2 Best Medical Schools in Colorado

Here are the 2 best medical schools in Colorado for anyone who wishes to study medicine in the US.

These medical schools are highly desired by international students not just because  of their popularity, but also because it offers a wide curriculum and vast opportunities for medicine and medical research

Colleges in Colorado offering medical programs are notable research universities with major research funds. They are equipped with laboratory facilities, and also affiliated with reputable teaching hospitals.

Why Study in Colorado

Colorado has some of the most beautiful and inspiring American geographic landscapes. Denver is the capital of Colorado. It is where you will find the University of Colorado at Denver and Metropolitan State College of Denver.

Colorado universities and colleges offer top-notch academic programs in a variety of subjects, including international affairs, sustainability, and leadership. The state of Colorado is well-known for its non-profit sector. Students studying in Colorado have enjoyed a lot of success in this area, many of whom have secured internships in non-profit organizations during their studies or after graduation.

Colorado offers a rich graduate and college experience for prospective students interested in studying there. Colorado is a multicultural hub that fosters the development of young liberal minds. International students will have the opportunity to select from a variety of exciting academic programs. They will also be able to enjoy a wide range of fine dining and entertainment options.

READ ALSO: Best Schools in Colorado

2 Best Medical Schools in Colorado

1. University of Colorado School of Medicine (Aurora, CO)

The University of Colorado School of Medicine is the medical school of the University of Colorado system founded in 1883 and located at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. CU School of Medicine tops our list of best medical schools in Colorado. US News & World Report often ranked the school in the top 10 schools for primary care and in the top 30 schools for research in the U.S.

The school’s mission, according to its website, is to provide Colorado and the rest of the world with high-quality programs in:

• Education – Through the provision of educational programs for medical students, health students allied to, house staff, health professionals, and the public;
• Research – the creation of new knowledge in clinical and basic sciences, health policy, and education.
• Patient Care – through state-of-the-art clinical programs that reflect both the University’s unique educational environment and the patient needs it serves.
• Community Service – sharing the school’s expertise and knowledge to help the wider community, including affiliated institutions, healthcare professionals, alumni, colleagues, and citizens of the state.

The University of Colorado School of Medicine boasts a record of exceptional clinical and research achievements and is part of a university system that has had significant economic impacts on Colorado. According to one report, $14.9 billion was the school’s annual economic impact in 2019. The School of Medicine, in addition to being an innovator in research, teaching, healthcare, and education, is also part of an economic powerhouse.

Its investment in education and research pays off. The School of Medicine has a world-class faculty as one of its most valuable assets. In 2020, many prestigious awards were presented to the CU School of Medicine faculty. Todd Bull, MD has been a top doctor in Critical Care and Pulmonary medicine for many years and has published his research in high-ranking journals. He is also a CU School of Medicine alumnus!

Anne Caldwell, an assistant professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, is one of the 25 “EmergingLuminaries” in nutrition, exercise, and metabolism.

CU School of Medicine offers the opportunity to study medicine with some of the most prominent physicians in the world. Half of the doctors named in 5280’s survey of the best in the area are CU faculty and clinical volunteers.

The school is a top-rated medical school that combines strong academics with solid, practical education in the field. There are two core curriculums at the University of Colorado School of Medicine: an Essentials Core, and a Clinical Core. The Essentials Core’s goal is to provide students with a foundation in scientific principles, inquiry, and other tools that are relevant throughout their medical careers.

Admission to the CU School of Medicine can be difficult. The acceptance rate hovers around 2%. The average GPA of admitted applicants was high at 3.83, and the median MCAT score reached 514. We have already mentioned that a strong academic record won’t be enough to get in the door. Other components of an application will be taken into consideration to determine whether the applicant will be a good fit at the school and be able to thrive within the program. Candidates have the opportunity to shine in interviews and secondary essays, which can help maximize their chances of being accepted.

