collageDespite the ever-increasing cost of a college education, there remains a common misconception that Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Yale offer the best premed programs. Of course, many people want to go to an Ivy League school, but that doesn’t always mean they’ll get the best pre med experience. The reality is that for pre med students, each school has its own unique culture and learning environment and therefore offers different opportunities and experiences. Because the admissions criteria remain daunting even for top students, you must choose your undergraduate school wisely if you wish to be admitted into the best medical school program in us .
The Best Ivy League Schools for Pre Med offers a list of top colleges for pre-med education. This list includes the top rated universities in different aspects of pre-med program such as course selection, admission, and financial aid programs.
If you are wondering on what to do in undergrad for med school, then we will be willing to provide you with answers related to questions like; does undergrad prestige matter for med school? Our post on the best ivy league schools for pre med will shed more light on all you need to know about how to get into medical school from high school. So read on to learn more about which Ivy league scchols are the best for pre med.
Choosing some of the top 100 pre med schools is the first major step any student will make on the path to becoming an ivy league physician. If you’re an aspiring pre-med student looking for the best ivy league for pre med, you’ll want to give yourself the best opportunities and support networks in college and beyond. Applying to (and succeeding in) medical school is a grueling process, so you’ll need to be prepared before you can secure a easy path to medical school from high school. So can read on to learn about the ranking and ivy league medical schools requirements.
Best Ivy League Schools For Pre Med
Studying towards a medical career requires lot of work, time and money. You want to be well informed when you are making your choices. Deciding where to apply and pursue your pre-medical degree is an important first step on the road to becoming a physician.
There are many ivy league medical schools requirements that go into consideration when choosing which college or university to attend for your pre-medical education. In addition to financial factors and geographic location, how well the school ranks is also a consideration.
Medical schools do not require applicants have a certain major. In fact, many universities and colleges do not have a specific pre-med major, and instead they offer strong science programs with rigorous coursework in biology, chemistry and math.
Universities are ranked by several different organizations based on various factors including yield-to-acceptance rate (how desirable the school is or how many people apply for admission compared to how many are selected). Graduation rates and program and faculty awards may also be factored into rankings.
1: Harvard University
Harvard’s Office of Career Services estimates that 17% of any one of its classes will apply to med school—that’s a huge fraction of the student body! Pre-med applicants with a 3.5 GPA or higher had a 93% acceptance rate to med schools in 2013, whereas average acceptance rates that year were about 42%.
Harvard College offers a peer pre-med advising program in which students are assigned a pre-med tutor sophomore through senior year.
Harvard University houses the #1 ranked medical school in the US and also boasts extremely strong biological sciences departments. There are several affiliated teaching hospitals nearby, too (which are great for both research and clinical experience).
2: University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is one of the best know Ivy League schools in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Penn has a reputation for being one of the highest ranked universities for a number of majors. They have a strong science program including majors in biology and chemistry. In addition, their career services offer a number of resources for pre-medical students including seminars, counseling and guest lectures. Penn is also located near several large medical centers, which may present many opportunities to shadow physicians or volunteer. If you are considering Penn, keep your grades up. The average grade point average of a Penn student is 3.82.
3: Columbia University
Columbia is home to a top-15 med school. As undergraduates, though, students are assigned a pre-med advisor and attend informational meetings sponsored by the Premedical Committee. Columbia’s convenient NYC location also guarantees easy access to countless clinics and hospitals, giving you plenty of opportunities for clinical and research experience.
Additionally, Columbia provides pre-med students with a sample course curriculum to help them meet the minimum requirements for med school applications. This handy sheet—along with the top-tier advising services offered at the university—can help you get an edge on the competition when it comes to medical school admissions. Unfortunately, though, Columbia doesn’t release statistics on how many of its undergraduates are admitted into medical school each year.
4: Cornell
An impressive 76% of Cornell pre-meds with a GPA of 3.4 or higher got into medical school in 2016, and 63% of all Cornell applicants were accepted into medical school the same year. If you end up as a pre-med at Cornell, you’ll be in good company: about 17% of undergrads there are interested in pursuing a career in medicine.
Weill Cornell Medicine is an Ivy League medical school located in New York, USA. It began operating as a private, nonprofit medical school in 1898 and has over 400 students who learn from a faculty of 1,814 lecturers and professors. Furthermore, this Ivy League Medical School and some of its affiliates – e.g new York-Presbyterian Hospital – ranks well among Ivy League colleges and USA Colleges.
5. Yale School of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine is another reputable Ivy League Medical School. This medical school began operating as a private medical school in New Haven, Connecticut in 1810. It has a total student population of about 718 students taking Yale’s MD, MD/Ph.D., and Physician Associate’s program. However, this Ivy League med school has over 4,000 academic staff, about 2,000 of which are adjunct staff.
US News & World Report ranks Yale Medical School as the 13th research-oriented medical school and 44th Primary Care medical school in the USA. With 62 National Academy of Sciences members and 40 Institute of Medicine Invigilators forming part of Yale Medical School’s faculty, the ranking comes as no surprise.
