15 Top Medical Schools In The US 2024-25 | Amber

1. John Hopkins University 

Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Acceptance Rate: 7.5%
Seats: 476

John Hopkins University is arguably one of the best medical schools in the US for a varied number of reasons. The medical program has a diverse student body, with about 22% of its 1,100+ students being international. Johns Hopkins emphasizes clinical skills and offers specialized programs like MD/PhD and Global Health degrees. Its alumni include influential medical pioneers and Nobel laureates.

Best Medical Programmes at John Hopkins University

• Psychiatry 
• Radiology
• Surgery

2. Harvard Medical School 

Location: Cambridge Massachusetts
Acceptance Rate: 3.7%
Seats: 712 

It isn’t surprising anymore that Harvard Medical School is a leading top medical school in the US. A majority of medical aspirants across the world share a common goal of setting foot on the Harvard Medical School campus. With such high competition and low acceptance rates, only 3% of students experience the “Harvard” Life. At HMS, students are exposed to the best curriculum, which helps them grow in the ever-growing medical field, prepares them for clinical experience, and has varied expertise options. 

To enhance their experience further, they get to partner with some of America’s biggest medical institutes, like Joslin Diabetes Centre and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, which are pioneers in research and treatment. For the past 200+ years, Harvard Medical School has successfully built a worldwide alum of experts and doctors in the medical field. 

Best Medical Programmes at Harvard Medical School 

If you are planning to build your medical expertise in the following fields, then you should focus on applying to Harvard, i.e. the best medical school in the US. 

• Anesthesiology
• Internal Medicine
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Psychiatry 
• Radiology 

3. Perelman School of Medicine  

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Acceptance Rate: 3.8%
Seats: 612

University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine has consistently ranked 3rd among the top medical schools in the US, with a golden history of being the first medical school in the USA. Graduating as a medicine student at Perelman School of Medicine would look like studying through a rigorous six-module course, learning stress-effective management, working in a team with leading physicians, and having a close connection with 100 student organizations. 

Students can choose from M.D., PhD, and Masters degrees to excel in their desired field. Lastly, the university is also dedicated to being an agent of change by organizing free health checkups, clinics, and awareness programmes around their community, inspiring students to be empaths and great leaders.

Best Medical Programmes at Perelman School of Medicine

• Pediatrics
• Surgery 
• Radiology 
• Psychiatry 

4. Duke University

Location: Durham, North Carolina
Acceptance Rate: 5.9%
Seats: 450

Duke University remains the finest and one of the best medical schools in the USA. Duke is deemed a “unique” and “unconventional” medical school in the US because it follows a different study path than other medical schools in the USA. At Duke, students are trained under a four-year programme, with each year being divided to give students an overall view of medicine. It usually starts from learning core science subjects, clinical clerkships, and scholarly investigation, to ends with clinical electives. If you are highly anticipated to make a career in clinical research and advanced medicine, then there is no better benchmark than Duke University.  

Best Medical Programmes at Duke University

• Internal Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery 
• Pediatrics 

5. Stanford School of Medicine 

Location: Palo Alto, California
Acceptance Rate: 2.3%
Seats: 152

Stanford School of Medicine is the first medical school in California and arguably one of the country’s best medical schools in the USA on the west coast. Through an astonishing record of outstanding students, Each year, Stanford admits and selects the best “eggs” from the basket of a pool of applicants. At Stanford, you will have an array of graduate programme options opened in bio-sciences like neuroscience, biology, genetics, etc. 

The university has its teaching hospital, Stanford University Hospital, equipped with the latest equipment and infrastructure. Compared to other medical universities in the USA, Stanford students use the school’s reputation as a leading research university to get top fellowships from HHMI and other coveted institutions. 

Best Medical Programmes at Stanford School of Medicine 

• Dermatology 
• Ophthalmology 
• Internal medicine
• Emergency medicine 

6. Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons 

Location: New York City, New York
Acceptance Rate: 4.5%
Seats: 698

Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, also popularly known by its acronym VP&S is regarded as one of the best medical schools in the USA. VPnS has aided the medical space for centuries and is still committed to doing the same by helping future doctors with skills and knowledge about medicine, arts, ethics, and teamwork. With a highly reputable status of being an excellent intensive research medical school, the college has ditched the traditional course of teaching medicine. 

