Worried about your GPA and MCAT scores?
We’ve compiled a list of the average GPA and MCAT scores for every medical school in the U.S. You can use this free resource to get a clearer idea of which medical schools to focus on during the application process.
We know that getting into medical school is a huge accomplishment – and we want to help you every step of the way. Use our database to find the right school for you, and then let our medical school admissions counselors help you achieve your dream of becoming a doctor.
There’s a lot to cover about GPA, MCAT scores, and medical school admissions. So consider bookmarking this page for future reference, and please reach out to us if you have any questions along the way.
How to Use Average Med School GPA and MCAT Scores
GPA and MCAT scores are just some of the many factors that medical schools take into account when making admissions decisions. We cover below how these numbers affect your application and what else you need to consider. Though not everything, a strong GPA and MCAT score can give you a significant advantage in the admissions process.
Knowing the average med school GPA and MCAT scores allows you to:
- Compare your stats to the average of the entering class.
- Make informed decisions about where to apply.
- Know which applications to prioritize.
- Save time, energy, and money on med school applications by applying to schools that better match your qualifications.
- Reduce the time you spend on pre-application research by quickly identifying schools that are a good fit for you.
There are plenty of emotional benefits to this approach as well. You can feel more confident during the application process and reduce your stress levels significantly by targeting the schools that you have the best chance of getting into. If you’re currently applying to medical schools, you can probably use all the extra focus, confidence, and energy you can get!
Tips for Comparing Medical Schools
Just knowing the average GPA for med schools (or the average MCAT score) is not enough information to make an informed decision about where to apply. Below, our medical school admissions counselors share a few general tips on how to compare schools.
First, reflect on what kind of physician you want to be. Do you want to be a primary care doctor or a specialist? Do you want to work in a rural area or an urban one? Do you want to be a researcher or a clinician? Knowing what kind of doctor you want to be will help you narrow down your choices and find the schools that will best prepare you for your future career.
This doesn’t mean you have to have your entire career mapped out. In fact, many students enter medical school with only a general idea of what they want to do.
Some schools put a big emphasis on facilitating career exploration in the first years of medical school. So if you’re undecided and want the freedom and encouragement to explore a variety of interests, apply to schools that deliberately integrate this kind of exploration into their curriculum.
Other schools are known for their strong clinical training or research opportunities. If you have an idea of the specialty you want to pursue, look for a school that will give you the best preparation for residency in that area.
Another tip is to be reasonable with how many schools you apply to. Applying to too many schools can be expensive and time-consuming. It can also lead to “application fatigue”, where you become so overwhelmed by the process that your applications suffer as a result.
According to the AAMC, medical school applicants apply to an average of 16 schools.
How many schools you apply to will depend on things such as your budget, how specific your goals and interests are, and how many quality applications you can realistically submit. Yes, some students choose to apply to a large number of schools in the hopes of increasing their chances of getting in somewhere. But this isn’t always the best strategy.
If you’re struggling with how many schools to apply to, start by making a list of your “reach”, “likely”, and “safety” schools. Reach schools are those where your stats (GPA, MCAT score, etc.) are below the average for the entering class. Likely schools are those where your stats are close to the average. And safety schools are those where your stats are well above the average.
Our ultimate medical school guides can help you research specific schools and make informed decisions about your application strategy.
Also, our medical school admissions counselors are experts in helping applicants craft winning application strategies. So don’t hesitate to reach out for a free 30-minute consultation!
Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of location.
We often talk to prospective med students who are reluctant to talk about the location of a school as a major factor in their decision. Maybe it’s because they think it’s not as important as things like prestige, curriculum, or research opportunities.
But the truth is, location is a big deal. It can affect everything from your quality of life during medical school to your job prospects after graduation.
Med students are more likely to attend residency in the state they graduate in. And new physicians are more likely to practice in the state where they did their residency. Of course, you aren’t necessarily committing to 10+ years in the same state. But it’s still something to consider.
