Location

Location

In-state vs. out-of-state/public vs. private

The office recommends that individuals apply to their home institution(s) because state schools statistically take a majority of in-state residents—for example, University of Connecticut School of Medicine typically accepts around 80% Connecticut residents.

Private institutions do not have strong preferences for students from a particular state or country.

When considering location, it’s also important to think not just about where you’d like to study, but also where you’d like to complete your residency—look into where students are placed and what community aspects appeal to you.

Mission Statement

Does the school’s mission statement match your interests and strengths?

Most schools will have a clear focus on one or a few key aspects of health care. For instance, institutions might show a dedication to research, innovation and technological progress, service to particular communities (e.g. underserved communities or rural communities), or student involvement in teaching. It is important to get a sense of what the schools prioritize and how that aligns with your goals and values.
To view a consolidated list of all mission statements for MD schools, visit the MSAR Mission Statement Report.

Pedagogy and Grading System

When making your decisions, consider what your personal learning style is and what the best environment is for you and your academic preferences:

• Think about each school’s teaching techniques, core curriculum, electives and typical weekly schedule.
• Consider other aspects such as what clinical practice will look like, if there are any special program tracks you can take advantage of, and what your access to advising/mentorship will be.
• The grading system is also something to take into account when deciding on schools—work will either be on a graded or pass/fail basis. Evaluate which is more appealing to you in terms of the kind of learning atmosphere that is created and what you’ll get out of your education.

Involvement

As most pre-professional students are very involved both inside and outside of the classroom, it is important to explore the ways you will be able to remain engaged throughout your continuing education. By considering what special programs a school offers, what affiliations they have with other organizations in the community, and what kinds of clubs are available, you’ll be able to get a sense of what you can become involved with to supplement your studies.

Do your best to get a sense of what kinds of students matriculate to which schools and how that creates a certain culture among the student body. Your cohort will not only be your peers but your colleagues as well, so trying to gauge how you’ll fit in is important. Each program’s social media pages are a great way to hear from the students.

Requirements

While health professions schools participate in a holistic admissions process, applicants will still want to pay attention to certain metrics including GPA and MCAT score. Students can visit the MSAR from the AAMC or Choose DO to see average MCAT and GPA scores for each program.  

Cost and Financial Support

Since professional school requires a significant amount of investment, you’ll not only want to apply to places that are the right fit for you, but also those whose cost and financial support resources meet your needs.