Going to Medical School

What is Medical School?

A medical school is a graduate institution of higher education offering a curriculum that leads to a medical degree. Graduates of medical school will earn a doctoral degree, called an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine). Medical students must complete their doctoral degree program (generally 4 years) and a residency program (generally 3-8 years).

Why Attend Medical School?

If you have a passion for helping people, continued learning and the human body, you might want to consider medical school. If you are considering becoming a medical student, we recommend visiting the American Academy of Medical Colleges (AAMC) website. They have a special section dedicated to students considering the field of medicine.

Remember, attending medical school and practicing medicine are extremely demanding paths. To become a practicing M.D., it will take between 11 and 16 years to complete your education and residency requirements. You will also need to obtain a license to practice medicine, and pursue continuing education throughout your career. Medical students digest a significant amount of technical information relatively quickly, and must be able to apply what they have learned to real life situations. Medical residents work extremely long hours, and this rigorous schedule doesn’t necessarily change once you become licensed to practice medicine. The AAMC notes “While salaries for physicians are among the highest for all occupations, the work hours can be long and unpredictable. Many doctors work more than 60 hours a week. They may also have to respond to emergencies and be on call for their patients.”

While the work may be time consuming, physicians are generally well compensated for their efforts. But more than the money, many doctors feel greater satisfaction in their job because throughout their career they are helping better other people’s lives.

Research Top Medical Schools

If you want to apply to medical school, you’ll want to begin researching which school provides the best fit for you. You might take into account factors such as location, size, cost and whether or not the school offers your desired medical specialty. Since getting accepted into medical school is very competitive, you’ll likely want to apply to multiple schools.

Top Medical School Rankings

We’ve listed some resources for top medical school rankings below:

U.S. News & World Report – Rankings for top medical schools and specialties.

Princeton Review – Find medical schools that are a good match for you. Princeton Review also authors the book “The Best 168 Medical Schools,” which is available online or in your local bookstore.

Medical school admissions are very competitive; schools are looking for students who have what it takes to survive medical school and succeed in a medical career. Although admissions criteria vary by school, most schools require some combination of the following:

1. Demonstrated excellence in mathematics and science classes such as biology, chemistry and physics.
2. An acceptable score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) exam. Acceptable scores will vary by school.
3. Other criteria such as undergraduate education, grades, extra curricular activities, etc.
4. You may be required to attend an in-person interview as part of the admissions process.

If you are considering applying to medical school, you’ll need to register to take the MCAT. The MCAT is now a computer based exam which assesses your knowledge of science in addition to your writing, problem solving and critical thinking skills. For more information on the MCAT, go directly to the official MCAT site.

How to Pay for Medical School

If you plan to attend medical school, you’ll need to spend time making sure that you understand the financial aid process and how much your education is going to cost you. Remember, if you don’t pay for your education in scholarships and grants (free money), or savings, you may need to take out student loans. Medical students are eligible to borrow up to $40,500 per year in Federal Stafford Loans, a low-cost government backed loan.

The AMA shows that the average medical school graduate owes $154,607 in educational debt¹. You’ll want to make sure you have a plan to manage your medical school debt, especially during your residency and first few years in practice. With a sizeable balance, your student loan payments are likely to be large every month. Until you start earning closer to your medical career’s salary potential, you need to make sure you can find a way to manage your loan payments, as well as your living expenses and other obligations.