Question about applying broadly...

[Ari1584]

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So i know everyone says to apply broadly across the country and to around 15 schools. Realistically speaking though, i honestly do not want to live anywhere outside of where i am living now. I went away for college for 5 years and i am ready to just stay in the chicago area bc that is where i ultimately want to practice. Although chicago has i think 7 med schools, i dont even think i am going to waste my money on applying to U of Chicago or Northwestern. Although my gpa was high, my mcat is def below average and i know i won't have a shot there. My question is...am i supposed to apply to these two "dream schools" anyway, even though i KNOW i am a bad candidate for them?? Also, if i dont apply to them, then i will be applying to UIC, loyola, rush, rosalind franklin, and midwestern for DO. That makes about 5 schools. I might apply to Indiana and Michicagn schools bc they are around the midwest, but i dont see the point since it is harder to get into an out-of-state school. I mean, is it crazy that i dont want to apply to schools lets say in...florida or New york, because i KNOW i would NEVER move there? Thanks!

 

[funkydrmonkey]

So i know everyone says to apply broadly across the country and to around 15 schools. Realistically speaking though, i honestly do not want to live anywhere outside of where i am living now. I went away for college for 5 years and i am ready to just stay in the chicago area bc that is where i ultimately want to practice. Although chicago has i think 7 med schools, i dont even think i am going to waste my money on applying to U of Chicago or Northwestern. Although my gpa was high, my mcat is def below average and i know i won't have a shot there. My question is...am i supposed to apply to these two "dream schools" anyway, even though i KNOW i am a bad candidate for them?? Also, if i dont apply to them, then i will be applying to UIC, loyola, rush, rosalind franklin, and midwestern for DO. That makes about 5 schools. I might apply to Indiana and Michicagn schools bc they are around the midwest, but i dont see the point since it is harder to get into an out-of-state school. I mean, is it crazy that i dont want to apply to schools lets say in...florida or New york, because i KNOW i would NEVER move there? Thanks!

Apply to UW, SLU, and MCW instead?

But if you know that you would realistically not like to move to that state, don't apply... Good luck!

 

[zpiff]

I think applying broadly has more to do with applying to a variety of tiers of schools as opposed to geographic location.

I applied mostly to schools in the north east simply because it would have been too expensive for me to interview at places further away. I don't think this hurt me at all.

Also, don't sell yourself short on applying to some reach schools. You never know if an adcom might see something that they really like!

 

[tdittyx2x3]

You want to maximize your chances for admission in any way you can.. limiting your number of schools is risky and actually unnecessary.

What does your gpa/MCAT/EC situation look like exactly?

I think you should ask yourself this very possibly hypothetical: "What if I weren't to get in to this list of schools?" You don't want to end up a reapplicant who realizes they needed to apply outside of their desired area in order to get an acceptance.

 

[JRock310]

just my personal opinion, but i always say to just go for it and apply to your dream schools. you really don't have anything to lose (minus some money, obviously). you never know until you try, as cliche as that sounds.

also, i can understand you not wanting to leave chicago. one of my close friends is from Boston and is only applying to tufts & BU dental schools because she refuses to leave Boston and be away from her family. her whole thing is...if she doesnt get into one of those two schools this year, she is just going to reapply to them next year...and then the next year if she needs to...and so on. so i guess you should ask yourself if that would be something you would be ok with doing if you didnt get into a chicago school this cycle. there's always that option.

if you definitely know 10000% that you do not want to live outside of chicago, then dont even bother applying to the schools. im sure you will be fine, good luck!!!