What Medical School am I Most Likely to Attend?

Of the 97 Grinnell students who matriculated in a medical school between 2002-2008, two thirds entered a public medical school in the their state of residence. This ratio is similar to what is observed nationally. Not only is tuition less expensive for instate residents, the acceptance rate is several-fold higher for students applying to a medical school in their state of residence, compared to private schools or to public schools as an out-of-state resident.

Year Total Matriculants In STATE %
2002 10 8 80
2003 8 6 75
2004 15 9 60
2005 13 6 46
2006 18 13 72
2007 15 12 80
2008 18 11 61
AVERAGE 97   68

The other third of Grinnell students between 2002-2008 matriculated at numerous private medical schools, including: Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, Duke, The University of Pennsylvania, The University of Chicago, Northwestern and Dartmouth. Private Schools Where Grinnell Students have matriculated (2002-2008)

  • Albany Medical College
  • Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
  • Chicago Medical - Finch U. of HS
  • Dartmouth Medical School
  • Drexel University College of Medicine
  • Duke University
  • Emory University School of Medicine
  • Georgetown University School of Medicine
  • Harvard Medical School
  • Howard University
  • Jefferson Medical Coll. of Thomas Jefferson University.
  • Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  • Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
  • Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Temple University School of Medicine
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Chicago - Pritzker
  • University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
  • Yale University School of Medicine

Top Criteria for Admission to Medical School

According to Dr. Jim Phillips, Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Pediatrics of Baylor Medical School, admissions boards consider many criteria, GPA and MCAT scores being the most influential. In addition to GPA and MCAT scores, the following criteria (in descending order of importance) influence admission to medical school. 1) GPA 2) MCAT scores 3) letters of recommendation 4) interview (see comments from students who have gone through the interview process) 5) extra curricular activities (e.g. shadow a physician multiple times) 6) health related experiences 7) other life experiences 8) academic progression (e.g. have you shown improvement during your career as a student?)

Medical School acceptance rates