Choosing the right medical school can be a very difficult challenge. Evaluating medical schools is complicated because of the many criteria potential students need to look at. This short guide is designed to help you make the right decision on which medical school to attend.

To start, it is important to think about the major features of the medical schools you are considering, such as:

- Each medical schools overall reputation in pre-clinical teaching and clinical training, as well as patient care
- Which medical schools offer specialization programs you may be interested in; certain medical schools will have stronger programs for specializations such as surgery, primary care, emergency care, etc.
- Which medical schools are focused more towards patient care vs. research
- What the costs are of attending each medical school, as well as availability of financial assistance or scholarship programs
- Location of the medical school; in some cases you may want to find a medical school nearby where you are planning to practice after graduation

Once you have narrowed down your choices to a handful of choices, it is important to find as much as possible out about each medical school. Visit their web sites and request additional information where possible. Schedule a visit or a chance to talk to current students or alumni of each medical school to get a first-hand glimpse at the program.You may also want to look into various medical school rankings that are available online as well as in some magazines.

Lastly, once you have determined which medical schools most interest you, it is time to apply. Be on the lookout for any special requirements the schools may have for their admissions.