15 Colleges With The Best Med Programs In 2024

As good as it is to attend a medical college, attending one of the colleges with the best-med programs actually makes a difference and largely affects your career path or progression.

To enable you, our reader, make the best possible decision while choosing a medical college, here is a list of colleges with the best medical programs in 2024. And of course why we think they are the best.

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This article contains all you need to know about careers in the medical community, including degrees, postgraduate degrees, and job opportunities.

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According to the Association of American Medical Colleges over twenty-one thousand(21,000), students enrolled to study medicine across America.

This number however small, according to AAMC is definitely a general figure from all the medical colleges in the country.

With this number as a parameter, it is important that you know the best-med schools and their programs. This will give you a clue about your chances of getting accepted into one of these schools.

Health and its management is a very serious business and must not be left in the hands of quacks. It is therefore important that intending medical students must get their training from colleges with the best-med programs.

What Is A Medical School

A medical school is a tertiary educational institution, or part of such an institution, that teaches medicine, and awards a professional degree for physicians and surgeons.

Such medical degrees include the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS, MBChB, MBBCh, BMBs), doctor of medicine(MD), or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO).

Some other medical schools offer additional degrees, such as a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.), a Master’s degree (M.Sc) a physician assistant program, or other post-secondary education.

Medical schools can also carry out medical research and operate teaching hospitals.

Around the world; criteria, structure, teaching methodology, and nature of medical schools are often highly competitive.

These schools, therefore, use standardized entrance examinations, as well as grade point average and leadership roles, to narrow the selection criteria for students became preeminent.

In most countries, the study of medicine is completed as an undergraduate degree not requiring prerequisite undergraduate coursework.

However, an increasing number of places are emerging for graduate entrants who have completed an undergraduate degree including some required courses.

Which is why we would be looking at colleges with the best med programs in 2024.

In the United States and Canada for example, almost all medical degrees are second entry degrees and require several years of the previous study at the university level.

What Is A Medical Program?

The Medical Education Development (MED) Program is an intensive educational experience and challenging opportunity to gain insight into the realities of attending medical or dental school.

MED Program was designed to increase opportunities in the health professions.

For individuals who demonstrate educational promise and commitment to a health career but who have lacked opportunities in the past in moving toward their professional goals.

The MED Program helps prepare students-doctors, to take up the herculean task of becoming a medical doctor.

The program offers a structured summer curriculum at the level of professional education to increase the ability of advanced pre-professional candidates. Especially those who are underrepresented, to compete successfully for admission to health professional schools.

Why Study Medicine?

The medical profession is one of the oldest and currently one of the most prestigious profession.

Furthermore, the proliferation of diseases and viruses has made the need for medical practitioners to become much more important than it ever was.

An opportunity of offering services to humanity through medicare and health maintenance is an opportunity anyone would want to grab.

From Psychological health through all forms of health practices, their importance and services cannot be overemphasized.

Studying medicine gives one plethora of career choices in the medical sphere. This assertion is true because medicine and its practice is a very broad and vast profession.

Moreso, becoming a medical student accords you the opportunity to either become a surgeon (which further delves into different specialties and or specializations).

A general practitioner, a dentist, a dermatologist, and so many other branches and fields of medicine.

Also, there are projections from the AAMC, that the US would be needing more doctors in 2026. To properly fill in gaps that would be available by then.

These gaps will be available as a result of more hospitals that would be built in an attempt to upgrade the medical system.

This means that as an intending medical student, there would be jobs waiting for you to fill them up, by the time you graduate from medical school.

Yet another reason why you should study medicine.

How Long Does It Take To Complete A Medical Program?

It takes about 10 to 14 years to become a medical doctor in the U.S.A

This is because of the rigorous preliminary training a person wishing to be a doctor, must undergo.

How Do I Become a Doctor?

Follow the steps below…

Step 1: Complete An Undergraduate Education

The Medical school admissions boards require all applicants to earn a bachelor’s degrees from accredited colleges and universities. While there are no recommended courses, pre-med courses can be n added advantage.

Step 2: PassThe MCAT Examination College

Juniors interested in a career as a doctor should register for and take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The MCAT is used by medical school admission committees to assess a candidate’s likelihood of succeeding in their program.

Step 3: Apply To Medical School

There is no required timeline for applying to medical school. Students generally begin the application process during the summer after their junior year in college.

Most medical schools in the US use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). It’s a centralized application processing service from the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Step 4: COMPLETE TRAINING AT MEDICAL SCHOOL

The path to becoming a physician begins in a medical school, which requires four years of full-time study beyond one’s undergraduate studies.

However, the curriculum is divided between classroom-based instruction in the sciences and clinical rotations where students develop applied skills.

Step 5: Pass Parts I & II Of The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

Step 6: Match With Residency

Students start narrowing down their medical specialties. They are matched to open residency programs across the country after they have submitted their application.

