# of programs on appl. list
By Guest on Thursday, 22 August 2002
Posted in Match Center
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Alright guys,

This has been discussed before, but it's important so I figured I should bring it up again.

I guess I'm in the shotgun camp of applying to a boatload of programs (50-60) and whittling down later when choosing interviews. It's the safest but also most expensive. At the same time, I don't want to waste money applying to places where there's NO shot (must rotate, etc.) I mean heh, if I cross even 5 programs off the list, that's probably at least 2 rounds of golf.

So...how' everyone deciding if a place is a "no shot in h$%&" program? There's a lot of rumors here about these places.

Word :roll smile:
I'm currently applying to 34 (whittled down from 45). My advisor recommended splitting my list into 3 tiers and applying to about 10 in each tier. This worked out good and I cut a couple from each tier that I knew I wouldn't be happy at (too much research, malignant, etc). Hopefully I won't freak out in a couple of weeks and add them all back. :smokin:
Guest
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23 years ago
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i was told to determine how strong of applicant I am and go from there. the stonger the applicant the fewer the programs. Here's the problem-- what is a strong applicant? judging from the posts in the past this is about as clear as a pint of guinness. anyway, guess its best to error on the side of modesty. that's my nickles worth, but am pretty sure i paid with a wooden one.
Guest
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23 years ago
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I am taking the approach of applying ot any program where I think I would be happy. I am staying away from programs with huge research requirments or reputations for malignancy. So far, I have a list of 44. I really don't see a reason to cut programs that I am not sure if I could get in, because I simply don't know. This is a pretty random process.

If I were you, I would apply to every progam where you think you be happy and narrow it down when it comes to interview time. It only costs an extra 20 bucks for each eras program. That is nothing compared to the thousands you have already dropped on your education.
Guest
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23 years ago
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Location, location, location. This was the advice given to me. I picked which region I'd like to live in, and will apply to all of those programs. This gives a wide range of programs, and I at least know I'll be happy about where I live. Right now I have 30 programs.... Besides, I'd like to have the local channels televising decent football games. :sick:
Guest
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23 years ago
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I agree with Ortho2003...I'm applying to 49 programs based on if I could be happy with that location and level of malignancy...
Guest
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23 years ago
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Apply to as many places as you can afford. It's a drop in the bucket compared to the money you've spent on your tuition etc.
Guest
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23 years ago
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When I went through the process, I used location as a guide for my applications. Where would I want to take my wife for five years and to start a family at? I applied to all programs in those areas and sat back and waited to see where I got interviews. I applied to 43 programs in 1993 (it's hard to believe it's been almost ten years) and received 20 interviews which is still about the average rate (50%) for your typical applicant.
Guest
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23 years ago
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As a recently matched candidate, I found (by straw poll), the number was closer to 35% for most of the people on the interview trail. It obviously depends on how many "reach" programs are in your denominator, but that was my experience.
Guest
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23 years ago
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