Attending medical school will necessitate moving to a new city, so take the time to thoroughly research all your options in order to select one that feels like home.
Ideal schools will accept your stats profile while also fitting your personality well. It is crucial that you feel content working and learning in an environment which makes sense to you.
1. Academics
Medical school applications are fiercely competitive; there are no “safety schools”, and if you apply to too few, your chances of acceptance diminish dramatically.
As such, it is imperative that you carefully choose which schools to apply to – using metrics and mission fit evaluation to create an balanced list.
Consider what medical training each school provides and your goals for the future when making your choice. Some top-tier schools train their students at internationally acclaimed hospitals with access to multiple specialties.
However, you can get a top-notch medical education from many lesser-ranked schools as well. Your hard work is more important than where you attend medical school – just find the place that fits you and your career goals best!
2. Student Life
Your choice of medical school will have an enormous effect on your student life. Once accepted, this school could become your home for four years so take time to explore all possible cities and campuses before making your choice.
Medical schools attract students from all around the globe, providing an exciting diversity of perspectives to study with. You will also be exposed to an abundance of extracurricular events ranging from connections with national healthcare organizations to exploring personal interests.
As well, many public university medical schools show strong preference to in-state residents by charging significantly reduced tuition for in-state applicants. When choosing which medical schools to apply to, be mindful of any preferences within your own state.
3. Reputation
Reputation of schools is of utmost importance for aspiring physicians. A student will spend four years at their medical school of choice, making selection an important element in becoming successful doctors in future.
Attributes that play into this decision include school mission, opportunities and focus. It is crucial for a student to be familiar with these aspects so as to align them with their medical career goals.
For example, students applying to schools specializing in research should ensure their personal statement and letters of recommendation emphasize this area to differentiate themselves amongst all of the other applicants pursuing similar career paths. This can help make them stand out.
4. Financial Aid
Cost is often a main consideration when attending medical school, which is why most schools in the US require students to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will determine eligibility for need-based financial assistance such as loans, grants and scholarships from the government and private sources.
Some schools, like New York University Grossman School of Medicine and Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, provide full tuition scholarships to their incoming students. However, these schools tend to be affiliated with health systems and must meet stringent service requirements post graduation.
Students should look for schools with competitive USMLE pass rates, especially first-time pass rates. These statistics serve as an indicator of their effectiveness at helping graduates secure residency positions following graduation.
5. Prestige
Prestige from attending medical school can benefit you in numerous ways, influencing your USMLE scores and residency match success, how peers perceive you during training, as well as impacting future career opportunities.
Icahn School of Medicine stands out as one of only a few American medical schools located within a hospital and offering top-tier clinical training. You have the option of selecting either traditional or integrated learning styles (traditional typically includes two years of preclinical work and two to three years of clinical work; integrated offers a blend of these).
If your GPA and MCAT scores are average, considering selecting a medical school with lower rankings but positive reputation can help strengthen other parts of your application.