How to Choose the Right Medical School for You

7 Questions to ask yourself before making a decision

These are some of the things to reflect on before making a decision whether you are getting ready to apply to medical school and you are building your list, or you have already been accepted to multiple places and are trying to choose the place that will help you thrive in the next four years. Sit down and think about what matters to you.

• Location
  • Is weather important to you? Do you want to be somewhere where it is warm most of the time? Do you like having seasons and getting snow once in a while?
  • Are you looking for an urban or suburban vibe? Are you used to city life, walking everywhere, public transportation or would you rather live somewhere more remote and suburban?
  • Do you want to be close to your family so you can visit them more often? Do you want to be as far away as possible from relatives so they don’t bother you?

• Grading System
  • Are you looking for a low-stress place or do you thrive in conditions of competition?
  • Pass/Fail systems tend to be less stressful and allow you to focus more on extracurricular activities, research, and hobbies.
  • Graded systems can set you apart for residency if you are highly motivated to study hard and score high on exams. 

• Curriculum 
  • Do you prefer to learn in a “blocked schedule” where you focus on one subject for a month and then you move on to a new subject? Or do you prefer an integrated schedule, where you learn multiple disciplines or subjects at the same time longitudinally?
  • Do you prefer a more flexible curriculum that gives you time off after you finish a final exam or a subject? 
  • Do you appreciate a curriculum that gives you earlier clinical exposure, the ability to explore interests, and focus on student wellness?

• Specialty Interests
  • Do you have a specific interest in research or a passion for a particular specialty? 
  • Are you looking for a school that has dual degree programs like an MBA or an MPH? 
  • Do you want to participate in a specific pathway like global health or rural health?

• COVID 
  • Will classes be on Zoom?
  • Can you go into the hospital and gain early clinical exposure as a student?
  • Is anatomy in person and do you actually get to do dissection lab?
  • How has the administration dealt with COVID transparency?

• Cost 
  • How much will living expenses be in the area of this school?
  • How expensive is tuition?
  • Does the school offer scholarships to students?
  • How important to you is debt over school compatibility?

• The Vibe
  • Where are students the happiest?
  • What does your gut feeling tell you?
  • Where do you feel most at home or most relatable?