Your choice of a medical school is pivotal to your success as a medical doctor. Loma Linda is often a recommendation for medical schools in Los Angeles with many locals choosing to get in and non-residents considering a move to LA to attend the school. As I always say, it is important to compare and contrast schools to make an informed decision before choosing a school to further the pursuit of your career.
In this article, I will discuss Loma Linda as a medical school and whether it is worth attending. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Is Loma Linda a Good Medical School?
Loma Linda University School of Medicine is a good medical school. Despite their religious inclinations, Loma Linda is prestigious for its medical program having produced elite medical doctors and professors in the country. The school is fully accredited to offer medicine, has a successful alumni network, and provides a serene environment for learning.
There are many cool things about Loma Linda as a medical school. In the next section, I’d be presenting a breakdown of my findings on the points that make Loma Linda an excellent medical school.
Pros of Loma Linda University School of Medicine
- Fully accredited
- Serene learning environment
- Reckoned for heart surgery successes
- Favors students that are seventh-day adventists
- Successful alumni network
- Excellent academic program
1. Fully Accredited
Loma Linda University School of Medicine is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). This means that students receive high-quality medical education and training that meets national standards. Accreditation is something always to check when applying to a school. You do not want to attend a school and spend a significant portion of your life in a school that’s not accredited in the States.
2. Serene Learning Environment
The campus is located in a peaceful and serene environment, which is conducive to learning. The campus is surrounded by mountains, which provide a beautiful backdrop and a perfect setting for study and contemplation. Modern-day infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities make Loma Linda University School of Medicine a top institution for learning.
3. Reckoned for Heart Surgery Successes
Loma Linda University Medical Center is known for its exceptional cardiac surgery program. It is one of the few hospitals in the world that performs pediatric heart transplants and has one of the highest survival rates for heart transplants in the world. Since they have such a record of performing surgeries, it translates to the possibility of providing students with quality education in this regard.
If heart surgeries are something you consider in your practice of medicine, then Loma Linda will be a good place to study.
4. Favors Seventh-day Adventists
Loma Linda University School of Medicine is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the institution gives preference to Seventh-day Adventist applicants. This preference is given because the university values the religious beliefs and lifestyle of Seventh-day Adventists, which align with the values of the university. Your chances of getting to the school as a Seventh-day Adventist are very high.
As a matter of fact, I found out that 80 spaces are reserved for Seventh-Day Adventist applicants every year.
5. Successful Alumni Network
Loma Linda University School of Medicine has a large and successful alumni network. Many alumni of the school have gone on to become leaders in their respective fields and have made significant contributions to the medical profession. Dr. Jeffrey Kulhman is a graduate of the Loma Linda School of Medicine and was one of the private physicians of Former President Barack Obama.
6. Excellent Academic Program
The academic program at Loma Linda University School of Medicine is exceptional. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of medical sciences and clinical practice. The faculty members are highly experienced and committed to helping students succeed in their careers. Unlike research-based institutions, Loma Linda’s medical school has faculty members that support students throughout their academic journey.
Cons of Loma Linda University School of Medicine
While Loma Linda has an excellent medical school, there are some points to be wary of. These include:
- Strict adherence to Christian values
- Establishments are closed on Saturdays
- Cafeteria meals are vegan
- Highly selective admission
1. Strict adherence to Christian values
Loma Linda University School of Medicine is a Seventh-day Adventist institution, and its curriculum is built around Christian principles. While this may be appealing to some students, it could be a drawback for those who do not want a religious-based education. The strict adherence to Christian values may limit students’ exposure to certain medical procedures or practices that are considered controversial from a religious standpoint.
2. Establishments are closed on Saturdays
Loma Linda University and the surrounding area observe Saturday as the Sabbath, meaning many establishments are closed on this day. This could be inconvenient for students who need to run errands or shop on weekends. It could also limit the availability of extracurricular activities and social events for students.
3. Cafeteria meals are vegan
Loma Linda University is known for promoting a healthy lifestyle, and as such, the cafeteria meals are entirely vegan. While this may be a positive for some students, others may find it restrictive and limiting. It may also be difficult for students who are not used to a vegan diet to adjust, and they may have to seek out other options for meals.
4. Highly selective admission
The School of Medicine at Loma Linda University is very selective. Even the management of the school admits they’ve got a highly selective process for admitting students to its medical school. The fact that 80 slots in the applicants’ pool are reserved for SDAs makes it even more difficult for students that are non-SDAs to get admitted.
Overall, while these cons may be significant for some students, Loma Linda University School of Medicine still offers an excellent education in medicine and is a respected institution in the medical field. It is essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding to attend Loma Linda or any other medical school.
What is Loma Linda Known For?
Loma Linda University is known as a school with strict Christian values and religious inclinations. The school is also known for the Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children’s Hospital which houses the largest neonatal intensive care unit in California, the Proton Accelerator Cancer Treatment Center, and the infant heart and multiple organ transplant center. They are also reckoned for their successful network of alumni who are heads of hospitals, professional bodies, and much more.
FAQs
Why is Loma Linda Medical School not ranked?
Loma Linda medical school is not ranked because the school’s management feels they shouldn’t be taking part in associations and ranking practices. According to the management, they’ve been presented with several applications for rankings but rejected all. The school wants to maintain a reputation and believes being unranked helps it do so.
Is it hard to get into Loma Linda medical school?
Yes. It can be very difficult to get into Loma Linda medical school as it has an acceptance rate of approximately 2%. In the 2022 admission process, the school accepted only 176 applicants out of the 6000+ applications they received. You’ll have a hard time getting into the school if you’re not a Seventh-Day Adventist.
Does Loma Linda accept only Christians?
No. Loma Linda accepts applicants from various religious backgrounds. However, they seem to favor Seventh-Day Adventists more.
Conclusion
From Cynara Coomer to Eric Esrailian, Jeffrey Kuhlman, Richard Chinnock, and a host of others, Loma Linda University School of Medicine has produced several brilliant medical doctors. This attests to the quality of education at the institution which makes it a top choice in California and other surrounding areas. If you have no problems with its Christian values (many graduates don’t say it is a problem), then you should try your chance at getting admitted.
Still considering other schools? Read my review on UCLA, Case Western, and LECOM.