How To Select The Right Med School
Have you ever dreamt of making a name in the medical industry? Do you always envision yourself providing the best care to different people? Working in the medical industry is fulfilling, but this will require you to carefully select a med school. This is a crucial decision to make as the med school you’ll choose can influence your ability to succeed in the industry.
Statistics show that more than 2,600 medical schools are operating worldwide. Choosing one out of thousands isn’t an easy feat, especially if you don’t know what factors to consider.
Fortunately, this article can make the process easier.
Here’s how you can select the right med school:
1. Think About The Prestige
Aside from your skills and medical training, the prestige of your med school can also influence your chances of applying for residency. This is especially true for competitive specialties, namely integrated plastic surgery, interventional radiology, and otolaryngology.
The prestige of the med school should be an important deciding factor as this can affect your ability to further your education in the future. Aside from having an impact on your residency, the prestige of the med school can also affect your applications for second degrees and job applications in well-known hospitals.
For example, if you choose to enroll in Harvard Medical School or another prestigious med school in your country, you’ll have better chances of landing a high-paying job in the future.
2. Consider The Intensity Of The Pressure
Attending medical school is a big challenge. You’ll have to master the art of time management to ensure that you have sufficient resources to study all of your lessons, go to your classes on time, and maintain a healthy social life.
Since you’ll be spending at least four years in a med school, it’s also important to consider how intense the pressure is. Enrolling in a med school with cutthroat pressure will make it very challenging for you to excel and succeed, especially if you’re not used to any kind of pressure at all. Instead of being a stepping stone into your medical career, this kind of med school will only take a toll on your mental and physical health.
Pressure can motivate you to work harder, but too much of it can be detrimental to your overall health. Make sure to pick a med school with pressure levels that you can keep up with.
3. Talk To Current Students And Alumni
Searching for a med school online will give you a better idea of how the school looks, what kind of facilities it offers, and how credible the professors are. The internet is a great source of information about medical schools, but this isn’t enough for you to make a decision.
If you want to know about the nitty-gritty of a specific med school, reach out to current students or alumni. These individuals were once in your situation and will understand your dilemma. They have first-hand experience attending a med school, which means they can also provide insights into everything you need to know about the school.
Are you curious about the curriculum of the school? Or how medical students are treated by the professors? Or wondering how students relieve themselves from stress? You’ll have answers to all of these questions when you talk to the current students and alumni of the medical school you’re eyeing to enroll in.
4. Consider The Location
The location is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a med school. The location can affect your everyday life as a medical student, as well as your expenses.
Attending a med school located in or outside of your hometown comes with pros and cons. For example, choosing a med school near your home will help you save money on transportation. On the other hand, it might mean lesser options when you apply for residency. Conversely, attending a med school abroad can mean more opportunities but will also require you to spend more.
Always think about the location when selecting a med school. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option, so you can decide which setup works for you.
5. Don’t Forget About The Costs
On average, attending a public med school will cost you USD$250,222 and USD$330,180 for private colleges. If you’re planning to attend a med school farther from your home, expect to pay more.
When choosing a med school, consider the costs involved. Reach out to the med schools you’ve shortlisted and inquire about the cost of the attendance and other expenses medical students have to pay. For med schools located abroad, make sure to ask about on- and off-campus residences and how much they cost.
Attending med school is expensive, which is why it’s important to determine the costs early. In this way, you’ll have your finances in order and minimize stress as you enroll.
Never Make Rash Decisions; Think Carefully
The medical school you’ll choose can change your life for better or for worse, so never make rash decisions. Take the time to assess your options by following all of the tips presented in this article. These can guide you in making the right decision, so you’ll end up enrolling in the best med school!
