Best Medical Schools in The US

There is a saying that to get the best, you have to be with the best. Although there are several medical schools in the US, not all of them offer quality education. Are you aspiring to be a doctor and you are not sure which institution to choose? Below is a list of the best medical schools in the US compiled to help you arrive at the best decision. Let us know Best Medical Schools in The US.

Best Medical Schools in The US

For a medical school to be considered one of the best in the US, it has to offer quality education in a conducive learning environment. Some of the schools in this list include Harvard Medical School, John Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, and New York University.

Top 10 Medical Schools in The US

1.  Harvard Medical School (Cambridge, MA)

Harvard University is located in Boston, Massachusetts. It is by far the most prestigious medical school in the U.S. and beyond. The school was founded in 1782 and ever since it has graduated many outstanding doctors and academicians. The school has also produced a lot of  Noble Prize Winners over the years. Havard Medical School presents its students with a lot of opportunities in the most serene environment. 

In addition to running the latest medical curriculum, they have fully equipped laboratories with other state-of-the-art facilities needed to facilitate teaching and learning. Students of Havard Medical School also have an opportunity to learn from teaching affiliates in and around its environs. These affiliates include reputable institutions like the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Joslin Diabetes Center, and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear.

2. John Hopkins University, Baltimore

John Hopkins University is another reputable university top on the list of best medical schools in the U.S. Based on the famous series ‘Harry Potter’, John Hopkins University’s School of Medicine (JHUSOM) formed a learning community that categorized students into four colleges. The colleges Nathans, Sabin, Taussig, and Thomas were named after representatives of the university faculty. 

Each one of these colleges has individual counselor responsible for students under them. These counselors help to direct the students and give advice regarding their academic pursuits, career choice, and research opportunities. Also, they play a mentorship role, guiding the students through the wide curriculum in other to ensure that learning is promoted. The medical program in JHUSOM is enveloped with attributes that promote student fellowship. According to the US ranking, JHUSOM is ranked first in Anesthesiology and Internal medicine, second in Obstetrics and gynecology, third in pediatrics, and twentieth in primary care.

3. University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania is the first university in the US to start up a medical school and a teaching hospital. Since then, it remained on the list of top prestigious schools in the country. The main objective of this university is to inculcate leadership and partnership skill in student doctors in other to ensure that they are better equipped for the challenges ahead. To achieve these objectives, the students are divided into six different categories. At the University of Pennsylvania, students enjoy peer interaction and are provided with the advanced surgical equipment. According to the US rankings, the University of Pennsylvania is ranked first in pediatrics, third in research, fourth in radiology, fifth in Anesthesiology, sixth in surgery, and fourteenth in primary care. 

4. New York University

The New York University’s School of Medicine remains on the list of the top-ranked university in the U.K for over 20 years. One particular benefit this university has is that students are allowed to pursue a dual degree when they take on an MD with a master degree in bioethics, health policy, and management, clinical investigation, global health, or general management. They also present a 3-year fast-tracked MD program similar to the one obtainable at McMaster University Medical School in Canada. The school runs over a 50 students club which includes an International Health Program mapped out to promote students’ interest in academics, clinics, nation-building, and athletics.

5. Stanford University

Stanford University’s School of Medicine was founded in 1858, hence, it was California’s ever first medical school. Stanford Medical College offer different courses in bio-sciences and some of those courses include genetics, biology, neuroscience, bioinformatics, and neurobiology. Also, the university owns a teaching hospital adorned with state-of-the-art facilities which provide medical services for people and at the same time foster learning in students. According to the U.S. ranking, Stanford University School of Medicine is ranked fifth in radiology, eighth in surgery, anesthesiology, and psychiatry, ninth in Radiology, and thirtieth in primary care. 

6. Columbia University

Vagelos College, Columbia University was the first school of medicine to discard student loans, and in its place, a need-based scholarship program was launched. This program gave 20% of its student opportunities to attend medical school at zero cost. The Columbian university has produced a lot of prominent surgeons and physicians even before the American Revolution. Judging from standard MCAT scores, many medical aspirants in the U.S. prefer this university to several others on the list. According to the U.S. rankings, Columbia University Medical College is ranked fourth in psychiatry, fifth in obstetrics and gynecology, sixth in research, seventh in internal medicine, eighth in anesthesiology, tenth in surgery, and thirty-first in primary care.

