Thoughts on applying to a large number of schools?

[futureapppsy2]

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I'm putting together a list of programs that would be potentially good fits (right clinical/research balance, good POI matches). Depending on who's taking students next cycle, I'm considering applying to somewhere in the range of 30 Clinical or Counseling PhD programs, 3 or 4 funded PsyD programs, 2 or 3 unfunded PsyD programs, and maybe a masters program or two for about 35-40 total applications, 30-35 or those to doctoral programs. I'm not a particularly stand-out candidate, but I'll hopefully be applying with a good GPA, decent GREs, some clinical work, and a good amount of research experience, much of it relevent to my interests. I'm not just scatter shooting applications--for every potential POI, I can tie my interests and past research experience into thiers.

I strongly want to get into a program next cycle, so I'm not particularly averse to applying to a large number of schools, though I waiver back and forth on applying to unfunded PsyD programs. Except for maybe one or two schools (Michigan, which would be a good match but is perhaps too research-oriented for my tastes), I'm not applying to the "tippy-top" research schools, which I know means close to zilch in this field where every funded program is ultra-competitive. Looking at my list now, though, it does contain some very competitive schools (DePaul, U Minnesota *Counseling*. Alabama, Vermount, North Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming, etc.) as well as some *slightly* less competitive ones--which, yes, I know would still be reaches--that I would still *love* to attend (Southern Mississippi Counseling, Oklahoma State Counseling, Lehigh Counseling, Galludet Clinical, NMSU Counseling, Our Lady of the Lake Counseling, etc).

I've noticed that most people here seem to apply to about 12-15 schools. Has anyone here applied to a large number of schools? Why or why not (other than the application, GRE, and transcript fees, which I shudder at but would be willing to pay)? Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

 

[Cigolon]

imho, it's not worth applying to that many. it's super expensive at that rate first of all and second of all, if you dont get in with about 20-25 total (which is still a large number), i dont expect that the other 10 will be that different. 30 schools (assuming 60 bucks a pop plus gre fees) would land you somewhere in the range of 2000 bucks outright. much less if your school charges for transcripts.

your best bet is to find programs that match your interests and where you fit in. then make sure that you have the needed stuff to pass their preliminary scans (gre,gpa, etc). make sure you have a strong research basis and just apply from there. if you are thinking of doing it next year, the best thing imho is to try and get your name on a publication or two. that makes you stand out from a lot of the other people.

 

[cara susanna]

I know a lot of people who have applied to around 20 programs, so that number isn't so weird to me.

 

[SourPatchKid]

Even beyond cost - each application is different. Really, you only have a few months between when you find out if a professor is accepting students the next year (august or sept) to when applications are due (dec and jan). I don't think it's possible to do 30 quality applications in that amount of time. I think you're better off narrowing your list down and writing some excellent statements, rather than potentially writing 30 not-so-excellent statements.

in my opinion...🙂

 

[Cigolon]

you only have a few months between when you find out if a professor is accepting students the next year (august or sept) to when applications are due (dec and jan).

thats not entirely true in my experience. i started emailing professors back in may and selected my schools based on who was taking students for the following year then.

 

[blindblonde]

thats not entirely true in my experience. i started emailing professors back in may and selected my schools based on who was taking students for the following year then.

Hrm...I have to say, you are rare for doing that. I've heard a few people who have managed to complete their applications by August (to apply for the following fall), and kudos if you can do that. Still, in my experience for 2 application cycles, many professors won't know if they are taking students or what funding that will be available until Sept.-Oct. In addition, many schools will not have the new application ready until at least August.

Yes, there are some things you can prep in advance: CV, GREs, Statements for each school, etc. In fact, I strongly encourage doing these tasks earlier in the summer when you have more time (particularly your statement). But the actual time it takes to get everything together does take a while, and I think it is a valid point when you applying to a lot of schools. I mean, it took me most of my summer (in addition to my research and such) just looking up schools, reading research by certain faculty, and figuring out if I wanted to apply there.

