Top medical schools- Is it really better than average medical schools?

[twitch_mah_itch]

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I am currently in my third year in college, so searching and applying to medical schools are coming up soon.
I have a question to anyone who is currently in medical school, in a resident program, or a physician:

Is it really a better deal if a pre-med student gets accepted into one of the best medical schools in US? People here in the forum are always saying the same med schools (Harvard, Hopkins, UCSF, Columbia, Yale, etc.. ) for getting into any residency program. Is it because of their programs or is the "name" thing that catches residency programs attention? I was thinking of going to an "average" medical school like Loyola Chicago Medical School, New York Medical College, and LSU Medical School. I'm also going to apply to Georgetown University and Tulane Medical School.
Is going to one of the top medical schools guarantee medical students the opportunity to get into their top residency program they wish to apply? Or is all medical schools the same?

 

[Gleevec]

Is going to one of the top medical schools guarantee medical students the opportunity to get into their top residency program they wish to apply? Or is all medical schools the same?

No it will not guarantee anything. But if you look at the match lists for top schools, they tend to have the most competitive matches. It has a lot to do with the name. But going to a "lower ranked" school doesnt disqualify you from getting into a top residency either.

So in terms of what is being taught, med schools pretty much have to be the same (because all students have to take USMLEs). How the material is taught (curriculum style) and the competitiveness of your classmates is what differs.

 

[moo]

The reason the match rate is impressive is probably because the students that go to these schools are already top notch students, and not necessarily because the school's name wowed residency directors.

 

[rockit]

My friend goes to Hopkins, and this is how he described the difference.

"Normally, if you hear hooves clicking on a street, you expect to see a horse. Here, they want us to expect a zebra."

Hope that makes sense.

 

[twitch_mah_itch]

My friend goes to Hopkins, and this is how he described the difference.

"Normally, if you hear hooves clicking on a street, you expect to see a horse. Here, they want us to expect a zebra."

Hope that makes sense.

So basically you're saying is that those top notch medical schools want the unique students that can differentiate themselves from other students applying. they rather choose a "zebra" than a "horse" because they are the rare gems. 🙂 Understandable. I don't think I'm those zebras on the street... 😀

 

[Gleevec]

The reason the match rate is impressive is probably because the students that go to these schools are already top notch students, and not necessarily because the school's name wowed residency directors.

I agree that is one reason, but the name is very important especially for highly competitive specialties/hospitals. However, a lot of RD's do end up loading their programs with people from top schools (given two similarly qualified students, RDs often choose the one who went to a top school to say "Oh, well we have 5 kids from Man's Greatest Medical School here").

 

[footcramp]

So basically you're saying is that those top notch medical schools want the unique students that can differentiate themselves from other students applying. they rather choose a "zebra" than a "horse" because they are the rare gems. 🙂 Understandable. I don't think I'm those zebras on the street... 😀

it means that hopkins has more rare cases than your run of the mill hospital.

 

[rockit]

So basically you're saying is that those top notch medical schools want the unique students that can differentiate themselves from other students applying. they rather choose a "zebra" than a "horse" because they are the rare gems. 🙂 Understandable. I don't think I'm those zebras on the street... 😀

Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

 

[twitch_mah_itch]

I agree that is one reason, but the name is very important especially for highly competitive specialties/hospitals. However, a lot of RD's do end up loading their programs with people from top schools (given two similarly qualified students, RDs often choose the one who went to a top school to say "Oh, well we have 5 kids from Man's Greatest Medical School here").

How often do RDs pride about their Men because of what medical school they went to? I think that is rather ignorant for RDs to have pride on. Although it is unfortunate to know that it is true for some RDs to pick medical students because of the school they went to, I think that there is a way higher percentage of medical students who got choosen to a residency program because they have the ability, personality, and leadership to handle patients.

Media should have some blame into this because such show as "extreme makeover" choose physicians who came from Harvard Medical School that lowers other medical schools.

 

[Jalby]

If you are smart enough to get into a top medical school, you are smart enough to get into a top residency. It's just that the smart people actually do go to the top med schools because it does open doors, if nothing else into said top medical schools own residency.

 

[twitch_mah_itch]

Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Sorry rockit for being such a *******...I assume that i'm not too good to even apply to Hopkins ehe? Next time, be an adult and keep your damn insults to yourself! Can't wait i see as a doctor, some patient will kick the living hell out of you because of your damn personality!

 

[elias514]

God, this question has been debated ad nauseam on SDN. Nevertheless, I'll put in my 2 cents.

Pros of a top medical school:
1. The attendings are typically quite famous nationally or even internationally. If a student manages to create a relationship with one of these individuals, the student can get some great letters of recommendation. Of course, the big question is whether an average student can forge a relationship of this sort--the famous attendings may be very arrogant and aloof. Further, national renown doesn't necessarily translate into excellent teaching (anyone who has gone to college knows that professors with truly exceptional credentials can be the absolute worst teachers).

2. The residents tend to be ridiculously smart, because the residency programs at top schools are typically very competitive. Since students usually have the most contact with residents, the overall quality of clinical teaching might be better at top medical schools. This is pure supposition, and I'm sure current medical students at mid-tier and unranked medical schools would object to this statement. The basis of their objection is most likely that students at lesser ranked medical schools get more hands-on experience and more significant roles in patient care. The quality of the actual TEACHING by residents, though, is not addressed by this objection.

3. There are more research opportunities for medical students, because top medical schools typically have research money coming out the wazoo.

