Using MSAR to Build Your School List: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Practical MSAR guide: what metrics to pull, how to interpret 10th/90th percentile ranges, and common mistakes.
Go Beyond MSAR With AI-Powered Matching
MSAR gives you the data. MedSchool Copilot's School Matching AI interprets it against your full profile to build a balanced list you can actually manage.
Using MSAR to Build Your School List: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
The MSAR school list process is where smart applicants separate themselves from the crowd. The Medical School Admission Requirements database is the single most valuable tool you have for researching programs, but most premeds barely scratch the surface. In this guide, we will walk you through exactly how to pull the right metrics, interpret percentile ranges, filter schools strategically, and avoid the mistakes that lead to unbalanced lists and wasted application dollars.
What MSAR Is and How to Access It
The official AAMC database
MSAR stands for Medical School Admission Requirements. It is an online database maintained by the AAMC that contains detailed admissions data for every accredited MD-granting medical school in the United States and Canada. Think of it as your one-stop research hub for GPA ranges, MCAT scores, acceptance rates, class demographics, and institutional mission statements.
You can access MSAR through the AAMC website for $28 per year. If cost is a concern, applicants approved for the AAMC's Fee Assistance Program (FAP) receive free access. Either way, the subscription pays for itself many times over when you consider that each primary application school costs $42 and each secondary runs $50 to $130.
Why you need it before building your list
Without MSAR, you are guessing. School websites provide curated marketing language, and forum advice is anecdotal at best. MSAR gives you standardized, self-reported data directly from admissions offices. You get apples-to-apples comparisons across every program in the country. That is the foundation of a strategic school list.
Key Data Points to Pull From MSAR
GPA and MCAT medians
The two numbers most applicants look at first are median GPA and median MCAT. These tell you where the middle of the accepted class landed. If a school reports a median GPA of 3.75 and a median MCAT of 515, that means half the matriculants scored above those marks and half scored below.
But medians alone do not tell the full story. We will cover why in the percentile section below. For now, record both the total GPA and science GPA medians, plus the overall MCAT median for each school you research.
10th and 90th percentile ranges
This is the data most premeds overlook, and it changes everything. MSAR reports the 10th and 90th percentile scores for both GPA and MCAT at each school. These ranges show you the realistic floor and ceiling of who actually gets accepted.
For example, a school with a median MCAT of 515 might have a 10th percentile of 509 and a 90th percentile of 521. That tells you applicants with a 510 are not automatically out of the running. The range reveals flexibility that the median alone hides.
In-state vs. out-of-state acceptance rates
IS/OOS percentages are critical for public medical schools. Some state schools accept fewer than five percent of their class from out of state. Others are far more balanced. If you are an out-of-state applicant eyeing a public university, check the OOS matriculant percentage before you invest $100 or more on that secondary. A school that matriculates 95% in-state residents is likely not worth your application fee unless you have a compelling geographic tie.
Class size and acceptance rates
Larger class sizes generally mean more interview invitations and more chances for acceptance. A school with 200 seats simply has more room than one with 50. Pair class size with the overall acceptance rate to gauge your realistic odds. Schools with acceptance rates below three percent are statistical long shots for everyone, regardless of stats.
Mission statement and program focus
Every medical school has a mission statement, and admissions committees take theirs seriously. Some schools prioritize primary care in rural communities. Others emphasize research innovation or serving urban underserved populations. MSAR includes mission information and program highlights that help you assess fit beyond the numbers. A school whose mission aligns with your experiences and goals is more likely to value your application, even if your stats sit below the median.
How to Interpret Percentile Ranges the Right Way
What the 10th-90th range actually means
The 10th percentile score means 10% of accepted students scored at or below that number. The 90th percentile means 10% scored at or above it. The remaining 80% of the class fell somewhere in between. This range is your realistic target window.
If your MCAT falls between the 10th and 90th percentile for a given school, you are statistically within the range of accepted students. You do not need to hit the median to be competitive. You need to be in the range and bring a compelling application overall.
Using ranges to categorize schools
We recommend sorting your potential schools into three tiers based on where your numbers fall relative to percentile ranges. Building a balanced school list depends on getting this categorization right.
- Target schools: Your GPA and MCAT fall at or above the median. These are your strongest statistical fits.
- Competitive schools: Your numbers fall between the 25th and 50th percentile. You are in range but will need strong extracurriculars, writing, and mission fit to stand out.
