The population of the world is estimated to be around 7.48 billion and according to Science Daily, about 95% of this world population has one health-related issue or the other. If you’re looking to study medicine, finding some of the easiest medical schools to get into in the world is helpful.
The world population has been growing and the number of doctors needed across the globe keeps increasing because so majority of people with several health issues can be managed, cured to and kept healthy.
Doctors who will be responsible for the health of a great portion of the world population need to well trained in different aspects of Medicine to handle human life with utmost care and respect.
While medicine is a highly respected profession and many students apply to study medicine at different universities in the world, the rate of acceptance into medical schools is quite low. Also, the process to become doctor can be very demanding and anyone interested to take this path needs to be very disciplined and willing to perform what is asked of him or her at any time.
One of the major steps to get into medical school is to pass the rigorous and competitive screening process. A lot of students even the ones with a high GPA really find it hard to go pass this stage.
Another major challenge about medical schools in the world is the high cost of education which may discourage a lot of students from financially lacking homes.While these challenges may discourage many students who want to get into medical schools, it is still not impossible to get into medical schools as there is another way out.
If you dream to go to medical school but you are uncertain about which to attend, this article will inform you about the 17 easiest medical schools to get into, so you can get your feet into medical school and pursue your dreams of becoming a medical doctor.
Table of contents
- What are Medical Schools?
- How long does it take to complete medical school?
- Why go to Medical School?
- Is medical school right for you?
- Why Is it hard to get into medical school?
- The easiest medical schools to get into
- University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine:
- Mercer University School of Medicine:
- University of South Dakota Medical School:
- University of Mississippi Medical Center
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport:
- University of Nebraska Medical Center:
- East Carolina University, Brody:
- University of Missouri (Kansas city School of Medicine):
- University of Puerto Rico of Medicine:
- University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences:
- University of Nevada, Reno:
- University of Virginia School of Medicine:
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine:
- Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, GA:
- Buffalo University Medicine School:
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
What are Medical Schools?
A Medical School according to Wikipedia is a tertiary educational institution or part of such an institution that teaches medicine and awards a professional degree for physicians and surgeons. The degrees offered include Bachelor Of Medicine, Bachelor Of Surgery (MBBS, MBChB, MBBCh, BMBS), Master Of Medicine (MM, MMed), Doctor Of Medicine (M.D), Doctor Of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O).
These Medical Schools also carry out medical research and operate teaching hospitals. Medical programs offered at different schools in the world may also vary in terms of teaching methodology, structure, criteria and some other factors.
Majority of medical schools organize their training into pre-clinical and clinical phases in a traditional four-year curriculum. The pre-clinical phase which involves two years of science training on medical concepts like functions of the body, diseases, diagnosis and treatment concepts, taking medical histories and other basic competencies of a doctor. The clinical phase involves clinical rotations, basic instructions and hands-on experience with patients in the major medical specialties.
How long does it take to complete medical school?
The amount of time you will spend to become a doctor most of the time depends on the specialty you choose. The type of specialty you choose determines the amount of time you are required to spend in your residency program after you receive your under-graduate degree and finish medical school.
On average, it takes an average of four years to complete medical school in the United States. After these four years you go for residency and potentially a fellowship. For those interested in becoming a physician, the number of years may amount to a combined ten years or longer of medical training.
Why go to Medical School?
A lot of students try to figure out whether they should go to medical school. While going pursuing a career in medicine at medical school is a great choice that will oftentimes lead to satisfying careers with great financial rewards, there are also a lot of satisfying healthcare jobs available to individuals who don’t go to medical school, so why should one choose to go to medical?
Fact is that the world needs more doctors, physicians and surgeons. Going to medical school can offer plenty of benefits over a professional healthcare career and these potential benefits of going to medical school should be considered by anyone interested to go to medical school.
A major benefit of going to medical school is that you will become a licensed professional doctor who can practice anywhere in the world when you graduate. You will be equipped with the skills to save lives and provide health-related services to other people.
Going to medical school gives you the opportunity to expand your career in the healthcare industry in case you want to provide better efficient and effective care.
Another advantage why you should consider going to medical school is that you can dive deeper into medical science behind effective treatments and understand the mechanism behind treatments in the body. This is because in medical you would be trained to have in-depth knowledge about any topic in the healthcare so that you can understand why and how certain treatments work for various ailments.
Medical school offers you the opportunity to learn more about various methods of procuring effective treatment and a deep knowledge in the science behind healing and treatment.
Going to medical school also makes people view you as an expert as you may decide on which field you want to focus on. You can focus care or narrow down your field to practice in only a range of areas.
It is also important to note that individuals who choose to narrow down their scope of expertise in the medical field, will not get hurt in the long run as the nature of their job hugely demands for healthcare professionals with more experience in each field.
