Massachusetts Medical Schools—2026-2027 Guide to Acceptance

Are you considering applying to medical school in Massachusetts? The Bay State is renowned for its exceptional medical education, hosting some of the nation’s most prestigious schools.

With a mix of research-driven programs, community-focused curricula, and innovative approaches to healthcare, the state offers a wealth of opportunities for aspiring physicians. Massachusetts is also known for its pristine natural beauty and some of the richest history in the country.

But what’s it like to attend medical school in Massachusetts, and how do you get accepted?

In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about going to medical school in Massachusetts, including where the medical schools are located, what it’s like to live in Massachusetts, how to apply, and tips for gaining acceptance to medical schools in Massachusetts.

Applying to medical school in other states? Explore our comprehensive State Guide series, which provides an in-depth look at the application process in various states across the country.

How Many Medical Schools Are in Massachusetts?

There are 4 medical schools in Massachusetts, and all of them are allopathic (MD).

There are no osteopathic (DO) medical schools in Massachusetts, but you can find DO schools relatively nearby in New York State and Pennsylvania. The closest DO school to Massachusetts is the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) in Biddeford, Maine.

List of Medical Schools in Massachusetts

Allopathic Medical Schools in Massachusetts (MD)

1. Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (BUSM)
2. Harvard Medical School (HMS)
3. Tufts University School of Medicine
4. University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMMS)

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (BUSM)

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (BUSM) was created by a merger of Boston University and the New England Female Medical College in 1873. It was among the first coeducational medical schools in the US and is located in Boston.

BUSM places a strong focus on compassion, and the school’s ultimate goal is to create a community of physicians and healthcare professionals passionate about and dedicated to caring for all people, no matter their culture or circumstance. BUSM is committed to health equity, with a particular focus on serving urban and underserved populations.

BUSM’s basic science curriculum utilizes traditional lectures, laboratory exercises, and small group seminars during the first two years, though patient contact begins the very first week of freshman year. First-year students will be exposed to challenging patients so that they can learn how to teach each patient with respect and compassion and communicate effectively early on.

Students will also learn about the surrounding Boston neighborhoods, including the health disparities that exist, the demographics of their patients, and the resources available when providing clinical care.

Formal clinical training takes place during the third and fourth years. Students rotate at more than 40 outpatient sites, including hospitals and private clinics. BUSM is affiliated with Boston Medical Center, a leading safety-net hospital, as well as St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, the VA Healthcare System, and Kaiser Permanente in Northern California, and many more.

BUSM offers several different degree options, including MD, MD/PhD, MD/MPH, and MD/MBA.

Median Academic Scores of Matriculants:

• Median GPA: 3.83
• Median MCAT: 517

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (BUSM) Secondary Questions.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Preference:

Harvard Medical School (HMS)

Harvard Medical School (HMS) is one of—if not the—most prestigious medical school in the US. Founded in 1782 in Boston, it is the third-oldest medical school in the country.

The MD program at HMS comprises two curricular tracks, Pathways and Health Sciences & Technology (HST). Students can apply to either track or both. HMS offers several degree options, including MD, MD/PhD, MD/MBA, MD/MPH, and MD/MPP.

The Pathways track focuses on fostering active learning and critical thinking through early clinical experience, advanced clinical and student-tailored basic and population science experiences, and a scholarly project that enables every student to plan their own individualized pathway to their MD degree.

The Health Sciences & Technology (HST) track is offered jointly by HMS and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It’s geared toward students with a strong interest and background in physical or molecular science, as well as students interested in a career in biomedical research.

The HST curriculum is focused on helping students build a basic and quantitative understanding of modern pathophysiologic processes and biomedical sciences, together with a fundamental approach to key concepts in modern biotechnology and biology. This track also offers two educational pathways—one leading to an MD degree and the other to a PhD in Medical Engineering and Medical Physics from MIT or Harvard University.

Students have access to renowned hospitals like Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, as well as unparalleled research opportunities and global health initiatives.

Median Academic Scores of Matriculants:

• Median GPA: 3.97
• Median MCAT: 521

Harvard Medical School Secondary Questions.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Preference:

Tufts University School of Medicine

Founded in 1893, Tufts University School of Medicine is committed to curricular improvement and innovation, which is why the school redesigned its curriculum in 2019. The new four-year Integrated Curriculum enables students to enter the clinical side of their studies earlier, and it also includes the four “perspectives,” which are woven throughout the four years.

