How many schools should I apply to?

[SusGob711]

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I'm planning on applying to only instate schools, mainly because I would never be able to afford out-of-state tuition. I live in Ohio so we have NEOUCOM, OSU, UT, Case, Cincinnati, Wright, and Ohio University (DO). I'm pretty competitive at all except maybe Case & possibly OSU but then again there still aren't any guarantees. Has anyone else ever done this or should I apply to out-of-state anyways and just hope the finances work out when I get there?

 

[apumic]

13 is the average. Apply to more if below avg stats. Never apply to less than 10 I'd say. If you can get your hands on a copy of the school selection spreadsheet, use it. It'll help in these decisions.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

What is the concern about finances and out-of-state tuition? Unless your credit is bad, the federal government will loan you whatever you need for about 90+% of the medical schools out there (only for the most expensive school do things change a little)? Worst case scenario, your loans will be a little higher.

Six allopathic and an osteopathic school is sort of a low number of schools to apply to. If you are a stellar applicant, your plan may work. However, if you are average or below average, you may need to apply more broadly to improve your chances of being accepted. Granted 7 schools may be enough, but if the application cycle isn't successful with those 7, then you'll have to re-apply again next year adding even more schools. Is it worth of risk of 2 application cycles?

What is the harm in applying and interviewing in neighboring states (ignoring the added cost of AMCAS and secondary's)? If you get accepted into an Ohio school, great, then you can cancel out-of-state interviews or acceptances. I guess the question is, if you couldn't get accepted to an Ohio school, would you go out-of-state?

-senior medical student / admissions committee interviewer

 

[Planet Ocean]

I'm planning on applying to only instate schools, mainly because I would never be able to afford out-of-state tuition. I live in Ohio so we have NEOUCOM, OSU, UT, Case, Cincinnati, Wright, and Ohio University (DO). I'm pretty competitive at all except maybe Case & possibly OSU but then again there still aren't any guarantees. Has anyone else ever done this or should I apply to out-of-state anyways and just hope the finances work out when I get there?

I've heard of many people applying to only instate schools. If you're competitive it does seem like a reasonable decision but I would still apply to some out of state schools as back ups. Think about people like me who are Arizona residents. Becoming a doctor almost always guarantees moving out of state to attend medical school.

 

[Catalystik]

Please don't cross-post the same question in two forums. Moderators frown on that.

 

[Van Chowder]

Ummm, telling us your stats sure would help.. If you have a 3.8 and a 35+ on the MCAT your listed schools I'm sure will be fine. However, if you have a 3.4 and a 30 on the MCAT you may still be in okay shape, but applying more broadly wouldn't be a bad choice.

 

[SusGob711]

Please don't cross-post the same question in two forums. Moderators frown on that.

Sorry...I just wasn't sure which forum it belonged in :/

As far as stats go...I should have between a 3.7-3.8 and I haven't taken the MCAT yet but it should be at least 30+. My main concern isn't the cost of applying it's the cost of attendence which would be like $40,000/year not including the cost of living. That would be like ~$240,000 (that would include cost of living) of loans at the end of four years. I know it's wise to apply broadly and I have no problem with OOS schools persay but I don't want to bury myself in excessive debt but I also don't want to not get in anywhere 🙁 Does anyone know of surrounding states that offer instate tuition after the first year (Ohio does this)?

 

[Geekchick921]

I believe NJ does, and I believe the high in-state preference the MSAR suggests is because most students have become residents of the state by the time of matriculation, and they submit their data after that.

 

[jla314]

baylor (and maybe the UTs? don't know) give instate tuition after you've owned property (or maybe it's just lived) in texas for 12 months.

i would keep in mind that some private schools have good financial aid programs and may give more grant money than state schools will. i wouldn't discount applying out of state just because of the upfront pricetag

 

[LizzyM]

Here's how it could play out:

1) apply Ohio schools only in 2010 and reapply in 2011, graduate in 2016 with some debt

or

2) apply more broadly, be offered admission for 2011 but graduate with a significant debt in 2015


With scenario 1 you lose out on a year of attending physician income in 2019-20 as you will still be a resident at that point in comparision to scenario 2.

Also, don't disregard the wear & tear on your system that being rejected or waitlisted can take and the aggravation of having to reapply with no guarantee that the results will be different.

Keep in mind too, that OOS private schools may offer you some financial aid such that it is less than or equal to what you'd pay for a school like U Cinncinati ($31,000 in state, $46,000 OOS)