- Reach schools: Your numbers fall between the 10th and 25th percentile. Acceptance is possible but not probable based on stats alone.
If your scores fall below the 10th percentile, that school is a long shot. You can still apply, but limit these to one or two programs where you have a genuine connection to the mission or a geographic tie.
Step-by-Step Process for Filtering Your MSAR School List
Step one: set your baseline filters
Open MSAR and start by filtering schools where your MCAT score falls at or above the 10th percentile. This immediately eliminates programs where your application would face an uphill statistical battle. Do the same with your GPA. This first pass should narrow the field from 150+ schools down to a more manageable set.
Step two: check IS/OOS friendliness
Go through your filtered list and check each school's in-state versus out-of-state matriculant data. Remove public schools that accept fewer than 10% OOS students unless you are a state resident or have a strong geographic connection. This step alone can cut your list significantly and save you hundreds in application fees.
Step three: review mission alignment
For each remaining school, read the mission statement and program focus areas. Ask yourself whether your experiences, activities, and career goals genuinely connect to what the school values. If a school emphasizes rural primary care and you have spent four years in a basic science research lab with no community health experience, the fit may not be there. Be honest with yourself during this step.
Step four: categorize into tiers
Using the target, competitive, and reach framework from above, sort every remaining school into a tier. A well-balanced list for most applicants includes roughly 40% target schools, 40% competitive schools, and 20% reach schools. If you are applying to the right number of medical schools, this ratio keeps your list both ambitious and realistic.
Step five: finalize and cross-reference
Before locking in your list, cross-reference MSAR data with each school's website for any recent changes in class size, curriculum, or admissions policies. MSAR data typically reflects the most recent entering class, so it can lag behind real-time updates. Verify that secondary essay prompts and secondary application requirements are manageable within your timeline. Applying to 30 schools means nothing if you cannot complete 30 quality secondaries.
Common MSAR Mistakes That Hurt Your School List
Only looking at medians
This is the most common error we see. Applicants look at the median MCAT, decide they are "below average" for a school, and cross it off their list. But the median represents the 50th percentile of one specific entering class. Half the students who got accepted scored below that number. If you only target schools where you hit the median, you are unnecessarily limiting yourself and probably building a list that is too top-heavy with "safe" choices.
Always check the 10th-90th percentile range. Your competitiveness at any school depends on the full range, not just the midpoint.
Ignoring mission and fit
Numbers get you through the initial screen, but mission fit gets you the interview. A school dedicated to training physicians for underserved communities wants to see that commitment reflected in your application. If you apply to 25 schools without reading a single mission statement, you will waste money on programs that were never going to invite you, regardless of your MCAT score.
Take the time to read mission statements carefully. Match them to your activity descriptions and personal statement themes. This alignment is what transforms a data-driven list into a strategic one.
Treating all schools equally
Not every school on your list deserves the same energy. Your target and competitive schools should receive your best secondary essays and most thorough research. Reach schools still deserve quality work, but you should not spend three days perfecting a secondary for a program where you fall below the 10th percentile when that time could go toward a school where you are a stronger fit.
Forgetting to account for yield protection
Some mid-tier schools practice yield protection, meaning they may not interview applicants whose stats are significantly above their medians because they assume those applicants will choose a higher-ranked program. If your MCAT is 12 or more points above a school's median and you have no geographic ties, keep this possibility in mind. It does not mean you should avoid applying, but it is worth noting as you interpret silence from schools you expected to hear from.
Relying on MSAR alone
MSAR is a powerful starting point, but it does not capture everything. It will not tell you about a school's interview style, clinical training quality, student culture, or how much weight they place on specific extracurriculars. Use MSAR for the quantitative foundation, then layer in qualitative research from school websites, student forums, and informational interviews with current students or alumni.
Go Beyond MSAR With AI-Powered Matching
MSAR gives you the data. MedSchool Copilot's School Matching AI interprets it against your full profile to build a balanced list you can actually manage.
Instead of spending weeks in spreadsheets manually cross-referencing percentile ranges, mission statements, and IS/OOS data, let our algorithm do the heavy lifting. It analyzes your GPA, MCAT, activities, state residency, and personal themes to generate a tiered school list tailored specifically to you.
Go Beyond MSAR With AI-Powered Matching
MSAR gives you the data. MedSchool Copilot's School Matching AI interprets it against your full profile to build a balanced list you can actually manage.