How to Decide Where to Apply to Medical SchoolHow Many Medical Schools to Include?
Categories: US Education News
As a premedical student, go to your university pre-health office and ask, “What is the average number of schools premeds from our university apply to?” This will give you a rough estimate of how many med schools you should consider applying to. You may apply to fewer or more schools according to your personal financial situation, career goals and strength of your application.With med schools becoming more competitive each year, premed students are applying to more schools. Most premeds I have met in recent years apply to 20-30 schools. Main Factors to Create a Medical School List Next, figure out which med schools to apply to by weighing location, your academic standing and primary application considerations. Location Location is one of the main factors that drives which medical schools premed students consider. Students typically apply to locations where they have social connections and support. Strongly consider applying to schools in your home state and the state you attended college, because you may have an in-state advantage; some med schools give preference to students who reside in the school’s state.Where do your stats fall compared to the rest of the applicants who are accepted to each school? Your list should include a range of reach, target and safety schools. Although there is no clear distinction of what qualifies as a reach, target or safety school, a good list will include schools where your MCAT score and GPA fall below, around and above the median MCAT score and GPA of accepted students. There are three main primary medical school application systems: AMCAS, AACOMAS and TMDSAS. AMCAS, the American Medical College Application Service, is the primary application for allopathic, or M.D., schools. AACOMAS, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, is the primary application for osteopathic, or D.O., schools. TMDSAS, which is the Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Services, is the application system for all Texas med schools. Location, GPA, MCAT scores and primary application requirements help students build a robust medical school list, but there are typically still too many schools. How can you narrow down your school list? Doing research on the medical school’s grading system, extracurricular activities, clinical opportunities and school culture will help you understand the nuances among medical schools. Extracurricular Activities Other students want to develop interests they have not had the opportunity to pursue. For example, you may want to pursue a joint master’s degree – like an M.D.-MBA or M.D.-M.P.H. – to further your knowledge in business or public health, respectively. Take time to learn about extracurricular activities available at each med school because these activities will provide a more holistic education. Clinical Opportunities Because many premed students know med students who are one or two years older, premeds often hear about great preclinical extracurricular activities and classes. However, the exciting part about med school is starting clinical rotations. Therefore, when you build your school list, incorporate clinical opportunities like clinical rotation sites and clinical electives. School Culture Speaking with current med students, faculty and recent alumni is the best way to learn about a medical school’s culture. If you have the opportunity, try to visit various med schools throughout your premed years.Creating a medical school list takes a lot of research. But it is exciting to learn about opportunities in med school, and doing so will ensure that you have a medical school list tailored to your interests.Creating a medical school list takes a lot of research. But it is exciting to learn about opportunities in med school, and doing so will ensure that you have a medical school list tailored to your interests.