Medical Schools in Nebraska: How to get in (2024)
/Learn about your chances of gaining acceptance into medical schools in Nebraska, average GPA and MCAT scores, school profiles, plus strategies for entry
Everything you need to know about medical schools in nebraska
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: List of medical schools in Nebraska: 2024 rankings & admissions statistics
Part 3: Nebraska medical school profiles
Part 4: Nebraska medical school admissions strategies
Appendix A: Nebraska medical schools by degree type
Appendix B: Nebraska medical schools by institution type
Appendix C: Nebraska medical schools by region
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Part 1: Introduction
With 92% of its land used for agriculture, if you’re interested in assisting rural communities with their healthcare needs, there aren’t many places better suited to your goals than Nebraska. The two medical schools in Nebraska both cater to underserved populations and have stated goals of improving the lives of rural citizens.
Both the Creighton University School of Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center have top-ranked medical programs that are renowned throughout the country. Creighton in particular is known for engaging in multiple types of research from cancer to neuroscience and encouraging students to get involved.
So, if you're considering pursuing a career in medicine in the Cornhusker State, this guide will walk you through what each medical school in Nebraska has to offer. We'll look at current rankings and admissions statistics, plus offer tried and tested strategies for entry to maximize your chances of earning a Nebraskan white coat.
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Part 2: List of medical schools in Nebraska: 2024 rankings & admissions statistics
Nebraska is home to two medical schools, both of which offer challenging and highly regarded programs. As such, getting into either of the medical schools in Nebraska will require proper planning and forethought throughout your time as an undergraduate to maximize your chances of success.
The first place to start when considering adding either of the medical schools in Nebraska to your med school list is to see how you match up to the stats at either school. This will give you a good idea as to whether applying to medical schools in Nebraska is right for you.
To give you a head start with making this decision, we've compiled the most important rankings and statistics regarding medical schools in Nebraska into the table below. While conducting our research, we noticed a few interesting things that stood out.
Both medical schools in Nebraska have long histories and are quite well-established, with each being founded in the 19th century.
The two schools have their primary campuses in Omaha. However, both have associated campuses elsewhere.
The average GPA and MCAT scores of matriculants make both medical schools in Nebraska quite competitive.
The Creighton University School of Medicine is unranked in this year's U.S. News and World Report rankings.
(Note: We strongly advise you to sign up for MSAR for the most up-to-date and comprehensive data on individual MD programs, and to sign up for Choose DO for DO program data.)
| Nebraska Medical Schools | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creighton University School of Medicine | $70,682 OOS |
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| University of Nebraska Medical Center* | $58,825 OOS |
*Public medical schools in Nebraska | UR: Unranked | IS: In-state | OOS: Out-of-state | N/A: Not available
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Part 3: Nebraska medical school profiles
Now that we’ve covered the admissions statistics and overall rankings of the medical schools in Nebraska, let’s take a look at what makes each school unique.
The medical schools in Nebraska are both allopathic, meaning they only offer MD programs. If you’re looking to study osteopathic medicine, you’ll have to look to other states. However, both Creighton and UNMC are top-tier programs with a lot to offer ambitious medical students.
Creighton University School of Medicine
The Creighton University School of Medicine is a prominent medical school with a long tradition of educating students following Catholic Jesuit philosophy. In 2012, the school expanded to include a satellite campus in Phoenix, Arizona, which in 2021 began offering a full four-year MD program of its own. No matter which campus you select, you’ll receive the same high-level Creighton education and have access to world-class facilities.
Creighton's curriculum focuses on several core competencies that all students must master:
Patient care
Medical knowledge
Practice-based learning and improvement
Interpersonal and communications skills
Professionalism
System-based knowledge
Personal & Professional Identity Development
Aside from these competencies, your curriculum is segmented into two main areas: pre-clinical and clinical. The first two years will have you focused on Clinically Integrated Blocks (CIB) with foundational courses organized by organ system. These years also include Student Interest Selectives (SIS), which are elective courses on various topics. Keep in mind that some electives are only available on specific campuses.
The third year consists of 8 clerkships and 2 electives while the fourth year is centered around preparing you for residency.
If you're interested in a career in global health, Creighton offers an MD/MPH track perfectly suited to that ambition. Their Arrupe Global Scholars & Partnerships Program is a five-year track that focuses on combating global health inequities and providing quality healthcare to marginalized communities.
University of Nebraska Medical Center
The University of Nebraska Medical Center claims nearly half of all Nebraska's practicing physicians as alumni and offers a demanding MD program. Currently, their MD program is undergoing expansion to rural Kearny, Nebraska—so if assisting rural communities is something you're passionate about, UNMC may be the place for you to pursue that goal.
