Why is applying to more than 10 schools too much?

[TeethRCool]

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It seems the general concensus on this forum is that applying to more than 10 dental schools is overboard. I don't get why that is? It seems that the average pre-med (correct me if I'm wrong) apply to at least 25-30 med schools hoping to get into just 1. So I don't get why pre-dents don't apply to more than 10? Don't we want want to increase our chances so that we don't have to reapply next year. If money isn't an issue and I'm a pretty strong applicant (3.65 gpa, 2 years shadowing a dentist, no DAT yet, etc.), is it ok if I apply to 20 dental schools? Any input would be very helpful! 🙂

 

[aggie-master]

It seems the general concensus on this forum is that applying to more than 10 dental schools is overboard. I don't get why that is? It seems that the average pre-med (correct me if I'm wrong) apply to at least 25-30 med schools hoping to get into just 1. So I don't get why pre-dents don't apply to more than 10? Don't we want want to increase our chances so that we don't have to reapply next year. If money isn't an issue and I'm a pretty strong applicant (3.65 gpa, 2 years shadowing a dentist, no DAT yet, etc.), is it ok if I apply to 20 dental schools? Any input would be very helpful! 🙂

I've heard plenty of stories on here about people that applied to more than 10 and only got accepted by one.

The main reason against is that the cost is so high because you'll be flying to interviews everywhere.

 

[TeethRCool]

I've heard plenty of stories on here about people that applied to more than 10 and only got accepted by one.

The main reason against is that the cost is so high because you'll be flying to interviews everywhere.

For example, you're only applying to 3 schools. I don't get why you don't apply to at least 10. It won't hurt to chip in a couple $100 just in case you don't get accepted to those 3 schools? Is it because you are very confident in your credentials. Btw, nice GPA!

 

[INFNITE]

if you can score 20s on your DAT's, you don't really need to apply to that many schools. It really depends on your overall stats. If you have a 3.1GPA and a score of 19 on the DAT's, obviously you'll want to apply to more schools because your stats are not very competitive but the situation is very different if you have a 3.6 and lets a DAT score of 22. In that case, more than likely you'll get into larger schools like NYU with no trouble, and you can just apply to a few schools that you would feel more comfortable in. The reason why less competitive applicants apply to a ton of school is because they just want to get in at least one school, and their stats don't necessarily guarantee that.

 

[xylashellx]

if you can score 20s on your DAT's, you don't really need to apply to that many schools. It really depends on your overall stats. If you have a 3.1GPA and a score of 19 on the DAT's, obviously you'll want to apply to more schools because your stats are not very competitive but the situation is very different if you have a 3.6 and lets a DAT score of 22. In that case, more than likely you'll get into larger schools like NYU with no trouble, and you can just apply to a few schools that you would feel more comfortable in. The reason why less competitive applicants apply to a ton of school is because they just want to get in at least one school, and their stats don't necessarily guarantee that.

i couldnt have put it better nice job

 

[crazy_sherm]

For example, you're only applying to 3 schools. I don't get why you don't apply to at least 10. It won't hurt to chip in a couple $100 just in case you don't get accepted to those 3 schools? Is it because you are very confident in your credentials. Btw, nice GPA!

Don't forget you'll need to fly out to each school for an interview, pay for hotel, and whatever else you might need. If you're doing anything at that time, school, work, etc, you'll need to find time to go. Of course applying to more schools will increase your chances, but there will be a certain point at which it's not that practical.

 

[bionerd]

i have about 3.6 sGPA, 3.7cGPA, 1 year shadowing dentist, no DAT yet but the kaplan diagnostic says i'm around 17s right now, just volunteered at a hospital last year for extracurricular and no clubs, not sure about how great my letters of rec will be, pretty OK personal statement from what I hear, I'm terrible at interviews (my voice shakes and hands get sweaty yuck!).....SO! what da ya think folks? should I chicken out and apply to a bunch more schools, or 10 is enough?

 

[muz]

i have about 3.6 sGPA, 3.7cGPA, 1 year shadowing dentist, no DAT yet but the kaplan diagnostic says i'm around 17s right now, just volunteered at a hospital last year for extracurricular and no clubs, not sure about how great my letters of rec will be, pretty OK personal statement from what I hear, I'm terrible at interviews (my voice shakes and hands get sweaty yuck!).....SO! what da ya think folks? should I chicken out and apply to a bunch more schools, or 10 is enough?