Your quality of life during medical school is also affected by location. Having a support system is important when you’re dealing with the stress of medical school. And being close to family and friends can make a big difference. The climate can also play a big role — especially for those with a seasonal affective disorder or other conditions that are affected by the weather. Finally, how you like to unwind and have fun can be a factor. Accessibility to nature and cultural amenities can make a big difference in your happiness (and therefore your performance) during medical school.
Average MCAT Scores and Average GPA for Med Schools
There’s more to discuss about this data and medical school admissions, but let’s go ahead and get into the numbers.
The average GPA for med schools overall is 3.64 for science and a 3.71 overall.
Most medical schools require candidates to have a 3.0 or higher GPA to even apply, and many require 3.5 or higher.
But beyond the minimum requirements, each school gives its own particular weight to GPA and MCAT scores when reviewing applications.
To get the most out of this data, we suggest keeping a few things in mind. Namely:
- These are averages, so schools accept students above and below their average GPA and MCAT scores.
- Don’t rule out your dream school based on these averages just to save time, especially if you believe you are an excellent fit. We’ll get into other factors that make for a competitive candidate (and can offset below-average GPA) below.
- Look at the big picture. Admissions decisions are based on more than just numbers. When looking at schools, also consider curriculum, teaching style, research opportunities, clinical rotations, location, and more. The average GPA for med schools is just one aspect of what to consider.
While we work to keep this information as accurate and up-to-date as possible, we recommend that you check the school’s website to be sure before applying.
MD DO
| Medical School | Average GPA | Average MCAT | Minimum MCAT | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama School of Medicine | 3.80 | 509.2 | NR | AL |
| University of South Alabama College of Medicine | 3.83 | 510 | NR | AL |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine | 3.81 | 509 | NR | AR |
| University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson | 3.74 | 508 | 498 | AZ |
| University of Arizona School of Medicine - Phoenix | 3.78 | 515 | 495 | AZ |
| Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine | 3.94 | 521 | NR | AZ |
| California Northstate University College of Medicine | 3.70 | 513 | 497 | CA |
| California University of Science and Medicine | 3.65 | 513 | NR | CA |
| Drew/UCLA Joint Medical Program Drew University of Medicine and Science | 3.37 | NR | NR | CA |
| Loma Linda University School of Medicine | 3.83 | 509 | NR | CA |
| University of California – Davis School of Medicine | 3.58 | 510.52 | NR | CA |
| Stanford University School of Medicine | 3.89 | 518 | NR | CA |
| University of California – Irvine School of Medicine | 3.78 | 514.5 | NR | CA |
| University of California – Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine | 3.81 | 516 | NR | CA |
| University of California – Riverside School of Medicine | 3.60 | 509 | NR | CA |
| University of California – San Diego School of Medicine | 3.77 | 515.11 | NR | CA |
| University of California – San Francisco School of Medicine | 3.87 | 517 | NR | CA |
| University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine | 3.80 | 517 | NR | CA |
| Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine | 3.76 | 516 | NR | CA |
| University of Colorado School of Medicine | 3.82 | 516 | NR | CO |
| Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine | 3.70 | 513 | NR | CT |
| University of Connecticut School of Medicine | 3.76 | 513 | NR | CT |
| Yale School of Medicine | 3.93 | 521 | NR | CT |
| George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences | 3.70 | 512 | NR | DC |
| Georgetown University School of Medicine | 3.63 | 512 | NR | DC |
| Howard University College of Medicine | 3.61 | 507 | 494 | DC |
| Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine | 3.79 | 513 | NR | FL |
| Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine | 3.75 | 510 | NR | FL |
| Florida State University College of Medicine | 3.80 | 507 | 498 | FL |
| University of Central Florida College of Medicine | 3.81 | 511 | NR | FL |
| University of Florida College of Medicine | 3.79 | 514 | 495 | FL |
| University of Miami Miller School of Medicine | 3.75 | 514 | NR | FL |
| University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine | 3.89 | 517 | NR | FL |
| Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine | 3.76 | 512 | NR | FL |
