How much does applying broadly help someone with average stats?

[postbacpremed87]

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Say a 3.65 gpa and a 31 MCAT...average stats. If the applicant has $2000 to blow on the app process, is it well worth it to apply to say 25-30 schools over 10-15?

 

[music2doc]

I'd go with ~20. Those aren't really "average" stats. Average stats would be 3.5/28. Those are only "average" (or slightly below average) for matriculants to med school. You should do fine. You'll probably get waitlisted and then accepted in the spring/summer.

 

[MedAdComMD]

Say a 3.65 gpa and a 31 MCAT...average stats. If the applicant has $2000 to blow on the app process, is it well worth it to apply to say 25-30 schools over 10-15?

Yours is not average - its the average for matriculants. So, if you have everything else, you should be accepted.

 

[IonClaws]

I would go for the larger number of schools.

The process of medical school admissions is on the crazy side at times, and applicants are regularly turned down due to truly marginal numerical differences in MCAT or GPA/science GPA.

However, this is mostly due to the vast number of applications that are received and not inherent ability indicated by those marginal differences. Unfortunately, even rolling admissions does not adequately offset the sheer volume of applicants.

So, it is in your best interest to maximize your chances and go for the larger number of schools if you can complete applications to them.

And one more thing...take a close look at the average GPA/MCAT of the schools you're applying to. Adding schools that are difficult to be accepted into will not significantly help your chances.

I am convinced that there is no such thing as a "safety school" as far as medical schools go. There are, however, schools that are within 1 "Lizzy-M" point of your stats (GPA times 10 + MCAT score), and adding those onto your list will help, so long as you have the time and money to complete applications to all of them.

Apply early (in June, early July at the latest) and to >20 schools, at least 75% of which have stats similar to yours, and you should have a good shot of getting into at least one.

Applicants with your stats have >70% acceptance rate to medical schools. Good luck.

 

[postbacpremed87]

Yeah except I have to wait on LOR from my pre-med committee and they don't write them until mid to late August. What a waste.

I would go for the larger number of schools.

The process of medical school admissions is on the crazy side at times, and applicants are regularly turned down due to truly marginal numerical differences in MCAT or GPA/science GPA.

However, this is mostly due to the vast number of applications that are received and not inherent ability indicated by those marginal differences. Unfortunately, even rolling admissions does not adequately offset the sheer volume of applicants.

So, it is in your best interest to maximize your chances and go for the larger number of schools if you can complete applications to them.

And one more thing...take a close look at the average GPA/MCAT of the schools you're applying to. Adding schools that are difficult to be accepted into will not significantly help your chances.

I am convinced that there is no such thing as a "safety school" as far as medical schools go. There are, however, schools that are within 1 "Lizzy-M" point of your stats (GPA times 10 + MCAT score), and adding those onto your list will help, so long as you have the time and money to complete applications to all of them.

Apply early (in June, early July at the latest) and to >20 schools, at least 75% of which have stats similar to yours, and you should have a good shot of getting into at least one.

Applicants with your stats have >70% acceptance rate to medical schools. Good luck.

 

[Whatyousay]

Depends on your state of residency, as well.

Texas or Florida - you probably don't need to apply as broadly.

California - I'm so sorry.

 

[IonClaws]

Yeah except I have to wait on LOR from my pre-med committee and they don't write them until mid to late August. What a waste.

Seriously? Wow...if anything says "disconnected from the cut-throat-ness of the admissions process," that says it.

Is it possible for the committee to bank the letter that they're writing and save it for the next application cycle? Assuming your MCAT score will still be valid (not expired), that may be a good idea.

Trust me, ONCE is enough for this process. Another time is just unnecessarily arduous.

And Whatyousay is correct. For California residents, from what I've read, applying to 30 or more schools will put you on the same level as most other applicants with 20 or more. Texans do not need to worry as much because they have their own in-state medical school admissions process and schools that greatly favor residents.

 

[wololololololo]

I think AAMC statistics say the average applicant (maybe matriculant?) applies to 15 schools. If from California might as well add 5 more to offset the UCs.

 

[Lil Mick]

You should get into a school if you apply wisely (safeties--watch state schools if you're out of state, most accepted students in that case are MD/PhD). Find schools you like with stats similar to, lower than, and slightly higher than your stats. Apply to five of each. Provided they're your state schools, private, or state schools that take students from your area/school (WI and MN have an agreement), you should have at least one or two acceptances, provided the rest of your application is solid.

 

[Narmerguy]

I think AAMC statistics say the average applicant (maybe matriculant?) applies to 15 schools. If from California might as well add 5 more to offset the UCs.

Really? I had always assumed that the average was around 9-10. I'd love to see that data if you have it (not doubting you just want to see what else they got that I need to read).

 

[lazy]

it'll cost more than 2000 to apply to that many assuming you fill out all of the secondaries and don't qualify for FAP.

for 25 schools your primary alone will be 1k, plus ~80 per secondary brings up far higher than 2k (and that's not considering the cost of any interviews)

 

[kpcrew]

Really? I had always assumed that the average was around 9-10. I'd love to see that data if you have it (not doubting you just want to see what else they got that I need to read).

I've seen 10-15
duke's premed page says 11 and swarthmore says 13 and it looks like some premed offices suggest up to 20

 

[postbacpremed87]

It's okay. Straight cash homey.

it'll cost more than 2000 to apply to that many assuming you fill out all of the secondaries and don't qualify for FAP.

for 25 schools your primary alone will be 1k, plus ~80 per secondary brings up far higher than 2k (and that's not considering the cost of any interviews)