How many schools to apply to?

[neurogirl23]

Hi,

I am currently applying to schools and emailing researchers of interests and realizing there are not that many people who are exactly matched to my interests. How many schools do most people apply to? I thought originally 12 - but now hearing back from some of the researchers it is looking more like 6 schools. That seems like a very low number - but I don't know if I should apply to schools that don't really match. Any advice??

Also, do you think PsyD programs are good backups for PhD since they might be easier to get into?

Thanks guys!

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[amk22]

I'm applying to 20 clinical Ph.D. programs. Most of the faculty mentors I'm interested in working with a fairly highly aligned with my research interests; however, some are more highly aligned then others of course. I would say 6 is a very low number, but I know someone who only applied to 2 Ph.D. programs and got in; however, he was working closely with the mentor of that program so that played a huge role I'm sure and this was also experimental psych and not clinical.
If you're only finding 6 schools that match your interests, you may have a research focus that's too narrow. You may want to think about opening it up a bit.

 

[krisrox]

Hi,

I am currently applying to schools and emailing researchers of interests and realizing there are not that many people who are exactly matched to my interests. How many schools do most people apply to? I thought originally 12 - but now hearing back from some of the researchers it is looking more like 6 schools. That seems like a very low number - but I don't know if I should apply to schools that don't really match. Any advice??

Also, do you think PsyD programs are good backups for PhD since they might be easier to get into?

Thanks guys!

I know people who have applied to five and got in and I know people who have applied to 15 and haven't gotten in anywhere. I agree with the other poster to make sure your focus isn't too narrow. Also make sure you're not limiting yourself too much geographically. But if there's only 6 you like, then there's only 6 you like. Best of luck!

 

[OneAtATime]

I'm seriously considering applying only to one school. That's not a success story, I suppose, but if places aren't a good match, I don't see the point in applying.

 

[twilson]

I applied to 6 PhD programs and a masters program. I got into 3 of those PhD programs and withdrew my application from the masters. I think it is more about fit than the number of places you apply to.

 

[Psychology 76]

I applied to 6 PhD programs and a masters program. I got into 3 of those PhD programs and withdrew my application from the masters. I think it is more about fit than the number of places you apply to.

This is what I keep hearing and I hope its true for me as well.
I'll apply to probably 6 or 7 schools that are the best fit for me. I could apply to another 3 or 4 but I didn't fit as well with those schools so I'd rather save the 250-300 dollars.

 

[deadmau5]

I'm seriously considering applying only to one school. That's not a success story, I suppose, but it's worked for me twice in the past (Ph.D. program in a related field that I left after three semesters because I wanted to be working in the health field rather than studying it, and a master's program in psych). If places aren't a good match, I don't see the point in applying, but I also have a back-up plan in case it doesn't work out this year. (And I am trying to expand my list of schools!)

Applying to one school is putting your eggs in an unsteady, ready-to-break basket. Definitely pick more than 1. At least 3.... I would say if your credentials are amazing. I don't know when you have applied last, but times are "harder". There isn't as much funding going out and there are at least double the number of applicants vs. 5-6 years ago.

 

[Student4Life0]

I have picked 10 schools. 10 seems like a pretty fair number to me. Any less than 10 would make me uneasy, and any more than 10 is getting VERY pricey. I have good credentials, as far as gpa/gre/LOR/clinical experience. I have good research exp, but no pubs as of right now. Only a manual in the works by the time I apply. Five of mine are PsyD programs, 3 are PhD counseling, and 2 are balanced PhD clinical. I would be happy to get into any of the programs, although I would rather go with a funded PhD. However, out of the 5 PhD programs, there is only one program where there is a POI who I feel is a perfect fit for me. Sometimes, it really just feels like it's all a crap shoot. However, applying to any less than 5 programs would make me VERY uneasy.

 

[deleted176373]

I applied to 6 PhD programs and a masters program. I got into 3 of those PhD programs and withdrew my application from the masters. I think it is more about fit than the number of places you apply to.

It's all about fit.

If you've done a good job on fit 5-10 schools is more than adequate. If you have done a great job on fit 1-5 schools can do it. I have met students that applied to one and got in to that program.

