How to Get Into Medical School with a Low GPA in 2025

What is Considered a Low GPA for Medical School?

Generally, anything below a 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale is considered low for medical school admissions. On average, the accepted GPA for entering medical school students is 3.71.

What is the Lowest GPA Medical Schools Will Accept?

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is generally required for admission to medical school. However, a majority of medical schools do not list a minimum required GPA at all or have preferred medical school GPA requirements. There are a handful of schools that list a 2.8 GPA minimum requirement, but these are few.

Here's a breakdown of your average medical school admissions chances with a range of "average", "below average" and "above average" academic stats of accepted med school applicants, based on data from the AAMC:

Chances of Medical School Admission Based on GPA

GPA	MCAT	Acceptance Rate
3.2-3.39	502-505	26.2%
3.60-3.79	510-513	56.7%
Above 3.79	514-517	75.3%

If your GPA is too low for most medical schools, don't worry! There are strategies you can use to increase your chances of acceptance and still get into medical school with a low GPA. Read on to find out more about how to overcome a low GPA for med school!

7 Proven Tips to Help You Get Into Medical School with a Low GPA

Tip #1: Increase Your GPA (If You Still Have Time)

The best strategy to increase your GPA while you’re still in college is to follow your passion, and put in a solid effort to succeed! If you’re struggling, it may be worth investing in a tutor or finding a study group…or reconsidering what courses you’re taking altogether. We highly recommend you major in a discipline you excel in and take courses you actually like instead of doing what is traditionally considered the “premed path.” Keep in mind that schools care more about your grades overall than your choice of major, and medical school acceptance rates by major reflect that.

For instance, if you are a science major getting Cs and Bs, then maybe it’s not the right path for you; and that’s okay. You don't need to be a science major to complete the necessary med school prerequisites, and there are even certain medical schools that don’t require prerequisites. At those institutions, your premed major doesn’t matter as much as your grades do – if you’re somebody who excels in social sciences or humanities, that might be your best bet. Here’s what one of our admissions experts recommends:

“The #1 piece of advice would be taking courses you genuinely enjoy… When you are doing something that you enjoy, you automatically end up going the extra mile, which shows in both the quality of your work as well as the results.” – Dr. Neel Mistry, MD

Studying in college can be a big adjustment, and making the move to medical school can be even more so. Demonstrating that you work hard and can improve your grades over time, even if you started with a below-average GPA, will show medical schools you're motivated to succeed. Steady improvement and dedication over time will tell medical school admissions committees much more about your commitment to medicine and your character than straight A's and perfect scores.

Tip #2: Boost Your MCAT Score to Overcome A Low GPA

Many medical schools in Canada and the US look at your GPA and MCAT in tandem. So, if you are trying to get into medical school with a low GPA, strive to get the highest MCAT score possible. Take a look at the AAMC's chart again that outlines medical school acceptance rates based on GPA and MCAT scores of applicants. Notice how even an "average" MCAT score increases your chances of acceptance, even with a low GPA!

Chances of Medical School Admission Based on GPA and MCAT

GPA	MCAT	Acceptance Rate
No Data Available

And remember:

“MCAT and GPA are important as screening tools. They won’t be the end all for you to get in or be rejected from a school, but they are often that first look.” – Dr. Monica Taneja, MD

If you haven't taken your MCAT yet, set yourself up for success on this difficult test. Consider your MCAT test date carefully, craft an MCAT study schedule that works for your study habits, and strongly consider what resources you'll need to score well on the test. While some students can study for the MCAT on their own and get a high score, do not be afraid to research MCAT prep courses and MCAT tutors who can maximize your chances of success.

And, if you've already taken the MCAT and aren't happy with your score, consider an MCAT retake. Even if you need to delay applying to med school to study for and retake the exam, it may be worth it to get the score you want that will tip your chances of admissions in your favor.

Tip #3: Apply to Medical Schools With Lower GPA Requirements

Using MSAR, research medical school GPA requirements for the schools you are interested in and apply to schools where you meet and exceed the requirements. Aim to exceed the average accepted GPA of the latest cohort set in the previous year. Do not simply look at the minimum official requirement – it’s usually significantly lower than what schools actually expect.

Based on these stats, start creating a list of medical schools within your range, schools where you exceed the average accepted GPA and would be a more competitive candidate, as well as "reach" schools where you are just below the average GPA of accepted students. Aim to add 1 to 3 of these "reach schools and a few "safety" schools, while keeping the bulk of potential schools to apply to close to your GPA, just as you may have done for college applications. Creating this list will not only give you an idea of how many medical schools to apply to, but it will tell you how competitive of an applicant you are based on your academic stats. This will help you determine the next steps you need to take to get into medical school with a low GPA.

If your GPA is too low and you do not qualify for any medical schools in the US or Canada, jump to tips #6 and #7.

Tip #4: Boost Your Medical School Application (to Overcome A Low GPA)

Remember, your GPA is only the beginning of your application review – it’s a screening tool. You can get into medical school with a low GPA by compensating using essays and other qualifying components of the application to impress the admissions committee.

