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It can be hard to get into medical school; however, there are a lot of strategies to make it easier on your mental health while boosting your chances of getting in! About 43% of all applicants actually matriculated in med school last year – but your odds may increase for various reasons.
The challenges you face during the application process are there to ensure strong applicants are ready for the rigors (and rewards) of a future medical career. This process is not for the faint of heart, but MedSchoolCoach is here to make it as painless as possible for you.
Below, we go over acceptance statistics, the competitiveness of med school, and expert tips for increasing your chances of being accepted.
Use our free Med School Chance Predictor to calculate your odds of acceptance at MD and DO programs nationwide. Enter your GPA, MCAT, and other metrics to see your odds at each school.
How Challenging Is It to Get Into Medical School?
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the acceptance rate for medical school applicants in the U.S. was only 42.9% in the 2024-2025 AMCAS cycle. This is a decrease of 1.7 percentage points from the previous cycle.
Note: These statistics aren’t available for DO program applicants, as AACOM’s applicant and matriculant data don’t differentiate between total applicants and total applications.
The average GPA for matriculants was 3.81. The average MCAT score for matriculants was 512.1. If you can get your GPA and MCAT scores above those averages, you’ll have a much higher chance at acceptance. In-state applicants also see higher acceptance rates.
As a premed student, you’ll need to balance diligent studying with relevant extracurriculars to maximize your chances at a career as a physician. Good grades are important, but robust extracurriculars are vital to a healthy application.
Increase Your Odds: How to Stand Out as a Medical School Applicant
Key Factors Influencing Acceptance
The number of applicants to med school far exceeds the available class sizes, leading to highly selective med school admissions.
Below are the key factors influencing your odds of acceptance:
- GPA (overall and BCPM)
- MCAT score
- Clinical experience
- Research experience
- Extracurricular activities
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Volunteering and community service
Minimum vs Competitive GPA
Most medical programs have a GPA requirement of 3.0, meaning your application won’t be considered if you have a low GPA under that cutoff. Even if you meet the minimum GPA requirement, however, it’s best to have at least a 3.7 GPA to be competitive.
Here are some stats on average GPAs from the last AMCAS application cycle:
- BCPM GPA for applications: 3.57
- BCPM GPA for matriculants: 3.75
- Non-science GPA for applications: 3.80
- Non-science GPA for matriculants: 3.88
- Overall GPA for applications: 3.67
- Overall GPA for matriculants: 3.81
Students accepted to MD programs typically have slightly higher overall GPAs than those accepted to DO (osteopathic) programs. The average matriculant GPA for both MDs and DOs has been increasing almost every year for the past decade.
To increase your chances of getting accepted to medical school with a lower-than-average GPA, you may want to consider a post-bacc program.
MCAT Score
Many medical schools have a minimum MCAT score requirement for admission. That minimum is often around a score of 500 on the MCAT, but you definitely want to aim higher to be competitive.
Below are some statistics on average MCAT scores from the last cycle:
- MCAT score for MD applicants: 506.3
- MCAT score for MD matriculants: 512.1
- MCAT score for DO applicants: 502.43
- MCAT score for DO matriculants: 502.97
Looking to boost your chances at a good MCAT score? Check out our free resources on making a 1-month, 3-month, or 6-month MCAT study schedule that works for you. Seek out high-quality practice exams for your MCAT prep.
What Else Medical Schools Look For
Beyond the numerical metrics of GPA and MCAT scores, med school admissions committees are really looking for well-rounded individuals from diverse backgrounds.
You need to demonstrate extensive clinical exposure (150+ hours) and community service (150+ hours). If you’re looking to be competitive, we suggest 300+ clinical hours with patient exposure and 300+ hours of volunteering and community service.
If you’re going to a research-intensive school, we recommend aiming for 300+ hours of research experience. If you’re trying to really stand out in the admissions process, 400+ hours will make you competitive to admissions officers.
In the Work & Activities section on the AMCAS, you need to exhibit leadership, passion, personal growth, and a holistic set of life experiences through your extracurricular activities. AdComs care about how you’ll contribute to their campus outside the classroom.
Medical schools are also looking for strong letters of recommendation. Whether your GPA and MCAT scores are low or high, powerful recommendation letters can make or break an application.
