I understand the stress of deciding where to apply to school. While I haven’t gone through the med school application process, I have done so with grad school, in general.
To help you with your applications, I found some of the best medical schools in New York. Look into the following programs when deciding where to send your transcripts and MCAT scores.
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
One of the top-ranking medical schools in New York is at Columbia University. One of the biggest draws to the school is the fact that it replaced loans with scholarships.
If you qualify for student aid, you won’t have to worry about repaying the money you need.
I love how they focus on teaching narrative medicine, which focuses on the whole patient, rather than just their condition.
You can also study biomedical informatics or public health, which is great if you don’t necessarily want to practice medicine.
The school also provides a ton of opportunities to all medical students regarding research.
Plus, you can take a few elective classes during your Differentiation & Integration block. The block also comes with a research project.
Of course, living in New York grants you access to clinical rotations at many of the nation’s best hospitals. You can also work at the student-run clinics for Columbia.
And if you’re passionate about small towns, you can go through the rural medicine track.
- Location: New York City
- Average Tuition: $136,561 (for three years)
- Acceptance Rate: 4.5%
- Student Enrollment: 776
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
New York University is home to the number 1 medical school in New York state. The Grossman School of Medicine offers free tuition to all students that it accepts.
After they announced the program a few years back, they received more applications than ever.
Of course, you can expect to receive clinical training through NYU Langone Health. But you can also train at some affiliated hospitals in the area.
In the classroom, you can participate in interdisciplinary studies and special concentrations.
I love how they even offer a three-year MD program with conditional residency acceptance. So if you don’t want to spend a ton of time in school, you can cut your program short.
They also have a similar program on their Long Island campus.
But there’s still a four-year MD program if you don’t want to cram your studies into three years. The school is a great choice, but it can be quite competitive.
- Location: New York City/Long Island
- Average Tuition: $0
- Acceptance Rate: 2.1%
- Student Enrollment: 679
Weill Cornell Medical College
Another Ivy League school worth applying to is through Cornell. The Weill Cornell Medical College is perfect for students who learn best by doing things.
Instead of sitting through boring lectures, you get to learn in small groups.
I’d also recommend this school to anyone looking to travel. As a student, you’ll have access to research and care experiences in over 60 countries.
That makes it an appealing program for students who care about global health as well.
In New York, you’ll get access to clinical experiences at New York Presbyterian Hospital. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is also at your disposal.
These locations are great places to learn and conduct research.
Plus, you’ll get to treat patients from diverse backgrounds. That can help you prepare to take on more diverse patients in your career.
And I love how you won’t incur any student debt, aside from perhaps personal loans for living expenses.
- Location: New York City
- Average Tuition: $0
- Acceptance Rate: 5%
- Student Enrollment: 400
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai is probably one of the most famous hospitals in the US. So it makes sense that its coordinating medical school would be of equal caliber.
The fact that the school is based out of a hospital means you’ll get tons of clinical training.
A lot of what you study will be through a flexible school curriculum, which I love. You’ll even get Flex Time that you can use to work on leadership and learn other new things.
Plus, you can choose to complete a scholarly project during one of your med school years.
I love how Icahn incorporates entrepreneurship into medical school. So if you’re looking into opening your own practice, you’ll build the necessary skills for that.
However, you can also use your training to get a traditional medical job.
One of the most innovative programs, this school is an excellent choice. Not only can you complete your traditional medical training, but you can prepare for your future.
- Location: New York City
- Average Tuition: $1,400 per credit
- Acceptance Rate: 3.4%
- Student Enrollment: 1,253
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Named after the well-known scientist, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine is fantastic. It’s in the Bronx, so it’s perfect if you’re passionate about treating underserved communities.
Of course, you’ll also see a lot of diversity during your clinicals.
I appreciate how you can take your courses on a pass/fail basis. So if you’re not the best at studying, you have some leeway. The school also records optional lectures that you can view at your leisure to learn even more.
Thanks to its research emphasis, you’ll get to write a research paper during your schooling. You’ll be assigned a mentor to work with you on your research for the project.
Unfortunately, that means it’s not the best school if you’re not a good writer.
Still, the emphasis on community engagement is hard to pass up. Even if you don’t end up working with diverse patients, your training will come in handy. You never know when you may work with minorities.
- Location: New York City
- Average Tuition: $68,286
- Acceptance Rate: 4.3%
- Student Enrollment: 183
New York Medical College
If the suburbs are more your speed, you may prefer to attend New York Medical College. You’ll find one of the largest entering class sizes of medical schools in the state. The school also has a long history of admitting students from diverse groups.
