How do you choose?

[LoganLC]

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I’m curious about everyone’s decision process in making a final choice among schools. I’m lucky enough to have been admitted to several excellent schools (choosing not to go into specifics here) and am having a hard time narrowing it down.

I know that the typical refrain on this board is “whatever’s cheaper!” – but I’m trying to set that aside for now. The schools I’m choosing among are roughly equivalent in tuition and cost of living, and I’ll be combining loans with family support wherever I go (need or merit-based scholarships seem unlikely).

So, for those who have gone through the process of narrowing it down, what did you look at and think about? I understand that it is still prior to second look weekends, but in advance, what are some factors for you? Curriculum, grading, PBL, clinical training, research opportunities, facilities, rank, geography, “fit”, class size, joint-degree programs, etc?

I’m not looking for the silver-bullet easy answer, as there clearly isn’t one. Nor am I looking to start an argument over what’s most important. I’m hoping to have a thoughtful discussion about the decision-making process and garner some ideas from others’ experiences.

Thanks everyone.

 

[illegallysmooth]

I’m curious about everyone’s decision process in making a final choice among schools. I’m lucky enough to have been admitted to several excellent schools (choosing not to go into specifics here) and am having a hard time narrowing it down.

I know that the typical refrain on this board is “whatever’s cheaper!” – but I’m trying to set that aside for now. The schools I’m choosing among are roughly equivalent in tuition and cost of living, and I’ll be combining loans with family support wherever I go (need or merit-based scholarships seem unlikely).

So, for those who have gone through the process of narrowing it down, what did you look at and think about? I understand that it is still prior to second look weekends, but in advance, what are some factors for you? Curriculum, grading, PBL, clinical training, research opportunities, facilities, rank, geography, “fit”, class size, joint-degree programs, etc?

I’m not looking for the silver-bullet easy answer, as there clearly isn’t one. Nor am I looking to start an argument over what’s most important. I’m hoping to have a thoughtful discussion about the decision-making process and garner some ideas from others’ experiences.

Thanks everyone.

There's been a whole lot of discussion on this already, and recently. I urge you to search around and read some of the more recent threads. The consensus is that all those factors matter, but in different amounts according to your personal goals and values.

 

[Narmerguy]

I'm curious about everyone's decision process in making a final choice among schools. I'm lucky enough to have been admitted to several excellent schools (choosing not to go into specifics here) and am having a hard time narrowing it down.

I know that the typical refrain on this board is "whatever's cheaper!" – but I'm trying to set that aside for now. The schools I'm choosing among are roughly equivalent in tuition and cost of living, and I'll be combining loans with family support wherever I go (need or merit-based scholarships seem unlikely).

So, for those who have gone through the process of narrowing it down, what did you look at and think about? I understand that it is still prior to second look weekends, but in advance, what are some factors for you? Curriculum, grading, PBL, clinical training, research opportunities, facilities, rank, geography, "fit", class size, joint-degree programs, etc?

I'm not looking for the silver-bullet easy answer, as there clearly isn't one. Nor am I looking to start an argument over what's most important. I'm hoping to have a thoughtful discussion about the decision-making process and garner some ideas from others' experiences.

Thanks everyone.

There've been some good posts in the pasts by med students retospectively stating the things that really matter. I wish we could somehow collect the opinions of only 3rd/4th year med students in one thread all stating what they think the most important factors to consider are before admissions but anything posted in the med board about that gets moved here and anything posted about that on here gets flooded with pre-med wisdom. 🙁

 

[J ROD]

I say go where you feel comfortable....