Among the best

Washington University School of Medicine ranks 2nd in nation, remains 1st in student selectivity

This is the seventh consecutive year the School of Medicine was ranked first in student selectivity

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN ST. LOUIS is rated the second best medical school in the nation and ranks first in student selectivity, according to this year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings of graduate and professional programs released April 2, 2004.

The medical school ranked second after Harvard University. The No. 3 slot went to Johns Hopkins University, followed by Duke University and the University of Pennsylvania in a tie for fourth. Last year the School of Medicine tied with Johns Hopkins as the second best in the country for research-oriented medical schools.

This is the seventh consecutive year the School of Medicine has been first in student selectivity, a measurement of student undergraduate grade-point averages and scores on medical school entrance exams. The magazine publishes the rankings to help students choose graduate schools. The school has remained in the top 10 since U.S. News began the annual rankings in 1987.

Washington University Medical Center

“We have a gifted, committed faculty and extraordinary students,” says Larry J. Shapiro, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “It is quite an honor that the School of Medicine has been ranked between such prestigious schools as Harvard and Johns Hopkins and — for the seventh consecutive time — ranked number one in student quality.

“We try not to attach too much importance to these rankings because they can’t take all of a schools attributes into consideration, but I must say I’m pleased. This acknowledgement helps the St. Louis region achieve deserved recognition as a center for life sciences education and research. I am especially grateful to our university leadership, board of trustees and patrons, who all have given the School of Medicine their generous support.”

The rankings are based on research activity, faculty resources, national reputation and student selectivity.

Individually, the School of Medicine’s physical therapy program ranked second in the nation, while occupational therapy was third, pediatrics ranked seventh and internal medicine ranked seventh. Drug and alcohol abuse and audiology were tied for eighth, the geriatrics and women’s health programs both tied for 15th and the AIDS program placed 17th.

The rankings are available in the April 5, 2004 issue of the magazine.

Click here for news about the standings of all Washington University programs ranked this year.