The state of Maryland only has three medical schools, but all are excellent and have unique options unavailable in any other state. If you’d like to participate in research or specialize in this area, the first two options on our list are perfect for you. If you can’t afford medical school or want to work with the U.S. Army, the third option will blow your mind because universities in the USA offer free tuition, so you don’t have to pay to study there! So, let’s see all the characteristics of these medical schools in Maryland.
Top Medical Schools in Maryland
1. Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is one of the most prestigious medical schools in the U.S. It has made hundreds of discoveries and has more than a hundred years of educational experience to back up its reputation. Founded in 1893, JHUSOM is a private medical school in Maryland that ranks as the second-best university in terms of research, according to the U.S. News & World Report.
The school has been a pioneer in many areas of medicine and education. It was one of the first medical schools to admit women, as the daughters of essential businessmen gave funds to the university to finish the medical school’s construction. It was also the first to establish undergraduate degrees as a mandatory requirement and a residency program as part of the education of physicians.
Besides granting M.D. degrees, JHUSOM also offers a dual degree program, M.D./Ph.D. The curriculum divides the program into foundational coursework and clinical training phases. It shares the campus with the Johns Hopkins Hospital, which is considered one of the best in the U.S., the School of Nursing, and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. This medical school has many cores and laboratories for research and practices. As you can already imagine, admissions are highly competitive.
In 2018, they received over 6,000 applications, but only 120 students enrolled. As usual, applications are made through the AMCAS platform, but JHUSOM looks for more than good grades and scores. They want students who are committed to the community, have leadership skills, and are genuinely interested in the medical field.
Unlike most medical schools, it accepts international students and offers financial aid to both domestic and international students. In 2018, four countries were represented in the group of admitted students.
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2. University of Maryland
Another medical school known for its discoveries and over two centuries of educational experience is the University of Maryland‘s School of Medicine. It was established in 1807, making it the first public medical school in the U.S. and the fifth oldest. The recent U.S. News & World Report considers it the 32nd best in primary care and the 22nd best in research.
Along with M.D. degrees, UM SOM offers dual degree programs and masters. The dual degree programs include an M.D./Ph.D. program and an M.D./M.P.H. program. The master’s degrees offered include master’s in epidemiology, toxicology, biomedical research, genetic counseling, and laboratory management, among others.
The M.D. curriculum divides the four-year program into the first stage of foundational coursework and the second stage of clinical training. However, in August 2020, they will implement a renewed curriculum. Significant changes include a review of anatomy and science during the fourth year, which is focused on the specialty chosen by the student, and the inclusion of a clerkship during the second year.
For admissions, 4,837 applicants and 160 students enrolled in 2018. Their average GPA was 3.81, and their average MCAT score was 512. As this is a public medical school in Maryland, they prioritize residents in their state. In 2018, only 28 of those admitted students were non-residents. In the case of international students, they only accept Canadian students and those who have a permanent residency.
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3. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Lastly, we have the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. This medical school in Maryland is an excellent option for those who cannot afford private or public university tuition or want to work for the U.S. military. The medical school of USU is called F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, and along with the Postgraduate College, the College of Allied Health Sciences, and the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, they comprise USU’s campus.
They offer a dual degree program in addition to their M.D. program. They have three M.D./Ph.D. programs focused on molecular and cell biology, neuroscience, and emerging infectious diseases. The functioning of USU is slightly different from that of other medical schools. They accept civilians and uniformed officers, but they become commissioned officers once admitted.
Students don’t pay tuition, and any fee paid is reimbursed. They also receive a salary in the pay grade of O-1. However, students are committed to serving for seven years during their active duty and six years in the inactive ready reserve, which is done in the medical corps in the U.S. or abroad.
The M.D. curriculum comprises 1.5 years of foundational coursework and a clerkship starting in the second year. Education focuses on areas that will prepare students for their future in the medical corps, including public health and military medicine.
Admissions are done through the AMCAS website, as in any other medical school. In 2019, there were 2,997 applicants, and 171 students were admitted. The average GPA was 3.62, and the average MCAT was 512. If invited to the interview, students must choose the Army, Air Force, Navy, or Public Health Service.
While Maryland may have only a few medical schools to choose from, the quality of education provided by the institutions listed above is just as excellent as that of the other states. With one of the choices being a part of the best medical schools in the country and offering unique education to get to the U.S. Army, you’re sure to have a smooth future in the medical industry!
We hope this article on the best medical schools in Maryland was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in the USA Page and the Available Courses for International Students in the USA!
