Medical School Acceptance Rates and You

Applying to medical school is a challenging process. Even the most prepared, qualified students are met by an incredibly competitive pool of applicants. This leads to very selective medical school acceptance rates, one of many factors to consider when completing your medical school application. 

Exploring medical school requirements and medical school acceptance rates can help you better understand how to get into medical school. Knowing the medical school acceptance rates of schools on your list provides insight into their selectivity and your chances of admission. 

In this article, we will discuss how to get into medical school and what med school acceptance rates mean for you. We will explore the competitive nature of medical school admission and how to gauge your chances of admission. We’ll even review some specifics, like the Stanford Medical School requirements, Harvard Medical School acceptance rate, and UCLA Medical School admission statistics. 

You’ll also find: 

• A detailed review of the medical school admissions process, from preparing your application to receiving an offer of admission.
• Acceptance rates for the top medical schools in the US, including the easiest and hardest medical schools to get into.
• Things to consider when selecting your list of medical schools, including a list of medical school acceptance rates and score ranges.

If you are reading this guide, it’s because you are preparing for your future in STEM. Maybe you feel overwhelmed as you review the necessary medical school requirements. You may even be wondering if you need help or might benefit from medical school admissions consulting. If this sounds like you, don’t stress. For now, keep reading to learn more about medical school acceptance rates and how to get into medical school.

Medical School Admissions: Charting your Path

Your journey to medical school begins far before you start working on your applications. In fact, it usually starts with choosing the right undergraduate program at the best pre-med schools. If you’ve known you wanted to be a doctor for a long time, your journey may even start as a high school student.

During your undergraduate years, you should work on completing prerequisite courses and fulfilling any necessary medical school requirements. This is in addition to completing your specific major requirements, and ideally gaining clinical experience. You should also prepare for the MCAT, as a high score can certainly help you beat the low med school acceptance rates.

Let’s review a few key steps of the medical school admission process in a bit more detail:

For an example of MD program prerequisites, requirements and policies, check out the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine program information. 

What GPA do you need for med school?

Due to the competitive nature of medical school admissions, you should aim to have a mid-3.0 GPA or higher. The average GPA of admitted students often tends to be above a 3.5, with many successful applicants boasting even higher GPAs. Experts say the best way to fulfill medical school requirements and overcome med school acceptance rates is with good grades and strong test scores. For more information on GPA, check out this list of medical school acceptance rates for different GPA levels. 

In addition to your overall GPA, medical school admissions teams will look at how you performed in your science courses. Excelling in these subjects and having a high science GPA is often more important than your overall GPA. For instance, UCLA doesn’t have a specific GPA cutoff included in the UCLA Medical School admission statistics. However, they assess candidates for competencies such as biological sciences, chemistry, humanities, math and statistics. If you’re a college sophomore or junior considering medical school, research the subject competencies you should focus on for med school.

As mentioned above, many medical schools do not have official GPA cutoffs. At the same time, comparing your GPA to the average scores of admitted students can help you assess the strength of your own medical school application.

Be sure to check out a list of medical school acceptance rates based on your individual metrics. Also, take the time to do some research about the list of medical schools you are interested in applying to. What are their medical school requirements and medical school acceptance rates? Being well-informed will set you up for success in the medical school admissions process.

What percentage of applicants get into medical school?

Overall, less than half of medical school applicants get in, with the national medical school acceptance rate sitting at around 41%. However, remember that national med school acceptance rates fluctuate based on the total number of applicants each year and the number of seats available overall.

The number of seats at each medical school varies quite a bit. Some medical schools offer larger class sizes, while others boast smaller, more intimate cohorts. For reference, the average medical school class size for 2023-2024 was 624.

Understanding the overall availability of spots and how that impacts med school acceptance rates can help you strategize your medical school applications. Nevertheless, the fact remains that medical school acceptance rates are very challenging for any applicant.

Why are medical school acceptance rates so low?

There are several factors that contribute to low medical school acceptance rates. One is the limited number of spots. Indeed, there is a growing interest in medical careers, especially following COVID-19 and a nationwide shortage in doctors. However, the number of available seats at medical schools has remained relatively limited, resulting in low med school acceptance rates. 

Another factor is the rigorous medical school admissions standards. Medical schools maintain high standards for academic achievement, MCAT scores, and extracurricular involvement. These high standards further contribute to the competitive nature of the medical school admissions process and low medical school acceptance rates. 

