i'll try and answer some of these as a fourth year that goes to a school outside the top 50 and will probably not be participating in this fireside chat. so here's some input regardless because i felt like typing while on the interview trail.
administration- go to a school with a receptive administration that takes care of their students; ask other students when interviewing how approachable the dean is and etc.
good board prep- go to a school with a good track record for good board prep. yes, this is largely an individual feat, but you also want an environment that is conducive for you to do well.
you're going to get a good education where ever you go.
but, right behind cost, location should be next. also, this largely depends on WHERE you get in; my advice for you if you live in a big city will be different than if you live in the south.
living in a large metropolitan area means times are hard. loans are there, and you learn to live within your means. i have encountered very few people in my medical school class who has had significant financial hardship where they are unable to meet their needs. budget yourself form the beginning, and find rent that fits that budget.
juggling med school with family is hard. you must ACTIVELY make time for them. you'll also have to realize that many of your class mates will be younger than you (probably) and many of them haven't had that "traditional" college or even high school experience. in my opinion, many med students are socially sheltered and possibly "disadvantaged". all i am getting at is this- many of your class mates will be at a different stage in life than you. prioritize your life accordingly.
don't go to pritzker. i chose based off cost of tuition, but i am sure i am making up for it in living costs.
reputation- go to the best school possible as this will help you during residency application time.
administration- go to a school with a receptive administration that takes care of their students; ask other students when interviewing how approachable the dean is and etc.
good board prep- go to a school with a good track record for good board prep. yes, this is largely an individual feat, but you also want an environment that is conducive for you to do well.
you're going to get a good education where ever you go.
NA. i will say, though, in relation to #4.. go to a school where there is good food or at least decent cafeteria food. although, this is definitely less important.
you'll get a good education where ever you go. i'm a fan for the truncated 18 month M1/M2 combined curriculums with a longer 3rd and 4th year.
this is common sense really. only you know your budget and where you might like to live.
but, right behind cost, location should be next. also, this largely depends on WHERE you get in; my advice for you if you live in a big city will be different than if you live in the south.
N/A. just worry about getting in.
see above. go to the best school you can get into. however, i will say that at the top, it doesn't matter so much. it's hard to say don't look at match lists, but i think this should dictate which school you choose. and i say it's hard to look at it, because as a premed, you have NO idea what you're looking at or even how to possibly interpret it. and, even as a med student it's kinda tough to interpret it.
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they'll rank you on a variety of factors. and, regardless, your school will rank you unless you come from some place special like Stanford (i think). but, they factor your class rank/AOA status into it. however, board scores and third year grades are pretty much the most important factors to getting interviews (this is a broad generalization and each specialty will put weight towards other factors). there's no magic formula for ranking (or even getting interviews)
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