4. The preclinical and clinical facilities are more high-tech, sleek, and modern.

5. The vast majority of students in a class are very bright and highly accomplished individuals, which adds an important dimension to one's educational experience--i.e., learning from peers.

6. It's easier to get interviews at residency programs, especially the highly competitive programs.

7. There is a high probability of matching at home base, which is a positive feature of top schools, when one considers the fact that most top schools have an assortment of prestigious residency programs.

Cons of Top Medical Schools:

1. The top-tier medical schools are--with few exceptions--VERY expensive. Graduates of these schools often start residency with $200,000 of debt. A debtload of this magnitude can affect a student's choice of specialty, compelling an individual to choose more lucrative specialties. Of course, it's also a royal pain in the ass to service a debt that exceeds the median income for doctors (that monthly check has to hurt after a while).

2. Top medical schools tend to be rather weak in the area of primary care, esp. family medicine. If one is interested in becoming a family physician, one shouldn't attend a top-ten medical school (University of Washington being a prime exception to this).

3. It's much harder for students to distinguish themselves, since most students at top schools are freakishly good test takers and exceptionally strong learners.

That's enough for me. I need to watch the Pistons whoop some serious ass.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

So basically you're saying is that those top notch medical schools want the unique students that can differentiate themselves from other students applying. they rather choose a "zebra" than a "horse" because they are the rare gems. 🙂 Understandable. I don't think I'm those zebras on the street... 😀

"Typical," muttered the Fat Man as we gathered around the patient's bed, "typical BMS. A BMS hears hoofbeats outside his window, the first thing he thinks of is a zebra."

 

[Odaroloc]

Actually, some of the lower tiered schools are beggining to have nicer facilities in order to attract students...whereas some top tier schools can take longer to update facilities bc they can.

 

[BenzML320]

Add one more to the "cons" list. Depending on one's frame of reference, many of the best schools are in crappy locations, which may affect quality of life. Alternatively, these neighborhoods do present great learning experiences (diverse patient populations and cases) and opportunities to help the underserved.

God, this question has been debated ad nauseam on SDN. Nevertheless, I'll put in my 2 cents.

Pros of a top medical school:
1. The attendings are typically quite famous nationally or even internationally. If a student manages to create a relationship with one of these individuals, the student can get some great letters of recommendation. Of course, the big question is whether an average student can forge a relationship of this sort--the famous attendings may be very arrogant and aloof. Further, national renown doesn't necessarily translate into excellent teaching (anyone who has gone to college knows that professors with truly exceptional credentials can be the absolute worst teachers).

2. The residents tend to be ridiculously smart, because the residency programs at top schools are typically very competitive. Since students usually have the most contact with residents, the overall quality of clinical teaching might be better at top medical schools. This is pure supposition, and I'm sure current medical students at mid-tier and unranked medical schools would object to this statement. The basis of their objection is most likely that students at lesser ranked medical schools get more hands-on experience and more significant roles in patient care. The quality of the actual TEACHING by residents, though, is not addressed by this objection.

3. There are more research opportunities for medical students, because top medical schools typically have research money coming out the wazoo.

4. The preclinical and clinical facilities are more high-tech, sleek, and modern.

5. The vast majority of students in a class are very bright and highly accomplished individuals, which adds an important dimension to one's educational experience--i.e., learning from peers.

6. It's easier to get interviews at residency programs, especially the highly competitive programs.

7. There is a high probability of matching at home base, which is a positive feature of top schools, when one considers the fact that most top schools have an assortment of prestigious residency programs.

Cons of Top Medical Schools:

1. The top-tier medical schools are--with few exceptions--VERY expensive. Graduates of these schools often start residency with $200,000 of debt. A debtload of this magnitude can affect a student's choice of specialty, compelling an individual to choose more lucrative specialties. Of course, it's also a royal pain in the ass to service a debt that exceeds the median income for doctors (that monthly check has to hurt after a while).

2. Top medical schools tend to be rather weak in the area of primary care, esp. family medicine. If one is interested in becoming a family physician, one shouldn't attend a top-ten medical school (University of Washington being a prime exception to this).

3. It's much harder for students to distinguish themselves, since most students at top schools are freakishly good test takers and exceptionally strong learners.

That's enough for me. I need to watch the Pistons whoop some serious ass.

 

[aunaturel]

If you are smart enough to get into a top medical school, you are smart enough to get into a top residency. It's just that the smart people actually do go to the top med schools because it does open doors, if nothing else into said top medical schools own residency.

Hey, what Rockit posted was a quote from "Billy Madison." I'm not sure if you knew that, but it's actually one of the funniest lines in the movie.

 

[aunaturel]

If you are smart enough to get into a top medical school, you are smart enough to get into a top residency. It's just that the smart people actually do go to the top med schools because it does open doors, if nothing else into said top medical schools own residency.

wow, i quoted the wrong person... that was supposed to be for twitch. sorry, it was my first post ever though...

 

[aunaturel]

hilarious, i did it again

 

[stinkycheese]

Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Oops, I just got it. Adam Sandler funnies 🙂

 

[skypilot]

My friend goes to Hopkins, and this is how he described the difference. "Normally, if you hear hooves clicking on a street, you expect to see a horse. Here, they want us to expect a zebra."
e.

This quote is actually a joke about brilliant medical students who when they see what is obviously a horse (like pneumonia) they think it is some exotic zebra disease (ebola).

Maybe that is the problem with students from the "ivory tower" schools, they are not focused on the common diseases.

🙂