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Selecting a Medical School: Thirty-Five Questions I Wish I Had Asked
From the AAMC's Organization of Student Representatives
(OSR)
Medical schools, like individuals, are very different—in their
philosophies, faculties, curricula, and the type of students they
attract. As a result, selecting the "best" medical school
for you can be challenging.
The following list of questions—compiled
by medical students from across the country—is designed to help you evaluate
the schools you will visit. This list is by no means complete; it
was designed to serve as a base for your own questions. Make sure to
research each institution before the interview so you can ask informed questions.
The interview represents a valuable learning opportunity for you,
so don't be shy about asking anyone your questions. Congratulations on your career choice and good luck with your interviews!
Curriculum
- Are there any special programs for which this medical school
is noted?
- Please tell me more about the integrated curriculum.
- What modalities are used for student lectures?
- What are the opportunities for research? What are the policies
for taking time off for research opportunities?
- How do students get assistance if an academic need arises?
- Is there flexibility in the coursework (the number of electives)
and the timing of the courses (accelerating, decelerating, and
time off) during the pre-clinical and clinical years?
- Are standardized tests used such as the NBME shelf exams?
- Has this medical school, or any of its clinical departments,
been on probation or had its accreditation revoked?
- How do students from this medical school perform on the National
Board Examinations? How does the school assist students who do
not pass?
Evaluations
- How are students evaluated academically? How are clinical evaluations
performed?
- Is there a formal mechanism in place for students to evaluate
their professors and attending physicians? What changes have been
made recently as a result of this feedback?
Counseling/Student Support
- What kind of academic, personal, financial, and career counseling
is available to students? Are these services also offered to their
spouses and dependents/children?
- Is there a mentor/advisor system? Who are the advisors—faculty
members, other students, or both?
- How diverse is the student body? Are there support services
or organizations for ethnic/cultural minorities, LGBT students, and women?
Facilities
- Tell me about the library and extracurricular facilities (i.e.,
housing and athletic/recreational facilities). Is designated study
space available?
- Are students required to have a laptop?
- What type of clinical sites—ambulatory, private preceptors,
private hospitals, rural settings, international—are available
or required for clerkships? Does this school allow for students
to do rotations at other institutions or internationally?
- Is a car necessary for clinical rotations? Is parking a problem?
Financial Aid
- What is the current tuition and fees? Is this expected to increase
yearly? If so, at what rate?
- Are there stable levels of federal financial aid and substantial
amounts of university/medical school endowment aid available to
students?
- Are there students who have an "unmet need" factor
in their budget? If so, how do these students come up with the
extra funds?
- Are spouses and dependents/children covered in a student's budget?
- Are there services/staff available to assist students with budgeting and financial
planning?
- Does this school provide guidance to its students and to its
graduates/alumni, on debt management?
Student Involvement
- What medical school committees (e.g., curriculum committee)
have student representation?
- Are students involved in (required or voluntary) community service?
- How active is the student council/government? Are there other
active student organizations?
Policies
- What is the student medical insurance coverage and what is
the cost to students?
- Is there an established protocol for dealing with student exposure
to infectious diseases?
- Does this school provide, or does the student pay for, vaccinations
against Hepatitis B or prophylactic AZT treatment in case of a
needle-stick or accident?
- Is disability insurance provided to cover exposure?
- Is there a school honor code? Is there a grievance process/procedure?
Are the students involved?
Residency
- May I see a list of residency programs to which this school's
recent graduates were accepted?
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Does this school have strengths in the type of medicine (primary
versus specialized care, urban versus rural practice environment,
academic medicine versus private practice) that I will want to
practice?
- Would I be happy at this school for at least the next four years?
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