MJTW Dev Test Blog

What’s the Best Undergrad GPA For Med School Applicants?

Written by medschoolcoach | Jul 25, 2023 7:46:54 AM

In 2022-2023, the average science GPA of matriculants was 3.68, while the overall GPA was 3.75. On the other hand, applicants had an average science GPA of 3.52 and overall GPA of 3.62.

Table of Contents

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. But the minimum cutoff GPA is absolutely irrelevant because your GPA needs to be competitive for the particular school that you are applying to. A competitive GPA and the minimum GPA required to apply to that school are usually much different.

When it comes to the medical school admissions process, grade point average is often one of the first things that admissions officers and the admissions committee look at.

The sheer volume of medical school applications they receive means that an applicant’s GPA can be a critical factor for screening. But what does a competitive GPA for medical school look like?

Our Calculator uses a combo of your GPA, MCAT score, and various factors about your undergraduate studies to determine how competitive your med school application will be.

What is a competitive GPA for medical school?

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. 

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the average GPAs and MCAT scores for medical school applicants and matriculants in the 2022-2023 academic year were:

  Average Science GPA Average Non-Science GPA Average Overall GPA Average MCAT Score
Applicants 3.52 3.76 3.62 506.5
Matriculants 3.68 3.84 3.75 511.9

These averages provide a good benchmark for what medical schools consider competitive.

However, remember that these are averages; they include GPAs from applicants and matriculants from all MD programs across the country. Admissions requirements vary from school to school, but the cutoff is typically around the 3.0 mark to be considered.

Some top-tier schools of medicine may have even higher average GPAs, and these schools may use national GPA averages as cutoffs for initial selection. Because of the competitiveness of the application process, you’d typically need a GPA that’s higher than the national average.

You can access more med school admissions statistics at AAMC, as well as look into individual schools’ admissions requirements using the MSAR.

