I heard from current neuro PGY-1 (DO) who got 246? on step 1 and 245? on step 2 applied to only about ~24 programs. The person got into the 2nd choice.
On the other hand, I have talked to a person here (SDN) where he applied to 50 programs (just neuro, higher number including prelim), but that person said 30 should be fine.
So my n=2, range is 24-50 programs. my guess would be between 25-30.
I was aiming for 30...somehow got down to 24..
I get the sense that what matters the most is which program you are applying to rather than how many.
As long as I include 4-5 program that accepts DOs and much less competitive, like VCU, etc, I should be fine i believe.