How many schools are you applying to?

[IHeartGoldens]

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I'm looking at my list of schools and I feel that it's too long. What's the avg number of schools you are applying to?
We've had discussions previously but no solid clarification if the schools you apply to can see where else you are applying. I'm thinking this can hurt (maybe, maybe not?) those of us that are applying broadly.
Anyone know?

 

[HopefulAg]

First year: 1
Second year: 5
Third year (this one): 8


I don't know if I'm getting more desperate or getting a better handle on which schools I have a shot at...I think I like the latter better.

Part of it is finding out which schools aren't an OOS dead zone and that OOS in general isn't necessarily impossible, just really unlikely.

 

[OtakuVet]

I applied to 4. It really isn't worth putting a ton of money in the applications if you aren't completely sure about the school. And VMCAS isn't necessarily cheap so I'd suggest to limit your amount and just look at what you have a shot in stat wise and liklihood to live in that particular place.

 

[nyanko]

I applied to 4. It really isn't worth putting a ton of money in the applications if you aren't completely sure about the school. And VMCAS isn't necessarily cheap so I'd suggest to limit your amount and just look at what you have a shot in stat wise and liklihood to live in that particular place.

Well, on the flip side, I often see the good point brought up here that compared to vet school tuition and the possible loss of wages from losing a year in having to apply again (not to mention the costs associated with applying a second time!), it's probably worth it to apply more broadly if you think you have a shot and would go to the school if it were the only one you got into. In other words, yeah, don't just blindly apply everywhere, but there's no point in using the cost of applying as a limiting factor.

 

[GellaBella]

This is my first time applying and I'm sending my application in to 7 schools. I looked over the list of all the schools and found schools and locations I thought would be a decent fit for me and my fiance. I would go to any of the schools I'm applying to, in my mind they will all provide me with a DVM (of VMD, thanks UPenn!). My fiance has already given me his list of schools he'd prefer I go to, if I get accepted based on the post-docs he can do in the surrounding areas.

I decided on 7 because I am hoping that this is my only time applying. I'd rather apply to more places and get a single acceptance than apply to too few and have to wait another year.

 

[ckgilabert]

i applied to 8. i had friends that only applied to 1 or 2. another friend that applied to 4.

two friends applied to like 14 schools. so girlA got into 6 of them. and girlB got into Ross....and davis.

i think do something you're comfortable with. 8 was expensive...especially after sending all my transcripts and gre scores.


good luck!

p.s. the girls that applied to 14 schools...during the interview...it was brought up by the interviewers.

 

[DVMDream]

I am applying to 4. 3 WICHE schools and Western. I feel like these are the places I have the best chances of getting in at and the places I could see myself living at for the next 4 years. I am also short on money so this is the most that I can afford. Good luck to everyone.

 

[OtakuVet]

Well, on the flip side, I often see the good point brought up here that compared to vet school tuition and the possible loss of wages from losing a year in having to apply again (not to mention the costs associated with applying a second time!), it's probably worth it to apply more broadly if you think you have a shot and would go to the school if it were the only one you got into. In other words, yeah, don't just blindly apply everywhere, but there's no point in using the cost of applying as a limiting factor.

Just to add to this, Do what makes you feel is comfortable. Yeah cost of applying shouldn't be a limiting factor in a perfect world. But remember to stay practical. Also to add, most people do factor in the cost of tuition and living expenses before and after and applying and even more after being accepted. Alot of people take out student loans to help with this and most of applications fees are paid out of pocket. So that is just my 2 cents. All in all stay practical! >>; and goodness the one who was questioned about her applying to 14 schools I''m sure that was embarrassing to bring up during an interview.

 

[dullflame]

I'm only applying to 4 schools and I think that's a pretty low number. I feel like I have a decent shot for them but you never really know. I've been thinking about adding at least a fifth school but I honestly can't decide if I want to. Money is a big limiting factor, unfortunately, and I can't find a way around it. This application cycle is turning into a practice round for me because my confidence has gotten pretty low as we approach the VMCAS deadline.

I think you should consider which schools you can see yourself attending and which ones you have a good shot at. I think about 6-8 schools would be a decent number.

