A school's reputation

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
L

Liriel

New Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2008
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Members do not see this ad.
Hello everyone. So one of the things I think we're all told is that a medical school's reputation should be a significant factor in deciding where we choose to attend, especially in terms of future consideration for residency spots. But is there any way to gauge a school's reputation except by the old US News rankings (how reliable is this?) and/or word of mouth?

For example, being from NYC I see most schools here as highly reputable. But I have to say I'm at a loss about other supposedly great schools like Pittsburgh or UNC. Any advice?
 
Apply and interview there. See what you think rather after visiting than relying on someone else's judgment.
 
Liriel said:
Hello everyone. So one of the things I think we're all told is that a medical school's reputation should be a significant factor in deciding where we choose to attend, especially in terms of future consideration for residency spots. But is there any way to gauge a school's reputation except by the old US News rankings (how reliable is this?) and/or word of mouth?

For example, being from NYC I see most schools here as highly reputable. But I have to say I'm at a loss about other supposedly great schools like Pittsburgh or UNC. Any advice?
Click to expand...
Is this a serious post?? If it is, definitely look up some of the other threads onthis topic, if not TROLL
 
I been told to only apply to Harvard Med and Johns Hopkins, what's my chances?
 
Liriel said:
So one of the things I think we're all told is that a medical school's reputation should be a significant factor in deciding where we choose to attend, especially in terms of future consideration for residency spots.
Click to expand...

Attend whatever school accepts you. If more than one accepts you then use factors such as geographic location, cost of attendance, match statistics, and reputation.
 
Prestige probably is a factor when applying for residencies, but I doubt it's as important as people think. If you went to Harvard and proceeded to bomb your MS3 and step 1, you don't have a chance at getting a competitive residency. And people from less prestigious schools get good residencies all the time.
 
virusgirl said:
Prestige probably is a factor when applying for residencies, but I doubt it's as important as people think. If you went to Harvard and proceeded to bomb your MS3 and step 1, you don't have a chance at getting a competitive residency. And people from less prestigious schools get good residencies all the time.
Click to expand...

Yes, it may not matter much, but the fact that it still IS a factor at all can make it disheartening, especially for those who are aiming for top residencies who don't want to be told down the line that at that high level, their school name is what made the miniscule difference in not getting the residency...

This worrying is ultimately pointless, though, since there's little we can do about it at the point where it does matter...
 
Liriel said:
Hello everyone. So one of the things I think we're all told is that a medical school's reputation should be a significant factor in deciding where we choose to attend, especially in terms of future consideration for residency spots. But is there any way to gauge a school's reputation except by the old US News rankings (how reliable is this?) and/or word of mouth?

For example, being from NYC I see most schools here as highly reputable. But I have to say I'm at a loss about other supposedly great schools like Pittsburgh or UNC. Any advice?
Click to expand...

A school's reputation likely is a factor in getting accepted to a residency position, but most will say it's lower on the list and it's very hard to quantify how much your school's name helps/hurts you. However, one thing is for certain. To get a good residency, you must first graduate from medical school. If you only apply to "prestigious" schools and don't get into any of them, you definitely will not get your dream residency. Go where you get in, study hard for Step 1, and do well 3rd year.
 
nogolfinsnow said:
A school's reputation likely is a factor in getting accepted to a residency position, but most will say it's lower on the list and it's very hard to quantify how much your school's name helps/hurts you. However, one thing is for certain. To get a good residency, you must first graduate from medical school. If you only apply to "prestigious" schools and don't get into any of them, you definitely will not get your dream residency. Go where you get in, study hard for Step 1, and do well 3rd year.
Click to expand...
I agree completely with nogolfinsnow. It might help a bit because you're more likely to have some big name write your LORs, but no one else cares nearly as much about med school prestige as pre-meds do. Just get into med school somewhere, and if you're lucky enough to get into more than one place, pick whichever you want. I suggest going to the cheaper school if all else is more or less equal.
 
I would also like to point out that prestige among the population and prestige among the medical community are different things. I'm going to define medical prestige by the average estimation residency directors have of a school. If you check the US News rankings, and then compare it to their residency director reports, you will find that the "ranking" can be drastically different. Some schools drop in rank, where as others soar to the top.
 
What would you guys do in this situation:

Emory vs. Columbia P&S vs. Full tuition at Maryland ?

I just found out about 2 of them today, and I don't know what to do.
 
Well, it's extremely premature to be making that comparison given that you haven't even been accepted to Columbia yet..probably better to ask about Emory vs. Maryland and compare the winner of that 'battle' with Columbia in March if you happen to get accepted. Personally, I would pick the full tuition scholarship at Maryland.
 
anoncurious said:
Well, it's extremely premature to be making that comparison given that you haven't even been accepted to Columbia yet..probably better to ask about Emory vs. Maryland and compare the winner of that 'battle' with Columbia in March if you happen to get accepted. Personally, I would pick the full tuition scholarship at Maryland.
Click to expand...

