Things to consider when choosing between medical schools

[ZinkyZankyZook]

Hello Folks!

As April 30th approaches, I am starting in on making a spreadsheet comparing schools where I have been accepted or wait listed. Here are the categories that I am taking into consideration (location is not a category, because I only applied to schools in locations that I wanted to go to, so it is not very relevant at this point). I am looking for input regarding categories that YOU ALL are considering! Right now, the categories are pretty broad. Please feel free to add your opinions!


Rent (average cost for 1 bed apt):

Tuition:

USMLE Step 1 Pass Rate (Nat’l Ave 95%):

USMLE Step 2 Pass Rate:

Match Rate:

Specialties matched (broken down my % of the class):

Opportunities for international experience:

Curriculum (year 1 + 2):

Grading system:

Standardized Patients?:

Case Based Learning?:

3rd year:

4th year:

Preparation for residency:

Interesting electives/ away rotations:

Affiliated institutions/ hospitals:

Research opportunities:

Service requirement/ opportunities?:

Unique Programs:

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[NickNaylor]

Your match rate is probably going to be at or very near 100% at almost every school - I'm not sure if that's a particularly useful piece of information for you.

Short of knowing that a school has hospital affiliations, I'm not sure that's the kind of thing you would want to spend time looking up. Is that actually going to shape your decision?

Almost every school is going to utilize standardized patients during your training. Again, not sure if that's going to be a particularly useful piece of information.

Despite the problems of opening this can of worms, I wouldn't use the "specialties matched" figure in determining your school choice.

What does "preparation for residency" mean? Every school is going to prepare you for residency. That's what medical school is.

Those are my thoughts. Just trying to save you some time and help you focus on your effort on things that are likely more important in the big scheme of things.

 

[phunky]

My criteria are:

Location
Cost
Reputation/Match List
Research opportunities in my area of interest
Affiliated Hospitals
Grading System

I don't really think stuff like pass rates and specialties matched really matters.

 

[Catalystik]

Add:
safety of area
not just cost, but cost of attendance, which includes cost of gas, car insurance, groceries, apartment, etc that can vary widely
availability of schools/jobs for an SO
nearby recreational opportunities: beach, mountains, forests, bodies of water, if you care

 

[breakintheroof]

I wish I could be Dr. Frankenschool and create a monstrous institution from the component parts of others.

"Yale's system plus UMass' tuition plus Michigan's friendliness plus UCSF's location..."

Different things appeal about different schools. I am trying to wrap my head around all of them for the options I may have, and then going with my gut.

 

[bear410]

I wish I could be Dr. Frankenschool and create a monstrous institution from the component parts of others.


Different things appeal about different schools. I am trying to wrap my head around all of them for the options I may have, and then going with my gut.

+1. My thoughts exactly

 

[Catalystik]

I wish I could be Dr. Frankenschool and create a monstrous institution from the component parts of others.

"Yale's system plus UMass' tuition plus Michigan's friendliness plus UCSF's location..."

Different things appeal about different schools. I am trying to wrap my head around all of them for the options I may have, and then going with my gut.

Sounds like the pre-med equivalent of creating a fantasy football team. 😍

 

[Goro]

Delete match lists and rates. This is such a granular set of data that you, as a pre-med literally know anything about the subject. I'm not saying this as a perjorative, but rather, it's something that really requires inseider info.

Luck up the very recent comments on this by @gyngyn, @mimelim and @SouthernSurgeon on the subject. But just as an example, are people matching to something because they want to, or because it's their 5th choice and they have to?

Hello Folks!

As April 30th approaches, I am starting in on making a spreadsheet comparing schools where I have been accepted or wait listed. Here are the categories that I am taking into consideration (location is not a category, because I only applied to schools in locations that I wanted to go to, so it is not very relevant at this point). I am looking for input regarding categories that YOU ALL are considering! Right now, the categories are pretty broad. Please feel free to add your opinions!


Rent (average cost for 1 bed apt):

Tuition:

USMLE Step 1 Pass Rate (Nat’l Ave 95%):

USMLE Step 2 Pass Rate:

Match Rate:

Specialties matched (broken down my % of the class):

Opportunities for international experience:

Curriculum (year 1 + 2):

Grading system:

Standardized Patients?:

Case Based Learning?:

3rd year:

4th year:

Preparation for residency:

Interesting electives/ away rotations:

Affiliated institutions/ hospitals:

Research opportunities:

Service requirement/ opportunities?:

Unique Programs:

 

[NickNaylor]

Delete match lists and rates. This is such a granular set of data that you, as a pre-med literally know anything about the subject. I'm not saying this as a perjorative, but rather, it's something that really requires inseider info.

Luck up the very recent comments on this by @gyngyn, @mimelim and @SouthernSurgeon on the subject. But just as an example, are people matching to something because they want to, or because it's their 5th choice and they have to?

Oh boy...

 

[jqueb29]

Most important thing by far in my book: is attendance mandatory, or you can chill at home and watch the recordings?

 

[ZinkyZankyZook]

Your match rate is probably going to be at or very near 100% at almost every school - I'm not sure if that's a particularly useful piece of information for you.

