There are many perks to studying in the capital city of the U.S. Not only will you be exposed to the political nerve center of the country, but you will also have access to some of the most highly regarded public and private American medical colleges. For every aspiring medical student, Washington, D.C. is a great place to study simply because of the number of hospitals and medical schools in the area. George Washington University, Howard University, and Georgetown University are some of the best medical schools (based on the U.S. News and World Reports) located in Washington, D.C.
Best Medical Schools in Washington, D.C.
1. Georgetown University School of Medicine
U.S. News Best Medical School Ranking: #56
Average GPA: 3.78
Average MCAT Score: 513
The Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program at Georgetown University School of Medicine has a three-pronged approach to imparting knowledge of medicine to its enrolled students. This includes the development of knowledge-related competencies, skill-related competencies, and values and attitudes-related competencies.
The curriculum at Georgetown is centered on the idea of “cura personalis,” or care for a patient’s physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. In this effort, their foundational courses focus on teaching core scientific, medical, and doctoring training while also educating students on the value of communication, ethics, and overall congeniality.
In the clinical phase of their education, students complete clerkships in one of the following areas: medicine, surgery, pediatrics, OBGYN, family medicine, psychiatry, and neurology. The final and fourth year of the M.D. program includes training in emergency medicine, internships, and electives.
At Georgetown, the admissions committee evaluates a student’s academic record, MCAT score, letters of recommendation, and personal interview before offering admission. Admissions close on November 1, so make sure to send in your AMCAS application by then. Find out more about their admissions process.
2. George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
U.S. News Best Medical School Ranking: #61
Average GPA: 3.74
Average MCAT Score: 512
The M.D. program at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is geared toward producing “physician citizens” who are exceptional medical professionals committed to local and global public service.
Using active learning techniques, the school teaches students in small groups using the case-study format. The first year is dedicated to studying the fundamentals of medicine including anatomy, genetics, physiology, pharmacology, and microbiology.
The second year continues students’ education in the fundamentals of medicine while also introducing clinical practice. Third-year students are required to do clerkships, electives, and intersessions. They must complete clerkships in either internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, psychiatry, OBGYN, primary care, or longitudinal primary care.
Final-year students see a lot of advanced clinical practice in emergency medicine, neuroscience, and anesthesiology. The last year concludes with a transition to a residency course that prepares students for further studies after graduation and internships.
Completed applications must be submitted to the school by November 15. Find out more about the school’s admissions process.
3. Howard University College of Medicine
U.S. News Best Medical School Ranking: #95
Average GPA: 3.61
Average MCAT Score: 507
Howard University College of Medicine has a long and rich history of providing high-quality education to students from the Black community. Keeping with this proud tradition, the College of Medicine is committed to nurturing skilled Black physicians and offering learning opportunities to students from other disadvantaged communities.
The College of Medicine offers an M.D. program that focuses on essential knowledge of medicine and skills needed to practice medicine professionally. The four-year program also allows students enough time and opportunities to explore their areas of interest to specialize in after graduation.
While the first and second years focus on core concepts and foundational skills in medicine, the final two years are dedicated to clerkships (internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, neurology and rehabilitation, obstetrics and gynecology, and family medicine), elective courses, and research work.
The last day to submit your AMCAS application is December 15. Find out more about their admissions process.
How can you get accepted to a medical school in Washington, D.C.?
To secure your place at a leading medical school in Washington, D.C., you need to make sure you have a great Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score. Preparing for the MCAT can be quite difficult, especially if you are busy with regular school work and classes. Many students struggle to balance the two and create a study schedule that doesn’t overwhelm them.
Fortunately, Blueprint is here to help! Our MCAT prep program includes live classes, self-paced course, one-on-one tutoring, and practice exams. You can use any or all of these to increase your MCAT scores by 15 points on average! Our live classes are helmed by instructors who are MCAT veterans, having each scored 520+. Take your medical education to the next level and increase your acceptance rate with Blueprint.
Other admissions factors to take into account:
- Tuition
- Acceptance rate
- Financial aid
- Personal goals
- Medical school interview
- Medical school admissions process
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