To study the cultivation characteristics of the medical students in world-class universities in the United States and to provide references for the cultivation of higher medical talents in China. The main goal of medical education in the US is to cultivate leading medical talents. The admission standards are strictly set

and the admission rate of medical students is extremely low. The universities adopt more flexible and personalized project-based and modular courses

apply student-centered teaching concept

and take multiple teaching approaches. The patient-centered treatment concept is emphasized

and different skills and attitudes are developed. There are sufficient and high-quality teachers to provide guarantee of teacher resources for medical education. Strict graduation assessment system is implemented to ensure the quality of talent cultivation. Accordingly

the development and reform of China's higher medical education can be carried out from the following aspects: clarifying the goal of talent training

improving the enrollment standards of medical students

strengthening the reform of the curriculum system

stressing medical humanities education

and improving the medical education assessment certification system.