2019 List of Top 3 Medical Schools in Maryland, USA

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHUSOM)

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHUSOM) is a top rated and prestigious medical school in the U.S. Loads of discoveries have happened here and has well more than hundred years of academic experience to back up its famed reputation.

Founded sometime in 1893, JHUSOM is a renowned private medical school in Maryland that ranks as the second best university per research, according to the U.S. News & World Report. In terms of primary health care, it is ranked the 23rd best.

JHUSOM has pioneered discoveries and inventions in many key areas of medicine and education. It was one of the first medical schools that admitted women, as the daughters of important businessmen were the ones that provided funds to the university to complete the construction of the medical school. It was one of the first one to establish undergraduate degrees as a mandatory prerequisite and one of the firsts to establish the residency program as part of education for physicians.

It was in this institution where the first biological pacemaker was developed , where CPR was refined, and where rubber gloves were developed for proper hygiene and sanitation.

Besides simply awarding MD degrees, it also does a dual degree program, which is M.D./Ph.D. This curriculum nicely divides the program into a foundation coursework phase and a clinical training phase.

JHUSOM shares the campus with the Johns Hopkins Hospital, which is considered one of the best ones 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 super competitive. In 2018, they received over 6,000 applications, but only 120 students matriculated. As expected, applications are done through the AMCAS platform, but JHUSOM looks for more than good grades and scores. They want students who are committed with the community, have leadership skills and are genuinely interested in the medical field.

Unlike other medical schools, they accept both local and international students and offer financial aid for both domestic and international students. To put into context in 2018, four countries were represented in the group of admitted students. Please read their website to learn much more about academics and research at JHUSOM.

University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM)

Another medical school known for its discoveries and over two centuries of educational experience is the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM). It was established in 1807, which makes it the first public medical school in the U.S. and the fifth oldest.

According to the U.S. News & World Report, it is considered the 23rd best in terms of primary care and the 38th in terms of research.

Along with M.D. degrees, UM SOM also offers different dual degree programs and masters. The dual degree programs include an M.D./Ph.D. program and an M.D./M.P.H. program (Masters in Public Health). Masters offered to include Masters in Epidemiology, in Toxicology, in Biomedical Research, in Genetic Counseling, in Laboratory Management, among others.

The M.D. curriculum divides the four-year program into the first stage of foundational coursework and a 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 clerkships during the second year.

As for admissions, in 2018 there were 4,837 applicants and 160 students enrolled. Their average GPA of 3.81 and their average MCAT score was of 512.

As this is a public medical school in Maryland, they prioritize residents in their state. In 2018, only 28 of the admitted students were non-residents. In the case of international students, they only accept Canadian students and those who have a permanent residency. Check their website to learn more!

3. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU)

Finally, let us talk about the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU). This school in Maryland is a great option for those who cannot afford tuition at a private or public university or that 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.

Besides their M.D. program, they offer a dual degree program. They have three M.D./Ph.D. programs which are focused on molecular and cell biology, neuroscience, and emerging infectious diseases.

How USU performs is slightly different from other medical schools. They do both civilians and uniformed officers, but once you are admitted you automatically become commissioned officers. Students are not expected to pay tuition, and any amount paid is reimbursed afterwards. You will equally receive a salary in the pay grade of O-1. However,please note that students are committed to serving for seven years during their active duty and for six years in the inactive ready reserve. This happens in the medical corps in the U.S. or outside.

The M.D. curriculum is made up of 1.5 years of foundational coursework and clerkships begins in the second year. Academics focus primarily on areas that will prepare students for their future in the medical corps, which include public health and military medicine.

Admissions are conducted using the website of AMCAS as is the case with any other medical school. It might interest you to know that In 2019, 2,997 applicants sent applications while only 171 students were admitted. The average GPA of 3.62 and the average MCAT stood at 512. If invited for the interview, you will have to choose between joining the Army, Air Force, Navy or Public Health Service. If you’re interested and would love to learn more, go check out their website.