Saving money vs. applying to every DO school?

[cryhavoc]

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As soon as I get in somewhere, I'm out. No more interviews (if I get any that is).

Anyway, lots of EC's, 27 MCAT, 3.75 GPA, 3.21 sGPA.

Should I apply to all 20? Can I get away with 10? I'd prefer to stay on the Eastern part of the United States.

 

[adrian710]

I think there's more than 20...

 

[cryhavoc]

Oh, I think there is around 30, most "safe" people do 20, that's where I got that number. I was wondering if there were member ten I had a super good shot at so I could save money.

 

[adrian710]

Oh, I think there is around 30, most "safe" people do 20, that's where I got that number. I was wondering if there were member ten I had a super good shot at so I could save money.

I think you don't need 20 but why risk it at 10. Go 15 buddy.

 

[Grace184]

What's your state?

Some schools give preference to their state/area, like pcom-ga I think, and others with ties or experiences working in rural populations. And Cooper or whatever DO in NJ is IS pref, as is OHCOM, and some other southern one. I know this is vague, but point being, dig around for matriculation stats to knock some off the list.

 

[ortnakas]

Apply to as many as you can afford that you would realistically matriculate if accepted. Don't apply to Bradenton if you hate the idea of PBL, Campbell if you don't want to live in the South, Liberty if you don't like the religious affiliation, etc. (examples picked at random).

 

[JeBrAs]

I think 15+ is a good number, and really DO care about what schools you apply to and try to make a ranking list as to which schools you would prefer to go to based off of cost/location/curriculum/etc. But you will learn how these schools can offer you different opportunities when you attend the interviews which can also change your preferences. If you receive an ii to some more preferred school after after you have an acceptance to a school lower on your list, you should still at least attend the interview and see for yourself.

 

[Promethean]

Only apply to the schools which you would attend.

Apply to every school that you are interested in attending.

Consider that you can always add additional schools if you don't get a good response from the first set. Maybe apply to 1-5 to start, your favorites. If you haven't gotten any interview invites within a couple months, add in another 5-10. The DO cycle is a lot longer, after all. As long as you have all your apps in by Sept, you should still be "early."

 

[DocWinter]

Apply to all those on the East coast you can see yourself going to.

Add a few others in other locations until you get to 15-17 total.

Consider COA, tuition when making those decisions.

 

[becomingdoctor]

Your sgpa is much lower than overall, maybe there are a few pre req course you did not do well. Potential red flag, apply more school to be safe

 

[evooo8]

I applied to 30 schools. I would suggest removing schools that have regional bias and GPA cut offs.

 

[cryhavoc]

I applied to 30 schools. I would suggest removing schools that have regional bias and GPA cut offs.

Examples? Most schools only list GPAs it seems and not science. Which ones will throw out my app for a 3.2 sGPA?

 

[evooo8]

Examples? Most schools only list GPAs it seems and not science. Which ones will throw out my app for a 3.2 sGPA?

You are right most only list cGPA cutoffs. In that case remove schools with regional bias. I would suggest applying to 20 schools better to spend the extreme money now than wishing you would have during the following cycle.

 

[Grace184]

I agree with evooo8....this will def trim your list

Getting 1 or 2 rejects for not having a sGPA 3.25 and getting plenty of interview and possible acceptances.... You can cry on your way to med school

 

[j4pac]

OP...one day you are going to moonlight and make the money you spend in applications on one shift. You are going to laugh at the question.

 

[cryhavoc]

OP...one day you are going to moonlight and make the money you spend in applications on one shift. You are going to laugh at the question.

But right now every school I don't apply to is a ton of potential groceries. I have a friend applying to 30 MD schools and 25 DO schools and I envy her rich parents. Everything I got to apply is working part-time while taking classes, so I got to make sure I apply to every school wisely.

 

[samac]

Only apply to the schools which you would attend.

Apply to every school that you are interested in attending.

Consider that you can always add additional schools if you don't get a good response from the first set. Maybe apply to 1-5 to start, your favorites. If you haven't gotten any interview invites within a couple months, add in another 5-10. The DO cycle is a lot longer, after all. As long as you have all your apps in by Sept, you should still be "early."

This right here.
I applied to 4 with this thought in mind and had no problem, got waitlisted at my top choice and accepted at my 2nd, so I ran with it and didn't go any further.

 

[j4pac]

But right now every school I don't apply to is a ton of potential groceries. I have a friend applying to 30 MD schools and 25 DO schools and I envy her rich parents. Everything I got to apply is working part-time while taking classes, so I got to make sure I apply to every school wisely.

There is something called a budget. The time to learn how to make one is now. If you have bank statements, this is incredibly easy to do. Figure out how much it is going to cost for you to survive...and that will determine your discretionary income. Keep in mind that applications is just the beginning. I would hope to attend interviews as well, and that is going to require travel, lodging, etc. Estimate the cost of going on 3-5 interviews, which will largely depend on your location. Once you determine your discretionary income and subtract the estimated cost of interviewing...that will determine approximately how much money you will have left for applications, beer, strip clubs, dog tracks, etc. I would recommend putting the majority of your discretionary income toward applications. If you realize that you don't have enough money to make it work...you may need to work more or take out an additional loan.

You're at a disadvantage by not being rich and working through med school...I've been there. Unfortunately, med schools don't give a **** unless you send them an application. There is no MAGIC NUMBER of applications to matriculate. Do your best to get in the first time.

 

[xBODOMx]

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