Top 10 Medical Schools

Ranking of medical schools in the United States can be an interesting subject of an argument or debate. Medical schools would naturally claim to be the best in terms of facilities, faculties and researches for promotion purposes. None of them however has a control or domination in terms of a matchless or supreme medical education.

There are criteria used when selecting the best or the top ten medical schools in the United States. Basically, it include score on peer assessment, research activities conducted, rate of primary care, selectivity of students, acceptance rate, faculty resources, overall ranking, average MCAT score and average undergraduate GPA and academic results of students. However, some critics may rank them based only two main categories. These are in terms of research and primary care offered.

Based on the 2008/09 ranking, the top 10 medical schools in the United States are as follows: Harvard University, John Hopkins University, St. Louis' Washington University , University of Pennsylvania , University of California ,Duke University, University of Washington ,Stanford University , UCLA and Yale University. The first one is the top school and the last is the tenth place in rank.

Whether a medical school will be judged according to some or all the criteria mentioned above, there are really schools that would stand out among the rest like those in the top 10 list. This means that they could be on top based on these given qualities and therefore it adds more prestige to the school and to its students as well making them well known internationally and their students in demand. The disadvantages are of course entry requirements become so strict to keep up with the school's standards and tuition fees become so high.

Entering a medical school is a very challenging decision. One should really be decided whether this is the career he or she would like in the future. It also requires total preparation emotionally, physically and financially. Aside from a chosen medical school, some considerations that one should look into are as follows: long hours of studying, stress tolerance on exams and saving people's lives, continuous dedication on education and trainings and other sacrifices. Financially, the cost of obtaining a medical degree may range from $100,000 to $200,000.

The medical career as a doctor is an exhausting and stressful yet a rewarding career. One will normally graduate at the age of 26 to 28 years old plus three years of residency and internship. However, a lucrative compensation is an assurance in this type of career plus a chance to help and save other people's lives.