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Harvard Business School Brief CasesAccountingBiovail Corporation: Revenue Recognition and FOB Sales AccountingBiovail Corporation, a major Canadian pharmaceutical company, announces that it will miss its quarterly earnings target by $25 to $45 million, blaming $10 to $15 million of the shortfall on a truck accident that occurred on the last day of the quarter. Explores the concepts of revenue recognition, the ethics of earnings management, relationships with analysts, and the enforcement role of the SEC.Danshui Plant No. 2A plant in southern China has a contract to assemble 2.4 million Apple iPhones. Three months into the contract, the plant is operating at a loss. The plant manager analyzes the budget and considers whether changing from a static to flexible budget can help uncover the performance problems.Depreciation at Delta Air Lines: The "Fresh Start"After Delta adopts fair value accounting as part of its "fresh start" emergence from bankruptcy, the company changes its approach to depreciating its aircraft. Introduces students to depreciation policy and links between accounting policies and financial reporting choices.Jimmy Fu and Moog, Inc.: Understanding Shareholders' EquityJimmy Fu is interviewing for a job at Moog, Inc. In the job offer, the vesting and termination language for the stock plan leads Jimmy to investigate the Shareholders' Equity section of the Moog balance sheet and he finds more activity than he expects.Luotang Power: Variances ExplainedThe general manager of a coal-fired power plant in central China prepares for a presentation to the board of directors. He believes his company performed well in the previous year in several key metrics but the performance is not reflected in the financial results.Lyons Document Storage Corporation: Bond MathA manager must analyze the refunding of bonds issued in 2000, when interest rates were higher. Students must calculate the present value of interest and principal payments.Merrimack Tractors and Mowers: LIFO or FIFO?A CFO proposes use of FIFO to maintain earnings growth, accepting possible tax consequences. The case demonstrates that firms often have choices about accounting policies.The Talbots, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries: Accounting for GoodwillFocusing on the firm's acquisition of J. Jill, the case demonstrates what goodwill is, how it originates, how it is measured at acquisition, and how it is amortized or impaired.FinanceBlaine Kitchenware: Capital StructureIn response to an unsolicited takeover, a kitchen appliance maker contemplates using excess liquidity and additional borrowing for a stock repurchase. The company must determine the effects of increasing leverage on the cost of capital, firm value, and share price.Ceres Gardening Company: Funding Growth in Organic ProductsAn aggressive player in the organic gardening industry offers steep discounts and vendor financing to its retailers in an effort to increase market penetration. Students analyze the company's financial statements and make projections.Flash Memory, Inc.A small firm in the computer and electronic device memory market must invest heavily in new product development to stay competitive. The Chief Financial Officer is in the process of preparing the investing and financing plans for the next three years and must consider alternatives for additional funding in light of increased working capital requirements.Groupe Ariel S.A.: Parity Conditions and Cross-Border ValuationGroupe Ariel evaluates a proposal from its Mexican subsidiary to purchase and install cost-saving equipment at a manufacturing facility. Ariel corporate policy requires a discounted cash flow (DCF) and an estimate for the net present value (NVP) for capital expenditures in foreign markets. A major challenge of the case is which currency to use, the Euro or the peso.Hansson Private Label, Inc.: Evaluating an Investment in ExpansionA manufacturer of private-label personal care products must decide whether to fund an unprecedented expansion of manufacturing capacity. This case requires students to complete a fundamental analysis of the project, including the development of cash flow projections and net present value calculations.Harmonic Hearing Co.Two employees from a small manufacturer of hearing aids consider purchasing the company from the founder. Two financing alternatives are presented: one is virtually all debt-financed, the other all equity. The financing structure will significantly affect future products and firm performance.Hill Country Snack Food Co.The CEO of a snack food company believes in maximizing shareholder value by maintaining large cash balances and funding new initiatives internally using equity finance over debt finance. As he approaches retirement, analysts and investors want the company to adopt a more aggressive capital structure.Jones Electrical DistributionDespite several years of rapid sales growth and good profits, Jones Electrical Distribution experiences short-term cash shortages. The company is unable to take discounts on accounts payable and increasingly relies on loans from the bank to cover expenses. Company owner Nelson Jones weighs the options for managing sales growth against additional financing needs.Mercury Athletic: Valuing the OpportunityThe head of business development at Active Gear Advantage, a mid-size athletic footwear company, sees the opportunity to acquire Mercury Athletic and double the size of his business. Students gain exposure to basic DCF valuation using WACC.Midland Energy Resources, Inc.: Cost of CapitalThe senior vice president of project finance for a global oil and gas company must determine the weighted average cost of capital for the company as a whole and each of its divisions. Students become familiar with WACC and CAPM and associated data and formulas.Monmouth, Inc.A leading producer of engines and massive compressors for the natural gas industry considers whether to acquire a tool company. Students must choose an approach for valuing the company and consider how the offer should be structured.New Heritage DollA mid-sized, privately-owned, domestic firm evaluates two investment alternatives. The case explores basic issues in capital budgeting and requires students to analyze financial information from competing capital budgeting projects and choose a single investment project.Pacific Grove Spice CompanyA manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of spices and seasonings utilizes debt to fund the necessary growth in assets to support sales. The bank is concerned about the total amount of interest-bearing debt on the firm's balance sheet and has asked the company to provide a plan to reduce it.Polar Sports, Inc.A fashion skiwear company generates over 80% of sales between September and January and relies on seasonal production to respond promptly to customer orders. The VP of operations considers the costs and benefits of switching to level production.Sterling Household Products CompanyA manufacturer of laundry soap, cosmetics, cleaning and disinfecting products, and other consumer goods consider acquiring the germicidal and sanitation product unit from a company in the health care industry. A complete investment analysis may reveal whether the purchase price adds enough value to the firm.Valuation of AirThread ConnectionsA senior associate in the business development group at American Cable Communications must prepare a preliminary valuation for acquiring AirThread Connections, a regional cellular provider. This case can be used as a capstone valuation exercise for first-year MBA students in an introductory finance course.Winfield Refuse Management: Raising Debt vs. EquityA small, publicly traded company specializing in non-hazardous waste management considers a major acquisition in the Midwestern U.S. The chief financial officer wants the company to reconsider a long-standing policy to avoid long term debt and fund the acquisition through a bond issue.General ManagementApplied Research Technologies, Inc.: Global Innovation's ChallengesStudents analyze the decisions and the leadership styles of both a unit manager and a division VP of ART, Inc., an organization whose culture of innovation has spawned many successful brands—but this same culture might also be putting one division and its leader at risk.Calveta Dining Services, Inc.: A Recipe for Growth?Calveta Dining Services enjoyed three decades of growth under its founder Antonio Calveta. Now that Antonio is retired, can his son Frank carry out Antonio's directive to double revenue within five years while still maintaining Calveta's distinctive pro-employee culture?Clayton Industries: Peter Arnell, Country Manager for ItalyIn Italy, the new country manager of a U.S.-based HVAC company is under pressure to solve a range of problems that thwart the home office's strategic plans. His options are constrained by a depressed economy, difficult union relations, rising materials prices, intense competition, and nationalistic buying preferences.A Day in the Life of Alex Sander: Driving in the Fast Lane at Landon Care ProductsA driven superstar performer at a cosmetics firm has an impressive record of accomplishments but is limited by an inability to function effectively in a team setting, as a 360 performance evaluation makes clear.Evergreen Natural Markets 2012Kathleen Norton, the CEO of a successful food retailer with a track record of growth through local acquisition, has her leadership skills tested when her company purchases seven stores outside of the home base.Sugar BowlShelby Givens, the Westlake Lanes general manager, has successfully transformed her family-owned bowling alley into an urban lounge called Sugar Bowl. When investors offer to buy the business, Givens must evaluate whether she should accept the offer or retain involvement in the venture she worked so hard to create.Westlake Lanes: How Can This Business Be Saved?A general manager tries to improve a failing business that is owned and operated by her family. She uses her recent MBA training to devise a short term turnaround strategy while also proposing a longer term transformation plan to the board.HR ManagementCeleritas, Inc.: Leadership Challenges in a Fast-Growth IndustryCeleritas is a leading data communications company in a crowded and highly competitive market. With sales suddenly declining after years of record growth, Celeritas has begun to lose its status as a top player. The CEO calls for an offsite meeting to address several problems he believes are causing the recent slide.Raleigh & Rosse: Measures to Motivate Exceptional ServiceIn January 2010, U. S. luxury goods retailer Raleigh & Rosse is being sued by its employees for encouraging "off the clock" hours. At the center of the class action lawsuit is the famous Raleigh & Rosse performance measurement system previously thought to be the core of the retailer's success.International BusinessBella Healthcare IndiaBella Healthcare India was originally established as a low-cost manufacturing facility for a U.S.-based cardiology equipment developer but has since evolved into its own research and development center. After a failed joint product development effort with its parent company in the U.S., is the Bella Bangalore team ready to launch a new product and if so, which project should it choose?Kent Chemical: Organizing for International GrowthWith a global expansion strategy placing increasing demands on his organization, the president of Kent Chemical International is proposing a third reorganization effort after two failed attempts to better align his business with its U.S.