Wish to enroll in pre med schools in US prior to admission to medical schools? Find out the top institutions, rankings, admission requirements, and more.
To become a successful medical professional, it is very important to choose the right pre-med school. Through this article, we will explore some of the best pre med schools in US. In addition, the article discusses admission requirements and factors to consider while selecting a pre-med school. If you are confused about which pre-med school in the USA is right for you, this article is for you!
List of Top 10 Pre Med Schools in US
The USA is home to some of the finest medical institutions in the world. The following table lists the top 10 pre-med schools in the US, along with their latest rankings and tuition fees:
|
University |
QS Ranking 2022 |
Annual Average Tuition Fees |
|
#3 |
$55,473 |
|
|
#5 |
$49,653 |
|
|
#13 |
$59,910 |
|
|
#30 |
$54,120 |
|
|
#49 |
$59,254 |
|
|
#52 |
$43,518 |
|
|
#94 |
$50,310 |
|
|
#107 |
$37,998 |
|
|
#161 |
$52,448 |
|
|
- |
$59,890 |
Stanford University
Location: Stanford, CA
Acceptance rate: 4.4%
U.S. News Ranking: 6
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1420-1570 SAT, 32-35 ACT
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,087
Stanford University is one of the top-ranked pre med schools in US. There are a number of research and extracurricular opportunities available to Stanford undergraduates. With the Stanford Immersion in Medicine Series (SIMS) program, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are provided an opportunity to shadow doctors at various hospitals, including Stanford Hospital, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, and Palo Alto VA Hospital.
During your time at Stanford, pre med advisors are available for consultations, to help plan your coursework, and to assist you in visualizing your long-term objectives. Undergraduate students can also take advantage of internship opportunities, which can help them get clinical hours and exceptional letters of recommendation.
Read More: Stanford University
Harvard University
Location: Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate: 4.5%
U.S. News Ranking: 2
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1460-1580 SAT, 33-35 ACT
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,700
Harvard's pre-med students enjoy a wealth of resources, the opportunity to study in proximity to the various Boston medical institutions, and clubs such as the Harvard Premedical Society. The university is also well known for its grade inflation, with an A- being the typical grade, so that is great news for your GPA. Furthermore, there are various affiliated teaching hospitals nearby (which offer great clinical and research opportunities).
Read More: Harvard University
University of Pennsylvania
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate: 7.7%
U.S. News Ranking: 6
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1460-1550 SAT, 33-35 ACT
Undergraduate Enrollment: 10,183
The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is among the best pre med schools in the US; access to this medical school means ample research opportunities. In 2020, UPENN's med school accepted around 80% of its applicants, far exceeding the national average of 44%.
University of Pennsylvania's pre-health advising program helps students fulfil pre-med requirements and apply to medical school successfully. In addition to this, UPENN's proximity to hospitals like the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will prove beneficial to pre-med students.
Read More: University of Pennsylvania
Northwestern University
Location: Evanston, IL
Acceptance rate: 9.1%
U.S. News Ranking: 9
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1450-1540 SAT, 33-35 ACT
Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,231
At Northwestern University, students can access a wide range of helpful resources through its Health Professions Advising Office. Among the resources are MCAT advice/training, GPA calculators, and local shadowing opportunities. In order to prepare its pre-med students for medical school, Northwestern makes sure they have extensive information and resources. Pre med students can also arrange individual meetings or stop by during drop-in hours, which means they will receive plenty of hands-on advice.
Read More: Northwestern University
Brown University
Location: Providence, RI
Acceptance rate: 7.1%
U.S. News Ranking: 14
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1420-1550 SAT, 32-35 ACT
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,043
Brown University provides an open curriculum, wherein students can enroll into their desired courses as long as they fulfill certain requirements. If you are interested in pursuing a non-STEM major while fulfilling medical school prerequisites, then this is a good option.
The med school acceptance rate for Brown students was 85% in 2018. There are many opportunities to gain experience in the medical field through Brown's Health Career Advising program, including clinical experiences and volunteering opportunities.
Read More: Brown University
Duke University
Location: Durham, NC
Acceptance rate: 7.8%
U.S. News Ranking: 10
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1500-1560 SAT, 33-35 ACT
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,682
Duke University is not only a top university in the USA, it also offers a top-notch pre-med program. Students can also take advantage of educational opportunities, such as study abroad programs focused on health science and research internships at Duke University.
The acceptance rates for med school at Duke are outstanding. According to the university, 70-80% of its college students are accepted to med school, nearly twice the national average.
Read More: Duke University
Rice University
Location: Houston, TX
Acceptance rate: 8.7%
U.S. News Ranking: 17
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1470-1560 SAT, 33-35 ACT
Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,978
Pre-med students at Rice have access to a wealth of resources, including a database of internships and research opportunities and pre-med advising orientations.
