Applying to Medical School
Researching Schools
One of the most important yet often neglected aspects of the application process is choosing which schools to apply to. You should spend a considerable amount of time researching the different schools and choose a minimum of 10 that you would be interested in attending. Some students apply to as many as 20 medical schools. Applying to too few schools is perhaps the most common mistake made in the application process. Keep in mind that AMCAS charges a fee for every school to which you apply and individual schools charge secondary application fees. Also, filling out secondary applications is very time consuming. Only apply to schools that you would be willing to attend if they offered you an acceptance.
Things to Consider
Location
Montana does not have a medical school, so no matter where you attend school you will eventually have to relocate. It is important to consider types of activities you enjoy and the distance you want to be from family. Montana residents (as defined by the Montana University System) will want to investigate the University of Washington School of Medicine and all the schools in the WICHE program. (see financial aid section)
Programs
Many schools specialize in various aspects of medical care or have medical facilities nearby that focus on particular areas of health care. If you are interested in primary care, research, cardiac surgery, cancer, etc., look for schools that can meet your needs. You will also want to learn as much as you can about class size, curriculum, grading system, and learning options (problem-based vs. evidence-based, team or small group vs. traditional lecture, etc.) of the schools you want to attend.
Private vs. Public
State Universities have lower tuition for residents than non-residents, however private universities tuition can be lower than non-resident tuition. Also, most private schools do not give preference to residents. Your chances of admission to private schools may be higher than to state schools.
Cost
A medical education is expensive no matter how you look at it. Typically, schools will produce budgets for students and a student is expected to live within that budget. These budget figures are used by financial aid offices to determine need. The numbers are the same for all students at the school irregardless of the number of dependents. One way to cut the cost of attending medical school is to apply to medical schools in areas where the cost of living is less. It is cheaper to live in Omaha than it is in San Francisco or New York City. Take some time to research rents and other expenses before you apply.
Statistics
Look at the admission statistics for the various medical schools. Consider the average MCAT scores of the entering class, average age of students, the percent of residents and non-residents admitted to the school, the percent that pass the USMLE the first time around, and the percent of students that get their first choice residency placements. These statistics will give you an idea if you are a competitive applicant for their program and will also give you some information about the school and the quality of its program.
Where to Start
A good place to begin your search is the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) handbook. This book is published yearly by the AAMC and is available in the pre-medical advising office or can be purchased through AAMC ( www.aamc.org/). In addition to providing information on curricula and application procedures it provides profiles and statistics for all the medical schools in the United States and Canada. Another book that provides similar information is the Princeton Review Complete Book of Medical Schools.
Once you have narrowed your search to a reasonable number investigate the web sites of the medical schools you are interested in. Web addresses are available through AAMC or can be found through one of the search engines on the internet.
Finally, talk to people. Check with the pre-medical advisor on whether he has any information on schools you are interested in. Also, talk with any seniors who have recently interviewed. They can provide you with current information and answer many questions you may have.