-based parent company.Levendary Cafe: The China ChallengeLevendary Cafe has grown from a small Colorado-based restaurant into a $10 billion business with international expansion plans. Despite its solid track record, Wall Street is nervous about Levendary and its new CEO, Mia Foster. Foster is working hard to prove herself worthy of the job and her first order of business is to address concerns about the Levendary Chinese expansion plan.Meli MarineAn inter-Asian container shipping company is facing an important strategic decision after an interesting acquisition opportunity presents itself— if the board purchases larger ships, should they enter the global Asian-North American shipping business?United Cereal: Lora Brill's Eurobrand ChallengeThe European division for a multinational breakfast foods company prepares to launch a new cereal product. The VP for the division must decide whether to make the new cereal the first branded cereal product for the European division and how to create an organizational structure to support the new product strategy.MarketingAlpen Bank: Launching the Credit Card in RomaniaAlpen Bank considers whether to launch a credit card business in Romania. The firm rejected the idea several years earlier because of poor economic conditions in Romania. However, the country is emerging from a recession and incomes are rising along with disposable income. Students decide whether to launch the new business and how to acquire new customers.Atius GolfA maker of high-performance golf balls considers introducing a new product line called Elevate to appeal to casual golfers. The new line will be available through "off-course" specialty stores and big box retailers at lower price. The board of directors is divided on whether to support the decision.Atlantic Computer: A Bundle of Pricing OptionsAtlantic Computer, a leading player in the high-end server market, has developed a new server, the Tronn, and a software tool, called the "Performance Enhancing Server Accelerator," or PESA, that allows the Tronn to perform up to four times faster than its standard speed. How should Atlantic price the Tronn and PESA?Brannigan Foods: Strategic Marketing PlanningThe vice president and general manager of the soup division is concerned about declining sales and profitability. Hoping to reverse the trends, he asks 4 managers to review an analysis of the soup industry and recommend a turnaround strategy. Students must perform a quantitative analysis of each proposal before making a final recommendation.Classic Knitwear and Guardian: A Perfect Fit?In response to shareholder demands for margin improvements, the CMO of Classic Knitwear, a private-label non-fashion knitwear manufacturer, considers partnering with another company to produce a new line of high-margin, insect-repellant clothing.Clean Edge Razor: Splitting Hairs in Product PositioningA health and beauty manufacturing company launches a new technologically advanced vibrating razor into the highly competitive men's market for shaving products. The product manager struggles with positioning the product either as a "niche" razor for the high-end market or as a mainstream razor for the average consumer.Cottle-Taylor: Expanding the Oral Care Group in IndiaThe director for oral care products in India develops a marketing plan to support 20% growth in India but her boss wants to see 30% growth. To reach the revised goal, she must develop a new marketing plan while considering many factors including the regional differences between rural and urban consumers and the level of acceptance for modern dental standards across India.Culinarian Cookware: Pondering Price PromotionFaced with ambiguous results from a previous price promotion, Culinarian must decide if a new promotion will damage its premium brand or improve brand awareness and stimulate sales. What role should price promotion play in the company's sales growth goals?The Fashion ChannelThe new Senior Vice President of Marketing for The Fashion Channel is preparing to recommend a change in the company's traditional marketing approach by introducing a market segmentation program. Students must evaluate consumer research results, calculate financial scenarios, and make their own recommendation.Flare Fragrances Company, Inc: Analyzing Growth OpportunitiesFlare Fragrances experiences a decline in annual sales growth and considers introducing a new line of perfume or expanding distribution. Students study a wide range of factors including brand management, consumer demographics, product positioning, and pricing.Giant Consumer Products: The Sales Promotion Resource Allocation DecisionIn an effort to boost sagging sales, the Frozen Food Division undertakes a risky trade promotion. Focuses on cannibalization, brand equity erosion, and strategic channel issues.Harrington Collection: Sizing Up the Active-Wear MarketIn the wake of slumping sales and sagging profit margins, a leading manufacturer and retailer of high-end women's apparel must decide whether to expand into the high-growth active-wear market. The case explores the financial implications, assesses trade and competitor reactions, considers the risks, and determines whether the company's Vigor division will be able to successfully launch and manage a new product line.Launching Krispy Natural: Cracking the Product Management CodeA market leader for the sweet snack market wants to enter the salty snacks market with a reinvented line of premium crackers. Market test results exceed expectations in one city and fall short in 3 others. The marketing director must interpret the test market results, consider possible competitive response, and develop a recommendation for a national rollout.Manchester Products: A Brand Transition ChallengeManchester, a furniture company, has acquired an extremely powerful brand but can use its name for only three years-so the VP of Marketing must design a plan that transitions the new brand's power back to the company. The case examines decision-making related to brand equity, communications, and other aspects of marketing strategy.MedNet.com Confronts "Click-Through" CompetitionIn January 2007, "MedNet.com" is a leading website that provides science-based health information free of charge to online visitors. Its business model relies on advertising sales, primarily to pharmaceutical companies. In the face of fierce advertising competition, MedNet is forced to defend this model. However, in defending the value MedNet delivers, company executives may be building the case for why niche sites may be a better investment for the advertiser's budget.Metabical: Positioning and Communications Strategy for a New Weight Loss DrugThe marketing director at a pharmaceutical company must carefully consider the positioning and communications strategy for the launch a new weight-loss drug. Poor positioning of the drug in the highly competitive market for weight-loss solutions could spell disaster.Metabical: Pricing, Packaging, and Demand Forecasting Recommendations for a New Weight-Loss DrugA pharmaceutical company develops a new weight loss drug called Metabical. The senior marketing manager explores three different pricing models and considers the effects on profitability before making a final recommendation.Mountain Man Brewing Co.: Bringing the Brand to LightMountain Man Beer Company brews just one beer, Mountain Man Lager, known as "West Virginia's beer," popular among blue-collar workers. When the company experiences declining sales, the CEO considers launching a new beer, Mountain Man Light, in the hope of attracting younger drinkers. Mountain Man Lager's brand equity is a key asset for the company. Will Mountain Man Light enhance, detract from, or irreversibly damage the brand?Natureview FarmNatureview Farm, a Vermont-based producer of organic yogurt with $13 million in revenues, is the leading national brand sold into natural foods stores. When the company faces financial pressure to increase revenues to $20 million due to a planned exit by its venture capital investors, the VP of marketing must decide whether to expand into the supermarket channel.Olympic Rent-A-Car U.S.: Customer Loyalty BattlesA rental car company must decide how to respond after a competitor changes its loyalty rewards program. Marketing and operations managers review the firm's financial performance and the current loyalty reward program as they consider their options.P.V. Technologies, Inc.: Were They Asleep at the Switch?A leading manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters used in solar energy technology receives a bad evaluation from its largest customer. The company must consider the consequences to its reputation while considering among four possible responses to the situation.Reed Supermarkets: A New Wave of CompetitorsThe marketing VP at a high-end, conventional supermarket chain is concerned about increased competition from dollar stores and limited-assortment stores offering very low price points. She must decide how to change the current marketing and positioning plan to increase market share.Reliance Baking Soda: Optimizing Promotional SpendingThe new Domestic Brand Director needs to create a marketing budget that delivers a profit increase of 10%, weighing the value of advertising, price increases, and the role of the brand within the company. Students are expected to create and defend a similar budget.Rosewood Hotels and Resorts: Branding to Increase Customer Profitability and Lifetime ValueRosewood Hotels & Resorts is a small firm running 12 individually branded luxury properties. Its new leadership is contemplating whether the firm should significantly increase the prominence of the corporate identity, making Rosewood a corporate brand. Students must calculate how customer lifetime value would be affected by a shift from individual branding to corporate branding.Saxonville Sausage CompanySaxonville Sausage, a $1.5 billion manufacturer of pork sausage products, is experiencing financial stress because its leading product lines have lately produced declining revenues-except an Italian sausage named Vivio, which has recently experienced a significant increase in revenues, as has the entire Italian sausage category nationwide. What steps should the company take to expand Vivio into a powerful national brand?Soren Chemical: Why Is the New Pool Product Sinking?Soren Chemicals launches a new water clarifier for residential swimming pools called Coracle and is surprised by poor sales. Coracle is chemically similar to the company's highly successful water clarifier for large pools at recreational facilities and offers the same superior product performance. The marketing manager suspects the go-to-market strategy may be flawed but can she diagnose the problem before the end of the selling season?The Springfield Nor'easters: Maximizing Revenues in the Minor LeaguesThe marketing director of a new minor-league baseball team must design, conduct, and then interpret survey research to determine optimal ticket pricing that will yield large attendance figures and contribute to the owner's goal of breaking even in the first year of play. The pricing assignment becomes more challenging when other variables like concessions revenue are considered. Students are asked to complete a quantitative assignment as part of case analysis, and they must also grapple with less quantifiable factors.TruEarth Healthy Foods: Market Research for a New Product IntroductionTruEarth Healthy Foods wants to build on its successful introduction of fresh whole grain pasta by introducing a similar product concept for pizza. Acting as brand managers, students analyze the data and decide whether to bring the new product to market.Operations ManagementAIC Netbooks: Optimizing Product AssemblyA manufacturer of printed circuit boards diversifies it product portfolio by launching its own line of mobile consumer electronics. After