<p>Say you wanted to become a doctor and were 100 percent sure about it? Would it be better to apply to about four or five decent/prestigious BS/MD programs as a high schooler, or would it be better to apply to 10-12 programs that you aren't sure about?</p>
<p>Well assuming you are correct when you say “you wanted to become a doctor and were 100 percent sure about it” (which is a very huge leap of faith at the age of 18, by the way), no matter how many programs you decide to apply to, it’s more important to have good/prestigious programs rather than programs that you aren’t sure about. Those who have applied to programs they weren’t sure about or did not research well enough in advance end up just for the perk of getting a seat at a med school were quite disappointed later as they ended up stuck at a place they didn’t end up liking.</p>
<p>One Example - Let’s say you are interested in Radiation Oncology, and you enter a Bachelor/MD program. Then when you get to the medical school, you find out there is no Radiation Oncology department or residency program available at your school. That will put you at a serious disadvantage, later on as those who DO have a it, will be able to connect with faculty, do research, etc. Yes, you can do audition electives at other places, but then you only have contact for 1 month when others have years of contact.</p>
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<li>Maybe 3.</li>
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<p>honestly, you should never have your sights set on something so specific as radiation oncology as an 18 year old as most kids who enter med school wanting to do one thing will probably leave their med school wanting to do their residency in something complete different.</p>
<p>All BS/MD programs are prestigious. I’d say choose 10-12 programs you’re not sure about</p>