Top Medical Schools in the United States in 2024 in September 2024 : Methodology We Use to Rank Colleges The methodology used to rank the best medical colleges involves a combination of quantitative and qualitative assessments. Data is sourced from national education authorities, alumni feedback, and faculty publications.
Quality Assessment (35%): Evaluated peer assessment scores from surveys sent to deans, administrators, and faculty at accredited medical schools.
Research Activity (30%): Measured research activity by the total dollar amount of NIH research grants awarded to the medical school and its affiliated hospitals, as well as the average amount per faculty member.
Student Selectivity (20%): Considered the median MCAT scores, median undergraduate GPAs, and acceptance rates of each school’s entering class.
Faculty Resources (10%): Looked at the ratio of full-time science and clinical faculty to full-time students.
Diversity and Inclusion (5%): Assessed the diversity of the student body and faculty, as well as the school’s efforts to promote an inclusive environment.
1. Harvard Medical School
Located in Boston, Massachusetts, Harvard Medical School has been the school of “firsts” since the 18th Century.
Faculty members and alumni of Harvard have made significant contributions to medicine since 1799; introducing the smallpox vaccine is just one example of their many achievements. In fact, over 15 researchers have won nine Nobel prizes for work conducted at this school.
As one of the top medical schools in the US, Harvard Medical School has imprinted itself on the world of science and healthcare advancement, making it one of the most desirable medical schools in which to get admitted. With high admission standards and low acceptance rates, Harvard requires you to submit a top-notch application.
2. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is one of the most diverse medical schools on our list. In terms of academia, 14% of the entering students in the last admissions cycle had a non-science background.
Johns Hopkins looks more at an applicant’s leadership qualities and passion for medicine rather than their educational background. Like Harvard, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine believes anyone can succeed in the field of medicine.
Compared to the low acceptance rates at Harvard and Grossman, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has a 6% acceptance rate. While it sounds like your chances of getting accepted into medical school would be better here, Johns Hopkins is just as challenging to get into as the other top medical schools in the United States.
3. Perelman School of Medicine
The University of Pennsylvania is the oldest school in the United States, so the fact that the Perelman School of Medicine is one of the top medical schools in the country is no surprise.
The school prides itself on creating leaders in patient care, biomedical research, and medical education. Some of the most important medical advancements have spawned from the Perelman School of Medicine or were developed by a Penn Medicine alumni.
These achievements have placed the Perelman School of Medicine in the top three medical schools in the country. Similar to Harvard, Perelman has a low acceptance rate of 3.8%. Perelman accepts fewer than 150 applicants out of the thousands they receive.
How to Apply to the Perelman School of Medicine
When applying to the Perelman School of Medicine, you will follow a similar process as you would with Harvard Medical School. A complete medical school application for Perelman needs to include the requirements on its website.
Apply through the AMCAS application and designate Perelman School of Medicine as the medical school to which you apply. Once your application has been verified through AMCAS, the admissions committee will decide whether you will be a good fit for Perelman.
Unlike Harvard Medical School, Perelman School of Medicine will ask you to complete a secondary application if your primary application meets their criteria.
4. Columbia University
The Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S) at Columbia University is one of the international leaders in educating physicians on patient care. The institution was established in 1767 and was known as King’s College at the time.
Fast forward 250 years to the present day, and we find ourselves staring at one of the longest-standing medical schools in the country. Columbia University’s medical school is one of the most research-intensive universities in the United States.
Anil Rustgi, Dean of the VP&S, states that the college and health science schools are dedicated to all aspects of medical research, care, and education. With such dedication to the sciences, VP&S is a highly desired community to join, even with a 1.9% acceptance rate.