Expert: Todd Johnson - 11/19/2010

Question
QUESTION: Is there a source that ranks pre-med programs?  I need to
know how the public colleges in or near Oklahoma do at
getting students accepted to medical school. I know I can
contact the schools individually, but I'd like a
disinterested source.  Some of the schools I'm interested in
are Northeastern Oklahoma State, Pittsburg State (in
Kansas), and The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.  
There are others.  Thank you.

ANSWER: There is no good source that ranks pre-med programs. That being said I can recommend a website that lists various colleges that many counselors believe provide a strong education for pre med students. Here is the link:  http://www.insidecollege.com/reno/The-Experts-Choice-Colleges-with-Great-PreMed-

In general terms, smaller liberal arts colleges often do better than larger universities in placing students into medical school. There are several reasons for this including the smaller class sizes and more personalized attention a student often gets at a smaller college.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply.  None of those schools are options as my daughter will have to go to a state school in or near Oklahoma for financial reasons.  There's no way to find out if a public school in Oklahoma has a good track record at preparing students for medical school?

Answer
If you don't have a lot of money I can almost guarantee you that many of the private colleges on that list will be cheaper than your local state colleges. Many private colleges have large endowments that allow them to be very generous with financial aid. I always advise families to not eliminate a college based on cost until you see what the financial aid award is.

And no, there is not good way to find out how a public college does in Oklahoma does other than by asking them. You are right to be suspicions of the answer you might get as many colleges aren't very forthcoming with such information. Many colleges will say that they do a good job of placing students into medical school but it is because they only recommend the best students for medical school. If you can't get a recommendation, then you aren't a serious candidate for med school.