Medical Schools in Minnesota: How to Get In (2024)
/Which are the best medical schools in Minnesota? Learn how hard it is to get into Minnesota medical schools, plus admissions strategies to make it happen
There are two medical schools in Minnesota
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: List of medical schools in Minnesota: 2023 rankings and admissions statistics
Part 3: Minnesota medical school profiles
Part 4: Minnesota medical school admissions strategies
Part 5: Frequently asked questions
Appendix A: Minnesota medical schools by degree type
Appendix B: Minnesota medical schools by institution type
Appendix C: Minnesota medical schools by region
----
Part 1: Introduction
Located in the heart of the Upper Midwest, Minnesota is known for its 10,000+ lakes (most notably Lake Superior), the bustling Minneapolis–Saint Paul “Twin Cities” metropolis (home to 50% of Minnesotans), and its two internationally recognized medical schools: the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Whichever Minnesota medical school you choose to study and rotate through, you will graduate from a top institution known for its breadth and depth of clinical cases, research excellence, and commitment to medical education.
The goals of this guide are to provide you with an overview of the strengths of both Minnesota medical schools and to highlight unique qualities of each program’s curriculum and other offerings so you can decide if either would be a great fit for you. We’ll also offer admissions strategies to help you optimize your chances of receiving an acceptance from the Minnesota medical school of your choice.
Suggested reading: (How Hard Is It to Get into Medical School?)
----
Part 2: List of medical schools in Minnesota: 2023 rankings and admissions statistics
Below you will find the latest statistics on Minnesota medical schools, such as rankings and average GPAs and MCAT scores, so you can easily compare the two schools side-by-side. While compiling this information, we noticed the following:
Both Minnesota medical schools are allopathic.
Minnesota medical schools are highly competitive. Both appear in the top 50 on the 2023 U.S. News Best Medical Schools (Research) ranking, and one appears in the top 15.
While Minnesota residents enjoy higher interview rates at both Minnesota medical schools, Minnesota’s public medical school (the University of Minnesota Medical School) also matriculates an extremely high percentage of in-state residents.
In the ranking column below, numbers in parentheses show each medical school’s national ranking, whereas numbers outside parentheses reflect each Minnesota medical school’s relative rank. Relative rankings allow us to more easily answer the question, “Which are the ‘best’ medicals school in Minnesota?”
(Note: We strongly recommend that you sign up for MSAR for the most up-to-date information on MD programs and that you sign up for Choose DO for DO program data.)
| Minnesota Medical Schools | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine | $64,000 OOS |
||||||||
| University of Minnesota Medical School* | Duluth |
$30,404 IS $44,668 OOS (Twin Cities) |
5.6% OOS |
(Including Duluth and Twin Cities MD program and MD-PhD program) |
----
Part 3: Minnesota medical school profiles
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Though the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is comprised of three campuses across three states, its Minnesota campus is the oldest and largest. On top of this, it shares a home with the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, consistently ranked the best hospital in America.
Mayo offers a small first-year class size (approximately 100 students) in order to facilitate community and collaboration; this results in 40% of Mayo medical students opting to continue their residency training at Mayo. Additionally, the school places a large emphasis on research—the majority of students graduate with a manuscript published in a well-regarded, peer-reviewed journal.
Mayo’s traditional preclinical curriculum incorporates self-directed learning opportunities, known as academic enrichments that give students the opportunity to shape their experiences to their unique professional goals. These academic enrichments can include pursuing more experience in the specialty of your choice, dedicated research, or participating in global health study through initiatives such as the Mayo International Health Program (MIHP) and Global Surgery: Part 1. Furthermore, your four years at Mayo will be interspersed with selectives, that allow you to explore different aspects of healthcare and its delivery that interest you. For example, students can explore working with underserved communities, a particular research interest, or you can even propose a selective yourself.
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine: Requirements and Strategies)
University of Minnesota Medical School
With campuses located in the Twin Cities and Duluth, the University of Minnesota Medical School’s curriculum is known for its active learning and integrated curriculum. Students will study both the foundational sciences and clinical skills courses in their first two years of medical school. After completion of the preclinical curriculum, students will enter their clinical rotations and have the opportunity to rotate at over eighteen clinical sites in various cities across the state.
As Minnesota’s public medical school, the University of Minnesota Medical School is committed to serving the state’s diverse populations. Notably, it is recognized for placing a strong emphasis on Native American health education and rural medicine initiatives at its Duluth campus. In addition, 70% of current Minnesota physicians trained at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
----
Part 4: Minnesota medical school admissions strategies
Strategy 1: Utilize statistics when deciding which Minnesota medical schools to apply to
As evidenced by the data listed above, it is clear that both Minnesota medical schools are highly competitive. For admissions success at either school, you should score highly on your MCAT and achieve an average GPA of 3.8 or higher.
It is also beneficial to note any connections you may have to Minnesota or your desire to work in Minnesota as a physician. In particular, the University of Minnesota Medical School has a strong preference for in-state applicants and those who wish to practice in Minnesota after medical school graduation.
(Suggested reading: How Many Medical Schools Should I Apply To? Which Ones?)
Strategy 2: Learn what makes each Minnesota medical school unique, and make sure to communicate fit with these key features
Take time to consider your achievements, strengths, and career goals when deciding if you should apply to either Minnesota medical school.
