Getting into any U.S. medical school is a significant accomplishment given the competitive nature of the admissions process.
Osteopathic medical schools tend to have lower GPA and MCAT requirements for matriculants than schools of medicine. However, there are fewer accredited DO programs than MD programs, so the admissions process is still competitive.
We developed a comprehensive list of the easiest medical schools to get into along with tips and resources to improve your chances.
Learn more about how our Physician Advisors can help you write a medical school application that stands above the rest.
Med School Admissions Requirements
It’s incorrect to assume that there are any “easy medical schools to get into,” all U.S. MD degree programs have some level of competition. Even the least competitive medical schools have acceptance rates under 20%.
Only 36% of med school applicants are accepted at any U.S. medical school in any given year — and almost all of them are exceptional students. It takes exceptionality to complete a medical degree, after all.
The schools that have lower undergrad average GPA and MCAT score requirements are what many consider a less competitive medical school. You might think of these as “safety” medical schools used as backups if you aren’t accepted at your first choice school.
But this thought process is misleading. While the requirements for admissions for GPA and MCAT vary from school to school, admissions committees are looking at additional requirements of the application to select high quality medical students for their school.
Let’s take a quick look at the primary med school admissions requirements and what to do with this data.
GPA
What is the lowest GPA medical schools will accept? Medical schools will have a lowest standard GPA requirement generally at 3.0, but there are a small number of schools that will accept a GPA as low as 2.5.
Even when the requirement is lower, accepted applicants tend to have GPAs higher than the requirement to be attractive candidates for the schools. Additionally, your average GPA includes all of your undergraduate classes, your average GPA for your science classes matter much more than classes like humanities.
GPA isn’t the only admission statistic medical programs look at. If you have a low GPA, it can be outweighed by other factors.
Read Next: Applying to Med School as a Non-Traditional Applicant
MCAT Score
The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a single objective measurement of your medical education. This score plays a large part in securing an interview, so aim to do your BEST on the MCAT. The average score for applicants that went on to enroll in medical school in the last application cycle was 511.7.
Prerequisites
The AAMC clarifies the basic prerequisites most medical schools have, but there may be different ones for your pre-med undergrad. In general, college courses that are mandatory for admissions include:
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Math
- English
What is the easiest medical major to get into? The easiest pre-med majors include liberal arts, psychology, and public health. However, a major in biological sciences has a better chance to overlap with the necessary prerequisites of medical schools.
Read Next: How to Successfully Reapply to Medical School and Get a “Yes!”
Extracurriculars
The extracurriculars you’ve participated in outside of the classroom can boost your chances of getting into medical school. Admissions committees want to have students with experiences in a variety of activities, demonstrating their work ethic and time management skills.
As you are going through pre-med, hands-on extracurriculars to consider are:
- Community service.
- Clinical experience.
- Physician shadowing.
- Research opportunities.
- Internships.
- Ways to volunteer in underserved communities.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation (LoR) can go a long way towards helping you be an attractive candidate. Choose someone that can speak to your abilities, like an undergraduate professor, a doctor that you’ve volunteered with, or an advisor.
Check with the schools you are applying to about their individual requirements, but plan to obtain at least 3 letters of recommendation.
CASPer Test
The CASPer test is a situational judgment test that assesses your behavioral tendencies. Not all schools require this test, but it is a strong determining factor for schools to assess how well you will communicate with patients and coworkers.
Interviews
Between 20-80% of interviewed applicants will be accepted to any given school. That’s quite a range, right? Getting an interview is your first foot in the door. And now that interviews are often virtual, more students are applying, and more students may be getting interviews. This can make thing quite competitive, You need to nail your interview to get an acceptance.The Easiest Medical Schools To Get Into In 2024
Please note: Tuition numbers will differ for in-state versus out-of-state students.
#1 — William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 500
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.4
Acceptance Rate: No data
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 0/100
Tuition: $46,000 per year
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Student Enrollment (2022): 524
#2 — University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 500
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.5
Acceptance Rate: 16%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 1/100
Tuition: $51,500 per year
Location: Pikeville, KY
Student Enrollment (2022): 2,269
#3 — Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 500
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.5
Acceptance Rate: 7.5%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 1/100
Tuition: $43,000 per year
Location: Fort Smith, AR
Student Enrollment (2022): 615
#4 — Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 501
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.4
Acceptance Rate: 9.2%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 2/100
Tuition: $52,650 per year
Location: Harrogate, TN
Student Enrollment (2022): 619
#5 — Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 500
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.6
Acceptance Rate: 5.1%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 4/100
Tuition: $25,797 per year
Location: Tulsa, OK
Student Enrollment (2022): 441
#6 — Meharry Medical College
Average MCAT Score: 503
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.46
Acceptance Rate: 1.61%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 5/100
Tuition: $57,243 per year
Location: Nashville, TN
Student Enrollment (2022): 964
READ NEXT: The 4 HBCU Medical Programs In the US (and 2 Coming Soon)
#7 — Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 503
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.4
Acceptance Rate: 8.5%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 6/100
Tuition: $48,000 per year
Location: Lynchburg, VA
Student Enrollment (2022): 618
#8— University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 502
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.61
Acceptance Rate: No data
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 6/100
Tuition: $58,000 per year
Location: San Antonio, TX
Student Enrollment (2022): No data
#9 — West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 502
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.54
Acceptance Rate: 9%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 7/100
Tuition: $22,472 per year
Location: Lewisburg, WV
Student Enrollment (2022): 800
#10 — Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 503
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.5
Acceptance Rate: 15.3%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 7/100
Tuition: $37,740 per year
Location: Erie, PA
Student Enrollment (2022): 1,355