Step 7: Graduate From Medical School And Start Residency

After successfully finishing graduate school residency programs, the students start a residency. It requires at least three years, to complete and provide in-depth training in the students’ chosen specialty.

Step 8 Pass Part III of USMLE And Finish Residency

The final step oF the residency process is to complete part III of USMLE or its equivalent. This examination covers clinical management and assesses the doctor’s ability to practice medicine safely and effectively.

STEP 9: Earn Board Certification.

Immediately after completing medical educations, doctors may obtain certification in their chosen field.

There are 24 specialty boards that certify physicians in hundreds of specialties and subspecialties.

Step 10: Get A State License.

Medical licensure is governed state by sate, each setting its own requirements and procedures. Therefore, to start practicing, one must obtain his or her license.

While some doctors start applying during their residency programs, some naturally transition into full-time positions at the end of the residency program.

Which colleges have the best-med programs?

Below is the list of colleges with the best med programs.

Before we start listing these schools, lets first take a look at our ranking factors.

There are well known and recognized ranking bodies and sites, which has previously ranked these schools. We would like to think that based on their criteria and ranking factors, they did a good job.

This is the Medical College Admission Test called MCAT for short. It is a multiple-choice, computer-based, graded exam that is required for admission to medical schools in the U.S and Canada.

The LCME and GMC are bodies responsible for accrediting medical schools in the U.S. We will be looking at these organizations and other accrediting bodies, unique to schools’ location.

#1 Harvard University College Of Medicine

What You Need To Know Before Applying

Founded in 1782, Harvard College of medicine stands as the best medical school both in the USA and the world. With a total of 9,655 full-time staff, the Harvard Med School has a faculty-student ratio of 13.6: 1.

Harvard School is known for its innovative ideas in research and its overall influence on medical education in the US.

The application fee into the school of Harvard to study medicine is $100. With a tuition fee of $63,400 for a full-time basis. The application closes on October 22.

The Harvard College of Medicine currently has an acceptance rate of 3.3%. It also currently has 712 students enrolled across its medical programs.

Harvard Medical School does not necessarily set a minimum score for MCAT for intending students. However, they expect nothing short of academic excellence from prospective students.

With its course load that is no doubt backbreaking, the Harvard medical college program affords its students an opportunity to socialize.

And This is done through its Harvard Medical School Chamber of Music Society. Along with a variety of extracurricular organizations focused on services, identity, and lots more.

Harvard University Scholarships Opportunities |UPDATED

#.2 University Of Oxford Medical College

Oxford medical college was established in 1936 and currently has 952 students. The medical college admitted 154 students from 2017-2019, which is 9% of the total number of interviewed people.

International students in Oxford Medical College pay : £24,750-£34,678 per year (~US$32,800-45,900) for most courses.

However, the tuition fee for in-students is £24,750-£34,678 per year (~US$32,800-45,900) for most courses.

It awards a degree Bachelor of Arts in medical sciences at the end of its 3-year pre-clinical studies. While awarding BM BCh (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) after its 3-year clinical studies, with a high level of patients exposure.

#3 University Of Cambridge Medical College.

The Cambridge school of medicine offer a rigorous, intellectually stimulating, and professionally challenging medicine courses.

Its students are offered an evidence-based medical education, with an opportunity to pilot research throughout the course. With a tuition fee of 55,272 and 9,250 pounds sterling for foreign and domestic students respectively.

There is no fixed acceptance rate for the school of medicine. This is because every year, the number of people that apply to the school varies.

#4 Stanford University Medical College

Stanford School of Medicine offers a one-of-a-kind environment for the education and training of leaders in medicine.  And also:

• A flexible MD curriculum with multiple learning pathways
• A diversity of clinical and leadership opportunities within and outside of Stanford
• Subsidized dual degree programs for students who also want to complete a Ph.D. degree at Stanford.

The school of Medicine at Stanford University has an application fee of $95, with $60,234 as its tuition fee. A total of 90 students representing 1.2% of the total number which is 7,506 applicants, were admitted into the school. This is for the 2024/2024 school year.

#5 John Hopkins University Med College

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine consistently ranks among the very best in education. Poised to use the latest tools and teaching methods available to scientists and doctors, to become healers and caregivers.

The application fee at Johns Hopkins University is $100. Its tuition is full-time: $54,900.

The faculty-student ratio at Johns Hopkins University is 5:1. With a total of 2,359 full-time faculty on staff.

Students can earn a traditional M.D., a Ph.D., or both in about eight years. There are also dual degree programs. And they are for M.D./M.P.H. (Master of Public Health) and an M.D./M.B.A. through other university departments.

#6 Karolinska Institute

The Karolinska Institute is one of the colleges with the best-med programs in Europe. And the leading medical college in Sweden.

Renowned in research, it offers Swedish and EU citizens the opportunity to acquire training from the colleges with the best-med programs.

