MSAR statistic to use for chosing OOS schools?

[gordony]

What statistic is optimal for choosing OOS schools to apply to?
i.e. Interview IS/Interview OS, Matriculants OS/Interviews OS, etc.

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[woltej1]

Look at the raw stats, GPA and MCAT. Then look at how OOS applicants fair. So % of class that is OOS and % of applicants that result in interviews. Then look into how the school personally fits with you. Do they have a stated focus on say rural or family practice, serving a certain area, etc. If the stats are good, they are fairly kind to OOS and the school seems like a good fit and you legitimately would go there if accepted, then apply.

 

[RikaN]

I looked at what percentage of total interviews are given to OOS applicants: (# OOS interviews offered) / (Total # OOS interviews + # IS interviews). I applied to upwards of 40 schools and just realized I did not get an interview at any public OOS school where this percentage was below ~30%.

(Also I did not bother applying to any public OOS school where this percentage was below 20% in the first place. I vaguely remember UMass, UC-Davis, and UMDNJ falling under this cutoff as well as others)

 

[breakintheroof]

Look at the raw stats, GPA and MCAT. Then look at how OOS applicants fair. So % of class that is OOS and % of applicants that result in interviews. Then look into how the school personally fits with you. Do they have a stated focus on say rural or family practice, serving a certain area, etc. If the stats are good, they are fairly kind to OOS and the school seems like a good fit and you legitimately would go there if accepted, then apply.

When looking at the raw stats, don't forget that state schools are likely to have greater competition for OOS spots, and therefore expect stats for OOS applicants to be a little higher.

The University of Michigan's applicant tracker illustrates this for this year's accepted class. Significantly higher MCAT average for accepted OOS applicants, though the average GPAs are the same.

 

[gordony]

I looked at what percentage of total interviews are given to OOS applicants: (# OOS interviews offered) / (Total # OOS interviews + # IS interviews). I applied to upwards of 40 schools and just realized I did not get an interview at any public OOS school where this percentage was below ~30%.

(Also I did not bother applying to any public OOS school where this percentage was below 20% in the first place. I vaguely remember UMass, UC-Davis, and UMDNJ falling under this cutoff as well as others)

off topic but This has to be one of the clearest, concise and helpful responses to a question. thanks.