Finally, with an increased interest in the profession, the applicant pool has simply gotten bigger. As more students pursue careers in medicine, the application process becomes more competitive year after year. Consequently, you not only need to meet the medical school requirements, but exceed them. 

10 Best Medical Schools in the US

Now, let’s take a look at the U.S. News’ 2024 list of best medical schools for research. Many of these schools are considered some of the best medical schools in the world. Because of their prestige, they have highly selective medical school acceptance rates.

While these programs offer exceptional opportunities, you should ultimately choose a medical program that fits your personal and professional goals. Consider resources in and out of the classroom, as well as outcomes for students pursuing your path.

Top 10 Medical Schools

1. Baylor College of Medicine

First on the medical school rankings for best medical schools in the world and for research is Baylor College of Medicine. Located in Houston, Texas, Baylor is known for its focus on research and close affiliation with the Texas Medical Center. With this, Baylor provides students access to cutting-edge technology, the perks of a large hospital system, and a diverse patient population. Their medical school acceptance rates are 6%. 

2. Case Western Reserve University

At #2 on the list of medical schools is Case Western Reserve University, located in Cleveland, Ohio. Case Western offers students curriculum and program offerings that emphasize medical research and community health. The school is known for offering a didactic education that integrates clinical experience early in the medical student education process. Their med school acceptance rates are 6.4%. 

3. Emory University

Next up is Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia. Emory’s medical program is known for its public health initiatives and partnerships with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This provides Emory’s medical students with exceptional opportunities in epidemiology, global health, and further research initiatives. At just 3.2%, their med school acceptance rates are highly selective.

4. Hofstra University/ Northwell Health (Zucker)

Located in Hempstead, New York, Hofstra University/Northwell Health (Zucker) is a relatively new program. Surprisingly, it has recently gained national recognition for its innovative approach to medical curriculum. The program boasts med school acceptance rates of 7%. The program emphasizes patient-centered care and interprofessional collaboration, which has landed Hofstra University spot #4 on the list of best medical schools for research. 

5. Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix)

At #5 on the medical school rankings for best medical schools, the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix) is known for unparalleled clinical training. Students here can learn from and work alongside world-leading medical professionals. Additionally, students have access to cutting-edge research at one of the world’s top medical centers, Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota. Mayo has medical school acceptance rates of only 3.9%. 

6. Northwestern University (Feinberg)

At #6 on the list of medical schools, Northwestern University (Feinberg) in Chicago, Illinois, is known for its rigor and strong research focus. The program has medical school acceptance rates of 4.7%. Notable areas of research focus and advancement are oncology, neurology, and cardiology. Its location in Chicago also gives students access to many area hospitals.

7. Ohio State University

Next up is Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The program’s commitment to community health and its extensive research resources prepares its medical cohort for various specialties in medicine. OSU has medical school acceptance rates of 5.3%. 

8. University of California–Los Angeles (Geffen)

Located in Los Angeles, California, the University of California–Los Angeles (Geffen) is ranked #8 on the list for best medical schools in the world and for research. UCLA’s medical school is distinguished among others by its commitment to diversity and its focus on training physicians to serve in underserved communities. You can find the UCLA Medical School admission statistics on their official site here. UCLA has highly selective med school acceptance rates at just 2.8%. 

9. University of California–San Diego

Number nine on the medical school rankings for best medical schools for research has med school acceptance rates of 3.2%. The University of California–San Diego (UCSD) offers a strong research-oriented program, focused on bioengineering, neurosciences, and public health.

10. University of California–San Francisco

Last but not least, the University of California–San Francisco (UCSF) consistently ranks among the top medical schools. This school is known for its research excellence and leadership in areas like HIV and AIDS treatment, cancer research, and precision medicine. Like UCSD, UCSF also has medical school acceptance rates of 3.2%.

This list highlights the ten best medical schools in the US for research. While this list may be a great place to start your medical school search, be sure to prioritize your individual needs. For even more great medical schools, consider exploring the top medical schools in the US for primary care or diversity. 

What is the easiest medical school to get into?

When researching the “easiest” medical schools to get into, and how to get into medical school in general, there’s a lot to cover. Relevant factors include the number of available seats, size of applicant pool, in-state versus out-of-state preferences, and early assurance programs.

Since multiple factors play into medical school admission, it’s not as simple as focusing on the medical school highest acceptance rates. And of course, the strength of your medical school application will play a big part in your outcomes.

