Medical courses are one of the hardest and most sought-out academic courses. Scholars find it easier to admire medical students than to get accepted into the medical school itself. However, the hardest medical schools to get into are usually some of the best medical schools.
This article at World Scholar Hub contains a list of the hardest medical school to get into as well as their requirements.
Statistically, there are over 2600 medical schools worldwide of which one-third of the schools are located in 5 different countries.
Table of Contents
What is a medical school?
Medical school is a tertiary institution where people study medicine as a course and get a professional degree such as a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Doctor of Medicine, Master of Medicine, or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
However, every medical school aim at providing standard medical teaching, research, and patient care training.
What are the MCAT, GPA, and acceptance rate?
MCAT short for Medical College Admission Test is a computer-based exam that every prospective medical student is required to take. However, the purpose of this test is to determine how prospective students will perform when admitted into the school.
GPA is the grade point average used in summing the total academic performance of students. An aspiring postgraduate student who wants to enroll in some of the top medical schools in the world is advised to get at least a 3.5 or above GPA.
Moreover, GPA and MCAT are important requirements for medical school admission. Different medical schools have their required MCAT and GPA score for admission. You probably should check that out too.
The acceptance rate is referred to the rate at which schools admit students. The percentage of admitted students varies for different schools and this is calculated by dividing the number of admitted students by the total number of applicants.
The acceptance rate is usually based on the application of prospective students.
Reasons why some schools are referred to as the hardest medical schools
Getting into medical school is tough. However, there are other reasons why a school may be referred to as the toughest or hardest medical school to get into. Below are some of the reasons why some schools are referred to as the hardest medical schools.
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Numerous applicants
Some of these schools are referred to as the hardest medical schools due to the numerous number of applicants. Amongst other fields of study, the medical field has the highest interest in student application. As a result, these schools tend to increase their academic requirement as well as lower their acceptance rate.
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Scarcity of medical school
Scarcity or shortage of medical schools in a certain country or region can result in difficulty in getting into medical schools.
It occurs when the demand for medical schools is high, and a lot of people want to get into medical schools.
This plays a major role in determining how hard a medical school is to get into.
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Prerequisites
The prerequisites for medical schools vary in different areas but generally, prospective students are required to have basic pre-medical education.
Others may as well require basic knowledge of certain subjects such as biology, physics, inorganic/organic chemistry, and calculus. However, two-thirds of these schools would probably require a good background in English.
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Admission rate
Some of these schools have limited admission slots compared to the number of students applying to the school. This creates certain limitations in admitting all applicants and can be a result of the available medical facilities.
However, a society with an impoverished healthcare facility or personnel will not flourish as such since these schools admit a limited number of applicants.
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MCAT and GDP Score:
The majority of these medical schools require that applicants meet the MCAT and cumulative GPA score that is required. However, the America Medical College Application Service looks into the cumulative GPA.
List of hardest medical schools to get into
below is a list of the hardest medical schools to get into:
- Florida state university college of medicine
- Stanford University of Medicine
- Harvard Medical School
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine
- Howard University College of Medicine
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Georgetown University School of Medicine
- John Hopkins University School of Medicine
- Baylor College of Medicine
- New York Medical College.
The Hardest Medical Schools to get into
1) Florida State University College of Medicine
- Location: 1115 Wall St Tallahassee do 32304 United States.
- Acceptance rate: 2.2%
- MCAT Score: 506
- GPA: 3.7
It is an accredited medical school established in 2000. The school focuses on providing an exceptional medical education for every student. Florida State University College of Medicine is one of the hardest medical to get into.
However, Florida University College of Medicine is aimed at educating and developing exemplary physicians and scientists who are well-rooted in medicine, art, and science.
The students are taught to value diversity, mutual respect, teamwork, and open communication.
In addition, Florida State University College of Medicine actively involves students in research works, innovation, community service, and patient-centered health care.
2) Stanford University of Medicine
- Location: 291 campus drive, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
- Acceptance rate: 2.2%
- MCAT Score: 520
- GPA: 3.7
The Stanford University of Medicine was established in 1858. The school is known for its world-class medical teaching and health centers.
However, they are aimed at equipping the students with the necessary medical knowledge. They also prepare students to think critically in order to contribute to the world.
Moreover, Stanford University of medicine has expanded its educational resources to learners across the globe. This includes a provision to some of the world’s first massive medical open online courses and access to the Stanford Center for Health Education.
3) Harvard Medical School
- Location: 25 Shattuck St, Boston MA 02 115, USA.
- Acceptance rate: 3.2%
- MCAT Score: 519
- GPA: 3.9
Established in 1782, Harvard Medical School is among the toughest medical school to get into. It is one of the oldest schools in the United States.
It is also noted for its paradigm research and discoveries. In 1799, Professor Benjamin Waterhouse from HMS discovered the vaccine for smallpox in the United States.
