30. Especially if gunning for university programs. If goal is just staying in area then you can apply less (maybe 20ish), but those apps better be going to essentially all safety programs (community programs that have a good amount of DOs, not 1-3 a year).

Thank you for the reply! I was thinking more like 50 so I am really relieved to see 30 ish seems to be the consensus.

 

[AlteredScale]

Thank you for the reply! I was thinking more like 50 so I am really relieved to see 30 ish seems to be the consensus.

The number of applications is absolutely dependent on type of specialty and type of programs you are applying to. Just apply smartly and be realistic with your application.