When it comes to program offerings, Yale Medical School has one of the widest variety. In addition to the traditional MD degree, you can take the MMSc, MD/JD, MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/Ph.D., and even an MD degree in Conjunction with Yale Divinity School at Yale Medical School. Of course, Yale also offers Ph.D. Programs in Medicine specializations.
6. Brown University
Brown University is considered one of the top research universities in the country and is ranked high when it comes to pre-medical. The university’s pre-medical program allows students to major in anything they choose, such as biochemistry, biomedical engineering or biology, while fulfilling medical school admissions requirements. Small class sizes are also an advantage. Class sizes average 27 students and the student to faculty ratio is 13:1. There is also an accelerated medical program for qualified students. The seven year liberal arts and medical degree path allows students to earn both their bachelor’s degree and medical degree in seven years, which is one year quicker than the traditional route. Boston University has high admissions standards. The average student admitted to the university ranked in the top 9 percent of their high school.
7. Geisel School of Medicine
Geisel School of Medicine is another of the old Ivy League Schools of Medicine. It began operating as a private medical school in Hanover, New Hampshire in 1797 and has over 700 students. However, Geisel School of Medicine has a faculty of over 2,300 professors grooming its students. While this US Medical school is highly competitive, it maintains good rankings.
US News & World Report 2020 ranked this Ivy league medical school as the 45th research-oriented medical school and 18th Primary Care medical school in the USA. This goes to interpret that you should rather choose to attend Geisel School of medicine to a family doctor than a surgeon.
Nonetheless, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth grants students the MD, Ph.D., MPH, and MS degree in medicine and medicine subdisciplines. Geisel is one of the Ivy League colleges to attend for an MD-Ph.D., MD-MBA, MD-MS, and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences degree.
8: Princeton University
Not only is Princtone one of the best universities in the nation, it also offers a robust pre-med program. Students get plugged into the pre-med advising program as soon as they walk on campus, and they also have incredible opportunities including health-centered study abroad programs and hands-on research experiences.
The med school acceptance rates for Princeton undergrads are phenomenal—according to Princeton, 85% of its college students get into med school, which is more than twice the national average. This likely has partly to do with the fact that Princeton hosts a top-10 medical school.
best pre med schools in uS
1. Harvard College
Location: Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate: 4.5%
U.S. News Ranking: 2
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1460-1580 SAT, 33-35 ACT
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,788
As of 2012, Harvard reported an extremely high med school acceptance rate of 95%. With some of the smartest students in the world, a great location among the numerous Boston medical facilities, and groups such as the Harvard Premedical Society, Harvard offers a plethora of invaluable resources to its pre-med students. The college is also known for its rampant grade inflation, with the median grade being an A-, so that’s good news for your GPA.
2. 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, while very academically competitive, still boasts a high 85% med school acceptance rate. Students at Duke also have access to a wide variety of resources, from personalized advising to research and internship opportunities provided by Durham and Duke’s prestigious School of Medicine.
3. 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
UPenn is one of the best pre-med schools in the nation, boasting a 76% med school acceptance rate. UPenn’s core pre-med courses and suggested courses both prepare students well for the MCAT by emphasizing all aspects of the test. UPenn is also in an excellent location for pre-med students, with facilities like the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia nearby.
4. Washington University in Saint Louis
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
Pre-med students at WashU not only have access to a four year advising program, but also to MCAT prep classes, mock interviews, writing workshops for med school applications, and two local hospitals. WashU ensures that their pre-med students are on the right path by providing constant hands-on assistance and meaningful research and internships.
5. 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
The Office of Academic Advising at Rice provides extensive resources to pre-med students, including a database of relevant research and internship opportunities and pre-med advising orientations. Additionally, Rice’s Joint Admission Medical Program helps low-income Texas students afford med school. Houston is also a town with many large hospitals that provide research, shadowing, and volunteering opportunities.
6. 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 offers a variety of extracurricular and research options to their undergraduate students. Their Stanford Immersion in Medicine Series (SIMS) Program gives sophomores, juniors, and seniors the opportunity to shadow doctors at Stanford Hospital, Palo Alto VA Hospital, and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.
7. 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
Northwestern pre-med students have access to a wealth of resources through the school’s Health Professions Advising. Resources range from MCAT advice/training to GPA calculators to local shadowing opportunities. Northwestern makes sure its pre-med students are well-informed and prepared for med school.
8. 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
As of 2018, Brown students had an 85% med school acceptance rate. Brown’s Health Careers Advising offers plenty of resources to get experience in the medical field, such as clinical experience and volunteer opportunities. Students at Brown also have the opportunity to get hands-on experience as an EMT working with Brown EMS. Brown is a great option for students wanting to pursue a non-STEM major while completing medical school science course prerequisites—the school has an open curriculum, meaning there are no general education requirements, and students can take whatever courses they want, as long as they complete their major requirements.
