The number of non-traditional students has been growing over the years. And it is considered the new normal when it comes to enrollment demographics. Most American colleges and universities hold around 40% of the non-traditional student population.
This article will cover the best medical schools available for non-traditional students. It aims to guide and help these students succeed in medical school.
What are Non-Traditional Students?
When you graduate from high school, you are expected to go straight to college, study full time, be fully supported by your parents, and not have any significant life or work responsibilities. And that is the common assumption of a student's life.
Therefore, these students are considered traditional students attending colleges and universities. While non-traditional students, also known as adult learners, do not simply follow these norms set by society when it comes to the education process.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), different characteristics and criteria are used to identify non-traditional students.
Around 74% of college students are considered non-traditional and make up the majority of postsecondary students in the USA.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has classified three main criteria for non-traditional students. It includes enrollment patterns, financial and family status, and the high school graduation status of the incoming college student.
Identifying these types of students is crucial as it will help them adjust and handle the challenges, including stress levels, pressure from work and school, how to attain satisfaction levels, and more that they will encounter in achieving a degree in college.
Non-traditional students have more educational needs compared to traditional 18-year-old college students.
Other colleges and universities consider a student nontraditional depending on one’s age, income level, marital status, and if one earned a high school diploma.
Common Indicators of Non-Traditional Students:
The indicators or characteristics mentioned above are used to categorize a student as a non-traditional.
To be considered a non-traditional student, one only needs to meet one or two of these characteristics.
Proven Tips for Non-Traditional Students to Get into Medical School
Your desire to continue your studies is a solid foundation for you to succeed and reach that medical degree.
Know that you can make it work even if it is difficult, and to give you a boost, here are some tips to help you pave your way into medical school.
Get the Best MCAT Score Possible.
MCAT is one of the top requirements to enter any medical school. It is a standardized medical examination that will measure and determine if your skills and knowledge fit the criteria of the institution you want to enroll in.
Each medical school has a different MCAT score requirement, so the best thing you can do is to get the highest possible score you can achieve.
And to prepare for the MCAT, take review classes and practice tests as much as possible. It will not only help you get a high score, but it will also be a way for you to familiarize the exam.
Research the Medical School You Want to Get Into
Another thing you should consider is to do background research on the medical school you are eyeing. Enter your text here...
Create a checklist of what you want or expect from a medical school.
Also, do not only stick to one school. It is best to compare medical schools. In this way, you have a lot of options to choose from.
In addition, you may not know that one medical school may offer a much better program than your first choice.
Apply to as Many Medical Schools As You Can.
The more applications you send, the more chances you have. It increases your acceptance, and you may find good financial aid packages.
However, make sure to have another option just in case you may not make it to one of those schools, even if you meet the minimum entrance criteria.
It would be best to remember that most of the medical school application process is very competitive, and they only accept a certain percentage of all the applicants.
Applying to multiple institutions is a good step for finding a medical school that best suits you.6 Best Medical Schools for Non-Traditional Students
Being a non-traditional student should not hinder you from reaching your goal of becoming a medical doctor.
Balancing school, career, parenting, marriage, and other commitments is not easy and should not be the reason not to continue getting the medical degree you want.
To help you decide what medical school may fit a non-traditional student like you, we have listed here the top medical school in the country that supports and accepts non-traditional students.
Also, we included the different requirements required by these schools as part of their admission requirements.
Johns Hopkins University
Location: Baltimore, MD
The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is one of the most competitive medical schools you can choose. Given its global recognition, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine consistently provides its students with excellent medical training and education.
It also widely accepts non-traditional students who wish to enroll in their various medical programs.
The medical school focuses on providing top-quality education, academic excellence, leadership, and diversity. It also aims to teach its aspiring medical students compassion, public service, and patient care.
The institution also offers part-time options and continuing education courses for non-traditional students.
Also, its Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME) offers active learning activities to its students through online, in-person, or hybrid settings.
These medical programs are designed to improve their students' knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors, and critical thinking.
Also, each student will experience different medical learning opportunities through the medical school's partnership with distinguished medical institutions and organizations.
Educational Institution | Johns Hopkins University |
|---|---|
Medical Programs/Institution Rankings: | |
Acceptance rate: | 11% |
Tuition Fee: | USD 25, 241 |
Average MCAT Score Requirement: | 521 Points |
Average GPA Score Requirement: | 3.94 |
Harvard University
Location: Cambridge, MA
The Harvard Medical School (HMS) is a prestigious medical school that highly accepts and welcomes non-traditional students. It values education and does not emphasize the incoming student's undergraduate concentration or background.
The medical school does not explicitly give preference to applicants who have majored in science over those who took up other disciplines.
Instead, it gives integrity, fairness, and diversity significance in its selection and admission process.
Also, it opens its doors and offers equal chances to non-traditional students with an established career, a partner or spouse, are single parents, or may have been out of the school for more than two years to take up a medical degree.
It also supports and establishes an excellent student life experience, looks out for the student's overall well-being, and provides vast opportunities for career paths.
Educational Institution | Harvard University |
|---|---|
Medical Programs/Institution Rankings: | |
Acceptance rate: | 5% |
Tuition Fee: | USD 67,610 |
Average MCAT Score Requirement: | 519 to 520 Points |
Average GPA Score Requirement: | 3.9 |
University of Miami - Miller
Location: Miami, Florida
The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, or Miller School of Medicine, is a good choice for non-traditional students pursuing a medical degree. It is committed to leading cutting-edge medical learning programs and research opportunities for its students.
