If you are looking for medical school acceptance rates and want to learn how to increase your chances of admission, you've come to the right place. Whether you are applying to DO vs MD programs or looking for the easiest medical schools to get into, you need to know what you are up against before you start working on your medical school applications. Scroll down to see each school's overall acceptance rates, in-state acceptance rate, out-of-state acceptance rate, average accepted GPA, as well as average accepted MCAT scores. Plus, learn what factors affect medical school admissions data and how to improve your chances of getting into med school!


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Article Contents
23 min read

List of Medical School Acceptance Rates Trends Impacting Medical School Acceptance Rates Testimonial: Here’s Why Medical School Acceptance Rates Aren’t Everything! How Your Medical School Application Influences Acceptance Rates What Do Medical School Admissions Stats Mean for Applicants? How to Use Admissions Stats: Medical School Selection Checklist 10 Medical School Application Tips to Get Accepted FAQs

List of Medical School Acceptance Rates

Find the latest medical school acceptance rates for allopathic medical schools in the US, including the average accepted GPA and MCAT scores.

Looking for osteopathic medical schools? Check out the latest DO school acceptance rates.

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Want to learn medical school acceptance rates by major?

Trends Impacting Medical School Acceptance Rates

Medical school acceptance rates have remained relatively steady over the years. Despite some of the very low acceptance rates we can see above, the true numbers are not so discouraging. On average, 43% of all medical school applicants are accepted.

The number of medical school applications has once again increased by 4.1% from previous years and medical school enrollments have reached a record high. Medical school enrollment has increased by 17.8% in the last decade, according to the AAMC.

The latest AAMC data shows there were over 52,500 medical school applicants in the last application cycle, with applicants applying to an average of 18 schools. With almost 23,000 of those applicants matriculating, the numbers represent a slow growth in both med school hopefuls and successful applicants overall.

Average Medical School Acceptance Rate for all US Med Schools

Medical School Type and Preferences

The type of medical school and each institution’s applicant preferences can play a significant role in medical school acceptance rates. By type of medical school, we mean public medical schools or private medical schools.

Public medical schools receive government funding, while donations and sponsors primarily fund private medical schools. Private medical schools aren’t as picky about in-state or out-of-state and may offer unique opportunities for students. They also tend to have better financial aid programs for students, making them an attractive option. In general, public medical schools have higher in-state acceptance rates and are motivated to fund medical research initiatives. They have a stronger preference for in-state applicants as these applicants are more likely to practice medicine in their home state.

A low out-of-state acceptance rate means your chances are slimmer in getting into any out-of-state school, even with a strong application. Medical schools in Texas and medical schools in California are notorious for having low out-of-state acceptance rates, for instance. However, residents of California and Texas have greater incentive to apply to medical schools in their state, like lower tuition and a higher chance of acceptance.

Certain medical schools have restrictions on who can apply at all. Not all medical schools accept international students, for instance. Others are considered Canadian-friendly medical schools, meaning they view Canadian applicants as “out-of-state” applicants and the admissions criteria may be more relaxed than it is for other international students.

DO vs MD Medical Schools

Admissions criteria tends to be less stringent for osteopathic medical schools, as well. In general, the acceptance rates for DO medical schools are higher, and the average accepted GPA and MCAT scores are lower. Premeds may choose to apply to DO schools because they are among the medical schools that accept low GPA and accept low MCAT scores.

One of our students, Kannan, didn’t receive the MCAT score he wanted on his first try, so he decided to retake. He was able to bump up his score to a 510, but he knew even this score might not be enough for some medical schools. Here’s how he approached medical school applications:

“I used MSAR, which is what has the stats for every med school, so I used that to kind of classify schools into reaches, about mid-tier and also lower-tier … And also I applied to about five or six DO schools … the [reach schools] would be like anything like 516-515 median [MCAT] so UCLA, UCI and whatnot and then the ones that were more targets [for me] were closer to the 511-512 or anything around that I would apply.” - Kannan, BeMo student, current student at the Western University of Health Sciences

Kannan also applied to over 40 medical schools with accepted MCAT scores in his range, to increase his chances of acceptance.

