School Selection Strategy

Take a candid look at your GPA and test scores (MCAT, LSAT, etc.) and compare them to the typical ranges of the schools you’re considering. For med schools, tools like the AAMC’s MSAR database list each school’s median GPAs and MCATs. For law, LSAC’s Official Guide can show your chances based on LSAT/GPA. Identify schools where you’re at or above the median – these will be your safer bets – and those where you’re around the 25th percentile or below (these are reaches). Having reach schools is fine (and encouraged), but don’t make your entire list out-of-reach. A common strategy for U.S. med applicants is the “25-50-25 rule”: roughly 25% of schools where you’re above their averages (safe targets), 50% where you’re around the averages (targets), and 25% that are more competitive (reaches). You should also look into whether they accept out of state applicants. For example, in Texas, some of their statistics might be in your range; however, Texas rarely accepts out of state applicants, so it may not be worth applying if you do not live there. In Canada, because there are fewer schools, you may simply apply to all where you meet basic cut-offs, but be mindful of how your MCAT and GPA stack up especially if applying out-of-province. If you’re below a school’s cutoff or minimum (some Canadian schools have hard GPA or MCAT cutoffs), it’s usually not worth applying there. Focus on places where your stats give you a fighting chance. This isn’t to discourage aiming high – just balance your list. Also consider trends: if you had an upward grade trend or a one-time test hiccup, some schools may weigh that in your favor. Use data to be realistic but not defeatist. The goal is a list of schools that fit your level of academic achievement and potential. As one consultant advises, apply strategically rather than randomly – e.g., target schools where your stats fall in range and that align with your goals, instead of just blanket applying to 30+ schools without a focus.

Beyond numbers, qualitative fit is huge. Schools differ in their mission, philosophy, and training style – and admissions committees look for students who match what they offer. Research each school: Are they research-heavy or primary-care-focused? Do they emphasize community service, rural health, social justice, interdisciplinary study, etc.? For example, some U.S. med schools are known for producing physician-scientists and might value research experience highly, while others focus on primary care in underserved communities and value volunteer work and certain personal attributes. Identify what you value and what environment you will thrive in. Then target schools that match that. If you have a strong interest in research, put schools with ample research opportunities and perhaps an optional thesis on your list. If you want a close-knit class with a lot of support, maybe smaller programs or those known for a “family” culture. Don’t overlook curriculum style too (e.g., problem-based learning vs. lecture, or opportunities for clinical exposure early). Location can tie into mission – for instance, a school in a diverse urban area might have a mission around urban healthcare disparities; if you have experience and interest there, that’s a good match. A great exercise is to read the school’s mission statement and ask: Do my experiences and goals resonate with this? If yes, you’ll likely be able to write a convincing secondary essay and interview well there. In fact, doing this research not only helps in choosing schools but later when writing “Why us?” essays or interviews, you can specifically mention how you align with the school’s mission. Also consider program specifics: dual degree options (MD/MPH, JD/MBA, etc.), unique pathways (rural medicine programs, global health tracks), or even pedagogical approaches (some law schools have clinics in areas you care about). Choose schools where you can genuinely see yourself happy and where you can articulate a strong case for mutual fit. If you apply to a dual degree, be sure to emphasize why you are applying to a dual degree versus a single degree, how that fits into your vision for your future and how you will use that program to best benefit the individuals you will serve. If you are applying to an osteopathic medical school, research aspects about osteopathy or talk to an osteopathic medical student. Saying “I want to treat holistically” is a generic statement and does not show that you are aware of what osteopathy entails. 

Location matters in more ways than one. First, think about where you want to live for the next few years. Are you happy to move anywhere for your dream, or do you have family or personal reasons to stay in a certain region? Weather, lifestyle, proximity to support systems can affect your happiness in school. More tactically, residency status can greatly influence admissions chances and tuition cost. In the U.S., many public medical and dental schools give preference to in-state applicants – some reserve a majority of seats for residents. Private schools don’t have this bias, and some public schools (like Duke-NUS in Singapore or certain state schools with less in-state demand) are more open to out-of-state. If you’re from a state with a med school, you should almost certainly apply to it (unless there’s a compelling reason not to) because it’s likely your best chance statistically. If you’re out-of-state, research how many out-of-state students those public schools take – some may not be worth the effort if they accept very few non-residents. For Canadian applicants considering U.S. schools: be aware that not all U.S. med schools accept international (non-U.S.) students. Many do accept Canadians specifically, but some state schools and others are citizens-only. You can find lists of “Canadian-friendly U.S. med schools”. Typically, about 60-70 U.S. med schools will consider Canadian applicants. Prioritize those in your U.S. applications if you’re Canadian, and note that some might require proof of ability to pay 4 years of tuition up front (financial considerations). Conversely, if you’re a U.S. applicant looking at Canada, know that most Canadian med schools do not take many (or any) American/international students except maybe McGill and a few others – and even then, it’s very limited and often full tuition. For Canadian residents: each province’s schools heavily favor their own residents (Quebec schools favor Quebecers, Ontario uses a common pool but still some have slight biases, Western provinces usually reserve most seats for in-province). So if you’re from, say, Alberta, your chances at U of C or U of A are much higher than someone from outside. Include all your in-province schools (even if you think one is a reach – in-province status helps). Out-of-province, check which schools you are competitive for; some have explicit criteria (e.g., Dalhousie only interviews out-of-province if they have ties to the region or very high stats, etc.). Bottom line: factor residency in to maximize odds. Also consider where you wouldn’t mind residing: if you really dislike cold weather and rural settings, maybe don’t target a school in a location that’s exactly that, unless everything else is perfect. Law and other programs might not have residency preferences, but cost of living and networking in the region for jobs are factors to consider. For medical school, you may also want to consider clinical trainings sites and whether the school provides preceptors or if you would need to find your own—this can make a difference for housing and financial considerations. 