The four themes are:

• Healthcare Systems (healthcare costs and delivery systems, team-based care, etc.)
• Population Health (health disparities, social justice, global health, etc.)
• The Patient Experience (advanced communication, end-of-life/palliative care, etc.)
• Personal and Professional Development (professionalism, wellness, leadership, lifelong learning, etc.)

Students are also required to participate in two additional programs: Community Service Learning (CSL) and Students-As-Teachers (SAT).

CSL is all about giving students first-hand experience engaging with the Boston community. All students must spend at least 50 hours working directly with the community as mentors, educators, and collaborators. These experiences address a range of patient populations and health issues. For example, the Sharewood Project is a free healthcare organization primarily managed by first- and second-year students.

The SAT program introduces students to the fundamental principles of teaching and learning, preparing them for their future role as a clinical educator upon becoming a resident or attending.

Tufts also offers a Maine Track for students passionate about community-based healthcare. Maine Track students are part of the Tufts University School of Medicine but spend most of their time in Maine. They also complete their core clerkships in rural areas of Maine, rather than in Boston.

Tufts offers diverse clinical training across urban and community settings, as well as strong global health programs, and joint degree options, including MD/MBA and MD/MPH.

Median Academic Scores of Matriculants:

• Median GPA: 514
• Median MCAT: 3.87

Tufts University School of Medicine Secondary Questions.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Preference:

University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan Medical School

The University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan Medical School is located in Worcester and was founded in 1962 with the express purpose of providing high-quality, yet affordable, medical education to residents of Massachusetts, aiming to increase the number of primary care physicians practicing in underserved areas of the state.

As the only public medical school in Massachusetts, UMass Medical School shows a strong preference for in-state applicants and offers these students affordable tuition in a state known for significant education costs. Degrees offered include MD, MD/PhD, MD/MBA, and MD/MPH.

The new Vista curriculum was revealed in 2022 and is designed to weave in longitudinal biomedical topics like health equity and diversity, physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, cancer concepts, patient and provider wellness, and more.

Students interested in careers in internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry also have the option of participating in an accelerated three-year MD program. Interested students must apply in the fall of their first year of medical school.

While the UMass Chan Medical School places a strong emphasis on primary care and underserved communities, they are also expanding its research focus through partnerships with regional hospitals.

Median Academic Scores of Matriculants:

• Median GPA: 3.80
• Median MCAT: 512

University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School Secondary Questions.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Preference:

Massachusetts Medical School Locations

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the sixth-smallest state by land area, but with a population of over seven million, it’s also the third-most densely populated state in the country. It borders New Hampshire and Vermont to the north, New York to the west, Connecticut and Rhode Island to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Maine to the east.

• Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (BUSM): Boston
• Harvard Medical School (HMS): Boston
• Tufts University School of Medicine: Boston
• University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMMS): Worcester

Of the four medical schools in Massachusetts, three are located in Boston, and one is located in Worcester.

Boston is the capital and most populous city of Massachusetts, with a population of approximately 653,833. It is about an hour and 20 minutes away from Worcester, where UMMS is located. Worcester has a population of about 207,621.

How Much Is Medical School Tuition in Massachusetts?

So, how much does medical school cost in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts Tuition Costs (2025 Data From MSAR)

View the most recent AAMC tuition data.

• Additional fees not included.

You also need to consider the cost of medical school applications, which can add up across primary fees, secondary fees, exam fees, study resources, and interview travel costs.

Plus, there are many other financial factors to consider, including housing, transportation, food, exercise, and events. Unfortunately, Massachusetts, especially Boston, has a very high cost of living.

What It’s Like to Go to Medical School in Massachusetts

Massachusetts offers an unparalleled academic environment, distinguished by its world-class hospitals and expansive network of mentors. The state’s strong emphasis on research, innovation, and community health creates an enriching environment for medical education.

Massachusetts also offers numerous opportunities for fun and relaxation as a student. In Boston, you can explore historic sites along the Freedom Trail, visit world-renowned museums like the Museum of Fine Arts or the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and cheer on professional sports teams like the Red Sox and Celtics. In addition, Boston boasts a diverse food scene, offering everything from local New England clam chowder to a variety of international dishes.

Beyond Boston, Massachusetts offers beautiful coastal escapes like Cape Cod, outdoor adventures in the Berkshires, and charming small towns like Salem, known for its rich history.