| Emory University School of Medicine | 3.70 | 514 | NR | GA |
| Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University | 3.80 | 512 | NR | GA |
| Mercer University School of Medicine | 3.66 | 504 | 493–494 | GA |
| Morehouse School of Medicine | 3.68 | 506 | NR | GA |
| University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine | 3.74 | 512 | NR | HI |
| University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine | 3.79 | 513 | NR | IA |
| Carle Illinois College of Medicine | 3.73 | 513 | 498 | IL |
| Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science | 3.69 | 511 | NR | IL |
| Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine | 3.70 | 510 | NR | IL |
| Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine | 3.90 | 520 | NR | IL |
| Rush Medical College of Rush University | 3.65 | 511 | NR | IL |
| Southern Illinois University School of Medicine | 3.82 | 508 | 498 | IL |
| University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine | 3.87 | 519 | NR | IL |
| University of Illinois College of Medicine | 3.80 | 513 | NR | IL |
| Indiana University School of Medicine | 3.82 | 512 | NR | IN |
| University of Kansas School of Medicine | 3.88 | 510 | NR | KS |
| University of Kentucky College of Medicine | 3.65 | 507.5 | 495 | KY |
| University of Louisville School of Medicine | 3.65 | 507 | NR | KY |
| Louisiana State University – New Orleans School of Medicine | 3.85 | 509 | NR | LA |
| Louisiana State University – Shreveport School of Medicine | 3.70 | 506 | NR | LA |
| Tulane University School of Medicine | 3.52 | 508 | NR | LA |
| Boston University School of Medicine | 3.72 | 517 | NR | MA |
| Harvard Medical School | 3.90 | 519.46 | NR | MA |
| Tufts University School of Medicine | 3.71 | 514 | NR | MA |
| University of Massachusetts Medical School | 3.77 | 514 | NR | MA |
| Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine | 3.95 | 522 | NR | MD |
| Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine | 3.70 | 509 | 496 | MD |
| University of Maryland School of Medicine | 3.80 | 515 | NR | MD |
| Central Michigan University College of Medicine | 3.69 | 508 | NR | MI |
| Michigan State University College of Human Medicine | 3.77 | 510 | NR | MI |
| Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine | 3.85 | 509 | NR | MI |
| University of Michigan Medical School | 3.72 | 515 | NR | MI |
| Wayne State University School of Medicine | 3.80 | 514 | NR | MI |
| Western Michigan University School of Medicine | 3.77 | 513 | 497 | MI |
| Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine | 3.92 | 520 | NR | MN |
| University of Minnesota Medical School - Twin Cities | 3.72 | 509.8 | NR | MN |
| University of Minnesota Medical School - Duluth | 3.67 | 504 | NR | MN |
| University of Missouri – Columbia School of Medicine | 3.81 | 509 | 494 | MO |
| Saint Louis University School of Medicine | 3.86 | 512.22 | NR | MO |
| University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine | 3.85 | 510 | 500 | MO |
| Washington University School of Medicine | 3.87 | 520.3 | NR | MO |
| University of Mississippi School of Medicine | 3.70 | 504 | 496 | MS |
| Duke University School of Medicine | 3.90 | 519 | NR | NC |
| East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine | 3.54 | 506 | NR | NC |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine | 3.66 | 512 | NR | NC |
| Wake Forest School of Medicine | 3.67 | 512 | NR | NC |
| University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences | 3.80 | 507 | NR | ND |
| Creighton University School of Medicine | 3.83 | 513 | NR | NE |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine | 3.85 | 512 | NR | NE |
| Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth | 3.77 | 516 | NR | NH |
| Cooper Medical School of Rowan University | 3.77 | 511 | NR | NJ |
| Rutgers New Jersey Medical School | 3.70 | 514 | NR | NJ |
| Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School | 3.64 | 512 | NR | NJ |
| Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine | 3.71 | 513 | NR | NJ |
| University of New Mexico School of Medicine | 3.71 | 505 | 494 | NM |
| University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine | 3.77 | 509 | 497 | NV |
| University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine | 3.60 | 510 | NR | NV |
| Albany Medical College | 3.60 | 511 | NR | NY |
| Albert Einstein College of Medicine | 3.82 | 516 | NR | NY |
| Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons | 3.93 | 521 | NR | NY |
| Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine | 3.82 | 517 | NR | NY |
| Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai | 3.81 | 519 | NR | NY |
| New York Medical College | 3.60 | 514 | NR | NY |