Professional school is a significant financial investment. While you can’t know exactly what aid or scholarships you’ll get in advance, you can get a sense of tuition costs and potential debt. Public schools often have lower tuition for residents. Some private schools are very expensive but might offer more scholarships. Think about where you could see a good return on investment or where you might not mind incurring debt due to program quality or fit. Additionally, some schools have service-based scholarships (e.g., the U.S. military’s HPSP scholarship, or schools with programs like NHSC for primary care in underserved areas). If finances are a big concern, it might influence your list – for instance, you might include more in-state schools or schools known for generous aid (there are a few med schools with large endowments that have reduced tuition or are tuition-free for all students or those with need). Don’t solely rule out a school for cost before seeing aid packages, but do be mindful of differences. Another angle: consider where your likelihood of acceptance is decent (as discussed) because multiple applications and re-applying can also cost more in the long run; targeting well can save you from an extra cycle. For MBA or law, check employment stats – a lower-ranked school in a region where you want to work might make more financial sense than a higher-ranked but extremely costly school if outcomes are similar for your goals. If you’re open to it, also weigh programs abroad (like some Canadians consider Irish or Australian med schools, or Americans consider Caribbean med schools) – these can be pathways but come with other costs and challenges (licensing, etc.), so research thoroughly before including them as “safeties.” Ultimately, think about the financial implications of each option and have a mix – perhaps a dream school even if pricey, some reasonably priced ones, and know your own tolerance for debt.

It’s tempting to apply to as many schools as possible to increase odds, but remember you have to produce quality secondary essays and potentially interview at each one. Applying to 40 programs means 40+ secondaries in a short time – which can lead to burnout and diminishing returns if your responses become rushed or generic. Instead, be intentional. Once you’ve done the above steps (stats, mission, location, etc.), you probably have a sense of which schools genuinely interest you and where you have a solid shot. Focus on those. A well-thought-out list for med school might be anywhere from 10 to 20 schools typically (more if you’re an international or have an unusual situation, fewer if you’re very competitive or very selective in geography). For law, people often apply to ~8-12 schools (again, a range of reach/target/safety based on LSAT scores). For dental, maybe around 8-10 since there are fewer schools. The key is not to randomly omit or include – have a reason for each. If you can articulate why you chose a school, you’re likely going to put more effort into that application and it’ll show. However, don’t under-apply either out of overconfidence or frugality; you want to maximize your chances by applying to a broad enough set. If your profile is more borderline, cast a wider net (while still keeping quality). If you’re a top applicant, you can be more selective but even then, remember admissions can be unpredictable– it’s good to have backups you’d still be happy with. Also consider one or two “reach” schools – even if your stats are a bit low, if you have a compelling story that fits their mission, you might snag an interview where numbers matter a bit less. Conversely, include a couple of “safety” options (for example, a newer school or less sought-after location where stats needed might be slightly lower) that you’d be willing to attend if it came to it. Every school on your list should be one that you would attend if it were your only acceptance – if not, why apply there? If you find you absolutely would never go to School X even if accepted, that’s a sign to remove it and save your energy for the others.

In crafting your list, use resources like admission consulting blogs, student forums, or people you know in those programs. Sometimes certain schools have nuances (like they favor applicants with certain backgrounds, or they have a huge in-state bias not obvious at first glance). Talking to current students or reading others’ experiences can provide insight beyond the official websites. Additionally, advisors or mentors can help gauge if your list is realistic. Don’t solely rely on internet strangers’ opinions, but do gather data. For Canadian med, for example, there are well-known stats about number of applicants per spot – knowing that Ontario is super competitive but maybe considering less saturated provinces (if you’re open to moving) could be part of strategy. For U.S. med, tools like the AAMC’s “Chances” chart or third-party predictors can be ballpark guides. For law, LSAC’s admission calculator uses GPA/LSAT to predict chances. These aren’t everything, but they help calibrate expectations.