It is not necessary to own a car if you live in or around Boston, as it has one of the best public transportation systems in the country. However, unlike New York City, it does not run 24/7.

Worcester is at the end of the line for the commuter rail to Boston, so if you go to school at UMass, you can still get to the big city without a car. Worcester has its own bus system, and it’s a more budget-friendly city than Boston. Plus, there continue to be more opportunities for clinical training and community engagement.

However, if you want to explore more of Massachusetts, you’ll need your own vehicle.

You’ll also get to experience all four seasons in Massachusetts, which can be a blessing and a curse. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are bitterly cold and full of snow.

Pursuing an education in Massachusetts means you’re not only at the forefront of medicine but also surrounded by a vibrant environment full of opportunities for exploration and connection.

How to Apply to Massachusetts Medical Schools (MD)

Students use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), the AAMC’s centralized medical school application processing service, to apply to allopathic medical schools in Massachusetts.

This is the primary application method for first-year entering classes for the vast majority of US medical schools. No matter how many schools you plan on applying to, you only need to submit one set of application materials to AMCAS, and the system will take it from there.

Here’s what you need to know about applying to med schools in Massachusetts.

1 | Application Deadlines

During the first week of May, the AMCAS application opens, and submissions occur at the end of May or early June. Therefore, if you plan to start medical school in the fall of 2027, you must begin the application process in the spring of 2026.

While schools offer technical deadlines for your application, it is vital to understand that they do not reflect reality. Applications are reviewed as they are received on a rolling (continuous) basis. The first people who submit their primary applications are the first to receive secondary applications. The first to submit their secondaries receive the first invitations to interview, and the first people to interview receive the first acceptances.

Medical schools can only accept so many students. If you wait until the last few days before a school’s technical deadline, they may already have their entire class picked out. The longer you delay submitting your application, the worse your chances of acceptance.

We cannot state this enough: Apply as soon as submissions open for your best chance of success. This also goes for submitting your secondaries and booking your interviews as well.

For the vast majority of medical schools throughout Massachusetts and the country, interviews begin in September and can run through March of the following year.

Here’s what you should be working on month-by-month: Medical School Application Timeline and Monthly Schedule. (Updated every application cycle.)

2 | Application Requirements

Your primary application comprises several different components, and each is essential to your acceptance.

Your primary application must consist of your college transcripts, a high GPA and MCAT score, a narrative-driven personal statement, strong letters of recommendation, and a diverse and detailed Work and Activities section.

Depending on where you’re applying to, you may also have to take a situational judgment test, either the AAMC PREview exam or Acuity Insights.

At the time of this article, the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (BUSM) requires its applicants to take the Acuity Insights Casper test, but not the Duet component of Acuity Insights.

Casper is a computer-based situational judgment test administered by Acuity Insights and created to evaluate the kind of person you are beyond your grades and hard skills. The test evaluates your soft skills, including communication, professionalism, empathy, ethical decision-making, and bedside manner.

The University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine requires its applicants to complete the PREview exam.

The AAMC PREview Professional Readiness Exam is a situational judgment test, similar to Casper, that was released by the AAMC. It was also created to assess a premed’s interpersonal skills, professionalism, and ethical decision-making. Composed of a series of hypothetical scenarios that students may be faced with in medical school, this multiple-choice exam is designed to evaluate a premed’s awareness of effective and ineffective professional behaviors.

Harvard Medical School and Tufts University School of Medicine do not require Acuity Insights or AAMC PREview at this time.

Our Casper Test Guide and AAMC PREview Guide have everything you need to know about these unique tests, should you need to take them. When it comes time to prepare, utilize our Casper and PREview AI courses, which generate instant feedback, including emotion detection analysis and immediate personalized evaluation. These courses include unlimited practice problems, so you’ll have endless opportunities to adapt to various scenarios, refine your skills, and deeply understand the nuances of both exams.

After you submit your primary application, you can count on receiving a secondary application two to four weeks later. This is because each medical school in Massachusetts collects a fee from secondaries between $100-$130. Unlike the primary application, you will submit your secondaries directly to each school from which you received them, along with the fee.

If admissions committees are intrigued by your application, you could receive an invitation to interview at any point between the end of August and the spring of the following year.

Tips for Acceptance at Massachusetts Medical Schools

1 | Research Experience

If you love research, then you’ve come to the right state. Research plays a significant role at each medical school in Massachusetts, with Harvard and BUSM in particular offering unparalleled research opportunities and funding.

