So is 3 schools really too few?

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Childe

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I am an AR resident. So i'm applying there. I went to school here in TX, so I figure if i'm going to drop 50k extra for out of state tuition, it should be for a 'top' school. So im applying to baylor and UTSW. Am I crazy?

Stats:
39 MCAT, 3.7 GPA (Biomedical Science - premed basically)
Average volunteering/ecs
Average LORs (i assume)

So im basically assuming UAMS will accept me. Although why i'm asking on here, 90% of people on here are neurotic overachievers 😛
 
You could apply to top private schools out of state.

Applying to 3 schools is gutsy. Best of luck.
 
Yes 3 is too few. Too be on the safe side you should apply to at least 10. You will put much pressure on yourself in you interviews if you know that everything is riding on it.
 
it's always bad to assume that any school is going to take you, no matter how good your stats and how mediocre you might think the school is. med school admissions is a crap shoot. even the top applicants get rejected from schools they probably should get into. considering that two of your schools are pretty competitive (i don't know much about arizona), your chances of getting shut out are pretty good. why limit yourself to texas and arizona? there are other top schools out there that aren't in those two states that you could apply to. if you're stuck on texas, i'd at least apply to all the ut schools. you can only help yourself by applying to more schools.
 
I agree. Either you're naive or really cocky if you only apply to 3 schools. I've known of people with very very high scores either not get in or barely get in because of bad luck and/or bad interviews. Apply to more. You can afford the extra money. Most people dole out at least $1000 in app fees.
 
i would say 3 is too few, at least round 5 or 6 if you don't want to spend the big bucks. Texas schools even for out of state residents aren't too expensive so you could add UTMB which isn't too shabby and add a couple privates. Of course if you don't want to stray too far from home thats a different story since there isn't many privates really close to where you are. Maybe think about california? Be careful about your state school, you may want to make it clear to them that you will be interested in going there since your stats are so high the interviewers may be wary about that.
 
Syranope2 said:
it's always bad to assume that any school is going to take you, no matter how good your stats and how mediocre you might think the school is. med school admissions is a crap shoot. even the top applicants get rejected from schools they probably should get into. considering that two of your schools are pretty competitive (i don't know much about arizona), your chances of getting shut out are pretty good. why limit yourself to texas and arizona? there are other top schools out there that aren't in those two states that you could apply to. if you're stuck on texas, i'd at least apply to all the ut schools. you can only help yourself by applying to more schools.
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Try ARkansas instead of AriZona, but I do agree with the substance of your advice.
 
You never know in the medical school process, unfortunately. Definitely apply to more schools.
 
samurai_lincoln said:
Try ARkansas instead of AriZona, but I do agree with the substance of your advice.
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ah, yes, the mundane details of state abbreviations. next time i'll double check my post 😀
 
I think with your scores you have a pretty good shot at AR schools at least. If you don't wanna waste your money, then don't. AR is not like CA or MA schools; it's a little easier to go there (from what I know from friends experiences--not an expert myself). I would apply to at least 5 schools though. Try for Vanderbilt or something. The reason I suggest 5 being enough is that unless your interview is bad, you probably have a good shot at your state. This is strictly my thoughts. I believe some southern state schools tend to be easier to get into from what I've read from this forum. I may be totally wrong. 🙂
 
Why do you limit yourself to just 3 schools? With your stats, you have a really good shot at alot of the top private schools. You do this once, so fork out some $$$, dude. Good luck though. 🙂
 
I agree with the advice on interviews. I booted at least a couple of my interviews. If they had been my only shots I would have been in trouble and very nervous. Sometimes the interviewer just doesn't click with you and the interview goes badly.
 
Of course I knew you guys would say this 😛
But i think 5-10 schools might be more reasonable, sure..
Just a question of which ones...
BTW, I can add schools to AMCAS, right?
 
Even though everyone's saying you're taking chances by applying to only your state school and two long shots, I think you'll do fine. There are people in KY who only apply in state (2 schools) and most of them do fine. I even know of someone who applied to only three schools, all in the top ten (a little risky, but it worked). The thing is, with a 39 MCAT, do you really want to limit yourself to Arkansas this early in the game? You may have the option of going to a world class med school. You can still choose your state school in the end, but why not at least give it a shot? If you're willing to pay $50,000 a year for Baylor or UTSW, what's wrong with $50,000 a year for Hopkins?
 
My premed advisor told me that last year, those from my college who were accepted to any medical school had applied to an average of 17 schools. Those that didn't get any acceptances had applied to an average of 9 schools. Just some food for thought.
 
