Sink or Swim Schools?

[leungdong]

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I have been to a few top tier medical school interviews and they all say how unlike "some other schools", their medical school has no competition between classmates and everyone is cooperative.

I understand that all medical schools have a level of competitiveness and many of the people who matriculate in the top tier schools are type A and ambitious.

I am confused who these "some other schools" are. Obviously no one during interviews will paint their medical school in a negative competitive way, but I was wondering if anyone here on sdn has more insight on the true competitiveness of these schools?

 

[Ismet]

I can honestly say that my class is not competitive. This doesn't mean we don't try our best to succeed, but it is a very cooperative environment. I feel like I can go up to anyone in my class and ask them for help on a concept, and they'll explain it. We're P/F with the pass line at 2 std below the mean, so there's no need to compete, but people still study hard and want to do well on a personal basis.

 

[Lollygag]

Word on the street is Cornell is extremely competitive. I don't go there, nor do I plan on applying, just heard it said multiple times by different people before.

It's mentioned in this thread and people responded: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=823389&page=2

 

[SilverCat]

Most schools I've been to claim 'their student body is super friendly- not competitive at all!'


Only one was honest enough to admit- 85% of students are cooperative, 15% are gunners.

 

[NickNaylor]

Word on the street is Cornell is extremely competitive. I don't go there, nor do I plan on applying, just heard it said multiple times by different people before.

It's mentioned in this thread and people responded: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=823389&page=2

I'm guessing this is due at least in part to the fact that they rank students (even though they are P/F).

Everyone is going to have their own opinions, but I got weird vibes at both WashU and Hopkins. I liked the other "top schools" that I interviewed at though.

(sent from my phone)

 

[Planes2Doc]

I can honestly say that my class is not competitive. This doesn't mean we don't try our best to succeed, but it is a very cooperative environment. I feel like I can go up to anyone in my class and ask them for help on a concept, and they'll explain it. We're P/F with the pass line at 2 std below the mean, so there's no need to compete, but people still study hard and want to do well on a personal basis.

Our school is the exact same way, expect we are on a letter system. At the end of the day, since there is class rank, does it matter what kind of grading system a school has?

 

[unhappytnt]

Literally all the schools I interviewed at claimed that their student body was not competitive unlike other schools. I've started to wonder where all these other competitive schools are

 

[nadaba]

Only one was honest enough to admit- 85% of students are cooperative, 15% are gunners.

Some people work harder than others, but I've never seen anyone try to sabotage another student. I think the vast majority of students at most schools are just fine.

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Literally all the schools I interviewed at claimed that their student body was not competitive unlike other schools. I've started to wonder where all these other competitive schools are

"Gunner" is a misnomer is most cases. Gunner means in an academic context that they deliberately take those around them down to make themselves look better. These people are very few in number. Competition on the other hand is inherent in H/HP/P/F curriculum or directly graded/ranked curriculum. P/F curriculum will be the least competitive, but that doesn't mean people won't be working their asses off. The goal of medical school is to survive and learn as much as you can while maintaining your sanity and entering the residency you want to be in. Make sure your school's curriculum matches that so you're happy.

Also, schools will always say the nicest things about themselves, they like high matriculation rates. Don't hesitate to ask people what they don't like, especially students who've been there a while. Most will be honest. Otherwise, you're going to get the whole "Our Step I average is above the medical school average!" that literally every school I've been to has said. I'm also trying to figure out what schools don't get above average, I'm assuming they're not in the non-historically-minority and continental US.