Individuals who are passionate about learning more in the healthcare industry can do that while advancing their career, and earning more money in the long run. They also have the freedom to choose what they are really passionate about and become an expert at it, unlike some other medical fields.
It is also easy to stand out from the crowd to healthcare recruiters and hospital hiring managers who are constantly trying to find and hire new candidates that bring value to their organization by going to medical school and becoming a licensed doctor.
The world really needs more doctors, so if you are passionate about the healthcare industry and want to find a career that you will not always have to worry about cyclical trends in growth and job hunting, then you should consider going to medical school to become a licensed doctor.
Is medical school right for you?
You need to access yourself very well to know if going to medical school is a great choice for you before even applying for admission to medical school. The great thing about medical school is that you can choose to attend the medical school that you consider your best fit.
Applying to medical school if you have few years of professional experience working in the healthcare industry may put you in a better position of getting in because you have practical experience that you can mention in your interviews and applications.
It is also advisable for a student who is about to graduate to continue his or her educational momentum and go straight into medical school without any gap. Some people do not agree with this as the believe that your study habits will be a little better if you were to take time off.
If your sole interest is to advance your career in healthcare, then applying to medical school is right for you. Going to medical school will give you the opportunity to advance your career by giving you an opportunity to become an expert in any field of medicine you choose. This freedom to specialize in any field of your choice gives you the opportunity to make impact in people’s lives while having a great career.
There is currently physician shortage and talent gap in the job marketplace and hospitals and healthcare facilities are constantly seeking talent to fill vacant positions, so you can be rest assured that you will be able to find a job immediately after graduation in the healthcare industry.
While you will probably make a lot of money while having a great career in the medical field, it is not advisable to pursue a medical career just because you want to make money. Going through medical schools to become a medical doctor demands a lot of hard work, self-motivation and discipline which may not worth it if you are just chasing money.
Why Is it hard to get into medical school?
Getting into medical school is relatively tough and this is because doctors play an essential role in the society while serving the general public and the services they offer require a lot of skills and training.
I expect doctors to be capable of making smart decisions when needed since they will mostly be dealing with the life of patients. Therefore, students who aspire to be doctors are also expected to be quite smart to thrive in the field.
Also, medical schools have a low admission rate so that only the best students who are academically competitive get a chance to pursue a medical career and also to reduce the chances of grooming low-budget doctors.
Other factors like availability of resources affect the admission rate of medical schools too as they need certain resources to monitor the students while they learn.
The easiest medical schools to get into
It is important for you as a student to consider certain factors before applying to medical schools because there are medical schools that are easier to get into. It is very important to look into the reputation, requirements and acceptance rate of the school you choose as they tend to impact your career in the long run.
This is the list of the 17 easiest medical schools to get into:
University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine:
This school is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institute. It was endorsed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists
Mercer University School of Medicine:
This is one of the oldest schools in America. It is nationally recognized for offering multiple programs being an elite southern school. This medical school is known for grooming young professionals who are committed to primary care in rural areas.
A minimum GPA of 3.4 (average 3.61), minimum MCAT of 503 (average 505) is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 10.4%. The tuition fees here are $41,457. Visit website (https://medicine.mercer.edu/)
University of South Dakota Medical School:
This medical school was established in 1907 and has been gaining recognition. It offers one of the best medical education across the nation with its curriculum laying more emphasis on family medicine and primary care.
A minimum GPA of 3.1 (average 3.86), minimum MCAT of 496 (average 509) is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 14%. The tuition fees here ranges from $15,386 to $36,870. Visit website (https://www.usd.edu/medicine)
University of Mississippi Medical Center
This medical school offers multiple outstanding programs relating to health. Students who study here have access to many professional hospitals where they can get real life experience.
A minimum GPA of 2.8, minimum MCAT of 504 is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 41%. The tuition fees here ranges from $26,900 to $62,900. Visit website (https://www.umc.edu)
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport:
This medical school was founded in 1969 at Shreveport in Louisiana. It is an integral element for local economy and its health services. It is one of the easiest to get into because it demands a reasonable MCAT, tuition and GPA from potential students.
A minimum GPA of 3.7, minimum MCAT of 509 is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 17%. The tuition fees here ranges from $28,591 to $60,500. Visit website (http://www.lsuhscshreveport.edu/)
University of Nebraska Medical Center:
This medical is known for its commitment to enhance the quality of healthcare services and for its contributions towards improving healthcare generally.
A minimum GPA of 3.8 (average 3.75) , minimum MCAT of 498 (average 511) is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 9.8%. The tuition fees here is $30,380. Visit website (http://catalog.unmc.edu/general-information)
East Carolina University, Brody:
This medical school is recognized for always working to improve the value of healthcare. Many graduates from this school have proven to be very competent in the primary healthcare sector.
