If you are a student who is searching for the parameters that can help you choose your medical college for MBBS in India, then you are on the right page. This blog promises to give you the details of what makes up for a good medical college and how to select the one that suits your profile and interest the most.
The field of medicine is vast along with even wide domains and subjects. Medical candidates who are excited to begin their journey as soon as possible also have the responsible duty of choosing the right institute for themselves. Colleges too have specific subjects and fields in which their teachings and faculties excel in comparison to other institutes. Students then have to find the ones that suit their preferences as well as are compatible with their living situations. Other than valid personal preferences, it is advised that students opt for the right institution that will favor their professional life. Your choice of college can establish the foundation of your values as a medical professional. Do not keep your expectations limited to your region or state only and instead choose institutes that can be most beneficial for you in the long run.
Suppose you belong to a particular category for whom medical seats are reserved in all public and private universities/colleges in India. In that case, you can benefit from the NEET reservation system as well.
Points to Consider
Ranking of the College- There are government and private surveys that inspect medical colleges based on significant criteria. These surveys are vital tools that can help students and professionals understand the performance of medical institutes as they take into consideration multiple points. Rankings by N.I.R.F. are considered to be foolproof and authentic. AIIMS Delhi, BHU, AIIMS, etc. are some institutes that have always ranked high in terms of ideal medical colleges for MBBS.
Entrance Exam cut-off- Since the national-level NEET examination is the only way to secure a seat in any medical college in India, cut-offs can play a big role in deciding your chances of being accepted into your choice of college. Colleges that have high cut-offs for consecutive years indicate that they serve superior quality education. Some other reasons that can propel colleges to maintain a high cut-off are placement opportunities, advanced infrastructure, developed links with good hospitals, popularity, etc.
Location of the College– For degrees like MBBS, most students have to make the difficult decision of studying from the comfort of their home/state or relocating to a new place for a better education. Your college should be easily accessible to you for the sake of convenience of travel. Moreover, the college’s location should assure the safety of the students with low criminal activity around the premises. Colleges in suburban areas for good facilities with easy access to basic amenities.
Tuition Fees- The complete tuition fee of a government medical college in India can start from INR 2000 and can go up to 15,000-20,000. For a private medical institute, students can be expected to pay a sum between INR 10 lakhs to INR 2.5 cr. Depending on the economic background of the student, it is important to make an informed choice about choosing a college that does not hurt your pocket. Your decision to spend an ‘x’ amount of money for your medical college in India should be based upon the learning opportunities that an institute promises to provide. You can keep into account points such as classroom facilities, educational trips, lab facilities, hostel fees, quality of education, lectures by professionals from the real world, maintenance costs, etc. Keep a tab on all the pre-implied charges to check for any hidden charges that might be applicable.
Reputation of College- Innumerable factors can influence the reputation of a college for both good and bad. While some can become popular for their discipline standards, unique teaching strategies, focus on learning, and hands-on knowledge experience; others can be in the limelight for their unnecessary stringent rules, ragging policies, faculty’s attendance in class, etc. Prospective students can engage in conversations with the current students of the college in which they want to seek admission or do some detailed research work to find authentic online reviews.
Practical Experience– Medical studies should never be subjected to leniency as professionals are responsible for the well-being of actual people who come to them with their problems. Besides theoretical learning, medical colleges have to introduce the students to patients and the working environment of a clinical establishment early on. There should be sufficient clinical exposure from which students can observe and learn. An amateur who has recently entered the medical field will take some time to adjust to the proximity of real patients and understand how they express their concerns. Since it is also the ultimate goal of your profession, you must look for a medical college for MBBS in India that ensures their contact with facilities that can add to your learning.
Infrastructure– The infrastructure of medical colleges is important to understand an institute’s approach to providing a good teaching-learning environment for teachers as well as students. A well-designed institute that is adept with sufficient books in libraries, lab equipment for practicals for all, auditorium, medical facilities, cleanliness/hygiene maintained around campus, use of advanced technology, and digital learning are few factors that can highlight a decent medical college.
Course offered for Masters Degree– Universities and colleges that have post-graduate or even higher studies options available for their students show a commitment to further studies. Some of them even offer fees and other benefits to students who continue their studies at the same institute.
Scholarship Options– Although there are national and private scholarship programs that are applicable to all medical colleges for MBBS in India, some institutes can offer you grants and stipends based on your performance and need. If you too are a student who is looking for financial benefits for your MBBS degree then you can opt for colleges that offer scholarships on the basis of certain eligibility criteria.
