Is there such a thing as applying to too many schools?

[Whistle]

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Thinking of adding schools, is it possible to apply to too many? Can other schools see the other ones you applied to? I just really want to get accepted this year. I'm 2 years out of undergrad. cGPA 3.47 sGPA about a 3.32 and MCAT 29Q.

 

[gmcguitar4]

There is not such a thing as too many. The problem is that it is ideal to return a secondary within 2 weeks of receiving it. If you apply to a ton of schools you could be bombarded with too many at once and not write quality essays for each school. I am applying to 24 MD and 10 DO. This would be considered too many by a lot of people. But when you have below average stats you have to make due! Best thing you can do is start pre-writing secondaries.

 

[Whistle]

I applied MD last year and I think it shook me up. I did interview, but that didn't go as planned. I want to apply to 15-18 DO. And I actually like the philosophy behind DO a lot, since I've learned about it. I think I'll just set a priority to which schools I send in secondaries to first.

During an interview last year though, they asked me what other schools I applied to. I don't want to sound awkward listing 15 schools lol

 

[MedPR]

I applied MD last year and I think it shook me up. I did interview, but that didn't go as planned. I want to apply to 15-18 DO. And I actually like the philosophy behind DO a lot, since I've learned about it. I think I'll just set a priority to which schools I send in secondaries to first.

During an interview last year though, they asked me what other schools I applied to. I don't want to sound awkward listing 15 schools lol

If they ask me that question I'm going to say "I applied to a few other safety schools, but 'name of school' is my top choice."

15-18DO is a lot for your stats.

 

[m2k]

There is not such a thing as too many. The problem is that it is ideal to return a secondary within 2 weeks of receiving it. If you apply to a ton of schools you could be bombarded with too many at once and not write quality essays for each school. I am applying to 24 MD and 10 DO. This would be considered too many by a lot of people. But when you have below average stats you have to make due! Best thing you can do is start pre-writing secondaries.

I agree there is no such thing as too many. Do you mind sharing score and schools you chose and why? I'm still waiting for my MCAT which will be end of June and would like to get in this cycle MD or DO - doesn't matter. Thanks,

 

[saxofoonie]

You have a great MCAT score, but if it makes you feel better, go ahead! My stats are very low, so I was going to apply to all the DO schools! But with all the secondaries and costs, I ended up narrowing my list. Apply to as many as you can handle and feel is necessary!

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Yes, there is a thing as too much. You need time to adequately prepare responses/essays to show the schools that you really want to go to them and are not applying simply to optimize your chances of success. That being the limited factor in most cases is money, if you have enough you can apply to as many schools as your heart's desire.

 

[gmcguitar4]

I agree there is no such thing as too many. Do you mind sharing score and schools you chose and why? I'm still waiting for my MCAT which will be end of June and would like to get in this cycle MD or DO - doesn't matter. Thanks,

33p 10V 11B 12P and 3.3cGPA and 3.1 sGPA

As for my list, I just looked up the schools and figured which I would have the best chances given my stats/ec's. Look at the schools mission, where its located, and some of the programs that they have. That is how I determined my list. I just don't feel like typing all them out.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

33p 10V 11B 12P and 3.3cGPA and 3.1 sGPA

As for my list, I just looked up the schools and figured which I would have the best chances given my stats/ec's. Look at the schools mission, where its located, and some of the programs that they have. That is how I determined my list. I just don't feel like typing all them out.

With those stats you could potentially get into a MD school if you apply broadly enough. For DO you will be competitive for the top tier. But yes, knowing the mission of the school and related information is very integral in this process and for creating a quality application.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Yes, there is a thing as too much. You need time to adequately prepare responses/essays to show the schools that you really want to go to them and are not applying simply to optimize your chances of success. That being the limited factor in most cases is money, if you have enough you can apply to as many schools as your heart's desire.

This part's key. I applied to ~10 DO schools, received interviews to all of them (which means I completed and paid for all their secondaries), attended 2 interviews, and cancelled the rest after getting accepted. So I ended up spending extra cash on applying to 8 schools whos interviews I didn't even attend.

Then again, you shouldn't take the risk of applying too narrow. Research each school, look at your application, and make a reasonable list of schools to apply to. Don't feel like you have to apply to all of them, unless you have the cash and are actually an extreme underdog.

33p 10V 11B 12P and 3.3cGPA and 3.1 sGPA

As for my list, I just looked up the schools and figured which I would have the best chances given my stats/ec's. Look at the schools mission, where its located, and some of the programs that they have. That is how I determined my list. I just don't feel like typing all them out.

I'm gonna disagree with Serenade on this one as far as applying to MD schools go. You might have a shot if you have some lower-tier in-state-biased schools. But, although your MCAT is great, your GPA is too low to be compensated for completely. However, I think you have a great shot for DO schools, assuming your ECs and the rest of your app is solid. 🙂

 

[MedPR]

With those stats you could potentially get into a MD school if you apply broadly enough. For DO you will be competitive for the top tier. But yes, knowing the mission of the school and related information is very integral in this process and for creating a quality application.

Idk. I think he/she would have to be a URM with that low of a GPA.