What intangible factors did/are people using to select your school lists?

[ChrisMack390]

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So I have created a list containing all of the schools where my stats are within the 10-90th percentiles, all of my state schools, all schools that are geographically desirable to me, and a few others that I have positive feelings about for one reason or another.

That lead me to a list of ~60 schools! I have cut down the list down a bit by eliminating some that are very geographically undesirable and some where I don't think I will be able to meet the LOR requirements. I also nixed 1 place because their admissions staff was quite rude over email (lol).

I am down to ~48 schools now. All of them are places I would be happy to go. I don't really know what to do next. I feel like all US MD schools provide quality educations, all of them have decent teaching hospitals and clinical sites, all of them provide opportunities for research and international opportunities, etc. Even if that is not totally true, it seems like people learn about those things more at interviews. This makes it hard to decide where to apply.

I know I should apply to some reaches, some mids, and some lowers, and the Wedgedawg spreadsheet has been great for helping with that. Given 2 schools that are of equal perceived quality, what are people looking at to narrow their lists?

 

[Glandzburg]

You said your list contains most schools where you are within the 10-90th percentiles... I would start by narrowing this even further. A good chunk of your list should be schools where you are +/- a point or two for your LizzyM score. This is the purpose of the LizzyM score. Your "reaches" would be schools that are above that point, and your "safeties" would be schools that are below.

 

[gmbz]

You need to also start looking about what state you are in and if any of the ~60 schools actually accept people from OOS vs Instate.

 

[dayman]

I also think med school mission becomes important once you have narrowed down the list based on stats. Factors such as whether the school's goal to create rural/urban physicians changes a school's approach to medicine and the experiences you will get in attendance. It also changes the type of applicant they are looking for. Also some medical schools accept students through agreements with other schools so although their stats seem fine are actually much harder to get into. Really research each school and determine if they are realistic and a potential fit.

 

[Glandzburg]

You need to also start looking about what state you are in and if any of the ~60 schools actually accept people from OOS vs Instate.

And this. Unless you are well above their average stats, state schools other than your own are far less likely to offer you an II. Your list should contain mostly your own state school(s) plus private schools, and perhaps a few other state schools if you feel like you have "strong ties" to the state or have a shot for whatever other reason. No need to waste $$ applying to a bunch of schools that take 80-90% in-state applicants.

 

[GrapesofRath]

This will probably work better if you list out all the schools.