three months of production, the production manager must consider ways to increase efficiency and lower costs.Baria Planning Solutions, Inc.: Fixing the Sales ProcessA consulting firm that specializes in using spend analysis to help companies identify savings is concerned about the disappointing performance of the sales team in signing up new clients. The sales director must analyze the current process flow to identify the problems facing the sales organization.Bayonne Packaging, Inc.A printer and paper converter specializes in delivering innovative packaging solutions for its customers. Despite tripling sales, the firm posted its first loss in over 10 years. The VP of Operations must analyze the production process and recommend improvements.Bergerac Systems: The Challenge of Backward IntegrationA manufacturer of diagnostic instruments for veterinary practices relies on two suppliers for the plastic cartridges used for a range of blood and blood chemistry tests. The CEO is concerned about inconsistent deliveries and considers acquiring one of the suppliers or expanding existing capacity.FoldRite Furniture Company: Planning to Meet a Surge in DemandFoldRite improves manufacturing quality and efficiency by developing stylish, environmentally friendly products. Now a new plan is needed to meet high demand, control manufacturing and inventory costs, and mitigate risk.The Morrison CompanyA developer and manufacturer of radio frequency identification tags (RFID) experiences a dramatic increase in sales over the past year. The increase exacerbates existing manufacturing problems and has led to increased shipping delays and inadequate inventory on hand.Scientific Glass Incorporated: Inventory ManagementScientific Glassware provides specialized glassware for laboratory and research facilities. Excess inventory is tying up extra capital needed to fund the company's expansion plans. The inventory manager is tasked with developing a more effective strategy for managing inventory.Organizational BehaviorAndrew Ryan at VC BrakesAndrew Ryan's excitement over a change initiative at VC Brakes turns to concern when organizational challenges surface. A subsequent restructuring puts him on the wrong side of politics and he must decide whether to leave or stay with the losing initiative.BoldFlash: Cross-Functional Challenges in the Mobile DivisionA new leader makes organizational changes to improve the product development process, but the changes may not go far enough.Campbell and Bailyn's Boston Office: Managing the ReorganizationCompetitive pressures drive organizational changes at a securities brokerage firm, with serious potential consequences for customers, employees, and the firm as a whole.Engstrom Auto Mirror Plant: Motivating Through Good and Bad TimesA plant manager confronts morale issues when, on the heels of an industry downturn, an incentive program stops producing payouts that employees have come to expect.Jamie Turner at MLI, Inc.Set in an industrial lighting company, this Brief Case describes the evolution of an interpersonal mismatch between a previously successful manager, Jamie Turner, and his new boss.Johannes Linden: Managing the Global Executive CommitteeIn the wake of an unexpected drop in manufacturing costs, the director of a large Swiss appliance manufacturer must convince his Global Executive Committee to revise revenue forecasts and sales targets for the upcoming year.Kay Sunderland: Making the Grade at Attain LearningAccount manager Kay Sunderland is surprised that her colleague Mike Morgan is potentially jeopardizing an important account by ignoring their employer's communication policy. Sunderland must decide how to handle the situation with both the client and her colleague Morgan.Martha Rinaldi: Should She Stay or Should She Go?Martha Rinaldi has been an assistant product manager at leading beverage company Potomac Waters since graduating from business school. Rinaldi is frustrated by her relationships with her boss and a close co-worker.MediSys Corp.: The IntensCare Product Development TeamMedical equipment maker MediSys is developing an innovative system for monitoring intensive care patients. Six months into the project, the product development team struggles through significant problems with design, schedule, a large competitive threat, and their own group dynamics.RL Wolfe: Implementing Self-Directed TeamsPlastic pipe manufacturer RL Wolfe introduces the concept of self-directed teams (SDTs) to its Corpus Christi plant in 2004. By 2007, Corpus Christi is outperforming the firm's other plants, and the production director seeks to understand which aspects of SDTs are working, which are not, and whether the other plants might be persuaded to accept the SDT approach.Ron Ventura at Mitchell Memorial HospitalStar vascular surgeon Ron Ventura's contract is up for renewal. He has improved the vascular surgery practice and generated much new case flow but is abrasive. How should his boss approach the upcoming performance feedback interview?Teaching Note available.Stone Finch, Inc.: Young Division, Old DivisionTo stimulate innovation and hasten growth in a young technology solutions division, an aggressive CEO milks the firm's cash cow, an old manufacturing unit. That unit soon faces key employee departures and sinking morale - and the newer unit runs into similar difficulties.TerraCog Global Positioning Systems: Conflict and Communication on Project AerialWhen a new product launch is threatened by cost problems, the firm's units are unable to come together and make a critical decision and a young executive must lead them forward.Thomas Green: Power, Office Politics, and a Career in CrisisA promising career appears to be headed off the rails as conflict deepens between a young marketing manager and his boss. Can this career be saved?Treadway Tire Company: Job Dissatisfaction and High Turnover at the Lima PlantLine foremen in a manufacturing plant are caught in the middle of an adversarial relationship between workers and management.SalesDesigns by Kate: The Power of Direct SalesThe sales representatives at Designs by Kate sell private-label jewelry at hosted parties. They also recruit, train, and manage teams of new sales reps. Sales have started to decline and the company must revisit the commission structure to determine if it is still effective.Service ManagementComfort Class Transport: Does Customer Service Need an Overhaul?Customer satisfaction with vehicles and drivers at a chauffeured limousine transport company is high and management has plans to expand the company into new markets. However, underperformance in the customer service call center could threaten the company's future.Delwarca Software Remote Support UnitA software firm provides telephone support for customers facing complex software integration issues. The manager of the remote support unit implements a new call triage process that fails to decrease customer waiting times and overall dissatisfaction. He must analyze the process and make recommendations for improvement.Playa Dorada Tennis Club: Expansion StrategyPlaya Dorada Beach & Resort in Boca Raton, Florida faces a growing seasonal demand for tennis services. The director of the tennis operations analyzes court capacity and pricing structure as he considers plans for expansion.Porcini's Pronto: "Great Italian cuisine without the wait!"Looking for expansion opportunities, a chain of full-service Italian restaurants considers launching a new chain of lower-cost, limited-menu restaurants. The vice president of marketing must develop the concept and also analyze three expansion strategies before the project can be approved.WrapItUp: Developing a New Compensation PlanA restaurant chain based in California offers made-to-order sandwich wraps using fresh, healthy ingredients. Management pilots a profit-sharing program at two restaurants to address concerns that employee turnover is high, customer satisfaction is decreasing, and revenue growth is flat.

Q. What is the best school for premed: Cornell, Duke, Northwestern or Dartmouth?A. Why rankings are meaningless, followed by rankings. All four schools you listed are outstanding, highly regarded and have excellent record of sending well-prepared (well credentialed) successful applicants/matriculants to medical schools. And you stand a better chance of getting admitted into their own highly ranked medical schools (except Cornell’s is in NYC, not Ithaca). Choose one that fits you.Undergraduate medical school acceptance rate stats are meaninglessCM’s Top 10 Universities for Pre-Med Students (College Magazine)Top Premed Colleges (college.lovetoknow.com)by MCAT and GPAby Student ApplicationsBest Universities for Pre-Med Students: List of Top Schools (Student.com)Colleges That Produce the Most DoctorsPre-Med Choice of Undergraduate College Does Affect Med School Chances: What to ConsiderTop 20 Pre-Med Schools in America - Education AmericaUndergraduate medical school acceptance rate stats are meaninglessMany parents of aspiring doctors have asked me how they can choose the optimal college for medical school acceptance. The answer is simple -- there is no answer.By David Thomas, Photo by Damon SacksRecently, the mom of a high school student asked me if I could, as an educational consultant, supply her with a list of colleges and universities that had high rates of acceptance to medical school. She had found a number of them via Colleges That Change Lives. She stumbled onto others via internet searches.In my capacity as both a college and medical school admissions consultant, I have been asked to supply lists like these many times. The problem is always the same; it's impossible.Why? Many colleges boast high medical acceptance rates that are practically meaningless, since each school uses its own methodology to calculate the statistics, creating wildly misleading results.Some colleges only calculate the number of students who were accepted to medical school using the college's officially sanctioned Pre-Med Committee. So if 100 students declare freshman year that they are applying to medical school, 50 drop out after not doing well on prerequisites, 20 get a high-enough GPA to qualify for a Committee Letter, and 18 of those 20 get into medical school. So the school claims a 90% acceptance rate, but could as easily claim a rate of 18%. Cornell is a great example of a school like this.But wait, it gets more complicated. Some of the students apply without a committee letter -- let's say 30. And 10 of those get in, meaning out of the ACTUAL APPLICANTS to medical school, 28 out of 50 got in, which yields a 56% acceptance rate. So depending on how you look at it, 18%, 56% or 90% of Cornell applicants get into medical school.And of course, some colleges do not have a Pre-Med Committee. In those cases, schools usually publish simple acceptance rates. Because of the statistical gamesmanship, these schools can appear to have worse rates of acceptance but actually have BETTER rates!The sad truth is this; MED SCHOOL ACCEPTANCE STATS ARE UTTERLY MEANINGLESS. Medical school admissions usually starts with a computer-screening process, and computers don’t weight GPAs differently (at least, not yet). In other words, a 3.9 GPA from Fresno State will always trump a 3.5 from Cornell in this process. Once the Secondary Essays are received, and humans begin to get involved in the screening process, then the subjective factors are considered (as in all admissions).So what is important? DO WELL AS AN UNDERGRAD—wherever you are. How well you do in college is more important than where you went to college. And the existence of a premed committee doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get better advising there. In fact, the advantages and disadvantages of a premed committee can balance each other out.Medical school admissions is incredibly nuanced and tricky, and I've just barely given the tiniest example of its complexities. But first and foremost? Ignore the acceptance-rate stats. They are meaningless.CM’s Top 10 Universities for Pre-Med Students - College MagazineBy Alyssa Aguero |March 21, 2016As exciting (and scandalous) as Grey’s Anatomy may be, becoming a doctor is no walk in the park. But before you even begin thinking about what medical schoolyou want to go to, you’ll have to survive undergrad first. While pre-med isn’t exactly a major, many universities offer a track that’ll prepare you for med school. Pre-med clubs, shadowing opportunities and special programs should be considered when you’re deciding how you want to begin your medical career. College Magazine took some of the load off your shoulders (you guys have a lot of work ahead of you) and ranked the top universities for pre-med students.1. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILLNinety percent of UNC’s students who apply to medical school get in…let that sink in for a second. One of this university’s gems is their 9-week Medical Education Development (MED) summer program. This rigorous program allows students to shadow physicians and participate in lectures and seminars for professional development. MED also mirrors a first-year medical student curriculum—it’s like getting a little taste of med school. Although there is no specific pre-med track at UNC, these students still receive a lot of guidance. “I think that the way all pre-med students, regardless of their declared majors, are accommodated and assisted throughout the process is [unique],” said Danielle Jamieson, a psychology and Hispanic linguistics senior.2. GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITYThe pre-med students at GWU aren’t limited to studying within the U.S. The university offers a study abroad program in the United Kingdom where students are given the option to either study at Kings College University of London or Oxford University. GWU also offers an all-in-one program where students can earn their bachelor’s degree and medical degree. However, this is a selective program. Only students who have demonstrated leadership and academic excellence, and have healthcare experience are permitted in this program. These lucky students get their MCAT waived and are admitted into GWU’s Medical School at a fixed tuition (big emphasis on lucky students).GWU offers an all in one program that leads to BA/MD. Program is based on academic excellence, healthcare experience, community service and demonstrated leadership. Incoming freshman are admitted into George Washington Medical at a fixed tuition rate; MCAT is waived.3. HARVARD UNIVERSITYEver wish you had a mentor who was also a doctor and always available for you? Well, Harvard does for their pre-med students. “At Harvard, we have three separate pre-medical advisers, one of whom is a doctor, available at any time, in addition to a pre-medical advisor who lives in the same dorm as you once you get to sophomore year, which is not common at other colleges,” said Bryan Peaker, a freshman studying human developmental and regenerative biology. And the advising doesn’t stop there. Harvard has a handbook for students on the pre-med track that tells them what classes they need to take, when to take them and how to get into medical school.4. BOSTON UNIVERSITYRemember when Charlie got a golden ticket to get into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory? This is a similar case for the students at BU, except instead of a chocolate factory it’s med school. With their Early Assurance Program, students are guaranteed a ticket (provisional admission) into BU’s Medical School. This university also offers a duel liberal arts and medical degree path that gives students the chance to earn both their Bachelor of Arts and medical degree in seven years, as apposed to eight. To get into their accelerated program (different from the early assurance one) you need to complete the SAT or ACT plus Writing and SAT Subject Tests in Chemistry Math 2 and, if you’re feeling brave, Foreign Language. This place keeps sounding more and more like a chocolate factory.5. GEORGETOWNImagine finding out you got into medical school during your sophomore year of college—that’s what we call a stress reliever. The pre-med students at Georgetown get this privilege with the university’s Early Assurance Program. This program is for students who want to attend Georgetown’s School of Medicine and have excelled in their studies and have completed four semesters and classes in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry. These brainiacs can apply at the end of their sophomore year if they have completed four semesters at Georgetown and have taken four pre-med courses. Another plus from this program is that the students’ MCAT is waived. Georgetown also has a few pre-med clubs like the Pre-Medical Society and the Pre-Dental Society. The Pre-Medical society not only provides advising for pre-med students, but also sponsors mock interviews and brings in guest speakers from the medical field to talk to the student members.Georgetown allows undergraduate students to gain the training needed to meet medical school criteria; program is part of the degree curriculum. A Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical program is also available for bachelor degree holders who lack core Pre-Med Science courses.6. JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITYSome say the best learning happens outside of the classroom, and that’s the case at Johns Hopkins University. Occasionally the professors let their students into their labs for research. The students here can get even more outside learning by taking a 15-minute shuttle ride to Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, where they can shadow doctors and conduct research. With all these opportunities, the pre-med students here don’t feel the need to compete with each other. “As undergrads, we encourage and assist each other in all of our coursework. [It’s] definitely not a cut-throat, competitive environment like some say,” said George Bugarinovic, a public health and natural sciences senior.JHU offers a Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med program for all medical specializations. Program is offered on the undergraduate campus, School of Medicine and at the School of Public Health; students are able to carve out their own area of study.7. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIAIf you’re in no rush to start med school, you’ve stumbled upon the perfect university. U Penn doesn’t believe in giving their pre-med students a fast track path into medical school. They want their students to complete their degree in four years so they can take additional classes that will make them more prepared for med school and beyond. U Penn is also located near several large medical institutes, like the Pennsylvania Hospital, which provide them with opportunities to shadow doctors and volunteer at hospitals. Clearly, this university knows what it’s doing since 76 percent of U Penn students get into medical school.U Penn offers a few Post Baccalaureate programs, two are relevant to the study of medicine; these include the Pre Health Core Studies and the Pre Health Specialized Studies. Both programs are very selective and pave way for further medical studies.8. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONAs one of the top medical schools in the nation, it’s no surprise that the University of Washington has one of the best pre-med tracks in the nation as well. With a large number of premedical clubs (Alpha Epsilon Delta is a big one) and numerous shadowing opportunities, these students will be wearing white coats in no time. “The shadowing opportunities and your ability to get into research your freshman year is unreal, it’s [one] you can’t get everywhere. My winter quarter of my freshman year I got to shadow a mitral valve replacement [surgeon],” said Alec Sullivan, a competitive history of ideas sophomore.9. CORNELL UNIVERSITYHere’s a shocker: another Ivy landed on our list. With its two-year pre-med track program, Cornell prepares students by offering courses—introductory biology and chemistry courses to name a few—on sciences that are related to medicine. Students also have the chance to volunteer at the Cayuga Medical Center—a non-profit hospital right by the university. One of Cornell’s greatest resources is their PATCH club—a student-run organization that brings together pre-med and pre-health students. PATCH welcomes all pre-health students and offers a supportive environment and beneficial opportunities for its members such as bringing in guest speakers to talk about their experience in the health care field.10. NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITYThe pre-med track is not an easy one, and Northwestern University gets that. Its pre-med peer mentor program (NU PPMP) selects upperclassmen with a strong academic standing to guide and support underclassmen on the pre-med track. This university is also big on research. Students are allowed to conduct their own independent study.“I joined a lab for two years and was able to take a really active role in research and actually got a Nature publication out of my time there,” said Jane Wang, biology major and 2014 graduate.NWU offers study abroad programs in the United Kingdom; students may elect to study at Kings College University of London or Oxford University. A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is also offered to those hoping to complete the course work required for medical school.Top Premed CollegesBy Joe ThomasTop premed colleges can be ranked several ways, but the title of best academic program is indicative of the overall quality of medical students that a premed college produces. There are several ways to rank top premed colleges, such as MCAT and GPA, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores or applications received, but the fact remains that you should find a school that is a good fit for your personality and in a location you would enjoy attending. Some feel that for many students, their success, or lack of it, might be largely unrelated to the individual medical school.Using Student Scores and GPAWhen you consider MCAT scores that are greater than 31.5 and GPAs of greater than 3.5, the list gets narrower and can give you a better indication of competitive med schools that turn out the highest achievers and therefore, get more prestigious academic acknowledgement. The average USMLE scores are better statistics to consider than USMLE pass rates, but med schools don't publish board scores for confidentiality reasons. There are some premed colleges that have high pass rates, but lower average USMLE scores. It is a combination of several factors that make up the top premed colleges on this listing of colleges.The Ten Top Premed Colleges by MCAT and GPAWashington University St. Louis: 1 Children's Place, #4S20, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, Phone (314) 454-6120, http://www.medschool.wustl.eduHarvard Medical School: 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, Phone (617) 432-1000, http://www.hms.harvard.edu/hmsJohn Hopkins University School of Medicine: 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, Phone (410) 955-5000, Home | Johns Hopkins UniversityVanderbilt School of Medicine: 215 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, Phone (615) 322-2145 Vanderbilt University School of MedicineYale School of Medicine: 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, Phone (203-785-2696), Yale School of MedicineDuke University School of Medicine: DUMC 