How many schools to apply?

EvoViro
Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:30:29 +0000

The OP did specify biomedical sciences…

I think the fundamental thing I take issue with is when people apply to graduate school more to “stay on track” with their education and less because they have really found what they want to do. Having top numbers doesn’t make someone truly ready for grad school. Three or four years of undergraduate research and publications doesn’t necessarily either. When people apply to ten+ schools so they can “find the right fit” it’s an alarm bell for me. The top schools can afford to look past numbers for grounding, direction and confidence in applicants. If students don’t have that, then they might be wise to reconsider applying that year if they really want to succeed at a top school.

All to be taken with appropriate grains of salt… I know I’m one of the major supporters of taking time off between undergrad and grad school, and only applying when one has truly vetted the field of interest. If I had applied during undergrad two years ago, I’d have been one of those kids with top stats applying to many schools but left with few admission choices because I lacked that grounding and solid direction. Now, I will be heading to my top choice of UCSF in the fall, and can hit the ground running with my future PI.