Choosing a medical school: Advice for applicants

Abstract

Applying for a medical school place is a challenging step that can have long term consequences. Competition is strong, both for applicants to gain a place and for medical schools to recruit the 'best' applicants. Strategies to increase candidate success flourish, but many are unproven. Potential applicants should invest time and effort in exploring which schools and programs might suit best their particular circumstances and interests. Back-up plans should be considered for both success and failure. Not succeeding first time or at a first-choice school may be disappointing, but there are other paths to success in both medical and non-medical careers. Before accepting an offer, make sure that this is the best choice for the best reasons, and then make the best of whatever follows. In the longer term, career success is shaped more by what happens after than during primary medical education.

Keywords

• medical school selection
• primary medical education
• career choice