US news med school research rank---relevance to their phd programs

<p>US News has a ranking of medical schools by research quality.
Having applied to some med school/phd programs, I wonder if this ranking has value as a tool in assessing the relative strengths of the programs.
Did anyone else find it a challenge to decide whether to apply to the university grad dept or the hospital affiliated ones? Often, you had to opt for one over the other.
Thanks!</p>