What is a good GPA for medical school in Canada?

Asked by: Dr. Florencio Bosco II  |  Last update: December 13, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (39 votes)

A competitive GPA for med school in Canada would be anything above 3.8. 3. What is a competitive MCAT score for med school in Canada? An MCAT score of 515 or greater is within the 90th percentile, making it a competitive score for medical school in Canada.

Is 3.6 too low for med school?

What is the minimum GPA to apply to 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.

What is considered a good GPA for med school?

The medical school admissions process is extraordinarily competitive, and selectivity has intensified due to a pandemic-related surge of interest in the medical field. Premed undergraduates should strive to achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher to get accepted into a top-tier med school, admissions officials say.

Is a 3.2 GPA too low for medical school?

Getting into med school with a low GPA is certainly possible, but striving for a competitive score is always in your best interest. That said, anything below a 3.5 is considered a low GPA for med school.

Is 3.5 GPA good for med?

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.

Pre-Med with LOW GPA – How to Still Get Into Medical School

22 related questions found

Can I become a doctor with a 3.4 GPA?

Only about 30% of all applicants who have a GPA between 3.4 and 3.6 get accepted into a medical 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.

Is a 3.7 GPA bad for med school?

Look at matriculants' GPAs, not just the applicants, to ensure you apply to programs where you have a good chance of being accepted. Generally, a GPA of 3.5 or higher is ideal. You are still considered competitive if your GPA is within 0.1 points of the medical school's average.

Do med schools accept 3.3 GPA?

While the average GPA for students admitted to MD schools is around 3.8, DO programs often admit students with GPAs as low as 3.4.

What is a good MCAT score?

Earning a 515 or higher on the MCAT makes you a top applicant for medical school admissions. A score of 515 on the MCAT is an important score threshold because it means you've earned a 91st percentile score. According to the AAMC, earning a 514 or better on the MCAT results in a 70% acceptance rate.

What is the GPA cut off for medical school in Canada?

You must obtain a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3 / 4.0 on the OMSAS scale. Although graduate applicants may apply with the minimum required GPA of 3.3, the possession of the minimum GPA requirement does not guarantee acceptance.

What is a low GPA for med school?

What is considered a low GPA for medical school? Many medical schools have a cut-off for GPAs below 3.0. The average GPA at most MD medical schools ranges from about 3.7 to 3.9. The average GPA at most DO medical schools ranges from about 3.4 to 3.6.

What GPA is needed for Harvard?

GPA requirements for Harvard

At Harvard, the standard GPA is 4.18. (While some schools publish an unweighted GPA, most utilize a weighted GPA out of 4.0.) Harvard needs you to be at the top of your class with a GPA of 4.18. To compete with other applications, you'll need to receive almost all A's.

How many BS are acceptable for med school?

I would say to have a competitive chance at most medical schools you probably want to have a GPA above 3.5 So a B or two per semester is probably OK but do you want to make sure you get mostly A's or A- in your science and math courses.

What GPA do med schools look at?

Because of the sheer volume of medical school applications they have to wade through, admissions officers have to make some initial screening decisions based largely on GPA and MCAT scores. The average GPA for medical school matriculants in 2022–2023 was a 3.68 science, a 3.84 non-science, and a 3.75 overall.

Is a 3.63 GPA bad?

In general, a 3.0 GPA or higher is widely accepted by college advisors, internship programs, and potential employers. Anything above a 3.5 is often considered outstanding and may lead to honors designations at graduation and special distinctions/designations on your actual diploma.

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.

What is the hardest med-school to get into?

With an astonishingly low acceptance rate of about 1.4%, Stanford is the country's hardest medical school to get into. They admit students who not only boast impressive academic records but also showcase a deep passion for leadership, community involvement, and pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge.

Does GPA or MCAT matter more?

But, the easy answer is: MCAT. Some med schools believe that GPA is a better indicator of future success because it measures your work ethic and determination. However, your MCAT score is the only factor that is completely objective. It is the only factor that can compare all students evenly.

What MCAT score is 90%?

90th percentile – total score: 515; score for each section: between 128-130. 99th percentile – total score: 523; score for each section: between 131-132. 100th percentile – total score: 524; score for each section: 132.

Can I get into Canadian Med School with 3.3 GPA?

Application requirements: Minimum GPA of 3.3/4.0 for in-province applicant or 3.5/4.0 for out-of-province applicants. MCAT score with a minimum of 124 in each section; out-of-province applicants must score 128+ in CARS.

What is a do vs md?

A doctor of osteopathic medicine graduates from a U.S. osteopathic medical school. A doctor of medicine, also known as an M.D., graduates from a traditional medical school. A major difference between D.O.s and M.D.s is that some doctors of osteopathic medicine use manual medicine as part of treatment.

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.

Is 3.7 GPA good for med school in Canada?

A GPA of 3.7 is considered quite competitive for medical schools in Canada.

Is a 3.6 too low 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 compete with other applicants.

Can I still become a doctor with bad grades?

Absolutely, it's possible to become a doctor even if your high school grades aren't perfect. In fact, medical schools don't even look at your high school record (there may be some exceptions, so be sure to check at the schools you're interested in). The key is to show growth and dedication during your college years.