i 've always had the theory that the averages for med schools are also reflective of variances within individual applicants' applications.
for example, do many of the schools like finch w/about 3.4/29 avg stats accept plenty of ppl. w/ 3.7 and 24, and plenty ppl. w/3.1 and 34? it seems like that sort of variance is pretty realistic (both of the 'imaginary' applicants above are gonna be crippled by one half of their stats, but when you avg. them together. . .
you get the avg. applicant at a school like finch.)
at least, that's what i'm banking on. ..
just a disclaimer, as i said before, this is just a little theory that i thought up in my little mind; it has *no* real validity whatsoever, but i'd be interested to know what others think.