But once again, admission statistics do not represent the full truth. Kannan was successfully admitted to the Western University of Health Sciences. While the DO school acceptance rates seem to be more favorable than MD schools, DO school requirements demand no less application prep and dedication than MD schools, and DO schools are certainly selective!

Learn the medical school acceptance rates you NEED to know! Check out this video:

Diversity in Medical School

Many medical schools aim to create diverse student bodies, considering factors like race, ethnicity, and background. Diversity initiatives in medical schools can impact whether certain types of applicants have an increased chance of acceptance.

Not only that, but diversity of medical school classes continues to expand. Historically underrepresented groups in medicine have seen slight increases in both the number of applicants and the number of matriculants to med school, according to the AAMC:

  • Black or African American applicants increased by 14% and the number of matriculants increased by 9%. Overall enrollment of Black or African American students rose to a record 9,630.
  • Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin applicants increased by 7.3% and matriculants increased by 4%, bringing overall enrollment of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin students to a record 11,631.
  • Asian applicants increased by 13.3% and matriculants increased by 17.7% (to 6,525).
  • White or Caucasian applicants increased by 2.1% and matriculants declined by 0.62% (to 11,800).
  • Native American or Alaska Native applicant numbers remained steady and matriculants declined by 9.3%

These slight increases speak positively of the trends in diversity in medical schools and medicine at large. And although the number of Native American matriculants is dropping, medical schools are invested in admitting more candidates from underrepresented groups. In fact, medical schools in Canada and some US medical schools have specialized admissions pathways for Indigenous, Native American and Black students.

As far as division of applicants and matriculants by gender, the number of women in medicine has been increasing, too. In fact, women make up the majority of applicants (56.5%) and matriculants (55.4%) in US medical schools. The number of women both applying to and attending medical school has been on the rise every year.

Medical School Matriculants by Gender at US Med Schools

And if you think “am I too old for medical school?”, think again. The latest matriculants to medical schools in the US, according to the AAMC, ranged in age from 17 to 50+, with hundreds of successful non-traditional and mature applicants being over the age of 30. There are medical schools for non-traditional applicants or mature applicants that value diverse experiences and backgrounds.

Testimonial: Here’s Why Medical School Acceptance Rates Aren’t Everything!

If you are really concerned your applicant profile isn’t enough to get into any medical schools, don’t despair. Applicants with a 4.0 GPA and perfect MCAT score still sometimes face medical school rejection if the rest of their application isn’t strong enough or they aren’t prepared. This also means plenty of students choose to reapply to medical school and improve their application. Our student, Rishi, was a medical school reapplicant, even with a strong premed background and impressive academic stats.

"I went to college at the University of California-Berkeley where I studied molecular and cellular biology. I originally applied to medical school and on my first attempt … [did not] get into any medical schools that cycle." - Rishi, BeMo student, current student at the Carver College of Medicine

This is a common story for first-time medical school applicants. Rishi had a high GPA and MCAT score, but still received no acceptance letters. Because while medical schools value academic skill, premeds can’t rely on this alone to get into even the easiest medical schools. Determined to make his second application to medical school a success, Rishi took a gap year and reapplied with some help from medical school admissions consulting. He received 3 acceptances and accepted an offer at the Carver College of Medicine!

"I had a little bit above a [3.9] and I had a 523 on my MCAT so … the things that really I think prevented me from getting in the first time around is I was very delayed with my secondaries …. you want to make sure you do it right and are doing it to your best ability because you know I'm living proof that sometimes if you don't do the right things, there are consequences.”

If you want to learn more about Rishi’s journey as a successful medical school reapplicant, check out his full interview below to learn more about how he changed his application approach and got into the Carver College of Medicine!

How Your Medical School Application Influences Acceptance Rates

Your GPA and MCAT scores undoubtedly influence your chances of medical school acceptance and acceptance rates, but they are not the only medical school requirements that have an impact.

