Building Your School List

State schools are usually less expensive for in-state residents and many restrict the number of out of state residents who are accepted.  For allopathic medical school applicants, the information presented in Medical School Admissions Requirements will enable you to determine whether or not it is practical to apply to state medical schools outside of your state of residence.  Furthermore, you will be able to determine whether certain private schools draw heavily from applicants within their states.  Many fewer state residency restrictions exist for students applying to MD/PhD programs. Other health profession schools also have publications available that present application and matriculation statistics that will help you develop an appropriate school list.

It’s important to consider “fit” when building a school list. It’s not just about the school choosing you, you’re also choosing the right fit for yourself. By understanding a particular school’s mission statement, you can determine whether your own interests, values, and goals align with the school. Does the school, campus, and community satisfy your lifestyle and extracurricular needs? It is important to consider the campus culture.

Does the program provide real world experience such as practicums or internships? Is the curriculum structured or flexible? What is the class size? How does the school teach their curriculum? What systems of evaluation does the school use (e.g. P/F, grades, ranking system, etc.)?

Although the information you need to learn in your chosen health profession school does not vary much from school to school, the manner in which schools present the information does vary. Approaches include lecture‑based curricula, problem‑based learning (faculty facilitated, self‑directed learning groups), integrated curricula (material taught by organ systems or other broad categories), competency‑based curricula (interpersonal interactions are part of the evaluative process throughout the curriculum), interprofessional education (interdisciplinary learning experiences for team based care of patients), or a combination of these approaches.

What kind of clinical sites are available? Do the schools allow you to conduct clinical rotations at other institutions or internationally? When can you start interacting with patients? Does the school serve the patient population you’re interested in? Does the school offer support for your speciality of interest?

What services do the schools provide for students having academic or personal difficulties? Does the school prioritize wellness? What types of mentorship opportunities are available? What types of affinity groups are available to join and are they supported by the institution?

How much opportunity is there to interact with your classmates outside the classroom?  Are there community service and specialty-related organizations?

What research opportunities exist?

In what specialties and in what institutions do graduates obtain residencies?  This information is available on many schools’ websites.

Who is the school or program accredited by? Is the school or any of its clinical departments on probation?

Where do you want to live for the next four years? Do you see yourself living in urban or rural location? Is the school located in a place where you would feel comfortable? Considering the weather and political/social climate, will you be happy there for the next several years? Does the area offer cultural and recreational activities? Is the school near your support system (family/partner/peers)?

What are the tuition and fees? What financial aid is available (loans, scholarships, internships, work study positions, teaching and/or research assistantships)? How much is non-resident tuition? Funding for international students may vary across institutions. It is important to speak with the admission and financial aid office at each institution to learn more.