Posted by The hardest medical schools to get into are places where the boundaries of knowledge are pushed to their limits. If you are applying to a medical school, you should know that it is going to be one of the hardest decisions you will ever make.
It will come with several challenges and life-changing experiences. If you eventually get in and make it out, it is considered a huge achievement. After you have been awarded your degree for all that journey you encountered, it feels so good to hold your head up high with so much pride and confidence knowing fully well it paid off.
Medicine has substantial reasons to be a career choice and offers a wide range of opportunities. No wonder it is one of the most sought-after occupations in the world.
So many students chase after this golden profession, making it difficult and extremely competitive to get accepted into medical school. In this article, we are covering some information about medical school and the top 25 hardest of them all.
Table of Contents
What Is A Medical School?
A medical school is a tertiary educational institute or a faculty of one that provides a full and thorough program leading to basic medical qualifications. Medical schools are also known to conduct research and operate teaching hospitals.
Why Is It So Hard to Get Into Medical Schools?
It is not a new thing to hear someone got rejected after applying to a medical school. You would even be shocked to know that someone who met up with the requirements or someone with a higher odds of admission failed to get into medical school let alone you who is still struggling to meet up.
Well don’t be scared, this subtopic is here to help you shed more light on reasons candidates were most likely denied admission.
- Limited Number Of Spots: Every year, most medical schools receive a high applicant volume but they have only a limited number of seats, especially the top-tier schools. At last, only about 100 to 200 students can be harbored in a class size in most medical schools.
- Increased Competition: The well-informed pre-meds understand that there could be competition among themselves so they try as much as possible to give in their best and outdo the others.
- High GPA Requirements: This is the most challenging reason candidates fail to get into medical schools. It is highly required to have a GPA above 3.0.To be on the safe side, it is better to have a GPA of 3.5 or above because the most competitive schools accept applicants with average GPAs that are close to 4.0.
- High MCAT Requirements: The MCAT is a computer-based standardized exam required by most schools. The average MCAT is 502 with a standard deviation of 108.You should give yourself some time to study for the MCAT ( Ideally, a minimum of three months). Make the most of the innumerable resources such as MCAT questions, MCAT prep courses, and practice tests.
- Low Acceptance Rates: No matter how students compete for spots in medical schools, these schools still stick to their high standards and want the most assuring candidates even though the admission committee is faced with the arduous task of selecting the most preferable applications out of thousands.
- Application Mistakes: There are numerous medical application mistakes that students make unknowingly which are listed below:
- Applying to too many schools
- Trying too hard to write about the perfect topic
- Submitting applications too late
- Spending too much time on the personal statement which can indirectly affect the other essays
- Focusing mainly on your grades at the expense of experience
- Asking for essay feedback from too many people
- Preparing for medical interviews wrongly
- Not paying attention to details e.t.c
These and many more are part of the reasons students find it hard to see themselves in medical schools.
Requirements For Medical School Admission
Yes, we know getting into medical school can be a hard nut to crack as it would require you to sacrifice your days and nights studying but you should also know that your grades are not the only necessary factor and requirement for getting into medical school.
You also have to pursue multi-year extracurricular activities. Your grades won’t show you as a person but these activities will because the admission committee will be looking for a candidate who is not only a high performer but a contributor to the medical community.
Below are the requirements listed for medical school admission:
- Education and course requirement: Opting for a pre-med program during undergrad is what most aspiring doctors and other health care professionals do.This helps them meet the minimum requirements for medical school. It is recommended that you take the following mandatory courses: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, and English.
- Extracurriculars: These are activities that show you obtaining certain competencies and skills and they also help you stand out among other students filling out the application details.Many medical schools would like to have a look at these, though, they do not provide any details about what to specifically pursue or how much. Below are a few you can include in your medical school application:
- Clinical Experience: This category is also known as clinical volunteering or patient exposure.The very common clinical experiences include: working as an emergency medical technician (EMT) or medical assistant (MA). This helps you have a better idea of what your career ahead will entail.
