One of the first and most essential decisions you’ll have to make on your journey to becoming a successful medical professional is deciding which pre-med school is ideal for you. Going to school as a premed student will have a direct impact on the opportunities and networks of support you’ll have as a student as well as later in your career. Since there are so many great undergraduate programs in the United States, the process of applying to college effectively may be long and difficult. In this blog, we’ve put together a list of the best pre-med schools in the US.
What is a Pre Med School?
Pre-med is a college track made up of specific courses that you agree to take as prerequisites for medical school. Students can major in any area they desire, but to continue on the pre-med track, they must take all of the required pre-med courses. Premedical experience should eventually prepare you for a greater goal: medical school. A pre-med programme at an ideal institution will ensure success in these four critical areas of a medical school application:
- Getting a good grade point average.
- Getting a high MCAT score.
- Finding meaningful hobbies and putting up a great CV.
- Completing the application (including letters of recommendation and essays), as well as the interview (though these are largely independent of the undergraduate school you choose).
10 Best Pre Med Schools in US
For each student, the best pre-med school will be different. Analysing the various aspects of courses offered, fees, scholarships and accommodation, students can opt for the best university. Here are the Best Pre Med Schools In US for you to consider.
| University | QS Ranking 2022 |
| Harvard University | #5 |
| Duke University | #52 |
| University of Pennsylvania | #13 |
| Rice University | #94 |
| Stanford University | #3 |
| Northwestern University | #30 |
| Brown University | #49 |
| Amherst College | – |
| Case Western Reserve University | #161 |
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 provides its pre-med students a wealth of resources, a wonderful location among the various Boston medical institutions, and clubs like the Harvard Premedical Society. The college is also known for grade inflation, with an A- as the typical mark, which is excellent news for your GPA.
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
Despite being extremely tough academically, Duke has a high 85% admittance rate for medical school. Students at Duke have access to many resources, ranging from individualized counseling to research and internship opportunities at Duke’s School of Medicine.
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 finest pre-med institutions in the country, with a 76% admission rate. The MCAT is well-prepared for UPenn’s core and recommended pre-med courses, which emphasize all components of the exam. Pre-med students will benefit from UPenn’s proximity to institutions such as the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Washington University in St. 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
WashU pre-med students get access to a four-year advising programme, as well as MCAT prep programmes, mock interviews, med school application writing workshops, and two nearby hospitals. WashU provides regular hands-on support, as well as significant research and internships, to guarantee that its pre-med students are on the correct track.
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
Rice University’s Office of Academic Advising provides pre-med students with a wealth of resources, including a database of relevant research and internship opportunities as well as pre-med advising orientations. Rice’s Joint Admission Medical Program also assists low-income Texas students in attending medical school. Houston is also home to a number of big hospitals that provide research, shadowing, and volunteer opportunities.
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 undergraduate students have access to a range of extracurricular and research opportunities. Stanford Hospital, Palo Alto VA Hospital, and Lucile Packard. Children’s Hospital offers their Stanford Immersion in Medicine Series (SIMS) program to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who want to shadow doctors.
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 University’s Health Professions Advising provides pre-med students with a wealth of resources. MCAT advice/training, GPA calculators, and local shadowing opportunities are just a few of the resources available. Northwestern ensures that its pre-med students are well-prepared for medical school.
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 offers an open curriculum, which means students may take any courses they choose as long as they meet their major requirements. This is a great option for students who wish to pursue a non-STEM major while fulfilling medical school science course prerequisites.
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 also boasts a flexible curriculum, making it a good fit for pre-med students who wish to major in something other than STEM. Aside from that, Amherst is an excellent liberal arts institution. The admission rate for medical school is 75-80%, but when re-applicants are included, the percentage rises to nearly 90%.
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 is an outstanding example of a college with a great location, as it is close to the world-famous Cleveland Clinic and other institutions like the University Hospitals and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. Students will have access to a wide range of study and volunteer activities.
Best Pre Med Schools in US: What Factor to Consider?
Here are some requirements that you need to keep in mind for enrolling in any one of the pre-med schools in US.
GPA
When it comes to medical school, your GPA is really important. You should seek out institutions where you can achieve high grades, as a high GPA is so important for medical school applications that it even outweighs class rank.
MCAT Score
A strong MCAT score is also required for medical school entrance. Look for a college that offers a program that will adequately prepare you for the exam. Pre-med classes at most universities will cover the scientific topics on the MCAT. However, you should check to see whether your college offers strong psychology, sociology, or even general education English programs that promote critical reading skills.
Extra-curricular Activities
It’s crucial to participate in activities that are personally meaningful and relevant to you as a potential medical student. Another advantage of being at the top of your class is being able to fill up your CV with the appropriate activities. You will have easier access to greater chances through professors and other health professions advisers as one of the finest students on campus.
Letter of Recommendation
It all comes down to being at the top of your class to get strong recommendation letters. Being a large fish in a little pond will help you earn instructors’, employers’, and lab directors’ attention and favor.
Commitment
It is not for everyone to pursue a career as a doctor. Even the most dedicated and motivated students will find the 10-12 year commitment to school, residencies, and fellowships challenging. If you’re still undecided when it’s time to apply, search for institutions that enable you to change majors and programmes without having to reapply.
In this blog, we listed the 10 best pre-med schools in US that would guide you and would ultimately lead you to the best medical college. We hope the information provided was helpful. Planning to study medicine in the US? Connect with Leverage Edu for the application process, visa application, and other assistance!
