It is exciting to know that you are interested in pursuing a medical career in Arizona, however, choosing the right school is often the first thing to do.
At the time of writing this article, there are actually five top medical schools in Arizona, three are MD-granting while the remaining two are DO-granting institutions and we shall help you out with what it takes to get in.
While we explain the school’s requirements, keep your mind open because we shall also answer a few related questions, you can also check out our recommended article on the steps you can take to become a medical doctor.
So, if you’re ready to work towards becoming a doctor or nurse in this beautiful state, let’s get started!
Why study Medicine in Arizona?
Arizona is quickly emerging as one of the top destinations to study medicine, with the state’s warm climate, low cost of living, and leading-edge opportunities.
Many aspiring medical students are attracted to study in Arizona because they can easily get access to plenty of specialty hospitals, especially the Mayo Clinic which is globally known for its excellence.
Aspiring doctors can also find comfort at the Grand Canyon State because it offers a unique, purposeful learning environment that is both fulfilling and rewarding.
How to get into the Arizona Medical Schools? (Requirements)
Here are some universal requirements for applying to a medical school, you need to show documents such as;
- Transcripts
- MCAT score
- Admission Motivation letter
- Letters of recommendation, and
- A personal statement.
However, to stand a very good chance of admission into the top-ranked medical schools in Arizona, your transcript needs to show an average CGPA of 3.72 and an average MCAT score of 512.
It is also important that you know some of these schools will require you to send in an essay or even take an online interview with them, especially the University of Arizona, College of Medicine at Tucson.
Related: The 5 Best Medical schools in Kansas
What are the best Medical Schools in Arizona?
1. Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Founded in 1972, the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine which was formerly known as the Mayo Medical School and located at Scottsdale/Phoenix is currently the best medical school in Arizona.
The school has been ranked by U.S. News as the 14th-best medical research school in the states, and some of the reasons most students prefer this institution are because of its small class size, world-class research opportunities, and flexible electives.
Students applying to this school can do so to obtain an MD or MD-PhD, and getting into this school is not a piece of cake, its acceptance rate is very low at 1.99%, therefore, to have a fair chance of entrance, applicants should meet the average GPA of 3.92.
Students going for the MD program should bear in mind that it is actually a 4-year program, although it can be structured around 2 years while it takes approximately 7-8 years for students in the MD-PhD program to complete it.
2. University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
Next on our list is the University of Arizona College of Medicine which was founded in 1967 and is located in Tucson, Arizona.
As the name suggests, this MD-granting institution is affiliated with the University of Arizona, and as a very renowned medical school, it has been ranked by the US News as the 74th best medical school for research.
You have to really be a top performer to get into this school, the average GPA is 3.72 and applicants are required to have an average test score of 509.
The standard curriculum shows that it takes four years to complete the program here, however, some programs can be more, for instance, the Accelerated Pathway to Medical Education program where students spend a minimum of seven years.
3. A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU)
Established in 2007, A.T. Still University is one of the best private medical schools in Arizona offering programs that lead to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree in the state.
The school is widely known as the first osteopathic institution in the world and is located in Mesa.
To get into this school is not really easy, its acceptance rate is just 3.7%, and you need to meet the average CGPA requirement of 3.66 and also get an average MCAT score of 504.
With just four years of determination and consistency, you should be able to complete the program here and graduate.
Related: The 3 Best Osteopathic Medical Schools In California To Get Into
4. Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Established in 1964, the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine ranked #1 among the top schools with its graduates practicing in primary care fields.
As the name tells us, it is one of the best Arizona medical schools that grants the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
Some of the reasons most students choose this school are because of the school’s facilities, the location too, just about 15 miles away from Phoenix, the simulation center, the emergency room, and even the wellness and recreation hall.
However, it is not also easy to get into this school, as the average MCAT score is 507 and an average CGPA of 3.53.
Related: The 4 Best Medical Schools in Quebec and How To Get In
5. University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix
The University of Arizona College of Medicine at Phoenix is one of the prestigious medical schools in Arizona, it was originally established as a branch campus of the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson back in 2007 until it got independent in 2012.
The University of Arizona College of Medicine at Phoenix has been ranked #65 by the US News among the top schools with its graduates practicing in medically underserved areas.
To get into this medical school, you need to have an average GPA of 3.77 and an average MCAT score of 512 because its acceptance rate is actually low, as low as 1.79%.
It takes four years to complete the program here, when admitted, students will spend their first two years learning about organ systems with additional classes that will groom their doctoring skills and exposure to clinical settings.
The remaining two years will groom the students in clinical rotations, and they can pursue broader related topics.
Related: The Best Medical Schools in Alberta and How To Get In
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is it to get into medical school in Arizona?
Getting into any medical school in Arizona can be moderately difficult because the school’s acceptance rate is just below 4% and students will need to show academic brilliance with an average GPA of 3.72 and MCAT score of 512.
While you have a good academic background, it is recommended to spend time presenting a very compelling essay or interview to increase your chances.
How much does medical school cost in Arizona?
Fees are bound to change over time, and you can always get updated pricing from the school’s website, however, this data can help you make a budget.
| Arizona Medical Schools | Annual Tuition and Fees |
| Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine | $60,700 (IS), $60,700 (OOS). |
| University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson | $35,942 (IS), $56,076 (OOS). |
| A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU) | $60,802 (IS), $60,802 (OOS). |
| Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine | $71,833 (IS), $71,833 (OOS). |
| University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix | $35,408 (IS), $55,542 (OOS) |
Source: Shemmassian Consulting.
What is AMCAS and how does it work?
AMCAS simply stands for the American Medical College Application Service, this is actually a portal where students can submit and track their applications to different schools.
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