Also, the Miller School of Medicine takes pride in its contribution to research developments in various medical areas, including Epigenetics, Nanotechnology, HIV/AIDS, and more.
The educational institution accepts and admits students with diverse backgrounds, including non-traditional students.
Also, they are open to socio-economically challenged students, underrepresented minorities, and more.
It is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide an educational program for non-traditional students and others.
The medical school aims to provide its students with effective, diverse, practice-based learning and excellent patient care while improving the country's healthcare system.
Educational Institution | Harvard University |
|---|---|
Medical Programs/Institution Rankings: | |
Acceptance rate: | 4.59% |
Tuition Fee: | USD 57,760 |
Average MCAT Score Requirement: | 514 Points |
Average GPA Score Requirement: | 3.75 |
Baylor University
Location: Houston, TX
Another medical school that is perfect for non-traditional students is the Baylor College of Medicine. It is also accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the Texas Medical Board.
It empowers its students through evidenced-based practice learning, scientific innovation, and patient-care-centered programs. It fosters social equity through a transformative learning culture and fully supports people from diverse backgrounds with different academic histories, including non-traditional students.
Also, the school has personalized medical training and fellowships that focus on providing excellent medical education and exposing its students to a diverse community of patients.
The medical programs are instilled with professionalism, equality, diversity, and respect for each cultural difference.
Also, the programs equip their students with excellent clinical and practical skills. And it enhances their knowledge and critical learning skills, which are all relevant to any specialization in medicine.
Educational Institution | Harvard University |
|---|---|
Medical Programs/Institution Rankings: | |
Acceptance rate: | 4.3% |
Tuition Fee: | USD 19,425 (For Texas Residents Only) USD 32,525 (For Non-Texas Residents Only) |
Average MCAT Score Requirement: | 518 Points |
Average GPA Score Requirement: | 3.92% |
Howard University
Location: Washington, DC
The Howard University School of Medicine is another school that a non-traditional student can consider getting into. It offers exceptional medical programs that prepare aspiring physicians to practice medicine in the future.
It is committed to delivering quality medical education through an interdisciplinary approach, comprehensive and active learning system, hands-on training, and support from faculty to its students.
It fully supports the student's academic success through its early clinical experience training programs. Also, medical students are given diverse clinical rotations during their residency and fellowship training.
Everyone has the chance to handle a large population with diverse cultural backgrounds and different age groups.
The school is dedicated to providing the best patient care and healthcare programs in the community.
Also, the institution ensures a respectful and ethical academic environment for all the students, faculty, and staff.
Educational Institution | Harvard University |
|---|---|
Medical Programs/Institution Rankings: | |
Acceptance rate: | 2.9% |
Tuition Fee: | USD 50, 106 |
Average MCAT Score Requirement: | 504 Points |
Average GPA Score Requirement: | 3.5 |
Florida International University
Location: Miami, Florida
The Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM) is an excellent medical school that offers a highly diverse academic environment and medical programs. It is one of the best schools to study medicine because of its community-based learning setup that leverages the knowledge and skills of the students.
The medical school programs are innovative and center on delivering top-tier medical graduates.
And it fosters a culture of respect and equality between students, faculty, and staff. It also gives importance to the differences and diversity of every student.
Also, the medical degrees offered by the institution are integrated and designed to maximize the exposure of its students in all areas of medical education. It focuses on giving the proper medical training with the help of its clinical affiliates, including Cleveland Clinic Florida, Jackson Health System, Baptist Children Hospital, South Miami Hospital, and more.
Educational Institution | Harvard University |
|---|---|
Medical Programs/Institution Rankings: | |
Acceptance rate: | 64% |
Tuition Fee: | USD 27,772 (Local Enrollees) USD 57,772 (International Enrollees) |
Average MCAT Score Requirement: | 510 Points |
Average GPA Score Requirement: | 3.75 |
Summary Table: Best Medical Schools for Non-Traditional Students
Educational Institution | Medical Programs/Institution Ranking | Acceptance Rate | Tuition Fee | Average MCAT/BMAT Score Requirement | Average GPA Score Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Johns Hopkins University | 11% | USD 25,241 | 521 Points | 3.94 | |
Harvard University | 5% | USD 67,610 | 519 to 520 Points | 3.9 | |
University of Miami - Miller | 4.59% | USD 57,760 | 514 Points | 3.75 | |
Baylor University | 4.3% | USD 19,425 (For Texas Residents Only) USD 32,525 (For Non-Texas Residents Only) | 518 Points | 3.92 | |
Howard University | 2.9% | USD 50,106 | 504 Points | 3.5 | |
Florida International University | 64% | USD 27,772 (Local Enrollees) USD 57,772 (International Enrollees) | 510 Points | 3.75 |
Additional FAQs – Medical Schools for Non-Traditional Students
What Percentage of Med Students are Non-traditional?
What is the Easiest MD School to Get into?
To get into med school, you must prepare extensively, such as taking review classes, doing practice tests, and more.
Is Age 24 Too Old for Medical School?
In fact, you can get into med school if you are more than 24 years old and are considered a non-traditional student.