The most dangerous advice you'll get as a premed is the advice that feels good -- the well-intentioned kind that everyone around you repeats. But a lot of it lowers your odds of ever becoming a doctor, and you won't notice until it's too late.
So let's break down the med school admissions myths that feel reassuring but keep you stuck.
1. Apply Like Everyone Else
The first myth is to apply like everyone else, meaning 15 to 20 medical schools, and to avoid going wider because the secondaries will destroy you. It feels safe because it's manageable and everyone repeats it, and it validates that overwhelming feeling by giving you permission to stop early.
But average effort produces average results. If the average acceptance rate is 40-45%, that average strategy results in many rejections. For most applicants, your odds improve meaningfully at 25 to 30 schools before the benefit levels off. It's optionality, almost like buying insurance.