  1. Clinical Experience and Extracurricular Activities: Demonstrated experience in healthcare settings and engagement in relevant extracurricular activities are critical for showing commitment to the field of medicine.
  2. Personal Statement: This provides insight into the applicant's motivations for pursuing a medical career and their personal qualities.
  3. Letters of Recommendation: Strong endorsements from credible sources can significantly impact an application.
  4. Interview Performance: Personal interviews assess an applicant's interpersonal skills, professionalism, and suitability for the medical profession.
  5. School-Specific Requirements and Preferences: Each medical school may have unique criteria or a specific focus (such as research, primary care, etc.) that influence their selection process.

Average Weight of Medical School Application Components

Note that while your undergraduate school or choice of undergraduate major can have an influence on the decision of admissions committees, they are usually more negligible compared to these other factors. Medical school acceptance rates by major certainly indicate a science background is the more common medical major for premeds, it is possible to get into medical school without a science background, too.

An MD graduate from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and one of our medical school admissions experts, Dr. Monica Taneja, used MSAR to find out medical school profiles and preferences and use them to her advantage when tailoring her application, completing setting aside medical school acceptance rates.

“I did not focus on actual acceptance rates as they are all low … I focused more on my priorities and matching my applicant profile to the school’s profile. MSAR was a great resource as I built a list. I utilized the GPA and MCAT ranges to make sure my statistics were within the 25th-75th percentiles. I also noted the number of volunteer, work, and research experiences that accepted applicants had and focused on schools that had averages that matched my numbers.” - Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, University of Maryland School of Medicine

What Do Medical School Admissions Stats Mean for Applicants?

Why is it important for premeds to know the med school admission statistics listed above? In short, the first secret to medical school acceptance is understanding how medical schools evaluate candidates and make admissions decisions.

Increasing your chances for medical school success means evaluating the admissions statistics listed above holistically, much in the same way medical schools will be evaluating you and your application. Armed with the knowledge of medical school acceptance rates and what admissions trends there are, you can determine how competitive of an applicant you are and selectively apply to the schools where you stand the best chance of getting in. This helps you answer the question of how many medical schools to apply to.

Medical school admissions requirements (MSAR) and statistics can reveal the selection process and admission trends for specific schools. There are numerous factors that are considered during med school admissions, but some of the first two stats you need to consider when building your medical school list are GPA and MCAT scores.

We’ll explore how medical schools use your GPA and MCAT score to make admissions decisions in the next section.

Use our Medical School Chance Predictor to calculate your chances of medical school admissions success!

Are GPA and MCAT Scores the Most Important Application Components?

Your MCAT and GPA are used as indicators of your academic ability and suitability for medical school. Your academic strengths are the first thing medical schools will check to decide whether the rest of your application will be reviewed. If you do not meet the academic standards, most schools will not review the rest of your application. So in a way, yes, the GPA and MCAT are still the most important aspects of your application, for better or for worse.

If you’re curious about how hard medical school actually is, it’s quite academically demanding, so admissions committees need to know you are prepared and won’t be at risk of dropping out.

To decide whether you are a strong academic applicant, many schools have minimum medical school GPA requirements. On average, the minimum GPA to get into med school is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, although more selective schools may even bump this up to 3.3. The AAMC has this resource you can use to determine how competitive your GPA and MCAT is, and what your overall chances are of getting accepted to medical school based on your stats. Remember, though, that these chances represent trends in medical school admissions data, not guarantees!

If you don’t meet these medical school GPA requirements, your application won’t be reviewed. Top schools will not even consider an applicant who presents a GPA or MCAT score below the average accepted GPA or score. So, when reviewing medical school admissions statistics, compare your academic profile to the average GPAs and MCAT scores of accepted medical students—this is the true threshold you need to beat for acceptance.

