How to answer "How many schools did you apply to?"

[peterngu]

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Hey everybody.
So I have 4 interviews lined up right now, but I finished applications for 40 schools (Puerto Rico, and North Carolina didn't work out so well.) When adcoms ask how many schools I applied to, should I be truthful or bend the truth a little bit? For med-schools, it's definitely a possibility to check the online applications.

Thoughts anyone? Thanks in advance!

 

[rewJW]

I would say it's in your best interest to avoid lying about ANYTHING at your interview/in your application or secondaries. I'm sure there is a way they can find out and it would suck to get rejected on the basis of lying about how many schools you applied to.

 

[that guy]

uh, truthfully

you had to put down the schools you applied to through aadsas.

 

[DividedByZero]

For med-schools, it's definitely a possibility to check the online applications.

It's also possible for dental school applications.

 

[Doh Boy Fresh]

DAMN! this is the highest # of schools applied to i've ever seen...! can anyone beat that?

 

[dmd2009]

I asked one school and they said that there is a point in the process where they can see a list of the schools you applied to from aadsas. I this a good answer in an interview would be that you are extremely interested in their school, however your passion for dentistry and confidence in your dedication and abilities has led you to consider so many other options. Good luck!

 

[Sophlu]

Just be honest, then you have nothing to worry about. If anything the schools will see how much you want to get into dental school. And for your top choices, tell them they are your top choice and why they.

 

[somethinpositiv]

To the OP, no offense, but you should have done better research on your schools. Most schools will hardly consider people from out of the state or region, especially if you have borderline stats, which I can assume based on the fact that you applied to so many schools to increase your chances. You probably only have a legitimate shot at 20-25 of the schools that you applied to, and thus wasted a lot of money that could have been saved had you done more research.

Anyways, congrats on your 4 interviews and I'm sure you're in great shape to get admitted this cycle. Just tell the truth, and say that you want to be a dentist so bad that you applied to so many schools.. Good luck!

 

[UCSF2012]

WHen they ask how many schools I applied to, I replied, "about 15, but only one matters. This one."

When they asked what schools I applied to, I answer, "Let's see...I have a deposit down at UCSF. I turned down interview offers from blah, blah, and blah. I declined acceptance offers from blah, blah, and blah (but I made sure to include some big shot schools)...."

 

[RAK1987]

honestly... you dont even have to answer the question. it's technically a "red-light" question and is characterized as an invasion of privacy.... so you really dont have to answer as long as you say so in a respectful manner.

 

[lotank]

i think that one of the most important rules of this whole application process is to always be honest. it's actually in your favor to do so and is expected out of people who are pursuing a career so respected and trusted as dentistry.

btw, props on the efforts in applying to so many schools. it takes a lot of effort and shows a strong desire to get into dental school.

 

[efficient]

honestly... you dont even have to answer the question. it's technically a "red-light" question and is characterized as an invasion of privacy.... so you really dont have to answer as long as you say so in a respectful manner.

Yeah, I would not recommend that answer. Seriously, just tell them how many. If you apply to 5, say 5. If you apply to 30, say 30.

 

[sl2obel2ts]

Be honest!!! and make sure you know why you applied to that many!!!

In my case, I was asked this question at one of my interviews. I told them that I have a red flag on my app: I have a REALLY LOW non science GPA. They told me that they can overlook that, and actually they were very impressed with my attitude towards applying to dental schools. Applying to many schools shows that you are dedicated and determined to become a dentist!!! but then, the next question was "Did you hear back from any other schools? if so, how many?" That was a killer question tho. 😛

 

[aadsashoops]

Hey everybody.
So I have 4 interviews lined up right now, but I finished applications for 40 schools (Puerto Rico, and North Carolina didn't work out so well.) When adcoms ask how many schools I applied to, should I be truthful or bend the truth a little bit? For med-schools, it's definitely a possibility to check the online applications.

Thoughts anyone? Thanks in advance!

40 schools?? I applied to 6 and that was pricey...can't imagine how much that would cost, especially with supplemental fees...

But seriously. Good Luck!!!

 

[harrygt]

honestly... you dont even have to answer the question. it's technically a "red-light" question and is characterized as an invasion of privacy.... so you really dont have to answer as long as you say so in a respectful manner.

I second the idea of refusing to answer. There is nothing wrong in telling the truth. Not answering the question even in the most respectful way will still offend the interviewer. It's like saying, "That is none of your business".
You can say that their school is your top choice; however, you have tried to secure your chances of admission to dental school by applying to as many as # schools.

 

[peterngu]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I really appreciate all the input. I'll definitely take your advice to heart.

 

[IDoWhatIWant]

WHen they ask how many schools I applied to, I replied, "about 15, but only one matters. This one."

When they asked what schools I applied to, I answer, "Let's see...I have a deposit down at UCSF. I turned down interview offers from blah, blah, and blah. I declined acceptance offers from blah, blah, and blah (but I made sure to include some big shot schools)...."

that's nasty! you really said that?

 

[ukgirl]

How would you answer if a specific school is your number one choice when you applied to a lot of schools.

I'd think telling a specific school that this one is your number one choice despite applying to so many schools might sound kind of fake to the ad coms.

Ultimately, all the schools that I applied to are the ones I am seriously considering of attending and at this point it is hard to have a number one choice when I have not really had the experience of having a tour of all of the schools.

Anyway I was wondering how would you answer that question?

 

[somethinpositiv]

Ultimately, all the schools that I applied to are the ones I am seriously considering of attending and at this point it is hard to have a number one choice when I have not really had the experience of having a tour of all of the schools.

Anyway I was wondering how would you answer that question?

You just did.

 

[ryanaj]

I applied to 20 and when I have been asked that question I always say "too many". It isn't a lie, somewhat ambiguous, and every interviewer I have had so far has left it at that. I think this might be a good option for you since 40 is a ridiculously high number and the adcom would probably think of a number lower than that.

 

[paul510psu]

40 schools? Wow. I feel like this number could have been easily cut in half had the OP just done a little bit of research (i.e. use predents.com) to shave his/her list down a little bit.

Anyways, more power to ya, I'm sure you'll get accepted somewhere.

Oh and how much is that going to cost you? I know that AADSAS ran you $2,535. I'm guessing that you've added another $1,500 at least in just secondary application fees to all of those schools, too.

Good luck paying off those credit card bills.