As mentioned in the majority of posts over the last several years, there is no consensus as to which are the best programs, or even the top tier. Most of the applicants are very intelligent, and recognize that their ideal program may be different from someone else's ideal program. The problem is figuring out what you're looking for in an ideal program.
Alternatively, what each program looks for in an applicant, and how the committee reads each CV is different. They look for an overall picture of someone that fits into their program, someone who will be a good resident, someone who adds to the residency, has good grades, from a good school, with good USMLE's, good research, good letters, etc.. There's no one formula, other than doing your best.
