U.S. News provides two overall rankings of medical school: research and primary care.
Here are the ten best in each category.
| 2013 Rank | Best Medical Schools: Research | 2012 Rank |
| 1 | Harvard | 1 |
| 2 | Johns Hopkins | 3 |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania | 2 |
| 4 | Stanford | 5 |
| 5 | UC San Francisco | 5 |
| 6 | Washington University (St. Louis) | 4 |
| 7 | Yale | 5 |
| 7 | Columbia | 10 |
| 7 | Duke | 5 |
| 10 | University of Chicago (Pritzker) | 12 |
| 10 | University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) | 10 |
| 10 | University of Washington | 9 |
A little reshuffling of the deck chairs here. This year’s three-way tie for tenth place expanded the “top ten,” but the same players got the seats. Every school in this year’s expanded top 10, was in last year’s top twelve with only minor movement.
| 2013 Rank | Best Medical Schools: Primary Care | 2012 Rank |
| 1 | University of Washington | 1 |
| 2 | UNC Chapel Hill | 2 |
| 3 | Oregon Health and Science University | 3 |
| 4 | UC San Francisco | 5 |
| 5 | University of Colorado–Denver | 4 |
| 6 | University of Nebraska Medical Center | 7 |
| 7 | University of Massachusetts–Worcester | 8 |
| 8 | University of Michigan–Ann Arbor | 20 |
| 8 | University of Minnesota | 6 |
| 10 | UCLA (Geffen) | 16 |
I find it noteworthy how little overlap there is between these two groups. Only the University of Washington, UC San Francisco, and University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) are in both groups. Also, while the research schools were very stable, the schools known for primary care had a moderate amount of change. Michigan shot up 12 positions to #8 and UCLA jumped six to join the top ten.
How meaningful are these rankings? First, you need to understand what U.S. News is weighing and evaluating. Check out its methodology and then decide whether these criteria match yours in choosing a medical school. If they don’t, then you need to develop a list of qualities you consider important and choose where to apply based on your list, not U.S. News’.
Keep in mind that given the high cost of medical school and the intense competition for medical school slots – most of the schools listed above have acceptance rates of less than 10%, and many are south of 5% — you need to be realistic. Don’t get your heart set on one school unless you have stellar stats and experience.
Also, keep the rankings in perspective. You don’t need to memorize them or cite them chapter and verse. You can use them as a useful repository of data. Remember the counsel given by Robert Morse, director of data research for U.S. News & World Report:
It’s important that you use the rankings to supplement—not substitute—careful thought and your own inquiries. The rankings should only be used as one tool to help you choose the right graduate school or program, not as the only factor driving your choice.
That’s good advice.