3710, Durham, North Carolina 27710, Phone (919) 684-2985, Office of M.D. AdmissionsStanford School of Medicine: 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California 94305, Phone (650) 723-4000, Stanford MedicineMayo Medical School: 200 First Street S.W., Rochester Minnesota 55905, Phone (507) 284-2316, Mayo ClinicNew York University: 550 First Avenue, New York, New York 10016, Phone (212) 263-7300, Education and TrainingUniversity of Pennsylvania: Suite 100, Stemmler Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, Phone (215)898-8001, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of PennsylvaniaRankings of Premed Colleges by Student ApplicationsThe number of student applications gives an indication of the most popular choices made by premed students, but a larger portion of students will not be admitted due to admissions limits. Harvard and Stanford also make this listing, but the other eight choices are not in the top ten that are ranked by MCAT and GPA scores.University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine: 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90095, Phone (310) 825-4321, University of CaliforniaUniversity of California: 110 Sproul Hall, #5800, Berkeley, California 94720, Phone (510) 642-6000, University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of Michigan Medical School: 1301 Catherine Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, Phone (734) 763-9600, Michigan MedicineUniversity of Texas Medical School: 6431 Fannin Street, MSB G420 Houston, Texas, Phone (713) 500-5116, http://www.uth.tmc.eduUniversity of Florida Gainesville: P.O. Box 100235, Gainesville, Florida 32610, Phone (352) 273-7500, University of FloridaUniversity of California San Diego: 9500 Gilman Drive, LaJolla, CA 92093, Phone (858) 534-2230, University of California San DiegoHarvard School of Medicine: 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, Phone (617) 432-1000, http://www.hms.harvard.edu/hmsUniversity of Wisconsin Madison: 750 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, Phone (608) 265-6344, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthUniversity of Virginia School of Medicine: P.O. Box 800725, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, Phone (434) 924-5571, UVA Health SystemUniversity of Illinois Medical School: 601 S. Morgan Street, Chicago, Illinois, Phone (312) 996-7000, http://ww.uic.eduStanford School of Medicine: 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California 94305, Phone (650) 723-4000, Stanford MedicineChoosing a CollegeThere are many fine colleges for premed students and while some names are more recognizable than others, there is a good selection in a variety of regions across the country. The best advice when searching for the premed college choices that offer the best programs, is to find the ones that are best suited to all facets of your life and your medical education goals. Accredited colleges offer similar basic programs, but some might offer more specialized courses that are tailored to different healthcare fields. This is a consideration that most premed students use when determining the best premed college to meet their medical career goals.Best Universities for Pre-Med Students: List of Top SchoolsAlthough medical schools are often indifferent to an applicant's major, they usually look for prerequisite coursework in general and organic chemistry, biology, English, and physics. A strong undergraduate grade point average and competitive Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores can also help students gain entry to a good medical or dental school. Some of the best universities for pre-med students include Harvard University, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and the University of Pennsylvania, all of which are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.Harvard University in Cambridge, MAHarvard University was ranked as the best medical research school for 2015 by U.S. News World Report. It is an Ivy League institution and has over a dozen groups for pre-med students, such as the Harvard Premedical Society, Harvard Hippocratic Society, and Latinos in Health Careers. The Office of Career Services provides pre-med planning for undergraduate students who want to apply to medical school upon graduation. Harvard also assists students in planning for careers in dental medicine, public health and advanced nursing.University of North Carolina in Chapel HillAs designated by U.S News & World Report in 2015, the University of North Carolina's medical program ranked second in primary care. Pre-med students get assistance from the Health Professions Advising Office in choosing programs and classes, applying to medical schools, and preparing for the MCAT. UNC also offers the Medical Education Development program (MED), a rigorous 9-week summer program for select students that mirrors a first-year medical school curriculum. Of the MED students who apply to medical school, 90% are accepted.The University of North Carolina has an active chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, the pre-professional health honor society.University of Pennsylvania in PhiladelphiaIn 2015, US News & World Report ranked the University of Pennsylvania eighth among national universities and fifth for medical research. A member of the Ivy League, this university offers advising and planning for undergraduate students preparing to attend allopathic or osteopathic medical schools. It also offers guidance for students interested in dental school. Through the College of Liberal and Professional Studies, Penn also provides a post-baccalaureate, pre-health program for students who have earned an undergraduate degree in a non-science major or who want to be better prepared for advanced medical study.The University is home to several medical research institutes studying Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and AIDS, as well as cardiovascular health, developmental biology, and head injuries.Top Schools for Pre-Med StudentsLet's take a look at some of the other top schools for pre-med students.Columbia University in New York, NY provides a comprehensive pre-medical handbook for students planning a pre-med curriculum. Columbia University offers a Post-Bachelor Premedical program that is considered the oldest and largest in the United States. Students from the program make up 90% of placement in American medical programs; program provides linkage to Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.Cornell University in Ithaca, NY was named 11th best university in the world by the Center for World University Rankings.Johns Hopkins University encourages students to take a year off between undergraduate and medical school to gain additional experiences or conduct research. The school is located in Baltimore, MD.Northwestern University, located in Evanston, IL, has an undergraduate research grants program that provides pre-med students with funding to conduct independent research.The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN offers an online interactive workshop for students called Planning for Medical School.The University of Washington in Seattle, WA has an online guide to help students prepare for medical school admissions.The University of Wisconsin - Madison advises students wishing to pursue studies in physical or occupational therapy, pharmacology, physician assistance, and nursing in addition to medicine and dentistry.The best university for pre-med studies really depends on what you want from a school, because each of the top-ranked schools has unique aspects that help to make it one of the best.Colleges That Produce the Most DoctorsBy Nick Selbe on September 24, 2015In the coming months, pre-med undergraduates at colleges across the country will be preparing to apply for medical school.But where are most of the medical school applications coming from? StartClass set out to find which undergraduate schools produce the most medical school applications.The data comes from the Association of American Medical Colleges. The AAMC notes that the data is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an assessment of an institution's pre-medical educational or advisory programs.Another caveat for this list is that schools with larger overall student bodies will obviously have more medical school applicants than smaller schools. Though the list is not a ranking of the best premedical schools, it is helpful to know which schools have the most aspiring doctors.#1 UCLA (919)#2 Michigan (825)#3 UC Berkeley (769)#4 UF (760)#5 UT Austin#6 UCSD#7 Cornell (509)#8 U Georgia (481)#9 Ohio State (473)#10 U Wisconsin - Madison (456)#11 BYU (450)#12 UIUC (427)#13 UC Davis (427)#14 U Washington (417)# 15 Texas A&M (411)#16 UNC (394)#17 JHU (390)#18 Duke (387)# 19 Emory (386)# 20 Rutgers (385)#21 UVA (368)#22 U Maryland - College Park (365)#23 Wash U (354)#24 U Arizona (353)#25 U Miami (348)#26 U Notre Dame (344)#27 Michigan State (343)#28 NYU (339)#28 U Penn (339)#30 Harvard (323)Pre-Med Choice of Undergraduate College Does Affect Med School Chances: What to ConsiderPosted on January 27, 2017 by Cheryl — 22 Comments ↓(Updated 2016) Some maintain that it doesn’t matter which undergraduate college you go to, as long as you get a top GPA and MCAT score. That’s wishful thinking. While high numbers are essential no matter where you go, once med schools look beyond their MCAT/GPA cut-offs, their decisions are impacted by where you attend undergraduate college, just as residency decisions are affected by which med school you attend. It’s not so much the school’s name, but the resources that it offers, that make the choice of undergraduate college so essential.This post is a long one because there are many things to consider. So, get comfy and read on.Look Closer When You’re Pre-MedPre-meds have to consider more than the basic college selection criteria — a good fit socially, the right size, talented professors, a decent location, etc. A pre-med also needs tools and opportunities that the average college undergraduate doesn’t, such as chances for research and publication, guidance from a knowledgeable pre-med adviser and, if possible, a letter of evaluation from a pre-med advisory committee. In fact, my son, AC, was so convinced the undergraduate college mattered, that he decided to transfer from his good, solid state university to a more pre-med focused university. That new college had the resources to better prepare him for the demanding medical specialty and top research med schools he hoped to (and eventually did) attend. Here’s what he considered:History of Med School Admissions. Even as a freshman, AC had an idea of what specialty he wanted to get into, and which med schools would help him get there. But after doing research, including discussions with his college advisers and professors, and Internet searches on class profiles for various med schools, he found that almost no one from his college had gone to those schools. It could have been that no one from his college had applied – that wouldn’t have been surprising considering how few pre-meds were on campus. Or, it could have been that those from his college who had applied had not gotten in. Either way, that lack of a connection between his undergraduate college and his target med schools was a concern. Such history, or lack of it, is one factor to look at in considering an undergraduate college.2008.11.25 – The physician by Adrian Clark (Flickr Creative Commons)Availability of a Comprehensive Pre-Med Advisory Committee Program. While many undergraduate colleges do not have pre-med advisory committees, there is a significant benefit to those that do. An established pre-med committee program offers expert advice and guidance as to