I may have missed this @UMD2021_2023 - both admissions are OOS?
Yes, we only have 2 medical schools in our state so almost all of her applications were to OOS schools.
This thread was lost for me in new CC transitionā¦
D got accepted to our IS med school yesterday 
she is so very excited. Also got 2 more interviews for OOS.
Any advice on what to factors to consider when choosing which medical school to go to? Besides the obvious like location, cost and fit, what other factors should she be looking at? She is so so very fortunate to be in a position to choose which one and now we donāt want to mess it up! Thanks
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Congratulations @UMD2021_2023 to your family!
Cost is a huge factor in my opinion and trumps most other factors. I dont see cost comparison as $30,000 to $35000 to $40,000 being a big difference but as $30,000 vs $65000 in tuition because it can add up to 150 to 200k over 4 years when considering public vs private school or instate vs OOS tuitions.
If possible, I advise people to stay close to home. Medical school is very stressful and if there is no significant other giving support, it falls on family, i.e., parents.
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FWIW, USMLE Step 2 CS exam is permanently ended.
My lad called me yesterday to share that great (to him) news. Heās in the first class to miss it and is really glad he didnāt schedule to take it earlier considering the costs involved.
Thank you! And thanks for the helpful advice!!
My older daughter said she wants a refund for step 2 CS. The younger daughter said her mentor is a residency director and they called it a scam. Older daughter agreed. I was a bit shocked!
The way Steps are going (step 1 to pass/fail) step 2 CS cancelled etc, new entrants will probably be graduating without any grades or may be even lose more exams. 
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IIRC step 2 was $600 x 2 because it was daughter and husband, plus hotel and 6 hour drive to closest site. She says good riddance to it.
I got the impression that actual residents dont think this was a good test for their skills test. Could be wrong impression on my part but it sounded like there was not much correlation to how they would go about with patient diagnosis.
Congratulations! I also would say cost should be a factor especially when loans are involved or parents are sacrificing retirement funds or mortgaging the house. Location is key but depends on the kids. I would also decide based on where they want to settle later.
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Thank you! And thanks for the great advice!!
Congratulations
Hearty congratulations @srk2017 on the T5 selection. Popping in after a while.
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Cost. Cost. Cost. Fit. In that order.
But if you want to scrutinize detailsā
- P/F vs graded MS1-2 classes
1a) if P/F, is it true P/F or are grades used in the Deanās Letter to rank students. - grading system for clinical rotations. (High Honors/Honors/ Pass/Fail, H/P/F. P/F)
- length of dedicated study time allowed for STEP exams
- rotation sites (Will your student have to travel to or live at distant sites during their 3rd & 4th years?)
4a) if they will have to travel, how is it determined which sites a student is assigned to (lottery, volunteer basis, arbitrary assignment) - what support services are offered to students (tutoring, free subscriptions to study aids-- like uWorld- given to students, availability of counseling/therapy, etc)
- does the teaching hospital have in-house residencies in the specialties your D is interested in pursuing
- does the faculty have reputation for mentoring med students
- health insuranceācan the student use the parentās health policy or must they purchase one through the school
- for OOS publics, will the school allow the student to switch to in-state residency after the first year.
- cost of housing/cost of living
- safety of the area around the teaching hospital since your D will be coming & going from the hospital at all odd hours of the night during clinicals.
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@WayOutWestMom
Thank you so much! This is very helpful!! I will send this information along to my daughter
Another question, she has 2 schools that sheās really torn between and one just offered her a pretty impressive merit scholarship. It would cover 2 years of her medical school expenses and tuition. Would it be rude to let the other med school know about the merit offer she received?
Thanks for all of your help!
Much better summary than what you see on the other site 
No, but there are some risks. To effectively negotiate, she should contact her second school and tell them why theyāre her without reservation #1 choice, then tell them what her bottom line is. (How much funding she wants.)
First of all, the schools need to be comparableāsimilar rank and both of the same types (both private, both OOS publics, for example). You canāt expect a OOS public to match a deep pockets private school. Or a private or OOS public to match the costs of an in-state public.
Second, she needs to be willing to walk away from ALL her other acceptances if her preferred school matches or betters the offer from her first school.
So whatās the risk? The second school may say, we canāt match that and will withdraw her admission there.
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Thanks again! Very helpful advice as always So glad to have this forum as we try to navigate through this whole process.