Selecting an undergraduate school is the first essential step any student will make on the path to becoming a physician. If you are a pre-med aspirant, you'll want to give yourself the best opportunities and support networks in college and beyond. Applying to  medical school is a grueling process, so you'll need to be prepared.

Here, we'll talk about what actually makes a school good for pre-meds before getting into the good stuff: the list of best pre-med schools.

What the best pre-med schools offer

The best pre-med schools generally offer a four-year undergraduate program and prepare you for pursuing medicine. There are no official majors offered by even the best colleges for pre-med. Students have the option of majoring in subjects of their choice at the best pre-med schools.

International students must complete their pre-med in the USA to be eligible to apply to a medical school in the USA.

The study program at the best colleges for pre-med generally comprise:

• One year of general chemistry with lab
• One year of organic chemistry with lab
• One year of biology with lab
• One year of physics with lab
• One semester or more of math (calculus and statistics)
• One year of English
• Courses necessary for MCAT preparation

MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) scores are mandatory to apply to pre-med schools. Your scores will reflect your aptitude in different subject areas. 

To know more and register for MCAT: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/register-mcat-exam/

These are just the basic requirements to apply to medical school. To enhance your profile and chances of being accepted at the best medical schools, you must take more classes to meet the requirements of your chosen major. To support your intent and interest in pursuing medicine, you must include classes in genetics, public health, microbiology, human physiology, psychology, sociology, and more.

Best Pre-med Schools

The best pre-med schools are those that offer superlative study programs, are selective with admissions, are financially viable and ensures students have a memorable student life on campus. 

Considering their reputation and the quality education offered at the best colleges for pre-med, the Admission Requirements are:

• A good GPA of 3.0 or more 
• Strong competence in science
• Proof of your desire to become a physician by way of having experience of working with patients by perhaps volunteering at a hospital
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal Statement
• High School Transcripts
• Interview
• Good TOEFL scores

To know more and register for TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/register/

Besides this, each of the best pre-med schools’ admission requirements may negligibly vary.

Check Out The List of 10 Best  Pre-Med Schools

1.Harvard, Cambridge, MA

As per Harvard's Office of Career Services estimation 17% of any one of its classes will apply to med school—that's a huge selection of the student body! Pre-med applicants with a 3.5 GPA or higher had a 93% acceptance rate to med schools in 2013, whereas average acceptance rates that year were about 42%.

Harvard College provides a peer pre-med advising program in which students are assigned a pre-med tutor sophomore through senior year.

Harvard University houses the #1 ranked medical school in the US and also boasts extremely strong biological sciences departments. There are several affiliated teaching hospitals nearby, too which are great for both research and clinical experience.

For information on Harvard Pre-med

2. Northwestern University, Chicago, USA

Northwestern University is a leading private research and teaching university with campuses in Qatar, and academic program facilities in Miami, Florida, Washington, D.C., and California. This is a highly regarded pre-med school that provides students with a comprehensive foundation in science. The curriculum and faculty ensure that students are well equipped for medical school. 

The approximate annual cost of study at this pre-med school will be:

Tuition Fees - $54,120

Fees - $447

On-campus Room/Board $16,626

Total - $71,193

Need-based financial aid is available for international students at this pre-med school. 

For detailed information: https://www.northwestern.edu/health-professions-advising/pre-med/index.html

3. Duke University, North Carolina, USA

This is a private research university and considered one of the top medical schools in the USA. This pre-med school has a reputation of preparing pre-med students so well that 85% of their students get accepted into medical college. Undergraduate students can participate in research and gain hands-on experience in the science labs at the pre-med school.

The approximate annual cost of study at this pre-med school will be:

Tuition Fees - $43,518

Application Fee - $500

Technology Fee - $2,908

Books and other expenses - $3,693

Room/Board and Transportation - $22,858

Health Screen - $100

Background Check Fee - $75

First Year Fee (Lab) - $1,522

Student Health Fee - $1,128

Student Medical Insurance - $3,535

Loan Fees - $2,736

Miscellaneous Fees $475

Total - $126,566

Need-based or merit-based financial-aid is available for international students at this pre-med school only if you seek it while applying to the college. International transfer students aren’t eligible for any kind of aid.

