Healthcare Career Blog, Physician Blogs

How to Start Medical School

Author Healthcare Career Blogger | 08.28.2009

The decision to become a physician is not one that should be made lightly.  Medical school is a long, grueling, and expensive process that is not for everyone.  Some students grow up knowing that they will become a doctor and grow into a physician career; others make that decision after several years in another career or perhaps after starting a family.  Whichever category you fit into, you should think long and hard about your reasons for wanting to pursue a medical career, taking time to weigh all of the pros and cons of your decision.

Why Choose a Medical Career?

The reasons a person chooses to become a physician are as varied as they would be for any other profession: intellectual curiosity, a desire to help people, money, prestige, family tradition, etc.  The question to ask yourself is whether or not your reasons for wanting to become a doctor are going to lead you to be happy in your medical career.  As a medical doctor, you will likely be working long hours with patients from all different walks of life; how does that fit in with your desire to become a physician?

The medical profession is an interesting one because, as heavily as it relies on the sciences, the humanities are also incredibly significant.  To be a successful doctor, you must have not only the scientific knowledge to understand what is happening in the body, but also the analytical and interpersonal skills to work well with your patients.

What next?

Once you have decided that a medical career is right for you, what next?  If you are still an undergraduate student, the first step is to take the required science classes and to be assigned a premed advisor who can walk you through the medical school admissions process.  If you are an older student who graduated college without taking the required science classes, you can look at classes at a local college and begin the process on your own, or you can consider a formal post-baccalaureate premedical program, which will give you more structure and guidance but may be more costly.

Choosing a Medical School

Choosing a medical school is not unlike choosing an undergraduate university.  Many of the same factors come into play as you decide what medical school is going to make you the happiest and most productive student possible:

Location may be one of the most important factors in the decision process.  Consider how far from your home and family you’d like to be.  Do you want to live in a particular region of the country?  Do you prefer urban, suburban, or rural areas?  How will location affect clinical or volunteer opportunities?  Is cost of living a factor?  Does the campus itself appeal to you?
Curriculum should also be a major influence.  Do you prefer the traditional lecture-based format, or is a problem-based learning format more effective for you?  What clinical opportunities are available?  Are you looking for research opportunities?  What is the grading system like (pass-fail or letter grades)?  How important is the reputation of a medical school for you?
Money, like it or not, must also be heavily considered.  How are you going to finance your medical education?  What financial aid opportunities are available at particular medical schools?  Would an in-state public medical school be the best option?

The student body could make or break your happiness at a particular medical school.  Think hard about the size of the school at which you see yourself.  How competitive of an atmosphere are you looking for?  Some people enjoy the cut-throat competition of many medical schools, while others prefer a more collaborative style.  Also consider the gut-feeling you get as you walk around a school; do you feel comfortable there?  Talk to current students and ask questions about their experiences.

College counselors at high schools around the country often share the mantra, “College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.”  The same should hold true for medical school admissions.  While the U.S. News and World Report rankings may mean the world to some people, they do not necessarily make for the happiest and most successful students.  Decide what you personally value in a school, and make your decisions accordingly.