How many schools are you applying to?

[RPh2b]

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I was just wondering what the average was? I heard between 10-20? Thanks.

 

[Laypahoo]

I applied to 11. I think 15 might be the average. You can certainly go over that but its a lot of money...

 

[LifetimeDoc]

I applied to 20 schools for my primary AMCAS application. For various reasons, I was prepared to only send in 16 secondaries (I dropped 4 schools from my list). I was rejected from 1 school outright before they sent me a secondary, am waiting on 2 others to send me a secondary (they screen primary applications), and submitted 13 secondaries already.

Primary Application = 20 schools
Secondaries Application = 13 schools

 

[deuist]

10-20 schools sounds right. Depending on how competitive your application is, you may need to add extra schools if you have below average scores.

 

[WZBarnard]

Yeah I applied to 16, and that seems to be about average (though there are some people on herre with about 30)... In any case, as mentioned before the money is something to consider when applying to more schools - but also keep in mind that the applications take a lot of time (and stress) so that should be figured in, as well as the amount of trips you're willing to take to interviews and how far you want to go for them. Might make sense to throw in a few schools nearby that you can get to easily for interviews, but adding a school across the country just to have another school on your list probably isnt a good idea unless you are really into that school.

 

[Four]

I have 13 lined up but I think I can add 2 more.

It's true, the expenses and location are something to look at but then again, I'm also a high risk applicant 🙁

 

[illinaisa]

I applied to 13 initially and added 2 later in the season (early October). Got rejected by the 2 I added later on though...

 

[TexasFool]

I applied to 35 and sent about 29 secondaries. I got an acceptance already so I´m feeling good.

 

[mrs.smith]

Wow! You guys are amazing. I only applied to 4 schools - yikes!

 

[Gabujabu]

I applied to 16 as well.

 

[StudentDRoNET]

I applied to 20 schools for my primary AMCAS application. For various reasons, I was prepared to only send in 16 secondaries (I dropped 4 schools from my list). I was rejected from 1 school outright before they sent me a secondary, am waiting on 2 others to send me a secondary (they screen primary applications), and submitted 13 secondaries already.

Primary Application = 20 schools
Secondaries Application = 13 schools

Wow, you still haven't gotten secondaries from a couple schools? Better call them up!

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I'll be applying to around 25, plus most of the DO programs as backup, and to the Atlantic Bridge Program for schools in Ireland as a backup to the backup, and to Ross as the backup's backup's backup.

 

[Haemulon]

I applied to 12, but 4 of them have already responded "with regrets". This leaves only 8 still in the running, but two of these are definite over-reaches and i'm pretty sure I don't meet one of the screening requirements at another. So basically only 5 possibilities left. Two of these I have already interviewed at (one waitlist and one still pending), so really there are just 3 left that I am realistically hoping for interviews at.

 

[notdeadyet]

I applied to 36 schools. 14 denials, 1 withdrawl, 1 interview and a whole lot of tumbleweeds. I'd've applied to half as many schools had I known my MCAT score before application. Applying blind is tough....

 

[EBI831]

applied to 8 dropped one from laziness(hahha funny me with 8 being lazy when ppl with 20+ are cranking them out) and now only have 7. but so far at least one looks promising but you never know

 

[junebuguf]

You guys are wimps. Sent primary to 64, completed secondaries from 42, 3 interviews, 1 acceptance. Then again, my gpa is sub 3.0. Ergo, your results may vary.

 

[hye345]

You guys are wimps. Sent primary to 64, completed secondaries from 42, 3 interviews, 1 acceptance. Then again, my gpa is sub 3.0. Ergo, your results may vary.

Guess your crapping out $$$ and the occasional gold bar everyday? 😉 JK

 

[undrcovrgunner]

7 schools for me, but I'm Canadian.

 

[PREMEDWOAHS]

7 schools for me, but I'm Canadian.

lolol..but im canadian...good quote

 

[DuckHunter]

eight

 

[DuckHunter]

eight schools

 

[KaraKiz]

9 schools. I would have applied to more, but thats a lot of cash that i dont have.

Speaking of money that I don't have, does anyone else see the irony in the financial aid ppl at interviews telling us to make sure we pay off all of our debt before med school? Cuz I can tell you what's on my credit card. $210 - MCAT. $200 - MCAT study materials. $430 - Primary Application. $800 - secondary applications. $400 - plane ticket to interview. $200 - plane ticket to interview....

Medical school acceptance - Priceless

P.S. when you do the math, "priceless" actually come out to $200,000 😀