What is the best GPA to get into med school?

Asked by: Marie Blanda  |  Last update: September 10, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (44 votes)

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. These scores will be especially competitive if your major is related to medicine, and it's even better if it's a difficult science major like neuroscience or physics.

Is a 3.7 GPA good for med school?

Admissions experts advise aspiring medical school students to aim for a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Can a 3.5 GPA get into medical school?

The minimum GPA requirement for most medical schools is 3.0. However, pre-med students should aim for at least a 3.5 GPA or higher to compete with other applicants. In 2022-2023, the mean science and overall GPA of matriculants were 3.68 and 3.75, respectively.

Will a 3.0 GPA get me into 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. The lowest acceptable GPA for medical school varies depending on the school's individual requirements.

Is 2.8 GPA good for med school?

It's difficult but not impossible to get into a top medical school with a GPA of 3.0 or lower if the med school has no GPA requirement. Data from the AAMC shows that acing the MCAT ( a score above 517) and having a GPA between 2.8 and 2.99 results in a 46.7% chance of admission.

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

17 related questions found

Is a 3.4 GPA too low for medical school?

While you can still get into medical school with a low GPA, it's a lot more difficult, and all other areas of your application need to really stand out. If your GPA falls between 3.4-3.6, you can still get accepted, but in these cases, a good MCAT score can improve your chances of acceptance.

Can I become a doctor with a 2.7 GPA?

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. If you have a low GPA, consider applying for a DO program instead of an MD program.

What is the lowest 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.

Is MCAT more important than GPA?

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 GPA is needed for Harvard?

GPA Requirements

Harvard University does not have a strict minimum GPA requirement for undergraduate admissions. However, admitted students typically have very high GPAs, ranging from 3.8 to 4.0, with an average GPA of 3.9.

What med schools use the 32 hour rule?

Consider the “32-hour rule,” where certain medical schools only look at your most recent 32 credit hours to determine your GPA.
  • Wayne State University.
  • Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.
  • Boston University Medical School.
  • Louisiana State University – New Orleans.

What is the average med GPA?

There's more to discuss about this data and medical school admissions, but let's go ahead and get into the numbers. The average GPA for med schools overall is 3.64 for science and a 3.71 overall. Most medical schools require candidates to have a 3.0 or higher GPA to even apply, and many require 3.5 or higher.

Can a high MCAT score make up for low GPA?

Pre-Med Myth 2: A high MCAT score will make up for my low GPA, or vice versa. Fact: This myth is true at a certain level but only in extreme cases.

What is a 495 MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 495 on the MCAT means you performed in the 35% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 126 (C/P) 123 (CARS) 118 (B/B) 128 (P/S).

Can I get into Harvard med school with a 3.8 GPA?

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. Many people in medicine consider HMS the best medical school in the country so do what is within your control to make yourself a competitive applicant!

Is 510 a good MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 510 on the MCAT means you performed in the 84% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

What is a low tier med school?

The low tier medical schools consist of schools that rank outside of the top 20. They include state schools such as the University of Florida(UF) or the University of Colorado(CU). Competitive scores for this group include a GPA of 3.5 or higher and an MCAT score of 508 or higher.

How good is a 525 MCAT?

Attaining a score of 525 on the MCAT means you performed in the 100% percentile.

How good is a 512 MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 512 on the MCAT means you performed in the 88% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Is it harder to get into med school or law school?

Most J.D. programs are only three years, and some take only two years. Law school admissions is less competitive overall than med school admissions.

Can you get into med school without premed?

As long as you complete all the prerequisites for medical school, you can major in anthropology, biology, chemistry, English, history, or physics. Most colleges and universities do not offer a separate premed major; therefore, it is not expected nor required.

How many times can you take the MCAT?

You can take the MCAT: up to three times in one year. up to four times over a two-year period. up to seven times in a lifetime.

Can you get into med school with an F?

Many students have been accepted into medical school after failing and retaking a course or two early in their college education. Three or more F's may be considered a deal-breaker.

What is a good GPA for residency?

Depending on the residency program, some RPDs may want a minimum GPA of 3.0,4 while other programs may have a higher cut-off depending on the number of applicants for that cycle. During the first year, your focus should be on academics, particularly in the first semester.

Is the MCAT a hard test?

The MCAT requires more substantive, specific knowledge and is heavy on critical reasoning. The MCAT is also a very long exam, nearly twice as long as the GMAT and LSAT. So with respect to whether the MCAT is harder than other entrance exams, the answer is likely yes, but depends on the type of student you are.