Reviewed by:
Third-Year Medical Student, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Reviewed: 6/16/22
If you want an excellent medical education without Ivy League costs and slim acceptance rates, consider attending one of the leading medical schools in the South.
Choosing the perfect medical school is a complex decision. Factors such as tuition costs, acceptance rates, and geographic considerations come into play. Exploring medical schools in the South can be beneficial due to favorable cost of living and cultural aspects.
This article will discuss the advantages of medical education in the South and provide a comprehensive list of M.D. granting schools in the region, including the top medical schools. Whether you seek a research-focused or primary care-focused education, this blog post will help you find the best medical school in the South.
Here’s a list of medical schools in the southern region.
Ranking: 5th in Best Medical Schools: Research
Average GPA: 3.93
Average MCAT score: 520
Acceptance rate: 2.9%
The M.D. program at Duke University School of Medicine is nationally recognized for its “unique patient-centered curriculum,” making it an invaluable educational experience for any prospective doctor. Moreover, the brilliant faculty at Duke School of Medicine is partially composed of two Nobel Laureates.
Duke University School of Medicine is comparable to an M.D. program offered by any Ivy League institution. Considering Duke’s relative excellence, it isn’t an easy medical school to get accepted to. As shown in the figure below, only 7 of the 506 applicants to the school have ended up as enrolled students.
These 105 fortunate students had to rely on more than charisma during their interviews. Duke University School of Medicine has a high standard regarding applicants’ MCAT scores and grade point averages.
As shown in the following figure, Duke demands around a 520 MCAT score and a 3.9 GPA from its prospective students.
Duke is a difficult school to get into, but as the best medical school in the South, it is also the most valuable medical education you can get below the Mason-Dixon line.
Ranking: 2nd in Best Medical Schools: Research
Average GPA: 3.94
Average MCAT score: 521
Acceptance rate: 6.3%
The research-focused education at Johns Hopkins is so nationally revered because “graduate students, residents and fellows learn from and study with Nobel laureates, Lasker Award winners and National Academy of Science members.”
In addition to the research-based education at Johns Hopkins, the school is also ranked as the national best in medical specialties like internal medicine, radiology, and surgery.
Moreover, Johns Hopkins Medical School is ranked as the national second in anesthesiology and psychiatry. If you want to become a specialized medical practitioner, Johns Hopkins is your medical school.
Ranking: 5th in Best Medical Schools: Research
Average GPA: 3.86
Average MCAT score: 520
Acceptance rate: 7.5%
Washington University School of Medicine offers students the opportunity to work with faculty mentors where they may complete a personal research project. Other research opportunities, like the school’s M.D./Ph.D. medical scientist training program, are also offered at the Washington University School of Medicine.
The Washington University School of Medicine is another difficult school to get accepted to. For instance, the school’s website notes that a mere 123 first-year students out of 5,668 applicants enrolled in the medical school.
WUSM also boasts its “holistic review process” for entering applications. The school’s admission office considers an applicant’s examination scores and relevant experience equally.
The school is especially keen on experience demonstrating the applicant’s integrity and personal motivation in pursuing medicine.
Ranking: 26th in Best Medical Schools: Research
Average GPA: 3.63
Average MCAT score: 508
Acceptance rate: 12.8%
UNC offers a great balance between primary care-focused and research-focused medical education. The school offers a rural primary care fellowship program for current students and alumni.
However, UNC is a flexible medical school. As a student, you may also participate in the school’s research program or shorter-term research opportunities.
The University of North Carolina School of Medicine is very open about its application process. The school’s website provides the following list of criteria they seek in their ideal applicant:
In actuality, all of these criteria are desired by admissions officers from any medical school.
Ranking: 5th in Best Medical Schools: Research
Average GPA: 3.71
Average MCAT score: 518
Acceptance rate: 1.3%
Vanderbilt School of Medicine has a unique take on medical education, epitomized by its Curriculum 2.0. This innovative curriculum is designed to avoid rote memorization, instead prioritizing “conceptual knowledge, communication skills, and cultural competencies.”