My bottom line on # of schools that you apply to is this: 1) apply to schools where you know you have a good research match and 2) apply to schools that you would attend if you were accepted. Seriously think about this second point, because sometimes it is easily to think "I'll go anywhere for five years, so long as I get it in!" Be honest with yourself and it will save you time and money. Anyways, if you have the money and you love all 30 schools, then fine. To me, I felt like when I applied the first time, I added schools on my list for the sake of adding schools to fit the 10-15 benchmark. Only you can judge how many schools you need to apply to.

Good luck!

 

[Cigolon]

Hrm...I have to say, you are rare for doing that. I've heard a few people who have managed to complete their applications by August (to apply for the following fall), and kudos if you can do that. Still, in my experience for 2 application cycles, many professors won't know if they are taking students or what funding that will be available until Sept.-Oct. In addition, many schools will not have the new application ready until at least August.

Yes, there are some things you can prep in advance: CV, GREs, Statements for each school, etc. In fact, I strongly encourage doing these tasks earlier in the summer when you have more time (particularly your statement). But the actual time it takes to get everything together does take a while, and I think it is a valid point when you applying to a lot of schools. I mean, it took me most of my summer (in addition to my research and such) just looking up schools, reading research by certain faculty, and figuring out if I wanted to apply there.

My bottom line on # of schools that you apply to is this: 1) apply to schools where you know you have a good research match and 2) apply to schools that you would attend if you were accepted. Seriously think about this second point, because sometimes it is easily to think "I'll go anywhere for five years, so long as I get it in!" Be honest with yourself and it will save you time and money. Anyways, if you have the money and you love all 30 schools, then fine. To me, I felt like when I applied the first time, I added schools on my list for the sake of adding schools to fit the 10-15 benchmark. Only you can judge how many schools you need to apply to.

Good luck!

Oh. I agree. I did get a very early start and there were one or two professors who were not sure if they were going to have funding, although a majority did know by mid-late may. i'm sort of obsessive like that however. i just wanted to toss out there that it is possible to look into professors earlier if you know what you want. they don't always know, but sometimes (or mostly in my experience) they do. others millage may vary.

either way, i agree with you that the best thing to do is make sure you produce a quality application for each program though.

 

[psybee]

i applied to a "normal" number of programs (11), except that i limited myself geographically, so by applying to 11 in one commutable area I applied to literally all of the clinical and counseling PhD programs in the area. And what I found is that while I got a lot of interviews, two things happened:
1) my interviews really shook up how i viewed the programs and ranked them in my head,
2) and in the end i was accepted to all the programs i matched really well with. not just in terms of stats, but really in terms of research interests, view of the field, personality type.

i got some interviews at schools i applied to just cause i felt "if i got in there i'd go" but you know, i personally no longer felt that way after the interview. none of those schools struck me as awful or anything, but it's so so much work, you just pour your heart and soul into it, and i ended up feeling that i wanted to do that at a program i was really excited about.

so, from my expereince of applying perhaps too broadly, i'd say: only apply to programs you're really excited about and that you really fit with, from what you can tell--you are more likley to get into those, from my experience, than a school that you are a "meh" fit at, even if all your stats are way above the avg accepted ones. at least make a list of just those and see how you feel about adding any others. just my cents!

 

[futureapppsy2]

Thanks.

With maybe two or three exceptions where the fit is a tad marginal, I really would be excited to work with these POIs. As for the application essays, I've considered that, but (and this is going to sound really arrogant, which is *really* not my intent), I write both well (according to professors, advisers, etc.--I don't believe anyone can judge their own writing well) and fairly quickly, so while thirty applications might not be the funnest thing in the world, I think if I started early, it would be doable.

 

[lucyguard]

Thanks.

With maybe two or three exceptions where the fit is a tad marginal, I really would be excited to work with these POIs. As for the application essays, I've considered that, but (and this is going to sound really arrogant, which is *really* not my intent), I write both well (according to professors, advisers, etc.--I don't believe anyone can judge their own writing well) and fairly quickly, so while thirty applications might not be the funnest thing in the world, I think if I started early, it would be doable.

