Article Summary
When you’ve chosen to enter the medical career path you have a lot of decisions to make. There are great med schools all over the country, but which one is right for you?
Going to med school isn’t cheap and you want to know that whichever one you choose is going to serve you well for the duration of your time there. Transferring is complicated (if not impossible) so getting it right on the first try is essential.
Do you know how to choose a medical school that will be the perfect fit? Let’s talk about it! Keep reading for 5 factors that you’ll want to consider when you’re choosing a medical school.
1. The Cost
The first thing that you’ll have in mind when considering a med school is the cost. A career in medicine can be lucrative but getting there is going to mean struggling financially for a while.
Medical school can cost over $200,000 depending on whether you’re opting for a public or private program. You should expect to be in debt.
There are scholarships and financial aid programs available, but it’s important to research costs beforehand so you don’t end up in debt that you can’t get out of.
2. The Teachers and Staff
There are always a few decorated staff members at every school. Maybe they have had a successful career in medicine, or they’re responsible for many successful students. They may be expert researchers or financial advisors and experts.
For example, Baylor College of Medicine has just added several experts to their board of trustees, such as Christopher Sarofim.
Always look at the teachers and staff members to get a feel for the school.
3. Curriculum and Opportunities
All schools operate similarly as far as the curriculum goes, but they will have minor differences.
If you plan on specializing, see if your school of choice has a good program that can cater to your specialty.
Also, see what kind of opportunities outside of the classroom are available. Will you have opportunities to teach or research (either to progress your own knowledge or to help with funding)? How does residency work and what kind of jobs will you be able to complete in the field while you’re in school?
These are important questions.
4. Location
You’re going to be spending a lot of time in medical school. While much of that time will be in the libraries and classrooms, you’ll also be able to go out into the real world once in a while, so you should live somewhere that you like.
This isn’t the most important factor, but if you’re a big city person, you’ll probably be more comfortable in a big city school. On the other hand, if you’re a small-town person you’ll be better off in a small college town.
5. Your Own Ability and Qualifications
Applying to medical school is an expense in and of itself. To avoid wasting your own time, try to be honest with yourself.
Do you qualify for the school you’re looking at? When you look at their admission qualifications, do you know that your grades and test scores have been high enough and that you’ve done enough out-of-classroom work to get in?
Reach for the stars, but be realistic.
Do You Know How to Choose a Medical School?
When you’re trying to figure out how to choose a medical school, try not to get too ahead of yourself. Take your time and do the research before jumping ahead and sending your applications to every school that you can think of.
If you follow our tips you’ll find your perfect med school in no time.
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