The specific entry requirements for the medical program are the Swedish upper secondary school courses. Biology 2, Physics 2, Chemistry 2, Mathematics 4 (field-specific entry requirements A13), or the equivalent courses.

One must have aced the Swedish scholastic aptitude test Högskoleprovet, before applying.

The total tuition fee for the medical program (5.5 years) is SEK 1.430 000:- for non-EU/EEA citizens. EU/EEA citizens are exempted from tuition fees. There are no scholarships for the program.

#7 University of California,Los Angeles Med College.

UCLA medical school has for over 60 years engaged in world-class life-changing medical researches. For a young elite university, this is a worthy fit. It stands as the second medical school in California and was established in 1951.

The school has a very low acceptance rate, its acceptance rate for the last admission year was 2.1%.

There are 713 full-time students at the school, and about 120 enroll each year in the MD program (the school also houses a Ph.D. program). With 2723 full-time faculty, David Geffen School of Medicine’s faculty-student ratio is 3.8:1.

Tuition is $35,187 per year for in-state students, while out-of-state students pay $47,432 a year.

Easiest Medical Schools To Get Into In California /Expert Guide

#8 University College London

UCL has educated doctors since 1834 and the medical school sits in the heart of London. Working closely with several major teaching hospitals provides a truly world-class medical education.

Tuition fee is about 38,000 pounds for international students and way less for UK citizens.

#9 Yale University School Of Medicine

Yale is preeminent academic center that supports the highest quality education, research ,and patient care.

Established in 1810 as the Medical institution of Yale college. It takes yearly tuition of $43,815 for the first and second years.

It offers both MD and PH.D. programs. With a faculty–student ratio of 4:1. The School of Medicine has 1,668 full-time faculty on staff.

#10 Imperial College London

The Imperial school of medicine is a world-class teaching and research environment created in 1997. It is at the forefront of taking biomedical discoveries and translating them into the clinical to the benefit of local patients.

The school has an acceptance rate of 2.90%. With a faculty-student ratio of 8.2;1. Meanwhile, tuition fee for citizens is 9,250 GBP, while international students tuition is 27,750.

#11 University of California San Francisco

Founded in 1864 as Toland medical school, and later got affiliated to the University of California. It has continued to train medical doctors that have contributed immensely to the growth of the California health sector.

The school has a 2% acceptance rate. And offers in-state tuition for California residents at $41,532 per year and out-of-state tuition at $53,777 per year.

UCSF offers three tracks of study for its students to achieve their MD:

• The traditional four-year MD program
• The MD/PH.D.– Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
• The MS/MD – UC Berkeley/UCSF Joint Medical Program (JMP): A five-year graduate program through which students spend their pre-clerkship years at UC Berkeley.

#12 Massachusetts

MIT runs a collaborative medical school with Harvard their partnership is seen as one of the oldest in the health community. And the school 3:1.

Within the program, graduate and medical students are registered with both MIT and Harvard and may work with faculty and affiliated faculty members from both communities.

The estimated cost of attendance for the 2024–23 academic year is $73,160. Note that this number is actually much lower than what it costs MIT to educate students.

However, you should know that most students pay far less because of our need-based financial aid. 

#13 Columbia University

Columbia University medical school was founded in 1767 and has an acceptance rate of 4%.

The College offers an array of academic programs to prepare leaders and role models in the medical fields.

They have an MD, Columbia-Bassett MD track, the MD-PhD, and other dual degree programs. They also offer doctoral and master’s programs, and other educational opportunities. 

Application fee is a non refundable fee of $110 while tuition fee is $62,980.

It has a faculty student ratio pf 3.7:1 while its full time staff is 2119.

#14 University Of Toronto

The Temerty Faculty of Medicine is the medical school of the University of Toronto. Founded in 1843, the faculty is based in Downtown Toronto. 

It is one of Canada’s oldest institutions of medical studies and known for the discovery of insulin. Also, they discovered stem cells and is the site of the first single and double lung transplant in the world.

The university has a 8.6% acceptance rate and 86% of those accepted are citizens.

The tuition fee in this school is $23,090 for Canadian citizens and $78,760 for international students. And they offer both MD and Ph.D. programs.

#15 University of Pennsylvania

As the nation’s oldest medical school, Penn Med has been at the forefront of medical education for much of its history. The school and its hospitals have been associated with many major medical accomplishments.

Penn Med is one of the most selective medical schools, with an acceptance rate of around 4%. And Tuition costs $57,884 per year. It has a faculty to students ratio of 4.3:1.

Conclusion

Getting a medical education is a wonderful fit, having the best experience while obtaining the education makes the 51 Best Scholarship Portals | Websites [whole ride enjoyable. It was for this reason that our article listed colleges with best-med programs. I would love to think that this article helped you make a better decision, one that suits what you need.

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