If you are in a position to figure out which internal medicine schools to go to, you're in a good place. Don't rest on your laurels, however, as this important decision can dictate your future career. Some important considerations pertaining to your choices of internal medicine schools should be reputation and cost. Additionally, it does not hurt to think about location and other factors before you make your choice.
Internal medicine is a subfield of medicine mostly concerned with the routine maintenance of health. It is somewhat of a specialty in itself, but most internal medicine professionals act as liaisons between patients and other specialists. Internists work to identify potential health conditions and refer their patients to specialists who may be more knowledgeable in dealing with a particular matter.
Becoming an internist requires a vast knowledge of all aspects of medicine coupled with significant clinical experience. This is why medical schools are so very selective, time-consuming, and intense. Internal medicine schools are usually not independent entities specific to internal medicine.
In reality, this term really refers to any standard medical school also offering the ability to specialize in internal medicine. Most medical students go into school without a definite specialty choice and later develop their interests throughout their education. The way in which a specialty is usually adopted is through a residency, which is a sort of hands-on learning period complementing the intense education.
Choosing the right internal medicine schools involves the same sort of process that you probably went through to select other aspects of your education. If you are the type to be thinking about going into medicine, you are probably very driven and career oriented. For this reason, the academic prowess of internal medicine schools is likely the most important consideration.
There are many ways to evaluate the best schools academically. Many reputable publications often list top medical schools, and speaking with professionals within the field can further help you develop an idea of the best schools you can get into. Considering your academic standing will keep you from applying outside of your reach.
Considering location can also be important for certain medical students. Some medical students may want to be close to their families or a significant other. Perhaps you want to be near a beach, or mountains, or a city. Thinking about these things is also important when choosing your best internal medicine school options.
Cost is always a consideration too when choosing a school at any level. Try to apply for any type of financial aid or scholarship options that you may have. This can sometimes offset the price tags of many otherwise unaffordable schools. While most medical professionals do make significant money, you don't want to start your career crippled by student debt.