| New York University Grossman School of Medicine | 3.92 | 522 | NR | NY |
| New York University Long Island School of Medicine | 3.83 | 516 | NR | NY |
| SUNY – Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine | 3.73 | 513 | NR | NY |
| University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences | 3.66 | 510 | NR | NY |
| SUNY – Upstate Medical University | 3.64 | 509.86 | NR | NY |
| Stony Brook University School of Medicine | 3.80 | 515 | NR | NY |
| University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry | 3.70 | 514 | NR | NY |
| Weill Cornell Medical College | 3.91 | 519 | NR | NY |
| Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine | 3.78 | 518 | NR | OH |
| Northeast Ohio Medical University | 3.68 | 510 | NR | OH |
| The Ohio State University College of Medicine | 3.82 | 514 | NR | OH |
| The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences | 3.68 | 510 | NR | OH |
| University of Cincinnati College of Medicine | 3.74 | 515 | NR | OH |
| Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine | 3.60 | 507 | NR | OH |
| University of Oklahoma College of Medicine | 3.81 | 509.43 | 492 | OK |
| Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine | 3.65 | 509 | 497 | OR |
| Drexel University College of Medicine | 3.57 | 511 | NR | PA |
| Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine | 3.72 | 511.6 | NR | PA |
| Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine | 3.75 | 511 | NR | PA |
| Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania | 3.92 | 522 | NR | PA |
| Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University | 3.73 | 514 | NR | PA |
| Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine | 3.74 | 512 | NR | PA |
| University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine | 3.83 | 516 | NR | PA |
| Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences | 3.50 | 499 | 494 | PR |
| San Juan Bautista School of Medicine | 3.71 | 500 | 492 | PR |
| Universidad Central Del Caribe School of Medicine | 3.80 | 501 | 495 | PR |
| University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine | 3.86 | 506 | 490 | PR |
| Brown University The Warren Alpert Medical School | 3.83 | 516 | NR | RI |
| Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine | 3.70 | 511 | 496 | SC |
| University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Columbia | 3.71 | 508 | NR | SC |
| University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville | 3.70 | 509 | NR | SC |
| University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine | 3.82 | 508 | 496 | SD |
| East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine | 3.75 | 510 | NR | TN |
| Meharry Medical College School of Medicine | 3.46 | 503 | NR | TN |
| University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine | 3.89 | 512 | NR | TN |
| Vanderbilt University School of Medicine | 3.95 | 521 | NR | TN |
| Baylor College of Medicine | 3.92 | 518 | NR | TX |
| TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine | 3.56 | 508 | NR | TX |
| Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine | 3.86 | 513 | NR | TX |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine | 3.78 | 509 | NR | TX |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine – Lubbock | 3.90 | 512 | NR | TX |
| University of Houston College of Medicine | 3.59 | 506 | NR | TX |
| University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School | 3.78 | 514 | NR | TX |
| University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine | 3.80 | 510 | NR | TX |
| University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston | 3.81 | 511 | NR | TX |
| University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine | 3.69 | 508 | 495 | TX |
| University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio | 3.87 | 517.6 | NR | TX |
| University of Texas Southwestern Medical School | 3.83 | 517 | NR | TX |
| University of Utah School of Medicine | 3.87 | 514 | 500 | UT |
| Eastern Virginia Medical School | 3.50 | 511 | NR | VA |
| Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine | 3.70 | 512 | NR | VA |
| Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute | 3.60 | 512 | NR | VA |
| University of Virginia School of Medicine | 3.86 | 518.58 | NR | VA |
| The University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine | 3.69 | 513 | NR | VT |
| University of Washington School of Medicine | 3.75 | 511 | NR | WA |
| Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine | 3.55 | 507.4 | NR | WA |
| Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine | 3.61 | 502 | 496 | WV |
| West Virginia University School of Medicine | 3.75 | 511 | NR | WV |
| Medical College of Wisconsin | 3.75 | 511 | NR | WI |
