Medical schools that accept low GPA do exist, but admissions remain competitive. Some MD and DO programs report lower median GPAs among accepted students, which may make them more realistic options for applicants who are trying to get into medical school with a low GPA.
In this guide, you’ll find a list of MD and DO medical schools with lower median GPAs in the United States and Canada and practical strategies to strengthen your application if your GPA is not as high as you would like. Understanding how admissions committees evaluate GPA and what other factors they consider can help you build a stronger application overall.
Yes, some medical schools do accept applicants with lower GPAs. While most accepted students have GPAs above 3.6, certain MD and DO programs report median accepted GPAs closer to the mid-3.0 range. Applicants with lower GPAs can still be competitive if other parts of their application — such as MCAT scores, clinical experience, and personal statements — are strong.
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Why GPA Requirements Are High for Medical School Admissions
One can assume that getting into medical school is not simply about academic achievement. That doesn’t mean grades are not important at all. While the approach to medical school admissions is holistic and based on many different skills and factors, there are still GPA cut-offs for many institutions you must meet or exceed to be considered. Grade averages tend to inform the first round of cuts of an applicant pool.
Although schools may have a minimum cut-off GPA, the average GPA of accepted students tends to be much higher. Therefore, a perfectly acceptable GPA by the school’s own standards might never be considered due to the competitiveness of the field. For that reason, prospective medical students who have a lower GPA may be discouraged.
Want to know the secret of getting into medical school with low GPA? Watch this video:
So, why are medical school GPA requirements so high? There are many reasons, but the short answer is that schools are trying to find the best of the best. They are tasked with training the next generation of doctors, and the reputation of their institution may suffer if they are too lenient with admissions. As a result, standards are very high.
You can compare the median accepted GPA of individual schools with the overall median accepted rate as a heuristic for finding the easiest medical schools to get into. However, do not immediately discredit schools with a lower median accepted GPA. Statistics change from year to year, and reviewing full medical school admissions statistics can help you make a better school list.
Further, no medical school is easy to get into, and getting accepted to any institution takes work and dedication. GPAs considered too low for medical schools are often high for other faculties. The entire med school admissions landscape is competitive no matter the institution, but having a strategy or applying to schools that best suit your qualifications will raise your chances of admission. Focus on the schools that place high value on other aspects besides academic performance, including some medical schools that do not require the MCAT. Researching early is key to choosing which schools to apply to and gives you more of a chance if you are worried about your GPA.
List of Allopathic Medical Schools That Accept Low GPA in the United States
The following MD programs report some of the lower median GPAs among accepted students in the United States. While these averages are still competitive, they may provide more realistic options for applicants concerned about having a lower GPA.
1. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science College of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.54
Median GPA: 3.65
3. Howard University College of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.67
4. Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.67
5. San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.68
6. University of California, Davis, School of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.70
7. Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.73
8. The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.73
Median GPA: 3.74
10. Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
Median GPA: 3.76
11. Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University
Median GPA: 3.76
12. University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.77
13. Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.77
14. University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Median GPA: 3.78
15. Morehouse School of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.78
List of Osteopathic Medical Schools That Accept Low GPA in the United States
The following osteopathic (DO) programs also report lower median GPAs among admitted students. DO schools often evaluate applicants holistically, which can benefit candidates whose GPA may not reflect their full potential.
1. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.3
2. Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.4
3. Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.4
4. William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.4
5. A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Median GPA: 3.5
6. Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.45
7. Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.47
8. Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.5
9. Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.5
10. Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.5
11. Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.5
12. Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.5
13. Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.5
14. California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Median GPA: 3.5
15. Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Median GPA: 3.5-3.6
List of Allopathic Medical Schools That Accept Low GPA in Canada
Canadian medical schools typically have very competitive GPA requirements. However, some programs report lower median GPAs than others, which may offer additional options for applicants concerned about their academic average.
Note: Among medical schools in Quebec, three (Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, and Université Laval) provide no data on their median accepted GPA. They may still be an option for you if you are proficient enough in the French language. Otherwise, here are the median accepted GPAs for medical schools in Canada:
1. University of Manitoba Max Rady College of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.7
2. University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.8
3. Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.8
4. Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.85
5. University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Median GPA: 3.85
6. University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.85
7. University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine
Median GPA: 3.85
How to Address a Lower GPA on Your Application
If you are worried that your GPA is on the lower side compared to most medical school applicants, it is not the end of the road for you. There are some concrete measures you can take to stand out regardless of your academic performance. Here are some ways to address a lower GPA in your medical school application:
Assess the Cause of Lower GPA
As soon as you realize your GPA may not be up to snuff, you should be working to improve it. Try to pinpoint what exactly is making you not perform to the best of your ability and figure out how to rectify it. Are you not quite used to the fast pace of collegial studies? Focus on your time management skills. Are you having a problem understanding your course material? Getting a tutor or seeking academic advising in higher education may help. Do you feel uninterested in your program? Make a change or try out some new courses. Whether you are currently in your freshman, sophomore, or even junior years, make sure that what you study is in line with your passions to give yourself the best chance at success.
Start Preparing Early for Medical School Applications
It's important to start preparing for med school as early as you can and to know what admissions committees are looking for to be able to set yourself up with the right supplemental activities to go from high school to med school. Your GPA says something about who you are as a student and your academic abilities but not necessarily about who you are as a person. Schools do want to see more than just your grades, so starting to acquire those clinical experiences and extracurriculars for medical school early will immediately make a potential med school application more interesting. See what opportunities are available for you during breaks or what summer programs for high school students you can participate in when you may not be in school full-time.
