Comparing Two Schools

[Statefan13]

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Hey everyone, I am very excited to be accepted to two schools that I am happy with, and I just wanted some advice on how to best compare them.

In the coming weeks, I will have different opportunities to visit the schools I have been accepted to and talk to students and administrators. I just wanted some advice on what questions I should ask in order to help make this decision easier. Of course there are lots of factors involved including cost and distance, but hopefully this thread helps out anyone who is struggling between a couple of schools and is going to Second Looks in the future.

 

[Chipster.]

USNWR rankings or bust.

If they're tied then go with the one that has a higher primary care rank. Primary care directly interferes with the goals of medicine (Chicks, money, power, chicks).

 

[La Presse]

I'd probably hold COA higher than anything else.

 

[Statefan13]

USNWR rankings or bust.

If they're tied then go with the one that has a higher primary care rank. Primary care directly interferes with the goals of medicine (Chicks, money, power, chicks).

 

[physicsnerd42]

Assuming they're both US allopathic schools: unless you have a really compelling reason to do otherwise, go to the cheaper school.

 

[infinitessimal]

• Education
  • Curriculum
    • Traditional or non-traditional?
    • When does clinical exposure start?
    • How long is pre-clinical vs. clinical?
    • How much emphasis is placed on problem-based learning?
    • Rotations: fixed or flexible schedule? Local hospitals or travel?
    • Types of electives, and how long for each?
    • Grading system?
  • Is international study available?
  • How much emphasis is placed on research?
  • If you have an interest in a specialty, how many go into residency in that specialty?
• Location
  • Familiar? Could I see myself living in the philosophy of the area?
  • Weather
  • Living expenses
• Cost of tuition & average debt

Add or subtract your own factors based on what's important to you personally, answer questions for each school, and see which one is a better fit.

When all else fails, go with how attractive the average student is.

 

[scarletgirl777]

Hey everyone, I am very excited to be accepted to two schools that I am happy with, and I just wanted some advice on how to best compare them.

In the coming weeks, I will have different opportunities to visit the schools I have been accepted to and talk to students and administrators. I just wanted some advice on what questions I should ask in order to help make this decision easier. Of course there are lots of factors involved including cost and distance, but hopefully this thread helps out anyone who is struggling between a couple of schools and is going to Second Looks in the future.

Find 3rd and 4th year students at both places and ask them what they think of their experience. If a school is hiding it's upper levels from you it's a red flag. Ultimately, MS1 or even MS2 are not the most important parts of med school and they aren't what set you up to figure out what specialties in medicine you enjoy and what aspects of clinical medicine you like so you can start figuring out what kind of dream job will make all of the debt and delayed gratification worth it.

 

[ace12345]

Find 3rd and 4th year students at both places and ask them what they think of their experience. If a school is hiding it's upper levels from you it's a red flag. Ultimately, MS1 or even MS2 are not the most important parts of med school and they aren't what set you up to figure out what specialties in medicine you enjoy and what aspects of clinical medicine you like so you can start figuring out what kind of dream job will make all of the debt and delayed gratification worth it.

What is the best way to get objective information when comparing two schools? This is the thing that I have found most difficult.

 

[scarletgirl777]

What is the best way to get objective information when comparing two schools? This is the thing that I have found most difficult.

Ask if they got enough time off to study for Step 1 and then ask specifically how long that was. Ask if the school gives them enough time to do electives within or outside the school and if there was a limit on aways (rotations outside the school). Ask about what kind of advising they got once they figured out what they wanted to go into--how easy was it to talk to faculty in the field who knew what they were talking about and point them in the right direction of what to do to make a competitive app or who were willing to make calls on students' behalf. Ask if there is anything they wish would change (if they say no they are either completely thoughtless or bull$hitting you). Ask generally about how supportive the administration is--if times get tough due to personal, medical, or academic reasons it's better if they actually care. Also supportive administrations can make it easier for even flourishing med students to maximize chance of success.