Your personal statement is critical. Med school AdComs are hungry for prospective students who demonstrate determination, leadership, and growth in the face of adversity. Let mentors, reliable family members, and peers review your personal statement and offer editing suggestions.
Build your application alongside a physician with AdCom experience.
Assess Your Competitiveness
It’s normal to be concerned about your likelihood of medical school acceptance. The process is very competitive, but it’s best to start by assessing whether you’re a competitive applicant. Then you know where you stand.
Your MSC Score is a valuable tool to assess how competitive you might be for entry into U.S. MD and DO programs — offering insights into what actionable steps could enhance your chances.
While tools like the LizzyM score are calculated solely based on AMCAS information, your MSC Score holistically considers non-science GPA, science GPA, MCAT scores, and other important factors.
MedSchoolCoach created this calculator with extensive research. Over 50,000 data points and 15,000 real applicants were examined to be able to provide a reliable framework for gauging acceptance odds. Our calculator is based on various factors such as statistics, extracurricular activities, and more.
Use our free MSC Score tool to calculate your odds of med school acceptance. Enter metrics like GPA, MCAT, and extracurriculars, and get a score between 0 and 99 that ranks your odds of getting in.
Expert Tips to Improve Your Odds of Getting In
Medical school admissions committees look for stellar grades, meaningful life experiences, and a commitment to the community. With strategic preparation, authentic passion, and our pro tips below, your dream of becoming a doctor can become a reality.
Let’s go over several ways to improve your odds of getting into medical school.
Choose the Right Pre-Med Major
Contrary to popular belief, there is no specific “pre-med” major that applicants must have to get into medical school. A strong foundation in the sciences is necessary for a future in healthcare, but a well-rounded education that includes humanities and social sciences is beneficial, too.
Select an undergrad major that aligns with common medical school prerequisites. A bachelor’s in biology is common, but humanities or other fields like psychiatry are also popular choices as long as the necessary science courses are completed.
Choosing the right pre-med major isn’t about picking the most common path. Choose what aligns with your interests and will keep you motivated. You’ll want to balance your passions with the practical requirements of med school admissions, so pick a path where your GPA won’t suffer.
Consult with academic advisors, premed students, or med school admissions counselors to help make the best decision for your unique situation.
Study Strategically
Plan on studying frequently and effectively, especially in your first years of college. You want to set the tone in your first year of undergrad, so start strong with a high GPA in your early semesters.
If you choose an undergrad major that includes science coursework, you’ll get a head start on studying for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). You want to start studying for the MCAT well in advance. We recommend a 6-month study schedule leading up to the test date.
Read Next: Your Complete Guide to the Casper Test for Medical School
Consider using practice tests, study guides, and possibly enrolling in a prep course. Focus on areas such as biological sciences, chemistry, physics, and critical reasoning.
Get Meaningful Clinical Experience
Shadowing physicians and gaining clinical experience give you a firsthand look at the medical field and are often prerequisites for admission. Nothing will prepare you better for a future in healthcare than hands-on patient care.
Clinical experience allows you to explore specialties and primary care, develop vital human interaction skills, and have an in-depth understanding of the healthcare system.
In general, 100-150 hours of clinical experience are recommended for your med school application. If you’re trying to get into top-tier schools, aim for 300+ clinical hours. Look for meaningful opportunities early on in your undergraduate education.
Quick Link: Beyond Shadowing — A Virtual Clinical Education
Commit to Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteering reflects your dedication to service, empathy, and community engagement, all of which are attributes that can help you get into medical school.
Med school admission committees want to see quality volunteering experience over quantity. This means that a long-term commitment to a non-profit or volunteering role is better than multiple short-lived experiences.
Your volunteer experience can be in the medical field, or it can be with an organization that supports a cause that you care about outside of healthcare. Whichever you choose, starting early to build your hours and meaningful relationships will show your commitment and dedication.
Seek out leadership roles when you volunteer. Leadership is a valuable skill and an excellent way to network. Consider serving as a chapter president of a Global Medical Brigade on your campus to gain leadership experience and clinical volunteering abroad!
Pick Extracurriculars Wisely
Participation in extracurricular activities showcases a well-rounded personality and diverse interests. You can participate in sports, the arts, or other hobbies — whatever you’re passionate about.
Extracurriculars can provide a compelling narrative for your personal statement and demonstrate your passion, leadership, and teamwork skills.
During your interviews, be prepared to discuss how your extracurricular activities have contributed to your growth as an individual and as a future physician.