Have a game plan for what you want to accomplish and when. A schedule will help you stick to your goals and hold you accountable. Always be aware of important dates and deadlines. Since a lot of schools have rolling admissions processes, getting in your application early could make all the difference.
Strengthen the Rest of Your Application
If your GPA is not sky high, in addition to raising it, you will have to put more time and effort into all other aspects of your application. Focus on your soft skills, motivation for pursuing medical studies, and how to answer the medical school personal statement and interview question: “Why do you want to become a doctor?”. Putting in self-reflection time will help make your medical school application a priority throughout your undergrad degree and help to determine what your end goal is.
Try to be as ready as possible for your tests using MCAT prep or CASPer prep courses. When writing a medical school personal statement, really showcase your candidacy and why you should be accepted. Shadowing and other clinical experiences will not only teach you about the profession you are preparing for, but the life you will have. If you don’t know how many shadowing hours for medical school are required, you can find out this information from the school or through official resources like the AAMC’s MSAR database. If a large proportion of matriculants have shadowing experience, this is an area you can work on to help offset a low GPA. Make sure you receive glowing medical school recommendation letters from professors, physicians, and supervisors who know a lot about your competencies. They can prove why you deserve to be part of that next generation of medical professionals. You should always be thinking about what you can be doing to spruce up your application and make you an attractive medical student beyond your grade point average.
Consider Professional Admissions Guidance
One of the ways to show your true dedication to medicine is by seeking professional help from a medical school admissions consulting company. If you wish to improve your application due to a low GPA, trained consultants can provide quality information and feedback based on your situation. They can help you prepare for any standardized testing and provide some MCAT or CASPer prep tips with realistic simulations. Consultants will help you strategize for any question type you may encounter through tailored, private sessions dedicated to your success. You can also brush up on your interview skills with a medical school mock interview to help you practice before the real thing, and reviewing medical school interview questions and answers can also help you feel more prepared. BeMo also offers an online, independent premed research program where you can gain experience writing and presenting various medical research topics. Meanwhile, the DocShadowing program can help you log virtual shadowing hours in a variety of specialties. With academic consulting, there are many possibilities for how to improve your candidacy for medical school that are separate from your GPA.
Explore Alternative Medical School Pathways
When you are applying to medical school, it’s important to think outside the box. There is a lot of information about medical schools out there, and students often barely scratch the surface in terms of the potential options. It can be easy to become discouraged if your GPA is not up to par with other applicants, but not all hope is lost. The end goal is to become a doctor, after all.
As listed earlier in the article, osteopathic or DO schools can be an option for you if your GPA is on the lower side. When evaluating DO vs. MD programs, what you will often find is that they have a slightly different philosophy regarding health care, where the body is a whole, rather than the sum of its parts. Osteopathic schools are also more likely to accept non-traditional applicants who do not have a background in science, a higher GPA, or a ton of clinical experience. International schools can also be a great option for you because schools are often looking for students from outside of the country. Many medical schools in Australia have quotas for international students, which can increase your chances of acceptance if you meet their criteria. The point to remember is there is a whole world of doctors out there, which also means more avenues to get into medical school for you to explore.
Final Thoughts on Medical Schools That Accept Low GPA
Applying to medical schools that accept low GPA scores can expand your opportunities if your academic average is not as high as you hoped. While GPA remains an important factor in admissions decisions, it is only one part of a holistic review process.
By researching schools with lower median GPAs and strengthening other elements of your application — including your MCAT score, clinical experiences, and personal statement — you can still build a competitive medical school application.
FAQs
1. Can you get into medical school with a low GPA?
Yes, it is possible to get into medical school with a lower GPA, although medical school acceptance rates indicate that admissions are still competitive. Some MD and DO programs report lower median GPAs among accepted students, and many schools evaluate applicants using a holistic admissions process.
2. What GPA is considered low for medical school?
A GPA below roughly 3.5 is often considered lower than the average for many medical schools. However, definitions vary by institution, and some schools admit students with lower GPAs if other parts of their application are strong.
3. How important is GPA in medical school admissions?
GPA is an important factor because it demonstrates academic ability and readiness for rigorous coursework. However, admissions committees also evaluate other components such as MCAT scores, clinical experience, research, and personal statements.
4. What is the difference between a minimum GPA and a median accepted GPA?
A minimum GPA is the lowest academic average required for an application to be considered. The median accepted GPA represents the midpoint of the GPA range among admitted students.
5. Are osteopathic medical schools easier to get into?
Osteopathic (DO) schools often report slightly lower median GPAs than MD programs. However, admission is still competitive, and applicants must demonstrate strong academic preparation and commitment to medicine.
6. Can Canadian students apply to DO schools?
Yes. Many osteopathic medical schools in the United States accept Canadian applicants, although there are currently no DO schools located in Canada.
7. How can you improve your chances with a low GPA?
Applicants with lower GPAs can strengthen their applications by improving their MCAT score, gaining clinical experience, obtaining strong recommendation letters, and demonstrating a clear commitment to medicine.
8. Should you still apply to medical school with a low GPA?
If your GPA is lower than average but other parts of your application are strong, it may still be worthwhile to apply. Careful school selection and a well-rounded application can improve your chances.
To your success,
Your friends at BeMo
BeMo Academic Consulting
Disclaimer: Although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa.
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