As you have been reviewing medical school, you have noticed that each medical school is unique and has a different appeal. While some schools pursue a particularย missionย that aligns with your goals,some focus on fascinatingย research opportunities, and others provide unique opportunities based onย location.ย
When deciding which medical schools to apply to, itโs important to consider if they align with your goals and academic needs. Youโll want to avoid limiting your options too much though, as theย medical school application processย is notoriously competitive.ย
So, how manyย medical schoolsย should you apply to? We put together some insights and recommendations for the decision-making process.ย ย
Which medical schools should I apply to?ย ย
Theย Association of American Medical Collegesย (AAMC) notes that aspiring medical students apply to an average of 16 schools. That being said, there is no limit to how many medical schools you can apply to.ย ย
Your instinct may be to increase your number of applications to increase yourย chances of getting into medical school. But itโs important to remember that each application and interview will require you to spend both time and money.ย
Instead than spreading yourself thin with dozens of medical school applications, it is worth spending time identifying the schools you are truly interested in and that you have a realistic chance of gaining admission to. With a little extra work to narrow down your options, youโre left with 8โ12 schools where you could be a competitive applicant and youโll want to attend.ย
As such, itโs wise to conduct a significant amount of research and only apply to programs you would actually consider attending. Elements to consider in aย high-quality medical schoolย include the following:ย ย
- USMLE performanceย
- Residency placement successย
- Admissions standardsย
- Graduation rateย
- Student support servicesย
- Streamlined facilities & learning environmentย
- Financial aid optionsย
- Opportunities to pursue your passionsย
Start planning your medical school application strategyย
As you prepare to take this important step toward becoming a doctor, youโll need to think critically about choosing the right medical school for you.ย
Learn more about what to look for by reviewing our articleย “How to Choose a Medical School: 8 Things to Evaluate Before Accepting.โย
Ready to start the journey to MD?
From high school through fellowship, this resource can prepare you for exams, USMLE, residency, and beyond so you too can obtain your MD. Once you’ve done your research and are ready to start applying, you’ll want to be sure to choose a school that has small-group learning, award-winning academic support services, a close-knit community, and hands-on training.
Learn more about how SGU can help you pursue a career in medicine.
*This article was originally published in May 2022. It has since been updated to include content relative to 2024.
