Question 15: What can I do to improve my chances during this cycle?

Two words: Apply smartly. This in itself can be broken down to two rules. 1) Apply early 2) Apply broadly.

Let's tackle the second first. There is no such thing as a sure thing. No matter how many interviews at better schools you were offered, no matter how high your stats are, there is never a sure thing until you have the letter in hand. I have seen plenty of people get shot in the foot by not applying broadly. Never apply to only Top 20 schools. So much more than grades and your resume factors in at that level. You might get interviews at a dozen and only get accepted at one (I did), if any. That tends to be the biggest mistake for applicants with high MCAT scores. Just because you are in the 97th percentile of the MCAT doesn't mean diddly, because quite honestly there are at least 1000 applicants with as high or higher of a score than you! The schools have plenty of heavy hitters to consider, and at that point it all comes down to what they are looking for. The interview tends to be the make or break moment, but don't think that big pile of materials that you sent has been forgotten. It is never an even playing field, from start to finish.

I would personally recommend applying to about 15 schools. Try to break down your list so that 30% are reaches, 30% are about average (as best as you can see) for your stats and resume, and 40% which you deem less competitive. Quite frankly, the MSAR and other resources fail to really show the competitiveness, so don't underestimate those schools. Many of them pick up nontraditional or special circumstance applicants that often have low GPAs or MCAT scores. The traditional applicant tends to need a little more oomph. I'd shoot to be at least a point or two above the median for schools that you consider average at (0.2 GPA more would be nice as well). Consider applying to a few DO and MD schools, to really get a good range of schools (especially in state ones). If for whatever reason you choose to only apply to MD or DO, make sure to apply to all of the ones that are in state for you. Not only do they tend to be cheaper, they also often prioritize in state students during the cycle.

Now lets talk about applying early.

This quite honestly is probably the single most effective way to improve your competitiveness once the cycle has began, unless you are retaking the MCAT after a dismal score. You want to be the first application that is looked at, when every interview and every seat in the upcoming class is available to be offered to you. The longer you wait, the further down you fall in the pile, the more jaded the committee becomes, and the less opportunities for interview and acceptances are there. Most schools are what is known as rolling admissions, in which the school will offer seats to applicants during the cycle, rather than waiting until the end of the cycle. Some schools opt to be nonrolling, giving all of their seats at once at the end of the cycle. Theoretically, this means that every interviewee has the same shot. I am skeptical of this, as the committee is still meeting to discuss your application, and would still rather be the first than last to interview.

Ideally, you would want all of your secondary applications done by early August at the latest, well before interview season begins. Most schools don't offer the secondaries until about July 15th, so there is some wiggle room for those who might submit their AMCAS in mid or late June. If at all possible, devote as much time to essay writing and revisions as you can once they start to arrive, and don't hesitate to reuse essays. There is a trade of between revisions and time delay, so don't overly knit pick (which is of course difficult for pre-meds). The primary application essay is the most important (see one of the earlier questions to learn more about it), of course, so expect to put the most time into it. Whatever you do, don't put them off! I know people with 3.8+/35+ stats that bought the bullet on both interviews and acceptances by waiting until November or December to submit the secondaries. Try to interview early as well, if you are given multiple dates. You never get a second chance to make a first impression, but its also nice to be the first to make one!