OMFSers - is 27 schools too many to apply to?

[CMistry]

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Hi all,

I'm applying for OMFS this year and my credentials are on the low end of average for OMFS (NBDE1 90, GPA 3.9). My girlfriend (of 4 years) and I are applying mostly to programs where we can be together (she's planning on a GPR/AEGD). Therefore in some cities I applied to extra schools I haven't heard much about, and she is doing the same. My total list ended up with 27 schools - does that sound a little ridiculous? Of course I'd really like to get in this year, but I'm not opposed to an internship either.

Thanks in advance,
-Cyrus​

 

[Regmata]

Not ridiculous at all, although, you will may find that you will receive more interview invites than you anticipated. In hindsight, I didn't need to apply to as many schools as I did and ended up having to turn a bunch of interviews down. That being said, not everyone is so lucky and too many interviews is a great problem to have...sure beats the alternative. I personally figured I would rather spend the extra cash applying the first time around and have applied to too many schools opposed to not enough and losing a year where I could have been in training and having to spend the money to reapply/interview.

 

[Count Orlok]

I don't think it is ridiculous. Some apply to 25 programs and get 25 interviews, some 25 and get 1 interview. Play the odds up front and then narrow things down come interview time.

Most people bank on getting 1/4 to 1/2 the number of interviews from the number of places they apply. Some get more, some less. And you have to factor in that you will have multiple same date interviews that you will have to choose from.

Hi all,

I'm applying for OMFS this year and my credentials are on the low end of average for OMFS (NBDE1 90, GPA 3.9). My girlfriend (of 4 years) and I are applying mostly to programs where we can be together (she's planning on a GPR/AEGD). Therefore in some cities I applied to extra schools I haven't heard much about, and she is doing the same. My total list ended up with 27 schools - does that sound a little ridiculous? Of course I'd really like to get in this year, but I'm not opposed to an internship either.

Thanks in advance,
-Cyrus​

 

[hotrod0917]

Hey.
I think your # looks good, but I don't know about the other aspects of your application. 27 is a lot, but it also depends on what you feel comfortable doing.

For me, I didn't want to apply twice if possible, and the financial burden was definitely more than I anticipated. However, if neither of these worry you, and you're not opposed to doing an internship, I would do what works the best for you and your GF (I'm assuming that's where the conflict comes in).

Again, 27 isn't that ridiculous, IMHO, if you want to get in this year no matter what.

 

[CMistry]

Thanks guys. Seems like 27 isn't as big of a deal as I had thought. It's not the money I'm concerned about, I just don't want to sound absurd to any PDs who ask. And I'd be ecstatic with 1/4-1/2 of the programs giving me an interview!

Thanks again,
-Cyrus

 

[GreatOMFSHope]

I just went through it this year and applied to 24. I thought that sounded ridiculous, but we had some people in our class apply to 46. My numbers weren't even as good as yours and I got 14 interviews. The guy that applied to 46 only got one interview (ouch, I know). If you have good numbers, and it looks like you do, then you should get 1/2 your interviews at least (obviously, depending on your school selections, 4 vs 6, etc.).

And I said I wasn't opposed to an internship too. After you get about halfway through your interview trail, you'll be praying someone, ANYONE, takes you because you couldn't imagine doing this again. Good luck.

 

[PChemGrad]

I applied to 42 programs last year, got 9 interviews, and am starting my internship next week. I dont plan on applying to that many programs this year. After interviewing around last year I got the opportunity to see programs I did and didnt like. I am hoping to save some money this year. But will spend it if I need to.

I dont think 90 and 3.9 is low by any means. Unless you are looking at a few specific programs.

 

[drgoro]

The general rule of thumb when I was applying (provided you got >90 and a upper 1/3 class ranking) was you'd probably get 1/3 of the total number of applied programs to grant an interview. Of that, the prevailing wisdom was you need >9 to have a great chance at matching (once again provided you interview well). So, all in all, even though mostly anecdotal, 27 is a decent number.