Early decision was made for a person like you! Apply to only one school and you'll still have time if you don't get in.
 
i agree on the EDP suggestion, which i was just about to post myself.

that said, if you are applying to baylor/utsw, why not apply to other top ten schools? (unless you have a strong regional preference)

also, i would think you have a decent shot at some phat scholarships
 
I know people with better numbers and EC's apply who're applying to 20+ schools. I recommend at least 10.
 
I applied to 4 schools and was accepted at 3. My stats? 32 MCAT 3.8 GPA.
Gutsy? I think not. I put my heart and soul into the application process, interviewed solidly and achieved what I wanted. And honestly, the school I didn't get into, was a school that was my 4th choice, where I had absolutely no desire to live, but I thought I better do it "just in case". It was also the only school where I filled out the secondaries rather hastily w/o nearly the thought put into the app. as if it had been one of my top choices.
My personal opinion is that when you apply to 20 schools as most of the previous posters suggest, you are most likely not putting your heart and soul into each app. but are merely applying as a crap shoot. Better I believe (unless your numbers and app. really suck) to pick where you want to go and apply only there. Despite what many people think, the adcoms aren't stupid, and don't have much difficulty identifying those who really want to attend their school vs. those who are shotgunning the process. Not to say that many of those people won't get in as well, but I believe you are justified in not wanting to waste a ton of money "just because" everybody likes to spend your money for you. Many of those people are rather insecure about their application and feel it's the "safe" thing to do.
 
Pinkertinkle said:
I know people with better numbers and EC's apply who're applying to 20+ schools. I recommend at least 10.
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yeah, but better numbers are pretty irrelevant when you are talking about elite stats like a 39/3.7. thats very solid and will prob get him in UA, but i dont see the reason for his reticence
 
Childe said:
I am an AR resident. So i'm applying there. I went to school here in TX, so I figure if i'm going to drop 50k extra for out of state tuition, it should be for a 'top' school. So im applying to baylor and UTSW. Am I crazy?

Stats:
39 MCAT, 3.7 GPA (Biomedical Science - premed basically)
Average volunteering/ecs
Average LORs (i assume)

So im basically assuming UAMS will accept me. Although why i'm asking on here, 90% of people on here are neurotic overachievers 😛
Click to expand...

Actually, I don't think the only important issue is whether or not you'll get in to one of those 3. There are also issues of money and fit.

The money issue is quite important. You have excellent stats-- assuming you have a decent personal statement and interesting/convincing reason for pursuing medicine, there are med schools that will try to bribe you to attend them. By applying around, you maximize your chances of getting a scholarship somewhere. In other words, there is no particular reason for a person with your stats to pay full price if you don't really have a strong preference for a particular med school. So, apply to a decent number of places, including a few mid tiers that are known to give good scholarships to entice highly qualified candidates.

Have you researched Arizona closely? Do you like their curriculum and the area? Do you want to go back to Arizona? By applying to a more standard 10 or 15 schools, you will get to sniff out more places and may find that you look the curriculum or location of some quite a bit more than others. Given that you will spend ten times as much for just the first year of med school as you will for applying to 15 or 20 schools and interviewing at 7 or 8, it really isn't a good idea to avoid shopping around.
 
Why not apply to all the Texas schools while you're at it. Isn't it only $5 extra dollars for each school on TMDSAS? Or is that only for Texas residents?
 
$50,000/year for the Texas schools? Sorry guys -- not even the out-of-staters pay anywhere near that much.

Anyway, if you're already applying to UTSW, I would go ahead and add several of the other Texas schools as well. It's the same application and it's really cheap, so you really don't have anything to lose for a little extra assurance. Also, all of the Texas schools (I believe) will let you pay in-state tuition after the first year. I would also apply to a couple more out of state reach schools as well.

Good luck!
 
i have a hard time believing that applicant put together a thoughtful application.
 
IndyZX said:
i have a hard time believing that applicant put together a thoughtful application.
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I've read the guys posts in other threads. He appears to be a coherent and articulate person. I dont know the details of the app or his interviewing skills though. The point is nothign in the process is a given.
 
I applied to five. Got into 2 and withdrew from another one before the interview. At my school the average person only applies to about 6. If you're careful what schools you pick, I think three is doable. Especially if you have no desire to try to get into Harvards or Hopkins just for the hell of it.
 
oudoc08 said:
I applied to 4 schools and was accepted at 3. My stats? 32 MCAT 3.8 GPA. Gutsy? I think not. I put my heart and soul into the application process, interviewed solidly and achieved what I wanted. Many of those people are rather insecure about their application and feel it's the "safe" thing to do.
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Love to see real confidence on SDN! 👍
 
pathdr2b said:
Love to see real confidence on SDN! 👍
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I'm applying to ONE!!...
 
