Best Medical Schools

• Smart Choices: General Surgery. The proliferation of HMOs was tough on general surgeons. But a growing shortage in both urban and rural markets is creating new demand for their skills. So is the relentless aging of the boomers, which is also driving demand in cardiology, urology, gastroenterology, and orthopedics.
• Insider Tip: Debt has long been the downside of going to med school, but some institutions are tackling the problem with serious cash. The Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine is waiving tuition for all future students who practice medicine and conduct research in primary care or any specialty. The University of Central Florida, which paid all tuition and living expenses for the incoming class at its new med school, is raising money for 120 more full scholarships. The Mayo Clinic is waiving 50 percent of tuition to all who are admitted (some can get more). Harvard, Yale, and Stanford also offer big tuition breaks for students from middle-income families.
• Getting In: First Steps. You may not be a medical student yet, but you'll want to visit the website of the American Medical Student Association. Go to amsa.org/premed for loads of premed offerings, including nationwide chapters for doctor wannabes, conferences, and internship and advocacy opportunities. AMSA also provides opportunities for career development and other benefits for its premed members.
• Reality Check: Median in-state tuition at med school (public): $24,809
  Median out-of-state tuition at med school (public): $43,543
• Reality Check: Average annual starting salaries for urology: $261,000
  Orthopedic surgery: $256,000
  General surgery: $226,000

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