which are the Top of the Bottom?

[stunner]

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I know there's no such thing as a bad med school, but from the ones that "rank" on the bottom of the list, which ones have the best reputation?

We constantly hear good things about the same schools over and over again. Harvard this, Yale that, Wash U this, Columbia that. Well, most students don't get into these schools, so what about the schools in the middle or, in particular, the bottom of the "rankings?"

This would be helpful for the many who will be specifically applying to these schools.

 

[thedevirginator]

Don't even worry about such things. Just get into med school and study.

 

[washkeep]

Make sure your school is accredited. I forget who all's been cited lately. I've heard good student feedback from kids at Loyola in chicago, Med U of SC, Rush in chicago, Tulane, Med College of WI. Just avoid schools that have trouble with staying accredited. Maybe try Morehouse.😛

http://www.ctnow.com/media/acrobat/2003-06/8395716.pdf

 

[funkless]

Gray's Anatomy reads the same, whatever school you attend. Just avoid the ones where the atmosphere is conducive to loafing (which can mean Yale, if you're inclined to loaf) or where the instructors tend to be poor mentors (Meharry and Guadelajara have bad reps for this).

As for the South, UAB is reputed to be an excellent school, as are Memphis, Tulane, MUSC, and ETSU, to varying degrees and in varous ways. Ask a Northerner, West Coaster, etc. about the other necks of the woods.


The ingredients for a great clinical education (if that's your aim) are pretty straightforward: an attentive faculty and a modern teaching hospital with a broad, demographically-balanced catchment. If research is your aim, though, better aim for a 33+ MCAT, buy yourself a couple of power-suits, and start affecting a Hahr-vard accent. Funding begets funding begets funding...

My $0.02. Hope it's helpful. 🙂


--Funkless

 

[petersongator]

UAB is not even close to the bottom of the list--trust me, I tried to get in. It has a great hospital and great faculty.

I don't know if I'll reapply this year because I'm not a resident, but I think everyone should give that school a chance.

 

[premyo2002]

This might help...
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/med/brief/mdrrank_brief.php

 

[stunner]

The problem with the above link is that the school rankings end before it gets to the middle or bottom of the list, which are the schools I'm curious about. Are there any sources out there that discuss how some of the lower ranked schools fair?

Also, if anyone out there has anything good to say about a school, please share it with us.

 

[dakotaman]

Rankings don't mean everything. Accreditation is certainly important. If you get into an M.D.-granting school, you're in a position that a LOT of (smart, capable, qualified...mind you) people would like to be in. Do well on your work and the USMLE Step 1 and you'll be on your way.

And washkeep, your signature line offends me. You have no proof of that accusation. It's also pretty darn gauche to talk politics on a student doctor forum. My signature line doesn't talk about how I'm STILL ecstatic to be rid of our former philandering, lying President, does it?

 

[vivekap2007]

Stunner, are you referring to to research rankings or primary care rankings? I ask because there are some schools at the top of the primary care rankings that don't even appear in the research rankings.

 

[IndyZX]

Originally posted by dakotaman
And washkeep, your signature line offends me. You have no proof of that accusation. It's also pretty darn gauche to talk politics on a student doctor forum. My signature line doesn't talk about how I'm STILL ecstatic to be rid of our former philandering, lying President, does it?

"wait till i... im going to..."
"there's nothing you can do"
"well, i guess ill just have to develop a sense of humor"

 

[stunner]

vivekap2007,

I'm referring to schools in the middle and lower end of the research rankings.

 

[Yogi Bear]

I'd say that georgetown is by far the top of the bottom schools on usnews rankings. their matchlist is great....w/ a lot of matches into competitive residencies like at least 15 ortho's each year, a dozen surgeries, etc.

 

[kito]

I'm with dakotaman. If washkeep wants to make a statement regarding the president that is rooted in policy or ideology, then that is fine and he should have every opportunity to do so in another forum. But I think it is a zero sum game to attack the man personally, especially considering the type of person he succeeded.

i'd like to add Einstein, NYU, and NYMC.

 

[gawogre]

Here's a complete list of 69 schools as ranked by usnews:

http://www.vcu.edu/ranking/pdf/medschool_research.pdf

 

[washkeep]

Stunner,

I wouldn't worry too much about rankings all in all. Make sure to apply to your state schools, except for a few public institutions (LSU, Uof Arkansas), they'll be good schools. I think your education is often what you make of it.