Assess your applicant profile and find ways to make your medical school application stand out. Every student is unique, so ask yourself: what makes your journey to becoming a doctor memorable? Is it your non-traditional background? Is it the fact that you are an accomplished athlete? Is it your personal experience?

Identify what makes you unique and find ways to tell a captivating story of your journey in your medical school personal statement, your AMCAS work and activities sections, or your secondary essays. Especially your diversity secondary essay!

Remember, admissions officers read thousands of essays every year, so make sure to do something that grabs their attention. Our admissions expert Dr. Jaime Cazes shares his experience being on the admissions board of his alma mater, the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine:

“It is very easy to make the 'cookie cutter' personal statement. 'Hello my name is Steven, and I am a 4th year...' There are probably hundreds of letters that start like this. To a reviewer who is reading tens of these at a time it can become quite boring.” – Dr. Jaime Cazes, MD, the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine

There are also tools you can use to address your low GPA directly and honestly on your application. Such as an AMCAS statement of disadvantage, where you will have the opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that may have presented you with barriers in applying to med school and achieving a higher GPA. The reason why you would want to draw attention to your low GPA and get ahead of the discussion is because admissions officers may bring it up themselves during your interview, and you want to be ready to answer any questions about it. Addressing your low GPA isn't about making excuses, but being honest about your academic setbacks and reaffirming your commitment to improve.

Tip #5: Ace Your CASPer Test and Interviews to Compensate For A Low GPA

If you’re applying to medical schools that require CASPer or AAMC PREview, or some other situational judgement test (SJT), make sure to prepare. Do not believe the widely spread myth that all you need to score well is to “be yourself”. It’s simply not true. These tests are designed to test learned professional behaviors, not your “nature.”

Your CASPer score and other application materials will have a significant effect on whether you get invited to an interview. Your interview is your final opportunity to really convince admissions officers you should be accepted, so if you impress the admissions committee with the rest of your application, despite the low GPA, you have a chance to demonstrate why you belong in their school during the interview.

And be sure to actually prepare for the interview. Find out what format they use (traditional? MMI? Panel?) and practice with relevant questions. Some medical school interview questions such as “tell me about yourself” or “why do you want to be a doctor?” can be used as MMI questions as well as traditional questions, so there is a lot of overlap there. Make sure to practice with realistic mock interviews. There is really no better way to get a feel of what your medical school interview will look like. Trust us!

Tip #6: Consider Post-Bacc Programs, DO Schools, and Caribbean Medical Schools to Boost Your GPA

Look at Post-Bacc Programs or Special Master's Programs

If you were rejected the fist time you applied or if you want to increase your GPA despite having graduated from college, take a gap year before medical school and enrol in a post-baccalaureate program for medical school. There are programs that specifically focus on increasing your GPA, and many even offer MCAT prep and extra guidance.

Additionally, some medical schools will take your grad school GPA into account – that means if you have a higher GPA from a special Masters program or PhD program, it may boost your GPA on your med school application. Of course, a graduate degree isn't strictly necessary to apply to medical school, but it may be an option if you want to improve your grades and prove your academic ability.

Explore DO

Do not forget to check out DO schools’ GPA requirements. Osteopathic medical schools can be slightly less demanding when it comes to GPA than traditional allopathic schools, so you may have a higher chance of getting accepted there. Generally, DO schools accept applicants with lower GPA and MCAT scores than MD programs, so they are a good option if you feel your GPA is still too low. But remember that DO schools are still competitive, and have their own selection criteria. DO schools expect to see a passion for osteopathic medicine and a genuine interest in their program beyond being a backup. You'll need to give serious thought to the question "why DO?"

Research Caribbean Medical Schools

Another option to keep in mind is Caribbean medical schools. They typically have very low GPA and MCAT requirements, so students who have lower statistics have more chances of getting accepted there than in the US or Canada. Keep in mind, though, that some Caribbean medical schools may not be accredited or recognized in the US or Canada. Graduates from Caribbean med schools are considered international medical graduates in both countries, so you may have a harder time pursuing a residency position back home, or you may not be eligible to do so. Double check the ECFMG certification requirements and the schools' accreditation status before committing.

Tip #7: Re-Enroll In A New Undergraduate Degree to Fix A Low GPA

Ultimately, if your GPA is too low for MD, DO, Caribbean schools and even post-baccs, then you might want to re-enrol in a new undergrad program. This is a radical decision, and it will take you a lot longer to become a doctor, but this time you will know exactly what you will need to do to keep your GPA high and avoid applying to medical school with a low GPA. Plus, you will have more time to strengthen your application! Participate in strong extracurriculars, gain more quality clinical experiences, and take your time to prepare for the MCAT. This option can sometimes be a blessing in disguise!

Need to strengthen your clinical experiences? Here's what counts for med schools:

BeMo Medical School Application Help Reviews

Want BeMo's help getting into medical school? Check out some BeMo reviews from our successful students!