Maybe Beloved knew about one already and found out about the other two more recently.

Your call, beloved. First decide which school you LIKE the most, and if that school isn't Maryland, then decide if the debt you will incur is worth it to you. I would also probably choose Maryland, because I don't think there's any tangible difference being a Columbia or Emory grad makes, but that's just me.
 
Beloved said:
What would you guys do in this situation:

Emory vs. Columbia P&S vs. Full tuition at Maryland ?

I just found out about 2 of them today, and I don't know what to do.
Click to expand...

Until it all sorts out (offers, finaid) don't burn up too many brain cells.

The real question is how much of a premium are you willing to pay to attend Columbia over Maryland, assuming Columbia is your "dream" school...that is a very personal decision...but for me the max is around $15k additional per year, all costs considered, to forego my state public versus a "dream" school...there are people on SDN who do it for an additional $50k per year, even more...and some people who wouldn't do it for any premium whatsoever...where are you on the pain spectrum?

Also - more factors into "where" than cost. Cost is #1 for most people, but location factors (family, etc.) may also come into play.

PS - I wouldn't pay any premium to attend Emory over my state public...that's just me, YMMV...there aren't many med schools I would pay much of a premium to attend...maybe 2 or 3...
 
Emory and a full ride at Maryland (which is my state school) are definite. It's true that I don't know about Columbia yet, but I do have high hopes for there given my interviewer.

Guess I have to sit down with my parents and hammer it out see how much they're willing to help financially (if possible), and how much debt I'd have.
I just really didn't know where to start, because I kept thinking I would figure things out "later", lol. But maybe that is the best thing to wait until the end. Thanks for your thoughts guys.
 
CCLCMer said:
I agree completely with nogolfinsnow. It might help a bit because you're more likely to have some big name write your LORs, but no one else cares nearly as much about med school prestige as pre-meds do. Just get into med school somewhere, and if you're lucky enough to get into more than one place, pick whichever you want. I suggest going to the cheaper school if all else is more or less equal.
Click to expand...

Why is it that most of the pre-meds and med students say that school prestige barely matter at all, but many of the residents say that it does matter pretty significantly? The few posts on this topic that residents/attendings have made here in pre-allo indicate that this is so, and I was just browsing the following topic, in which several residents/medical students also claim that med school prestige is pretty significant in terms of getting a great residency:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=605697

This is just one of many threads expressing the same opinion.

So what's with this disparity? Both sides can't be right...
 
fizzle said:
Why is it that most of the pre-meds and med students say that school prestige barely matter at all, but many of the residents say that it does matter pretty significantly?
Click to expand...

By "many" you mean a couple of people on an ophtho thread?

Reputation's effect exists, but it is small, and it will not determine success versus failure for any sane applicant.
 
Gut Shot said:
By "many" you mean a couple of people on an ophtho thread?

Reputation's effect exists, but it is small, and it will not determine success versus failure for any sane applicant.
Click to expand...

gosh gutshot, i don't know how you put up with questions like these anymore. i'm sick of them anymore
 
mmmcdowe said:
I would also like to point out that prestige among the population and prestige among the medical community are different things. I'm going to define medical prestige by the average estimation residency directors have of a school. If you check the US News rankings, and then compare it to their residency director reports, you will find that the "ranking" can be drastically different. Some schools drop in rank, where as others soar to the top.
Click to expand...

Does someone have some sort of spreadsheet or dump of the schools ranked by their external assessment scores? I'm sort of curious to see what this described effect actually looks like.
 
RoadRunner17 said:
Does someone have some sort of spreadsheet or dump of the schools ranked by their external assessment scores? I'm sort of curious to see what this described effect actually looks like.
Click to expand...

If someone could find the list or values for every schools, I could do it. I never bought that book so I don't have them.
 
mmmcdowe said:
If someone could find the list or values for every schools, I could do it. I never bought that book so I don't have them.
Click to expand...

The US News report of program director rankings is based on subjective data from a relatively small cohort. I wouldn't assign it much importance.
 
It usually comes down to this: if you didn't get the residency of your choice, one of the last things you should blame is your school's reputation. You probably dropped the ball on a lot of other things somewhere along the line.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
University of Maryland SOM Reputation??
Replies
5
Views
1K
chilly_md
chilly_md
olofmeister
How do I go about learning a school's mission?
Replies
10
Views
1K
pikachu8923
pikachu8923
A
How To Approach Secondaries for School's Interviewed at Previously
Replies
4
Views
736
anklelocktheworld
A
Q
A
Replies
4
Views
793
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Q
A
Replies
2
Views
429
Goro
Goro
Top