<p>I'm starting to research possible schools that I'd want to go to, but kind of lost as to how I should start this process. What factors should I focus on so that I can aim for realistic schools that I know I have a shot at versus schools I blindly choose such as location (though this is not that big of a factor for me). Should I concentrate on the average gpa of past successful applicants compared to mine, or something else?</p>
<ol>
<li>Apply to your state schools</li>
<li>Find schools within your GPA/MCAT ranges</li>
<li>Look for factors that are important to you. For many students, it's location (urban vs rural vs. suburban). You can also consider the amount of PBL in the curriculum, the amount of lecture in the curriculum, the size of the graduating class, amount of research, the focus of the school (underserved? rural population? primary care?).</li>
</ol>
<p>To be perfectly honest, I think most people would be happy at most med schools. And to be even more honest, most people applying to med school don't get into a single one and most people who do get into med school only get into 1-2 so they have very few choices to make.</p>
<p>Average GPA and MCAT score is a good place to start. Also check out the proportion of students with various EC's, all available via the "Medical School Admissions Requirements." (Use Amazon to search.)</p>