course selection, application development, and application processing throughout the undergraduate years. An experienced pre-med adviser will protect you from rooky mistakes such as taking your organic chem classes during the summer (most med schools don’t like that) or assuming your high school AP chemistry credits will satisfy the pre-med chemistry requirement (it probably won’t).Most valuable are those committees that provide a committee letter of evaluation, which med schools prefer over only individual recommendation letters. The pre-med committee letter is given after the student provides information on his activities and research, sometimes a draft of his med school essay, and even a med school style interview with one or more committee members or other faculty. Some medical schools have relationships with certain pre-med committees, which could make a great letter from one of those committees have greater weight. Overall, an experienced pre-med committee can be invaluable, and whether your potential undergraduate college has one is an important consideration.Availability of Pre-Med Living-Learning Communities. Some colleges offer pre-med living-learning communities, much like honors communities, where pre-meds are grouped together in dorms and offered medicine-related programs. AC’s first undergraduate college did have one, and it was one of the most valuable aspects of his freshman year there. Although it had just a handful of pre-med students, the learning community offered AC exposure to other pre-meds and health professionals, presentations about and by some med schools, and community service or clinical opportunities.Pre-Med Honor Societies.. Alpha Epsilon Delta is the national honor society for pre-meds. Check to see whether your prospective college has a chapter. AC was a member of a chapter in his freshman year, and found it helpful both in meeting more pre-meds and in planning events of interest to aspiring physicians. Just be careful not to spend too much time attending meetings that won’t necessarily advance your goal to become a doctor. While groups like this can have value, especially for people who aren’t positive they want to commit to medicine, if you must choose between going to a meeting and taking part in another meaningful activity that you love, choose what you love. Being passionate about something is attractive to med schools, which seek students who will become passionate doctors.National Eye Institute : Documenting Research Findings (Flickr Creative Commons)Availability of Research Opportunities. Pre-meds, especially those planning on a research (as opposed to a primary care) medical school, need some type of research experience, preferably in an area that relates to medicine. Undergraduate schools with significant research money and a willingness to get their students into research early on, are much more valuable to such pre-meds than colleges with only small pots of research money.Potential for Publication. In addition to research opportunities, a pre-med planning on attending a research medical school benefits from a chance to publish. Generally, universities with significant research money have more publication opportunities than universities that aren’t heavy on research funding.Availability of Clinical Experience. Pre-meds, especially those interested in primary care, need opportunities to get clinical experience. Colleges with nearby hospitals or clinics could offer that potential.Rigor of the Curriculum. Top med schools often list a rigorous curriculum as a selection factor. When looking at colleges, ask these questions: Are the hard science courses strong enough that they will help prepare you for the MCAT? Are high-level science courses such as genetics or neuroscience offered? (Small, humanities-focused liberal arts colleges may not offer them.) Is the college recognized by inclusion in chapters of highly selective honor societies? Does it actively promote and advance its students to become scholars for exclusive programs such as the Fulbright or Goldwater? Med school committee members, like everyone else, are impressed with those types of honors. Does your potential undergraduate college nurture them?I can’t read a word of this essay of yours. Excellent WorkOther Considerations. There are plenty of people who want to chime in on which universities are the best for pre-meds. Online Colleges, Schools, Universities and Scholarships reviews by America edu - compiled a list of its “Top 20 Pre-Med Schools in America.” College Magazine published a Top 10 list in its 2015 “CM’s Top 10 Universities for Pre-Med Students.” And there are endless discussions about which are the best pre-med schools on forums such as College Confidential.But there are many very personal questions you need to answer before choosing your school. For example, becoming immersed in a predominantly and aggressively pre-med culture could narrow and skew your view of the world. How would that impact you as a person and an aspiring doctor? Also, the top pre-med colleges sometimes have a very competitive, almost cutthroat atmosphere, and some schools are very harsh in their grading. Will you will be able to thrive and pull the top grades you need from such a college? Consider seriously that your plans to be a doctor could end if you can’t get the grades you need for med school acceptance from that top pre-med college. You must know yourself well when choosing your pre-med college, just as you must in making the decision to pursue a career in medicine.Interview Groups told AC the Real Story: Your Undergrad College MattersGotCredit: College (Flickr Creative Commons)There are numerous debates on whether the undergraduate college you choose is important to your success with getting into med school. Some people charge that it’s all about “name dropping,” and that private schools perpetuate the myth that their degrees hold more value than less expensive public universities. The subject has been hotly debated in the college and student doctor forums. For example, see The Student Doctor Network’s “The Effect of Undergrad School on Med School Acceptance,” and “Theory: Admissions at Medical School DO Care Where You Went to Undergrad,” and Student Doc’s “Does Undergrad Prestige Carry Any Weight in Admissions?”But for AC, the tale was told when he did his interviews at a half-dozen of the best med schools in the country, and found one similarity: “I was meeting kids from the same schools over and over. They were from the Ivys, the public Ivys, and other top, very selective undergraduate colleges. I almost never met applicants from regular state schools. I know this isn’t a scientific way to make the conclusion, and I know so many of the best doctors and minds come from state schools and community colleges, but what I saw repeatedly in my interviews convinced me that coming from a top-ranked university with a lot of resources seemed to be a prerequisite for interviews at the top med schools.”Maximize the Resources of Your CollegeCollege Gameday by Phil Roeder (Flickr Creative Commons)All of this advice is valid and (I hope) valuable. But the reality is, circumstances (money, grades, scores, personal obligations, simply personal preference) may dictate you attend a college that doesn’t have a big pre-med focus. Yet, that does not mean you won’t have a chance of attending a good — or even a top — medical school. The most important way to make it to med school is to be knowledgeable and fully prepared for the journey ahead. Read all you can about different med school programs, what the schools are looking for, how to prepare for the MCAT test, even the possibility of doing a post-baccalaureate program if needed to boost your preparation for med school. Figure out how to get that clinical experience, research, community service, and leadership background that will prepare you for medicine.Learn about any and all activities your undergraduate school does have for pre-meds, and take full advantage of them. Even if it doesn’t have a pre-med advisory committee, it may have a pre-professional honor society such as Alpha Epsilon Delta. If your school’s chapter isn’t very active, join it and lead it into new and more productive directions. If there is no chapter, look into starting one, or check on whether there are chapters at nearby colleges.No honor society chapter? Start a less formal pre-med club to bring in speakers and doctors for education and possible mentoring. How to do that? Check with your school’s student activities office about the process for starting a club. Then talk to one of your professors, perhaps one that teaches a pre-med course such as biology or organic chemistry, about being your club adviser. AC was able to start an organic chemistry club at his school. It took a couple months to figure out the process, find an adviser, and then organize and publicize meetings, but the school was supportive and it eventually did happen. Your college wants you to succeed because it makes it look good, too, so let it know what you need, and ask for help.Aggressively look for a mentor who can guide you and, when the time comes to file your application, can speak personally about the qualities you have that will make you a good doctor. If you want to end up at a good med school, search out your college pre-med adviser early on, and talk about your goals. Ask for ways to help prepare you for what will be ahead as a pre-med, a med school applicant, and a med student. If your adviser is not very knowledgeable about med school preparation and the application process, ask him who is. Have him direct you to other possible resources, such as a local doctor who might take you as an intern. Or, talk to your university health clinic about letting you shadow its doctors. And, do your research on what is needed for a competitive application, then work hard to get the experience that will make you stand out in the crowd.Finally, keep in mind that, in some ways, being at a less pre-med focused university or a smaller college can have benefits, because you are more likely to stand out among your peers. You also may end up with much closer personal relationships with your professors, who will want to help you meet your high goals, and promote you in every way they can.The key is to be a knowledgeable self-starter, to ask for help and opportunities, and then to run with them. In fact, that is an essential characteristic for being a good doctor, so you might as well start building it now.TEDx GeorgeMasonU:George Mason University’s First TEDx Conference (Flickr Creative Commons)Parental Assist: Of course, there is the normal preparation needed for any kid considering colleges — take him to the schools to check them out, consider the big issues like location, costs, etc. Urge him to see whether there are any admissions talks specifically for pre-meds, and to attend them with questions ready to ask. Suggest he focus on issues such as med school admissions information, strength of any med school advisory committee, whether the committee does letters of evaluation, etc. Ask if he has specific med schools in mind yet, and offer to help research information such as med school admissions data for those schools. You could also offer to create files for each school, and/or charts to facilitate comparisons. But remember to also gauge how much your student is invested in these preparations. You should be a helpmate, not the driving force. If he isn’t interested in doing prep work himself, he probably is not ready to embrace a medical career.If it’s clear your kid is committed to pre-med, but won’t be going to a great pre-med school, be sure he understands that does not mean he will lose his dream of getting into a good or even a top med school, and becoming an excellent doctor. Plenty of exceptional doctors have come out of lesser- known undergraduate schools. It’s all about working hard to accomplish the goal.Top 20 Pre-Med Schools in America - Education AmericaMarch 8, 2011Top 20 CollegesTop 20 Pre Med Schools in America, listed by School, Average Verbal MCAT Score, Average Physical Science MCAT Score, Average Biological MCAT Science Score and Average GPA (unraked).