#11 — Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 504
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.47
Acceptance Rate: 4.25%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 7/100
Tuition: $55,690 per year
Location: Dothan, AL
Student Enrollment (2022): 731
#12 — University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 504
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.46
Acceptance Rate: 9.6%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 8/100
Tuition: $61,750 per year
Location: Biddeford, ME
Student Enrollment (2022): 687
#13 — Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 504
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.6
Acceptance Rate: 10.3%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 8/100
Tuition: $55,784 per year
Location: Davie, FL
Student Enrollment (2022): 1,561
#14 — Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 504
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.5
Acceptance Rate: 6.6%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 9/100
Tuition: $36,000 per year
Location: Yakima, WA
Student Enrollment (2022): 573
#15 — Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 502
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.7
Acceptance Rate: 8%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 10/100
Tuition: $49,800 per year
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Student Enrollment (2022): 2,278
#16 — Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 505
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.5
Acceptance Rate: 9%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 10/100
Tuition: $54,336 per year
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Student Enrollment (2022): 1,091
#17 — Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 504
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.54
Acceptance Rate: 2.8%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 10/100
Tuition: $60,668 per year
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Student Enrollment (2022): 636
#18 — A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 504
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.69
Acceptance Rate: 8.2%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 10/100
Tuition: $60,914 per year
Location: Kirksville, MO
Student Enrollment (2022): 700
#19 — A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Average MCAT Score: 505
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.45
Acceptance Rate: 5.7%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 10/100
Tuition: $62,526 per year
Location: Mesa, AZ
Student Enrollment (2022): 586
#20 — Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 504
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.68
Acceptance Rate: 7%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 12/100
Tuition: $37,068 per year
Location: Athens, OH
Student Enrollment (2022): 433
#21 — Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 504
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.65
Acceptance Rate: 10.2%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 12/100
Tuition: $55,300 per year
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Student Enrollment (2022): 718
#22 — Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 505
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.56
Acceptance Rate: 3.7%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 12/100
Tuition: $57,500 per year
Location: Meridian, ID
Student Enrollment (2022): 622
#23 — Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 506
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.47
Acceptance Rate: 2.8%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 13/100
Tuition: $61,580 per year
Location: New York, NY
Student Enrollment (2022): 540
#24 — Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 505
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.57
Acceptance Rate: 21.3%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 13/100
Tuition: $41,339 per year
Location: Stratford, NJ
Student Enrollment (2022): 850
#25 — Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 505
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.6
Acceptance Rate: 4%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 13/100
Tuition: $55,150 per year
Location: Buies Creek, NC
Student Enrollment (2022): No data
#26 — Mercer University School of Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 505
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.71
Acceptance Rate: 24.2%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 14/100
Tuition: $42,586
Location: Macon, GA
Student Enrollment (2022): 603
#27 — Marshall University Joan C. Edwards
Average MCAT Score: 505
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.76
Acceptance Rate: 8.4%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 14/100
Tuition: $24,324
Location: Huntington, WV
Student Enrollment (2022): 299
#28 — Morehouse School of Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 506
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.68
Acceptance Rate: 1.5%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 16/100
Tuition: $47,711
Location: Atlanta, GA
Student Enrollment (2022): 665
#29 — Howard University College of Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 507
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.61
Acceptance Rate: 1.1%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 16/100
Tuition: $52,446
Location: Washington, DC
Student Enrollment (2022): 497
#30 — Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 508
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.61
Acceptance Rate: 4.6%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 18/100
Tuition: $40,526
Location: Spokane, WA
Student Enrollment (2022): 320
#31 — Brody School of Medicine East Carolina
Average MCAT Score: 508
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.63
Acceptance Rate: 7.1%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 19/100
Tuition: $23,310
Location: Greenville, NC
Student Enrollment (2022): 469
#32 — Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport
Average MCAT Score: 506
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.81
Acceptance Rate: 2.7%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 19/100
Tuition: $29,342
Location: Shreveport, LA
Student Enrollment (2022): No data
#33 — University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 508
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.69
Acceptance Rate: 1.04%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 20/100
Tuition: $19,639
Location: Edinburg, TX
Student Enrollment (2022): 223
#34 — University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 506
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.86
Acceptance Rate: 10.2%
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 20/100
Tuition: $18,100
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Student Enrollment (2022): 357
#35 — University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Average MCAT Score: 506
Average GPA Of Incoming Med Students: 3.88
Acceptance Rate: No data
MedSchoolCoach Competitiveness Rating: 20/100
Tuition: $32,738
Location: Jackson, MS
Student Enrollment (2022): 512
Read Next: How to Choose Where to Apply to Medical School
How To Get Into Medical School: Tips & Resources
MedSchoolCoach has plenty of resources to help you excel during the medical school admissions process. Use our free guidebooks to help you prepare all the important components you’ll need for medical school admissions as you pursue your bachelor’s degree.
Ready to apply to medical school and start your healthcare career? Our team can help you increase your chances of getting into medical school with comprehensive advising programs.
Renee Marinelli MD
Dr. Marinelli is an advisor at MedSchoolCoach and former admissions committee member at UC Irvine School of Medicine. Her insight into the application process is second to none!
