Getting into medical school is notoriously challenging. But med school requirements exist to ensure that Doctor of Medicine (MD) students are adequately prepared for the rigorous nature of physician training. You may be wondering, “What is a good GPA for medical school?”
While it’s beneficial for pre-med students to be in strong academic standing, there are plenty of factors aside from your medical school GPA that admissions teams consider when evaluating applicants.
If you’re applying for medical school and your GPA isn’t as high as you’d like, you can use the below information to help you gain a sense of where you stand and what you can do to improve your odds of getting into an MD program.
How rigid are med school GPA expectations?
Medical school admissions teams do pay close attention to grades when evaluating applicants. They want to be confident that incoming students are prepared to handle the coursework required in an MD program.
Although there is no official minimum GPA for med school, most schools expect applicants to meet a certain threshold. The most effective way to evaluate how you might measure against the competition is to review the average GPA for medical school applicants nationwide, as well as the average GPA of matriculants at your schools of choice.
Data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reports that the average GPA for medical school applicants and matriculants during the 2022–23 school year was 3.62. But that’s not the only metric admissions teams will be evaluating in terms of your undergraduate performance.
They’ll often also look specifically at your science GPA to see how you did in your medical prerequisite courses. The AAMC report notes that the average science GPA for medical school applicants and matriculants from that same academic year was 3.52.
If you find that your undergraduate GPA doesn’t quite meet that threshold, all hope is not lost. “It’s important to remember that having a lower grade in a particularly challenging class or two is expected,” says Dr. Michael Coords, a musculoskeletal radiologist who has experience in medical school and residency program admissions committees.
Dr. Coords notes that there are several other factors medical school admissions teams consider when evaluating applicants. Excelling in these areas could help edge out potential concerns a school may have about your potential as a medical student.
What application components matter aside from med school GPA standards?
There’s more to evaluating medical students than reviewing undergrad academic performance. Consider focusing on the following six elements as you work your way toward the medical school application process.
1. MCAT scores
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is one of the most important academic metrics medical schools use to evaluate applicants. “It’s the only way for medical schools to objectively compare students from different universities,” explains Dr. Charles Tullius, an anesthesiologist with admissions committee experience.
Much like your medical school GPA, there’s no official MCAT test result that will guarantee your spot in a program. But, once again, evaluating the national average can give you a better idea of what to aim for.
The highest possible MCAT score is 528. According to AAMC data, applicants and matriculants for the 2022–23 academic year achieved a mean score of 506.5.
It’s worth noting that in some cases, a strong MCAT score can help offset the impact of a low GPA. This grid from the AAMC offers a helpful breakdown of what this looks like in action.
2. External factors that affect grades and scores
Admissions teams for some MD programs have shifted to a more holistic review of medical school applicants. This approach comes highly recommended by physicians and researchers alike, as they recognize that certain students face more obstacles than others.
Leveraging a holistic process means someone who has a slight numbers disadvantage can have the opportunity to be a competitive candidate. Bob Ryan, former dean of admissions at St. George’s University (SGU), explains that it matters whether you were working or participating in some sort of extracurricular activity as well. “If you’ve demonstrated a passion, that shows us you’re able to focus on something and do it well,” he says.
3. Experience
The holistic review of medical school applications doesn’t only consider the obstacles a student faced, but it also calls attention to the experiences that helped shape them. This can include extracurricular activities, volunteering, and getting involved in research—all of which help demonstrate positive work ethic and a passion for continual learning.
Admissions teams also want to see that an applicant has had plenty of experience in clinical settings, which can include physician shadowing, volunteering as an EMT, and more. High-quality clinical experience is something that’s expected of all applicants, not just those who are concerned about their GPA.
“Never assume a good GPA will automatically open doors for you,” Dr. Coords says. “Work hard to demonstrate your med school worthiness.”
4. Personal statement
Every medical school applicant should take writing and editing their application essay seriously. “We really do read every personal statement,” Ryan says. “That’s very important to us.”
These essays are your opportunity to show the admissions committee that you have what it takes to be a physician even if you haven’t quite achieved the average GPA for medical school. For schools that include an optional essay as part of the application, consider using it to address any areas of your academic performance that may require explanation.
To ensure your medical school personal statement is as strong as possible, be sure to offer a clear picture of who you are, speak to your best qualities, and proofread carefully. It’s also a good idea to have a few people read over your essay before submitting it.
5. Letters of recommendation
Securing impressive letters of recommendation is another way applicants can prove they’re prepared for medical school. These written evaluations are critically important, so you’ll want to be sure yours are written by people who can speak to your strongest attributes in great detail.
Having an exceptional network of recommenders, including professors, doctors, and colleagues, who are willing to write about why you would make a great physician can help admissions teams get a better idea of who you are as a candidate. These personal accounts help expand on your potential beyond simply looking at performance metrics on paper.
6. Interview responses
If you’re able to secure an interview invitation, you’ll want to prepare extensively. Your medical school interviews are your final chance to sell yourself as a strong candidate.
Admissions committees want future students to not only talk about their strengths but also to explain how they effectively leverage them. It shows the skills you have outside of what they can deduce from your med school GPA.
“During the interview, be sure to focus on what will make you a good doctor,” Dr. Coords suggests. “What are your positive qualities? How have you demonstrated leadership, mastery of stress, and work ethic?”
You should also be prepared to discuss any part of your application that may be lacking, including falling short of average medical school GPA expectations. These conversations can be daunting, but it’s easier if you do a fair amount of research and preparation beforehand.
“Have a very clear understanding of the program you are applying to, ask research-informed questions, and practice speaking eloquently and deliberately before the big day,” Dr. Coords advises.
Apply to medical school with confidence
Medical school GPA requirements will not be the sole factor that determines whether you’ll be accepted into an MD program. Admissions teams are not just looking for textbook high achievers. They’re seeking the best candidates—those who can thrive throughout a rigorous program and ultimately find medicine to be rewarding.
As you get closer to application season, there are a handful of things you can focus on to improve your odds. Learn more in our article “4 Ways to Strengthen Your Medical School Application.”
