Ranking Schools by USMLE Scores
Started by unicorn06
Get help with your application
Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.
You probably won't find it listed anywhere as it is likely to change each year... the best thing would probably be to talk to current students there now. If you interview at a particular school, talking with students then would be a good time.
Or wait for SDNers to chime in. I can tell you the average USMLE score for the University of Florida in 2003 (my class) was a 228 with a 98% pass rate... and supposedly it has gone higher since (this past summer was a ~234 with 100% pass rate).
Or wait for SDNers to chime in. I can tell you the average USMLE score for the University of Florida in 2003 (my class) was a 228 with a 98% pass rate... and supposedly it has gone higher since (this past summer was a ~234 with 100% pass rate).
i think i've seen similar threads before, but just to let you know, i would not choose a medical school who has "high board scores" or whatever (as long as the passing rate is like 97% or higher). the board scores just show you can take good tests--but it's the quality of clinical training that is really important, especially if you want to practice
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I would agree with the above poster.... but nontheless, board preparation is still important and you should look for schools that address both well (there are plenty of them out there).
my dad (an MD) told me that rosalind franklin students get really high board scores because the entire curriculum is focused on making sure students do well on them. he also told me i shouldn't go there for that same reason. so...
-mota
-mota
The caveat to having SDNers chime in is that you get rumors spreading that can't be supported and will look stupid if you claim it to be truth don't have the evidence.
Recently, some USC-Keck students were claiming their class average was the highest in the nation....
Recently, some USC-Keck students were claiming their class average was the highest in the nation....
The only evidence I have is being a former med student at place in question 😛 Also, with all this debate of schools tunnel-visioned on the boards, you guys need to remember that years 1 and 2 are primarily non-clinical at most places, and the curriculum may be focused on the boards. You can get excellent clinicals as a third and fourth year, even if your school is somewhat "boards focused" during years 1 and 2.
Whats wrong with having a curriculum that teaches to the boards? The USMLE's primary focus is to see if you have a certain threshold of knowledge to be a good physician, not to weed you out (like so many of the tests you may have taken previously). Schools that teach you well and those that teach to the boards are not mutually exclusive.
Whats wrong with having a curriculum that teaches to the boards? The USMLE's primary focus is to see if you have a certain threshold of knowledge to be a good physician, not to weed you out (like so many of the tests you may have taken previously). Schools that teach you well and those that teach to the boards are not mutually exclusive.
I don't think there's anything wrong with teaching towards the boards. Afterall it is a requirement for every med student to pass before moving on in their program and defnitely before graduating. In fact schools BETTER teach towards the boards. Imagine teaching stuff in years 1 & 2 that doesn't help you pass the boards - then such schools will be seen as inferior schools. I just think a good student will make the most of their eductaion regardless of where they get it. You can expose one student to all the clinical hands on in the world and they still won't necessarily be a great clinician in practice. On the other hand a good student will stand out even with limited clinical (which may really not be that limited comparatively) exposure because he/she learned what they were supposed to learn with what they had. However choosing a school based on board scores alone is not a very wise thing to do. Like someone mentioned above, a balance of good board passing rates, clinical exposure and other factors should influence your choice.
MB in SD said:
When I interviewed at Penn, they claimed to have the highest board scores for the last 4-5 years.
