What is a good GPA for med school?

Asked by: Talia Rippin  |  Last update: November 4, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (13 votes)

A competitive GPA for medical school is generally 3.6 or higher. On average, successful matriculants — students who are accepted and enroll — have higher GPAs than other applicants.

Is a 3.7 a good GPA for med school?

A 3.7 GPA is above the median for applicants to medical school and a 85th percentile MCAT will help, but it is not just a numbers game. Medical schools want to know if you are capable of graduating as an MD, so they are looking for a number of cor...

Is 3.5 a bad GPA for medical school?

Many medical schools require you to have at least a 3.0 minimum GPA to even consider applying to medical school. However, you probably need at least a 3.5 GPA to be competitive for most (if not all) medical schools. The average science GPA for MD matriculates is a little bit over 3.6 GPA.

Is a 3.9 GPA good for med school?

Note that an average GPA of 3.95 is very high. Many admissions officers view a GPA of 3.8 as very competitive, and they like to see at least a GPA of 3.5 or above.

Is a 3.8 GPA bad for med school?

The minimum GPA for most med schools is 3.0. But if you're a pre-med student, you'll need to aim for a GPA of 3.6 or higher to be a competitive applicant. In 2022-2023, the mean science and overall GPA of matriculants were 3.68 and 3.75, respectively.

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40 related questions found

Can I get into Harvard Med with a 3.8 GPA?

Harvard Medical School obviously has the luxury of selecting students from an outstanding pool of applicants. If your MCAT and GPA are excellent (517 and 3.8 or higher) or there are other extenuating circumstances about your background that distinguish you, try applying.

Is a 3.6 too low for med school?

In other words, 70% of applicants who have a GPA between 3.4 and 3.6 do not get into a single medical school. For those who have a GPA between 3.6 and 3.8, the chances of getting into a medical school increase to 47%. About 66% of applicants with a GPA greater or equal to 3.8 get accepted into medical school.

Is there a big difference between a 3.9 and 4.0 GPA?

While it's true that having a higher GPA can be better for college admissions, the difference between a 3.9 and 4.0 is not as significant as you might think.

Is a 3.3 GPA too low for medical school?

What is the lowest GPA med schools will accept? Most medical schools in the U.S. and Canada will not accept a GPA lower than 3.0. To be competitive, students should aim for a GPA of 3.7 or higher.

What is the average GPA for Harvard Medical School?

HMS is highly selective, so getting in is no easy task—it's one of the country's hardest medical schools to get into. The average GPA of matriculants is 3.9, evidencing that high-achieving students have the best shot at admission.

Is a 3.0 GPA horrible?

A 3.0 GPA implies performing well in all classes, and that's a great place to start the college application process. Admissions officers from many schools will see that GPA and recognize that it meets their criteria for enrollment. Keep practicing the study habits that led to a 3.0 GPA in the first place.

Do I need a 4.0 for med school?

"However...they don't need to have a 4.0.” While perfect grades are not required for medical school admission, premeds "would want to be in the mid-3.0 range and higher to feel relatively competitive," Grabowski says. Still, it is possible to get into med school with a mediocre or low GPA.

Is a 3.7 GPA good for the Ivy League?

While 3.6-3.7 is a good unweighted GPA, it's below the average reported at Ivy League schools. However, this doesn't mean acceptance is impossible! A well-rounded profile, compelling essays, and special talents and interests can help you stand out.

What is a low GPA for Harvard Medical School?

GPA & MCAT

The median GPA of students admitted to Harvard Medical School is 3.96 and the median MCAT score is 521, with section scores averaging between 129 and 131. Harvard has no minimum score for GPA or MCAT, although that doesn't mean Harvard is a school that you can get into with a low GPA.

Is 3.5 GPA OK for med school?

According to US News, aspiring med school students should aim for a 3.5 GPA or higher to be considered for the top medical schools in the country. Getting into med school with a low GPA is certainly possible, but striving for a competitive score is always in your best interest.

Is a 3.3 GPA failing?

Grade point average (GPA) is a measurement of academic performance by averaging all final grades received throughout your high school career. A 3.3 GPA is considered a “B” grade and is on the borderline between a B and a B+. Most (if not all) colleges and universities accept applications from students with a 3.3 GPA.

What med schools accept a 3.3 GPA?

List of Allopathic Medical Schools That Accept Low GPA in the United States
  • Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU. ...
  • Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ...
  • Central Michigan University College of Medicine. ...
  • Howard University College of Medicine. ...
  • Meharry Medical College. ...
  • Morehouse School of Medicine.

Can you get into med school with an F?

Yes. The most important thing you can do is to learn from the experience and do better going forward. Many students have been accepted to medical school after failing and retaking a course or two early in their college education. That said, three or more Fs might be considered a deal-breaker.

Does Harvard accept 3.9 GPA?

In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Harvard. That means nearly straight As in every class, while also taking the highest rigor classes available to you at your high school.

Can you still get a 4.0 with one B?

Unfortunately, a 4.0 GPA is not possible if you've received a B in any of your classes, as a 4.0 represents a perfect average of A grades. However, don't fret too much about a single B. Pursuing an upward trend in your grades and showing consistent improvement can be just as valuable as maintaining a high GPA.

Is a 3.9 GPA good enough for Ivy League?

A 3.9 unweighted GPA is undoubtedly impressive and shows that you've worked hard in your classes. It is certainly within the range of GPAs of students admitted into Ivy League schools. Keep in mind, though, that these schools usually have holistic admissions processes, so your GPA is just one part of the equation.

Is a 3.7 bad for med school?

Is a 3.7 GPA too low for medical school? A GPA of 3.7 is far from low and is generally competitive for many medical schools. Remember that medical schools assess various elements of your application, including your MCAT score, extracurriculars, and personal qualities.

What is the lowest grade to get into medicine UK?

Around half of UK medical schools ask for a Grade 6 in at least one of your GCSEs (this is likely to be maths or science subjects). Around 25% ask at least one Grade 7. Consider which universities to apply to based partly on the strength of your GCSEs and how much they take that into consideration.

Is applying to 20 med schools enough?

According to the AAMC, the average medical school applicant applies to 16 different schools. It is recommended that students apply to no fewer than 15, considering how difficult it can be to get in. On the higher end, it is generally recommended not to apply to more than 40 schools.