Mean GPA of Accepted Medical Students = 3.77

Mean MCAT of Accepted Medical Students = 511.7

If your goal is to get accepted to a top-ranked, highly selective school, it’s imperative to know how they choose applicants and how you can put yourself in the category of “top applicant”. For example, Yale School of Medicine lists an average accepted GPA of 3.93 and average MCAT score of 521. These are near perfect scores!

Still, to get past the first hurdle of medical school admissions and have the rest of your application reviewed, your GPA and MCAT score should be as close to these numbers as possible.

It is possible to get into medical school with a low GPA or get into medical school with a low MCAT, but these stats will affect your overall chances of success. Your GPA and MCAT score are tools you can use to get your foot in the door of medical school admissions. Just remember that they are not the only part of your med school application that matters. One of our students, Kannan, discovered during his application process the importance of acing the personal statement, secondaries and med school interview.

“Stats, you know, they can get you so far but making sure you can present yourself a certain way as well ultimately helps you land acceptance.” - Kannan, BeMo student, current student at the Western University of Health Sciences

Our med school admissions expert, Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, would agree:

“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. Doing well in undergrad, maintaining a solid academic record, and a high MCAT score shows schools that you can handle rigorous academics. However, the other pieces of your application are what differentiate you from a crowd and will ultimately be why a school chooses to accept you.” - Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, University of Maryland School of Medicine


In the following section, we’ll take a look at what other trends and factors can influence your chances of medical school acceptance.

How to Use Admissions Stats: Medical School Selection Checklist

Here’s a quick checklist you can use when evaluating medical school requirements and determining where to apply. We also included some medical school application tips for what to do if your answer to the questions on this checklist is “no.”

10 Medical School Application Tips to Get Accepted

#1 Maintain a Strong GPA

If your heart is set on schools that have higher medical school GPA requirements than your own GPA, you can certainly try to increase your grades and improve your GPA.

See if you can retake some of the classes in which you performed poorly. Retaking such classes will also show admissions committees your dedication and desire for improvement. Create a study plan and stick to it, join a study group, or get a tutor to help you ace your course. You must get a much better grade in your second sitting of the class to make it worth your while.

You can also ask your instructors and teaching assistants (TAs) if you can do anything for extra credit. Your genuine interest and hard work will not go unnoticed. To get higher grades, you can also try taking classes in disciplines you enjoy. Pursuing coursework that you are passionate about tends to result in better grades.

#2 Prepare for the MCAT

MCAT test prep is a laborious process that requires time and dedication. Take an MCAT diagnostic test to get an idea of your baseline and what you need to focus on. Your results will indicate what areas of knowledge you need to study.

Create a thorough MCAT study schedule and change it accordingly to correspond to your improvements and challenges. If you are having trouble creating your prep plan, it might be a good idea to reach out to an MCAT tutor who can help you get organized.

If you want to avoid writing the MCAT, you can always choose to apply to medical schools that do not require the MCAT. Or, if you are not happy with your current MCAT score you can retake the MCAT. A word of caution: if you decide to retake the exam you must do better than in your first attempt. The admissions committees will be able to see all the scores you have, so you must show improvement.

#3 Complete the Altus Suite

If your school is one of the medical schools that require CASPer, you might have to complete the entire Altus Suite assessment from Acuity Insights. In addition to the CASper test, this multi-level evaluation tool includes a ranking system called the Duet. And while all of these application components will take time and effort to prepare for, CASPer remains as the most challenging part of the Acuity Insights assessment.

The CASPer test is meant to assess students’ professional suitability for medical and other professional schools, but it does not evaluate your scientific or clinical knowledge so it is vital to know how to prepare for CASPer.

Frist of all, make sure you have a solid approach for each type of question included in the test. Second, use realistic simulation and receive professional feedback when you are preparing – you will not know how well you are doing and what you can improve without good feedback. Check out some CASPer questions and expert answers to figure out how to approach these challenging scenarios and questions. When you feel ready, schedule your test on one of the available CASPer test dates.

#4 Pen a Fantastic Personal Statement

A medical school personal statement must answer the important question: "Why do you want to be a doctor?" You must create a unique and coherent narrative that would make you stand out among hundreds of applicants, and you will have a limited amount of space to do this.

