How Many Medical Schools Should You Apply To?

Of the 51,946 medical school applicants in the 2024-25 school year, matriculated into a medical program, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. This 44.5% success rate is a slight increase from the previous year. Of the 51,946 medical school applicants in the 2024-25 school year, only 23,156 actually matriculated into a medical program, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Most premed students apply for around 15 programs, but you can always apply for more if you want. Statistically, the broader you cast your net, the higher your chances of being accepted. Before researching in depth “how many med schools is normal to apply to” or “is applying to 30 med schools too many,” or selecting as many schools as you can when submitting your application through the American Medical College Application Service^® (AMCAS^®), there are a few things to keep in mind.

Factors to Consider When Deciding How Many Schools to Apply To

There isn’t one specific academic profile that works for every med school, even if there are . As you start creating a list of target schools, thoroughly review each school’s mission statement as well as any GPA, Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT^®) score, and extracurricular activity requirements. Choosing schools with a mission that matches your goals and values can help you craft much more compelling and genuine personal and secondary essays.

Tools like the Medical School Admission Requirements^™ (MSAR^®) online database make reviewing this information across multiple schools much easier. At Ross University School of Medicine (Ross Med), we have an admissions assessment tool that allows potential applicants to gauge the competitiveness of their profile compared to the average Ross Med student. As a general rule, try to make your application as competitive as possible by gaining a diverse mix of clinical and research experiences. This showcases how well-rounded you are as a candidate, as well as your commitment to medicine.

While one school may have broad requirements for who can submit a recommendation letter on your behalf, another may be stricter. Ross Med, for example, requires one recommendation letter from a pre-medical professor or a college pre-health advisory committee and a second from an employer, a volunteer organization, or a physician familiar with your clinical work experience. Make sure to review these requirements beforehand so you know what kind of recommendation letters you need before mass-submitting your application.

Finding the Right Number of Schools to Apply To

As you start your list of potential schools, create two columns: target schools and reach schools. Your target schools should either match or be a very close match to your academic profile. For these schools, you know you have the grades, test scores, and experience to be a competitive applicant based solely on their average applicant profile. Your reach schools are just that—a reach. Your profile may fall below the average scores or grades of their typical student, but you’re still interested in them or their programs.

When researching the average applicant profile for each medical school using MSAR, see how your GPA, MCAT scores, and extracurricular experiences measure up to those of the average student at that school, and then sort each school accordingly on your list. Applying to a mix of these schools can help increase your chances of success.

Speaking with your pre-med advisors or mentors can also give you personalized insight based on your academic history and career goals. They can help you eliminate schools on your list based on your strengths and interests, as well as help create plans to strengthen your application. They can provide a neutral yet informed perspective on what’s both realistic and manageable for you.  

Also take into consideration that while applying to more schools gives you more options, it can also quickly become time-consuming and a financial strain. Try not to overextend yourself.

Building a Well-Rounded Medical School Application List

A well-rounded medical school application list strikes a balance between matching your profile and having programs and locations suited to your goals. If you want to stay close to your family throughout medical school, you may only look for a local Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. Keep in mind that some schools may limit the applications they accept to only in-state applicants because they’re more likely to stay local after graduation.

Pay close attention to what schools are looking for in applicants, be flexible where you can, and do your best to diversify the schools on your list. Don't be afraid to apply widely to increase your chances of landing a medical school interview. Apply to schools with programs that genuinely interest you and can, potentially, propel you closer to your goals.

Managing the Cost of Applying to Multiple Medical Schools

Although AMCAS can process applications for most medical schools, not every school uses this platform. Submitting applications through AMCAS comes with fees that can be waived if you qualify for the . For those who don’t qualify and plan on applying to medical school in 2025, the fee for the first application is $175, with each additional application costing $46. Depending on the school, there can also be a small fee to cover the cost of requesting your transcript and recommendation letters. Check with a school’s registrar to see if those fees apply to you. If you’re applying to a school that doesn’t use AMCAS, the costs may differ from what’s listed above.

If a school reaches out for a secondary essay, there is cost anywhere from $30 to $150, which the AAMC Fee Assistance Program may also cover if you qualify.

The most expensive part of the application process will likely be the medical school interviews. If a school is out of state, you’ll have to take time off from work and cover travel costs. If you don't have the appropriate interview attire, you’ll need to invest in professional outfits that contribute to a positive first impression.  

When creating a budget, keep in mind that travel costs aren’t the same for every interview, so make sure to plan your finances accordingly. Planning starts with deciding how you’ll travel to the school—for example, by plane or car—and if you’ll need to rent a car while you’re there. Review the nightly costs for hotels within walking and driving distance. Don’t forget to take into account the cost of food. Prioritize schools based on what you can afford and start putting as much money aside as you can before your interviews.

Strategies for Improving Your Chances of Getting Accepted

Instead of submitting a cookie-cutter application to every school on your list, take the time to customize each one. Tailoring your personal statement to each school’s mission and the impact it can have on your goals will help create a more compelling and unique application.

Reach out to professors and mentors who know your work ethic, dedication, qualifications, and character. They can write strong, personalized recommendations that truly speak to who you are as a person and what you can bring to a school.

Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to mentors or pre-med advisors to see if they can do mock interviews with you. This will give you a chance to work through your nerves, improve your interview skills, and grow more comfortable talking about yourself. Before these sessions, make a list of common interview questions, research each school’s mission statement and values, and practice explaining why you’re a great fit for the program and how it can elevate your goals.

Deciding Whether to Apply to Out-of-State Medical Schools

Out-of-state schools can broaden your options but may come with higher tuition costs and logistical challenges. However, they might offer unique programs or residency opportunities not available in your home state. Each medical school partners with different teaching hospitals and clinics. Research residency policies and match rates for each school on your list to get a better understanding of your chances and any potential hurdles you may face.

Where you attend medical school can influence your residency placements and professional network. Consider whether the school’s location aligns with your long-term career goals, particularly if you have a specific region or specialty in mind.

Ross Med students spend the first two years of their medical studies on the beautiful island of Barbados but return to the U.S. or Canada to complete their residencies. With a first-time residency attainment rate of 98% for our 2023-24 graduates,² we make sure our MD program offers the support and training to advance your dreams of becoming a physician.

There’s a lot to keep in mind when narrowing down the schools on your list. Have a question about our program we didn’t answer? Contact our admissions team for more information. When you’re ready to begin your medical school journey, you can easily upload your AMCAS application or apply directly on our site.

¹Source: ​​​​The Association of American Medical Colleges’ (AAMC) “Applicants, Matriculants, Enrollment, and Graduates to U.S. Medical Schools, 2015-2016 through 2024-2025” table; accessed January 16, 2025

²First-time residency attainment rate is the percent of students attaining a 2024-25 residency position out of all graduates or expected graduates in 2023-24 who were active applicants in the 2024 NRMP match or who attained a residency position outside the NRMP match.

The information and material contained in this article and on this website are for informational purposes only and should not be considered, or used in place of, professional medical advice. Please speak with a licensed medical provider for specific questions or concerns. Ross Med is not responsible for the information maintained or provided on third-party websites or external links.