"Cathleen was so helpful and friendly when it came to discussing courses to choose and how they would affect my GPA! She also shared so many experiences of hers that were helpful!" - Mariam, BeMo student.

"Dr. Kassam was awesome! She was very through in explaining the medical school admissions process (specifically for US) and was more than willing to spend an extra couple minutes in clarifying any questions I had. She gave me a very detailed overview on each aspect of the medical school criteria and how I can work on strengthening each aspect (study plans for gpa, building relationship with professors for improved grades and rec-letter etc.). She was a great mentor for my introductory session and I'm glad she was my introduction to BeMo consulting!" - BeMo student.

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"Great experience and very informative. Dr. Joseph Narusis was very helpful in helping me plan out a timeline, going over my extracurricular activities, GPA, and research, and giving me some preliminary information concerning the MCAT exam." - BeMo student.

"I've been an active applicant for medical schools for 3 years straight with no success in Canada. So I decided to apply to the United States for the first time and went to BeMo for advice and coaching. Thanks to their help throughout the whole process, from brainstorming essays to writing them to doing nonstop interview prep, I managed to get both an acceptance and waitlisted acceptance into two US Medical schools! Without them, I believe I would not have had the necessary information and coaching needed to be so successful. Upon acceptance, I had no US citizenship, my GPA was 3.84 and MCAT was 516. I would definitely recommend them if you feel like you need that slight push and support to succeed! :) " - BeMo student.

"Kyle was very helpful in giving me detail-oriented advice and provided me with some additional steps I can take to improve my GPA and activities." - BeMo student.

"Dr. Mehdi Khalfallah was really helpful in helping me navigate how to outline the work and activities section, especially since there is a low character count! He helped me go through each of my activities and brainstorm what I wanted to convey about each one, and made it easier to get started on writing." - BeMo student.

"I was initially skeptical about BeMo because I hate their advertising lol but as soon as my session began I was immediately sure that this is exactly what I needed. The help and guidance I have been unsuccessfully searching for in other companies was immediately apparent in my tutor when he started by acknowledging my previous experience and tailored his tutoring, including his review about CASPer itself, to my specific needs, instead of just repeating a script or giving me pre-constructed answers. The scores given at then end of each question that was reviewed was helpful, and the final score very much reflected my current ability (which is low), showing me that his assessment of my skill was accurate. He also gave me an additional 30 minutes of his time, free of charge, in order to ensure we covered everything in detail before our session was over. More than anything else, after our session ended, I felt hopeful for the first time about this god-forsaken test that I have dreaded so much over the last year or two. I actually believe that, if I apply what I'm taught through this program, I actually can achieve my goal. Not feeling confident was one of my biggest hindrances, and this initial session has completely changed that outlook. I am now confident that success is within my grasp. Thank you Anant Singh, for your highly skilled service!" - Coleen Soos, BeMo student.

"Dr. Hanlin Liu Dr. Hanlin Liu. Dr. Hanlin Liu. This man needs his FLOWERS!! I waited to give this review so it could be thorough! (1) First- this instructor was always very prepared, knowledgeable, and passionate about teaching. (2) Second- he was always punctual and willing to stay later and willing to provide extra work to gauge my understanding. (3) Third- It was late into the process of MCAT preparation that I was able to identify Dr.Liu as a key instructor that would be willing to work on my REAL issues/low comprehension areas- not just the practice problems in the lesson plans ***My lowest section on the MCAT was CHEM and seeing as its the first section. I would panic when I didn't feel comfortable. Multiple times I never even saw all the questions and would have to blindly guess on more than 15% of the questions. It was a mess. I did all the BEMO chem lesson plans and even many of them twice and yet my practice exam scores were not moving up consistently. Finally a month before my exam I did about 8 long sessions with Dr. Liu. I know I worked hard for months, prayed and prepared, but Dr. Liu also helped me. This week I got my results from my 2024 MCAT and I am proud to say that I improved all the way to the 85th percentile in that section and above the 85th percentile OVERALL. I am so happy and I want to say thank you to Dr. Liu. I hope you see this. I did it and you made a major impact. God Bless!" - BeMo student.

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"Great assistance, as always, from DR. Riley Cutler, who gave me very helpful advice concerning research, science GPA calculations, and shadowing experiences." - BeMo student.

"I had a wonderful experience with BeMo. The experts assisted me in drafting my personal statement, reference letters and CV . The statement is more captivating and the reference letters are more structured and cohesive . - BeMo student."

"My onboarding session for my MCAT prep was very thorough and went at a pace I could understand. Dr. Ariel Peckel was very chill and made sure I was involved and made me feel comfortable to ask any questions until I understood." - Sangeetha, BeMo student.

"Dr. Shoman is knowledgeable, professional, and personable. He helped me identify deficiencies in my interview skills and how to rectify them. His advice was clear, concise, helpful, and always delivered with a smile. Thank you, Dr. Shoman! I highly recommend his services to anyone preparing for medical school interviews." - Ben S, BeMo student.

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