If you're applying through AMCAS and AACOMAS, you have 5,300 characters including spaces; if you're applying through TMDSAS, you have 5,000 characters including spaces. This means that you will need to reflect on your past experiences, brainstorm ideas, and choose only the most meaningful experiences for your essay. Your personal statement alone can take weeks or months to prepare.

Your personal statement should be structured around 2 or 3 experiences; limiting the number of experiences you include in your personal statement allows for space to talk about each experience in depth. Be very selective about the experiences you include – they must show, rather than simply tell, your readiness to become a medical school student. Be sure to demonstrate what these experiences taught you and what kind of valuable skills you learned from them.

Our med school admissions expert and MD grad from the University of Toronto, Dr. Jaime Cazes, shares how he stood out in his personal statement:

“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. What I did was start with a story. Like any good novel, the stories first lines are meant to hook the reader. This can be about anything if you can bring it back and relate it to your application. It could be about the time your friend was smashed up against the boards in hockey and you, with your limited first aid experience helped to treat him. It is important that the story be REAL.” - Dr. Jaime Cazes, MD

Your personal statement gives admission committees an idea of your personality, values, and history. Not only does it tell your story, but it also demonstrates your self-awareness and ability to self-evaluate, shows the quality of your communication skills, and ability to identify the most significant points of your experiences. Writing clearly and concisely is a skill greatly valued by admissions committees.

Before you write your statement, make sure to read medical school personal statement examples to understand what admission committees are looking for in their applicants. You can also get ready to write your statement by reading AACOMAS personal statement examples, TMDSAS personal statement examples, TMDSAS personal characteristics essay, and AMCAS personal statement tips.

#5 Submit Secondary Essays – Fast!

Secondary essays are typically more difficult to plan since you do not have as much time to write them. If you are not given a specific deadline from the school, you should aim to submit your secondaries within two weeks after receiving them. Don’t delay in writing these or submitting them!

Monica Taneja, MD, shares how to prepare in advance for writing your secondaries:

“Secondaries were a lot of work especially after completing all of the primary application materials. I tried to pre-write secondaries starting in mid-June as there aren’t many changes year to year in prompts which are easily found online. For each school I read their mission statement and tailored my answers to their priorities. Since many essays also overlap between schools I was able to morph different essays based on length to reduce overall writing. Pre-writing allowed me to have [an under] 1-week turn around on all of my secondary application returns.” - Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, University of Maryland School of Medicine


At the same time, make sure you do not rush writing your essays. They still need to demonstrate high quality of thought and reflection. Prepare for your essays ahead of time by looking at some medical school secondary essays examples to get an idea of what’s expected, and check the specific prompts of the schools you’re applying to. When you brainstorm ideas for your essays, make sure you read the prompt carefully and understand what is being asked of you.

#6 Don’t Neglect Extracurriculars

Extracurriculars for medical school are an excellent way to improve your med school application. Your extracurriculars are typically detailed in your AMCAS Work and Activities section and your AMCAS Most Meaningful Experiences examples or your AAOMCAS activities examples for DO applicants.

Your extracurriculars outline all your non-academic achievements and experiences. These are important for medical school admissions because they show your diversity and make you a well-rounded candidate. As we’ve seen, good grades are not all medical school admission committees look for, so its important to have a strong list of extracurricular activities in arts, athletics, academics, community service, volunteerism, employment and more.

Dr. Jaime Cazes, an MD graduate and one of our medical school admissions experts, stresses the importance of being a diverse and well-rounded applicant in your experiences.

“I would highly recommend participating in activities OUTSIDE of academics or medicine as these truly do make you seem well rounded and are amazing opportunities for you to look to for stories, or lessons learned that you can talk about on your application or interviews. [Admissions committees] love to see people who are passionate about medicine as well as things outside of medicine!” - Dr. Jaime Cazes, MD

When choosing your extracurriculars, remember to think of quality over quantity. Keep in mind that your extracurriculars don’t need to be extensive, but you will need to demonstrate what your extracurricular activities have taught you and how they helped mold you into an ideal med school candidate. Be very specific about how your work and activities or even AMCAS hobbies examples contribute to your candidacy.

