Is IU A Good Med School? (Major Pros & Cons)

Indiana University is a system of public universities that was originally established in 1820. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of this university, home to several schools including the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, and the Indiana University School of Medicine.

The IU’s School of Medicine is among the biggest medical schools in the country, with a total of nine campuses spread throughout the state of Indiana. How well does it fare in comparison with other great medical schools in the US?

Is Indiana University a good Medical School?

Yes, Indiana University is a good medical school. According to its website, IU is home to the largest medical school in the country and it is also regarded as a big producer of the state’s nurses, surgeons, and dentists. With a graduation rate of 81%, the IU trains more doctors than any other medical school.

In this article, we’ll be going over the main reasons that make Indiana University a good medical school. We’ll cover IU’s top medical programs and their requirements, their acceptance rates, and match data. You’ll also get a glimpse at how previous students feel about this school by taking a look at some reviews.

Indiana University Medical School Admission Requirements

IU’s School of Medicine uses a multi-campus system that allows more students to enroll in the existing medical programs. There are over 1,400 medical students enrolled in this school, across nine campuses. Here are a few of IU’s most popular medical programs:

  • MD Program
  • Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/Ph.D.)
  • Anesthesiologist Assistant Program (Master of Science in Anesthesia)

MD Program 

This four-year undergraduate program leads to a Doctor of Medicine degree. Students are presented with unique opportunities to explore their interests and train for their future careers. During their studies, MD students are often matched to competitive residency programs in both the IU School of Medicine and other great medical schools.

Admission requirements for this program include a Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 90 credit hours from a US or Canadian institution. Students must submit their Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) results and have a permanent resident visa.

Before applying to the School of Medicine, students need to have shadowed at least three physicians and participated in medical/service-learning activities. Some students might be called for an interview.

Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD)

This is a dual-degree program that confers both an MD and PhD degree that combines a strong education in fundamental medicine as well as practical training in scientific investigation. It is designed for students who wish to pursue independent careers in medical research.

Students gain knowledge on a wide variety of topics, from anatomy and cell biology to novel tools and techniques in biomedical engineering. Sociomedical and behavior science training is also a part of this program.

Applying to this program is the same as applying to the MD program. In their AMCAS application form is where students need to express their interest in this joint degree. Six to ten students are accepted into the program yearly. 

These students are required to submit at least two letters of recommendation from faculty advisors and attend an interview, apart from the previously mentioned MD program admission requirements.

Anesthesiologist Assistant Program (Master of Science in Anesthesia)

The Master of Science in Anesthesia is a 28-month program that prepares students for certification as Anesthesiologist Assistants. Students have access to leading clinical facilities, simulation labs, and other great resources.

Admission requirements include a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall GPA of 3.52, MCAT or GRE test results, and three letters of evaluation. Applicants must have a permanent resident visa and submit to complete a criminal background check and drug screen release form if they’re accepted. 

All applications need to be submitted through the Centralized Application Service for Anesthesiologist Assistants (CASAA).

Indiana University Acceptance Rate

According to The US Department of Education, Indiana University has an overall acceptance rate of 80% which is not very selective. However, the same isn’t true when it comes to Indiana University School of Medicine. 

The school notes that the class of 2024 is composed of 365 admitted students that were picked from a pool of 5,988 applicants. This means that the acceptance rate for IU School of Medicine is approximately 6%, making it extremely selective. 

Indiana University Match Data

IU School of Medicine has a great track record when it comes to matching its students with top residency programs across the country. In 2022, 326 students matched for residency programs. 78 of them found their program in institutions that rank in the top 25 by U.S. News and World Report. Some of these schools include Harvard, NYU, Stanford, and Duke.

Indiana University Tuition

Indiana University tuition depends on each academic program. MD resident students pay an average of $35,000 per year, meaning that the entire program costs a total of $140,000. This is relatively cheap considering that the average cost of four-year medical school programs at public institutions was $250,222, in 2019-2020.

Students enrolled in the Master of Science in Anesthesia program have to go through seven semesters of classes. In-state students pay $13,252.67 per semester, while non-resident students pay $16.666.67 per semester.

Apart from program-related tuition and fees, other types of fees might be charged. Some of them include fees for room and board, distance education fees, and fees for optional services.

Does Indiana University Accept AP Credits?

Yes, Indiana University accepts AP credits. Students are free to use them in order to enroll in upper-level classes or add additional coursework while maintaining their program length the same. 

You can consult a complete descriptive table of different subjects and scores and how they translate into AP credits on the school’s website.

Does Indiana University Offer Scholarships?

Yes, Indiana University offers scholarships. Some of them are available to general students while others only apply to certain schools/programs. Here are a few scholarships available for students enrolled at IU School of Medicine:

  • Medical School Scholarships. Designed for medical students who’ve demonstrated financial aid as well as academic merit. Depending on the case, it ranges from a few hundred dollars to full tuition.
  • Indiana Primary Care Scholarship. Aimed at Indiana residents committed to practice in any under-served areas in Indiana. It covers in-state IU School of Medicine tuition and fees for four years of medical school.
  • Armed Forces Health Profession Scholarship (HPSP) Program. The HPSP program allows any military branch to pay the full costs of medical school for the selected students. In return, they must commit to practicing as military doctors.

Indiana University Accreditation

Indiana University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. However, many schools and programs have received accreditations of their own. For instance, the MD program is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).

Indiana University School of Medicine’s residency and fellowship programs are also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Is Indiana University Good?

Yes, Indiana University is a good school, especially for students who are looking for an opportunity to match with residency programs in some of the best national institutions. It is also a good choice for in-state students who want to find a sense of community life on campus.

The US News & World Report ranked Indiana University at number 41 in best medical schools for research and number 23 for best medical schools for primary care. It also ranked number 41 among the most diverse medical schools.

Pros of Studying at Indiana University

  • Many residency options
  • Cheap tuition for MD students
  • Cheap cost of living
  • Great sense of community
  • Over 750 student groups

Cons of Studying at Indiana University

  • Competitive programs
  • Very large campus (sometimes requires bus services to travel around)
  • Very large classes

Students and Graduate Reviews of Indiana University

Online reviews of Indiana University are primarily positive. Students compliment the great academic atmosphere and sense of community, the relatively cheap tuition, and the excellent faculty and helpful staff members.

Negative reviews are personal and not really representative of issues presented by the school itself. Students complain about the competitiveness of some programs, the cold weather, and the fact that the campus is too large.

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