I hope I won't have average MCAT scores (taking Princeton Review course and have been doing exceedingly well). Since you won't be taking it for a year, my advice: start next Dec-Jan with studying. Save up and buy ALL the AAMC practice tests, try to take them timed, buy a prep book and review the subject material. You can start now by getting in the habit of reading newspapers, journal articles, books, etc for the Verbal section.
I am choosing schools based upon location, quality of the education (e.g. early clinical exposure), and based upon past/present med students' advice. All of the schools I'm applying to are private except for the University of Washington and all are concentrated in large US cities (except for Mayo and the University of Rochester).
I am particularly interested in Priztker, NYU, Case Western (big on non-traditional applicants), and MCP Hanneman. I have steered away from Cali schools (UCLA,USC,UCSF) and D.C. schools because of the number of applications they receive every year.
You should think about your state school(s) and you should definately purchase the 2001-2002 Medical School Admission Requirements book from AAMC directly or at a bookstore when it becomes available April 20th. Read through all the listings and you will get a sense of what they are about and what they look for in a candidate.
Make sure you know the % of out-of-state applicants that are accepted if you choose to apply to public med schools.
If you can't wait until the 20th, you can purchase either Kaplan's or Princeton Review's Med School Admissions book from any bookstore now. They have great advice and both would be very helpful to you.
[This message has been edited by scooby doo doo (edited April 05, 2001).]
