13 Best Non Ivy League Schools for Pre Med

Ivy League schools are competitive and expensive. Check out our list of best non Ivy League schools for pre med. The academic quality of these schools is on par with Ivy League institutions, they are affordable, and have high acceptance rates.

The Ivy League institutions are pretty popular, if not the most popular schools in the United States, after all, their academic programs are world-class and top-notch. It is the dream of every student to go to an Ivy League, therefore, thousands of students apply to each of them annually and very few are selected because of their rigorous admission process.

To stand a chance of getting into the Ivy League, you need a minimum GPA of 3.7 and above and an SAT score of 1500. Even with the tough requirements, many students are still able to meet up and send out their applications. This makes these Ivy Leagues very competitive and their admission rates are very low as well, around 4% to 8% acceptance rate.

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What is an Ivy League School?

The Ivy League is an American collegiate athletic conference comprising eight private research universities. These schools are considered to be the most prestigious and elite of all colleges in the US, the eight Ivy League schools are:

  • Brown University
  • Cornell University
  • Columbia University
  • Dartmouth University
  • Harvard University
  • Princeton University
  • The University of Pennsylvania
  • Yale University

Other higher institutions that aren’t Ivy League yet are on par with them especially in medical programs, which is the main direction of this article. Universities like John Hopkins, Stanford, Duke, Northwestern, and many others are discussed here. Aside from their medical programs, other academic programs offered by these non-Ivy League institutions are top-notch.

Now, pursuing a premed program at one of these non-ivy league universities won’t put you through so much stress as an Ivy League would and you would also receive world-class premed education as well to prepare you for the medical journey. You should understand that many of the best premed programs for medical school aspirants are not limited only to Ivy League schools.

Liberal arts universities provide some of the top premed programs in the country. Today, we’ll talk about the best non Ivy League schools for pre med.

What do Pre Med Schools do?

Premed schools are higher education institutions in the United States that provide an educational route for undergraduate students interested in becoming medical students. Pre-med education, volunteer activities, clinical experience, research, and the application process are all part of the process of preparing a student for medical school.

Some pre-med programs are labeled “pre-professional” because they prepare students for a variety of first professional degree or graduate school programs with identical prerequisites (such as medical, veterinary, or pharmacy schools).

Pre-med is a college track made up of certain courses that you agree to take as prerequisites for medical school, even though it sounds like a major. Students can major in any discipline they wish, but to stay on the pre-med track, they must take all of the required pre-med courses. The majority of pre-med students specialize in a field connected to medicine, such as biology or chemistry.

If you know you want to be a doctor while still in high school, seek universities that will adequately prepare you for your future vocation. However, keep in mind that your pre-med experience should ultimately prepare you for a higher goal: medical school. A pre-med program at an appropriate college will ensure success in these four important components of a medical school application:

  • Having a good grade point average
  • Getting a high MCAT score is a great way to start your career.
  • Developing a solid resume and finding interesting activities
  • Completing the application includes recommendation letters, essays, and interviews, though you should note that these are mostly independent of the undergraduate school you choose.

In this post, we have made a list of the best non ivy league schools for pre med. These schools are determined by factors such as acceptance rates, GPA, MCAT preparation, patient care experience, and research experience.

Best Non Ivy League Schools for Pre Med

Listed below, in no particular ranking order, are the best non ivy league schools for pre med.

  • Northwestern University
  • Georgetown University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Stanford University
  • Emory University
  • Duke University
  • Rice University
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Amherst College
  • Case Western Reserve University
  • Tulane University
  • Washington University in Saint Louis
  • Williams College

1.      Northwestern University

Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois, and is one of the best non ivy league schools for pre med. The medical acceptance rate here is 11% and you will need an SAT score ranging between 1450 – 1540 or an ACT of 33 – 35 to get accepted into the premed.

Northwestern University’s Health Professions Advising provides pre-med students with a multitude of tools. MCAT advice/training, GPA calculators, and local shadowing opportunities are just a few of the resources available. Northwestern ensures that its pre-med students are well-prepared for medical school.