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READ ALSO: University of Colorado Boulder International Scholarships 2022

2. Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (Parker, CO)

Rocky Vista University (RVU) is a private, for-profit medical school that opened in 2006 with campus locations in Parker, Colorado, and Ivins, Utah. RVU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, (RVUCOM), confers the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. It also admitted its first class of medical students to the Parker, Colorado campus in august 2008.

RVUCOM is an ideal choice of medical school for aspiring doctors who want to study in Colorado. The school is ranked by US News & World Report as having one of the highest numbers of graduates practicing medicine in the primary care field. 

RVUCOM’s mission is “to inspire and educate students to become highly skilled osteopathic physicians and lifelong learners prepared to meet various healthcare needs of tomorrow through inventive educational, relevant research, compassionate service, and meaningful education.”

RVUCOM charges an annual tuition charge of $58,330 and enrolls approximately 150 new students every year. It also charges a fee for the use of its facilities.

Rocky Vista has many graduates who care for rural and underserved communities. This information is valuable for future doctors looking to make an impact in the healthcare profession. As the nation’s first medical program that is for profit, it has achieved this feat. It is just as well-known as any non-profit program in the country because it combines stellar education and training with a strong commitment to helping underserved areas.

Despite being a non-profit institution, the school is held to the same academic accreditation standards as other schools. It has proven to be a respected school that delivers outstanding results and makes a positive impact on the community. It was actually chosen for its location because of its proximity to rural areas. The school was founded to address the urgent shortage of healthcare providers in these areas.

The college of osteopathic medicine runs a clinic offering a wide variety of services including internal medicine and primary care. Rocky Vista Health Center’s unique Internal Medicine residency program trains medical students to become research leaders and intern medicine physicians. The program is conducted in conjunction with the Skyridge Internal Medicine residency program.

The RVUCOM curriculum focuses on interdisciplinarity as well as an osteopathic approach. Students learn to understand that the patient is more than a checklist of symptoms. Although the first two years are primarily about the foundations of human physiology, scientific research, and methodology, the second year of training is in the clinical setting. Over the three-year period, students are given more opportunities to interact in various settings with patients under physician supervision. The school’s increasing clinical training network allows for this.

Training the next generation of competent and compassionate doctors is the school’s goal. Although the College of Osteopathic Medicine was a relatively new school, it has successfully matched students with the most highly coveted specialty residencies across the country. The Class of 2021 includes students who have received residencies in the John Hopkins Hospital, Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, and the Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems.

RVU is committed to providing the best education and training possible. It requires all of its student doctors to pass COMLEX national exams. The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examinations (COMLEX), a series of exams that are required for licensure in osteopathic medicine, is the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination. The COMLEX exams have been passed at an amazing rate of 97% in recent years by RVUCOM students!

For admissions, RVUCOM seeks prospective students with solid academic records and an average MCAT score of around 506. Recent years have seen an increase in the average overall GPA among admitted students to be over 3.40. An acceptable GPA and a high score on the MCAT will not get you admitted. Prospective students need to stand out from the rest of the applicants. You can show your uniqueness by writing recommendation letters or secondary essays.

The school will require one recommendation from a health care provider who has been in contact with the candidate in some capacity. RVUCOM admits a greater number of students from out-of-state than those who are in-state, but it would be a good idea to have ties to Colorado.

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How to get accepted into Medical Schools in Colorado

1. University of Colorado School of Medicine (CUSOM)

CUSOM’s acceptance rate is less than 2%. CUSOM wants to know more than your standardized scores. Here’s how you can increase your chances of getting into the program!

Degree and Coursework

CUSOM applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Any major is fine, but some degrees are more desirable than others. According to CUSOM admission committee,  “applicants are encouraged” to study a varied, interdisciplinary, and balanced undergraduate program, which includes the required foundational knowledge of biomedical sciences. Students must have a solid understanding of the science and psychology behind modern medicine, as well as the psychosocial components that make it possible.

AMCAS also requires “one transcript from each U.S. Territorial and Canadian post-secondary institution you attended where you attempted coursework, regardless if credit was earned.”

GPA

CUSOM requires a rigorous academic program. Students currently accepted to the program have an average GPA of 3.78.

