The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a public research university, founded in 1787. It is composed of 17 schools and colleges at the urban Pittsburgh campus. Its School of Medicine has been functioning for over a century (since 1886), always known for its innovative programs and cutting-edge research.
This school attracts lots of financial research support from federal and private institutions and is considered to be at the forefront of education and patient care. But how does it fare in comparison with other medical schools in the country?
Is the University of Pittsburgh a good Medical School?
Yes, the University of Pittsburgh is a good medical school. All programs are taught by expert faculty whose members personally invest in the students. The School of Medicine offers great research opportunities and provides the means for students to solve scientific and clinical problems through analytical thinking and tool development.
In this article, we’ll discover what else makes the University of Pittsburgh a good medical school. We’ll go over its medical programs, admission rates, and tuition costs. We’ll also explore the school’s match data and a few reviews from Pitt students.
University of Pittsburgh Medical School Admission Requirements
The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine offers a wide variety of medical programs and other education options like residencies, fellowships, summer undergraduate research, and more. Here are a few of its most popular programs:
- MD Program
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/Ph.D.)
- Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
MD Program
The MD program at the School of Medicine teaches students through a combination of lectures and a problem-solving curriculum. Students have early access to clinical experiences and get to experience an integrated clerkship structure. There are several areas of concentration including Addiction Medicine, Neuroscience, and Women’s Health.
Admission requirements for this program include a Bachelor’s degree and the completion of all prerequisite coursework. Students must complete their application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).
Upon submitting an official transcript of their college work, students will also undergo a criminal background check and must attend the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Orientation Program.
Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD)
The Medical Scientist Training Program takes six to eight years to complete. Students acquire knowledge on a wide variety of topics including molecular medicine, grant writing, and research basis of medical knowledge. They also begin their physician-scientist training in the first week.
Students must apply to this program through the AMCAS online. They need significant prior research experience, two letters of recommendation, and a great academic record. Students must go through personal interviews and be seen in positive lighting.
Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program prepares biomedical investigators to apply their knowledge in medical, dental, or graduate school. It requires the completion of 32 credits over two years.
To enroll in this program, students must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. They must also submit official transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended.
The program requires three letters of reference and a personal statement. Standardized tests like the MCAT, DAT, and GRE are not required for this program however, students should submit their scores if they’ve completed them.
University of Pittsburgh Acceptance Rate
According to the US Department of Education College Scorecard, the University of Pittsburgh has an overall acceptance rate of 64%. The School of Medicine is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 1.8%.
One of its most popular programs is proof of that. The Medical Scientists Training Program accepts a maximum of 15 students from a pool of 400 applications. This program has an acceptance rate of 3.8%.
University of Pittsburgh Match Data
University of Pittsburgh’s Class of 2022 obtained great match results. 150 students placed in highly competitive programs across the entire country. 20 of those students matched into UPMC/Pitt which is among the largest training programs in the US.
Students entered some of the most competitive residencies including anesthesiology, dermatology, emergency medicine, neurological surgery, and orthopedic surgery. 31 of the students made it into internal medicine training programs.
University of Pittsburgh Tuition
The University of Pittsburgh offers an estimated cost of attendance for medical students, depending on where they reside. PA residents pay $90,318 while non-resident students pay $92.700 per academic year.
These expenses include tuition, fees, medical insurance, books, supplies, room and board, transportation, and other personal expenses. Additional fees also include a student health fee, an activity fee, computer/network fees, and a safety fee.
Does the University of Pittsburgh Accept AP Credits?
According to information found on the school’s website, the University of Pittsburgh accepts AP credits. However, this information is general and might not apply to medical students. There is no information regarding the acceptance of AP credits provided by the School of Medicine.
Does the University of Pittsburgh Offer Scholarships?
Yes, the University of Pittsburgh offers many scholarships based on both merit and the demonstration of financial need. Incoming students are automatically considered for academic scholarships.
- Chancellor’s Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to first-year students admitted to Frederick Honors College. It covers full tuition, mandatory fees, average room, and board plan, and guarantees Frederick Honors College housing.
- Stamps Scholarship. Awards $160,000 in the form of full tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, other personal expenses, and a $17,400 fund for research and other academic experiences.
- Adena Davis Scholarship. Created for students admitted into the School of Nursing.
University of Pittsburgh Accreditation
The University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In addition, the MD degree is accredited by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME).
Is the University of Pittsburgh Good?
Yes, the University of Pittsburgh is good, particularly for students interested in conducting research. This is a highly regarded school that ranks particularly high in a wide variety of important rankings.
According to the US News & World Report, the University of Pittsburgh ranked #14 in Best Medical Schools for Research and #10 for Primary Care. When it comes to medical school specialties it ranked #7 in Psychiatry and #10 in Surgery.
The University of Pittsburgh is also among the schools that receive the largest amounts of federal science funding. It is also considered a top Fulbright producer.
Pros of Studying at the University of Pittsburgh
- Residency competitiveness
- Excellent mentoring
- Extensive research opportunities
- Great preparation for the workforce
- Easygoing faculty and students
Cons of Studying at the University of Pittsburgh
- Expensive tuition
- Not the best food
Students and Graduate Reviews of the University of Pittsburgh
According to student reviews from GradReports and Reddit, the University of Pittsburgh is a great school to attend. Its medical programs are highly regarded and competitive, there are many research opportunities to apply to, and the faculty and student body are easygoing and helpful.
The major con of studying at the University of Pittsburgh, according to student reviews is the expensive tuition. Several students add that the food doesn’t match the expectations of an otherwise excellent school!