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2.      Georgetown University

Located in Washington D.C. and ranking on our list of best non ivy league schools for pre med, Georgetown University delivers quality premed education for students to realize their dreams in the medical field. The acceptance rate here is 17% and you will need an SAT score of 1370 to 1530 or an Act of 31 – 34 to be accepted into the program track.

The Georgetown University Research Options Program (GUROP), which allows undergraduates to research faculty members, offers a diverse range of research opportunities. The Georgetown University Medical Center also has a lot of chances. Volunteering at Georgetown University Hospital, joining the Georgetown EMS (GERMS), and working at several partner clinics around D.C. are all ways for students to gain clinical experience.

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3.      Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins is globally recognized for its contributions to science especially in the medical field. You can’t mention the top medical schools in the world and leave Johns Hopkins out of it. It is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and is one of the best non ivy league schools for pre med.

The acceptance rate is 12%. Applicants need an SAT score ranging from 1450 – 1560 or an ACT score ranging from 33 – 35 to be considered for admission into the premed program. A whole “pre-professional” office at Johns Hopkins is dedicated to assisting students in pursuing graduate possibilities of various kinds.

Aside from its renowned undergraduate research programs, Johns Hopkins offers a variety of clinical practice possibilities through volunteer work throughout Baltimore. A chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, Hopkins Organization for Pre-Health Education, and the Women’s Pre-Health Leadership Society are among the many student organizations dedicated to learning about the health profession at the university (WPHLS).

Students can network with clinicians at Johns Hopkins Hospital through many of these organizations.

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4.      Stanford University

Stanford is a world-leading research institution with global recognition for its quality academic programs and contributions to medicine, engineering, business, and other fields. Stanford has also produced some world leaders in various organizations and sectors including presidents, celebrities, and many scientists.

The Stanford pre-med selection is tough with just an acceptance rate of 4.4%. To get accepted, you need to have an SAT score between 1420 – 1570 or an SAT score between 32 – 35. Stanford premed students have access to several extracurricular and research opportunities. Their Stanford Immersion in Medicine Series (SIMS) Program allows sophomores, juniors, and seniors to observe doctors at Stanford Hospital, the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Hospital, and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

Stanford University is one of the best non ivy league schools for pre med and will provide you with adequate and appropriate resources to excel in your medical pursuit.

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5.      Emory University

Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and is one of the best non ivy league schools for pre med. The selection process isn’t very tough and you stand a chance to be admitted into the premed program if you have an SAT score ranging from 1350 – 1520 or an ACT score between 31 – 34.

Emory’s pre-health advising helps students prepare for medical school applications through workshops, activities, and small group sessions.

The university provides numerous chances for research and even permits students to receive course credit for their efforts. Some Emory research opportunities require students to enroll in a course while researching to teach them the principles of research. Students can also share their work with peers and mentors at the university’s fall and spring research symposiums.

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6.      Duke University

Duke University is a prestigious higher institution of learning located in Durham, North Carolina, and ranks on our list of best non ivy league schools for pre med. The acceptance rate here is pretty tight at 7.8%, therefore, you need to be at the top of your game to be considered for admission into the premed track. If you have an SAT score between 1500 – 1560 or an ACT score between 33 – 35 then you stand a chance to be accepted.

Despite being extremely hard academically, Duke has a high 85 percent acceptance rate for medical school. Durham and Duke’s acclaimed School of Medicine provides a wealth of options for Duke students, from personalized counseling to research and internship opportunities.

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7.      Rice University

Rice University is one of the best non ivy league schools for pre med located in Houston, Texas, and one of the best universities in Texas. It offers a premed track program to effectively and efficiently prepare students for the next phase of their medical journey. The acceptance rate is 8.7% and if you have an SAT score between 1470 – 1560 or an ACT score between 33 – 35 then you could get admitted into the premed program.

Rice University’s Office of Academic Advising provides pre-med students with a wealth of resources, including a database of relevant research and internship opportunities as well as pre-med advising orientations. Rice’s Joint Admission Medical Program also assists low-income Texas students in attending medical school. Houston is also home to several prominent hospitals that offer chances for research, shadowing, and volunteering.

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8.      Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and is one of the best non ivy league schools for pre med programs with a truckload of resources to assist students in entering the best medical school. The acceptance rate is pretty tight at 10% but if you have an SAT score between 1450 – 1560 or an ACT score between 33 – 35 then you stand a chance of being accepted into the premed.

