Too Many Schools?

[centralline]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Is it possible to apply to too many schools?
I was thinking about reapplying to a range of 30-40 schools, do you all think that is too many? I guess I'm worried that schools will know how many schools I applied to and look unfavorably on it. Do admissions committees know how many schools you applied to?

 

[premedmaybe]

Apply to as many as you want, but be prepared for the cost and work as well.

 

[vkhalsa]

Is it possible to apply to too many schools?
I was thinking about reapplying to a range of 30-40 schools, do you all think that is too many? I guess I'm worried that schools will know how many schools I applied to and look unfavorably on it. Do admissions committees know how many schools you applied to?

They can't see how many you've applied to but i've been asked during interviews. As a reapp i think 30 wouldn't be too many but i think 40 is definately pushing it. That's +/- 40 secondary essays you need to fill out.

 

[centralline]

Thanks guys,
I do understand what the workload is like. I applied to arround 20 this year, so I know what I'm getting myself into. I need to get in this year or my MCAT scores run out, which is something that I don't really want to think about. I'm going to fill out all of the secondaries and go to all of the interviews until I get in. Hopefully I can get a couple of early ones and an acceptance early in the cycle, which would save me some money. However, I am willing to spend the money and it means that much to me, so as long as more applications does not mean a decreased chance of an acceptance, I will apply to the places that I think I have a good shot at. Thank you for the replies, you answered my question. Good luck to everyone.

 

[Touchdown]

After applying at 20 for two years Im seriously thinking of cutting back my applications, if I dont get in this cycle, to schools I know I should get interviews at (ie the schools Ive gotten interviews this year) and a couple more and thats it. Of course next application cycle I will also be applying to DO schools.

 

[Spooner]

Is it possible to apply to too many schools?
I was thinking about reapplying to a range of 30-40 schools, do you all think that is too many? I guess I'm worried that schools will know how many schools I applied to and look unfavorably on it. Do admissions committees know how many schools you applied to?

You are not quite confident of your stat, aren't you?

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

Is it possible to apply to too many schools?
I was thinking about reapplying to a range of 30-40 schools, do you all think that is too many? I guess I'm worried that schools will know how many schools I applied to and look unfavorably on it. Do admissions committees know how many schools you applied to?

They don't know how many. According to a thread, the average number of schools is 20. If you apply to more, you're either applying to both DO and MD schools or you're playing the odds. That is a lot of schools...

 

[centralline]

I am definately playing the odds. I got 6 interviews this year and put on 4 waitlists, other than fixing the problems I see with my interviewing skills and application in general, I just want to increase my odds. And no, I am no longer confident in any of my statistics after my failure last year.

 

[Touchdown]

Just so you know, centralline, if you waitlisted after an interview its probably not your interviewing skills. If the interviewer doesnt think you would be a good fit for that school then they are going to reject you, you had a good interview, it just wasnt enough to overcome your deficits in other areas.

 

[silas2642]

Is it possible to apply to too many schools?
I was thinking about reapplying to a range of 30-40 schools, do you all think that is too many? I guess I'm worried that schools will know how many schools I applied to and look unfavorably on it. Do admissions committees know how many schools you applied to?

What are your stats, ec's, lors looking like? If they're solid, then I wouldn't apply to forty schools... way too expensive and you might get burned out and from all the secondaries as well as breaking the bank.

If you had six interviews, that indicates to me that there isn't really anything worng with your application, but that you might not interview well. Start doing some mock interviews and get some feedback on how you might improve.

 

[nebbione]

Like they say, half the battle is won before it begins. You can apply to 50 schools, but if they're all in the top 50 and that's not where you think you belong, it might not work out.

Consider choosing a list of 20 reasonable schools, if your statistics aren't changing.

I am definately playing the odds. I got 6 interviews this year and put on 4 waitlists, other than fixing the problems I see with my interviewing skills and application in general, I just want to increase my odds. And no, I am no longer confident in any of my statistics after my failure last year.

 

[Airzonk]

They can't see how many you've applied to but i've been asked during interviews. As a reapp i think 30 wouldn't be too many but i think 40 is definately pushing it. That's +/- 40 secondary essays you need to fill out.

I applied to 10 and reached my financial burden, 40 plus why not buy a seat it might be cheaper

 

[centralline]

I applied to 10 and reached my financial burden, 40 plus why not buy a seat it might be cheaper

I want to get in this year or it will cost me a lot more in the long run. I realize that finances often limit what some applicants can do, but that discussion was not the reason that I posted this thread.