7.  Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

Both the Mayo Clinics Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Health System are linked and together they provide services for the underprivileged population in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Students from these communities are allowed to complete their clinical rotation in any of these hospitals.  As a result, Mayo Medical Centers have over 20% of graduated physicians in the U.S. under their employment. The school has campuses in Phoenix and Jacksonville. They provide suitable learning environments adorned with modern facilities and equipment to facilitate learning in students. Rochester campus of The Mayo Clinic College remain America’s biggest school and the school library remain the largest medical library in the world. 

8. University of California, Los Angeles

The University of California’s school of medicine in Los Angeles is enlisted as one of the best medical schools in America. The school provides opportunities and a series of programs in the most conducive environment to ensure that its students are well-equipped with medical skills. At the University of California, students are allowed to combine medicine with other degrees like NBA in UCLA Anderson School of Management.

9. University of California, San Francisco

The University of California, San Francisco’s medical school is highly-recognized for its expertise in teaching obstetrics and gynecology, and internal medicine.  It makes the list of top colleges in the US every year and it is one of the most popular choice among international students. 

10. Cornell University

The Weill Cornell Medicine School of Cornell University is the only private university on this list of top medical schools in America. This school offer various medical programs for undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals. This school is probably the most selective of them all. Every year, over 6000 students apply for a spot at Cornwell Medicine School. But out of these 6000 applicants, only a little above 100 students get selected. 

Basic Requirements For Getting Into a Medical School in The US

Most medical schools are very competitive and getting admission to study medicine is not always easy. The first requirements that are expected of an aspirant are good grades, especially in science subjects. Also, you must get a very high score on the MCAT. But other than good grades and a high score on the MCAT, there are other factors that may increase your chances of getting admitted into the best medical schools. One of such factors is a strong recommendation letter. The recommendation letter should contain an updated resume, showing the research you have conducted over the years; community services you have engaged in, and extracurriculars you have a passion for. Also, this letter must contain a personal statement that portrays who you are, your character, uniqueness, and dedication. And finally an honest and strong reason for wanting to get admitted into a medical school. 

In the same way, there are things you must avoid in order not to jeopardize your chances of getting admitted. The first one here is that you must not apply to only a few schools. The more you apply, the better your chances of being accepted into one of the best schools. Also, you must avoid going for programs that are not in line with your career goals. Finally, you must not submit at the wrong time, submitting too early or too late may reduce your chances of being accepted. 

Typically, completing medical school takes about four years, but post-graduate studies takes more than four years. After completing the first step which is to earn a degree, the aspiring doctors are expected to choose  the specialty they wish to complete their residency in. It could be radiology, dermatology, or any similar field. If you want to focus on a subspecialty, you will need to complete a fellowship before you can achieve that. Put together, aspiring doctors may spend 10 or more years in medical school before they become fully qualified for the post of a medical doctor. 

Are Medical Schools in The US Worth It?

Going through medical school prepares you for a career as a medical doctor. You learn how to diagnose and treat diseases and infections during clinical rotation. Students also learn from classroom and laboratory experience as they develop a strong knowledge base from courses they have learned over the years. The curriculum for medical schools is often a rigorous one. 

If you have always had a passion for medicine and you are willing to keep up with the challenges and sacrifices that come with being a physician then yes, it is worth it. You would be making a very big mistake if you get into medical school because your parents want you to or because you think it is a very lucrative job. Also, you shouldn’t be applying if your only reason for applying is because you want to help people. There are a lot of professions that allow you to serve others. Before sending in your application, be sure you are aware of the sacrifices involved, and be willing to remain focused.

Asides from time investment and commitment, going through medical school requires a lot of financial investment too. You are most likely to exhaust your student loan by the time you are done. The annual tuition fee of most of the schools on the list of top medical schools in the US is usually above $50,000. The tuition fee for different schools differ. The difference in cost depends on if the university is a public or private school, or if you will be paying out-of-state or in-state tuition. If you are eligible for scholarships or other financial student aid, it could help cut down some of the expense.

Conclusion

The above list was compiled and ranked based on the quality of education these schools provide and the type of curriculum the school runs. Another factor this ranking considers is the availability of teaching aids that promotes learning in students.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the #1 medical school in the US in 2020?

According to  QS World University Rankings in 2020, the #1 medical school in the US is Harvard University. At Harvard University, you get the best quality education in the most conducive environment. 

2) Which is the hardest medical school to get into?

The hardest medical schools to get into are those with the lowest acceptance rate. Some universities have very low acceptance rate, sometimes lower than 3%. According to recent data, the hardest medical school to get into is Florida State University. 

3) Who has the best medical school in the US?

The best medical school in the US is in Havard University. But other than Havard, other medical schools in the list of top best medical schools include Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California, and Columbia University.