For example, if you are eager to pursue in-depth research and be exposed to many sub-specialty areas of medicine, Mayo likely fits what you are looking for. On the other hand, if you are keen to practice community-oriented medicine and stay in Minnesota once you are done attending, you may benefit more from attending the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Then, make sure to effectively incorporate this fit into your secondary essays and medical school interview responses.
Strategy 3: Plan your writing process
We recommend that students apply to 15–25 carefully selected medical schools for the best chance of success. After you’ve completed your primary application (personal statement, AMCAS Work and Activities, etc.) it will then be time to work on your secondary essays and each school will have varying numbers of required essays with different limits. If you’re applying to 15+ schools, the number of essays you’ll have to write can add up quickly!
That’s why it’s prudent to plan how you will approach this task according to your personal working style. To do this, look at the numbers of essays required for each school and consider their word counts. You may want to tackle longer essays or shorter ones first—the choice is up to you.
We’ve placed the number of secondary essays for each of the medical schools in Minnesota in the table below, noting how many are required. Often, schools will have optional essay prompts as well, but it’s a good idea to try and answer as many as you can.
| Minnesota Medical Schools | |
|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine | |
| University of Minnesota Medical School |
Looking for secondary essay examples? Click below to access sample secondary essays for every prompt required by every MD and DO program in the United States and Canada. 1500+ essays and counting.
Gain instant access to med school secondary essay examples for every single prompt required by every medical school in the United States and Canada. Subscribe today to lock in the current investments, which will be increasing in the future for new subscribers.
Strategy 4: Think ahead to the interview
The final stage of the admissions process is interview day, and if you make it that far it’s truly cause for celebration. However, don’t break out the champagne just yet. You have one final obstacle to overcome before you’ve got an open path to a white coat.
Interviews vary at every school. Will it follow a traditional or MMI format? What questions will you be asked? Will your interview be open or closed file? Will it be in-person or virtual?
Planning for each of these situations is crucial to your success and to leave adcoms with a positive impression of what you will bring to their institution. Make sure you think through your responses to common questions such as, “Why do you want to be a doctor?” Review your application materials so that you can readily speak to your extracurricular activities or academic interests.
Everything will be on the table on interview day, so be sure you’re prepared and can confidently handle anything they may ask of you.
Invited to a med school interview? Congrats! There's no need to land in waitlist purgatory or the rejection pile. Learn how to craft memorable, acceptance-worthy responses using the resource below.
Gain instant access to the most common traditional and MMI interview questions, plus sample responses for each, to help you craft responses that lead to acceptances. Subscribe today to lock in the current investments, which will be increasing in the future for new subscribers.
----
Part 5: Frequently asked questions
Is Minnesota a good state for doctors?
If you’re considering a medical school in Minnesota, you may be wondering if it’s a good state in which to practice medicine. According to WalletHub’s ranking of the best states for doctors, Minnesota ranks sixth out of 51 (including the District of Columbia) meaning for factors such as opportunity (including salary) and the overall medical environment Minnesota is one of the best states in the nation to be a doctor.
It’s known for low malpractice rates and generally high compensation. Physicians Thrive ranks Minnesota ninth in their list and mentions an average salary of $248,110 per year. Keep in mind, this compensation can vary based on your specialty.
On the other hand, the dynamic Twin Cities region will have a higher cost of living than other areas in the country and Minnesota is known to have winters that are long and harsh. There is also a demand for physicians and while that means more opportunity and flexibility in your job search, it could also contribute to long hours and burnout.
Will a 3.7 GPA get me into med school in Minnesota?
Students are constantly wondering exactly what GPA they need to be assured of entry to medical school—whether in Minnesota or anywhere else. The answer is that hitting a certain number or score on its own is not enough to guarantee you entry anywhere. Since medical schools practice holistic admissions, you’ll need to have a high GPA and MCAT score while still showcasing an impressive extracurricular profile.
That said, of the two medical schools in Minnesota, both report average GPAs among matriculants above 3.7. However, it’s important to remember that if 3.7 is the average, there are plenty of matriculants with GPAs above that as well as below. Practicing good study habits as a premed is the best course of action to keep your GPA up and your chance of wearing a white coat high.
Your GPA is important to admissions committees in evaluating your application, but you should use it as a barometer to gauge your likelihood of entry and determine strategically where to apply to give yourself the best chance of success.
Final thoughts
There are only two medical schools in Minnesota; however, they are both world-renowned and differ from one another along lines such as curricula, locations, and missions. By strategically shaping your medical school list and submitting tailored application materials, you will position yourself to be successful when applying to either medical school in Minnesota.
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.
----
Appendix A: Minnesota medical schools by degree type
Allopathic medical schools in Minnesota (MD)
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
University of Minnesota Medical School
Osteopathic medical schools in Minnesota (DO)
There are no osteopathic medical schools in Minnesota.
----
Appendix B: Minnesota medical schools by institution type
Public medical schools in Minnesota
University of Minnesota Medical School
Private medical schools in Minnesota
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
----
Appendix C: Minnesota medical schools by region
Medical schools in Minneapolis–Saint Paul (Twin Cities)
University of Minnesota Medical School (Twin Cities campus)
Medical schools outside of Minneapolis–Saint Paul (Twin Cities)
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
University of Minnesota Medical School (Duluth campus)