As a student, you’ll get to work in primary care settings early in your program. Once you’re ready to take on those clinicals, you can do so at three hospitals in the area.
Not only that, but you could study medicine in Europe or Asia.
This school is amazing because it takes a humanistic approach to medicine. If you’re tired of your own doctors treating your symptoms but not you, this is great. You can break that cycle and become the doctor you wish you had.
I love how this school isn’t smack dab in the middle of NYC. But it’s still close enough that you have access to clinicals at hospitals in the city.
- Location: Westchester County
- Average Tuition: $58,350
- Acceptance Rate: 5.2%
- Student Enrollment: 1,982
Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
Not everyone wants to go to a private school or wants to foot the massive bill. But that’s where Stony Brook University’s Renaissance School of Music beats out the competition.
The public university offers high-caliber medical training and myriad personalized programs.
You can start developing your professional identity from the start. If you’re enthusiastic about global health, you’ll love the chance to study medicine in other countries.
But back home, you’ll get to study at Long Island’s only Level 1 trauma center and tertiary care center.
If a traditional medical degree sounds overwhelming, you have options. You could do a research project with the scholarly concentrations program. Or you could condense your education with their three-year MD.
What’s more, tuition is affordable. Even if you’re not from New York, you could qualify for in-state tuition rates as a second-year med student.
- Location: Long Island
- Average Tuition: $43,670 (in-state), $65,160 (out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 5.5%
- Student Enrollment: 564
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
How would it sound to attend a “liberal arts school of medicine?” If you’re interested in treating the whole patient, you’ll welcome this model from the University of Rochester.
Students are taught to consider social, psychological, and biological factors during treatment.
Small class sizes and pass/fail grades can help you succeed at the school. Not only that, but you’ll get to work clinicals even as a first-year student. In your rotations, you’ll be exposed to patients from all different walks of life.
I think it’s super cool how you can even focus on global health or bioethics. Medical education is another concentration, which is perfect if you might want to teach medical students one day.
If you’re looking for a lot of resources outside of NYC, this is the school for you. Even with the unique educational approach, you can obtain amazing training to prepare for residency.
- Location: Rochester
- Average Tuition: $41,088
- Acceptance Rate: 1.8%
- Student Enrollment: 441
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo is one of the best public medical schools in the state. Clinical training and research experience are both available to med students.
You’ll be mentored by a community-based physician throughout your program.
Another exciting feature is a new, excellent quality facility. Of course, you can also receive training in another country through the school’s Global Medicine Program.
Even if you don’t want to travel, you can still be trained by some of the best doctors and professors.
What’s more, if you’re from New York, the schooling is comparably affordable. I love how all students get to research medical topics and practice medicine. So if you’re not sure if you want to be a doctor, you can still put your education to use.
Meanwhile, the medicine leadership track is worth pursuing. It could prepare you to train other doctors or even be a med school professor.
- Location: Buffalo
- Average Tuition: $43,670 (in-state), $65,160 (out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 10.9%
- Student Enrollment: 180
CUNY School of Medicine
Another public school that might be worth your time is CUNY. Underrepresented students are especially encouraged to apply to this school. As a med student, you’ll be trained to work with your very community in a primary care role.
I wish there was a standalone MD program. However, they currently only have a combined BS/MD program that you have to start from your freshman year.
But the program will only take you seven years instead of eight before you get to enter a residency.
Clinical rotations happen at hospitals in Harlem, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. I admire how the school places a huge focus on population health.
They specifically like to teach how it relates to overall wellness and preventing diseases.
If you’re not from a well-off family but want to become a doctor, this program is for you. You’ll love getting to study with a diverse group of students and care for patients all over the city.
- Location: New York City
- Average Tuition: $41,600
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- Student Enrollment: 400
SUNY Upstate Medical University Alan and Marlene Norton College of Medicine
Do you want to go to school in Syracuse? Consider applying to SUNY for med school. It’s focused on serving the region in the middle of the state of New York. The university is also home to a Rural Medicine Scholars program.
That program is trying to encourage more doctors to practice in small towns. You’ll get to study at the biggest hospital in the region, which is also the only Level 1 trauma center anywhere close to Syracuse.
Meanwhile, you can also study at the Binghamton campus. It’s in an even smaller town, so you can work with more patients in a smaller setting. Roughly one in four students switch from Syracuse to Binghamton after two years.
In the classroom, you’ll get access to optional lectures and a pass/fail system. Plus, it’s cheap to live in the smaller towns of New York, so you can save money.
Tuition is also more reasonable, especially if you’re from the state.
