It has grown very popular and the need to fill the industry with professionals has risen. Coupled with intensive competition, the healthcare sector has proven to be challenging yet rewarding and fulfilling.
Though it can be challenging to make decisions about the right school to go for. Given the high number of schools offering medical science programs, it will be best for one to select the institution meticulously before commitment.
Alabama is a wonderful location to study and practice medicine, because of its good learning curriculum, its outstanding achievement in terms of clinical experience, tutorship, equipment, facilities, and quality of education.
Alabama medical schools have various chances for scholars to get hands-on experience from medical research to teaching hospitals. See Best Medical Schools in New Jersey.
The best programs involve clinical education where prospective doctors get practical skills in treating patients and diagnosing illnesses.
Here is the list of the best medical schools in Alabama;
1. University of Alabama, Birmingham School of Medicine (Birmingham, AL)
The University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) has trained over 9,000 physicians to date. Within the School of Medicine, five departments are ranked in the top 10 for NIH funding in their fields, with a total bankroll of $256 million for 2019.
This includes the most funded dermatology department nationwide. The university is dedicated to advancing medical knowledge and clinical practice through education, quality care, and research.
The Birmingham campus accommodates University Hospital, one of the largest and best-equipped academic hospitals in the country.
As home to some of the top medical programs in the state, the facility is a major center for clinical research. See University of Alabama Acceptance Rate.
University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) physicians are acknowledged as leaders in their fields and have produced so many discoveries that continue to advance the medical field.
University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) is also home to one of 45 Medical Scientist Training Programs nationwide.
Funded by grants from NIH, this highly selective program waives tuition for admitted students and awards them an annual stipend of $25,000.
The 6-10 Medical students given admission every year can earn both MD and Ph.D. degrees over six years.
Thanks to the opportunities provided by the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB), alumni, and faculty from the School of Medicine are top researchers, inventors, and doctors in the medical field.
John W Kirklin, a heart surgeon at the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB), is known for his work revolutionizing cardiovascular surgery through the development of the heart-lung machine.
His work is the model for modern ICUs, improving care and reducing complications for patients worldwide. See Best Medical Schools in Maryland.
Thanks to his numerous contributions, Kirklin founded the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) as one of the leading clinical and academic medical centers.
Many other innovations are associated with the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB), including the first fiber-optic endoscope, the first effective treatment for a viral disease, and the first simultaneous heart-kidney transplant.
2. Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (Dothan, AL)
The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) is the first osteopathic medical school in the state and the first nationwide founded by a regional, not-for-profit hospital.
The college goal is to contribute to the lack of physicians in medically underserved areas across Alabama.
After a comprehensive curriculum and so many opportunities for hands-on experience, graduates receive a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
The systems-based integrated curriculum at Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) emphasizes osteopathic principles and practice.
Through a blend of teaching styles such as clinical sessions, group work, and immersive simulation experiences, Scholars learn the important material for their future.
Furthermore, medical students gain early clinical exposure and patient interaction through the school’s primary care clinic.
Along with technical and hands-on knowledge, the curriculum focuses on career development and residency match preparation which leads to 99% residency placement.
Medicine Scholars can also prepare for success through the 30+ student organizations on campus. These extracurricular activities provide chances for growth on and off-campus, supporting a variety of interests and backgrounds.
As an integral part of Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) campus life, Medical students build relationships with peers, develop their professional networks, and learn more about the practice of medicine. A popular organization is the Gold Humanism in Medicine Interest Group.
The group objective is to foster Scholars to serve as role models and leaders in humanistic medicine.
The American Medical Student Association Virtual Patient Challenge make a competitive environment available for students to use their critical thinking skills.
Over 20 teams from medical schools nationwide are challenged to implement diagnosis and treatments through virtual patient encounters.
In 2021, both Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) teams advanced to the championship round, after which the school took home its second consecutive national title. The group has an illustrious history of success, winning the international competition in 2017.
3. University of South Alabama College of Medicine (Birmingham, AL)
The University of South Alabama College of Medicine (USA COM) provides a variety of resources and opportunities for Medical Scholars.
In the Graduation Questionnaire, 98% of Scholars showed that they were satisfied with the quality of their medical education, above the national average.
This positive opinion is a result of relevant classes, clerkship experiences, and preparation for entering residency. The learning environment with small student-to-faculty ratios and safety also were highly ranked by students.