Let’s look at the University of Mississippi as an example. If you only consider applicants versus matriculation alone, you may think this is the easiest medical school to get into. However, their medical school acceptance rates of 44% don’t account for the school’s preference for in-state applicants and other medical school admissions criteria.

In other words, it is more competitive than it might initially appear. Despite the University of Mississippi’s higher medical school acceptance rates, their GPA and MCAT scores are in line with national averages. All in all, it’s clear that it’s still a rather selective school.

What is the hardest medical school to get into?

Among U.S. News’ list of medical schools with the lowest acceptance rates, Stanford University stands out. It has an incredible selective acceptance rate of just 1%. In addition to low medical school acceptance rates, the 2023 entering class had a median MCAT score of 519 and a 3.9 average GPA.

Clearly, Stanford is among the most challenging medical schools to get into, and the Stanford Medical School requirements are some of the most stringent. For detailed information on Stanford Medical School requirements and their med school acceptance rates, check out their admissions page.  

With that said, it’s important to remember that these metrics are common across the top medical schools in the US. For example, Harvard boasts an average MCAT of 520 and average GPA of 3.9. The Harvard Medical School acceptance rate is 3%. At the same time, remember that medical school acceptance rates, including the Harvard Medical School acceptance rate, are only one indicator of selectivity.

Medical School Acceptance Rates by College

As we noted above, medical school acceptance rates are notoriously low. While the total number of applicants who are admitted to medical schools each year is 41%, most medical school acceptance rates are much lower than that. As previously stated, the average medical school acceptance rates are closer to 5%, however medical school acceptance rates also vary greatly by program.

In the below list of medical schools, we will highlight the top medical schools in the US for research and primary care, according to U.S. News. We will also share their med school acceptance rates.

Remember that med school acceptance rates change year to year. Additionally, these med school acceptance rates reflect the simple average percentage of students admitted amongst all who apply. Many schools have variable med school acceptance rates for in-state versus out-of-state applicants, as well as early application versus regular applicants.  

Medical School Acceptance Rates to Look Out For

As we can see in this list of medical school acceptance rates, med school acceptance rates are low across the board. Additionally, medical school acceptance rates are very contextual.

If you’re looking for “medical school highest acceptance rates”, you might have noticed the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. Indeed, it has the highest acceptance rate on the above list of medical school acceptance rates. However, despite its high acceptance rate, it is also high up in medical school rankings.

Meanwhile, the Harvard medical school acceptance rate is 3%, but this selective school is not featured on the above list. All that is to say, med school acceptance rates do not correlate exactly to medical school rankings.

To make sense of this data, you should research your list of medical schools in greater detail to understand what is influencing those numbers and what they mean for the quality of your education. 

Medical School Acceptance Rates by Race

Another way in which medical school acceptance rates vary is by race. In fact, data from the Association of American Medical Colleges shows the following disparities:

• In the 2023-24 admissions cycle, approximately 40% of medical school applicants were white, 24% were Asian, 9% were Black, 6% were Hispanic or Latino, and less than 1% were Native American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander.
• In the same admissions cycle, of those who were admitted, 41% were white, 25% were Asian, 8% were Black, 6.5% were Hispanic or Latino, and less than 1% were Native American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. Some colleges are more successful in sending students of underrepresented backgrounds to medical school. In fact, UCLA medical school admissions statistics show that 56% of all Latino students who apply to medical school are admitted.
• American Indian and Alaskan Native individuals continue to be some of the most underrepresented in the medical field. While they make up 2.9% of the population, they comprise roughly .3% of all physicians.

While clear educational disparities exist between racial groups, some demographic trends are showing positive improvements. The rates of American Indian, Black, and Hispanic matriculants to medical school have all increased in 2023.

Meanwhile, women continue to attend medical school at greater rates, currently making up 55.4% of matriculants. Furthermore, the economic diversity of applicants is increasing, as well as the rates of first-generation students enrolling in medical school. It is important to note that recent changes in affirmative action policies mean that medical school acceptance rates will continue to evolve greatly in the coming years. 

What do these acceptance rates mean for you?

As a potential medical school applicant, you might be wondering: what do these medical school acceptance rates mean for me? Let’s explore how to make use of this data when building your list of medical schools. 

With all this in mind, let’s turn our attention towards what you can do to plan for medical school.