UNMC's curriculum is divided into three phases: Foundational Medicine, Clinical Applications, and Career Preparation. The Foundational Medicine phase lasts 18 months and will enable you to master the basics of medicine. The teaching blocks in this phase are organized around systems of the body, similar to Creighton's curriculum.
You'll then move into the 12-month Clinical Applications phase, where you'll begin to apply the skills you learned in the first 18 months to actually caring for patients. In the third and final Career Preparation phase, you'll focus more intensely on your chosen specialization with the goal of preparing for residency. During this 13-month phase, you'll select your own specialty track and work with faculty to create a personalized learning plan that suits your background, situation, and interests.
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Part 4: Nebraska medical school admissions strategies
The two medical schools in Nebraska have unique qualities in their curriculums and approach to medical education. Given that, let’s take a look at how you might highlight particular aspects of each school to enhance your application.
Strategy 1: Showcase your compatibility with Nebraska medical schools by exploring their mission statements
When applying to medical schools in Nebraska, it is essential to understand and align with the missions of the institutions. The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Creighton University School of Medicine both emphasize a commitment to community service, diversity, and innovative healthcare solutions. By reviewing their mission statements and researching their programs, you can identify areas they focus on, which can help you present yourself as a candidate who shares similar values.
For example, Creighton emphasizes its Jesuit values in “cura personalis,” or care for the whole person. Their holistic approach to medicine informs the shape of their medical education and their perspective on patient care.
When crafting your personal statement and secondary essays, consider how these insights could guide your essay writing. How have your experiences embodied “cura personalis?” Is there an episode or anecdote you could draw on to demonstrate your alignment with this mission? Think through your studies and extracurricular activities and see if there’s a moment that inspires ideas.
Suggested reading: (Medical School Secondary Essays: The Complete Guide)
Strategy 2: Structure your time effectively around your secondary essays
The medical school admissions process can be lengthy and demanding, making effective time management crucial for submitting quality applications. Planning ahead will give you an edge in presenting your candidacy effectively.
One way to do this is to assess the secondary essay requirements for each school early in the process. Determine which schools have the most essays or the most extensive prompts and then consider your personal working style with how you’d like to approach them.
You may be someone who likes to tick off larger assignments first and do smaller assignments later, or vice versa. Whichever approach suits you best, creating a timeline for when to tackle each essay can help you manage your workload efficiently. Prioritize your secondary essays based on your strengths and preferences.
| Nebraska Medical Schools | |
|---|---|
| Creighton University School of Medicine | 2 or 5 additional essays if applying to MD/PhD or Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program |
| University of Nebraska College of Medicine |
Looking for medical school secondary essay examples? We have a sample essay in response to every prompt required by every medical school in the US and Canada. You can subscribe below.
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Strategy 3: Fully prepare for your interviews at Nebraska medical schools
Preparing for medical school interviews in Nebraska is vital for making a positive impression. This preparation goes beyond simply memorizing answers. It involves presenting your answers naturally and confidently when you respond.
Additionally, understanding the interview format is crucial. Both medical schools in Nebraska employ a traditional interview style and will conduct interviews virtually during the 2024-2025 cycle. However, Creighton utilizes an “open” format, meaning that interviewers will have access to your entire application file–AMCAS, secondary application, letters of recommendation, and more. Keep this in mind when getting ready for your interview day. Many other schools utilize a closed file format, and the style of interview can be quite different.
It's also important to familiarize yourself with the types of questions you might encounter—traditional interviews often include questions like “Why UNMC?” or “What inspired you to pursue medicine?”
Regardless of the format—whether virtual, traditional, or MMI—practice is key. Reviewing common interview questions and rehearsing your answers with a trusted friend, colleague, or family member can improve how you come across on interview day and make all the difference between an acceptance or rejection. Remember, adcoms are looking for candidates who not only know their science, but also demonstrate effective communication skills.
Suggested reading: (How to Ace Medical School Interviews (Questions Included))
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.
Final thoughts
Getting into medical schools in Nebraska will require persistence and dedication, but by thoroughly preparing and tailoring your application to reflect both your qualifications and the specific values of Nebraska's medical schools, you can maximize your chances of gaining admission.
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.
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Appendix A: Nebraska medical schools by degree type
Allopathic (MD) Schools in Nebraska
Creighton University School of Medicine
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Osteopathic (DO) Schools in Nebraska
There are no osteopathic medical schools in Nebraska.
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Appendix B: Nebraska medical schools by institution type
Public Medical Schools in Nebraska
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Private Medical Schools in Nebraska
Creighton University School of Medicine
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Appendix C: Nebraska medical schools by region
Medical Schools in eastern/Metro Nebraska
Creighton University School of Medicine
University of Nebraska Medical Center
