Ivy League Medical Schools: How to Get In (2024)
/A complete list of Ivy League medical schools, plus admissions strategies to get accepted
LEARN HOW TO GET ADMITTED TO IVY LEAGUE MEDICAL SCHOOLS
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Introduction
Many premed hopefuls dream of attending an Ivy League medical school, given the prestige and world of career opportunities that become available with an Ivy League education.
However, getting into medical school is tough, and getting into an Ivy League medical school is even more difficult due to the amount of applicant interest in these programs.
The good news is that there are proven strategies to getting into top medical schools, as our students have demonstrated year after year. In this guide, we’ll share key admissions data for each school and provide some high-yield tips to help you maximize your odds of getting in.
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What makes a school a part of the Ivy League?
With so much prestige surrounding the schools in this association, you may wonder about the origins of the phrase “Ivy League.”
Interestingly, there doesn’t seem to be a clear consensus! In fact, there are quite a few legends about its origin. Some say that the “Ivy” part is incorrect and that it was originally the “IV League,” which they say included four schools: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Dartmouth. Others say the phrase was coined by a New York Herald journalist and sports writer named Stanley Woodward in October 1933. The schools in the Ivy League all had similar athletic programs, and three years later in 1936, they suggested formally creating an athletic league specifically for the “Ivy” schools. It would still be another 20 years (during the 1956-1957 season) before the eight schools that make up the Ivy League would become involved in athletic competition. Today, each of the eight schools in the Ivy League not only has a notable athletic department but also has a rich academic history.
Regardless of how the phrase came about, there’s no denying that it has come to be associated with schools that are thought of as highly competitive institutions that anyone would be proud to call their alma mater. Similarly, the seven Ivy League schools that have medical schools associated with them have largely been recognized as some of the most sought-after med schools in the nation.
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List of Ivy League medical schools: 2023 rankings & admissions statistics
First, it’s important to understand what each Ivy League medical school expects from applicants. We’ve compiled the most pertinent information for you below.
As you review the table, you’ll notice the following:
Ivy League medical schools boast high rankings. Of the seven schools in the 2023 U.S. News research ranking, three are in the top 5, five in the top 10, five in the top 20, and seven in the top 50.
Tuition and fees to attend Ivy League medical schools range from $64,000–$79,000 for both in-state and out-of-state students.
The average GPAs and MCAT scores of matriculants tend to be very high. For the top five schools, the average GPA is near-perfect (3.9 and above), and the average MCAT score is at or above the 97th percentile score.
Numbers in parentheses reflect each medical school’s national ranking, whereas numbers outside parentheses reflect each Ivy League medical school’s relative rank. Relative rankings help us determine which are the “best” Ivy League medical schools.
(Note: We strongly recommend that you sign up for MSAR for the most up-to-date information on MD programs.)
| Ivy League Medical Schools | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard Medical School | $69,300 OOS |
10.3% OOS |
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| University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine | $67,291 OOS |
13.0% OOS |
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| Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons | $78,167 OOS |
12.9% OOS |
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| Weill Cornell Medical School | $68,470 OOS |
10.9% OOS |
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| Yale School of Medicine | $64,990 OOS |
10.4% OOS |
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| Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School | $69,286 OOS |
2.2% OOS |
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| Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine | $79,357 OOS |
7.1% OOS |
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How to get into an Ivy League medical school
Strategy 1: Take a data-driven approach to decide which Ivy League medical schools to apply to.
Although each of the seven schools listed fall under the “Ivy League medical school” category, there is some variability with respect to average GPA and MCAT scores. For example, students whose stats approach the Dartmouth Medical School averages will not enjoy the same admissions odds at Harvard Medical School. Therefore, instead of taking a blanket approach and applying to as many Ivy League medical schools as possible, make sure to carefully evaluate the stats for each school as you develop your medical school list.
However, it’s important to note that high stats alone aren’t enough to guarantee admission to an Ivy League med school. Remember: these programs receive thousands of applications from students with similarly impressive academic qualifications. Therefore, having a unique extracurricular profile is the best way to stand out to admissions committees.
(Suggested reading: How to Choose the Right Extracurricular Activities for Medical School)
Strategy 2: Focus on each Ivy League medical school’s mission and demonstrate fit.
Every Ivy League medical school is different and therefore, each one will require slightly different approaches when producing secondary essays and going on interviews.
Your goal should be to highlight your unique qualities and how they align with the school’s mission.
Click below to learn more school-specific strategies:
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.