A minimum GPA of 3.66, minimum MCAT of 508 is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 8%. Visit website (http://www.ecu.edu/bsomadmissions/)
University of Missouri (Kansas city School of Medicine):
This medical school offers six medical programs designed to empower students with practical knowledge in the medical field. Kansas city school of medicine partners with six reputable hospitals that trains their students weekly in their clinics in order to build practical experience.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 (average 3.56) , minimum MCAT of 500 (average 505) is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 20%. The tuition fees here ranges from $31,500 to $61,052. Visit website (http://med.umkc.edu/)
University of Puerto Rico of Medicine:
This medical school offers medical programs in both Spanish language and English language. They offer M.D , M.S and Ph.D degree programs.
A minimum GPA of 2.5 (average 3.7) , minimum MCAT of 490 (average 500) is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 9.8%. The tuition fees here is $30,380. Visit website (https://md.rcm.upr.edu/md-program/)
University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences:
This medical school is known for quality medical education. It often partners with different institutions to give students the opportunity to have different options when it comes to medical facilities.
An average GPA of 3.9, average MCAT score of 490 is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 18%. The tuition fees here are $30,380. Visit website (https://med.und.edu/)
University of Nevada, Reno:
This medical school implements a curriculum that combines clinical practice and concepts based on scientific principles to achieve its goal of providing qualtiy education for future primary care physicians.
Students here are given the opportunity to observe and conduct deep research in order to gather more practical experience. These students are exposed to clinical practice earlier in medical school.
A minimum GPA of 3.6 (average 3.7) , minimum MCAT of 498 (average 508) is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 12%. The tuition fees here ranges from $37,736 to $58,410. Visit website (https://www.unr.edu/)
University of Virginia School of Medicine:
University of Virginia School of Medicine was founded by Thomas Jefferson and is one of the oldest medical schools in the United States. Students in this school are trained in medical science and practice to groom them as good physicians.
A minimum GPA of 3.7 (average 3.84), minimum MCAT of 508 (average 517.76) is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 12%. The tuition fees here are $48,416. Visit website (https://med.virginia.edu/)
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine:
This medical school has trained the most physician practitioners in the United States. It offers degree M.D, M.D/M.P.H and M.D/Ph.D degree programs. This school grants graduated students access to its continuing medical education office which provides accreditation for continuing credit which allows physicians to maintain their license.
A minimum GPA of 2.5 (average 3.83) , minimum MCAT of 490 (average 508) is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 7.2%. The tuition fees here are $30,380.
Visit website (http://medicine.uams.edu/)
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, GA:
Being one of the oldest schools in the United States, this medical school advocates for consistency in research and innovation in healthcare. Students here, are offered flexible programs at different levels of their education and also they enjoy the opportunity to network with researchers, physicians, professors etc.
An average GPA of 3.84, average MCAT score of 512 is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 7.4%. Visit website (http://www.augusta.edu/mcg/admissions/)
Buffalo University Medicine School:
This medical was founded over 150 years ago and since then it has gained recognition for its commitment to quality health by training students who are best fit for the medical profession.
The implement a curriculum which trains their students in their problem solving and critical judgement skills with the aim of promoting health and wellness and have a worldwide impact on humanity.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 (average 3.8) , minimum MCAT of 490 (average 510) is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 7%. The tuition fee here is $30,380. Visit website (https://medicine.buffalo.edu/)
University of Tennessee Health Science Center:
This medical school trains students to be the best as they are known for conducting several research for diseases and also investing in research works. The school also offers distance learning for students.
An average GPA of 3.83, an average MCAT score of 512 is required to get into this school with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. Visit website (http://www.uthsc.edu/Medicine/Admissions/)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
University of Virginia with acceptance rate of 44%, followed by University of Missouri (Kansas city School of Medicine) with acceptance rate of 20%
From the list above, University of Mississippi Medical Center is the easiest to get into
The University of Arizona College of Medicine with an acceptance rate of 3.6%
Yes you can, but your chance is low as most medical schools require at least 3.2 GPA
Yes, going to medical definitely worth it as medicine is a noble profession.
Conclusion
A lot of medical schools are strict about their admission requirements and most times only the best students are given a chance to go to medical school because the medical profession is both delicate and noble.
Regardless of all these strict standards to get admitted into medical school, a lot of students are passionate about the profession and just few medical schools have reduced or are willing to reduce their admission requirements to accommodate students who wish to practice medicine.
This means that you have to do your research when determining which medical school you want to apply to. It will be of great help to narrow down your choices based on the tuition budget, education background and testing scores so you can save yourself both time and effort.
References
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_school
- students-residents.aamc.org/medical-career
- mec.aamc.org/msar-ui/#/landing
- aucmed.edu/about/blog/how-long-is-medical-school
- indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-doctor
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