If you want to be ultimately cocky, don't apply to any schools and just count on some schools recruiting you based on your GPA and MCAT score (kind of like how athletes get recruited for sports.) I'd give you props if you had the guts to do that. 👍
 
Alexander99 said:
If you want to be ultimately cocky, don't apply to any schools and just count on some schools recruiting you based on your GPA and MCAT score (kind of like how athletes get recruited for sports.) I'd give you props if you had the guts to do that. 👍
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2 words: Med- Mar !!! :laugh:
 
oudoc08 said:
I applied to 4 schools and was accepted at 3. My stats? 32 MCAT 3.8 GPA.
Gutsy? I think not. I put my heart and soul into the application process, interviewed solidly and achieved what I wanted. And honestly, the school I didn't get into, was a school that was my 4th choice, where I had absolutely no desire to live, but I thought I better do it "just in case". It was also the only school where I filled out the secondaries rather hastily w/o nearly the thought put into the app. as if it had been one of my top choices.
My personal opinion is that when you apply to 20 schools as most of the previous posters suggest, you are most likely not putting your heart and soul into each app. but are merely applying as a crap shoot. Better I believe (unless your numbers and app. really suck) to pick where you want to go and apply only there. Despite what many people think, the adcoms aren't stupid, and don't have much difficulty identifying those who really want to attend their school vs. those who are shotgunning the process. Not to say that many of those people won't get in as well, but I believe you are justified in not wanting to waste a ton of money "just because" everybody likes to spend your money for you. Many of those people are rather insecure about their application and feel it's the "safe" thing to do.
Click to expand...

I don't know how you could possibly have known what your top choices where before you started the process. I thought I knew what my top choices were before I started applying but after all the interviews I had I ended up picking a school that wasn't on my raddar screen when I first applied, I just applied there "for the hell of it." It's really hard to have your mind made up about what school you want to go to before you start interviewing and seeing the different schools for yourself.
 
ZOT! ZOT! said:
Where, why, and with what stats? :scared: 😱
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Down South...Because I'm applying early decision...Phenomenal G.P.A. (God's Promise and Authority) Perfect MCAT! (My Christ is All That)...!!! He's just good like that!! 🙂
 
rhlmdmph2b said:
Down South...Because I'm applying early decision...Phenomenal G.P.A. (God's Promise and Authority) Perfect MCAT! (My Christ is All That)...!!! He's just good like that!! 🙂
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Now THAT"S what I'm talkin' 'bout! Yeah, Yeaaahhhhhh!! 👍
 
pathdr2b said:
Now THAT"S what I'm talkin' 'bout! Yeah, Yeaaahhhhhh!! 👍
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🙂 👍
 
oudoc08 said:
I applied to 4 schools and was accepted at 3. My stats? 32 MCAT 3.8 GPA.
Gutsy? I think not.
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Gutsy, if you live outside of oklahoma.
 
HollyJ said:
$50,000/year for the Texas schools? Sorry guys -- not even the out-of-staters pay anywhere near that much.

Anyway, if you're already applying to UTSW, I would go ahead and add several of the other Texas schools as well. It's the same application and it's really cheap, so you really don't have anything to lose for a little extra assurance. Also, all of the Texas schools (I believe) will let you pay in-state tuition after the first year. I would also apply to a couple more out of state reach schools as well.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Is the OP not a Texas resident? If not he/she should definitely add more schools. UTSW and (to a lesser extent) Baylor have really strong preferences for residents. Applying to more schools also gives you a chance to practice for the interviews at schools you are actually interested in. It's not extremely common, but there are always stories of people with similar numbers that are cocky when they apply and end up not getting in anywhere. I had similar numbers (slightly lower MCAT) and didn't get Baylor or UTSW. You don't want to be sitting on a bunch of waitlists next year wishing you had hedged your bets.

P.S. I think only Baylor allows students to switch to resident status after one year. For public Texas schools, you must be in the state for a year for nonacademic purposes. I know a bunch of people in my class at UTH who went to undergrad in state, lived in TX for 5 years, and still pay out of state tuition.
 
exmike said:
I've read the guys posts in other threads. He appears to be a coherent and articulate person. I dont know the details of the app or his interviewing skills though. The point is nothign in the process is a given.
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He's actually a good friend of mine. He's coherent, sane, and quite normal like anyone else. He said his interviews went well and I believe him. The one possible hole in his application is his few EC's. That probably hurt some, and might have cost him a few acceptences.

Anyway, the moral of the story is that 3 schools is just not enough.
 
I applied to 4 allopathic schools and I DO school. I got 2 acceptances and 1 waitlist.

I also applied in September of last year and I was still finishing up my secondaries in November. I did my interviews in Jan, Feb.
 
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