| University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health | 3.73 | 511 | NR | WI |
| Medical School | Average GPA | Average MCAT | Minimum MCAT | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.45 | 504 | NR | AL |
| Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn Campus | 3.70 | 502 | 494 | AL |
| Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.50 | 500+ | NR | AR |
| A.T. Still University | 3.45 | 505 | NR | AZ |
| Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University | 3.53 | 507 | NR | AZ |
| Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.56 | 509 | NR | CA |
| Western University of Heath Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific | 3.66 | 508 | NR | CA |
| California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.48 | 506 | 498 | CA |
| Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.58 | 506 | NR | CO |
| Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus | 3.50 | 503 | NR | FL |
| Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.60 | 504 | NR | FL |
| Georgia Campus Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine | NaN | 506 | NR | GA |
| Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.64 | 508 | NR | IA |
| Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.57 | 507 | 501 | ID |
| Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University | 3.63 | 510 | NR | IL |
| Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.65 | 504 | 491 | IN |
| University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.50 | 500 | NR | KY |
| Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Louisiana Campus | 3.70 | 502 | 494 | LA |
| University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.61 | 505 | 490 | ME |
| Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.50 | 506–508 | NR | MI |
| A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.69 | 504 | NR | MO |
| Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.64 | 507 | NR | MO |
| William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.53 | 505 | NR | MS |
| Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.60 | 505 | NR | NC |
| Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.57 | 505 | NR | NJ |
| Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University | 3.54 | 504.19 | 493 | NM |
| Touro University – Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.54 | 506.9 | 500 | NV |
| New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.62 | 506 | NR | NY |
| Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - Middletown Campus | 3.48 | 502.68 | 498 | NY |
| Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - Harlem Campus | 3.47 | 506.75 | 498 | NY |
| Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.68 | 504 | NR | OH |
| Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.60 | 500 | 492 | OK |
| Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.50 | 503 | NR | PA |
| Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.50 | 505 | NR | PA |
| Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas Campus | 3.70 | 502 | 494 | SC |
| Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.40 | 501 | NR | TN |
| Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.69 | 506 | NR | TX |
| University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.61 | 502 | NR | TX |
| University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.71 | 507 | NR | TX |
| Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia Campus | 3.70 | 502 | 494 | VA |
| Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.40 | 503 | 501 | VA |
| Pacific Northwestern University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.50 | 504 | NR | WA |
| West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine | 3.54 | 502 | NR | WV |
How Important Are MCAT Scores and GPA?
This is a great question, and it’s one we get all the time. Now that we know MCAT scores and the average GPA for med schools, let’s look into why they matter.
Both your GPA and MCAT score(s) are important factors in medical school admissions decisions. How much weight admissions gives to GPA and MCAT scores varies from school to school, and what counts as competitive also depends on the institution and applicant pool.
Additionally, most medical schools use what is called a “holistic review” process, which takes into account many different factors beyond GPA and MCAT scores. This includes, but is not limited to, your undergraduate and post-baccalaureate coursework, research experience, clinical exposure, volunteering, leadership experience, and extracurricular activities. In other words, medical schools are looking for well-rounded applicants with a passion for medicine and a commitment to serving others.
