University of Chicago

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine was founded in 1927. With about 360 students, it is one of the smaller top medical schools. There are 967 faculty members, and the faculty to student ratio is about 2.5 to 1. The Pritzker School of Medicine is affiliated with the University of Chicago Medical Center. The school is best known for its research in the areas of women’s health, AIDS, and primary care medicine.

For traditional MD degrees, Pritzker students are encouraged to be actively involved in academic courses, lab activities, and clinical settings. The curriculum focuses on discovery, and students are able to choose their own specialties and pick their electives as early as the second semester of their first year. Most medical schools have set courses for their first year students, but first-years can even complete extra programs like the Summer Research project. Before graduation, students are required to complete a project with the help of a mentor in one of five areas: Scientific Discovery, Medical Education, Quality and Safety, Community Health, or Global Health. Many students choose to go into emergency medicine, pathology (anatomic and clinical), general surgery, and obstetrics or gynecology.

The Pritzker School of Medicine also offers also joint degree programs including a MD/JD through the University of Chicago Law School, a MD/MBA through the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program or Development Training Program. Both of these PhD programs are funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). About 20% of Pritzker students take on a second degree. Even if students are not interested in completing a combined degree, there are many opportunities to study among talented faculty at University of Chicago. With a flexible curriculum, Pritzker is a great option for students who are eager to define their own medical school studies.