Best Medical Schools in Rhode Island

Welcome to Rhode Island best medical schools. Our rankings are based on alumni reviews, research scores received, peer institution assessment and admissions statistics including averaged MCAT scores, undergraduate GPA as well as acceptance rates. Below we list top medical schools in Rhode Island that are top ranked nationally. You can find tuition cost, total enrollment and composite MCAT score for each school.

Best Medical Schools in Rhode Island

Top Medical Schools in Rhode Island

National Ranking Best Medical Programs
35 Brown University (Alpert) (Providence, RI)
Acceptance rate: 3.5%
MCAT composite score: 10.7
Tuition: Full-time: $45,216
Average undergraduate GPA: 3.67
Total medical school enrollment: 415
Full-time faculty-student ratio: 1.9:1
NIH funds granted to medical school and affiliated hospitals (in millions): $124.4

Brown University Medical School

All Medical Schools in Rhode Island

Rhode Island, though a small state, is home to one prestigious medical school that offers comprehensive education and training for aspiring physicians. The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University stands out as a leading institution, committed to producing skilled, compassionate doctors who are well-prepared to meet the healthcare challenges of today.


1. The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Overview

The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the nation’s top medical schools. As part of an Ivy League university, the medical school is known for its innovative curriculum, strong emphasis on research, and commitment to medical education that addresses both the clinical and social determinants of health. With its rigorous training and focus on developing physician leaders, Brown’s medical school attracts top students from around the world. The school is also dedicated to serving underserved populations and integrating public health into its medical curriculum.

Degree Programs

  • Doctor of Medicine (MD): The MD program at the Warren Alpert Medical School is designed to provide a strong foundation in both basic sciences and clinical skills. The curriculum is structured around a competency-based model, ensuring that students are well-prepared to meet the demands of clinical practice. The program emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and patient-centered care.
  • Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME): This unique program allows students to combine their undergraduate and medical education into an eight-year continuum. PLME students are accepted into Brown’s undergraduate program and the medical school simultaneously, offering a broad liberal arts education alongside medical training.
  • MD/PhD Program: The MD/PhD program at Brown is for students who are interested in careers as physician-scientists. The program combines medical education with rigorous research training, preparing students for roles in academic medicine and biomedical research.
  • MD/MPH Program: A combined degree program that allows students to earn both an MD and a Master of Public Health (MPH). This program is ideal for students interested in addressing public health challenges, healthcare policy, and preventive medicine alongside their clinical practice.
  • Master’s and PhD Programs in Biomedical Sciences: For students interested in research careers, Brown offers several master’s and PhD programs in fields such as molecular biology, neuroscience, and biochemistry. These programs provide advanced research training and mentorship from leading scientists.
  • Continuing Medical Education (CME): The Warren Alpert Medical School offers CME programs designed to help practicing physicians stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in medical science and clinical practice.

Admission Requirements

MCAT:

  • The average MCAT score for accepted students is 516.

GPA:

  • The average undergraduate GPA for admitted students is 3.8.

Prerequisite Courses:

  • Biology (with lab)
  • Chemistry (General and Organic, with lab)
  • Physics (with lab)
  • Biochemistry (required)
  • Mathematics (Statistics or Calculus)
  • English or Writing-Intensive Courses

Clinical Experience:

  • Applicants must demonstrate meaningful clinical experience, such as shadowing physicians, volunteering in healthcare settings, or working in clinical roles. This helps assess the applicant’s commitment to patient care and understanding of the medical profession.

Research Experience:

  • While research experience is not a strict requirement, it is highly valued, especially for those applying to the MD/PhD program or students interested in academic medicine.

Letters of Recommendation:

  • Applicants must submit at least three letters of recommendation. These letters should come from individuals who are familiar with the applicant’s academic performance, clinical experience, and personal attributes. One letter should be from a science professor, and one from a healthcare professional.