On another note, picking 20 reasonable schools is not a bad idea. I think that my failure this year was probably due to losing the first "half of the battle" and applying to too many top ranked schools. Now I feel an urge to over-compensate the other direction and apply to a large number of schools that I would be very competitive at. I appreciate the advice from all of you. Thank you.

 

[abyssinianson]

i went with 22 carefully picked ones and it was right around the maximum of how much I could afford as far as applications, flight costs, accomodations, etc.. Applications do not come cheap and since you think about applying to all of those, just make sure you make the most of what you pay for and see the apps through, otherwise, you just might be wasting money on apps that you end up tossing because of fatigue, or you just realize that you don't like the school that much at all. Go with your budget and guage how much you can afford and intend to pursue with all your gusto.

 

[m0nkeymanxx]

it took me awhile but i narrowed it down to 25. i applied to 12 last time around with 4 interview and 4 waitlist. I must get in this year

 

[Sansfrontier]

If your wallet and hands to handle it, apply to as many schools as you want. When the cost adds up and secondaries are due around the same day,then you start feeling it.

 

[centralline]

it took me awhile but i narrowed it down to 25. i applied to 12 last time around with 4 interview and 4 waitlist. I must get in this year

I know exactly how you feel monkeymanxx, I applied to 15 and got 6 interviews. I got 5 waitlists, and I am waiting on 4 of those now (I had to drop the other one for other reasons). I feel like I applied to schools that were out of my league for the most part, and now I want to apply to mid-range schools.
Being a California resident really hurts because I can't seem to get any love from the UC system, but other schools seem to assume that I am staying in state. A big chunk of the 40 or so schools I am considering are UC schools, and, although I love them, I'm not sure I should apply to them after being almost completely ignored last year (then I can honestly say during the interview that I am not interested in staying in state, which was a common question this year).

 

[centralline]

If your wallet and hands to handle it, apply to as many schools as you want. When the cost adds up and secondaries are due around the same day,then you start feeling it.

I had about 15 to deal with last year Sansfrontier, which really wasn't that difficult to deal with in my opinion. The cost is an issue that I don't really want to think about, but I have enough money saved to deal with the big number. I am more concerned with making sure that I don't have to reapply, take the MCAT and sit around for another year after this one.

 

[PhDtoDO]

Hey,

If you're numbers are average or there is something in your stuff that you have to explain...apply to 40 schools. It's cheaper than having to reapply a third time, trust me.

Me...two years of waitlisting at every single school
MSPH
PhD
Knew this would be the last time I ever applied.

MD schools:29...3 interviews
DO schools:7...2 interviews

3 offers

Trust me, its worth saving your ego for a third round.
TUCOM 2010

 

[Medskool2006]

hey guys

Am an applicant from Canada, and I'm familiar with what you might cosider top med schools in the US. But I have no clue what is considered mid or 2nd tier or even 3rd tier. Can you guys please give me names of school that might fit in these categories.

 

[Sansfrontier]

Makes sense to me. The whole application process is not the most pleasant thing. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I had about 15 to deal with last year Sansfrontier, which really wasn't that difficult to deal with in my opinion. The cost is an issue that I don't really want to think about, but I have enough money saved to deal with the big number. I am more concerned with making sure that I don't have to reapply, take the MCAT and sit around for another year after this one.

 

[green thicket]

I know some adcoms and admission directors of med schools can call AMCAS and have certain options for their school on the AMCAS available for you to choose once you let them know of your interest in pursuing it, but in doing so does the adcom find out about the number of schools you are applying to or the fee that you paid in submitting the AMCAS?

 

[ry2140]

Is it possible to apply to too many schools?
I was thinking about reapplying to a range of 30-40 schools, do you all think that is too many? I guess I'm worried that schools will know how many schools I applied to and look unfavorably on it. Do admissions committees know how many schools you applied to?

No, admissions committees dont get a list of the schools you apply to. only you know the list (that and anyone else you tell). I'm applying to 31 schools, no hesitation. Two good friends of mine (1, is a Columbia P&S grad at UC-Davis ortho, other a 4th year here at P&S), both UC-Berkeley grads, applied to about 40 schools on the advice of their pre-med advisory commmittee. so do it up! and good luck!

 

[Dancing Doctor]

Just so you know, centralline, if you waitlisted after an interview its probably not your interviewing skills. If the interviewer doesnt think you would be a good fit for that school then they are going to reject you, you had a good interview, it just wasnt enough to overcome your deficits in other areas.

ive heard that some schools don't really do rejections post interview unless you are totally off-course. some places just waitlist everyone they don't want to accept and rank them. a school rarely takes many off the waitlist (30-40) and so the people ranked at the bottom of the list have really no chance of acceptance but they also aren't crushed by a rejection.

i could be wrong...that's just the rumor i heard...