Ø Cornell University offers a two year Pre Med track; program prepares students for entry into the four year medical degree program. Course focuses on sciences that are related to medicine; no degree is awarded.Ø Creighton University offers a 4 or 5 year Pre Med Nursing Track; a bachelor’s is awarded in both programs. A Post-Baccalaureate is also administered through the School Of Medicine; program prepares students intensively for medical school.Ø Boston University offers a Pre-Medical program in Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medicine and Pre Veterinary Medicine, program allows students to create specific areas of study; a post baccalaureate certificate program is also offered.Ø Dartmouth Medical School offers a pre-med program in conjunction with Dartmouth College, an arrangement also exists between Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) and Dartmouth College. Health professionals advise and help students applying to medical, veterinarian and medical schools.Ø East Tennessee State University (J.H. Quillen) prepares students for the 4 year Doctor of Medicine degree through its Pre-Medicine Program. Students must complete courses required by most medical schools; these include Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, English and Communication.Ø Baylor University provides a Pre-Med curriculum that emphasizes all areas of course work; medical pre-professionals are recommended to take Biology Chemistry, English, Mathematics and Physics.Ø George Washington University offers an all in one program that leads to BA/MD. Program is based on academic excellence, healthcare experience, community service and demonstrated leadership. Incoming freshman are admitted into George Washington Medical at a fixed tuition rate; MCAT is waived.Ø John Hopkins offers a Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med program for all medical specializations. Program is offered on the undergraduate campus, School of Medicine and at the School of Public Health; students are able to carve out their own area of study.Ø Georgetown allows undergraduate students to gain the training needed to meet medical school criteria; program is part of the degree curriculum. A Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical program is also available for bachelor degree holders who lack core Pre-Med Science courses.Ø Saint Louis University’s 4 year Pre-Medical curriculum provides a foundation in the courses required for med school. Courses include Biology, Chemistry Physics and Calculus; program allows students to complete courses across disciplines.Ø Mount Sinai School of Medicine administers a Humanities and Medicine Early Acceptance Program, program was designed to prepare students for medical school. The 8 week summer program includes studies in Physics & Organic Chemistry, as well as other health disciplines.Ø Northwestern University offers study abroad programs in the United Kingdom; students may elect to study at Kings College University of London or Oxford University. A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is also offered to those hoping to complete the course work required for medical school.Ø Ranked as one the Best Medical Schools (US News), Ohio State’s School of Allied Medical Professions Division of Medical Technology offers a Medical Science Track that leads to a BS in Science. Program was designed for pre-pharmacy, pre-dental, pre-vet and pre med students.Ø Howard University offers a dual degree in BS/MD; program allows students to earn both degrees in six years. Program makes an easy transition from undergraduate to graduate study; an overall G.P.A of 3.5 and an MCAT score of 24 must be satisfied. Students must also meet the minimum G.P.A of 3.25 in science.Ø Temple University offers two tracks of study for students who intend to study medicine, tracks include BCMS and ACMS. BCMS-Basic Core in Medical Sciences Program was designed for those lacking the core requirements needed for medical school. ACMS is for students who wish to enhance their credentials so as to pursue a career in medicine.Ø University of Iowa administers a Pre-Medicine track that includes math, chemistry, biology and physics. Students must declare a major in a specific area, program has led to high medical school acceptance rates.Ø University of Miami offers a Pre Law Undergraduate Program as well as a Post Baccalaureate Program; the Post Baccalaureate Program helps bachelor degree holders who feel they need more preparation prior to applying to law school.Ø University of Pennsylvania offers a few Post Baccalaureate programs, two are relevant to the study of medicine; these include the Pre Health Core Studies and the Pre Health Specialized Studies. Both programs are very selective and pave way for further medical studies.Ø University of South Florida offers programs to help prepare students for professional schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and many other health related fields. Students must choose another major besides the pre-professional requirement.Ø Columbia University offers a Post-Bachelor Premedical program that is considered the oldest and largest in the United States. Students from the program make up 90% of placement in American medical programs; program provides linkage to Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Q. What is the best college for premed?A.CM’s Top 10 Universities for Pre-Med Students (College Magazine)Top Premed Colleges (college.lovetoknow.com)by MCAT and GPAby Student ApplicationsBest Universities for Pre-Med Students: List of Top Schools (Student.com)CM’s Top 10 Universities for Pre-Med Students - College MagazineBy Alyssa Aguero |March 21, 2016As exciting (and scandalous) as Grey’s Anatomy may be, becoming a doctor is no walk in the park. But before you even begin thinking about what medical schoolyou want to go to, you’ll have to survive undergrad first. While pre-med isn’t exactly a major, many universities offer a track that’ll prepare you for med school. Pre-med clubs, shadowing opportunities and special programs should be considered when you’re deciding how you want to begin your medical career. College Magazine took some of the load off your shoulders (you guys have a lot of work ahead of you) and ranked the top universities for pre-med students.1. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILLNinety percent of UNC’s students who apply to medical school get in…let that sink in for a second. One of this university’s gems is their 9-week Medical Education Development (MED) summer program. This rigorous program allows students to shadow physicians and participate in lectures and seminars for professional development. MED also mirrors a first-year medical student curriculum—it’s like getting a little taste of med school. Although there is no specific pre-med track at UNC, these students still receive a lot of guidance. “I think that the way all pre-med students, regardless of their declared majors, are accommodated and assisted throughout the process is [unique],” said Danielle Jamieson, a psychology and Hispanic linguistics senior.2. GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITYThe pre-med students at GW aren’t limited to studying within the U.S. The university offers a study abroad program in the United Kingdom where students are given the option to either study at Kings College University of London or Oxford University. GW also offers an all-in-one program where students can earn their bachelor’s degree and medical degree. However, this is a selective program. Only students who have demonstrated leadership and academic excellence, and have healthcare experience are permitted in this program. These lucky students get their MCAT waived and are admitted into GW’s Medical School at a fixed tuition (big emphasis on lucky students).3. HARVARD UNIVERSITYEver wish you had a mentor who was also a doctor and always available for you? Well, Harvard does for their pre-med students. “At Harvard, we have three separate pre-medical advisers, one of whom is a doctor, available at any time, in addition to a pre-medical advisor who lives in the same dorm as you once you get to sophomore year, which is not common at other colleges,” said Bryan Peaker, a freshman studying human developmental and regenerative biology. And the advising doesn’t stop there. Harvard has a handbook for students on the pre-med track that tells them what classes they need to take, when to take them and how to get into medical school.4. BOSTON UNIVERSITYRemember when Charlie got a golden ticket to get into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory? This is a similar case for the students at BU, except instead of a chocolate factory it’s med school. With their Early Assurance Program, students are guaranteed a ticket (provisional admission) into BU’s Medical School. This university also offers a duel liberal arts and medical degree path that gives students the chance to earn both their Bachelor of Arts and medical degree in seven years, as apposed to eight. To get into their accelerated program (different from the early assurance one) you need to complete the SAT or ACT plus Writing and SAT Subject Tests in Chemistry Math 2 and, if you’re feeling brave, Foreign Language. This place keeps sounding more and more like a chocolate factory.5. GEORGETOWNImagine finding out you got into medical school during your sophomore year of college—that’s what we call a stress reliever. The pre-med students at Georgetown get this privilege with the university’s Early Assurance Program. This program is for students who want to attend Georgetown’s School of Medicine and have excelled in their studies and have completed four semesters and classes in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry. These brainiacs can apply at the end of their sophomore year if they have completed four semesters at Georgetown and have taken four pre-med courses. Another plus from this program is that the students’ MCAT is waived. Georgetown also has a few pre-med clubs like the Pre-Medical Society and the Pre-Dental Society. The Pre-Medical society not only provides advising for pre-med students, but also sponsors mock interviews and brings in guest speakers from the medical field to talk to the student members.6. JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITYSome say the best learning happens outside of the classroom, and that’s the case at Johns Hopkins University. Occasionally the professors let their students into their labs for research. The students here can get even more outside learning by taking a 15-minute shuttle ride to Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, where they can shadow doctors and conduct research. With all these opportunities, the pre-med students here don’t feel the need to compete with each other. “As undergrads, we encourage and assist each other in all of our coursework. [It’s] definitely not a cut-throat, competitive environment like some say,” said George Bugarinovic, a public health and natural sciences senior.7. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIAIf you’re in no rush to start med school, you’ve stumbled upon the perfect university. U Penn doesn’t believe in giving their pre-med students a fast track path into medical school. They want their students to complete their degree in four years so they can take additional classes that will make them more prepared for med school and beyond. U Penn is also located near several large medical institutes, like the Pennsylvania Hospital, which provide them with opportunities to shadow doctors and volunteer at hospitals. Clearly, this university knows what it’s doing since 76 percent of U Penn students get into medical school.8. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONAs one of the top medical schools in the nation, it’s no surprise that the University of Washington has one of the best pre-med tracks in the nation as well. With a large number of premedical clubs (Alpha Epsilon Delta is a big one) and numerous shadowing opportunities, these students will be wearing white coats in no time. “The shadowing opportunities and your ability to get into research your freshman year is unreal, it’s [one] you can’t get everywhere. My winter quarter of my freshman year I got to shadow a mitral valve replacement [surgeon],” said Alec Sullivan, a competitive history of ideas sophomore.9. CORNELL UNIVERSITYHere’s a shocker: another Ivy landed on our list. With its two-year pre-med track program, Cornell prepares students by offering courses—introductory biology and chemistry courses to name a few—on sciences that are related to medicine. Students also have the chance to volunteer at the Cayuga Medical Center—a non-profit hospital right by the university. One of Cornell’s greatest resources is their PATCH club—a student-run organization that brings together pre-med and pre-health students. PATCH welcomes all pre-health students and offers a supportive environment and beneficial opportunities for its members such as bringing in guest speakers to talk about their experience in the health care field.10. NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITYThe pre-med track is not an easy one, and Northwestern University gets that. Its pre-med peer mentor program (NU PPMP) selects upperclassmen with a strong academic standing to guide and support underclassmen on the pre-med track. This university is also big on research. Students are allowed to conduct their own independent study.“I joined a lab for two years and was able to take a really active role in research and actually got a Nature publication out of my time there,” said Jane Wang, biology major and 2014 graduate.Top Premed CollegesBy Joe ThomasTop premed colleges can be ranked several ways, but the title of best academic program is indicative of the overall quality of medical students that a premed college produces. There are several ways to rank top premed colleges, such as MCAT and GPA, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores or applications received, but the fact remains that you should find a school that is a good fit for your personality and in a location you would enjoy attending. Some feel that for many students, their success, or lack of it, might be largely unrelated to the individual medical school.Using Student Scores and GPAWhen you consider MCAT scores that are greater than 31.5 and GPAs of greater than 3.5, the list gets narrower and can give you a better indication of competitive med schools that turn out the highest achievers and therefore, get more prestigious academic acknowledgement. The average USMLE scores are better statistics to consider than USMLE pass rates, but med schools don't publish board scores for confidentiality reasons. There are some premed colleges that have high pass rates, but lower average USMLE scores. It is a combination of several factors that make up the top premed colleges on this listing of colleges.The Ten Top Premed Colleges by MCAT and GPAWashington University St. Louis: 1 Children's Place, #4S20, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, Phone (314) 454-6120, http://www.medschool.wustl.eduHarvard Medical School: 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, Phone (617) 432-1000, http://www.hms.harvard.edu/hmsJohn Hopkins University School of Medicine: 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, Phone (410) 955-5000, Home | Johns Hopkins UniversityVanderbilt School of Medicine: 215 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, Phone (615) 322-2145 Vanderbilt University School of MedicineYale School of Medicine: 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, Phone (203-785-2696), Yale School of MedicineDuke University School of Medicine: DUMC 3710, Durham, North Carolina 27710, Phone (919) 684-2985, Office of M.D. AdmissionsStanford School of Medicine: 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California 94305, Phone (650) 723-4000, Stanford MedicineMayo Medical School: 200 First Street S.W., Rochester Minnesota 55905, Phone (507) 284-2316, Mayo ClinicNew York University: 550 First Avenue, New York, New York 10016, Phone (212) 263-7300, Education and TrainingUniversity of Pennsylvania: Suite 100, Stemmler Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, Phone (215)898-8001, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of PennsylvaniaRankings of Premed Colleges by Student ApplicationsThe number of student applications gives an indication of the most popular choices made by premed students, but a larger portion of students will not be admitted due to admissions limits. Harvard and Stanford also make this listing, but the other eight choices are not in the top ten that are ranked by MCAT and GPA scores.University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine: 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90095, Phone (310) 825-4321, University of CaliforniaUniversity of California: 110 Sproul Hall, #5800, Berkeley, California 94720, Phone (510) 642-6000, University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of Michigan Medical School: 1301 Catherine Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, Phone (734) 763-9600, Michigan MedicineUniversity of Texas Medical School: 6431 Fannin Street, MSB G420 Houston, Texas, Phone (713) 500-5116, http://www.uth.tmc.eduUniversity of Florida Gainesville: P.O. Box 100235, Gainesville, Florida 32610, Phone (352) 273-7500, University of FloridaUniversity of California San Diego: 9500 Gilman Drive, LaJolla, CA 92093, Phone (858) 534-2230, University of California San DiegoHarvard School of Medicine: 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, Phone (617) 432-1000, http://www.hms.harvard.edu/hmsUniversity of Wisconsin Madison: 750 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, Phone (608) 265-6344, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthUniversity of Virginia School of Medicine: P.O. Box 800725, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, Phone (434) 924-5571, UVA Health SystemUniversity of Illinois Medical School: 601 S. Morgan Street, Chicago, Illinois, Phone (312) 996-7000, http://ww.uic.eduStanford School of Medicine: 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California 94305, Phone (650) 723-4000, Stanford MedicineChoosing a CollegeThere are many fine colleges for premed students and while some names are more recognizable than others, there is a good selection in a variety of regions across the country. The best advice when searching for the premed college choices that offer the best programs, is to find the ones that are best suited to all facets of your life and your medical education goals. Accredited colleges offer similar basic programs, but some might offer more specialized courses that are tailored to different healthcare fields. This is a consideration that most premed students use when determining the best premed college to meet their medical career goals.Best Universities for Pre-Med Students: List of Top SchoolsAlthough medical schools are often indifferent to an applicant's major, they usually look for prerequisite coursework in general and organic chemistry, biology, English, and physics. A strong undergraduate grade point average and competitive Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores can also help students gain entry to a good medical or dental school. Some of the best universities for pre-med students include Harvard University, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and the University of Pennsylvania, all of which are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.Harvard University in Cambridge, MAHarvard University was ranked as the best medical research school for 2015 by U.S. News World Report. It is an Ivy League institution and has over a dozen groups for pre-med students, such as the Harvard Premedical Society, Harvard Hippocratic Society, and Latinos in Health Careers. The Office of Career Services provides pre-med planning for undergraduate students who want to apply to medical school upon graduation. Harvard also assists students in planning for careers in dental medicine, public health and advanced nursing.University of North Carolina in Chapel HillAs designated by U.S News & World Report in 2015, the University of North Carolina's medical program ranked second in primary care. Pre-med students get assistance from the Health Professions Advising Office in choosing programs and classes, applying to medical schools, and preparing for the MCAT. UNC also offers the Medical Education Development program (MED), a rigorous 9-week summer program for select students that mirrors a first-year medical school curriculum. Of the MED students who apply to medical school, 90% are accepted.The University of North Carolina has an active chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, the pre-professional health honor society.University of Pennsylvania in PhiladelphiaIn 2015, US News & World Report ranked the University of Pennsylvania eighth among national universities and fifth for medical research. A member of the Ivy League, this university offers advising and planning for undergraduate students preparing to attend allopathic or osteopathic medical schools. It also offers guidance for students interested in dental school. Through the College of Liberal and Professional Studies, Penn also provides a post-baccalaureate, pre-health program for students who have earned an undergraduate degree in a non-science major or who want to be better prepared for advanced medical study.The University is home to several medical research institutes studying Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and AIDS, as well as cardiovascular health, developmental biology, and head injuries.Top Schools for Pre-Med StudentsLet's take a look at some of the other top schools for pre-med students.Columbia University in New York, NY provides a comprehensive pre-medical handbook for students planning a pre-med curriculum.Cornell University in Ithaca, NY was named 11th best university in the world by the Center for World University Rankings.Johns Hopkins University encourages students to take a year off between undergraduate and medical school to gain additional experiences or conduct research. The school is located in Baltimore, MD.Northwestern University, located in Evanston, IL, has an undergraduate research grants program that provides pre-med students with funding to conduct independent research.The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN offers an online interactive workshop for students called Planning for Medical School.The University of Washington in Seattle, WA has an online guide to help students prepare for medical school admissions.The University of Wisconsin - Madison advises students wishing to pursue studies in physical or occupational therapy, pharmacology, physician assistance, and nursing in addition to medicine and dentistry.The best university for pre-med studies really depends on what you want from a school, because each of the top-ranked schools has unique aspects that help to make it one of the best.