- Community Service: Sometimes called clinical volunteering, this category is unlimitedly broad. Depending on your interest, you could provide education/awareness messages about a particular disease, host children from foster homes, provide health screenings, and many more.
- Research Experience: In this category, the goal is to illustrate an interest in academic medicine especially if you are interested in getting into MD programs. So team up with a professor in your undergraduate program to help on a research project and impress the medical school admission committee with your dedication to science.
After meeting all these requirements and suggestions for academic and extracurricular activities, just know you’re almost there. However medical school applications still have some requirements of their own. The popular ones are listed below:
1. Letter Of Recommendation: This differs across schools. Many applications will ask for more than one letter. When getting your letter of recommendation, your basic aims should be:
- Two letters from a science professor
- One letter from a nonscience professor
- Two to three letters from individuals who have supervised you in extracurricular activities.
N.B: At least one of them must come from a medical doctor
2. Personal Statement: This piece of writing allows you to make it known to medical school application boards who you are as a professional and how you stand out from others as a candidate.
3. Primary Application: Many medical schools use a centralized application system known as the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) from the Association Of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The AMCAS was set up to have a unified and standard application process for medical school.
4. Secondary Application: This application differs among schools. They are set after primary applications. Each school has its specific requirements.
5. Interviews: Specific candidates whose applications have been favorably reviewed or become of interest will be granted interviews. Generally, the earlier you receive interview invitations, the higher your chance of getting into medical school.
6. Grade Points Average (GPA) Requirements: At last, the most important of them all. Most medical schools won’t accept a GPA of less than 3.0. The average GPA for medical schools is 3.64 for science overall and a total score of 3.71 overall.
7. Medical College Administration Test (MCAT) Scores: Ah yes! The dreaded MCAT, this test is a targeted way to increase an applicant’s knowledge and analytical thinking. MCAT scores may be competitive for one school and may not be competitive for another. For the top tiers, the average score of admitted candidates tends to be higher than the normal average score of 511 even getting to 520.
8. Financial Aid Forms: If you wish to apply for financial assistance, then you must fill out the Institution-Specific Financial Aid form or complete the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The process of applying varies by different medical schools. However, if you must sign up for these scholarships or tuition fee reductions, make sure to apply on time.
List of the Best 25 Hardest Medical Schools to Get Into
Below is a list of the top 25 hardest medical schools to get into in 2023:
- Howard University College Of Medicine
- NYU Grossman School Of Medicine
- Warren Alpert Medical School Of Brown University
- University Of California
- Stanford University School Of Medicine
- Georgetown University School Of Medicine
- Duke University School Of Medicine
- Harvard University
- Baylor College Of Medicine
- Mayo Clinic Alix School Of Medicine
- Florida State University College Of Medicine
- Yale University
- New York Medical College
- John Hopkins University School Of Medicine
- Queen’s University School Of Medicine
- Northern Ontario School Of Medicine
- McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School Of Medicine
- University Of Ottawa Faculty Of Medicine
- McGill University Faculty Of Medicine
- University Of Toronto Faculty Of Medicine
- University Of Edinburgh
- University Of Oxford
- University Of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- Leeds School Of Medicine.
Top 25 Hardest Medical Schools To Get Into
Now we dive into the main topic, most of all the hardest medical schools to find admission to are located in the United States and Canada.
A few number of them are also found in the United Kingdom. Many of these schools are typically prestigious and costly, giving their reason for being difficult to accept just anyone. This article is going to give little details about these highly regarded schools and their specific acceptance rates.
Take note that these schools are listed starting from the lowest to the highest range of acceptance rates and not according to the world’s top-ranked medical schools.
Hardest Medical School To Get Into In The United States
1. Howard University College Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 1.08%
This college of medicine was founded in 1868 in response to the rising population of the city of Washington DC in which it is located.
The college offers excellent research and research training opportunities. It has provided a lot of students with medical education of exceptional quality making it one of the best medical schools.