Having said that, med school GPA and MCAT scores are still very important in the admissions process. They are relatively stable metrics. Higher GPA and MCAT scores are always better than lower ones. The simplicity of these measures makes it easy for admissions committees to compare and contrast applicants, and helps applicants understand where they stand in relation to their peers.
Let’s Start With GPA: Why Is Med School GPA So Important to Admissions Committees?
There are a few reasons. First, GPA is a good indicator of academic performance. Your academic performance includes overall grades, test scores, class participation, effort, work and study habits, and more. Though not all courses are graded the same way, in general, professors factor in all of the above when determining your final grade.
Second, GPA is a good statistical predictor of future success in medical school. Studies have shown that students with higher GPAs are more likely to succeed in medical school and beyond.
Finally, GPA is can be used as a tiebreaker between equally qualified applicants. In other words, if two applicants have similar academic credentials, the one with a higher GPA is more likely to be admitted to medical school.
For all these reasons, it’s important to have a strong GPA when applying to medical school. Medical school is a very demanding academic environment, and admissions committees want to make sure that applicants can handle the rigors of medical school. Reviewing GPAs is an efficient way to do this.
What About MCAT Scores?
Just like GPA, MCAT scores are very important in the medical school admissions process. The MCAT is a standardized exam that tests for mastery of science concepts and problem-solving abilities. All US medical schools require applicants to take the MCAT, and most schools place a great deal of importance on MCAT scores when making admissions decisions.
MCAT scores are a good way for admissions committees to compare applicants on a level playing field. They provide a standardized measure of academic achievement that can help predict how well an applicant will do in medical school. GPA is also a predictor of academic success, but it’s not as standardized as the MCAT. In other words, two students with the same GPA could have very different levels of academic achievement. This is because GPAs can be affected by factors such as the difficulty of the coursework, the grading scale of the school, and the applicant’s major.
Overall, studies show that medical schools place GPA and MCAT performance in the top five most important factors in their admissions decisions. The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) released a study on medical school admissions in 2011. According to the report, science and math GPA, cumulative GPA, and MCAT performance were the top three factors when deciding which applicants to interview.
So if you’re wondering how important your GPA and MCAT score are to medical school admissions committees, the answer is: very. But it’s important to remember that these are just two of many factors that medical schools consider when making admissions decisions.
How To Get Into Medical School With a Low GPA
Getting into medical school with a low GPA can seem like an uphill battle, but it’s possible to overcome this challenge and successfully pursue a career in medicine.
The first step is to understand exactly what medical schools are looking for in their applicants. In general, they are looking for students who have demonstrated academic excellence and a strong commitment to learning and practicing medicine. If your GPA is lower than the average for incoming students, you’ll need to work hard to demonstrate that you possess these qualities.
1. Get Plenty of Quality Pre-Med Clinical Experience
Clinical experience is any experience that allows you to work with patients. This can include volunteering in a hospital, working as a certified nurse’s assistant (CNA) or EMT, or shadowing a physician.
Without clinical experience, it’s very difficult to have a clear idea of what it’s like to be a doctor. This is why medical schools place such a strong emphasis on clinical experience when reviewing applications.
It’s also very difficult to demonstrate your commitment to medicine without evidence of you seeking out hands-on learning experiences. Clinical experience shows that you are willing to go above and beyond in your education and that you are genuinely interested in learning about what it takes to help others.
Clinical experience also helps you gain important skills that are useful in medical school and beyond. These skills include communication, empathy, problem-solving, and teamwork.
We go into what makes for compelling pre-med healthcare internships in the next section, but quality experience is the most important factor. Medical schools are looking for applicants who have had meaningful experiences working with patients, not just those who have completed a certain number of hours.
At IMA, we organize healthcare internships abroad that are uniquely designed to deliver quality clinical experiences, compelling insights on healthcare, and didactic learning — all while helping clinics and hospitals serve the globe’s most underserved communities.
2. Get Excellent Letters of Recommendation
Your letters of recommendation are another important way to demonstrate your commitment to medicine and learning in the face of a low GPA.
