Regardless of the ranking system, there are plenty of factors that affect your final decision about which medical school to attend. Rankings can give you a general idea of the quality of a school. However, you may find that some medical schools rank higher than others based on the same criteria. To find out the quality of medical schools, consider your specific goals in medical school. If you hope to practice rural medicine, for example, you should choose a school that specializes in the area.
Medical school rankings are not an accurate reflection of the quality of a medical school. They are not intended to be the sole determining factor in medical school choice. Some medical schools rank high on the basis of the number of NIH grants they receive, but this is not a reliable measure. Rather, a medical school’s ranking should be based on how well it prepares its graduates to practice medicine. Moreover, medical schools that are ranked highly by the USNWR are likely to have more research grants than other schools in the country.
If you’re interested in becoming a physician scientist, medical school rankings are important to your decision. Consider the research opportunities offered by a medical school and its location. The location, pre-clinical years, partner hospitals, and required vs. elective third-year rotations are important factors to consider as well. Moreover, your fit with a medical school will benefit you both professionally and academically. As a result, you will have a better chance of performing well during your interview.