Shotgunning—I'm very confused

austinmshauri
Mon, 29 Jun 2020 12:41:21 +0000

Don’t we all tell people who end up going to safety schools that it’s up to them to make the most of their education, not the university? So, when people endorse this ideology but then turn around and say, “don’t apply to all 8 ivies”, isn’t it a bit hypocritical? Or are they just trying to make those people who are going to safety schools happier?

Why would that be hypocritical? How well you do at any college is up to you, but the Ivies and top 15 colleges (as ranked by USNews) aren’t safeties for anybody. It doesn’t matter if you think you could be happy at any of them. The chances of getting in are still small.

It’s not a good idea to apply to 23 colleges based solely on their position on a ranking chart created by someone else. If you’re intent on pursuing premed there are lots of things you should consider when choosing where you do your undergrad, but I don’t believe prestige is one of them. But apply to all of them if you want. Just make sure your list has a safety or two that you’d genuinely be happy to attend.