Maryland Medical Schools 2025 Guide: Johns Hopkins, UMSOM, and USU Admissions

Why choose Maryland for medical school

Maryland packs top-tier research power, strong primary care training, and unique public service pathways into a small geographic footprint. With two Baltimore-based MD programs and one military-focused program in Bethesda, you can target the clinical ecosystem and mission that fit your goals.

The Maryland medical school landscape

Maryland currently has three MD programs:

• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore
• University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore
• Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine in Bethesda

Always confirm requirements and dates on each school’s official site. Policies, prerequisites, and timelines change.

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#1. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Snapshot

Renowned for discovery, patient-centered care, and interdisciplinary training. Students learn across flagship hospitals and community sites and can pursue rich research opportunities from the first year.

Curriculum highlights

Integrated foundational sciences, early clinical exposure, scholarly work, and abundant electives in global health, health equity, and innovation.

Admissions notes

Holistic review that values academic readiness, meaningful clinical engagement, research curiosity, and service. Plan for robust letters and thoughtful secondary essays that connect your experiences to Hopkins’ mission.

#2. University of Maryland School of Medicine

Snapshot

A public research powerhouse with deep ties to the University of Maryland Medical Center and the Baltimore VA. Strong primary care and specialty exposure with opportunities in trauma, infectious diseases, and population health.

Curriculum highlights

Systems-based science, early patient contact, required scholarly work, and citywide clinical rotations that build communication and team skills.

Admissions notes

Emphasis on academic preparation, clinical readiness, community service, and resilience. Monitor in-state and out-of-state tuition details and total cost of attendance as you plan.

#3. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), F. Edward Hébert SOM

Snapshot

Tuition-free MD education with commissioned officer status while enrolled. Graduates serve after residency in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or U.S. Public Health Service. Ideal for applicants motivated by service, leadership, operational medicine, and global health readiness.

Curriculum highlights

Military-relevant medicine, field experiences, leadership development, and the same core scientific and clinical competencies expected of all U.S. MD programs.

Admissions notes

Applicants complete AMCAS plus a USU secondary. Prior military service is not required, but commitment to uniformed service and the seven-year active-duty obligation after training is essential.

How to choose among Maryland programs

Align on mission

Read each school’s mission carefully. If your story shows sustained service, leadership, and curiosity, say so clearly and link it to the program’s priorities.

Compare clinical ecosystems

Hopkins and UMSOM deliver broad urban patient exposure. USU adds a uniformed service pathway with leadership and operational training. Consider where you will rotate and how early you will see patients.

Balance outcomes and costs

Map tuition, fees, insurance, and living expenses for Baltimore and Bethesda. Focus on total cost of attendance and potential scholarships, grants, or military benefits.

Maryland-focused application strategy

#1. Build credible clinical experience

Quality beats quantity. Seek roles with direct patient interaction, teamwork, and reflection. Keep notes you can translate into strong secondaries and interviews.

#2. Demonstrate service and cultural competence

Long-running commitments in clinics, shelters, schools, or public health settings show reliability and empathy that Maryland programs value.

#3. Plan testing and timing

Give yourself runway for the MCAT, submit AMCAS early, and return secondaries within one to two weeks. Request letters well in advance.

#4. Tell a cohesive story

Use your personal statement for theme and motivation. Use secondaries to show school-specific fit. Back claims with concrete examples and outcomes.

Add a global clinical edge with Go Elective

Structured, mentored experience in resource-limited settings strengthens communication, adaptability, and cultural competence. These stories land well in Maryland interviews and demonstrate readiness for diverse patient care.

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Sample 6 to 9 month application plan

Months 1 to 2

Finalize MCAT prep and test. Audit prerequisites and request letters. Draft your personal statement.

Months 3 to 4

Submit AMCAS early. Prewrite secondaries for Hopkins, UMSOM, and USU. Maintain clinical and service roles.

Months 5 to 6

Turn secondaries quickly. Practice school-specific interviews and scenarios. Prepare concise stories that show teamwork, ethics, and problem solving.

FAQs: Maryland medical schools

#1. How many MD programs are in Maryland

Three. Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, and USU in Bethesda.

#2. Is Maryland a good place to study medicine

Yes. You will find nationally recognized research, strong clinical training across urban and federal systems, and robust service opportunities.

#3, Do I need Maryland residency

No. Public tuition differs for residents and nonresidents, but all schools admit qualified out-of-state applicants.

#4, What makes an application stand out

Academic readiness, reflective clinical experience, sustained service, and clear mission fit. Strong writing and specific examples matter.

Next steps

• Apply for upcoming cohorts in Kenya or Tanzania
• Have questions about placements, housing, or timing
  Inquire here

Go Elective does not provide admissions advising. Always verify current prerequisites, deadlines, tuition, and fees on each medical school’s official website and in AMCAS.

Article Details

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, MCAT/MSAR/USMLE, Med Schools,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Sep 13, 2025