Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Pre Med

Introduction

Choosing the right college is a critical decision for pre-med students. The right college not only prepares students for medical school but also helps them to develop the necessary skills, experiences, and networks to become successful physicians. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which colleges are the best for pre-med. In this article, we will examine ten liberal arts colleges that are generally considered to be some of the best for pre-med, and explore what makes them great options for aspiring doctors.

In the following article, we will take a closer look at each of the top ten liberal arts colleges for pre-med, based on their pre-med programs, resources available to pre-med students, and success rates of their graduates in gaining admission to medical school. We will also include specific details about each college, as well as honorable mentions. By the end of the article, readers will have a better understanding of what makes these colleges great options for pre-med students and be better equipped to choose the right college for their pre-med education.

Methodology:

Before diving into this list, it's important to highlight the methodology we used to rank the top liberal arts colleges for pre-med. We first researched and analyzed data from several sources of information. This included individual college websites, but also rankings from U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and the Princeton Review. We then considered factors like program strength, the availability of resources, student support, reputational standing, and the success rates of program graduates in gaining admission to medical school. While this list is not exhaustive, it provides a comprehensive overview of some of the best liberal arts colleges for pre-med in the United States.

Our Rankings for the Best Liberal Arts Pre Med Programs

#1. Amherst College

Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, Amherst College offers a rigorous pre-med program that emphasizes critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and hands-on learning. Students are required to take a series of courses in biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as upper-level courses in topics such as genetics, neuroscience, and microbiology. In addition to coursework, students can also participate in research projects, clinical experiences, and community service programs.

The school has several resources available to pre-med students, including academic advising, tutoring, and pre-medical society. The college also has a strong relationship with the University of Massachusetts Medical School, which offers internships, research opportunities, and mentoring programs to Amherst College students.

According to the college's Career Center, approximately 90% of Amherst College pre-med graduates (including 80% on their first try!) who apply to medical school are accepted, which is well above the national average.

#2. Bowdoin College

Bowdoin College, located in Brunswick, Maine, offers a comprehensive pre-med program that includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The college also offers a unique interdisciplinary program in neuroscience, which combines coursework in biology, psychology, and philosophy.

Bowdoin College has several resources available to pre-med students, including advising, research opportunities, and internships. The college also has a Health Professions Advising Committee, which provides guidance and support to pre-med students throughout their undergraduate years. According to the college's Health Professions Advising Committee, approximately 91% of Bowdoin College pre-med graduates who apply to medical school are accepted, far above the national average!

#3. Carleton College

A small liberal arts school in Northfield, Minnesota, Carleton College offers a rigorous pre-med program that emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary learning. The program includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, as well as upper-level courses in topics such as immunology, biochemistry, and genetics.

Carleton College also has several resources available to pre-med students, including academic advising, research opportunities, and internships. The college also has a Health Professions Advising Office, which provides guidance and support to pre-med students throughout their undergraduate years.

According to the college's Career Center, the success rate of Carleton College pre-med graduates in gaining admission to medical school on their first try alone is a staggering 77%!

#4. Claremont McKenna College

Located in sunny Claremont, California, Claremont McKenna College offers a comprehensive pre-med program that includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The college also offers a unique program in Biophysics, which combines coursework in physics and biology.

The school has several resources available to pre-med students, including academic advising, research opportunities, and internships. The college also has a Health Professions Advising Office, which provides guidance and support to pre-med students throughout their undergraduate years.

While the college's Career Services hasn't released official data on what percent of Claremont McKenna College pre-med graduates who apply to medical school are accepted, it's known to be well above the national average.

#5. Haverford College

Located in the heart of Haverford, Pennsylvania, Haverford College offers a rigorous pre-med program that includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The college also offers several upper-level courses in topics such as molecular biology, microbiology, and human anatomy.

Haverford College has several resources available to pre-med students, including academic advising, research opportunities, and internships. The college also has a Pre-Health Advising Office, which provides guidance and support to pre-med students throughout their undergraduate years.

Haverford claims that 95% of their pre-med graduates who apply to medical school are accepted, although it's important to add an asterisk to that number; it's really the acceptance rate of graduates in a six-year period after graduating.

#6. Pomona College

A sister school of Claremont College, Pomona College is also located in Claremont, California. The small liberal arts college offers a comprehensive pre-med program that includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The college also offers several upper-level courses in topics such as genetics, neuroscience, and molecular biology.

Pomona College has several resources available to pre-med students, including academic advising, research opportunities, and internships. The college also has a Health Professions Advising Office, which provides guidance and support to pre-med students throughout their undergraduate years.

According to the college's admissions department, approximately 85% of Pomona College pre-med graduates who apply to medical school are accepted, which is well above the national average.

#7. Swarthmore College

Located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College offers a comprehensive pre-med program that includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The program emphasizes critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and hands-on learning, and provides students with opportunities for research, internships, and clinical experiences.

The school has several resources available to pre-med students, including academic advising, research opportunities, and internships. The college also has a Health Sciences Office, which provides guidance and support to pre-med students throughout their undergraduate years.

Swarthmore's pre-med program is known for preparing students well for medical school, and the school recently boasted a 77% medical school acceptance rate for its graduates.

#8. Williams College

Located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Williams College offers a rigorous pre-med program that includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The program emphasizes critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and interdisciplinary learning, and provides students with opportunities for research, internships, and clinical experiences.

This bucolic school has several resources available to pre-med students, including academic advising, research opportunities, and internships. The college also has a Health Professions Advisory Committee, which provides guidance and support to pre-med students throughout their undergraduate years.

An astounding 85-90% of Williams College pre-med graduates who apply to medical school are accepted!

#9. Wellesley College

Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Wellesley college is a private women's liberal arts college. it offers a comprehensive pre-med program that includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The program emphasizes critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and interdisciplinary learning, and provides students with opportunities for research, internships, and clinical experiences.

Wellesley College has several resources available to pre-med students, including academic advising, research opportunities, and internships. The college also has a Health Professions Advising Office, which provides guidance and support to pre-med students throughout their undergraduate years. 72% of Wellesley grads get into medical school.

#10. Harvey Mudd College

Another one of the Claremont Colleges, Harvey Mudd College—also located in Claremont, California—offers a comprehensive pre-med program that includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The program emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on learning, and provides students with opportunities for research, internships, and clinical experiences. The college also offers a unique Joint Science Department with neighboring colleges, which allows students to take advantage of a wider range of courses and resources.

The college has several resources available to pre-med students, including academic advising, research opportunities, and internships. The college also has a Health Professions Advising Committee, which provides guidance and support to pre-med students throughout their undergraduate years. Additionally, the college offers a Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Program for students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare but did not complete the necessary pre-med coursework during their undergraduate studies.

While specific data on acceptance rates is not readily available, Harvey Mudd's pre-med program is known for preparing students well for medical school. The college's Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Program has an acceptance rate to medical school that is well above the national average, and it's safe to assume that, just like its peer institutions, many Harvey Mudd pre-med graduates go on to attend top medical schools across the country.

Honorable Mentions

While some of the colleges we previously mentioned are considered to be some of the best for pre-med, there are many other liberal arts colleges that offer excellent pre-med programs. Some honorable mentions include:

• Middlebury College
• Oberlin College
• Reed College
• Vassar College

Conclusion

Choosing the right college for pre-med can be a daunting task, but with careful research, it is possible to find a college that fits your needs and goals. By considering the pre-med programs, resources, and success rates of these top liberal arts colleges, as well as honorable mentions, students can make an informed decision and set themselves up for success in their medical careers.