Medical Schools in Minnesota: How to Get In (2024)
/Which are the best medical schools in Minnesota? Learn how hard it is to get into Minnesota medical schools, plus admissions strategies to make it happen
There are two medical schools in Minnesota
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: List of medical schools in Minnesota: 2023 rankings and admissions statistics
Part 3: Minnesota medical school profiles
Part 4: Minnesota medical school admissions strategies
Appendix A: Minnesota medical schools by degree type
Appendix B: Minnesota medical schools by institution type
Appendix C: Minnesota medical schools by region
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Part 1: Introduction
Located in the heart of the Upper Midwest, Minnesota is known for its 10,000+ lakes (most notably Lake Superior), the bustling Minneapolis–Saint Paul “Twin Cities” metropolis (home to 50% of Minnesotans), and its two internationally recognized medical schools: the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Whichever Minnesota medical school you choose to study and rotate through, you will graduate from a top institution known for its breadth and depth of clinical cases, research excellence, and commitment to medical education.
The goals of this guide are to provide you with an overview of the strengths of both Minnesota medical schools and to highlight unique qualities of each program’s curriculum and other offerings so you can decide if either would be a great fit for you. We’ll also offer admissions strategies to help you optimize your chances of receiving an acceptance from the Minnesota medical school of your choice.
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Part 2: List of medical schools in Minnesota: 2023 rankings and admissions statistics
Below you will find the latest statistics on Minnesota medical schools, such as rankings and average GPAs and MCAT scores, so you can easily compare the two schools side-by-side. While compiling this information, we noticed the following:
Both Minnesota medical schools are allopathic.
Minnesota medical schools are highly competitive. Both appear in the top 50 on the 2023 U.S. News Best Medical Schools (Research) ranking, and one appears in the top 15.
While Minnesota residents enjoy higher interview rates at both Minnesota medical schools, Minnesota’s public medical school (the University of Minnesota Medical School) also matriculates an extremely high percentage of in-state residents.
In the ranking column below, numbers in parentheses show each medical school’s national ranking, whereas numbers outside parentheses reflect each Minnesota medical school’s relative rank. Relative rankings allow us to more easily answer the question, “Which are the ‘best’ medicals school in Minnesota?”
(Note: We strongly recommend that you sign up for MSAR for the most up-to-date information on MD programs and that you sign up for Choose DO for DO program data.)
| Minnesota Medical Schools | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine | $60,700 OOS |
13.9% OOS |
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| University of Minnesota Medical School* | Duluth |
$57,018 OOS |
5.6% OOS |
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Part 3: Minnesota medical school profiles
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Though the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is comprised of three campuses across three states, its Minnesota campus is the oldest and largest. On top of this, it shares a home with the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, consistently ranked the best hospital in America.
Mayo offers a small first-year class size (approximately 100 students) in order to facilitate community and collaboration; this results in 40% of Mayo medical students opting to continue their residency training at Mayo. Additionally, the school places a large emphasis on research—the majority of students graduate with a manuscript published in a well-regarded, peer-reviewed journal.
Mayo’s traditional preclinical curriculum incorporates self-directed learning opportunities, known as 2–3 week selectives, in areas of students’ unique interests. This allows students to hone their education to fit their unique professional goals, such as pursuing more experience in the specialty of their choice, dedicated research, or global health initiatives.
(Suggested reading: How to Get Into Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine: Requirements and Strategies)
University of Minnesota Medical School
With campuses located in the Twin Cities and Duluth, the University of Minnesota Medical School’s curriculum is known for its active learning and integrated curriculum. Students will study both the foundational sciences and clinical skills courses in their first two years of medical school. After completion of the preclinical curriculum, students will enter their clinical rotations and have the opportunity to rotate at over eighteen clinical sites in various cities across the state.
As Minnesota’s public medical school, the University of Minnesota Medical School is committed to serving the state’s diverse populations. Notably, it is recognized for placing a strong emphasis on Native American health education and rural medicine initiatives at its Duluth campus. In addition, 70% of current Minnesota physicians trained at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
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Part 4: Minnesota medical school admissions strategies
Strategy 1: Utilize statistics when deciding which Minnesota medical schools to apply to
As evidenced by the data listed above, it is clear that both Minnesota medical schools are highly competitive. For admissions success at either school, you should score highly on your MCAT and achieve an average GPA of 3.8 or higher.
It is also beneficial to note any connections you may have to Minnesota or your desire to work in Minnesota as a physician. In particular, the University of Minnesota Medical School has a strong preference for in-state applicants and those who wish to practice in Minnesota after medical school graduation.
(Suggested reading: How Many Medical Schools Should I Apply To? Which Ones?)
Strategy 2: Learn what makes each Minnesota medical school unique, and make sure to communicate fit with these key features
Take time to consider your achievements, strengths, and career goals when deciding if you should apply to either Minnesota medical school.
For example, if you are eager to pursue in-depth research and be exposed to many sub-specialty areas of medicine, Mayo likely fits what you are looking for. On the other hand, if you are keen to practice community-oriented medicine and stay in Minnesota once you are done attending, you may benefit more from attending the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Then, make sure to effectively incorporate this fit into your secondary essays and medical school interview responses.
Strategy 3: Think ahead to the interview
The final stage of the admissions process is interview day, and if you make it that far it’s truly cause for celebration. However, don’t break out the champagne just yet. You have one final obstacle to overcome before you’ve got an open path to a white coat.
Interviews vary at every school. Will it follow a traditional or MMI format? What questions will you be asked? Will your interview be open or closed file? Will it be in-person or virtual?
Planning for each of these situations is crucial to your success and to leave adcoms with a positive impression of what you will bring to their institution. Make sure you think through your responses to common questions such as, “Why do you want to be a doctor?” Review your application materials so that you can readily speak to your extracurricular activities or academic interests.
Everything will be on the table on interview day, so be sure you’re prepared and can confidently handle anything they may ask of you.
Final thoughts
There are only two medical schools in Minnesota; however, they are both world-renowned and differ from one another along lines such as curricula, locations, and missions. By strategically shaping your medical school list and submitting tailored application materials, you will position yourself to be successful when applying to either medical school in Minnesota.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.
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Appendix A: Minnesota medical schools by degree type
Allopathic medical schools in Minnesota (MD)
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
University of Minnesota Medical School
Osteopathic medical schools in Minnesota (DO)
There are no osteopathic medical schools in Minnesota.
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Appendix B: Minnesota medical schools by institution type
Public medical schools in Minnesota
University of Minnesota Medical School
Private medical schools in Minnesota
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
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Appendix C: Minnesota medical schools by region
Medical schools in Minneapolis–Saint Paul (Twin Cities)
University of Minnesota Medical School (Twin Cities campus)
Medical schools outside of Minneapolis–Saint Paul (Twin Cities)
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
University of Minnesota Medical School (Duluth campus)
