<p>[ul]
[<em>]What are the most important factors? (I know they are GPA and MCAT scores but to what degree?)
[</em>]How much time and energy should be focused on ECs? How does this differ between the most competitive and more competitive medical schools? (To what extent are ECs important?)
[<em>]How important is research?
[</em>]How important is hospital volunteering? How much attention should be focused on research or volunteering?
[*]When should a pre-med begin doing research?[/ul]</p>
<p>
[quote]
... to what degree? ... How much time ... To what extent... How important... How important... How much attention...
[/quote]
If I read your question rightly, you're looking for a formula where none exists. Look, these things matter. A lot. That's about the most we can tell you. The more you can do of them without compromising the others, the better off you are.</p>
<p>As always, however, remember that you will be writing essays and answering interview questions about these. You can't treat them like a checklist.</p>
<p>remember, the first thing they prolly look at is ur gpa and mcat. i doubt they read PS's before looking at this info. prolly look at ur home state and ur ethnicity too. btw, the PS is really important and so are ur EC's but gpa and mcat are first.</p>