Is listing a medical school as your first choice a good idea?
I plan to apply to all medical schools in my state and take whatever I can get. Some early decision programs require that you list their school as your first choice on your AMACS application. Will other medical schools know that you chose another school first? Will this affect your ability to get into another medical school if they see that you have chosen another school over theirs?
You are more likely to get into a med school if you list it as your first choice (the med schools are seeking a high "yield" of their admitted students), but it IS dishonest to play that game with all the schools you’re applying to. It is possible that they share information within the state, so you don’t want to take that chance. List your preferred school as your first choice if you have a realistic chance of getting admitted there.
The first school doesn’t matter too much. The school you and your family are most familiar with or if its location is in any way convenient to you, you should choose it. The second school usually won’t mind if you went to another school before, and if they do you’ll probably still be able to apply and study there.
Good luck,
Johnny
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You are more likely to get into a med school if you list it as your first choice (the med schools are seeking a high "yield" of their admitted students), but it IS dishonest to play that game with all the schools you’re applying to. It is possible that they share information within the state, so you don’t want to take that chance. List your preferred school as your first choice if you have a realistic chance of getting admitted there.
References :
If you list a first choice you need to be a very competitive candidate. Med schools will consider these applicants first, however they will only take from the best (as per my pre-med adviser). The downside is that your other applications are submitted later (I think) which can negatively effect your ability to get into an alternate school.
If you are pretty competitive for your particular school of interest go for it, however I would strongly caution you if you are an average applicant.
Either way, med school is med school…if you go to Harvard/BMS or a Caribbean school you still are a doctor and you will get to do what you love! And it will still be a rough, rewarding 4 years.
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Medical Student