How Many Medical Schools Should You Apply To? [Episode 607]

Send Harold your questions! The Admissions Straight Talk podcast is back with a fresh look, and new host! After retiring this summer, Accepted founder Linda Abraham turned the podcast reigns over to Accepted admissions expert Dr. Valerie Wherley. In this week's episode, Valerie talks with Dr. Herman "Flash" Gordon, Accepted medical school consultant and former admissions committee chair at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Valerie and Flash discuss a question we hear almost daily from medical school applicants: How many med schools should I apply to? They discuss target ranges, the importance of fit, and the truth about "reach schools" and "safety schools." 00:00 Welcome to the Admissions Straight Talk podcast 00:37 Welcome Dr. Herman "Flash" Gordon 02:13 How many med schools should you apply to? 03:25 The importance of fit 06:02 School choice: Beyond GPA and MCAT scores 10:08 Alignment with school's missions 12:49 Reach, attainable, and safety schools Related Resources Medical School Selectivity Index , a free tool Medical School Secondary Essay Tips Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Gordon Related Shows How to Overcome the Biggest Weaknesses in Med School Applications [Episode 605] Inside Pitt Med School: Innovations in Medical Education [Episode 602] Navigating Admissions at the University of Washington School of Medicine [Episode 601] Inside Geisinger Med School Admissions with Dr. Michelle Schmude [Episode 600]

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How Many Medical Schools Should You Apply To? [Episode 607] is an episode from Admissions Straight Talk by Linda Abraham.

This episode is 18:55 long.

This episode was published on Sep 18, 2025.

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