Instead, it focuses on the following three main segments: fundamental, major clinical year, and Differentiation and Integration. VPNs also hold groups of large networks; for example, it is partnered with big hospitals like New York Presbyterian Hospital as its teaching affiliate.

Best Medical Programmes at Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

• Psychiatry
• Internal Medicine
• Radiology (Diagnostic)
• Obstetrics and Gynecology

7. Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine 

Location: Minnesota, Arizona, Florida
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Seats: 224

The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is one of the best medical schools in the US and is linked with the Mayo Clinic, a major academic medical center that contributes to research, healthcare, and education. Students who study at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine enroll based on their unique integrated learning method. The perfect balance of classroom lectures and clinical experience simultaneously helps them retain and study better. 

Usually, the first two years of studying are focused on personal interest selections and then focused on research projects. Regarding employability, most graduate students work at Mayo Clinic institutions and other huge hospitals across the country. The university is a pioneer in research and primary care.

Best Medical Programmes at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine 

• Surgery 
• Radiology 
• Psychiatry 
• Anesthesiology 

8. University of Washington School of Medicine  

Location: Seattle, Washington
Acceptance Rate: 10.5%
Seats: 270+

The University of Washington, School of Medicine, is one of the medical universities in USA for international students that consistently shows up in the list of best medical schools in the US. This university has a usual four-year medical degree programme spanned over three semesters yearly, with further advances to M.D. and PhD programmes. Students are exposed to many opportunities under the WWMAI programme, where students complete many six weeks of clerkship in the states of Wyoming, Montana, Alaska, and Idaho. Other opportunities like presenting research work and actively participating in service learning projects are also provided during the course. Overall in terms of teaching and clinical experience, U.W. has always been ahead of its students. 

Best Medical Programmes at the University of Washington School of Medicine  

• Radiology
• Anesthesiology
• Family Medicine
• Surgery 

9. Cornell University

Location: New York City, New York
Acceptance Rate: 5.4%
Seats: 442 

Cornell University is ranked the best medical university in the USA for aspiring medical students. The university is said to offer one of the top-notch medical courses in the country. It has a notable string of alumni like the Medical Chief Advisor to President Anthony Fauci. At Cornell, the university aims to polish and nurture your skills to become the next agent of change as a researcher or a physician. You can enroll yourself into a graduate or M.D./PhD programme where you can study a curriculum that includes laboratory coursework and a broad range of specializations and train yourself to be a successful physician-scientist at a higher level. 

Best Medical Programmes at Cornell University

• Psychiatry
• Radiology
• Surgery
• Internal Medicine 

10. University of California Medical School 

Location: San Francisco, California
Acceptance Rate: 2.2%
Seats: 372 

With world-known recognition and being amongst the best medical schools in the US, the University of California Medical School is a tough competition to beat. At UCMS, students are trained under a rigorous curriculum that includes mastering six competencies: patient care, medical knowledge, communication skills, professionalism, system-based practice, and lifelong learning. Going ahead, students choose their expertise and put it to practical use at the Clinical Education and Assessment Centre, where they receive hands-on training.

Best Medical Programmes at the University of California Medical School 

• Family Medicine 
• Dermatology

11. NYU Grossman School of Medicine  

Location: New York City, New York
Acceptance Rate: 2.1%
Seats: 679

Apart from ranking for its other courses like finance, accounting, and psychology, NYU is also highly credited and ranked for its medicine programme and is one of the best medical universities in the USA. With MD and PhD programmes, students can also benefit from a dual degree program which enables them to complete both of them respectively. 

If you are interested in learning or want to delve deeper into knowing more about drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and AIDS in research, then NYU can be the best option for your career goals. As it is ranked as one of the best medical schools in the US, the opportunities that come with being a student here are also many. Some of them include travel abroad research, public health drives, and clinical and educational initiatives.

Best Medical Programmes at NYU Grossman School of Medicine  

• Obstetrics and Gynecology 

12. Yale School of Medicine

Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Acceptance Rate: 5.7
Seats: 250

Yale School of Medicine is another medical school that makes it to the list of the best medical schools in the US. Established in 1810; Yale has been a tall-standing institute of excellence in medicine. Usually, the course is four years, and students are given many expertise options. Yale helps its students graduate in biomedical, public health, and medical, which helps them become pioneers in biotechnology, health care, public policy, and clinical practice. 