It cannot be stressed enough how we usually underestimate the amount of work that goes into the application process. Also consider the interview travel expenses. Think plane tickets, hotels (in some cases), dinners, etc.

If you are an excellent applicant with high GREs, GPAs, research experience, etc, than you just don't need 30 schools. You can get a couple of acceptances by doing a good job matching yourself. If your stats are not that hot, then again you don't need 30 schools. In that case only apply to the ones that are a realistic shot in terms of stats. The old idea that maybe the POI will be so excited with your interests that he will overlook your GRE might work for one school but certainly not many. In that case, pick one, maybe 2 long shot schools (just in case) and then focus on cutting down your list to places where your stats match they applicant data. It will save you time and money!

 

[irish80122]

My advice is to apply to as many programs are you are a good match for and that you would like to go to. I realized after I applied that I applied (and even interviewed) at several schools I didn't want to go to but I wanted to have 10 schools. It makes no sense to apply to a school where you won't go if you won't get in. If they are good matches and you would go, then you may as well apply since it is such a selective process. If not, trust that it is all about match and your interviews will likely only be from schools where you have a strong match regardless of how many you apply to.

Good luck!

 

[JockNerd]

Having an initial list of 30-35 isn't that odd. It's going to come way down once you knock off POIs who are going on sabbatical, are not taking students, are gearing up for retirement, etc. As Cigolon intelligently remarked, though, if you don't get into 20 the other 10 probably won't be different.

It's pretty standard to tier programs, i.e. to apply to 2 longshots, 8 solid chances, and 2 tolerable but not ideal places.

 

[deleted176373]

It cannot be stressed enough how we usually underestimate the amount of work that goes into the application process. Also consider the interview travel expenses. Think plane tickets, hotels (in some cases), dinners, etc.

If you are an excellent applicant with high GREs, GPAs, research experience, etc, than you just don't need 30 schools. You can get a couple of acceptances by doing a good job matching yourself. If your stats are not that hot, then again you don't need 30 schools. In that case only apply to the ones that are a realistic shot in terms of stats. The old idea that maybe the POI will be so excited with your interests that he will overlook your GRE might work for one school but certainly not many. In that case, pick one, maybe 2 long shot schools (just in case) and then focus on cutting down your list to places where your stats match they applicant data. It will save you time and money!

No offense, but I think you are wrong here. There are exceptions where it's prudent to apply to 30 (or so schools.) In my case, in order to become a military psychologist, I HAD to be under the age cutoff at the end of graduate school to apply for a military internship or gain admission to USUHS, a second year of delay would have surely put me outside the window to qualify. It was that critical to get into a program.

Now before you go questioning my stats, I had 3 semesters of research in a lab, an honors thesis, 1300 GRE, and a perfect 4.0 GPA. The first year I applied to 15 programs with NO admittances, 2 interview offers, and could only attend 1 interview due to weather shutting down O'Hare. It was do or die the next year, either I would get in, or I would need to really re-evaluate my plan. I decided to spend nearly 3,000 dollars on application fees and the like. Out of the 27 applications, I recieved 14 interview offers, attended 8 interviews, and got 3 acceptances. That's not all that great until you consider I got my 1st and 5th choices along with another mid pack.

End result? I accomplished, at great cost in time, money, and effort, what I intended to accomplish and I am in a position that many graduate students (and potential students) would be envious of. I don't regret doing it, but 27 programs was overkill... which then again was the whole point. I wanted to be sure to gain admittance. I did.

On the otherhand, in my cohort is a woman who applied to one program.

Mark

 

[deleted176373]

I don't think it's possible to do 30 quality applications in that amount of time.

in my opinion...🙂

LOL, You are wrong.... It does take a spreadsheet track and the desire to make it your full time job however.

Mark