Your letters should come from individuals who can speak to your ability to succeed in medical school and beyond. These people might include professors, physicians, or employers. It’s important that your letters come from people who know you well and can speak to your strengths.
Your letters should also highlight any experiences you have had that demonstrate your commitment to medicine. These could be clinical experiences, research experiences, or other extracurricular activities related to healthcare.
If you don’t have any direct experience in healthcare, your letters should still focus on qualities that are important for success in medicine. These could include critical thinking, empathy, teamwork, and communication.
Your letters of recommendation are an important way to paint a well-rounded picture of who you are as an applicant, so make sure to choose your letter writers carefully.
3. Ace the MCAT
The MCAT is a standardized test that all medical school applicants must take. It’s designed to assess your knowledge of the sciences and your ability to think critically about scientific information.
Your MCAT score is one of the most important factors in your medical school application. The exam is specifically designed to challenge the skills necessary to succeed in medical school and a career in medicine.
Additionally, since the MCAT is a standardized exam, it can be a way of evaluating candidates with different academic backgrounds.
To get a competitive MCAT score, you’ll need to put in significant time and effort studying for the exam. We recommend using a comprehensive study guide and taking practice tests under timed conditions to simulate the test-day experience.
4. Have a Strong Personal Essay and Secondary Application Responses
Most medical schools will holistically evaluate your candidacy, taking into account your experiences, skills, personal history, and unique challenges.
What you write in your applications — both your personal essay and secondary application responses — is an opportunity to give admissions committees a more complete picture of who you are as an applicant.
There are a few key things that make for a good approach to writing essays in medical school applications. First, it’s important to be clear and concise in your writing. Medical school admissions committees are looking for candidates who can communicate effectively, so it’s important to demonstrate your ability to do so in your essays.
Second, engage the reader by making your essays interesting and exciting to read (and also easy to follow). You want to communicate your passion for medicine and what drives you to pursue a career in healthcare in a way that transmits that passion to the reader. You also want to compellingly represent challenges and experiences that have helped shape who you are as an individual.
A careful combination of concrete examples, thoughtful reflection, and engaging writing will give admissions committees a well-rounded sense of who you really are as an applicant and why you’re a good fit for the school.
Third, be genuine in your writing. This means not imitating other sources or writing what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Be authentic and honest in your representation of yourself, and let your unique voice shine through in your writing. Med schools can see through insincerity and admissions faculty report this as one of the main reasons for dismissing a candidate based on the secondary application. While researching the institutional identity and offerings of a school undoubtedly helps focus your essays, be careful not to regurgitate information from the school’s website or brochures.
Our medical school guides are full of information about specific schools, including secondary essay prompts, sample responses, and general advice on how to approach your secondary applications.
Fourth, remember that your personal essay and secondary application responses are opportunities to communicate information that isn’t included elsewhere in your application. If there’s something important about you that you didn’t have a chance to mention in your activities list or elsewhere, this is your chance to highlight it. Providing context can really improve both good and bad elements of your application — whether it’s sub-par elements of your transcript due to adversity, or life-changing internships that deserve more explication.
Finally, don’t be afraid to show your vulnerability. Admissions committees want to know that you’re human and that you can deal with adversity. Discussing a time when you faced challenges and overcame them can be a very effective way of demonstrating your resilience and commitment to medicine, both of which are qualities that admissions committees look for in candidates.
If you’re struggling with your application essays, our medical school admissions consultants are just a click away.
5. Prepare for Your Interviews
A recommendation from your interviewer is the number one factor in getting accepted into medical school, according to reports by AAMC. So it goes without saying that nailing your interviews is crucial to your application success.
If you’re invited to interview, congratulations! You’re one step closer to getting accepted to medical school.
But the interview process can be daunting, and it’s important to be prepared. Since metrics such as GPA are often used to decide between candidates that are equally recommended, it’s important to perform well at your interview.
