Best Medical Schools In Boston

The medical schools in Boston are great for students who desire a sophisticated and nurturing environment. 

Boston is known for its rich history (the American Revolution began there), its great sports teams (the Boston Celtics and the Boston Red Sox, for example), and its many popular vacation spots, such as Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard. 

It is also proud to be home to four well-known medical schools, including Harvard Medical School, which is the best in the country.

In this article, you will see the best schools in Boston, the required MCAT, and the GPA of the school. Also, there are some pros and cons to staying in Boston, and you will see them.

Pros and cons of studying in medical schools in Boston

Before looking at the medical schools in Boston, you should consider some pros and cons of residing in Boston.

Pros

1. There are lots of jobs in Boston

Many people chose to leave to Boston as there are lots of jobs in many different fields. Most jobs are in the Technology, Financial, and Life Sciences sectors, but there are also a lot of entrepreneurs and new businesses in the city. 

Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Pfizer, Fidelity Investments, and Merck are just some of the big names that have offices here.

Be aware that the job market is very competitive. If you want to get your dream job, make sure your resume is up-to-date and think about working with a job placement coach. 

Therefore, after graduating from any of the medical schools in Boston, you can easily get a job.

2. There are many ways to get an education in Boston.

There are 125 schools in the growing Boston Public School system. This means that most kids and their families can find a program that works for them. You should look into the city’s neighborhoods to see if there are any schools in those areas that fit your needs. There are some pros and cons to the city’s school district, but it usually gets kids ready for work or college.

The fact that the University is in the city is also a plus in this category. You live close to Cambridge, Boston University, MIT, and Harvard, all of which are world-class institutions.

3. It’s easy to get around Boston on foot.

Boston looks like a big city from the outside, but once you move here, you’ll find that it’s actually quite small. 

Many tourists can see everything they want to see over the course of a weekend if they wear shoes that are easy to walk in. 

About half of the people who live here do not drive to work. This means that a lot of people walk and take public transportation. If you’re willing to do some research, you won’t have too much trouble finding a job near your new home.

When you get to Boston, you should also get a commuter pass. It will help you get where you need to go faster when you are in a hurry.

4. The city’s food will make you feel like you’re in heaven.

There are so many different styles, ethnicities, and cultures in Boston’s food scene that it will make your head spin. 

The seafood here is fresher than almost anywhere else in the country, whether you like oysters and clam chowder or some of the best beer around. 

Keep in mind that some people put ketchup in their chowder, so if you’re out to eat, make sure you order the right thing. Even a quick sandwich from a local deli isn’t the same as what you can get elsewhere when you live in the city.

This is very vital because medical students need good food to study better.

Cons

1. You need to pick a home that is close to where you will work or school

Boston is a city filled with commuters. Because of this transportation structure, you will want to choose a neighborhood that is close to your employer to limit the amount of time you spend between destinations. 

The ideal location should be within walking or cycling distance, or at least be on the same color line as the train. Try to find a spot in Beacon Hill, Back Bay, or South Boston if you want to live in one of the best neighborhoods.

If you must commute to the city, the suburbs are Belmont, Worcester, and Cambridge. 

The further out you go means the homes will become cheaper. A single-family property in Worcester averages about $500,000 less than one in Cambridge and $700,000 less than Belmont.

2. You may need a real estate agent to secure a rental.

If you decide to start living in Boston, then it is imperative to know what your rights will be as a tenant if you choose to rent a place first. 

Because of the high housing costs, the rental market is exceptionally competitive. There are more owner-occupied two-unit and three-unit houses in the city than there are apartment buildings. 

That means you can run into some inexperienced landlords in the first place and as one studying in any of the medical schools in Boston, you will not want to experience this.

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 3. The public transportation system is not as efficient as it could be.

Designated commuter trains run on schedules that can help you to cut down on your morning commute once you figure out the system. 

What you will also notice is that the public transit system uses some of the oldest tunnels still in operation in the United States. You will need to get to know the red, blue, and orange subway lines to navigate the system appropriately. 

Keep in mind that the trains do not run after 1 AM, so you’ll need to plan your outings accordingly. Taxis, Lyft, and Uber are all common in the early hours of the morning.

4. Everything seems to run late when you start living in Boston.

This disadvantage is just another reason why it is important to pick a home that is close to where your school will be. 

The trains and buses which are part of the public transportation system are often running late. If you choose to take a taxi instead, then the fares can get expensive and you might wonder when the vehicle was last cleaned. 

When you add in the tolls that are in place in I-90 and at the Tobin Bridge and the occasional rudeness that you can encounter, there is a definite investment in patience needed when living in Boston.

Don’t expect any sympathy if that means you’re late for work, an appointment, or a personal occasion. Boston might have a history of breaking the rules, but it must be done with a purpose. Failing to navigate the system is closer to laziness than rebelliousness.

