Where do you want to go to medical school? And why?

[@Hazel-rah]

Where do you really want to go to medical school, and why? I'm curious to hear what are SDN members' favorite schools, and why. What is it about a particular medical school that attracts you or makes you feel like you belong there?
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I'll start. (And I haven't researched that many schools, I'm only thinking of applying next year, so I hope this thread will turn me on to some other schools and some things to consider when looking at a school.)

I really like U of Michigan because they seem to be implementing a new, integrated, curriculum and seem focused on shaping the future of healthcare, medical education, and global health. Ann Arbor would be an awesome town to live in, in my opinion.

I like that they have a big university medical center where I would be exposed to a lot of interesting cases, the most complicated ones that can't stay at little hospitals and Level I trauma patients.

I also like the big class size 🙂

Hope some others will reply--thanks!

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[NotASerialKiller]

Only thing I cared about was what city I wanted to live in, specifically what food that city does well.

 

[MaxPlancker]

To me, research opportunities in my field of interest was important. Most important, however, was the preclinical curriculum. Certain schools have a 1 year condensed preclinical which I think is baller.

 

[OMG I'm going to be an MD]

The curriculum: I wanted a school that provides students with early exposure to patients (small MD-student classes centered around patient care) and short pre-clinical period. Shorter pre-clinical period means more time to complete non-mandatory rotations before applying to residency programs. Traditionally, a 24 month pre clinical program means you might not have had time to complete non-mand rotations, that's really inconveniencing if you want to specialize in one of those programs. I wanted a curriculum where I've started my clinicals before step 1 so that I can have that experience for the clinical portion of the exam. I did NOT want a block schedule. I wanted sufficient time off in the afternoons to study/ pursue other interest e.g research. I wanted a school with solid research opportunities. I wanted a school in a big diverse city (which equals case diversity and dealing which patients of different socioeconomic status) in my state so that I don't have to live on store brand bread and ice cubes.
I was also interest in schools that have solid track programs, I don't want to do my masters yet, but I wanted superb tropical medicine or public health exposure in medical school.

 

[takeurmeds02]

Looking back on it, I thought I had a few dream schools but it was honestly dream locations. Location was a very important factor to me. My past significant other went to a school in the midwest that was in the middle of nowhere and quite frankly, it was depressing to me. I do best in thriving areas even if I'm not in the mix of all the riff-raff.

Underserved mission was also very important to me.

I'd consider myself resilient and frankly didn't have the luxury stat-wise to be particularly picky about the type of curriculum I'd prefer so that was never on my table of negotiables.

 

[Lawpy]

Really the factors that matter to me are:

1. Preclinical curriculum: Shorter the better (this means more time for clinical and research electives). P/F unranked is by far the best. Also good to have recorded lectures/slides and not having to physically attend the classroom.

2. Research opportunities: Pretty self-explanatory but to each their own

3. School environment: This is pretty hard to assess on the interview trail (Second Looks become really useful), but a cooperative/collaborative environment is far superior to competitive/cutthroat. This is usually alleviated by P/F unranked and shorter preclinical curriculum, but still an important factor.

Location is also pretty important for case diversity, but the above 3 are usually high priority.

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

Basically anywhere that accepted both me and my girlfriend lol...between the schools that accepted both of us, we chose the option that was cheapest and closest to home.

Nothing like a good home cooked meal when you're too lazy to microwave leftovers

 

[longtimelurker2015]

For me, it drove me nuts to think I would be staring at a 300k+ student loan balance at the end of 4 years. The School I will be going to is in a town that is probably the last I thought I would end up in med school (but beautiful and I know I'll be happy there), but I'll be staring at the end of 4 years at less than a third of that 300K. Very happy camper here.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

There are too many intangibles to say where you want to go based solely on what you find online. Unless you're familiar with the city or school, it's all just blind impressions. I had an interview at a mid-west school my first time interviewing that I thought I would love, but after the interview day and a full extra day in town, it fell to the bottom of my list.

 

[@Hazel-rah]

Thanks everyone for your input, but could you name specific schools? I would like to know the names of the schools you are referring to that have the stated short pre-clinical period or p/f, or great research opportunities, etc.

 

[PatchAdams25]

Ohio State

 

[eteshoe]

Obviously research was one of my top priorities, but climate/location played a huge part - which is why I couldn't subject myself to the frozen hell that is Boston lol.

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

Thanks everyone for your input, but could you name specific schools? I would like to know the names of the schools you are referring to that have the stated short pre-clinical period or p/f, or great research opportunities, etc.

Miami

But Imo all the stuff you mention pales in comparison to price, quality of life/location, and other intangibles. After 10 interviews, my conclusion was that pre-clinical curriculum, research ops, etc are pretty similar at every [mainland MD] school.