logo
  • Internships
    • Program Overview
    • Program Dates & Program Fees
    • Program Safety and Security
    • Healthcare Internships in Peru
    • Medicine | Pre-Medicine
    • Physician Assistant | Pre-PA
    • Dentistry | Pre-Dentistry
    • Nursing | Pre-Nursing
    • Nutrition | Dietetics
    • Physical Therapy
    • Mental Health
    • Midwifery
    • Alumni Testimonials
    • GoAbroad Reviews
  • Admissions Consulting
    • Consulting and Advising Services
    • Secondary Essay Prompts Database
    • Average GPA & MCAT for Med Schools
    • Medical School GPA Calculator
    • Medical School Tuition Database
    • Medical School Guides
    • PA School Map
    • MCAT Calculator
  • Global Initiatives
    • Overview
    • Kenya
    • Tanzania
    • Uganda
    • Haiti
    • Colombia
    • Ecuador
    • Peru
  • Adventure
    • East Africa
    • South America
    • Caribbean
  • Pre-Health Blog
  • About Us
    • Message From Our Founders
    • Program Safety and Security
    • Ambassador Program
    • Alumni Testimonials
    • Contact Us
Apply Now
Apply Now
Reading:  
Average GPA and MCAT Score for Every Medical School in the US
Admissions Consulting • Medicine • Pre-Medicine

Average GPA and MCAT Score for Every Medical School in the US

by internationalmedicalaid

Last Updated March 26, 2024

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


Average GPA and MCAT Scores (MD Programs)
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
Average GPA and MCAT Scores (DO Programs)
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. It’s worth considering working with an online MCAT tutor to maximize your score.

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.

How To Get Into Medical School With A Low GPA

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.

Pre-Med Internships - Clinical Experience Abroad

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!

 

About IMA

International Medical Aid provides global internship opportunities for students and clinicians who are looking to broaden their horizons and experience healthcare on an international level. These program participants have the unique opportunity to shadow healthcare providers as they treat individuals who live in remote and underserved areas and who don’t have easy access to medical attention. International Medical Aid also provides medical school admissions consulting to individuals applying to medical school and PA school programs. We review primary and secondary applications, offer guidance for personal statements and essays, and conduct mock interviews to prepare you for the admissions committees that will interview you before accepting you into their programs. IMA is here to provide the tools you need to help further your career and expand your opportunities in healthcare.

Average GPA for Med SchoolsGetting Into Medical School With a Low GPAMed School GPAMedical School AdmissionsMedical School Admissions ConsultingMedical School Admissions CounselorsMedical School RequirementsPre-Med AdvisingPre-Med InternshipsPre-Medicine RequirementsWhat is a Good MCAT Score?

Related Posts

All Posts  

Medical School Tuition in the US and Canada in 2025
  • Admissions Consulting
  • DO School Admissions
  • Medicine
  • Pre-Medicine
May 2, 2025

Medical School Tuition in the US and Canada in 2025

Medical school tuition is expensive, regardless of what type of medicine you practice or where you attend medical school. We talk about lots of...

by internationalmedicalaid
How Many Medical Schools Should You Apply To? (2025)
  • Admissions Consulting
  • Pre-Medicine
April 28, 2025

How Many Medical Schools Should You Apply To? (2025)

How many medical schools should I apply to? It is not easy to get into medical school. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)...

by internationalmedicalaid
Applying to Medical School: The Differences Between the MD and DO Application Services
  • Admissions Consulting
  • DO School Admissions
  • Medical School Guides
  • Medicine
  • Pre-Medicine
April 28, 2025

Applying to Medical School: The Differences Between the MD and DO Application Services

Part 1: The Differences Between MDs and DOs If you want to become a medical doctor, there are two different routes you can take....

by internationalmedicalaid
Compelling vs Average Medical School Personal Statement
  • Admissions Consulting
  • Medicine
  • Pre-Medicine
April 22, 2025

Compelling vs Average Medical School Personal Statement

Did you know that almost 60% of medical school applicants are not accepted annually? Rejection shouldn’t discourage you, especially if your medical school personal...

by internationalmedicalaid
How to Study for the MCAT: 7 Tips and Tricks to Ace the Exam
  • Admissions Consulting
  • MCAT Prep
  • Medicine
  • Pre-Medicine
  • Pre-PA
March 11, 2025

How to Study for the MCAT: 7 Tips and Tricks to Ace the Exam

The MCAT is one of the toughest obstacles you have to overcome to get into your dream medical school. Tough as it may seem,...

by internationalmedicalaid
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Medical School
  • Admissions Consulting
  • Internships Abroad
  • Medicine
  • Pre-Medicine
March 9, 2025

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Medical School

Knowing in your heart that you want to go to medical school and become a doctor isn’t an easy process. But once you make...

by internationalmedicalaid
AMCAS Personal Statement Examples (2024)
  • Admissions Consulting
  • Medicine
  • Pre-Medicine
January 22, 2024

AMCAS Personal Statement Examples (2024)

Why is the AMCAS Personal Statement Important? Every year, thousands of graduates apply to medical school. Some of them have fantastic GPAs and MCAT...

by internationalmedicalaid
MCAT Sections Guide: Experts Explain the MCAT
  • Admissions Consulting
  • MCAT Prep
  • Pre-Medicine
May 20, 2022

MCAT Sections Guide: Experts Explain the MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam for prospective medical students in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Caribbean Islands. Medical...

by internationalmedicalaid
How to Register for the MCAT – MCAT Registration Dates (2022) 
  • Admissions Consulting
  • MCAT Prep
  • Pre-Medicine
March 10, 2022

How to Register for the MCAT – MCAT Registration Dates (2022) 

Introduction Taking the MCAT is one of the most important things you’ll need to do to get into medical school. There are only a...

by internationalmedicalaid
Applying to Medical School with AMCAS: The Definitive Guide (2024)
  • Admissions Consulting
  • MD/MBA
  • MD/MPH
  • MD/PhD
  • Medicine
March 25, 2021

Applying to Medical School with AMCAS: The Definitive Guide (2024)

Part 1: Introduction If you’re applying to medical school, chances are you’ve heard a lot of terms (like AMCAS) that you don’t understand. Like...

by internationalmedicalaid

Take the Next Step

Apply Now Admissions Consulting
logo

Internships

  • Medicine
  • Physician Assistant
  • Dentistry
  • Nursing
  • Nutrition
  • Mental Health
  • Physical Therapy
  • Midwifery

Resources

  • How It Works
  • Program Safety and Security
  • Program Dates & Program Fees
  • Alumni Interviews
  • Alumni Testimonials
  • GoAbroad Reviews
  • Pre-Health Blog

Admissions Consulting

  • Advising Services
  • Med School Guides
  • Average GPA & MCAT
  • Secondary Prompts
  • Med School Tuition
  • PA School Tuition
  • PA School Map
  • GPA Calculator
  • MCAT Calculator

Contact Us

4301 50th St NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20016

General Information

admissions@medicalaid.org

ADMISSIONS CONSULTING

consulting@medicalaid.org

Media Inquiries

marketing@medicalaid.org

Keep in Touch

International Medical Aid (IMA) provides students and institutions community-based global health education and study abroad programs. International Medical Aid, Inc. is a federally registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in the United States. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under law.


Globally Trusted, Alumni Approved


All Rights Reserved © 2025 International Medical Aid
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
Cleantalk Pixel