Planning for Medical School

For those wondering how to get into medical school, the first step is understanding that the medical school admissions process is intensive and competitive. Indeed, there are no shortcuts when it comes to applying to medical school. Applying to medical school will require a great deal of effort and planning, and medical school admissions consulting can be very helpful in this process.

Here are four key steps for how to get into medical school:

4 Steps to Get Into Medical School

1. Take prerequisite coursework.

One of the most important parts of medical school requirements is completing prerequisite courses, regardless of your major. The most common courses for medical school requirements include biology, chemistry, physics, English, psychology, sociology, and genetics. Familiarize yourself with the coursework needed for the top medical schools in the US early on in your college career. For example, Stanford medical school requirements include evidence of courses that strengthen communication. Applicants are recommended to take courses to learn a second language, such as Spanish.

2. Prepare for the MCAT.

Without a doubt, the MCAT is one of the most critical and difficult medical school requirements. To be a top applicant for the best medical schools in the world, students will need a 515 or higher. Such a score requires extensive preparation for the exam, which can be part of your medical school admissions consulting process.

3. Build your candidate profile.

Apart from your GPA and MCAT scores, medical schools are looking for a strong candidate profile. Your candidate profile is what tells the school about your background, interests, and values. To build a strong candidate profile, you should engage in activities that interest you, both related to and distinct from medicine. In fact, the best medical schools in the world are looking for well-rounded candidates who have interests outside of medicine that will make them a strong doctor. Your candidate profile is the overall impression created by your extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation.

4. Consider cost.

While your dream might be to get into one of the top medical schools in the US, it is important to consider how you pay for the costs associated with your education. Everything from MCAT fees, medical school admissions consulting, medical school application fees, and of course tuition are important to plan for.

Which Pre Med Schools have the highest Med School Acceptance Rates?

If you are curious about how to get into medical school, you may be wondering which undergraduate institutions have the highest medical school acceptance rates. Luckily, there are many pre-med schools that successfully supply 50+ applicants to medical schools each year. 

When selecting a pre-med school, it is important to consider medical school acceptance rates for applicants who graduate from that school. Some schools, known as “feeder schools,” are known for getting a higher number of students into top medical schools in the US. Common “feeder schools” include Harvard, Columbia, WashU, UNC Chapel Hill, and Yale.

In your research, look at the admissions data of students from a given school to medical schools around the country. For example, UCLA medical school admission statistics show that 51.3% of UCLA students who apply to medical school are admitted, compared to the national average of 41%. These elevated UCLA medical school admission statistics could indicate that students from UCLA are being well-prepared to meet medical school requirements.

Furthermore, keep in mind that some medical schools give preference to applicants from their own undergraduate program, or in-state applicants. For example, the Harvard medical school acceptance rate for Harvard applicants is higher than it would be for students from any other school. 

When looking at pre-med schools, research what opportunities and resources are available for pre-med students. Consider whether they have support such as advising and MCAT prep, and opportunities for clinical experience, shadowing, or research opportunities. All these aspects can help with getting admitted to one of the best medical schools in the world.

Strengthen your Medical School Application

To overcome low med school acceptance rates, you will have to make sure your medical school application is as strong as possible. The following are strategies applicants can use to strengthen their applications:

How to Craft the Strongest Medical School Application 

1. Strong academic record

Grades are one of the top factors in a medical school application. As medical school is incredibly academically rigorous, medical school admissions officers are looking for proof that a candidate can thrive in their medical school classes. 

2. Clinical experience

Outside of the classroom, medical school applicants are expected to have some experience in a medical setting to prove their interest in and passion for the profession. This can include shadowing or volunteering in a hospital or clinic. 

3. Research experience

Since medical school also entails engaging in research, students who have research experience are generally stronger applicants. Seek out as many opportunities as possible to engage in rigorous research.

4. Personal statement

Like undergraduate admissions, medical school admissions require a personal statement. However, this personal statement generally speaks to your interest in the medical field and your intended goals. Writing a strong statement will help your application stand out from the pack.

5. Interview preparation

Medical school admissions requirements, such as Stanford medical school requirements, often include an interview. In the interview, admissions officers are looking for candidates who have the soft skills, such as good communication, empathy, and resilience, to become excellent doctors.

As you can see, creating a strong medical school application takes time and dedication. But it’s a lot easier to stay motivated when you’re genuinely excited about the schools you’re applying to. So, let’s talk about how to choose the best medical schools for you.

