Is Applying To 20 Schools Overdoing It?

[NonTradHopeful]

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Hey guys,

I intend to apply to about 15 - 20 schools this summer when applications open up. Do you think that's overdoing it? My guess is that how many schools you should apply to is dependent on your stats, so here are my stats:

Overall GPA: 3.6
Science GPA: 3.7
DAT (AA/TS/PAT): 21/21/25

...I have 1 dream school, about 6 other important schools that I'd want to attend if my dream school didn't work out, and the rest are all backup schools I'd only go to if the aforementioned top schools didn't accept me.

My question is...am I overdoing it? Am I applying to too many backup schools? I'm willing to spend the money, but I just really want to hear from others who applied to A LOT of schools. Did you regret applying to that many schools, or did you feel that it was a good idea for you?

Thanks!

 

[Kentuckylover]

You never know whether you will get in or not, until you actually get in.

Stats wise, you are in a good shape, but who knows what kind of interviewers you will have? They might and NOT like you. You just never know.

I would say if you apply to 17 schools, you should be able to get a good amount of interviews.

 

[Sublimazing]

20 schools for your stats is probably over doing it IMHO
But if the application money isn't a big deal to you then it just gives you more security and an opportunity to see more programs

 

[YuckyTeeth]

It's definitely your choice whether or not you want to blow that much money on apps, and eventually interviews. I only applied to 2 schools, because I knew where I wanted to go. Applying to more schools doesn't increase your chance of getting into your top choices. Stick to 1 reach, 2 good, and 1 safety.

 

[dentalbro2016]

It's definitely your choice whether or not you want to blow that much money on apps, and eventually interviews. I only applied to 2 schools, because I knew where I wanted to go. Applying to more schools doesn't increase your chance of getting into your top choices. Stick to 1 reach, 2 good, and 1 safety.

Applied to two school as well, got in to both and had pretty average stats:

oGPA: 3.51
sGPA:3.48
DAT: 21/20/23

If you have unlimited resources for applications AND travel (people forget that you have to pay for your expenses to travel around the country to these interviews), then by all means go for it and apply to 20 schools that you'd like to go to. Or, save yourself a lot of money by researching programs before you apply (curriculum, clinical experience, scholarships available, average GPA/DAT, student opinions, etc.) and apply to ~10 schools. By cutting your applications in half you are saving almost $1000 in application costs (AADSAS plus secondary application costs), and at least another $1000-$2000 in travel costs to several of those schools (gas, parking, airfare, food, and hotel costs). Don't apply more, just apply smarter.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

Hey guys,

I intend to apply to about 15 - 20 schools this summer when applications open up. Do you think that's overdoing it? My guess is that how many schools you should apply to is dependent on your stats, so here are my stats:

Overall GPA: 3.6
Science GPA: 3.7
DAT (AA/TS/PAT): 21/21/25

...I have 1 dream school, about 6 other important schools that I'd want to attend if my dream school didn't work out, and the rest are all backup schools I'd only go to if the aforementioned top schools didn't accept me.

My question is...am I overdoing it? Am I applying to too many backup schools? I'm willing to spend the money, but I just really want to hear from others who applied to A LOT of schools. Did you regret applying to that many schools, or did you feel that it was a good idea for you?

Thanks!

Your stats are very good. I don't think you have to apply to 20 schools, so I agree with the posters who say you might be overdoing it. If you have the money and are genuinely interested in all the schools, then go for it. It can only help (except for you wallet)

 

[dentalprodigy]

I had 3.8 GPA, 19 Dat and applied to13 schools. I think I over did it!

For you id apply to 10 max..prolly 6

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

 

[white fang]

If the money doesn't matter it won't hurt anything. You will be essentially guaranteeing you won't apply twice. You will probably be faced with some tough decisions on interviews, as you won't be able to realistically attend 12+ which is likely for you.

 

[omnipoDent]

OP: I applied to around 15 to 20. I'll admit that I probably overdid it when I applied. I mean, it's easy to say that now after the cycle, though. I got into my top choice, so everything worked out well. I think you are fine applying to 10 maybe 12 schools. I would just suggest that you get your application in early. Other than that, you should be good to go. I hope you get into your dream school.👍 Best of luck.

 

[wired202808]

Hey guys,

I intend to apply to about 15 - 20 schools this summer when applications open up. Do you think that's overdoing it? My guess is that how many schools you should apply to is dependent on your stats, so here are my stats:

Overall GPA: 3.6
Science GPA: 3.7
DAT (AA/TS/PAT): 21/21/25

...I have 1 dream school, about 6 other important schools that I'd want to attend if my dream school didn't work out, and the rest are all backup schools I'd only go to if the aforementioned top schools didn't accept me.

My question is...am I overdoing it? Am I applying to too many backup schools? I'm willing to spend the money, but I just really want to hear from others who applied to A LOT of schools. Did you regret applying to that many schools, or did you feel that it was a good idea for you?

Thanks!

I think 10 would probably be enough for you. Having a 3.7 sGPA and a 21AA = Recipe for success. I applied to 20 schools, but thats because my stats were lower than yours. I don't regret it at all because I got interviews at some unexpected places and some schools were very interesting to see. However, if my stats were in your range or higher I would def only apply to 10 schools. Esp if you apply June 4th you should get all the interviews you want at those competitive state schools. Private schools tend to be easier to get interviews at (not all the time, but most of the time.)

 

[SupDanLOL]

I had similar stats to you, OP. I applied to seven school...and even that was overkill.

 

[MowgliR]

I applied to 25...I'd rather overdo it that underdo it haha

 

[Barking Lamb]

I applied to 25...I'd rather overdo it that underdo it haha

I applied to 22 schools. I prefer to be safe rather than sorry.

 

[dantemac]

II applied to 16 schools with similar stats and had 8 acceptances. Choosing between those schools was actually more excruciating than applying. Perhaps narrow down your list!

 

[vellnueve]

I applied to 20 schools (two days before the first deadline). Got interviewed at three and accepted at all three. Got some rejection notices extremely fast, particularly from state schools.

 

[rainman1646]

II applied to 16 schools with similar stats and had 8 acceptances. Choosing between those schools was actually more excruciating than applying. Perhaps narrow down your list!

I echo this. I applied to 11, got in 7, and had to turn down one interview (DAT 22, oGPA 3.8, sGPA 3.9). We don't have a public state school, so the toughest part for me was finally choosing which school. The point is, with your stats, if you apply (early) to 20 schools and interview halfway decent, you will have to use both hands to count your acceptances. This is also assuming the rest of your app is good (personal statement, volunteer hours, extracurriculars, etc).

My advice would be choose 4-5 of your favorite schools where you would love to go, then add 1-2 "reach" schools, then 3-5 "safety" schools for a total of 8-12 schools. Also keep in mind that OOS private schools tend to be easier to land an interview than OOS public schools.

But if you have the time and money, and want the experience of visiting 10+ schools, by all means, apply to 20. You only get to do this once.....(probably!)

 

[Kentuckylover]

I had 3.8 GPA, 19 Dat and applied to13 schools. I think I over did it!

For you id apply to 10 max..prolly 6

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

No. with your DAT. You didn't over do it.
You can say that you overdid it now because you got into a couple places, but could you say that before you applied? haha