I think funkless is right on.

 

[lisa13579]

Ankitovich,
You mentioned NYU and NYMC...I'm trying to decide if I should spend more money and apply to these schools (I've applied to ALOT of schools already). I only got a 10V, 9P, 10B on the MCAT and NYMC looks like it's ave. MCAT is a 30. Any thoughts?
I'm not from that area, but would like to go to school out east ...my sig. other just started residency out there.

 

[kito]

its definately a good idea to give nymc a try. it is a fine school, in a really nice rural area and they are very receptive to students with a wide range of numbers from a number of different locales. and despite the expenses (i think that it is one of the more pricey schools in the country) it is still worth applying to in order to ensure a spot in a respected U.S. Medical School. hope this helps.

 

[lisa13579]

Thank you!

 

[cguidr4]

Lisa, what is wrong with lsu and arkansas schools?

 

[cguidr4]

I mean washkeep what is wrong w lsu or arkansas schools?

 

[JM.]

Originally posted by ankitovich

i'd like to add Einstein, NYU, and NYMC.

NYU is ranked 26th - I don't think that they are poorly ranked.

 

[deez4life]

Originally posted by jmwalker
NYU is ranked 26th - I don't think that they are poorly ranked.

ditto for einstein. but rankings are subjective... just remember that no med school is a bad school. they're all good. just getting accredited is hard enough.

 

[BerkeleyPremed]

Yeah, I always thought NYU Medical was a top school. From the statistics released by US News, they look like a great research school. If you're more interested in primary care, check out the separate set of rankings that US News releases. I know that there is another set of rankings altogether that is released by some national medical organization (AMA maybe?). It's on the USC Medical website.


Berkeley '05

 

[jennie 21]

Yeah, the idea that NYU is a "top of the bottom" school is just laughable. It's ranked 28th in research by USNews, 18th in terms of selectivity, and avg. GPA and MCAT are 3.7, 33. Not exactly bottom of the barrel. I'm not saying it's Columbia or Hopkins by any means, but it's a very solid good school. Ankitovich's post hit a sore spot for me as NYU is where I'll be starting med school in 3 weeks and I worked damn hard to get in there!

 

[mvp44]

I agree. I don't understand why NYU is considered by some to be an easy school to get into. I've always considered NYU to be one of those prestigious schools. I don't know any numbers, but maybe some think of NYU as easy because it's a state school that accepts a good number of out-of-state applicants. I'm not even sure if this is right, but if it is, then someone, in particular someone who doesn't live in New York, might assume NYU is easy to get into when compared to other state schools, such as ECU in North Carolina, which hasn't accepted an out-of-state applicant in the last 20 years.

 

[JM.]

Yeah - they sure as heck won't let me in as much as I yell and scream. I think that all of the NYC schools are not easy to get into - with the SUNY's being just a SHADE easy for those in state. Med school admission is tough.

 

[steve007]

Originally posted by mvp44
I agree. I don't understand why NYU is considered by some to be an easy school to get into. I've always considered NYU to be one of those prestigious schools. I don't know any numbers, but maybe some think of NYU as easy because it's a state school that accepts a good number of out-of-state applicants. I'm not even sure if this is right, but if it is, then someone, in particular someone who doesn't live in New York, might assume NYU is easy to get into when compared to other state schools, such as ECU in North Carolina, which hasn't accepted an out-of-state applicant in the last 20 years.

nyu is a private school.

 

[washkeep]

I've heard it's tougher to get a good residency coming from LSU and Arkansas. I've been told the education just isn't quite as good. And their standards (to get in/stay in) aren't as high as other med schools. I believe that more so with LSU than Arkansas. But if you got into one of these schools, i bet if you did really well, you'd be okay.

 

[mvp44]

Originally posted by steve007
nyu is a private school.

Oh...well, at least I did mention "I'm not even sure if this is right, but if it is,..."

 

[cguidr4]

Washkeep.

You may want to check your sources in regards to LSU schools. Both LSU schools are above the national average in board passsing percentage. Also, the FIRST- choice match for both schools is near 70 percent. Based on this I would say that LSU students are getting a great education and should not have any trouble getting into a good residency program (if they do well). As far as LSU's entrance standards, all I know is that they only consider LA residents.