What are some tools to help decide schools to apply

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[KindofBlue]

There's a spread sheet of schools somewhere in the forum, I haven't had a chance to look at it though.

But a better idea is to get the MSAR from Barnes and noble or at the AAMC website. It gives a lot of information of the applicant pool, school's policy, demographic etc. I haven't read one in that much detail yet, but at a quick glance it definitely seemed very helpful. Most people recommend it too.

 

[Ladoctora44]

Location: Where you live, where your family and friends live, where you would like to live.

Stats: Their avg MCAT compared to your score. Their avg GPA compared to your GPA.

Reputation: The school. Primary care or research focus; Known for a particular specialty that you have an interest in (i.e. Pediatrics); Well-known for good residency placement (i.e. Ivy league or Top 10 school)

Using those tools, you should make a list of schools that are "safety", "maybe", and "reach". Remember those will be your opinion and not fact because you might be surprised of the outcome. For example, I didn't get an interview to one of my "safety" schools, but I was wait-listed at one of my big "reach" schools.

 

[Person0715]

I second the spreadsheet. Here is a link to the public spreadsheet:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=831618

 

[Catalystik]

Also consider school cost, safety of area, curriculum type, and grading system.