What is a very low GPA for medical school?

Asked by: Dr. Ken Vandervort Jr.  |  Last update: September 17, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (27 votes)

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. Schools in the Caribbean may accept a GPA as low as 2.0.

What GPA is too low for med school?

What Is the Lowest Acceptable GPA for Med School? A GPA of 3.0 or higher is generally considered to be the minimum requirement for medical schools. Some schools may have a lower minimum requirement, such as a 2.5 or 2.75, but these are less common.

Is a 3.7 too low for med school?

While the term “low GPA” is relative, one general rule is that anything below 3.5 is considered low by most if not all medical schools.

Can you get into med school with a 2.5 GPA?

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's the lowest MCAT score accepted?

Medical institutions in the U.S. and Canada that necessitate the MCAT typically accept scores ranging from 490-495 at the minimum. Scores below 490 are rarely if ever, accepted.

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

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Can I get into med school with a 2.7 GPA?

While you can get into medical school without having a 4.0, you will at least need to meet the minimum requirements. Most medical schools have a strict minimum requirement of at least a 3.0 GPA. This means that your application will typically not even be considered if you have less than a 3.0.

Is a 3.5 ok 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.

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.

Is a 3.73 GPA bad?

A 3.7 GPA is a very good GPA, especially if your school uses an unweighted scale. This means that you've been earning mostly A-s in all of your classes. If you've been taking high level classes and earning a 3.7 unweighted GPA, you're in great shape and can expect to be accepted to many selective colleges.

What is the lowest GPA to be a doctor?

A high MCAT score can help offset a low GPA. You know you are ready for the MCAT when you are earning competitive scores on full-length practice tests. Raise your undergraduate GPA to at least 3.0. This is the minimum GPA for admission to many medical schools.

Where is the easiest med school to get into?

Easiest Medical Schools To Get Into in the U.S.
  1. University of Mississippi School of Medicine. ...
  2. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. ...
  3. University of Missouri Kansas School of Medicine. ...
  4. University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. ...
  5. Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine.

What is the cut-off GPA for medical 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. Not all medical schools require a certain minimum GPA to apply.

What is the lowest GPA to get into 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.

Can I get into med school with 3 C's?

So Can You Get Into Med School With a C? Yes, Even with 5 Cs! So, to all my C-getters out there, remember this: it's not the end of the world, and it's definitely not the end of your medical school dreams.

Is a 3.6 GPA bad for med school?

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. However, it may be considered low if your GPA is more than 0.3 points below the average (or in the school's 75th or 80th percentile).

Will med schools accept a C+?

Getting a C+ is not a red flag for medical school.

An F could be a potential red flag.

What is the 32 credit rule for medical school?

The 32-hour rule for medical school admissions is a policy used by some admissions committees that focuses on an applicant's most recent credit hours of coursework instead of their entire undergraduate GPA.

Is B+ OK for med school?

They start thinking about how these low grades can impact the rest of their lives and future career options. It is somewhat understandable since even a B+ average is very low for someone who wants to get into medical school.

Is 3.3 too low for med school?

You will need to bring your GPA up to 3.7 overall and have an MCAT score of 511 (81st percentile) or higher, to be among the 43.7% of medical school applicants who become medical school students.

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.

Is 3.2 a good GPA?

Is a 3.2 GPA Good? While a 3.2 GPA may not be considered outstanding, it still demonstrates a strong work ethic and dedication to academic success. Because of this, a 3.2 GPA means that you'll have numerous college options, and your application will be competitive for admission at a sizable number of schools.

What happens if you have a 2.7 GPA?

This GPA means that you've earned an average grade of a B- across all of your classes. Since a 2.7 GPA is lower than the national average of 3.0 for high school students, it will limit your options for college. 3.81% of schools have an average GPA below a 2.7.

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.

What is a good MCAT score?

A good MCAT score is generally considered to be 511 or higher, with no section score below 127. The MCAT, also known as the Medical College Admission Test, is a computer-based standardized exam designed to assess your potential as a medical student and doctor.