What qualifications do I look for in choosing the right medical school for me?

Terrence, it is normal to apply to 18-25 schools as a med school applicant, so don't feel like you have to choose right away before applying. Some factors to consider in which medical school is appropriate for you:
1. Do you want to apply to MD schools, DO schools, or both?
- There are two paths to training and licensure as a physician - the traditional allopathic (MD) route or the alternative osteopathic (DO) route. Both give you the same education, equal pay, and equal capacity to prescribe, diagnose, and treat patients to the fullest extent as a physician. The DO route offers extra emphasis on primary care and hands-on training in musculoskeletal manipulation called Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine that is an additional tool as a physician to use.
2. Do you want to go into primary care or sub-specialties?
- Depending on what kind of doctor you want to be in, many schools tend to do better in ratings and number of graduates for certain types of medical specialties.
3. Think about tuition as well. Some out-of-state schools charge exorbitant tuition fees for out-of-state students.
4. What kind of curriculum would you like to be in to study medicine?
- Some schools use a traditional lecture format. Other schools use more group learning and problem-based learning tools that require more critical and independent thinking.
5. Look at Applicant Profiles. How highly qualified are applicants to the school?
- Look at average Applicant GPA, MCAT score, class board scores, and placements for residency
6. How new is the school?
- Older schools have more established partnerships with local or regional clinics and physicians for rotations. Newer schools often have wider partnerships geographically for rotations so you may have to travel farther to do your 3rd/4th year clinical training.
7. What research opportunities are available?
8. Where do you want to settle in the future?
- Often, but not always, you will ultimately settle near where you do your clinical education, training, and residency as a physician. It is easier to get a residency in a place you want to settle if you also are in the same area for medical school.