A lot of these plans sound good.
Couple of points - make sure to apply early. Part of this comes from the "rolling admissions" idea. Part of this comes from my direct experience that, as you are all probably applying to many schools, eventually something will go wrong - AMCAS doesn't verify quickly, late LOR letter, that sort of thing. Applying early will give you breathing room for inevitable snags.
2nd point - Make sure these plans are attainable. Many of you will have a lot going on. Can you do all of it? Be honest. If you can't, is there something you can drop without:
- looking bad (proposed letter-writer gets P.O.'ed because you have to break a obligation)
- missing out on a good opportunity (have to drop a productive and lucrative research job)
- you hamstring yourself (don't have enough time to apply to as many schools as you need to in order to give yourself a shot at getting in).
Don't take on so much that you cannot accomplish your goal of getting an acceptance. If you have family obligations (you are a father, etc.), those come first.
Build into your plans specific break-points where you can step back and re-evaluate your progress. "I think I'm getting too stressed out at date such and such, I know I can drop this obligation without losing anything."
Best of luck to everyone in the new year.