Choosing the Best Medical School for You

There are many factors applicants should consider when making a list of medical schools to apply to. Many students focus on medical school rankings or med school acceptance rates. However, other factors can have a bigger impact on the quality of your education and your overall satisfaction with your experience.

Here are some important factors to consider:

On a list of medical schools, most of this information won’t be provided. Use the school’s website, attend information sessions, and connect with existing or former students to find out more about the program’s offerings. Make sure the list of medical schools you apply to are all ones you would be happy to attend.

10 Tips to Gain Acceptance to Medical School

After reviewing so much information about medical school acceptance rates, you might be curious about the best ways to improve your medical school application. Here are our top 10 tips for gaining acceptance to medical school:

10 Tips to Get Into Medical School

1. Start early with your preparation.

As we shared, medical school preparation involves various steps including choosing courses, gaining clinical experience, and asking for letters of recommendation. Start preparing for medical school your freshman year of college, building your candidate profile and GPA. When it comes to the actual medical school application process, you should begin at least a year before applying. This can include making a list of medical schools, researching them, and studying for the MCAT.

2. Maintain a strong GPA.

A fundamental piece of your medical school application is your GPA. Make sure to maintain at least a 3.5 GPA if you wish to get admitted to medical school, especially ones high up on the list of medical school rankings. According to UCLA medical school admission statistics, the average GPA of a UCLA student accepted to medical school was a 3.66.

3. Score well on the MCAT.

While medical school applications are generally evaluated holistically and include many factors, scoring well on the MCAT is also necessary for getting into medical school. For one, Stanford medical school requirements include the MCAT, and the average MCAT for a student accepted to Stanford is between 516 and 522.

4. Gain meaningful clinical experience.

Apart from your scores and academic record, medical schools are looking for students who are committed to becoming doctors. Gaining meaningful clinical experience, such as extended periods shadowing medical professionals or volunteering in hospitals, can help make your application stand out.

5. Get involved in research.

An additional way to make your applicant strong for medical school is to engage in research. Doing so indicates that you have the laboratory skills and passion for the field necessary to make a good doctor.

6. Cultivate strong relationships for recommendations.

Another way to beat med school acceptance rates is to make sure your letters of recommendation are strong. Admissions officers are looking for recommenders who can speak to your skills in math and science, as well as the strength of your soft skills in patient interaction, communication, and passion.

7. Write a standout personal statement.

Like your personal statement for college, your personal statement for your medical school application must be thoughtfully written. Your personal statement is one of your few chances to speak directly to admissions officers and demonstrate your passion and goals in the medical field.

8. Prepare thoroughly for interviews.

In contrast to undergraduate admissions, interviews for medical school tend to weigh heavily on an application. Admissions officers are looking for your communication skills and passion for medicine in your interviews. Prepare early and thoroughly for your interviews, doing several mock interviews in advance of the real ones.   

9. Factor in your specific background, strengths, and potential advantages.

When formulating your medical school application, be sure to highlight what makes you unique. Consider aspects of your identity or life experiences that you can offer to your medical school peers and future patients and communicate these clearly in your essays, interviews, and letters of recommendation.

10. Be dedicated and resilient in the application process.

By now, you can tell that every part of the medical school process is challenging, from med school acceptance rates to medical school requirements. Rather than feel discouraged, take these challenges as an opportunity to learn and grow. If medicine is your passion, then you can absolutely get into medical school if you are dedicated, hardworking, and persistent.

Medical School Acceptance Rates and You- Takeaways

In this article, we reviewed everything you need to know about medical school acceptance rates. We looked at medical school highest acceptance rates and lowest acceptance rates, such as the UCLA and Harvard Medical School acceptance rates. With our list of medical school acceptance rates, we explored how you should use that data when creating your own list of medical schools to apply to.

We also talked about how you can put together a strong application for any institution on your list of medical schools. Don’t forget to start early, work on maintaining a strong GPA, earn a great MCAT score, and stay resilient.

Remember that the medical school process is very complex and difficult. Med school acceptance rates are some of the lowest of any programs. But, if you follow our ten tips for overcoming med school acceptance rates, your hard work is bound to pay off with a medical school acceptance letter. And, if you need more support, we hope you will reach out to CollegeAdvisor for help navigating the med school application process.

Bailey Bennett and Courtney Ng wrote this article. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.