Here are some tips on how to prepare for an interview with a medical school:
1. Do your research. Make sure you know everything you can about the medical school you’re applying to, including its curriculum, faculty, specialties, research facilities, and student life. This will help you answer questions about why you’re interested in the school and what you think you can contribute.
2. Be prepared to talk about yourself. Medical schools want to get to know their applicants, so be prepared to share your story. Think about your motivations for wanting to become a doctor, and be ready to share your experiences and accomplishments. You’ll also likely be asked about times you faced adversity, how you responded, and what you learned from the experience. You should also be prepared to discuss any research you’ve participated in as well as any discrepancies on your transcript.
3. Practice your interviewing skills. In addition to knowing what to say, it’s also important to know how to say it. Practice answering common interview questions out loud, so you’ll be more comfortable when it comes time for the real thing. Interpersonal skills are important in medicine, so make sure you’re able to project confidence and ease during your interviews.
6. Increase Your GPA
When evaluating your academic performance, admissions committees consider overall trends in addition to cumulative grades.
This means if you’re still in college or in a post-baccalaureate program, it’s not too late to improve your med school GPA.
There are a few things you can do to give your GPA a boost:
1. Retake classes in which you received a low grade. If you’re able to retake a class and earn a higher grade, in many colleges this will replace the lower grade in your GPA calculation. Otherwise, it will still demonstrate to admissions committees that you’re capable of earning a high grade in the class.
2. Take some classes that you know you’ll excel in. Though admissions aims to evaluate your grades while keeping in mind the difficulty of courses, if you’re able to take some easier classes and earn high grades, this will still help improve your GPA.
3. Spend more time getting organized, studying, and participating in class. If you find that you’re struggling in a class, speak with your professor or teaching assistant to get some tips on how to be successful. Also, try different study strategies and find what works best for you.
What Makes for Good Clinical Experience?
As you begin to consider a career in medicine, it’s important to get some clinical experience under your belt. This will not only help you confirm that this is the right field for you, but it will also give you a leg up when it comes time to apply to medical school. But what makes for good clinical experience?
First and foremost, you want to make sure you’re getting a variety of experiences. It’s important to see different aspects of medicine, from working with patients to shadowing different types of physicians. You should also try to get experience in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and private practices. This will give you a well-rounded view of the field and help you articulate and justify your interests to admissions committees.
Second, look for opportunities that will allow you to interact directly with patients. This could be anything from working in a hospital ER to volunteering at a free clinic. These experiences will not only give you a better understanding of the day-to-day reality of being a doctor, but they’ll also give you the opportunity to hone your interpersonal skills.
Third, make sure you’re getting experience that is meaningful to you. It’s important to choose experiences that will help you achieve your long-term goals. For example, if you’re interested in becoming a pediatrician, you should try to get experience working with children. This will not only demonstrate your interest to admissions committees, but it will also allow you to learn more about the field and make valuable connections.
Finally, don’t forget to document your clinical experiences. Be sure to keep a record of where you’ve worked, when you worked there, and what your duties were. This will help you keep track of those big “aha” moments and be able to reference them when it comes time to apply to medical school.
So what kind of programs are best for getting clinical experience? Our healthcare internships abroad are crafted with exactly that question in mind.
Our healthcare internships abroad are specifically designed to give you the opportunity to get a well-rounded view of the field. You’ll work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to clinics, and you’ll have the chance to learn how doctors work together to solve problems and treat patients with limited resources. Plus, our programs are flexible, so you can tailor your experience to match your interests. And because we offer internships in a variety of countries, you also gain invaluable insights into different cultures and healthcare systems.
If you’re interested in getting clinical experience, our healthcare internships abroad are the perfect way to get started. You can learn more here!
Good Luck to You
There are a lot of things to consider when trying to get into medical school, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Just remember to focus on your goals, work hard, and get some meaningful clinical experience under your belt. We wish you the best of luck in your journey to becoming a doctor!
