Medical schools in America can be classified into two broad categories - those that concentrate on research and those with a focus on primary care. Each category has a sort of hierarchy as far as reputation is concerned. There is no clear-cut way of establishing a list that begins with the "best" and ends with the "worst," but of course some are far more reputable than others.

Again, this does not mean that a student can simply select the "best" and apply for admission there. The higher a medical institution ranks in repute, the higher will be its requirements as far as the required GPA (Grade Point Average) for admission eligibility. An upper-bracket medical school will also have a far tougher version of the Medical School Admissions Test (MCAT). Other factors that decide eligibility for admission are the aspiring student?s state of residence and the manner in which the application essay has been written.

There are a number of advantages to studying at one of the top American medical schools. The name on the degree's masthead has a lot to do with how easy or hard it will be to get future academic and professional breaks. Further, medical studies become a lot more comfortable with the right pedigree, and it is quite possible that a student from one of the high-ranking institutes will be awarded one of the plum residency slots at a practicing medical establishment.

At present, among the most reputable research-oriented medical schools in America, in a roughly descending order, include Harvard University, John Hopkins University, Duke University and University of California San Francisco. University of Washington, Oregon Health & Science University, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and University of Minnesota Duluth rank among the most reputable in primary care.