interview: why apply to so many?

[Piyush]

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So, I hear that one should apply to as many schools as possible, but how you you answer the question in the interview when the interviewer asks why you applied to so many schools? Is it ok to say that I just wanted to apply widely to increase my chances? what do other people say when they get asked this question in the interview?

Cheers
Piyush

 

[armybound]

I know my application isn't that strong, so I applied broadly to increase my chances. I know that the process is difficult and highly selective, so I made careful decisions about where I thought I'd like to go and where I was most likely to be successful.

(I was never asked in an interview. they don't know where you applied)

 

[shevie]

you can swing it your way by saying something like, as you can see not only did i apply broadly (ie to many schools) but i applied to schools in many different cities, because although i know what im looking for in a medical school (ie strong research or heavy priority based on primary care, or great program in xyz), I want the chance to explore my living options, etc etc blah blah

 

[Luxian]

So, I hear that one should apply to as many schools as possible, but how you you answer the question in the interview when the interviewer asks why you applied to so many schools? Is it ok to say that I just wanted to apply widely to increase my chances? what do other people say when they get asked this question in the interview?

Cheers
Piyush

It's not the number so much that scares people off as the thought that you let somebody else (like U.S. News & world report) make the decision for you. No matter how many places you apply to, make sure you're able to answer the question "why this school" when you are asked it in the interview. It's totally fine to talk about external factors like family, geographic factors, urban vs. rural, etc, in addition to whatever you like about the program itself. Put a little thought into it and make sure that you include only those places you would actually want to go if you got in.

 

[BlackSails]

So, I hear that one should apply to as many schools as possible, but how you you answer the question in the interview when the interviewer asks why you applied to so many schools? Is it ok to say that I just wanted to apply widely to increase my chances? what do other people say when they get asked this question in the interview?

Cheers
Piyush

Applying to more schools greatly increases the odds of getting in. Its just common sense to apply to as many schools that you have both the financial ability, and time to do the applications for.

 

[dc5484]

correct me if im wrong, but i dont think schools can see what other schools you have applied to until later in the spring, when most interviews are finished...chances are you will never even face this question. I completed secondaries at ~25 schools, and have not once been asked this question or anything like it on any of the interviews i have been on.

 

[thoffen]

It's OK to apply to many schools if you're interested in those schools for one reason or another. But to say that you applied to so many schools just because you're worried about getting in is bad. Imagine being an adcom and thinking: gee, this guy really doesn't have much self worth and now I have no idea of knowing whether he applied to my school just because he thought he could get in and not because he was genuinely interested.

 

[Maxprime]

I wanted to have as many options as possible. I couldn't visit every school in the country, so I applied to the ones I thought I'd like and checked out the few that gave me interviews.

 

[custard]

I was never asked this question. I've been asked which schools I've applied to though, and I typically list some schools in my state and then say something generic like "a couple of places on the East coast".

I don't see what is wrong with saying you applied to a lot of schools because you really want to get in this cycle. It just shows that you really want to be a doc.

 

[Jolie South]

It's OK to apply to many schools if you're interested in those schools for one reason or another. But to say that you applied to so many schools just because you're worried about getting in is bad. Imagine being an adcom and thinking: gee, this guy really doesn't have much self worth and now I have no idea of knowing whether he applied to my school just because he thought he could get in and not because he was genuinely interested.

I don't think this is true.

At a particular interview, I was asked how many schools I applied to. I told the interviewer how many and she asked "why so many?" I simply stated that medical school admissions are extremely competitive and I wanted to maximize my chances of getting an acceptance.

I got into this school. I only had one faculty interview there as well.

I think adcoms realize that it's difficult and that with 50% of applicants not gaining admission it would be stupid not to do everything possible.

 

[Daydreamer2008]

So, I hear that one should apply to as many schools as possible, but how you you answer the question in the interview when the interviewer asks why you applied to so many schools? Is it ok to say that I just wanted to apply widely to increase my chances? what do other people say when they get asked this question in the interview?

Cheers
Piyush

Most schools don't care about how many you applied, but when you interview they want to know WHY you are interested in their school. that is important

 

[Bartelby]

Lots of people have claimed and will claim that it just doesn't matter how many schools you apply to and no interviewer will ask you such a question, but it is not true. I was asked where else I had applied at two interviews* (Wake Forest and Temple). I had applied to 25, and I told them that I had applied to a lot of places, but made sure to emphasize what I liked about their school. I received an outright rejection from Wake Forest and a "continuing candidate" position from Temple, which I have since withdrawn from.

I agree that you should apply to a lot of schools, especially if you are a marginal candidate. Realize, though, that if you have a strong application you don't have to get too carried away. Your state schools are probably a safe bet if you are in their ranges, and I suggest applying to maybe eight "realistic" schools where you are at or above their averages in most important areas and then some number of "reach" schools that you would like to attend.


*In the interest of full disclosure, of the 11 interviews I went to I was not asked about it at 9, so it is not an extremely common question.

EDIT: Actually, it was how many I applied to, not where I had applied to. Several other interviewers asked (Vanderbilt, Dartmouth, probably four or five others) where else I had applied but did not press for a number or extensive answer.