9. Amherst College
Location: Amherst, MA
Acceptance rate: 11.3%
U.S. News Ranking: 2 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1420-1530 SAT, 31-34 ACT
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,855
Amherst has an open curriculum as well, so it’s another college especially well-suited for pre-med students wanting to major in a non-STEM subject. Beyond that, Amherst is a strong choice as a liberal arts college. Due to its smaller enrollment and emphasis on undergraduate education, students will be able to get to know their professors, leading to stronger mentorship and standout letters of recommendation. You will also have access to pre-med advisors who are invested in your success. The Pre-Health Professions Committee is also very involved in the medical school admissions process, helping coordinate mock interviews, providing insider information (interview account, data on past applicants, etc.), and advising you throughout the process. The medical school acceptance rate is 75-80%, though this rate increases to over 90% when you include re-applicants.
10. 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 is a prime example of a college with an excellent location, as it is located right next to the world-famous Cleveland Clinic and other hospitals, such as the University Hospitals and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. Students will have a wide array of research and volunteering opportunities available to them. CWRU students can also gain clinical experience through the campus’ EMS team, or by working in the local nursing homes, hospice care facilities, or patient recovery houses.
best non ivy league medical schools
1. Georgetown University
Location: Washington D.C.
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1370-1530, 31-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7400
Georgetown University offers a wide array of research opportunities through the Georgetown University Research Opportunities Program (GUROP), where students can conduct research alongside faculty members. Many opportunities can also be found at the Georgetown University Medical Center. Students can gain clinical experience through volunteering at the Georgetown University Hospital, joining the Georgetown EMS (GERMS), and working at several partner clinics around D.C.
2. Emory University
Location: Atlanta, GA
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1350-1520, 31-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7000
Emory’s pre-health advising supports students through workshops, events and small sessions to prepare students for the medical school application process. The university offers many research opportunities and even allows students to get course credit for research. In order to teach students the fundamentals of research, some research opportunities at Emory require students to also enroll in a course while conducting research. The university also offers a fall and spring research symposium where students can present their work to peers and mentors.
3. Swarthmore College
Location: Swarthmore, PA
Acceptance Rate: 9%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1380-1550, 31-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1500
Swarthmore College offers robust one-on-one advising with pre-med students. The college partners with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Jefferson University Hospital, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to offer volunteer experience for students. If students are interested in research, the college offers many opportunities to work alongside faculty and even summer research grants.
4. Johns Hopkins University
Location: Baltimore, MD
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1450-1560, 33-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6000
Johns Hopkins has an entire “pre-professional” office dedicated to helping students pursue graduate opportunities of all types. Besides many strong undergraduate research programs, Johns Hopkins provides many opportunities for clinical experience through volunteer work across Baltimore. Additionally, the university has many student organizations dedicated to learning about the health profession including a chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, Hopkins Organization for Pre-Health Education, and the Women’s Pre-Health Leadership Society (WPHLS). Many of these organizations allow students to network with physicians at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
5. Vanderbilt University
Location: Nashville, TN
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1450-1560, 33-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6800
Vanderbilt offers solid pre-med advising and like many research universities, has a robust research program. The Vanderbilt Undergraduate Clinical Research Summer Internship, for example, is a unique program that allows undergraduates to conduct research with a professor and while also working at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The university also offers many undergraduate pre-med organizations and clubs that are geared towards certain STEM majors. The proximity of the Vanderbilt University Hospital to the university allows students to form connections with physicians as well.
6. Tulane University
Location: New Orleans, LA
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1350-1490, 30-33
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7900
Tulane University leads the country in groundbreaking medical research, and the university encourages students to become as involved as possible. Many students are involved in research in the Cell and Molecular Biology department and are eligible to apply for prestigious summer fellowships to continue research. The university also has 11 pre-med societies with different focuses, ranging from autism awareness to international and public health focus to the university-wide student-run EMS.
7. Bowdoin College
Location: Brunswick, ME
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1360-1610, 31-33
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1800
Bowdoin College has an impressive medical school admissions rate. In 2015, 91% of Bowdoin College students who applied were accepted to medical school, and the annual acceptance rate is 87%. Students who conduct research with professors are eligible to apply for a fall research award, or the college also provides smaller awards of $800 monthly for student research.
8. Miami University
Location: Oxford, OH
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1200-1380, 25-30
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,300
Miami University has a unique pre-med program because it actually offers pre-medical studies as a “co-major.” This means that students in this major take classes to explore careers in medicine and learn all about the pre-health application process through coursework. Students are also offered special advising to find research opportunities that suit their interests. The university also offers many independent research opportunities and 16 pre-health student organizations.
9. Bates College
Location: Lewiston, ME
Acceptance Rate: 18%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1290-1460, 33-34
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1800
Bates College encourages pre-health students to conduct research and offers many opportunities for students to do so. Research can occur through a senior thesis, an honors thesis, independent research, or through many of the seminars or specific research courses that Bates offers. The college also has a Health Sciences society for students to learn more about careers in healthcare.
10. Williams College
Location: Williamstown, MA
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1410-1550, 32-35
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2000
Williams College has many unique pre-med programs only for Williams students. For example, the college has an alumni sponsored fully-funded internship program where students can work in a field of their choice. Additionally, over 200 students conduct summer research at Williams, and students can apply for internships at the Whitehead Institute, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and Marine Biology Laboratory which are specifically designed for Williams students.
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