Why is the MSAR scary and how do I make it not scary?

[DurgaRangoli]

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I only plan on reapplying to about 5 schools and my only red flags were that I applied super late and applied too top heavy, and I still managed to get an interview. Would you still recommend applying to upwards of 40 schools even though I will be a first time applicant at 30-35 of them?

People will tell you not to, but if I were you, I would apply to as many as you can afford. You don't want to have to apply a third time. It's all so random, give yourself the best chance possible.

 

[orangeman25]

Anyone know how to use the 10th and 90th percentile data on MSAR and calculate what percentile your own gpa and mcat is? I know it's using some statistics but I'm clueless

 

[DokterMom]

Anyone know how to use the 10th and 90th percentile data on MSAR and calculate what percentile your own gpa and mcat is? I know it's using some statistics but I'm clueless

You can't get there from here.
In other words, you have no way of knowing from those data points where people are clustered within that spectrum. The Median would help, but still, you'd really just be guessing.

 

[milski]

You can't get there from here.
In other words, you have no way of knowing from those data points where people are clustered within that spectrum. The Median would help, but still, you'd really just be guessing.

You can assume a Gaussian distribution and probably will come close enough for most practical purposes. Considering that the MSAR has the median, knowing if you're in the 10-50% bucket vs 50-90% is probably more than enough. I cannot imagine knowing the percentile of your numbers for that school with more precision being of great use.

 

[I Love Cats]

I only plan on reapplying to about 5 schools and my only red flags were that I applied super late and applied too top heavy, and I still managed to get an interview. Would you still recommend applying to upwards of 40 schools even though I will be a first time applicant at 30-35 of them?

Bro, you don't have true red flags. I was a re-applicant. I applied to only 9 freaking M.D. schools, and I was given 7 interviews during my re-application cycle. My first failed cycle, I applied late and wrote a crappy app., and I applied to 10 M.D. schools and only got 2 interviews. My second cycle, those same two schools interviewed and rejected me again, but I had 5 others, and I will be an M.D. in 2018. If anything you might be sexier as a re-applicant.

Our LizzyM scores are equal: ~70. I just have a higher GPA and lower MCAT. It was the same MCAT and GPA for both cycles.

Do not apply to 40. Most people who do, will either put a gun in their mouth before they finish or just give up and end up having wasted $1,000 bucks. Pick 20, and good luck even finishing those up entirely once the secondaries flood in. Please do select more schools though outside of the one(s) that interviewed you during your first cycle. I find that schools who interviewed you prior may be inclined towards rejecting you even harder the second time (e.g. not even waitlisting you the second time); however, the schools that only rejected you pre-interview (post-secondary) are much more forgiving and interested the second time around, ESPECIALLY when the rejections were likely due to you simply applying late the first time around. When you apply late, hundreds of other people just like you get looked at first and take up your "Caliber of applicant" interview spot.

 

[Reckoner]

I think 40 schools is way too conservative. If you're truly dedicated, you'll take the streampaw approach: http://streampaw.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-beginning-of-dark-road.html?m=1

I figured, if I apply to 110 schools, it will take about (110*150)= $16,500. If I get invited to 40 interviews, it will take about an extra $20,000, assuming each plane ticket is around $500. Plus, if I get more interviews, I'll just use mileage or something. I cannot risk reapplying, so I must throw all in.