Short of knowing that a school has hospital affiliations, I'm not sure that's the kind of thing you would want to spend time looking up. Is that actually going to shape your decision?

Almost every school is going to utilize standardized patients during your training. Again, not sure if that's going to be a particularly useful piece of information.

Despite the problems of opening this can of worms, I wouldn't use the "specialties matched" figure in determining your school choice.

What does "preparation for residency" mean? Every school is going to prepare you for residency. That's what medical school is.

Those are my thoughts. Just trying to save you some time and help you focus on your effort on things that are likely more important in the big scheme of things.

It doesn't really seem like you're trying help me focus on things at all, you've just told me everything wrong with my categories without explaining what you think I should focus on. If you have any more constructive input, that would be a lot more helpful and appreciated.

And my prep for residency, obviously I am aware that med school is preparation for residency (but thanks for pointing that one out), I mean any opportunities during 4th year that help you prepare, such as sub-internships in your specialty of interest, flexibility in regards to scheduling interviews interfering with clerkships, etc.


Thank you.

 

[ZinkyZankyZook]

My criteria are:

Location
Cost
Reputation/Match List
Research opportunities in my area of interest
Affiliated Hospitals
Grading System

I don't really think stuff like pass rates and specialties matched really matters.

Thanks!

 

[ZinkyZankyZook]

Add:
safety of area
not just cost, but cost of attendance, which includes cost of gas, car insurance, groceries, apartment, etc that can vary widely
availability of schools/jobs for an SO
nearby recreational opportunities: beach, mountains, forests, bodies of water, if you care

Thank you! Those are great things to take into consideration. I appreciate that they are more focused on quality of life than on medicine. That is equally, if not more, important!

 

[ZinkyZankyZook]

Delete match lists and rates. This is such a granular set of data that you, as a pre-med literally know anything about the subject. I'm not saying this as a perjorative, but rather, it's something that really requires inseider info.

Luck up the very recent comments on this by @gyngyn, @mimelim and @SouthernSurgeon on the subject. But just as an example, are people matching to something because they want to, or because it's their 5th choice and they have to?

I see your point, but how can I find out if people are matching where they want? Seems like hard data to gather.

 

[Goro]

Damn near impossible to figure out, unless you talk to the actual people.

I see your point, but how can I find out if people are matching where they want? Seems like hard data to gather.

 

[ZinkyZankyZook]

Damn near impossible to figure out, unless you talk to the actual people.

Too bad, but that makes sense. Thanks though!

 

[Catalystik]

Thank you! Those are great things to take into consideration. I appreciate that they are more focused on quality of life than on medicine. That is equally, if not more, important!

If one is not supporting their mental health during a very tough 4-year experience, it's harder to be efficient in one's studies, so definitely they should be part of the equation.

 

[WingedOx]

I see your point, but how can I find out if people are matching where they want? Seems like hard data to gather.

Sometimes you match where you didn't know you wanted to match. In hindsight, I'm glad I'm where I'm at and not my first choice.

 

[NickNaylor]

, you've just told me everything wrong

constructive input

These things are not mutually exclusive.

The reason I didn't give you things to look at is because I have no idea who you are. This is a deeply personal decision - one that only you can make. I have no idea what's important to you. What's the point in telling you what I think is important?

My advice was to do away with those things because finding that information out (if it's even possible in the first place) will take a significant amount of time and likely help you next to zero. This is because those things are essentially equivalent across all med schools, and any differences are likely gimmicks designed to fool you into thinking one school is particularly different than another.

 

[ZinkyZankyZook]

These things are not mutually exclusive.

The reason I didn't give you things to look at is because I have no idea who you are. This is a deeply personal decision - one that only you can make. I have no idea what's important to you. What's the point in telling you what I think is important?

My advice was to do away with those things because finding that information out (if it's even possible in the first place) will take a significant amount of time and likely help you next to zero. This is because those things are essentially equivalent across all med schools, and any differences are likely gimmicks designed to fool you into thinking one school is particularly different than another.

While I appreciate your advice regarding things to remove from my list, my original post was written with the intent of receiving contributions regarding other categories or factors that people are considering. If you want to share what YOU would consider, then I can figure out if it applies to me and my personal preferences/ priorities. If you don't want to, then that is fine.

 

[karayaa]

It doesn't really seem like you're trying help me focus on things at all, you've just told me everything wrong with my categories without explaining what you think I should focus on. If you have any more constructive input, that would be a lot more helpful and appreciated.

And my prep for residency, obviously I am aware that med school is preparation for residency (but thanks for pointing that one out), I mean any opportunities during 4th year that help you prepare, such as sub-internships in your specialty of interest, flexibility in regards to scheduling interviews interfering with clerkships, etc.


Thank you.

Yes, those things sound important. Another would be the maximum number of away/audition rotations you can do, and the total amount of time you can spend away from home institution. But the relevancy of these things depends on the individual - for some it matters, for others it wouldn't. I don't know what's important to you.

 

[ZinkyZankyZook]

Yes, those things sound important. Another would be the maximum number of away/audition rotations you can do, and the total amount of time you can spend away from home institution. But the relevancy of these things depends on the individual - for some it matters, for others it wouldn't. I don't know what's important to you.

Thank you! That is important to me.