Start Your Application Early
The earlier you submit your primary and secondary applications to medical school, the better your chances are of being considered and accepted to one or more programs. Because many med schools use a rolling admissions process, students who apply earlier have a slight advantage.
In fact, you can write your personal statement and extracurricular descriptions well before the application system opens. Consider drafting your essays in January before the cycle begins in May.
The application process starts with the primary application. The AMCAS opens in May, and we recommend submitting your application by mid-June.
A secondary application is then sent by individual schools you have applied to if you pass their minimum requirements. We recommend giving yourself 2-3 weeks to complete the secondaries before submitting.
When you’re getting ready to begin your application, review the timelines for AMCAS and AACOMAS (or TMDSAS if you’re applying to a Texas medical school). Each application cycle is similar but not identical.
Read Next: How to Write a Letter of Intent for Medical School
Apply to the Right Schools
Apply to schools that align with your GPA, MCAT score, cultural preferences, and medical career interests. Apply to a mix of reach, target, and safety schools to maximize your chances.
You can use MSAR or our proprietary MedSchool Explorer to check the admission requirements, curricula, and tuition at each medical school.
Choosing the right schools to apply to will save you money and maximize your chances of getting accepted. Honestly assess your standing as a candidate, and you’ll go far.
Learn More: Applying to Med School as a Non-Traditional Applicant
Prepare Thoroughly for Interviews
Medical school interviews assess how suitable you are for specific medical programs and a medical career in general.
Practice, prepare, and demonstrate your commitment to the medical field. When you receive an invitation, treat interview preparation with the same seriousness as the rest of your application.
Some tips for your interview prep include:
- Check what type of interview they conduct and make sure you understand the format. It might be a traditional one-on-one interview, Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), or group interviews.
- Familiarize yourself with the school’s mission, values, curriculum, faculty, research opportunities, and anything else that may be relevant. Your knowledge of the school will demonstrate your genuine interest.
- Research common questions, such as “Why do you want to be a doctor?” or “Why this school?” Practice your answers, but don’t memorize them. You don’t want them to sound overly rehearsed.
- Ask insightful questions to your interviewer. However, avoid questions that can easily be found on the school’s website.
- Practice your soft social skills leading into your interview, such as communication, body language, and eye contact. Practice speaking clearly and confidently in mock interviews.
- Be prepared to address ethical questions and dilemmas on the spot. You’ll need to explain your reasoning.
- Dress appropriately — first impressions matter.
- Stay up to date with current events in healthcare.
- Remember to send a thank-you note after the interview.
What if You Don’t Get In the First Time?
Less than half of applicants are accepted into med school each year, which means reapplying to med school is fairly common.
If you didn’t get accepted the first time, consider a post-bacc program or an intentional gap year to pursue research, boost your clinical experience, or strengthen weaker parts of your application.
Read More In-Depth: How to Reapply to Med School And Get Accepted
FAQs
In-state applicants generally enjoy higher acceptance rates at public universities than out-of-state candidates. Public institutions have legal and financial incentives to favor in-state candidates. In-state applicants can have 2-4 times higher likelihood of acceptance at a public school of medicine.
Private universities and medical colleges generally have uniform acceptance rates for in-state and out-of-state applicants.
The easiest med schools to get into are generally osteopathic schools or (accredited) Caribbean medical schools. Read our in-depth article on the easiest schools to get into.
You can realistically get into med school with hard work, strategic planning, and dedicated study. There are plenty of ways to reduce your stress and increase your chances.
Get your GPA above 3.7, achieve an MCAT score above 512, and log 150+ hours in a clinical setting — then you’re well-positioned to get multiple acceptance offers.
Increase Your Chances of Getting Into Medical School
Approach each requirement for getting into medical school as an opportunity to demonstrate your passion and determination. Let your purpose guide you through long study hours, clinical volunteering, and community projects.
Stay focused on your objectives and convert obstacles into triumphs. The road to becoming a physician takes resilience, but each step brings you closer to that white coat.
MedSchoolCoach has a team of expert advisors that can help increase your chances of getting into medical school.
Renee Marinelli, MD
Dr. Marinelli has practiced family medicine, served on the University of California Admissions Committee, and has helped hundreds of students get into medical school. She spearheads a team of physician advisors who guide MedSchoolCoach students.
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