MCAT

Prospective students will need to pass the Medical College Admissions Test. This test is required for all students. The average score of students accepted is 513. While studying for MCAT can seem daunting, there are great tips to help you get started.

Recommendations Letters

Candidates must submit three to five letters to support their candidacy. These letters typically come from current employers, physicians, and supervisors. “Evidence that a successful engagement in post-college experiences,” the committee reports “is a valuable addition to other letters which may also be part of your file.”

Selection Criteria

The CUSOM secondary application includes:

• Required CUSOM essay
• Results of the CASPer test
• Optional essays on interest in branches and programs (Colorado Springs Branch Branch, Fort Collins Branch Branch, Rural Program).
• Additional $100 processing fee

CUSOM Essay

Your personal statement of 5300 characters is a chance to highlight your unique skills, experience, and motivations. AMCAS Applicant Guide provides a great resource for anyone looking to locate AMCAS’s recommendations.

CASPer Test

Once you have reached this stage, you will need to complete the online Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics test (CASPer). CUSOM describes this online test as “an assessment of non-cognitive skills, interpersonal characteristics, and other attributes” that “are important for students and graduates.”. Below are what you need to create an account:

• A good Webcam
• Photo ID issued by the government
• Microphone
• Valid email address

Preparation is key to passing the CASPer Test. The test takes approximately 75-90 minutes to complete. It is divided into 12 sections that include video and written scenarios. Each section will be completed and you will then be asked several probing questions.

Importantly, the CASPer test can only be taken once per admissions cycle. Future admission cycles or other program types will require you to take a separate CASPer exam.

Interview

After reviewing all secondary applications, an admission committee narrows down the applicant pool and invites selected applicants for interviews.

CUSOM’s “Interview Process” webpage explains that applicants are selected using a holistic review. This flexible and individual way of assessing applicants’ abilities allows for balanced consideration of academic metrics, experiences, and attributes. When combined, it also considers how the applicant might be a valuable medical student or physician.

Interviews are conducted in a mixed format, which includes a traditional interview, small group interviews, and observation of a group activity. Although it is a stressful and important part of admissions, you can be more relaxed and confident on the day of your interview.

2. Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Degree and Coursework

Before enrollment, you must complete a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. The compulsory courses that you must take before enrolment includes: 

• Biology (12 semester hours including lab)
• Physics (8 semester hours including lab)
• Biochemistry (3 semester hours)
• English or Literature (6 semester hours)
• Social or Behavioral Sciences (6 semester hours)
• General Chemistry (8 semester hours including lab)
• Organic Chemistry (8 semester hours including lab)

The RVUCOM Office of Admissions also states that “additional upper-division coursework such as Human Anatomy, Physiology, Genetics, and Cellular Biology is highly recommended.” As with CUSOM, an official transcript from all colleges attended where a degree was earned must be submitted prior to matriculation. 

A minimum science and cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required by RVUCOM; the Admissions committee states that “No grade below a ‘C’ will be considered to fulfill requirements.” On average, however, accepted candidates have GPAs greater than 3.4. 

MCAT

The average MCAT score of accepted candidates is 506, though be sure to check medical school requirements as they are subject to change. 

Letters of Recommendation

Submitted through AACOMAS, RVUCOM requires you to submit three letters of recommendation which includes: “a letter from an academic reference (order of preference to include Pre-Med Advisor or Committee, Basic Science Faculty, or anyone who can speak to the candidate’s ability to successfully complete a rigorous medical school curriculum), a letter from a healthcare provider who has worked with the candidate (DO or MD preferred), and a final letter of the candidate’s choice.” 

CASPer Test

All candidates are required to take the CASPer test. 

Interview

Though there is no supplemental application, successful applicants are invited for an interview. These often take the form of a 35-minute, two-member panel interview. 

Conclusion

And that’s it. Everything important information you need to know about the two best medical schools in Colorado. 

These schools offer an extensive curriculum, vast opportunities in medicine and medical research, as well as equipped laboratory facilities, and are affiliated with reputable teaching hospitals. 

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