Aite GPA, shadowing cool, get the DATs out of the way (tear them apart), if ur getting 17 on the Kaplan shoot for 19's and you'll must probably beat a 20. If u dont feel the volunteering dont do it because everyone else does the same exact things (that doesnt make u anymore special). Clubs, but some type of leadership position is crucial. Interesting managerial stories are compelling and a great way to convince another person of your skills. Try to get your recommendation letters ASAP, when ur class is over get it from the prof. as fast as u can. Personal Statement is crucial because its the way they get to meet u before they actually do meet up. Make sure its PERSONAL and not generic...not the same old same old. INTERVIEW is what puts you over the top. Most dental schools want competent people that can interact with patients and deal with other humans. They dont want some computer geek or a bookworm that cant umm ahh speaaaak properly. So go out to your local coldstone's talk to the guy flippin the ice cream or the girl singing the song. Get outta your "comfort zone" of not speaking to random people. Do less formal, more impromptu practice aka random stuff like talking to some1 at the bus stop. You'll loose that nervousness the sweaty hands syndrome. Also try having the "f***it" mindset or that you have nothing to loose.

Bottomline i applied to ALOT of schools 15ish...got 5 GOOD interviews. 3 acceptances...one great. I had a 3.65 GPA, 20 AA, 22 PAT, leadership, awesome personal statement, shadowing, blah blah blah...

Dont worry about applying to alot of schools u have nothing to loose...its all an investment. PLus the trips and hotel stays can be more like vacation...yes it costs money but sometimes the experience is invaluable.

Have fun with the APP process...goodluck with the DATs use the KAPLAN facilities (practice the comp. practice exams and use the online resources).

 

[aggie-master]

For example, you're only applying to 3 schools. I don't get why you don't apply to at least 10. It won't hurt to chip in a couple $100 just in case you don't get accepted to those 3 schools? Is it because you are very confident in your credentials. Btw, nice GPA!

As a Texas resident, those three schools are the ones that are most likely to accept me. I don't want to spend the money on hotels, plane trips, cab fair, etc. associated with going to an out of state interview if it is not necessary. If I don't get in this year, I'll apply to more schools next year. I also work full time and I've depleted my vacation time shadowing dentists, going to class, and studying for tests on some exam days. I don't have enough vacation to go to 10 interviews because each interview will require me to miss at least 1 day of work.

btw, I do feel confident that I'll get in. At my school, 100% of applicants from last year with a 3.5 GPA or better that applied through our pre-health advising office were admitted to at least one school. Most of those people applied only to the three Texas schools like I am.

 

[Dr. Pedo]

if you can score 20s on your DAT's, you don't really need to apply to that many schools. It really depends on your overall stats. If you have a 3.1GPA and a score of 19 on the DAT's, obviously you'll want to apply to more schools because your stats are not very competitive but the situation is very different if you have a 3.6 and lets a DAT score of 22. In that case, more than likely you'll get into larger schools like NYU with no trouble, and you can just apply to a few schools that you would feel more comfortable in. The reason why less competitive applicants apply to a ton of school is because they just want to get in at least one school, and their stats don't necessarily guarantee that.

well stated.

 

[prez_al]

I agree, I plan to apply to 15+ schools; but then I wouldn't know which interviews to give up if it became impossible to attend all of them, plus the amount of air travel scares me (seeing myself flying from NY to LA the same day *shudders*). But how did you guys manage the interview schedule while attending classes?

 

[EmanUT]

It will be a hard fall semester coming up, but everyone is in the same boat. We will be interviewing, the med kids will be interviewing, etc. I think that if we discuss everything with the professors at the beginning of the semester, they have to be understanding. Chances are we are one of many of their students who will be out of town a lot and they will most likely be flexible with us. Good luck everyone!

 

[INFNITE]

Prez, I don't even know why you are applying to 15 schools...with your stats, even 10 is a bit too much. 3.8 GPA and 22 DAT are both well above national average. Your PAT score isn't great, but I really doubt that would have that much of an impact.

The key IMO is to research what schools fits in your range, and not just blindly state "oh I'm gonna apply to Harvard and Howard just for the heck of it" I applied to like 5 schools and had two interviews (actually three interview invites, but declined one of them), two acceptances and one non-interview acceptance (NYU). So I missed a total of 1 day of class (the other interview was during study week for final exams), so my academics didn't suffer. I had two acceptances out of 5 and I don't even have the most amazing stats. I basically cherrypicked which schools I would really love to attend, and I thought to myself, if I don't get in any school this year, then I'll apply to more schools the next year. I was confident that I could get in, and I got in NYU without an interview on 12/1 even with a relatively late application (they received my full app end of october). Applying to 15 schools really is a waste of money and is unnecessary if you put more effort into researching which schools you can realistically get in.

 

[prez_al]

Well, it's just hard to figure out which school is best for you really... I mean, I can't just tour all the private schools before I apply, and if I did do that, I wouldn't be in this situation. Also, considering I'm applying as an international student, I need to apply to more places since I have the misfortune of possibly paying crazy out of state tuition, so I figure if I get to "cherry pick" schools during December, I can find one that's best for me (given factors such as educational quality, reputation and cost).