Best medical schools in Boston

Now, you will see the best medical schools in Boston. And they are:

1. Boston University School of Medicine 

We cannot talk about the best medical schools in Boston without mentioning Boston University. 

Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) helps its students understand their new community by teaching them about the different Boston neighborhoods, treatment modalities, medical disparities, and community-oriented clinical resources as soon as they arrive on campus. 

Before completing a two-year clinical program, you will finish a traditional two-year preclinical program. 

At the end of this program, they will have time to study for the USMLE Step 1 exam. BUSM also puts a lot of emphasis on personalized learning. Students can take part in non-graded activities called Extracurricular Enrichment Activities (EEA) to learn more about things that interest them outside of the core curriculum. 

EEA includes things like a nutrition course, the Medical Mandarin Club, an eight-session series on medical technology and innovation, and the Surgery Enrichment Activities, which involve medical students in things like grand rounds and clinics.

This school is ranked No. 32 in the state, and its tuition is $65,890 for both in-state and out-of-state students.

Also, you will need a GPA of 3.89 and an MCAT of 519 to be accepted in the school.

2. Harvard Medical School

This is one of the best medical schools in Boston and the state. There are two different ways to learn at Harvard Medical School: Pathways and Health Sciences & Technology (HST). 

Students can apply to either the HST track or the Pathways track, or to both. The Pathways track gives you an accelerated 14-month pre-clerkship curriculum and, as a result, a faster start to the core clerkship year so you can get more clinical experience sooner. 

Throughout the curriculum, there is also time set aside for research. The Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology both offer the HST track.

It is made for students who are very interested in biomedical research, physical science, or molecular science. In addition to the usual preclinical and clinical classes, HST students will also learn about the basic ideas of biomedical sciences.

Harvard medical students will be able to do rotations at Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which all have modern clinical sites.

This medical school ranks No. 1 in the state, and its tuition and fees annually is $68,123 annually.

To be accepted at this school, you need a GPA of 3.95, and an MCAT of 520.

3. Tufts University School of Medicine

In 2019, Tufts University School of Medicine changed its curriculum by shortening the preclinical years. 

This makes it faster for students to start the clinical years. In addition to getting more clinical experience earlier, students also learn about four core “threads” of medicine: healthcare systems, public health, patient engagement, and professional growth.

Tufts also has a number of long-term programs, such as the Community Service Learning (CSL) initiative and the Student-As-Teacher (SAT) program. 

Through different service experiences, the CSL initiative gives you chances to get involved in the Boston community. 

The SAT program teaches medical students who want to become clinical teachers (inhabitants, fellows, and attendings) how to make lessons that work well for adults.

A small number of Tufts students are also chosen to take part in the Maine Track. These students will spend nine months in rural areas of Maine doing community-based clerkships instead of doing their core clerkships in Boston.

This is one of the best medical schools in Boston and the state. And it is ranked No.56 in the state for best medical school.

The annual tuition and fees at this school is estimated at $65,854 for in-state and out-of-state students.

4. University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine

In 2022, the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at the University of Massachusetts made changes to its curriculum, which is now called the Vista Curriculum. 

The redesign ties together biomedical topics that are taught over the course of all four years of medical school. 

These topics include anatomical structure, histopathology, developmental biology, physiology, medicinal chemistry, electron microscopy, dietary habits, carcinoma concepts, healthcare system science, health equity and diversity, social forces in wellbeing and illness, and patient and provider wellness.

Also, certain students can now join a three-year MD program for people who want to work in family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, or psychiatry. 

Students who want to get their MD in three years will enroll for a quick boost in the fall of their first year of medical college.

As one of the best medical schools in Boston, this school ranks No. 47 in the state.

Also, the annual tuition and fee at this school are estimated at $38,661 for in-state students and $64,980 for out-of-state students.

How to secure the best medical schools in Boston

1. Apply to medical schools that are In your GPA / MCAT range

The average GPA and MCAT scores at the medical schools in Boston vary a lot from one to the next. 

Look at the MSAR or U.S. News to find out where your GPA in college falls. For example, the median GPA at Harvard is 3.90, while the median GPA at Tuft is 3.65. 

And in the article, all this has been given! So, you are on track.

2. Get to know medical students at each school

There’s no better way to find out about the culture and quirks of each medical college than to talk to students there. 

You can find out more about each medical school by talking to your undergrad’s alumni network, peers, and family. 

3. Tailor each secondary application towards the opportunities and culture of each medical school

Secondary applications can be hard, and you have to make sure that each one is different. Imagine yourself at each medical school and tell the admissions committee why you would do well there, what you can bring to the school, and how you will do well there.

Conclusion

The medical schools in Boston are very good for anyone who intends to study there. And now you know the demerits and merits of staying there, you can make the best decision.

Frequently asked questions about medical schools in Boston