 

[lalzi22]

p.s. the girls that applied to 14 schools...during the interview...it was brought up by the interviewers.

what did they say when they brought up the fact that she applied to 14? I applied to...more than 14, but it's because this is all I have ever wanted to do, and I am not about to let applying to too few schools stop me. Any ideas as to what she said, or what I should say to interviewers if they bring it up?

 

[cowgirla]

what did they say when they brought up the fact that she applied to 14? I applied to...more than 14, but it's because this is all I have ever wanted to do, and I am not about to let applying to too few schools stop me. Any ideas as to what she said, or what I should say to interviewers if they bring it up?

I applied to quite a few schools as well....
I had many reasons for doing this. I chose schools whose minimum requirements I met, and then narrowed it down somewhat based on programs that met my career goals, desires, etc. Some schools have better large/mixed programs than others, some schools accept more OOS students than others, I know vets who want to certain schools and who were willing to write eLORs, etc.
I'm flexible about location, however, I DO NOT want to go to Ross/SGU. I simply can't picture myself living on an island like that for 3-4 years. Maybe in the future, I'll consider it, but I know it's not the right fit for me.

I applied to multiple schools because yes, I am hoping this is the last year I have to apply. More schools = more chances.

More than that, if a school rejects me, I want to be able to approach them next year, ask why, and solidify my application status that way, by knowing which schools want me to improve in which areas.
Even if I get interviewed, and then rejected, that's a step farther than I got last year, and it gives me that experience.

Also, I have the money this year to apply to multiple schools. I have no gaurantee that I'll have the same kind of funds next year, or any funds at all. (My father very graciously lent me some money in addition to my tax return and savings bonds). I am not a full time student at the moment, so I had the time to do multiple applications, and I don't have to worry about missing too much class time for any interviews I do get.

So, that was my logic.

 

[lalzi22]

Yea, I applied to 21. I'm also insane, haha (plus my parents were footing the bill, thank god). I really just wanted to give myself more chances to get in since this is what I've wanted to do since I was in 4th grade.

 

[eventualeventer]

Holy cow, that's dedication.

I had 15 schools on my "long list" and ended up whittling it down to 9. I ended up having less time that I anticipated to fill out supplemental applications, plus I'll still be taking a heavy class load next semester when they are conducting interviews. There are days when I feel like I should have applied to more from my long list (or even added to it), but 9 seems like it's on the high end of normal already, and there's no way I could have gotten more supplementals done in September. I was sick with pneumonia for much of August and had a crazy schedule at the beginning of the semester.

 

[cowgirla]

Holy cow, that's dedication.

I had 15 schools on my "long list" and ended up whittling it down to 9. I ended up having less time that I anticipated to fill out supplemental applications, plus I'll still be taking a heavy class load next semester when they are conducting interviews. There are days when I feel like I should have applied to more from my long list (or even added to it), but 9 seems like it's on the high end of normal already, and there's no way I could have gotten more supplementals done in September. I was sick with pneumonia for much of August and had a crazy schedule at the beginning of the semester.

Hah, one of the perks of already having my Bachelors! No heavy course loads for me right now. And luckily my boss is a vet who's very understanding. I've already warned her that I may be pulling "disappearing acts" in the Spring if I get interviews. Her only requirement is that I bring back "souvenirs" for her....

 

[Groominator]

I'm not applying until June but even then I'll probably do "quite a few" schools. I specifically took speech and stat over the summer so that i could broaden my list.

Essentially, if i don't apply, then i definitely can't get in. I have some schools in mind that I'm not going to bother with because they are "OOS dead zones." But I do want to get my name out there for any chances. Hell, I'll even apply to the cold places as long as i feel i have a chance 😉

I want to avoid applying to Ross/SGU at least until my second around though. Because I really don't want to do the island thing. And I want to make sure that my dogs can come with me and bringing two to an island with a quarantine seems just about inconceivable to me.If I feel desperate I'll go that route, for now I'd rather not.

 

[Bearby]

This is my first time applying and I only applied to 3 schools. I decided on 3 because I'm not really expecting to get in this go around but I wanted to get an idea of what the process was like and figured that I didn't need to waste my parents money but I also didn't want to give off the impression that I'm set on a particular school and then get pushed aside because the admissions comittee thinks I'll just keep reapplying. Of course, I'm hoping to get in, but if I don't I'll increase the number of schools I apply to next year.