Most Popular Medical Schools

Although Harvard University is consistently named the best medical school in America (and the world!), the prestigious university must intimidate prospective medical students as it doesn’t receive the most applications.

According to U.S. News & World Report’s latest list the medical schools that receive the most applications aren’t among the best in the country. None of the top 10 schools ranked higher than number 20 in the best medical school rankings. According to U.S. News, students apply to an average of 14.3 schools and the American Association of Medical Colleges reported that more than 45,000 people applied to U.S. medical schools in 2012.

These schools aren’t necessarily popular for low tuition, though. Tufts University, for instance, was named the most expensive private medical school in 2012. In fact, half the colleges on this list reported full-time tuition of more than $50,000.

This year’s list of the top 10 medical schools that receive the most applications is full of East Coast institutions. Pennsylvania schools held four of the top 10 spots.

(Note: RNP stands for “Rank Not Published.” While U.S. News calculated a numerical ranking for all the schools listed, the site did not publish the rank. Applicants are for 2012-2013.)

10. Tufts University

Boston, Mass.

Tufts University School of Medicine. Copyright John Phelan | Wikipedia.com.

Applicants: 8,318

Enrollment: 810

Enrollment rate: 9.7%

Research school rank: 51

Primary care school rank: 54

Tuition: $54,980

Graduates admitted to first-choice residency program: 45.7%

9. New York University

New York, N.Y.

Copyright New York University | school.med.nyu.edu/about-us

Applicants: 8,351

Enrollment: 651

Enrollment rate: 7.7%

Research school rank: 21

Primary care school rank: 74

Tuition: $44,910

Graduates admitted to first-choice residency program: 0%

8. New York Medical College

Valhalla, N.Y.

Medical Education Center

Applicants: 8,682

Enrollment: 817

Enrollment rate: 9.4%

Research school rank: RNP

Primary care school rank: RNP

Tuition: $47,890

Graduates admitted to first-choice residency program: N/A

7. Jefferson Medical College

Philadelphia, Pa.

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Applicants: 10,018

Enrollment: 1,053

Enrollment rate: 10.5%

Research school rank: 64

Primary care school rank: 62

Tuition: $50,936

Graduates admitted to first-choice residency program: N/A

6. Temple University

Philadelphia, Pa.

School of Medicine, new medical building. Copyright Audrey, Wikis Take Philadelphia project | Wikipedia.org.

Applicants: 10,329

Enrollment: 805

Enrollment rate: 7.8%

Research school rank: 51

Primary care school rank: RNP

Tuition: $53,468

Graduates admitted to first-choice residency program: N/A

5. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Erie, Pa.

Copyright Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine | www.lecom.edu.

Applicants: 11,523

Enrollment: 2,166

Enrollment rate: 18.8%

Research school rank: RNP

Primary care school rank: 62

Tuition: $29,987

Graduates admitted to first-choice residency program: 59.7%

4. Georgetown University

Washington, D.C.

Main campus on the Potomac River. Copyright Patrickneil | Wikipedia.org.

Applicants: 11,733

Enrollment: 805

Enrollment rate: 6.8%

Research school rank: 48

Primary care school rank: 72

Tuition: $45,645

Graduates admitted to first-choice residency program: N/A

3. Boston University

Boston, Mass.

Applicants: 11,780

Enrollment: 730

Enrollment rate: 6.2%

Research school rank: 30

Primary care school rank: 39

Tuition: $50,948

Graduates admitted to first-choice residency program: N/A

2. Drexel University College of Medicine

Philadelphia, Pa.

Center City Hahnemann Campus; the main site for the college’s clinical education departments. Copyright Pinoy916 | Wikipedia.org.

Applicants: 12,690

Enrollment: 1,080

Enrollment rate: 8.5%

Research school rank: 85

Primary care school rank: RNP

Tuition: $47,980

Graduates admitted to first-choice residency program: N/A

1. George Washington University

Washington, D.C.

Professor’s Gate on campus. Wikipedia.org.

Applicants: 14,700

Enrollment: 716

Enrollment rate: 4.87%

Research school rank: 57

Primary care school rank: RNP

Tuition: $50,903

Graduates admitted to first-choice residency program: N/A