2. NYU Grossman School Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 2.1%
This is a medical school at New York University.
It is also a private research institution founded in 1841. It is one of the two medical schools in the university and also one of the most competitive schools in the country.
3. Warren Alpert Medical School Of Brown University
- Acceptance Rate – 2.13%
The medical institute was opened in 1972, it was the third medical School to be founded in New England after only Harvard and Dartmouth. It is located in Providence, Rhode Island.
4. University Of California
- Acceptance Rate – 2.2%
The University Of California is an accredited medical school located in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1951 and is also known as the David Geffen School Of Medicine. It is one of the premier research and educational institutions in the world.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into5′ target=”/]5. Stanford University School Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 2.3%
This school of medicine is located in Stanford, California. It originated from the medical department of the University of the Pacific founded in San Francisco in 1858. The medical school later moved to the Stanford campus near Palo Alto in 1959.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into6′ target=”/]6. Georgetown University School Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 2.84%
This medical school was opened in 1851 in Washington DC. Being the oldest catholic medical school in the United States, Georgetown University School Of Medicine has groomed many reputable doctors with a commitment to education intrinsic to their values and Jesuit traditions.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into7′ target=”/]7. Duke University School Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 2.9%
This school of medicine indoctrinates new knowledge on the next generation of healthcare providers and leaders to improve the health of the population locally and globally by providing compassionate health care for all individuals. It is located in North Carolina and was established in 1925.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into8′ target=”/]8. Harvard University
- Acceptance Rate – 4%
The well-known Harvard University was established in 1782 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. Its medical school is one of the oldest medical schools in the United States.
Harvard Medical School does not directly own or operate any teaching hospital but instead relies on affiliate teaching hospitals where medical students primarily complete their clinical experience.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into9′ target=”/]9. Baylor College Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 4.3%
The Baylor College Of Medicine was opened in the year 1900.
It is composed of four medical components namely: the School of Medicine, the Graduate School Of Biomedical Sciences, the School of Health Professions, and the National School Of Tropical Medicine. It is located in Houston, Texas, within the Texas Medical Center which is the world’s largest medical center.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into10′ target=”/]10. Mayo Clinic Alix School Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 4.5%
The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine located in Rochester, Minnesota, was founded in 1972.
It is well known for its research orientation, unique curriculum and it’s small-size classes. It is also known to be extremely competitive.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into11′ target=”/]11. Florida State University College Of Medicine
- Acceptance rate – 4.7%
Located in Tallahassee, Florida, the Florida State College of Medicine is an accredited medical school offering the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree for physicians. The college was established in 2000 and it also offers a Ph.D degree and a physician assistant program.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into12′ target=”/]12. Yale University
- Acceptance Rate – 4.8%
The Yale School of Medicine is highly selective. It is the graduate medical school of Yale University situated in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1810, the school is home to one of the largest medical libraries and is well known for its standard facilities.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into13′ target=”/]13. New York Medical College
- Acceptance Rate – 5.2%
NYMC as it is also called was established in 1860. It is a member of the Touro University System. Located in Valhalla, New York, this school offers advanced degrees through its three schools: the School Of Medicine, the Graduate School Of Biomedical Sciences (GSBMS), and the School of Health Sciences and Practices.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into14′ target=”/]14. John Hopkins University School Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 6.3%
Baltimore’s outstanding university is ranked as one of the United States’ very best in education. The John Hopkins University School of Medicine is a private research institute founded in 1893. It also has a hospital and a children’s center which was established in 1889.
The Hardest Medical School To Get Into In Canada
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into15′ target=”/]15. Queen’s University School Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 1.89%
This is one of Canada’s 17 medical schools and it is also the only medical school with the smallest class size in the country, making it highly competitive.
Queen’s University School Of Medicine was established over 150 years ago.