Interview Process:

  • The Warren Alpert Medical School conducts traditional interviews as part of the admissions process. The interviews assess the applicant’s interpersonal skills, ethical reasoning, and motivation for pursuing a career in medicine. Additionally, the school values a holistic view of applicants, considering their backgrounds, personal qualities, and potential for leadership in medicine.

Starting Salaries

Graduates from the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University are well-prepared for careers in a variety of medical specialties. Given the school’s strong reputation and rigorous training, Brown graduates are highly sought after in the medical field, with competitive starting salaries.

  • Primary Care Physicians: $200,000 to $250,000
  • Specialists (e.g., Cardiology, Oncology, Surgery): $270,000 to $350,000, depending on the specialty
  • Surgeons (General, Orthopedic, Cardiothoracic): $350,000 to $500,000, depending on the surgical specialty

Innovative Curriculum at the Warren Alpert Medical School

The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University is known for its competency-based curriculum, which integrates foundational medical knowledge with clinical experience and critical thinking. The curriculum is structured to foster self-directed learning, collaborative problem-solving, and a deep understanding of the social and cultural contexts of health.

Key Features of the Curriculum

  1. Integrated Basic Sciences and Clinical Training:
    • From the very beginning of the program, students engage in courses that integrate the basic sciences with clinical experiences. This approach helps students understand the relevance of medical science to patient care and allows them to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
  2. Competency-Based Education:
    • The curriculum at Brown is organized around nine core competencies, including medical knowledge, patient care, communication skills, and professionalism. Students must demonstrate proficiency in each area before advancing to the next stage of their education.
  3. Early Clinical Exposure:
    • Starting in the first year, students participate in clinical rotations, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in a variety of healthcare settings. These early experiences help students develop essential clinical skills and build confidence in their ability to care for patients.
  4. Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships (LICs):
    • During their clinical years, students can participate in LICs, where they follow a cohort of patients over an extended period. This model provides students with a deeper understanding of patient care continuity and allows them to build stronger relationships with patients and healthcare teams.
  5. Public Health and Social Determinants of Health:
    • The curriculum includes a strong emphasis on public health, population health, and the social determinants of health. Students learn how factors such as socioeconomic status, environment, and policy affect healthcare outcomes, preparing them to address health disparities in their clinical practice.

Research Opportunities at the Warren Alpert Medical School

Research is a fundamental component of medical education at the Warren Alpert Medical School, and students are encouraged to engage in research projects throughout their training. The school is home to several renowned research centers and institutes, providing students with opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects in areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, public health, and molecular medicine.

Major Research Areas

  1. Cancer Research:
    • The Warren Alpert Medical School is actively involved in cancer research, with faculty and students working on projects that explore the molecular mechanisms of cancer, develop new therapies, and improve patient outcomes. The school is also affiliated with the nearby Lifespan Cancer Institute, which conducts clinical trials and translational research.
  2. Neuroscience:
    • Brown University has a strong focus on neuroscience research, with scientists investigating brain development, neurodegenerative diseases, brain injury, and cognitive function. Students interested in neuroscience have the opportunity to work alongside leading researchers in state-of-the-art laboratories.
  3. Public Health and Epidemiology:
    • The Warren Alpert Medical School places a strong emphasis on public health research, particularly in areas such as epidemiology, health policy, and preventive medicine. Students who pursue the MD/MPH program often engage in research that seeks to address public health challenges and improve healthcare delivery in underserved communities.
  4. Global Health:
    • Brown’s medical school has a growing focus on global health, with research initiatives that explore health issues in low- and middle-income countries. Students interested in global health can participate in international research projects that aim to improve healthcare access and outcomes around the world.

Research Opportunities for Students

  • Scholarly Concentrations Program:
    • The Warren Alpert Medical School offers a Scholarly Concentrations Program, which allows students to explore areas of interest in greater depth. Students can choose concentrations such as global health, bioinformatics, medical education, or women’s health, and work on research projects related to their concentration.
  • Summer Research Program:
    • Medical students have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Research Program, where they work on mentored research projects between their first and second years of medical school. This program provides valuable research experience and helps students develop skills that will benefit them throughout their careers.