Notable Alumni- Alumni are valuable for the reason that they can help you develop strong networks or can play the role of a mentor for you. Students must observe the domain and subjects in which a college’s alumni have excelled or made a significant contribution. This research will help them understand the areas in which the universities excel along with the benefits that you as a student can receive. For eg. Dr. Naresh Trehan, who is India’s most successful cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeon, graduated from King George’s Medical University, Lucknow and now the college enjoys a respectable reputation from people from in and outside of the country. Moreover, each year the college gets an excellent ranking for its education quality and other facilities.
Extracurricular Activities available– No matter how crucial, your educational qualifications should always give you a chance to develop outside of the prescribed syllabus of the curriculum. Many medical students often come to the realization that they are able to focus better on their studies when they are involved in other activities around the college. Remember, you have to focus on the quality of your education instead of counting the number of hours you are dedicating to your academics. Therefore, You can enquire if your prospective college is offering activities such as participation in fests, health camps for physical fitness, sports competitions, etc.
Factors that can affect your Personal and Professional life based on your College Preference
Language Differences- Students often make the mistake of choosing colleges far away from their state of origin. A college’s learning atmosphere or lecture delivery may be dominated by the local language of the area in which it is situated. In such a case, you might feel helpless as your understanding can be affected quite frequently. Students should select their medical college keeping in mind the language that is prevalent in and around their institute.
Accommodation Facilities- Make an appropriate inquiry about whether your medical college for MBBS is providing you with accommodation facilities or if you have to make your own personal arrangements. In the case of the latter, you might need assistance from other people to find a place that is near your institute. Plan your move promptly so that it does not correspond with the start of your classes.
Focus on Research– Medical studies come with lots of academic burdens as well as opportunities to grow. If you are a student who has made up their mind to opt for research work in the future, then it is better to lay the foundation stone for that as early as possible. You should look for colleges that have research programs as a part of their curriculum.
Management of the Institute– A management’s beliefs, as well as actions, can drive the zeal with which a college functions. Values and ethics followed by them will affect the careers and personalities of the students as well. You can search for words/statements by the management or board of directors with which they define themselves and their institution. To be on the safe side, ascertain that there are no legal accusations against the management or college for any serious issue.
Faculty– Ultimately, it is the teacher and the student who engage in the process of teaching and learning. Experienced mentors can have valuable insights on topics and problems that are faced in a real professional set-up. Similarly, it is crucial that regular seminars and workshops are conducted by colleges where notable national and international influential faculty or notable professionals are called to talk about their experiences.
Cultural aspects– In case, you are particular about the culture, regional situations, society of people around you, or weather conditions then choose a medical college that suits your preferences. Make sure that you are comfortable personally and academically in your surroundings.
Actions that can be taken by the students while choosing their ideal medical college for MBBS
An in-depth research is the only way to find formal and informal information about your possible college. In today’s age of the internet and social media, it is quite easy to learn about academic institutes, their reviews, the facilities they can provide, etc.
Students can get in touch with medical colleges in India to find out if they conduct any events, seminars, or workshops for senior secondary students who are looking for MBBS-offering colleges. Such an occasion can help you understand a lot about an institute’s attitude toward students as you get a first-hand introduction to the college’s infrastructure and faculty.
Students can contact the pupils of medical colleges for guidance about the approach to living and studying in their new medical college. Sure, starting your medical journey is a life-changing turn for which you have to be prepared in all ways possible.
If you are too anxious or are in double mind for selecting between some colleges, you can make a visit to your prospective college for some interaction with students. If possible, try to book an appointment with a faculty through the mail and take the chance of asking questions that you are inquisitive about. This visit will also allow you to see the campus life and decide if you would like to be a part of such an experience yourself.
Conclusion
There are plenty of medical colleges in India that operate at both medium and good levels in the process of providing MBBS teachings to students. For students too, there are personal and academic factors that have to be considered before choosing their ideal medical colleges. It is best to evaluate all colleges on the framework of location, educational excellence, success of alumni, fees and travel costs, and most importantly if the college meets all your learning requirements or not. If you are having trouble choosing the ideal medical for MBBS then it is best to get in touch with an MBBS admission counsellor or medical admission consultants who can solve all your queries and make the path of your medical journey easy for you.
