| "Try to talk to upperclassmen since they have insights (having interviewed at various programs for residency) as far as how the medical school is perceived by residency directors. |
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| When you go on an interview, look around at the people that go there. After all, you will be doing everything with the 150 people in your class for the next 4 years. Make sure you like what you see. Get an idea of how much they like their school—most people will tell you the truth. |
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| Talk to the medical students in the programs you visit. Chances are they will provide a clear, first-hand and “up-front” view of the school. Reflect on what kind of environment you function best in- are you a self-motivated learner? Someone who learns better in a more structured environment- with syllabi material and textbooks? This is important to know in deciding on med schools. |
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| Talk to students not involved in the admissions process! If you interview, talk to random people in the cafeteria and ask them what they think of the school, for example. |
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| I think that when you're interviewing, you should really try to get a sense of daily life at that school. Hence, for example, the tutorial system and the reduced class time are key in shaping daily rhythms. Some people use the extra time to study, others to train for marathons, still others to do research. |
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| Look for the attitudes of the students towards one another. If they are competitive, snide, malicious, high strung, that's the atmosphere you're going to have to endure for 4 years. On the other hand, if they're friendly, relaxed, and welcoming; it's a good sign. |
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| Don't just ask about what bad points are. Ask what people (students) have done to fix the problems (i.e., does the faculty listen?). Consider support that the medical school gives to alumni. I'd suggest calling/emailing random students at the medical school to get real opinions...don't just trust the happy faces they march out in front of you during interviews. |
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| Visit and go for your gut instinct, which med schools feel like “home,” who you want in your community (you spend a lot of time together) and what kind of place you want, where people are happy (but take into account if people just finished an exam, mid-Feb, etc.). |
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| You learn virtually the same information everywhere, but who you learn it with & how you learn it determines how happy you will be while learning it. |
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| Pull students aside when you interview and ask them what they would change about their school if they could. Don’t believe a word that the admissions office-appointed tour guides tell you. They are full of rah-rah & preach what admissions want you to hear. Talk to other students! |
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| Look at the conditions that you will be expected to live and function in. Are the students happy, satisfied, stressed, harassed? Is the philosophy one of cooperation or cutthroat competition? What opportunities are present for activities that will help you maintain balance and sanity? Do you like the people that you meet there? |
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| Don’t waste your time scrutinizing how the first two years are put together at various medical schools. The heart of a medical education is its 3rd and 4th years. Ask about the affiliated hospitals—will you see a wide variety of patients and diseases with a wide range of socioeconomic classes? Are the clinical faculty strong student advocates? ...Pay close attention to what 4th year students think and how well the school prepared them for internship/residency." |
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