Since the schools they represent place such a strong emphasis on research, admissions committees are on the lookout for students with this kind of experience who can help further their schools’ mission.

If research is not your strong suit, now is a good time to start getting into it. Working as an extracurricular research assistant is an excellent way to earn the kind of research that could get you noticed by Massachusetts adcoms.

To find a research position, you need to have both an interest in the topics the lab is exploring and some basic experience. Most universities have an online list of research labs. You can look through this list until you find a Principal Investigator (PI) you want to work with. A PI is the leader of the lab and, essentially, your future boss.

Utilize your university’s resources to find a list of PIs and then email them directly. If you already have an idea of what research you want to do or have a specialty you’re interested in, such as cardiology, look for labs that conduct that kind of research.

Another way to find a research opportunity is to reach out to your personal contacts. Do you have a friend who had or is currently having a good lab experience? If there’s a professor you particularly get along with, check and see if they have a research lab, and then reach out to them. Remember to show genuine enthusiasm, as this won’t go unnoticed.

It may take time before you find the right opportunity, but keep at it. Once you do make contact, ask plenty of questions so that you know what you’re getting into and whether or not you’ll be able to commit.

Whether you’re just starting in research or are looking to master more advanced research skills, the Med School Insiders Ultimate Premed & Medical Student Research Course will meet you where you are and help you maximize your potential as a more competitive medical school applicant.

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We’ll show you how it’s done step by step so that you not only master research but also learn to enjoy it, too. Our course has over 75 video modules, templates, and resources, as well as exclusive private community access to lift your research game to the highest possible level.

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2 | Pay Attention to Hard Metrics

Medical schools in Massachusetts are incredibly competitive, attracting top-tier students from around the country and the world. While hard scores are not everything, cut-offs do matter, especially in a rigorous academic environment like Massachusetts.

While no Massachusetts medical school has technical academic cut-offs, the hard scores of their matriculants remain quite high. For example, the median GPA and MCAT of Harvard matriculants are 3.96 and 521, respectively.

This is not meant to discourage you from applying to Harvard or any schools in the Bay State. After all, if that’s the median, it means plenty of matriculants did not have numbers that high. Harvard, as well as other schools in Massachusetts, consider academic metrics alongside experiences, leadership, and community involvement.

However, the hard metrics should not be ignored. If you want to be considered by Massachusetts medical schools, it’s certainly to your benefit to have high hard scores.

Discover your odds of acceptance at specific out-of-state schools using our free Medical School Chance Predictor.

Bottom Line: Is Going to Medical School in Massachusetts Right for You?

Massachusetts offers an unparalleled academic environment, distinguished by its world-class hospitals and expansive network of mentors. The state’s strong emphasis on research, innovation, and community health creates an enriching environment for medical education.

But beyond the medical program and school resources, it matters whether or not you enjoy the community and environment you’ll call home.

Pros of Medical School in Massachusetts

• Access to world-class hospitals and mentors
• Excellent access to healthcare
• Exceptional research opportunities
• Strong focus on underserved and urban health
• Rich cultural and historical environment
• Ranks in the top 10 greenest states in the US
• Clean air quality
• Lots of nature and outdoor activities

Cons of Medical School in Massachusetts

• High cost of living (particularly in Boston)
• Competitive admissions
• Harsh winters
• Poor infrastructure
• Lots of traffic

Massachusetts offers a unique blend of academic rigor, clinical diversity, and cultural vibrancy. Whether you’re drawn to cutting-edge research, community-focused medicine, or the chance to train at world-class institutions, Massachusetts is an excellent place to pursue your medical education.

What Adcoms Are Looking For

No matter which states you’re applying to, admission committees are looking for resilient, well-rounded, and community-minded students who will enrich the student body at their school. Leave any checkbox mentality at the door. Demonstrating your passion for and dedication to medicine, as well as your commitment to the community, is essential.

Med School Insiders can help you craft a stand-out application that will get you noticed by Massachusetts medical schools, as well as any schools at the top of your list. We have a range of services to suit your specific needs, from one-on-one guidance to application editing to mock interviews.

Whether you need a comprehensive application strategy, detailed essay feedback, or interview preparation, our services are tailored to meet your individual circumstances and goals. Don’t leave your medical school dreams to chance—contact us today to find out how you can transform your application from good to truly memorable.

Thank you to Debby Cheng, MD, from Harvard Medical School, for being our Insider contributor for this guide.