Outside of the classroom, Medical students have the chance to contribute to their community as part of their required medical education.
Each Scholar in the University of South Alabama College of Medicine (USA COM) finish 4 hours of service learning per semester.
Through clinics, centers, shelters, and schools, Scholars willingly make healthcare and advice available to the underserved and marginalized.
As future physicians, they must learn to adapt to the pressures and social responsibilities of the field. Furthermore, they experience the distribution of health and illness in a population firsthand.
Scholars also have the privilege to contribute to medical research to further their education. Research topics include mechanisms and treatments for cancer, lung diseases, and insect-borne diseases.
Scholars who want a better understanding of how research contributes to the practice of medicine can take part in the Medical Student Summer Research Program.
Over the course of 10 weeks, Scholars are exposed to hands-on clinical research, seminars, and formal presentations at Research Day.
Undergraduates can also perform full-time summer research in laboratories with the College of Medicine faculty to go for any of their interests.
Because of their extensive hands-on experience, University of South Alabama College of Medicine (USA COM) graduates are matched to some of the most sought-after residency programs.
Although most graduates practice in Internal Medicine, Scholars in the Class of 2020 went on to Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Neurosurgery, Radiation Oncology, and more. 65% of Scholars matched into out-of-state residency programs across the continental US.
How to Gain Admission Into Medical Schools in Alabama
Gaining Admission into the medical schools in Alabama is not an easy process. University of South Alabama College of Medicine (USA COM) has an acceptance rate of 14%, whereas University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) and Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) both fall around 5% acceptance.
This puts the three schools on par with top-tier medical schools such as Harvard Med and Johns Hopkins. To gain Admission, it is crucial to be a well-rounded and successful student.
To meet the requirements of Alabama medical schools, students should aim to take science courses and laboratories, including biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Successful candidates will excel in these pre-med requirements to prove that they have a strong understanding of the basics.
Although your transcript and scores are necessary, it is also important to show the leadership and interpersonal skills necessary as a doctor.
Getting involved with volunteer opportunities, research, and extracurriculars are good ways to reveal another side of you as a medical student.
Forming relationships with professors and mentors will result in positive letters of recommendation that highlight the applicant’s personality and passion for healthcare.
PreMed Experience in Alabama
By listing your science and healthcare experience, Medical schools see that you will succeed as a doctor. Moreover, it is an excellent way to Demonstrate that you can apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to medical practice.
Due to the long-term and challenging nature of the medical school, the admissions teams want to see that you can commit to something over a long period of time. This could be any form of experience, including research, volunteering, internships, or clinical work.
Most successful applicants have some form of clinical experience in a healthcare facility. This includes various paid or volunteer experiences such as EMTs, medical scribes, certified nursing assistants, or hospice volunteers.
By holding a similar position for at least 6 months, it proves that you know what it is like to practice medicine. Another way to show motivation is to shadow a doctor as they go through their daily activities.
Any published research is a significant way to Demonstrate that you have contributed to the medical field and have practical hands-on experience. Laboratory research demonstrates the applicant’s scientific knowledge and desire to help others.
Outside of technical expertise, leadership in community organizations shows that you will advocate for patients throughout your career.
MCAT and GPA Scores
Along with pre-med experience, test scores and GPA are important aspects of an application. These scores help students stand out from the crowd and prove that they have what it takes to succeed in the challenges of medical school.
Although it is important for other areas of the application to be impressive as well, the majority of competitive applicants will have high scores.
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam used to assess critical thinking, problem-solving, and the knowledge of principles behind the study of medicine. This includes natural, behavioral, and social science concepts.
As a result of how hard the exam is, Medical students need to get ready for the exam and also get a good score.
For the entering classes at Alabama medical schools, students scored an average of 504 for ACOM and 508 for UAB and USA COM.
Applicants need to succeed in the prerequisite courses if they hope to excel in medical school. Med schools assess a student’s prior success using their GPA.
Although the minimum GPA requirements vary from program to program, most competitive applicants have at least a 3.5.
This means that they earn mostly A’s in their prior scientific courses. Students hoping to gain admission to an Alabama medical school should look forward to have a GPA above 3.5.
Conclusion
This article contains the best Medical Schools situated in Alabama. It was discussed in this article to aid future Medical Students in New York and other states in making their decision of selecting the best Medical Schools that are suitable and affordable for them.
Last Updated on June 4, 2023 by Admin
