Now that you’ve had time to sit with the AMCAS this summer and now comes the daunting task of figuring out where you’ll want to attend medical school! The deciding process can be exciting and fun but also nerving and stressful. According to the AAMC an applicant applies to an average of 15 med schools! During the application process you’ll really want to do your research and be efficient in picking where to apply because applying to a lot programs can get costly, especially with secondary applications and fees!
Best case scenario: you get in to several of the programs you to apply to and then…
How do you choose?
There are many things to consider here so let’s take a quick look at a 3 key things to think over and questions to ask yourself when choosing the medical school for you…
Location Location Location
Would you prefer a rural setting or a bustling city? Think about your time in undergrad, did that work for you or do you need a change of pace? A school visit is a wise choice before finalizing your decision on location to get a real feel and glimpse into your future stay there. The importance of living in a cool city may take a back seat when keeping in mind the cost of living expense differences in locations too.
Tuition Costs
When thinking about tuition cost there are several factors to consider such as private vs public school or in-state vs out of state tuition, etc. Take a look at AAMC’s Tuition And Fees First Year Medical Students 2014-2015 for Public Schools here and Private Schools here; keeping in mind of available aide and scholarships each program may offer (diligent research needed).
Program Specs
Be sure to take a look at program specifics like specializations and what kind of research opportunities are available to you? How important is class size to you? Check out these 35 Questions I Wish I Had Asked, a compilation of things medical student wished they could turn back the clock and ask!
The key to making your final decision will depend how you prioritize these topics of consideration.
So research and think it over carefully because it really goes without saying but these are very important four years for you.
Happy Applying.
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