Best Medical Programmes at Yale School of Medicine

• Psychiatry 
• Radiology
• Surgery

13. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Acceptance Rate: 6.0%
Seats: 610 

Students can obtain a speedy medical education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The university provides critical clinical experiences to students beginning in their first year. The Physician Course is also distinctive at the University of Pittsburgh because students conduct patient interviews in a community healthcare setting. Aside from that, they gain interpersonal and medical skills to become a qualified physician. Students in their first and second years volunteer for a few hours in medical facilities and hospitals.

Best Medical Programmes at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

14. University of California (Los Angeles) 

Location: Los Angeles, California
Acceptance Rate: 3.2%
Seats: 731

The University of California’s School of Medicine in Los Angeles also ranks on our list of the best medical schools in the US in 2023. The school offers excellent medical facilities with an environment conducive to learning medical skills in the US.

Best Medical Programmes at the University of California (UCLA)

• Pediatrics
• Anesthesiology
• Internal Medicine
• Surgery 

15. North Western University of Freiburg School of Medicine

Location: Chicago, Illinois 
Acceptance Rate: 1.95
Seats: 666

North Western University of Freiburg School of Medicine makes it to our list of top medical schools in the US list solely because it is committed and dedicated to clinical research, patient care, and community service, which is presented in its years of learning at medical school. Moreover, its affiliation with best-ranked hospitals like Ann & Robert H. Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and its highly qualified and polished staff are also prime reasons for its continued ranking as one of the top medical schools in the US. 

Best Medical Programmes at NorthWestern University of Freiburg School of Medicine 

• Obstetrics and Gynecology 

What are the requirements for Med School in the US?

There are some basic requirements or eligibility criteria to apply to medical schools in the US. Every US medical school needs a 4-year pre-med undergraduate degree in a relevant subject and needs you to show your scientific knowledge in fields like general chemistry, biology, and organic chemistry. Additionally, having a good MCAT score can help you get into the dream medical university of your choice, as it tests your critical and scientific knowledge and determines your acceptance. Without meeting these criteria, getting into med school in the US might not be possible. Here are the requirements:

1. High school diploma.

2. Undergraduate degree in the field of Sciences (3-4 years)

3. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.

4. Good TOEFL language scores.

5. Letters of recommendation.

6. Extracurricular activities.

7. Minimum MCAT exam result (set by each University individually)

3 Strategies to Get into Top Medical Schools in the US

Due to lower acceptance rates, the competition is very high which makes it difficult to get into the top medical schools in the US. Here are some strategies that may help you.

1. Obtain high stats and develop a unique extracurricular profile.

Make sure your numbers are according to the average GPA and MCAT scores of the medical school you’re interested in going to pass the first test when admissions officers assess your application. To be on the safe side, you’ll be considered a competitive applicant at all 10 of the top medical schools if you have a 3.9+ GPA and 520+ MCAT score. Top medical schools in the US want to know if you have completed all of the extracurricular activities needed by most programs in addition to your academic success. Selecting one or two extracurricular activities that you enjoy and excelling in them will help you stand out from other applicants. Adding your best student internships or part-time work experiences can also be beneficial to your academic profile as it allows you to showcase your practical skills. 

2. Organize your time around secondary essays

Once you have finished your AMCAS application and written a compelling personal statement, you will be asked to complete secondary applications for the medical schools you have applied. These applications will require additional essays tailored to each school’s program, covering topics like diversity and adversity or explaining why you are interested in that particular school. It is recommended to apply to 15 to 25 medical schools, or even more if possible, to increase your chances of success. Considering the number of secondary essay prompts for each school, it is helpful to plan your time accordingly. This will allow you to stay organized and present a coherent and favorable image of yourself to the admissions committees. 

3. Review and align your application with each school’s mission

Even if the top medical schools may appear to be identical, it’s crucial to demonstrate how your own experiences and passions fit with a given programme. To learn about the individual preferences of each student, visit the websites of the various schools and speak with existing students. Avoid being overly complimentary of a school’s offerings; instead, concentrate on outlining your background and justifying why you are a great fit for the organization.

The colleges listed above are among the top medical schools in the US, based on factors such as educational quality, curriculum diversity, and academic standing. Each of these schools has unique strengths that make them excellent choices for medical students. Before applying, carefully review the program details and confirm your eligibility to ensure the best fit for your career objectives.