How many schools is too many to apply to?

[wepio]

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I'm going to let it all out, and allow you to scrutinize my stats.

I am a non-traditional applicant with a degree in civil engineering. I graduated in 2004 with a 2.95 overall gpa. Since then, my post-bacc gpa for the med-school sciences (below) is a 3.87

- gen chem, ochem, biochem, chem research, gen bio, micro bio, physics, and genetics

I just took the MCAT yesterday and don't really know my score. On practice exams, I've scored 11-13 on the PS/BS portions but consistently score 7-9 on the VR. The actual test felt pretty good, and usually that means I get around 12 on the sciences. It's just a crap-shoot for me on the VR. I can't guage it. Somedays I think I just blew it, and it comes out with an 11, other days I think I nailed it and it was a 7.

My E/C's are not that impressive. I haven't had much time to be proative in those activities because I work full time. I have, however, been able to volunteer at the local hospital as a patient transport just about every Saturday morning for ~3-hrs average per week for the past year. I've been an after school tutor for 9-mos at a local middle school, and I've also done some one-day events like being a science fair judge and Habitat for Humanity.

I want into medical school more than anything. I'd gladly pay $5k or whatever and apply to as many schools as possible, but I don't know how many schools become too many. I've heard that most schools don't like hopefuls that apply to more than 10-12 schools, and ideally they'd like to see applicants at around the 6-10 mark. What gives? Any advice? Am I destined to not get in? I was thinking of applying to about 20 schools. If I don't apply, that's an automatic "no", but if I do and don't get in, no loss but ~$135

 

[RySerr21]

I'm going to let it all out, and allow you to scrutinize my stats.

I am a non-traditional applicant with a degree in civil engineering. I graduated in 2004 with a 2.95 overall gpa. Since then, my post-bacc gpa for the med-school sciences (below) is a 3.87

- gen chem, ochem, biochem, chem research, gen bio, micro bio, physics, and genetics

I just took the MCAT yesterday and don't really know my score. On practice exams, I've scored 11-13 on the PS/BS portions but consistently score 7-9 on the VR. The actual test felt pretty good, and usually that means I get around 12 on the sciences. It's just a crap-shoot for me on the VR. I can't guage it. Somedays I think I just blew it, and it comes out with an 11, other days I think I nailed it and it was a 7.

My E/C's are not that impressive. I haven't had much time to be proative in those activities because I work full time. I have, however, been able to volunteer at the local hospital as a patient transport just about every Saturday morning for ~3-hrs average per week for the past year. I've been an after school tutor for 9-mos at a local middle school, and I've also done some one-day events like being a science fair judge and Habitat for Humanity.

I want into medical school more than anything. I'd gladly pay $5k or whatever and apply to as many schools as possible, but I don't know how many schools become too many. I've heard that most schools don't like hopefuls that apply to more than 10-12 schools, and ideally they'd like to see applicants at around the 6-10 mark. What gives? Any advice? Am I destined to not get in? I was thinking of applying to about 20 schools. If I don't apply, that's an automatic "no", but if I do and don't get in, no loss but ~$135

I'm not sure who told you that..... the average applicant applies to 13 MD programs (what my advisor told me). Certainly apply to as many as you can afford, and be smart about the schools you choose. Its no secret you probably won't be going to Yale (undergrad gpa will hurt you even tho post bac looks great). I would also consider appling to DO schools, they are more forgiving for undergrad gpas and non traditional students.

Apply to as many as your budget (and available time) will allow.

 

[wepio]

Well, I hadn't really had my sights set on any of the top, top tier schools; I know my limits. However, I do really want to get into a school over in NYC, or close to. The schools I was think of so far:

Oregon Health and Science University (I'm a former OR res living in WA)
Mt. Sinai (Oh please God, I want in this school so bad!)
New York University
New York Medical College
Albert Einstein
Stony Brook
SUNY Downstate
Boston University
Univeristy of Miami
Tufts
Tulane
University of Michigan
University of Washington
University of South Florida
UCLA
USC
Rush Medical
Drexel University
University of Nebraska
Creighton University

These are some far reach schools that I figured that I might as well throw my name in for. The worst they could say is, "No".

Columbia
Dartmouth
Cornell

I haven't really finalized where my apps will get sent to because I'm still waiting on my MCAT score. I doubt, though, I will deviate much from the list. I think I've got a pretty good range of schools.

 

[Druzie]

Hi, wepio. I empathize with your situation. I'm non-traditional with a weaker ugrad GPA than post-bacc as well. A lot of the advice out there doesn't address a non-trad background, so it has been really difficult for me to gauge what my chances are. My advisor suggested I apply to only 14-16 schools, but I really don't want to have to do this again next year, so I'm applying to 22. (Although sometimes I think that's not enough.)

In any case, I think the best idea is just to have a good spread of reach, fit, and "safety" schools. Your list actually looks pretty good to me (some overlap with mine). I've been told to add DO schools also (as ryserr21 suggested), but haven't, mostly out of laziness, so that's up to you. If you're applying next year, you could see what happens to me and act accordingly. 😉

I guess what you might try to work on at this point is more experience/exposure. I'm not sure exactly how much you get to interact with patients and staff as a transporter. Do you get to watch procedures and ask questions? As I've been told, it will be important for us non-trads to show that we are serious about medicine and actually know what it's about (i.e. know what we're getting into). So maybe if you could find a position shadowing or volunteering in a particular department, that would add some depth to your experience.

Good luck!

 

[RSAgator]

what state are you a resident of? You might knock some of those schools that traditionally accept mostly instates off that list

 

[wepio]

No offense to anybody considering DO or the Carribbean, but I don't want either. Regardless of what happens this year, I know that I am capable of completing the program as one of the top students. I've worked endlessly the past two years completing the requirements in evening classes all while working full time during the day. I've spent countless nights staying up all night to study all just to get top scores in all my classes; lost a 7 year relationship due to my absence because of my obsession with getting into medical school; alienating myself from childhood friends; distancing myself from family. I would feel like after all that I'm settling if I go any other route. So, I don't care what it takes, even it means applying next year.

Druzie...

Although it was a one day deal, I was able to observe a cardiac bypass surgery. It was amazing. Unfortunately because I didn't understand much of what was going on, I can't recall a lot of the details. I do remember how phenominal it felt being in an operating room and knowing that it was something that I wanted to do. Unfortunately, medical schools want people who are interested in primary care or research. I was told by many physicians to lie and say that I am interested in providing primary care for under-represented urban areas. It's not that I don't want to help the under-privilaged, I just would rather be a surgeon than a medical doctor.

dcohen...

I am a resident of the state of Washington. I went through the list pretty thoroughly and selected schools that didn't limit their candidates to only in-state. Some on that list, though, do show preference to locals. Overall, my list has changed somewhat, but not that much.