How many schools to apply to mid august?

[trixter888]

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Hi guys, I am not taking my MCAT until July 16th. I have already started on my applications and they are getting verified by AMCAS and TMDSAS. My letter of recommendations should get in before my scores from the MCAT come in August. I plan on sending primaries out by mid August. I have a 3.6 science and non-science gpa, research (1 semester), shadowing doctors, hospice work, community service, leadership positions in community and clubs at school. I want to get into medical school this year, and have been scoring ~30 on my MCAT practice tests.

My question is how many schools should I apply to?

I have read on some other posts to apply to 30+ schools, because I am "late" in the application process. But it gets quite costly. I live in Arizona and will be applying to all instate colleges. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice. Should I apply to fewer colleges, not spend as much money and be hopeful I get in this year? Or should I try to reach out to as many colleges I can and try to get in (be it I will be risking $3000+)? I want to get in this year, but what are my chances realistically?

Any adviceis apreciated

 

[CodeBlu]

You are not late. Write your MCAT.

Write your PS shortly thereafter. Submit your primaries to get verified.

If you wait for your MCAT score, then yes you will be late-ish.

Also, 30 schools is a bit excessive. Try 20?

 

[trixter888]

Hi guys, I am not taking my MCAT until July 16th. I have already started on my applications and they are getting verified by AMCAS and TMDSAS. My letter of recommendations should get in before my scores from the MCAT come in August. I plan on sending primaries out by mid August. I have a 3.6 science and non-science gpa, research (1 semester), shadowing doctors, hospice work, community service, leadership positions in community and clubs at school. I want to get into medical school this year, and have been scoring ~30 on my MCAT practice tests.

My question is how many schools should I apply to?

I have read on some other posts to apply to 30+ schools, because I am "late" in the application process. But it gets quite costly. I live in Arizona and will be applying to all instate colleges. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice. Should I apply to fewer colleges, not spend as much money and be hopeful I get in this year? Or should I try to reach out to as many colleges I can and try to get in (be it I will be risking $3000+)? I want to get in this year, but what are my chances realistically?

Any adviceis apreciated

 

[kpcrew]

If you look up your school and find the prompts that were used in previous application cycles, you can get a head start on your secondaries.

 

[Etorphine]

as a person that is applying to 40+ schools with similar stats as yours, I don't think 30 is that bad. You'd probably get in somewhere with 20 schools, but if you want options then you'll have to pay.

 

[NewYorker9]

Personally I would apply to 20-25 schools, saving money on the applications of reach schools that you may have difficulty getting into, all things considered. That being said, don't shorten yourself the opportunity of attending a dream school just because you want to save a few bucks. In the end go with your gut feeling, and everything will eventually work out

 

[Catalystik]

If you wait to submit to AMCAS until after you know your MCAT score, it will take about a month to get your transcripts verified. I suggest you apply to one school now, so you can get a head start on verification while the wait times are lower.

When you know your score, you can add more schools depending on how competitive you are (or not). While waiting for the MCAT score, you can begin to write your Secondary essays from prompts found here on SDN. Then your turnaround time will be minimal when invited to submit the Secondary application.

If everything is in by 9/1 at each school, you will not be "late." So, then, 20 or so schools should be fine, provided your MCAT score is decent enough to balance your cGPA.

 

[trixter888]

You are awesome, thank you!