Selecting Medical Schools

Office of Career ServicesHarvard University

March 21, 2016

Goals Today

• Get you started Factors to consider Resources Case studies (not included on the handout)

The Process of Selecting

• ~146 total U.S. medical schoolsHow many schools to apply to?

• Campus visit after application

“I can’t distinguish between them.”

“What are the top medical schools?”“I’ll just apply to a lot and decide after I’m accepted.”

Understanding Rankings

Criteria for U.S. News

• Assessment methods appropriate?* (40%) Reputation

20% med school deans and senior faculty rate academic quality20% residency program directors select the 25 best med schoolsResponse rate ~40-50%

(30%) Research grants awarded (20%) Student selectivity (10%) Science/Clinical faculty to students ratio

• Real-life value?

*Academic Medicine, Vol. 76, No.10, October 2001

All Things Considered

Opportunities

Preclinical Years

• Grading system Traditional Pass/Fail Narrative evaluation Class ranking

• Teaching methods/Curriculum Traditional Lecture Teaching Problem- or Team-Based LearningOrgan-based versus Subject-based

• Classroom Technology

Preclinical Years

• Curriculum

• Flexibility• Clinical exposure

Clinical Years

• Most important factor• Timing and choices (e.g., flexibility of rotation

schedule)• Diversity of patient population• Number and diversity of affiliated hospitals• Level of autonomy

Location

Cost

• Type of assistance Loans, grants, state assistance, outside sources, merit

scholarships

• Annual budget

• In-state vs out-of-state tuition Interstate agreements (WWAMI) Residency definitions: Vary by state

• Financial aid

Gathering Information

Medical School Admissions Data

Medical School Admissions Data

School Websites

School Websites

Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR)

• Purchase access to the MSAR website from the AAMC for $27.00 at https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/applying-medical-school-process/deciding-where-apply/medical-school-admission-requirements/

The MSAR includes entries for all U.S. medical schools

Sample school entry in MSAR

MSAR acceptance information

Alumni Evaluations

Sample Alumni Evaluation

Finding Balance

Top down approach Your state school(s) can be your best bet. Residency definitions vary by state –contact med schools directly

to learn more Don’t put any schools on the list just because you think you have

a high chance of getting accepted The number of schools can range from 14-40 schools If you plan to be out of the country while applying, put together a

longer list A good list has a good balance of very competitive schools,

match schools, and less competitive schools