Are there any special programs for which this medical school is noted?

Curriculum:

• Describe this school's curriculum in the preclinical and clinical years. Are there any innovations, like Problem-Based Learning?
• Are there opportunities for students to design, conduct, and publish their own research?
• Is there a note-taking service? If so, is it University-run or student-run?
• Is there flexibility in the coursework (the number of electives) and the timing of the courses (acceleration, decelerating, and time off) during the pre-clinical and clinical years?
• Has this medical school, or any of its clinical departments, been on probation or had its accreditation revoked?
• How do students from this medical school perform on the National Board Examinations? How does the school assist students who do not pass?

Evaluations:

• How are students evaluated academically? How are clinical evaluations performed?
• Is there a formal mechanism in place for students to evaluate their professors and attending physicians? What changes have been made recently as a result of this feedback?
• Counseling/Student Support:
• What kind of academic, personal, financial, and career counseling is available to students? Are these services also offered to their spouses and dependents/children?
• Is there a mentor/advisor system? Who are the advisors -- faculty members, other students, or both?
• How diverse is the student body? Are there support services or organizations for ethnic minorities and women?

Facilities:

• Tell me about the library and extracurricular facilities (i.e., housing and athletic/recreational facilities).
• What type of clinical sites -- ambulatory, private preceptors, private hospitals, rural settings -- are available or required for clerkships? Does this school allow for students to do rotations at other institutions or internationally?
• Is a care necessary for clinical rotations? Is parking a problem?

Financial Aid:

• What is the current tuition and fees? Is this expected to increase yearly? If so, at what rate?
• Are there stable levels of federal financial aid and substantial amounts of university/medical school endowment aid available to students?
• Are there students who have an 'unmet need" factor in their budget? If so, where do these students come up with the extra funds?
• Are spouses and dependents/children covered in a student's budget?
• Is someone available to assist students with budgeting and financial planning.
• Does this school provide guidance to its students, and to its graduates/alumni, on debt management?
• Student involvement:
• What medical school committees (e.g., curriculum committee) have student representation?
• Are students involved in (required or voluntary) community service?
• How active is the Student Council/Government? Are there other student organizations?

Policies:

• Is there an established protocol for dealing with student exposure to infectious diseases? Is disability insurance provided to cover this exposure?
• Does this school provide, or does the student pay for, vaccinations against Hepatitis B or prophylactic AST treatment in case of a needle-stick or accident?
• Is there a school Honor Code? Is there a grievance process/procedure? Are the students involved?

Residency:

• May I see a list of residency programs to which this school's recent graduates were accepted?
• Questions to ask yourself:
• Does this school have strengths in the type of medicine (primary versus specialized care, urban versus rural practice environment, academic medicine versus private practice) that I will want to practice?
• Would I be happy at this school (for at least the next four years)?