#7 Gain Clinical Experience and Shadowing Hours

Start gaining clinical experience as early as you can. Apply to volunteer in hospitals and clinics, as well as long-term care and retirement homes. Other ways to gain clinical experience may include volunteering in hospices, working as a health professional’s assistant, becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA), a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT), a medical scribe, or a personal caretaker. You can also apply to medical internships for high school students to gain valuable exposure to medicine.

As a future physician, you must have experience in patient interaction. Exposure to patients and their needs will cultivate your empathy and compassion – qualities highly regarded by the admissions committees.

You do not need to spread your time among several clinical activities. Remember, quality trumps quantity, so stick with an activity you enjoy and commit to it. If you dedicate your time and energy to an activity you like, you will have better chances of having a positive impact on your colleagues and patients. Your dedication may even result in a glowing medical school reference from your supervisor.

Shadowing a physician is a requirement in most American medical schools. It is a passive learning activity that allows you to learn about the responsibilities and everyday routine of practicing physicians. Again, try to commit to shadowing a physician for an extended period of time to forge a relationship with the professional. They may become one of your medical school referees. To find a physician to shadow, start by asking your personal physician, family members, and friends, as well as doctors with whom you have volunteered and worked. They may allow you to shadow them or recommend physicians who typically take on students.

Otherwise, look for physicians in your area and call their office to ask if they take on students – shadowing is a common practice in the US, so don’t be shy to ask. When you call or email the physician, explain that you are a premed student, and express your interest in their specialty. Briefly explain your medical experience and your aspirations in the medical field. Arrange a schedule that fits both of your needs and responsibilities.

Check out the ways you can make your med school application stand out:

#8 Participate in Research

Most medical schools expect to see some level of research experience in students’ applications. If this is an area of your application that is lacking, you must work to gain quality research experience as an undergraduate.

You do not need to get involved in several research projects to make a good impression. Even one in-depth, quality research project can be enough to demonstrate your research skills and experiences that can be applied to a variety of scientific fields and disciplines.

Our med school admissions expert, Monica, a graduate of the University of Maryland medical school, looked for research projects during her undergrad that aligned with her passions and interests:

“During undergrad, I focused on activities that I enjoyed! I liked public health research, so that’s what I involved myself with. I was passionate about working with low-income patients, so I sought an opportunity to do that. As you apply, activities that you are passionate about and can show longevity [in] are more important than one off-things that just check a box.” - Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, University of Maryland School of Medicine

If you are a student, start by asking your instructors and TAs if they are involved in any research projects and whether they need help. Be on the look-out for any research assistant postings in science departments on campus. If you're applying to research positions on and off-campus, make sure to prepare a stellar research assistant cover letter. It’s a bit more challenging to find research positions if you’re no longer a student on campus.

If you are taking a gap year before medical school, you can still look for research opportunities in nearby colleges by emailing professors in the departments you would like to join as a researcher. As a student and a graduate, you can also contact physicians you shadowed or worked with to find out if they have any research opportunities for you. Even if they are not personally involved in research, they may be able to recommend professionals or organizations that are looking for research help.

Other ways to gain research experience may include contacting a medical school and its medical centers near you. Departments at teaching hospitals typically have their own research personnel and you can phone or email them about research opportunities.

#9 Seek the Best Recommendation Letters

Another important component of your application is medical school recommendation letters. Just like with your personal statement, you will need to strategize to get the best quality letters from your referees.

Medical schools tend to ask for reference letters based on your circumstances and experiences. For example, if you are still an undergraduate student when you apply, schools will request a number of letters from your science instructors and non-science instructors. If you have significant research experience, then your principal investigator (PI) will need to write you a letter of recommendation. Schools might ask you for letters from your work supervisors or colleagues if you have spent a significant amount of your time in the workforce. If you were in the military, the schools may have specific requirements for your references. So, make sure you know what kind of writers you need to approach to ask for a letter.