Its goal is to enhance the tradition of preparing excellent physicians in health care by welcoming a dedication to education and research.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into16′ target=”/]16. Northern Ontario School Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 3% – 4%
The NOSM University is a public medical institution in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is a bid to educate doctors to provide care in Northern Ontario’s urban, rural, and remote communities. It was founded in 2005.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into17′ target=”/]17. McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 3.49%
McMaster’s University was established in 2004. The medical school offers major programs in undergraduate, and postgraduate medical education as well as Canada’s first programs for midwives and (civilian) physician assistants.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into18′ target=”/]18. University Of Ottawa Faculty Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 3.9%
University Of Ottawa Faculty Of Medicine is located in Canada’s capital Ottawa. It was opened in 1945 and it is a bilingual school. Their MD program is offered in both English and French and students can attend any course they choose.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into19′ target=”/]19. McGill University Faculty Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 5.81%
This faculty is home to a distinctive and diverse community of health professionals, scientists, students, and staff who are committed to compassionate, evidence-based care. It is one of the constituent faculties of McGill University and it was established in 1829.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into20′ target=”/]20. University Of Toronto Faculty Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 6%
The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine is one of Canada’s oldest institutions of medical studies and the medical school of the University of Toronto.
Opened in 1843, it is well known for the discovery of insulin and stem cells. This is also the place where the first single and double lung transplant took place.
The Hardest Medical School To Get Into In The United Kingdom
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into21′ target=”/]21. University of Edinburgh
- Acceptance Rate – 2.5%
This medical school is one of the United Kingdom’s most competitive medical schools.
The University of Edinburgh Medical School is located in Scotland and is one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious schools. It was established in the year 1726 and focuses on academic understanding putting its graduates among top candidates in postgraduate qualification exams.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into22′ target=”/]22. University of Oxford
- Acceptance Rate – 8.1%
Being one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world, there is evidence of teaching from as early as 1096 in the University of Oxford, its medical school prepares students with an elaborate intellectual training with particular emphasis on the fundamental science research that advances medicine.
It is also one of the best medical schools in the United Kingdom.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into23′ target=”/]23. University Of Cambridge
- Acceptance Rate – 13%
The University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine was founded in 1842.
The school offers students two medicine courses which are the standard course and the graduate course, it also offers a first-class approach to medicine combined with educational programs and is ranked as the 2nd best in the world.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into24′ target=”/]24. Imperial College London
- Acceptance Rate – 13%
The Imperial College London was established in 1907, its faculty of medicine is a world leader in medical research and educating the next generation of healthcare professionals.
It is also one of the best in the United Kingdom.
[id=’Hardest-Medical-Schools-To-Get-Into25′ target=”/]25. Leeds School Of Medicine
- Acceptance Rate – 15%
The Leeds School of Medicine is located in Leeds, England, and was founded in the year 1831. The school of Medicine is primarily linked with two major hospitals for clinical teachings and boasts of leading healthcare professionals with a curriculum underpinned by clinical excellence and world-leading research.
FAQ’s About Getting Into Medical School
What is the average GPA for getting into medical school
According to AAMC data, the average GPA for medical schools overall is 3.64 for science and 3.71.
How is my GPA calculated?
The AMCA takes all the grades you’ve ever made from any US or Canadian college and calculates one GPA for all the courses taken and another for the mandatory courses: biology, chemistry, physics, English, and math.
What is the process of getting into medical school
The first step is to take the MCAT, after that, you will be asked to provide your primary application and then your secondary application, after all these, expect an interview, and later on you’ll be subjected to a background check.
What is the required MCAT score?
The required MCAT score for most medical schools ranges between 508 – 513 with a 25th percentile nevertheless this varies quite a bit and can depend on the school.
What should I consider before applying to medical school
You should consider things like financial factors, location, curriculum and special programs, residency placement, faculty access, and class size. These are some of the most important out of so many other factors.
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Conclusion
That is all for the top 25 hardest medical schools to get into. All the information about the acceptance rates was derived from current statistics.
Most of the above schools listed are also among the world’s top-ranked medical schools.
However, it is important to know that no matter how challenging and competitive it can be to get into these medical schools, perseverance and determination can overcome even the greatest obstacles.
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