How to Pick Your Schools

I just (a few days ago) finished applying to roughly twenty schools, and I spent a lot of time reading about the number of schools you should apply to, how you should pick which schools to apply to, etc, etc.  There's a lot of conflicting advice, and you really have to find out what works best for you.  Last year (the dark year) I applied to schools that had low stats for acceptance (i.e. lower MCAT scores, lower GPA requirements) and all-in-all, this didn't bode too well for me.  It wasn't a great strategy as I only received ONE interview invite and ZERO acceptances.  This has as much to do with my GPA, MCAT, lack of experience, and late application, as it does with my school list.  So as far as I can tell you can:

1.) Make up a list of schools based on your stats

2.) Apply to all the schools in your state + as many private schools as you can afford

3.) Pick your schools like you picked your colleges: safetys, good fits, and reaches

The third approach is a little bit trickier because who has "safetys" really...

I started out by making a list of schools that I felt were non-negotiable (i.e. no matter the stats, I was applying).  This list consisted of the school I'm doing my master's at, and my state schools.  Then I picked all the schools that my GPA and MCAT fit into.  My list in total consisted of approximately 40 schools at this point, so I pared it down by eliminating schools that I couldn't get into because I was missing a prerequisite.  That cut out a few, and then I took out schools that gave a strong preference to residents of that state.  I was down to about 28.  Finally, I started cutting it down based on the "selection factors" from the MSAR, some schools say they're looking for a lot of lab experience or clinical experience...or they strongly encourage people who have had time off/other careers to apply.  I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to go to any of the schools that I applied to because I really think they are good fits for me, and I hope the schools see that.  

The application process, (I hope) is more than just your stats, it's applying early, and writing an essay that shows your emotional maturity and passion, and it's demonstrating that you have something to offer that schools are looking for.  Now that the initial application is over, and my AMCAS is ready for verification, the panic and self-doubt has settled in.  June is an exciting month because it's so full of promise, but come November when I haven't been invited for an interview, or come April, when I haven't been accepted (again), it's really hard not to feel dejected.  June is also the month that SDN-ers start working on their secondaries before even receiving them...Send some good mojo/karma/prayers/thoughts my way and hope for secondaries for me from those schools that screen!!