You should choose writers who know you well and have worked with you for extended periods of time. Most importantly, they must be ready to write you glowing reference letters. Avoid getting letters that are mediocre or lukewarm; these will only decrease your chances of acceptance. If the person you’re asking for a letter seems hesitant, it would be better to ask someone else. Your writer must be eager to celebrate your achievements, qualities, and personal virtues in the recommendation letter.

There is a chance that your recommenders may ask you to draft your own reference letter. In this case, be sure to check out our blog about how to write your own letter of recommendation.

Keep in mind that medical schools in the US may accept either committee letters from premedical advisory bodies or a letter pack from your college or university. Many schools will list a preference for one or the other, or they may accept both. Some schools require a committee letter on top of individual letters of recommendation from a physician, supervisor or professor.

#10 Know How to Prepare for Interviews

Each school has different interview formats, so make sure you know which interview style your school uses to assess its applicants. It is key to know how to prepare for you med school interview. Medical schools often use a particular interview format called the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).

If you apply to one of the medical schools that use MMI, be sure to practice with MMI questions and know how to prepare for your MMI.

Aside from understanding this unique medical school interview format, using the right kind of prep is key. Mock med school interviews are the best simulation of the real thing, so practice regularly until you feel confident in your answers and performance. Review the best strategy for how to schedule your medical school interviews so when interview season arrives, you aren’t overwhelmed. Don’t forget to go over the most common medical school interview questions, since they can be incorporated into most interview formats. Remember to come to any interview prepared with a list of questions to ask your interviewer about the program, too!

Depending on your interview format, you will be able to show your genuine interest in attending the program by speaking directly with its students and faculty. It is wise to research your school and the interviewers who will conduct the meeting. The more you know about your program and its faculty, the more insightful comments you can make and questions you can ask.

Our admissions experts share what are some important questions to ask at the end of your medical school interview!

“Good questions to ask interviewers are: what does the patient population look like at X institution? What support is there for students interested in research? What mentorship opportunities exist? Where do students rotate during third year rotations?” – Monica Taneja, MD


“Truly think–IFI was accepted tomorrow–what are the first things I would want to know about? Some things that come to mind–What is the commute like? How do you find the current curriculum is? Where do most people live? Most of these questions can be personal … Sometimes asking the interviewer questions about themselves is also a great way to be memorable because who doesn’t like talking about themselves!” – Jaime Cazes, MD

FAQs

1. What are the key factors medical schools consider in the application process?

Medical schools typically consider a combination of your GPA, MCAT scores, personal statement, letters of recommendation, clinical experience, and extracurricular activities. Each component plays a critical role in demonstrating your suitability for a career in medicine.

2. How can I improve my medical school application?

Focus on strengthening your GPA and MCAT scores, gaining relevant clinical experience, crafting a compelling personal statement, and engaging in meaningful extracurricular activities. Also, seek strong letters of recommendation from individuals who can vouch for your abilities and character.

3. How important is the MCAT in the application process?

The MCAT is a crucial component as it assesses your problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts. A strong MCAT score can significantly enhance your application, especially at more competitive schools.

4. Can I apply to medical school with a lower GPA?

Yes, you can still apply, but it's important to compensate with a strong MCAT score, excellent letters of recommendation, and substantial clinical experience. Some schools also value an upward trend in your GPA and post-baccalaureate or graduate coursework.

5. What makes a medical school personal statement stand out?

A standout personal statement is one that tells a unique story, clearly articulates your motivation for pursuing medicine, and demonstrates your understanding of the medical profession through personal experiences. Clarity, coherence, and a reflection of your character are key.