Furthermore, Rice's Joint Admission Medical Program assists low-income Texas students in getting into medical school. Houston also has many large hospitals that offer research, shadowing, and volunteer opportunities.
Read More: Rice University
Washington University
Location: St. Louis, MO
Acceptance rate: 14%
U.S. News Ranking: 19
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1480-1550 SAT, 33-35 ACT
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,751
Students at Washington University have access to pre-health career advisors and coaches who assist them with academic and career concerns, as well as research, such as picking courses, job shadowing, and volunteering through an array of groups and individual meetings.
Furthermore, there are a number of pre-med student clubs, such as Alpha Epsilon Delta and the Student Health Consortium, which enable you to continue your pre-medical education outside the classroom.
Case Western Reserve University
Location: Cleveland, OH
Acceptance rate: 29%
U.S. News Ranking: 40
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1370-1490 SAT, 30-34 ACT
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,262
Case Western Reserve University enjoys an excellent location since it is near hospitals such as the University Hospitals and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center as well as the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic.
Students will be able to take advantage of a wide range of volunteer and research opportunities. As a student at CWRU, you can gain clinical experience through campus’ EMS team, as well as through visiting nursing homes, hospices, or patient recovery facilities in the local area.
Read More: Case Western Reserve University
Amherst College
Amherst is another college that is ideally suited for pre-med students who want to major in a non-STEM field. Students will be able to get to know their professors better with a smaller enrollment and an emphasis on undergraduate education, which will lead to stronger mentoring and impressive letters of recommendations. In addition, you will have the support of pre-med advisors who are dedicated to your success.
What is a Pre Med School?
Pre-med is actually a college track composed of specific prerequisite courses that you agree to take in order to enroll in medical school. The pre-med track is open to any major, but students are required to take all the required courses to stay on that track. A majority of pre-med students choose a field of study related to medicine, such as biology or chemistry. The following four areas of a medical school application are most critical to the success of a pre-med program:
- Getting a good GPA.
- Getting a high MCAT score
- Identifying meaningful hobbies and compiling a great CV.
- Completing the application (including LORs and essays)
Admission Requirements of Top Pre-med Schools in US
The best pre-med schools offer the best study programs, are selective in their admissions, are financially viable and offer a memorable student experience. Following are the admission requirements for top pre-med schools in the US:
- A good GPA of 3.0 or more
- Strong competence in science
- Able to prove your interest of becoming a physician by showing volunteering experience at a hospital
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement
- High School Transcripts
- Interview
- Good TOEFL scores
Factors to Consider while Choosing a Pre Med School
As undergraduates, pre-med students require access to a variety of specialized resources and opportunities to enhance their med school applications. A pre-medical student should attend schools which provide both a high ranking and unique support for pre-meds. Selecting a pre-medical school in the USA requires students to consider the following factors:
GPA
Your GPA is extremely important when applying to medical school. In medical school applications, a good GPA actually outweighs class rank, so you should be selecting colleges where you will be able to achieve high scores. To assess students, medical schools and colleges use a mathematical formula that considers the numerical value of a student's GPA.
MCAT Score
Getting into med school also requires a strong MCAT score. You must consider colleges where the curriculum helps you prepare for the MCAT exam. A majority of colleges cover the science material for the MCAT in their pre-med courses. It is also advisable to attend a college that offers good psychology, sociology, and English classes that include critical reading techniques. You will be able to achieve a better MCAT score if you attend colleges that emphasize these MCAT components.
Extracurricular Activities & Letters of Recommendation
A good resume isn't just about filling it with generic awards and activities. It is important to participate in activities that are relevant and meaningful to you as a potential medical student. In order to get the most experience in patient care, you should either shadow or enroll in a formal internship. Volunteering is acceptable if you can't find the other options.
Research experience in biology or medicine is also important to add to your resume. Working or volunteering in the local community is also beneficial. Work with a diverse group of people from different socioeconomic backgrounds if possible. That will help you prepare for essay questions and interviews.
Saving Money
Medical school is a significant commitment not just for students, but also for their families. In order to pay $200,000 for 4 years of med school, many families will save money on undergraduate studies.Fortunately, top-tier colleges offer great financial aid, usually providing at least some assistance to families with incomes under $200,000. Due to competition, you may want to avoid flagship state schools. A better choice is to find a private school that offers you a strong merit aid package.
Commitment
Getting into medicine may not be for everyone. Even the most dedicated and driven students are challenged by the 10-12 years of schooling, residencies, and fellowships. If you still aren't sure how to proceed by the time you apply, look for schools where you can easily change your major or program without applying internally.
