So you're beginning work on your MD applications, and you're trying to bucket your school list.  If you have competitive numbers, you've probably set your sights on the top three medical schools for research (according to US News).  If you're wondering about what it entails to commit to one of these institutions, read this 2018 at-a-glance guide.

#1 Harvard 

What kind of numbers do I need to get in?

HMS has a lower MCAT median than many other competitive school at 518.  This is because they tend to look at the whole applicant as opposed to just their numbers.  Their GPA median is high, however, at 3.92. 

How much does it cost for full time tuition?

A whopping $59,800 (as compared, to, say NYU) 

What is the student to faculty ratio?

An entering class is typically 165 students, and the student to faculty ratio is 13:1.

Anything else I should know?

Harvard is located in Cambridge, MA, and is an academic and research hotbed.  Many of our tutors, and applicants too, who are interested in a dual MD/PhD degree and have a leaning towards biomedical research apply to the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program. 

#2 Johns Hopkins

What kind of numbers do I need to get in?

Johns Hopkins has a point higher median than Harvard’s at 519, and the same GPA median of 3.92. 

How much does it cost for full time tuition?

Looks to be up there at $51,900.

What is the student to faculty ratio?

Johns Hopkins has an excellent faculty to student ratio at 4.7:1.

Anything else I should know?

Talk about a cool history – Johns Hopkins was the first graduate level medical school to admit women on an equal basis as men! 

# 3 NYU Langone (tie) 

What kind of numbers do I need to get in?

NYU reads as slightly more competitive than the previous two heavy hitters, as they have a median of 520.  This tips the median GPA a lil’ lower at 3.90. 

How much does it cost for full time tuition? 

Fo’ free – as of 2018.  See below for more information. 

What is the student to faculty ratio? 

Amazingly, despite the crazy size of its city, the school is able to maintain a faculty to student ratio of 2:1.

Anything else I should know? 

Yes – you heard it right.  NYU school of Medicine announced in summer 2018 that it would cover the total tuition of all its students.  As the New York Times writes, this is due to the debt students face as they graduate from their programs.  Though we will need to wait a few years to understand how this will impact its competitiveness, it will almost certainly make this a more appetizing school in the top 5.

#3 Stanford (tie)

What kind of numbers do I need to get in?

Not a surprise that the medians are still high --  the MCAT median is the same at Harvard’s at 518, and the GPA hovers a few hundredths of a point lower at 3.89.

How much does it cost for full time tuition? 

Still up there -- $56,229.

What is the student to faculty ratio?

The entering class is on the larger side, at 482; though the faculty to student ratio is 2.1:1.

Anything else I should know?

Stanford has a cool relationship to physician assistants.  They co-founded the Primary Care Associate Program (PCAP) and offer a Master of Science in PA studies.  Through this program, PA and MD candidates take courses side by side.  Fun fact.

Are you interested in connecting with an MD or MD/PhD about your application process?