6. When should I start getting clinical and shadowing experience? And how much clinical experience do I need?

Start looking for clinical and shadowing opportunities as early as possible, i.e. when you enter your undergraduate program. Talk to faculty and alumni to find out what kind of clinical and shadowing experience students of this program pursued. Maybe you will be able to get some recommendations of medical organizations and physicians in the area that tend to hire premed students. The number of clinical hours you need depends on each medical school’s requirements. You can find this information on the school website or using MSAR. Keep in mind some schools require over 100 hours of experience.

7. How much research experience do I need to apply to med school?

Medical schools that place a strong emphasis on research will value multiple research projects and extensive experience. But you can have only one research experience and still impress the admissions committees. Most importantly, you must be able to demonstrate that the research project in which you were involved taught you valuable and transferable skills that can be applied in any lab you join throughout your medical school education. Be ready to talk about the quality of your research experience, rather than its length. 

8. How many medical schools should I apply to?

A good number of schools to apply to is around 15-20. Applying to too few schools can lead to not receiving interviews, while applying to too many can make it very difficult to complete secondary applications in a timely and effective manner.

9. There are quite a few schools where my GPA and MCAT score are below the median. Should I apply anyway?

Out of the 15-20 schools you apply to, perhaps 3-4 can be “reach” schools. These are schools that you really wish to attend but their GPA or MCAT score averages are slightly out of your reach. However, you should still choose these schools carefully and be close to the medians, as applying to schools you are not a good fit for will not end up favorably for you.

10. If a school has a high acceptance rate, does it mean it’s not as good?

No, it does not. All MD and DO schools in the US are accredited and meet a very high standard of educating future physicians. You will receive a great education no matter which medical school you attend. You must also keep in mind that for future residency matching, what matters most is what you do during medical school and not the competitiveness of the school you attend.

11. What are acceptance rates like for joint MD degree programs?

If your plan is to apply to BS/MD programs, MD-PhD, MD-MPH, MD-MBA or another combined MD program, be aware that not every medical school offers these types of joint degrees. Acceptance rates for these programs tend to be just as competitive, if not more so, than MD and DO programs. The admissions statistics and application requirements may be different from the MD program offered by the same institution, so evaluate any joint degree programs separately.

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. If you see an error here, please notify us with the updated information, and we’ll send you a FREE copy of a BeMo ebook of your choosing! You can receive our Ultimate Guide to Med School Admissions, our Ultimate Guide to MMI Prep, our Ultimate Guide to Medical School Personal Statements & Secondary Essays or our Ultimate Guide to CASPer Prep! Please email us at [email protected] with any corrections, and we’ll arrange to send you your free ebook upon confirming the information.


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4 Comments

Bert Ching

Hi there. A semantic correction I believe is warranted to your % acceptance rates. What you may be showing is the % of applicants that matriculated, which is different than the % of applicants that were accepted (as schools admit many more than the # that matriculate)

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BeMo Academic Consulting

Hi Bert! Thanks so much for your comment! Great insight! You are right that many schools offer acceptances to a bigger number of students than the class size because some do not accept their offers. However, we calculate acceptance rates based on available spots, i.e., we divide available spots by the number of applicants. Plus, most schools do not divulge how many offers they make, only how many applicants matriculate.

BeMo Academic Consulting

Bert Ching, you are the winner of our weekly draw. Please email us by the end of the day tomorrow (May 15th) at content[at]bemoacademicconsulting.com from the same email address you used to leave your comment to claim your prize!

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Steven Hull

This is a helpful post. Thanks for sharing!

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BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello Steven! Thanks for your comment. Glad you found this helpful!

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Victor Chen

My father is a doctor. Does it count if I do clinical research with him and get a publication with him? Will it backfire on me?

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BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello Victor! Thanks for your question. While you should not pass on these opportunities, make sure to work with other physicians and publish other research. This way, you will demonstrate that you accomplished these requirements not only under the guidance of your father but also independently.

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Aidan Hernacki

What is success rate exactly?

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BeMo Academic Consulting

Hi Aidan! Thanks for your question. Success rate is the percentage of students who get accepted out of the students who apply to medical school.

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