In terms of size, Rhode Island is the smallest state in America. The state's social center is Providence, the state's capital and most populated city with about 1.5 million people in the metropolitan area. Providence, a city that is currently booming culturally, benefits from Massachusetts' overflow. If you're looking to avoid the cramped conditions of the Massachusetts medical field, then Providence is the perfect place. The University of Rhode Island does not have a medical school, but does offer post-graduate programs in pharmaceuticals, biology and other medical concentrations. URI graduates are of course welcome to apply to Brown Medical School.
Rhode Island's highest ranked medical school is Brown University's Alpert Medical School. It is also Rhode Island's only medical school. With a faculty and staff of just over 2,000 and just over 400 students, applicants to the Alpert Medical School can be sure they will have the one-on-one instruction that is pertinent to medical training. Alpert Medical School is very selective. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 grade point average as an undergrad and have completed all the required undergrad science and math courses. Alpert Medical School is ranked 31st among the nation's medical schools and makes sure its graduates transition into the best residency programs in the country. Alpert also offers master's and PhD programs in addition to MD training.
If Rhode Island proves to be too small or just doesn't have enough selection for you, Boston, Massachusetts is just an hour south of Providence. Massachusetts is one of the leading states in medical research and dozens of its universities have reputable medical programs, including Harvard University, Boston University and the University of Massachusetts. And thanks to its proximity, Massachusetts is also a great option if you want to commute from Rhode Island.
The winters are brutal, but there are definite perks to attending medical school in Rhode Island and the New England region. A positive statistic for Rhode Islanders and other New England residents is that 27 percent of those enrolled come from New England. What Rhode Island doesn't provide in selection, it provides in prestige and quality. New England is also home to some of the best hospitals in the country and a good hospital is imperative for a good residency.