For more information: https://prehealth.duke.edu/prehealth/courserequirements

4. John Hopkins University, Maryland, USA

Founded in 1876, it is a private research university. Around 80% of pre-med students get accepted to medical college which is a reflection of how well the pre-med school prepares and advises its students. Pre-med students at JHU get a chance to participate in research and work as understudies to doctors at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute ensuring excellent internship and lab experience. 

The approximate annual cost of study at this pre-med school will be:

Tuition Fees - $53,740

Books and other personal expenses - $3,401

Room/Board $15,836

Books and supplies - $1,240

On-campus expenses - $1,080

Total - $ 75,297

Need-based financial aid is available for international students. About 10% of international freshmen transfer students have received need-based aid. You can expect an average scholarship amount of about $25,000 at this pre-med school. 

For more information: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/preprofadvising/pre-medhealth/prerequisites/

5. University of Pennsylvania, USA

This Ivy League private research university is well known for its medical school. It is considered one of the best pre-med schools in the USA. Approximately 76% of their undergraduates get accepted into medical school which is natural considering that it is one of the best colleges for pre-med. UPenn’s pre-med study program prepares students to do well in MCAT besides offering the best support for other pre-requisite courses to be accepted in a medical college.

The approximate annual cost of study at this pre-med school will be:

Tuition Fees - $59,910

General Fee - $3,320

School Technology Fee - $1,450

Clinical Fee - $608

Education Expenses (Books and Equipment, Health Insurance, and Transportation) - $3,916

Room/Board $22,500

Total - $91,704

Demonstrated need-based financial aid is available at this pre-med school for international students for eight semesters or four years by way of a grant-based package which ensures that you can study without incurring debt. You must, however, apply for financial aid at the time of seeking admission. 

For more information: https://careerservices.upenn.edu/channels/pre-medicine/

6. Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Stanford is a top-ranked medical school. Stanford provides a variety of extracurricular and research options to their undergraduate students. 

Their Stanford Immersion in Medicine Series (SIMS) Program gives sophomores, juniors, and seniors the opportunity to shadow doctors at Stanford Hospital, Palo Alto VA Hospital, and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. 

For more information

7. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

This private research university is one of the best pre-med schools and is many a time called ‘Southern Ivy’ because of its superlative academic and social status. Located next to Emory Hospital and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, offers students the opportunity to take on internships there and enhance their chances of being accepted at medical college. Emory’s PreHealth Advising Services offers students advice, mentoring and counseling in preparation for medical school admissions to ensure that up to 93% of their students get accepted.

The approximate annual cost of study at this pre-med school will be:

Tuition Fees - $55,200

Fees - $798

Books and Supplies - $1,224

Transportation - $1,026

Personal - $1,524

Room/Board $15,542

Direct Loan Fee - $80

Total - $75,424

Need-based aid and merit-based scholarships are available for international students at this pre-med school.

‍For more information: http://prehealth.emory.edu/index.html

8. Columbia, New York City, New York

As undergraduates, though, students are allocated a pre-med advisor and attend informational meetings sponsored by the Premedical Committee. Columbia's appropriate NYC location also guarantees easy access to innumerable clinics and hospitals, giving you plenty of opportunities for clinical and research experience.

Also, Columbia provides pre-med students with a sample course curriculum to help them meet the minimum requirements for med school applications.

For more information, check out

9. Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO

Pre-health career coaches and advisors assist students with academic and vocational concerns, research, such as picking classes, job shadowing,  and volunteering through a combination of individual and group meetings. 

Besides that, there are also many pre-med student groups, including Alpha Epsilon Delta and the Student Health Consortium, which help you continue your pre-med education outside of the classroom.

For more information go through

10. Rice University, Houston, TX

The Office of Academic Advising at Rice provides substantial resources to pre-med students, including a database of appropriate research and internship opportunities and pre-med advising orientations.

Besides that , Rice’s Joint Admission Medical Program helps low-income Texas students afford med school. Houston is also a town with many large hospitals that provide research, shadowing, and volunteering opportunities.

For more information