How many to apply to?

[doctosaurus]

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MD student, top US med school, Step 1 > 250, middle+ clerkship grades, good letters, meh ECs/research, no red flags, genuine interest in psych.

The only other similar thread had a poll, and it was bi-modal: 20s, and then 40+ programs. I'm SHOCKED, I thought applying to 10 was considered a lot in psychiatry, and I was only planning to apply to like 7, and only in California.

So... what's a reasonable number of programs to apply to?

 

[Psychotic]

You will likely be fine with 7 to 10, assuming you shine in interviews AND you get everything in on Day 1.

But the "only in California" seems a little risky, since I seriously doubt if you mean Loma Linda or SFV.

So why limit yourself? One of the confounding aspects of the interview season is that it is short, and it is difficult to schedule more than around 7 to 10 interviews, especially if you are having to fly a lot, in the slots they offer to you.

 

[clausewitz2]

Various geographical constraints mean I am applying to about 12. None of them are in California or NYC, and my home program is not...strong, so I am hoping that will do the trick.

 

[Monkey House]

8.5 programs