Find solution
Does your medical residency have to be at a medical school?

How much does it matter to have attended a top medical school for residency placement?

  • Do highly competitive residences take into consideration the school that was attended, or does the school that one attended improve chances at a top residency because of the opportunities it provides? Undoubtedly there are multiple factors that come into consideration, but I was curious about the relative importance of medical school 'prestige.'

  • Answer:

    There's no way to quantify this. However, it should come as no surprise that being a top student at a better medical school helps a lot in residency placement. If a student is applying to one of the more limited and therefore competitive residencies (i.e. radiation oncology, urology, dermatology, etc.), then it is vital to have everything working in your favor. Other, less competitive residencies don't care as much, but it never hurts to come from a "top school" if you want to claim your preferred residency in your preferred locale.

Michael Shiloh at Quora Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

The prestige of medical school plays certainly significant role. You are absolutely right that it is multifactorial challenge. Each residency program likes to present their apprentices. You will carry their brand. Doctor CV is your pedigree. Top medical school opens more doors to to residencies, and top residency to top fellowships and more prestigious jobs. Higher the program ranks tougher the competition. If you want to get into top 5 programs in the country in your speciality (Ortho, radiology, dermatology) you have to prepare for fierce competition. Every details counts. top program are not necessarily produce better doctors, but once you are graduating from top program you are part of that brand which goes with you for rest of your professional life.

Robert Talac

I agree with Michael and Robert's answers.  It also depends largely on the program.  Some programs like to draw candidates from prestigious schools.  Other programs are relentless at seeking out the best candidates regardless of where they came from.  You can often pull up the recent residency classes from a program's website and see where their residents previously trained.  Some top programs will be filled with only top-tier schools.  Others may skew geographically toward their region.  Some will draw from all over the map and all the rungs of the overrated school rankings. If you are applying to residencies, don't let your school hold you back, if that is a concern.  You don't want to spend your entire career wondering whether you would have had a chance because you decided to save a few dollars on your application fees.

Rodrigo Daly

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.