Guys, I have many premed students ask me about what are the factors that should contribute to choosing a medical school when you have the choices.
Of course, location, tuition, school ranking is important, but something most premeds don't think about is the number of subspecialty postgraduate programs/residency programs that are offered at the institution. Pretty much every school has medicine and general surgery, but not every school has an urology, ER, or ENT program. But if you eventually decided to pursue a subspecialty, having a residency program is very important in helping you match into that specialty. The reason is because letters of recommendation from well known academic faculties is crucial in helping you get interviews, especially in small fields.
For example, I am current a ENT resident, and I have heard many stellar students having problem matching because they come from a school with no ENT program.
So keep that in mind when choosing a medical school. Go to their website see if they have residency programs in the subspecialties, even though you have no idea what you want to do in the future.
Good luck.
Of course, location, tuition, school ranking is important, but something most premeds don't think about is the number of subspecialty postgraduate programs/residency programs that are offered at the institution. Pretty much every school has medicine and general surgery, but not every school has an urology, ER, or ENT program. But if you eventually decided to pursue a subspecialty, having a residency program is very important in helping you match into that specialty. The reason is because letters of recommendation from well known academic faculties is crucial in helping you get interviews, especially in small fields.
For example, I am current a ENT resident, and I have heard many stellar students having problem matching because they come from a school with no ENT program.
So keep that in mind when choosing a medical school. Go to their website see if they have residency programs in the subspecialties, even though you have no idea what you want to do in the future.
Good luck.