Vanderbilt University boasts a strong pre-medical program and, like many research universities, a strong research program. The Vanderbilt Undergraduate Clinical Research Summer Internship, for example, is a one-of-a-kind program that permits undergraduates to work at Vanderbilt University Medical Center while researching with a professor.

Many undergraduate pre-med organizations and clubs oriented toward certain STEM disciplines are also available at the university. Because the Vanderbilt Campus Hospital is so close to the university, students can build relationships with doctors.

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9.      Amherst College

Amherst College, located in Amherst, Massachusetts, is one of the best non ivy league schools for premed. The school provides varieties of opportunities and resources to assist students in their medical pursuits. It has an acceptance rate of 11.3% and the required SAT score is between 1420-1530 while the ACT score is between 31-34

Amherst also boasts an open curriculum, making it a good option for pre-med students who desire to major in something other than STEM. Aside from that, Amherst is an excellent liberal arts college. Students will be able to get to know their instructors better due to the smaller enrolment and emphasis on undergraduate education, resulting in stronger mentorship and noteworthy letters of recommendation. You’ll also have access to pre-med advisors that genuinely care about your progress.

The Pre-Health Professions Committee is also heavily active in the medical school admissions process, assisting with mock interviews, offering insider information (interview transcripts, data on previous applicants, and so on), and advising you throughout the process. The acceptance rate for medical school is 75-80%, but when re-applicants are factored in, the number rises to nearly 90%.

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10. Case Western Reserve University

You might get a better chance of pursuing a premed program at Case Western Reserve University. Its acceptance rate into the program is 29% and its ACT/SAT score requirements aren’t even tough to meet. If you have an SAT score between 1370-1490 or an ACT score between 30-34 then you can get in.

Case Western Reserve University is an amazing example of a college with a great location, as it is close to the world-famous Cleveland Clinic and other institutions like the University Hospitals and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.

Students will have access to a wide range of study and volunteer activities. Students at CWRU can also get clinical experience by volunteering with the campus EMS team or assisting in local nursing homes, hospices, or patient recovery homes.

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11. Tulane University

Tulane University is at the forefront of revolutionary medical research in the country, and students are encouraged to participate as much as possible. In the Cell and Molecular Biology department, many students are interested in research and can apply for coveted summer grants to continue their studies.

There are also 11 pre-med societies at the institution, each with a particular focus, such as autism awareness, international and public health, and the campus-wide student-run EMS.

The acceptance rate is 17% and a required SAT score raging between 1350-1490 or an ACT between 30-33. Tulane University is one of the best non ivy league schools for pre med and provides you with both theoretical and practical skills to make any med school accept you.

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12. Washington University in Saint Louis

This is one of the best non ivy league schools for pre med and one of the best higher institutions of learning in Washington.  It is ranked 19th on world best universities by US News & World Report. It also provides a premed track offering and encourages students to apply.

SAT score requirement is between 1480-1550 and ACT is between  33-35. Acing either of these scores could get you a chance into the premed program. Note that the acceptance rate is just 13% therefore, admission is competitive.

WashU pre-med students get access to a four-year advising program, as well as MCAT prep seminars, mock interviews, med school application writing workshops, and two nearby hospitals. WashU provides frequent hands-on help, as well as relevant research and internships, to guarantee that their pre-med students are on the proper track.

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13. Williams College

Williams College is one of the best non ivy league schools for pre med with an acceptance rate of 13%. Admission into the program is very competitive but if you have an SAT score ranging between 1410 –1550 or an ACT between 32-35 then you stand a chance of getting accepted.

Many pre-med programs at Williams College are exclusive to William’s students. For instance, the college offers a fully financed internship program supported by alumni in which students can work in an area of their choice. Over 200 students perform summer research at Williams, and students can apply for internships at the Whitehead Institute, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and Marine Biology Laboratory that are specifically created for Williams students.

This brings an end to the 13 best non ivy league schools for pre med. If you do your research or if you already know your schools, you’d see that these universities are ranking institutions and among the world’s best either by academic teaching or research education.

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