This curriculum also includes a three to six-month immersive research project.
Prerequisites for Vanderbilt’s M.D. program are unique because there are no required pre-med courses. Instead, the medical school prefers to offer prospective students “recommended” pre-med courses.
While this gives you some flexibility in your undergraduate years, you will still require the necessary science and medicine knowledge to score well on the MCAT exam, which is still needed for admission into the Vanderbilt School of Medicine.
The following is an alphabetical list (by state) of all M.D. granting medical schools in the South and their corresponding campus locations:
With a long list of amazing medical schools in the South, why not consider attending one of them?
There are many reasons to opt for a medical education from a Southern institution. Here are some of the most convincing reasons to head for medical schools in the South.
One appealing aspect of attending medical school in the South is the lower cost of living compared to northern college towns. Northern states housing Ivy League institutions, such as Massachusetts and Connecticut, are among the most expensive in the nation.
While an Ivy League education is highly regarded, the best medical schools in the South offer an equally impressive education. Choosing a Southern school becomes advantageous due to the more moderate cost of living in states like the Carolinas or Texas.
For example, a student at Duke University in North Carolina benefits from living in the 23rd most affordable state in the country. This is a more favorable financial situation compared to a Harvard student in Massachusetts, the nation's 3rd most expensive state.
Attending these schools helps alleviate the substantial costs associated with an M.D. program and may even allow for some savings toward a post-med school internship.
Choosing an out-of-state medical school allows you to experience the unique cultural flavors of different regions, particularly in the southern states.
The southern states offer diverse and vibrant cultural ecosystems in each city. Selecting a medical school in the South means considering the city you want to live in and the local culture you're eager to immerse yourself in.
For instance, attending Vanderbilt in Nashville offers access to its rich music scene. North Carolina medical schools provide proximity to intense NCAA sports competitions. Louisiana medical schools allow students to indulge in the culinary excellence of the state.
Your medical school experience can become a long-term exploration of a new cultural hub. By carefully considering your preferences, you can choose the medical school and local culture that resonate most with yo
Across the South, one thing prevails: access to the best college football games in the country. Whether you choose a medical school in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, or elsewhere in the region, you'll be immersed in the vibrant college football culture.
If you're already a football fan, a medical school in the South is a perfect fit. Even if you're not currently a fan, you're likely to become one after a few months as a med student in the South.
The close-knit school community that emerges from the football culture offers valuable experiences, regardless of your love for the sport. You'll never run out of weekend plans with the exciting football atmosphere.
Here are some answers to additional questions any future pediatrician should be asking.
There are no Ivy League schools in the South. Ivy League schools are secluded in northeastern states like New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. However, many of the top universities in the South rival even their northern Ivy League counterparts.
Considering southern schools' relative excellence, you may obtain an Ivy League-level education without the absurd living cost of big-city northern states.
In the South, the weather stands out as the most noticeable difference compared to the North. Southern medical schools offer relief from harsh northern winters, with warm and balmy climates. However, be prepared for the possibility of sweltering and humid weather.
The southern states are known for their scenic and rural charm, making them appealing to nature enthusiasts. You'll find ample opportunities for outdoor recreational activities due to the abundance of open natural settings.
When choosing a state to move to for medical school, important factors include available medical schools, living costs, and personal interests. It's crucial to research and consider your personal preferences.
For music enthusiasts, Nashville-based schools like Vanderbilt are ideal. Those who enjoy culinary experiences may find medical schools in New Orleans exciting. Ultimately, pursue the state that aligns with your interests.
The most prestigious southern medical schools are Duke University School of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Vanderbilt University is called the Harvard of the South.
The best med schools in the south are Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, and Washington University School of Medicine.
There are many reasons to opt for a medical education from a Southern school. They provide an Ivy League-level education without the burdensome living costs of an Ivy League city. Moreover, attending a school in the South is a great way to broaden your horizons during your years as a medical student.
.svg)
