Wish I would have applied to more reach schools

[aspiringdoc007]

Does anybody else with an acceptance or two wish they would have applied to more reach schools? I was really worried about getting in, and now that I am in I wish I had some more reach schools.

Please don't take this wrong. I bet a bunch of people are going to yell at me and say be grateful that you got in somewhere. I would appreciate it if people don't get upset by this post.

I just want to know if others out there were like me and probably didn't have enough confidence to apply to many of the top schools.

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[wampeter]

yikes... prepare for the wrath of SDN...

I have good, but not stellar stats. Applied to a decent amount of schools, many which would be classified as "reach" schools (at least that's what my premed adviser said). I was lucky enough to get accepted at a program that I would be very psyched to attend, however most of the "reach" schools haven't said a peep to me since i handed them a check. I'm grateful for the position I am in right now w/ a couple acceptances, but I certainly don't think applying to more reach schools would have done more then drain my bank account!

 

[Sir Buckethead]

Live and learn. Grats on the acceptances.

 

[aspiringdoc007]

Good points. I mean, I have gotten into good schools, but I wish I could take back my application from my 3 "safety" schools and apply to 3 more "reach" schools.

I do have interviews at 2 of my reach schools, but more is better.

And I hope I don't feel the wrath of SDN, but I'm sure I will.

 

[Dendrite]

Having had a couple of acceptances already, I actually wish I hadn't applied to as many schools as I did... would've saved me a nice chunk of change. Makes me feel like I should've cut the number of schools by half.

Although it'd be nice to see how I stand with schools like NYU.

 

[btc8]

Good points. I mean, I have gotten into good schools, but I wish I could take back my application from my 3 "safety" schools and apply to 3 more "reach" schools.

I do have interviews at 2 of my reach schools, but more is better.

And I hope I don't feel the wrath of SDN, but I'm sure I will.

Oh cripes... Can't you just be happy that you got in to one..no, wait, you got in to MORE than one. Some people haven't gotten into any; many with excellent records. I am in no way implying that you don't have an excellent record; on the contrary, you must have a stellar one for getting into so many schools so soon. Congratulations.

However, just keep in perspective that you're being a tad selfish.😀

 

[45408]

Don't worry about it. I applied to a number of reach schools and didn't hear a peep from them. I got interviews from the three schools I wanted to interview at the most, and I got accepted at two and waitlisted at a third (which was a reach school). The others were silent until the March 15th rejection letter.

You probably just saved yourself plenty of money.

 

[45408]

However, just keep in perspective that you're being a tad selfish.😀

Please. Everyone would like to get into the best school that they're able to get into (which might just be one school), and if you sell yourself short, you might wonder what you might have been able to do otherwise. Some people achieve a lot in college and would like to see tangible results of their labor in the form of acceptances to good schools.

 

[btc8]

Please. Everyone would like to get into the best school that they're able to get into (which might just be one school), and if you sell yourself short, you might wonder what you might have been able to do otherwise. Some people achieve a lot in college and would like to see tangible results of their labor in the form of acceptances to good schools.

It's called being practical: For every 'aspiring' pre-med, there's ten others out there who are better. An MD is an MD.

 

[Phoenix.]

Yup. When I applied in June I didn't have the confidence to apply to Mayo (a friend talked me out of it since she said I really wouldn't have a chance). I regretted not applying, added Mayo at the end of September, and got an interview invite. It's not an acceptance, but at least I won't have any regrets now. Live and learn I guess.

 

[Gut Shot]

Does anybody else with an acceptance or two wish they would have applied to more reach schools? I was really worried about getting in, and now that I am in I wish I had some more reach schools.

Please don't take this wrong. I bet a bunch of people are going to yell at me and say be grateful that you got in somewhere. I would appreciate it if people don't get upset by this post.

I just want to know if others out there were like me and probably didn't have enough confidence to apply to many of the top schools.

As others have said, that's life. There is an arbitrary element to the admissions process that is very difficult to account for. If you've had good luck with your choices then congrats. There is absolutely no guarantee that applying to more reach schools would have netted you anything, except more expense. An acceptance in the hand is worth 125 in the bush.

Perhaps it would help if you reframed this in your mind. Just consider the people who have the opposite problem: applied to too many reach schools in spite of contrary advice. There are probably quite of few of those individuals drifting around, unconsciously getting accustomed to a new label: "reapplicant."

 

[Blade28]

Do you know why this is going to turn into an ugly thread?

Because many SDN pre-meds are either getting rejection after rejection letter, or haven't heard from many schools yet.

Because many will feel that complaining about the acceptances you've already received is gloating, boasting, etc. (no matter how unfair this may be)

Because they'll group this thread into the same category as the "I have a 3.8/36 what are my chances?" or "I just got my first A- of my college career what should I do?" threads (again, as unfair as that may be)

Because - and again, this may not be your intent - it sounds like you're being over-confident and cocky, and are now wondering if you should have applied to tougher schools given your recent success

Because, in the end, what are you looking for? Others to pipe in and say, yes, I also wished I'd applied higher - will that ease your regret? Make you feel better? Satisfy your curiosity?

Truly, I understand your plight - I'm well aware of the neurotic tendencies of the SDN pre-med. But surely you've browsed these forums enough to know how this thread will turn out.

And one of my pet peeves - please don't refer to any med school as a "safety" school.