- Location: Syracuse
- Average Tuition: $43,670 (in-state), $65,160 (out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 34%
- Student Enrollment: 1,537
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University College of Medicine
A similar yet different program to look into comes from SUNY Downstate. Based out of Brooklyn, it’s a public university with access to all that New York City has to offer.
It’s an excellent choice if you’re passionate about urban health issues.
You’ll get to treat patients from underserved groups. Social determinants of health, global health, and medical education are all available concentrations.
As with many of its competitors, SUNY Downstate offers optional lectures and pass or fail grades.
I love how you’ll get to work in clinical settings early on. Plus, if you’re from New York, you’ll qualify for the same low tuition as at other public schools. You don’t even have to be from the city.
When you start your clinicals, you’ll have access to the University Hospital of Brooklyn. But I admire how they offer affiliate hospitals to students as well.
That way, you can get a diverse range of experiences.
- Location: Brooklyn
- Average Tuition: $43,670 (in-state), $65,160 (out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 14%
- Student Enrollment: 807
Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
The Northwell Health system partnered with Hofstra University to create the Zucker School of Medicine. A newer med school, it’s already built an excellent reputation for its ingenious curriculum.
You’ll learn through self-directed, independent study as well as care-based education with small groups of other students. The entire curriculum is based on solving problems, which can help prepare you for whatever comes your way as a doctor.
Northwell has an extensive network of hospitals throughout New York City and Long Island. You’ll get access to all of those facilities for your clinical experiences.
That way, you can learn how to treat patients regardless of race, age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
Recently added educational facilities also make Hofstra an amazing place to study. You can do a research project during your med school studies as well.
- Location: Uniondale
- Average Tuition: $56,400
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Student Enrollment: 394
Albany Medical College
An older private school, Albany Medical College is worth applying to. It’s particularly appealing if you’re from the northeastern part of the state. You may already have experience with the school as a patient at Albany Medical Center Hospital.
You’ll be put on a rotation at that hospital and others around the state capital. For better or worse, Albany Medical College is known for offering a traditional medical education.
So if you’re not super intrigued by special programs elsewhere, you may enjoy it here.
What’s more, the school offers small class sizes so that you won’t be just a number. You’ll also be graded using a modified pass or fail grade system.
Of course, if money is a concern, Albany is a cheap place to live. That can help make up for the relatively high tuition due to the school’s private status.
- Location: Albany
- Average Tuition: $67,242
- Acceptance Rate: 1.26%
- Student Enrollment: 566
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Elmira Campus
The Elmira Campus is the newest addition to the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. It operates three other campuses in Pennsylvania and Florida. Of course, it’s new status means you’ll get access to fantastic facilities.
Founded to help increase medical staffing in the region, the Elmira campus is part of a massive medical school.
This campus uses the same educational methods as the other New York campus and the Florida school.
It’s the perfect choice for self-disciplined students who learn best alone or in small groups. As someone who falls into that category, I’d love this environment as a med student.
You’ll get to complete your clinical rotations at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center. Other hospitals in the Southern Tier area of New York are also available.
- Location: Elmira
- Average Tuition: $43,565
- Acceptance Rate: 6.7%
- Student Enrollment: 4,100 (entire system, not just Elmira)
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
I first heard of the New York Institute of Technology through the famous YouTuber/doctor named Doctor Mike. He’s probably the most famous alumnus of the school, but you don’t have to create content to go here.
If you’re interested in osteopathic medicine, this is the college for you. The school offers educational experiences in cities, rural areas, and around the world.
Plus, you can even study at NYIT at their new campus in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Either way, the school teaches a patient-focused approach. And the technology school means that they emphasize the importance of telemedicine and similar advancements.
Clinical rotations are available at hospitals throughout New York City. That way, you can obtain training in diverse environments to prepare you for your residency and career.
- Location: New York City, Jonesboro, AR
- Average Tuition: $58,435
- Acceptance Rate: 13.4%
- Student Enrollment: 435
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Another excellent school for aspiring DOs is Touro College. Two campuses are available, one each in Hudson Valley and Harlem.
The school aims to train students to provide care to patients of all backgrounds, and they try to admit students from said backgrounds.
Rather than classroom time, community service is a massive area of focus early on. Once you start your clinical experiences, you’ll get to rotate between hospitals in up to four states.
Most of those hospitals are in underserved areas.
Unfortunately, Touro doesn’t have the best rotation sites. They also have a lower pass rate for COMPLEX II compared to other medical schools.
Still, it’s a worthwhile school to apply to if you care about osteopathic medicine or caring for low-income and other diverse population groups.
It can be an especially appealing choice for minority medical students.
- Location: New York City
- Average Tuition: $137,850
- Acceptance Rate: 2.8%
- Student Enrollment: 1,080 (Harlem campus)