Mark

 

[neurogirl23]

I've narrowed down my list. The hardest thing is when there is a great fit but they are located in a city or town where I don't think I could live. I am a city girl but a lot of the POIs with similar interests are in the midwest or south. How do you decide which is more important? Is it worth even applying to places in locations where you don't want to live? I know it's only 5 years, but that's your whole 20s....

 

[ILGirl]

I've narrowed down my list. The hardest thing is when there is a great fit but they are located in a city or town where I don't think I could live. I am a city girl but a lot of the POIs with similar interests are in the midwest or south. How do you decide which is more important? Is it worth even applying to places in locations where you don't want to live? I know it's only 5 years, but that's your whole 20s....

That's a tough one that really only you can answer. BUT, just keep in mind that there are actually some sizable cities in the Midwest and the South. If a program or mentor really impresses you, I would do some research on the city or town in which it resides. You MIGHT be surprised. For instance, Madison, WI is a pretty cool city. It is not NYC, but I think people who have never been there would have completely the wrong idea about it. And, I highly suspect the same is true for other Midwestern cities and southern cities as well. . . .

Then, for those cities that sound okay to you, you might want to apply to a couple. If you get an interview, you can investigate the city more.

Good luck.

 

[Mauricia]

I'm applying to 11, and 8 of them are a very strong fit. The other three are safety schools that are close to me so it won't cost a lot if I get an interview. I don't really think applying to tons of schools increases your chances that much, because it seems that you would be spreading yourself thin in terms of devoting individualized time to making each statement of purpose quality and applicable to the school.

 

[krisrox]

I'm applying to 11, and 8 of them are a very strong fit. The other three are safety schools that are close to me so it won't cost a lot if I get an interview. I don't really think applying to tons of schools increases your chances that much, because it seems that you would be spreading yourself thin in terms of devoting individualized time to making each statement of purpose quality and applicable to the school.

I have a few gripes with this. For starters, what's a safety school? A Master's program? There are no safeties in the PhD world. I also think that applying to more schools isn't necessarily a good thing if you're sacrificing fit, but tailoring your statements shouldn't be a reason not too apply somewhere. All your programs should have faculty studying something similar so your statements shouldn't be too different anyway...

 

[VeggieDelight]

I have a few gripes with this. For starters, what's a safety school? A Master's program? There are no safeties in the PhD world. I also think that applying to more schools isn't necessarily a good thing if you're sacrificing fit, but tailoring your statements shouldn't be a reason not too apply somewhere. All your programs should have faculty studying something similar so your statements shouldn't be too different anyway...

I agree that there exists no "safety" school in this admissions process, but I may have to disagree about the point regarding personal statements. I only applied to 7 clinical programs so I could thoroughly research the schools and really labor over each statement. I thought it was a waste otherwise, and I really think doing this played a huge role in securing interviews. Of course, people take different approaches. That one just happened to work for me.

 

[LM02]

All your programs should have faculty studying something similar so your statements shouldn't be too different anyway...

This was my experience. I spent a lot of time solidifying my personal statement, and then really only had to tweak 3-4 sentences of it for each school. And for what it's worth, I applied to 12 schools, got into 1 without an interview, and got 9 additional interviews. Got into my top choice early in the application cycle, interviewed at a few select others, and withdrew my application from the rest. All were funded clinical PhDs.

 

[Mauricia]

Yes, my safety schools are MPH programs where I can continue working on the research that I am doing now. I also already have funding for the first two years so I believe that will help. But I maintain that there may be an advantage to personalizing each essay. For one thing, even though all of my potential mentors are in the same area of research, their research is certainly not identical. In addition, the schools that I am applying to have a variety of prompts. I couldn't really use the same essay for a school that wants a 700 word description of your research interests and a school that wants 3 page personal statement (versus a statement of purpose). The majority of my schools would like me to propose potential research, and I would like to take the time to thoroughly research each faculty member to make sure my ideas apply to them. I have also been told to make sure not to sound like you tacked a school specific paragraph to the end of a generic statement of purpose.

 

[justme08]

^^ Yes, this. I was hoping to have a basic SOP and make a few changes, but so far this hasn't been working like planned...

 

[GreenPsych]

^^ Yes, this. I was hoping to have a basic SOP and make a few changes, but so far this hasn't been working like planned...

I have been able to make my "template" work for most schools, however the work of changes involved is fairly time consuming.