1) Pre-med committee - I really feel for you guys who seem to have less than helpful pre-med advisors. I couldn't be happier with mine. They not only gave me the rundown of everything I needed to get done (w/ detailed deadlines) but also would routinely review my application and email me suggestions about things I could improve. They proofread essays, do mock interviews, set up shadowing opportunities, and answer your emails in a timely fashion.
2) Google - Lots of great info on the web, including the AAMC website as well as the websites of the schools you want to apply to. Disclaimer: You need a good BS detector.
3) SDN - see disclaimer for #2, I found SDN helpful for some things, but not really for the fundamentals. Things I found helpful:
a) The interview feedback forum
b) Seeing the essay prompts for previous years (which unfortunately I found out too late that they don't really change year to year)
c)Emotional Support/B*tch Sessions
d)Amusement
e)Feeding my neurotic tendencies about when decision letters are released
f)Networking - I've met alot of really nice people here.
g)
LizzyM school selector is a great tool, but doesn't replace actual research - use it in conjunction with school websites or you'll be wasting alot of money on application fees.
One rule of thumb about SDN. I think there should be a minimum number of posts and threads you have to read before you're allowed to post. I know I was so excited when I found SDN that I posted numerous threads that tired alot of people's patience because they'd been discussed a bajillion times before and at great length. The SEARCH function is your friend.
4)Don't hate me but USN & WR school rankings website. Not for the rankings but the admissions data and tuition fees of each school. I referred to it alot when I picked out the schools I applied to. It's not just enough to know what the MCAT & GPA numbers are for schools. It's also important to know total numbers of applicants. It matters whether you're competing with 3k people or 8k people. It matters what the interview/admission numbers are for IS vs. OOS. Also pay attention to the size of a school's BS/MD program. The implications of admission data will change if let's say 80% of the spots are locked up by BS/MDers like at NEOUCOM.