Harvard Medical School is well-known for its various worldwide accomplishments.
In addition, HMS is aimed at nurturing a community of students that are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of society.
4) New York University, Grossman School of Medicine
- Location: 550 1st Ave., New York, NY 10016, USA
- Acceptance rate: 2.5%
- MCAT Score: 522
- GPA: 3.9
New York University, Grossman School of Medicine is a private research school that was established in 1841. The school is among the hardest medical schools to get into.
Grossman School of Medicine provides a rigorous, demanding education to more than 65,000 students. They also have a vast network of successful alumni around the world.
NYU Grossman School of Medicine also awards students who enroll in the MD degree program full tuition-free scholarships. They ensure that the students are academically groomed as future leaders and medical scholars.
As a result, overcoming the arduous admissions procedure is well worth it.
5) Howard University College of Medicine
- Location: Howard University Health Sciences Center in Washington, D.C, USA.
- Acceptance rate: 2.5%
- MCAT Score: 504
- GPA: 3.25
Howard University College of Medicine is an academic sector of Howard University that offers medicine. It was established in 1868.
It’s aimed at providing students with excellent medical education and research training.
In addition, the school includes some other medical colleges: the College of Dentistry, the College of Pharmacy, the College of Nursing, and the Allied Health Sciences. They as well grant professional degrees in Doctor of Medicine, Ph.D., and so on.
6) Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Location: 222 Richmond St, Providence, RI 02903, United States.
- Acceptance rate: 2.8%
- MCAT Score: 515
- GPA: 3.8
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University is an Ivy League medical school. The school is a top-ranked medical school and among the toughest medical school to enroll in.
The school is aimed at teaching clinical skills as well as helping in the professional development of every student.
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University also ensures the health of individuals and communities is promoted through innovative medical education programs, and research initiatives.
7) Georgetown University School of Medicine
- Location: 3900 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC 2007, United State.
- Acceptance rate: 2.8%
- MCAT Score: 512
- GPA: 2.7
Georgetown University School of Medicine is located in Washington, United States. It was established in 1851. The school offers students medical teaching, clinical service, and biomedical research.
Also, the school curriculum is designed to cover and train students with medical knowledge, values, and skills that promote health and well-being.
8) John Hopkins University School of Medicine
- Location: 3733 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United State.
- Acceptance rate: 2.8%
- MCAT Score: 521
- GPA: 3.93
John Hopkins University School of Medicine is a top-rank medical research private school and among the most challenging medical schools to get into.
The school train physicians who will practice clinical medical issues, identify them and solve fundamental problems to prevent and treat diseases.
Furthermore, John Hopkin University School of medicine is well recognized for its innovation, medical research, and management of about six academic and community hospitals as well as health care and surgery centers.
9) Baylor College of Medicine
- Location Houston, Tx 77030, USA.
- Acceptance rate: 4.3%
- MCAT Score: 518
- GPA: 3.8
Baylor College of Medicine is a private medical school and the world’s largest medical center located in Texas. BCM is among the top-ranked tier medical school established in 1900.
Baylor is highly selective in terms of admitting students. It is among the top best medical research school and primary care centers with an acceptance rate currently 4.3%.
In addition, Baylor College focuses on the building of future medical personnel who are competent and skilled in health, science, and research related
10) New York Medical College
- Location: 40 Sunshine Cottage Rd, Valhalla, NY 10595, United States
- Acceptance rate: 5.2%
- MCAT Score: 512
- GPA: 3.8
New York Medical College is one of the oldest and largest medical schools in the United State of America established in 1860.
Moreover, the school is a top leading biomedical research college located in New York City.
At New York Medical College, the students are trained into becoming health and clinical professionals and health researcher who will advance human health and well-being.
Frequently asked questions about the hardest medical schools to get into
2) What are the things I should look out for when applying to medical schools?
The major things to consider before applying to any medical school include; the location, the school curriculum, the vision and mission of the school, accreditation, MCAT and GPA score, and admission rate.
3) Is medical degree the hardest degree to get
Well, getting a medical degree is not the only hardest degree to get but among the top hardest degree to acquire.
4) What is the most difficult year in medical school?
Year one is actually the hardest year in medical as well as in other schools. It involves a lot of processes that are exhausting; It can be tiring to get things cleared especially while settling. Merging all these with attending lectures and studying can be quite exhausting as a freshman
5) Is passing MCAT difficult?
Passing MCAT is not difficult if you prepare well for it. However, the exam is lengthy and can be quite challenging
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Conclusion:
In conclusion, a medical course is a nice course with numerous fields of study. One can decide to study a particular aspect of medicine, however, it is a tough course that requires a lot of time and effort.
Getting into medical school is as well difficult; it is advisable that prospective students prepare well and meet up with the necessary requirement of the schools they applied for.
This article has helped provide a list of the hardest medical schools, their locations, MCAT, and GPA grades requirement to guide you in your choice-making.