Gaining admission to any medical school requires academic and professional excellence, commitment and dexterity.
Medical school is the most competitive graduate and professional program to gain entrance to. Several factors go into deciding whether a candidate is capable of the rigorous coursework and practice that goes into being a medical student and eventually a physician. Understanding admission rates, which generally do not vary much from year to year, for particular schools and what is expected of you prior to applying to the schools will not only help you make an informed decision, but will also assist you in deciding if medicine is the correct career path to take.
Harvard Medical School
Often described as the best medical school in the world, Harvard Medical School is also one of the hardest programs to be admitted to. With candidates from all over the world applying, the competition for acceptance is stiff. A high quality application and demonstrated sense of commitment to helping others are prerequisites for admission. A high MCAT score (in the 35 range), an excellent GPA (an average of 3.8), letters of recommendation from academic faculty or professional sources who can properly assess one's work and a personal statement are heavily weighted. Admission statistics do not vary much from year to year. Harvard Medical School's 2010 admission rates were 4.6 percent of in-state applicants out of 220 who applied and 2.6 percent of out-of-state applicants out of 6,225 who applied.
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Nationally and internationally ranked as one of the premier medical schools in the world, and ranked the number one medical school in the United States by U.S. News and World Report, Johns Hopkins has enjoyed a solid reputation in the world of medicine and medical research for more than 100 years. Typical successful applicants have an average cumulative GPA of 3.8, a 35 composite MCAT score, as well as research experience and impressive recommendations. Similar to other prestigious medical schools, the admission rate does not vary much. Johns Hopkins admission statistics for 2010 were 5.5 percent of in-state applicants out of the 419 of who applied, and 1.9 percent of out-of-state applicants out of the 5,730 who applied.
School of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh
The School of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh is widely known for educating its students in advanced biomedical research, which is focused on improving the human condition and providing excellent care to society. Many applicants to the University of Pittsburgh are residents of Pennsylvania or are graduates of one of the University of Pittsburgh's undergraduate programs. A successful applicant to the medical school will have an MCAT score of 34 or 35 and a GPA of 3.76, along with volunteer service or research opportunities under her belt. University of Pittsburgh 2010 admission rates were a solid 6.0 percent of in-state applicants out of the 660 who applied and 2.1 percent of the out-of-state applicants out of the 5,676 who applied.
University of Michigan Medical School
As the first professional/graduate school of the University of Michigan, the medical school has accomplished a world-renowned reputation for its academic rigor, exceptionally trained and skilled faculty and diverse student body. Although there is not a set MCAT score or GPA to gain admission, most successful applicants are at the top of their undergraduate class and have scored in the high range on the MCAT. The average GPA throughout the years has been a 3.8, and a 35 composite score on the MCAT. In-state applicants certainly have preference for admission. For 2010, 1,067 in-state candidates applied to the school and 7.8 percent of that number were accepted. That compares to the 4,602 out-of-state candidates who applied to the school in 2010, with only 2.1 percent of those applicants accepted.
Tags: applicants applied, University Pittsburgh, MCAT score, applicants applied percent, applied percent, applied percent out-of-state