Average GPA and MCAT Score By School

Medical School State Degree Type Average GPA Average MCAT Minimum MCAT
University of Alabama School of Medicine AL MD 3.8 509.2 494
University of South Alabama College of Medicine AL MD 3.83 510 NR
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine AL DO 3.47 505 NR
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn Campus AL DO 3.67 502 494
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine AR MD 3.81 509 NR
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine AR DO 3.5+ 500+ NR
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson AZ MD 3.74 508 498
University of Arizona School of Medicine – Phoenix AZ MD 3.77 515 495
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine AZ MD 3.94 521 NR
A.T. Still University AZ DO 3.45 505 NR
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University AZ DO 3.53 507 NR
California Northstate University College of Medicine CA MD 3.6 511 497
California University of Science and Medicine CA MD 3.61 513 NR
Drew/UCLA Joint Medical Program Drew University of Medicine and Science CA MD 3.42 NR NR
Loma Linda University School of Medicine CA MD 3.83 509 NR
University of California – Davis School of Medicine CA MD 3.58 509 NR
Stanford University School of Medicine CA MD 3.89 518 NR
University of California – Irvine School of Medicine CA MD 3.78 514.2 NR
University of California – Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine CA MD 3.81 516 NR
University of California – Riverside School of Medicine CA MD 3.6 509 NR
University of California – San Diego School of Medicine CA MD 3.77 515.11 NR
University of California – San Francisco School of Medicine CA MD 3.87 517 NR
University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine CA MD 3.8 517 NR
Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine CA MD 3.76 516 NR
Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine CA DO 3.56 509 NR
Western University of Heath Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific CA DO 3.66 508 NR
California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine CA DO 3.48 506 498
University of Colorado School of Medicine CO MD 3.82 516 NR
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine CO DO 3.54 504.4 NR
Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine CT MD 3.7 513 NR
University of Connecticut School of Medicine CT MD 3.76 513 NR
Yale School of Medicine CT MD 3.87 519 NR
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences DC MD 3.7 512 NR
Georgetown University School of Medicine DC MD 3.7 512 NR
Howard University College of Medicine DC MD 3.61 507 494
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine FL MD 3.79 513 NR
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine FL MD 3.76 509 NR
Florida State University College of Medicine FL MD 3.8 507 498
University of Central Florida College of Medicine FL MD 3.84 515 500
University of Florida College of Medicine FL MD 3.79 514 500
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine FL MD 3.75 514 NR
University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine FL MD 3.89 517 NR
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus FL DO 3.47 503 NR
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine FL MD 3.76 512 NR
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine FL DO 3.6 506 NR
Emory University School of Medicine GA MD 3.7 514 NR
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University GA MD 3.8 513 NR
Mercer University School of Medicine GA MD 3.66 504 493–494
Morehouse School of Medicine GA MD 3.68 506 NR
Georgia Campus Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine GA DO NR 503.9 NR
University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine HI MD 3.74 512 NR
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine IA MD 3.79 513 NR
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine IA DO 3.44 495 NR
Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine ID DO 3.57 507 501
Carle Illinois College of Medicine IL MD 3.73 513 498
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science IL MD 3.69 511 510
Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine IL MD 3.7 510 NR
Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine IL MD 3.9 520 NR
Rush Medical College of Rush University IL MD 3.57 510 NR
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine IL MD 3.82 508 498
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine IL MD 3.87 519 NR
University of Illinois College of Medicine IL MD 3.8 513 NR
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University IL DO 3.7 510 NR
Indiana University School of Medicine IN MD 3.83 512.1 NR
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine IN DO 3.71 504 491
University of Kansas School of Medicine KS MD 3.88 509 NR
Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine KS DO 3.0 Minimum for consideration NR 500
University of Kentucky College of Medicine KY MD 3.78 506 495
University of Louisville School of Medicine KY MD 3.68 507 NR
University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine KY DO 3.5 500 NR
Louisiana State University – New Orleans School of Medicine LA MD 3.73 509 NR
Louisiana State University – Shreveport School of Medicine LA MD 3.7 507 NR
Tulane University School of Medicine LA MD 3.58 510 NR
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Louisiana Campus LA DO 3.7 502 496
Boston University School of Medicine MA MD 3.72 517 NR
Harvard Medical School MA MD 3.9 520.06 NR
Tufts University School of Medicine MA MD 3.74 514 NR
University of Massachusetts Medical School MA MD 3.76 515 NR
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine MD MD 3.94 521 NR
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine MD MD 3.7 511 496
University of Maryland School of Medicine MD MD 3.8 515 NR
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine ME DO 3.61 505 490
Central Michigan University College of Medicine MI MD 3.69 508 NR
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine MI MD 3.77 510 NR
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine MI MD 3.84 510 NR
University of Michigan Medical School MI MD 3.8 515 NR
Wayne State University School of Medicine MI MD 3.8 514 NR
Western Michigan University School of Medicine MI MD 3.77 513 497
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine MI DO 3.50–3.70 506–508 NR
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine MN MD 3.94 521 NR
University of Minnesota Medical School – Twin Cities MN MD 3.7 511 NR
University of Minnesota Medical School – Duluth MN MD 3.7 508 NR
University of Missouri – Columbia School of Medicine MO MD 3.77 508 494
Saint Louis University School of Medicine MO MD 3.85 510.63 NR
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine MO MD 3.85 510 500
Washington University School of Medicine MO MD 3.86 520.2 NR
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine MO DO 3.72 503 NR
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine MO DO 3.62 505 NR
University of Mississippi School of Medicine MS MD 3.7 504 496
William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine MS DO 3.53 505 NR
Duke University School of Medicine NC MD 3.9 519 NR
East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine NC MD 3.58 507 NR
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine NC MD 3.76 512 NR
Wake Forest School of Medicine NC MD 3.76 511 NR
Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine NC DO 3.66 507 NR
University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences ND MD 3.8 507 NR
Creighton University School of Medicine NE MD 3.83 513 NR
University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine NE MD 3.82 511 NR
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth NH MD 3.77 516 NR
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University NJ MD 3.77 511 NR
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School NJ MD 3.7 514 NR
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School NJ MD 3.7 512 NR
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine NJ MD 3.71 513 NR
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine NJ DO 3.65 506 NR
University of New Mexico School of Medicine NM MD 3.72 507 494
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University NM DO 3.7 502.1 493
University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine NV MD 3.77 509 500
University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine NV MD 3.6–3.7 510 NR
Touro University – Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine NV DO 3.54 506.9 500
Albany Medical College NY MD 3.6 511 NR
Albert Einstein College of Medicine NY MD 3.82 516 NR
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons NY MD 3.9 522 NR
Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine NY MD 3.85 518 NR
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NY MD 3.81 519 NR
New York Medical College NY MD 3.6 514 NR
New York University Grossman School of Medicine NY MD 3.92 522 NR
New York University Long Island School of Medicine NY MD 3.8 516 NR
SUNY – Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine NY MD 3.73 513 NR
University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences NY MD 3.58 507 NR
SUNY – Upstate Medical University NY MD 3.64 509.86 NR
Stony Brook University School of Medicine NY MD 3.79 515.6 NR
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry NY MD 3.8 516 NR
Weill Cornell Medical College NY MD 3.9 519 NR
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine NY DO 3.62 506 NR
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown Campus NY DO 3.48 502.68 498
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Harlem Campus NY DO 3.47 506.75 498
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine OH MD 3.82 518 NR
Northeast Ohio Medical University OH MD 3.68 510 NR
The Ohio State University College of Medicine OH MD 3.81 514 NR
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences OH MD 3.72 509 NR
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine OH MD 3.78 516 NR
Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine OH MD 3.7 507 NR
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine OH DO 3.68 504.5 NR
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine OK MD 3.81 508 492
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine OK DO 3.6 500 492
Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine OR MD 3.65 509 497
Drexel University College of Medicine PA MD 3.66 511 NR
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine PA MD 3.75 511.62 NR
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine PA MD 3.75 511 NR
Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania PA MD 3.92 521.7 NR
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University PA MD 3.73 514 NR
Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine PA MD 3.74 512 NR
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine PA MD 3.88 517 NR
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine PA DO 3.41 503 NR
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine PA DO 3.5 504.45 NR
Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences PR MD 3.5 499 494
San Juan Bautista School of Medicine PR MD 3.71 500 492
Universidad Central Del Caribe School of Medicine PR MD 3.8 501 495
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine PR MD 3.86 506 495
Brown University The Warren Alpert Medical School RI MD 3.83 516 NR
Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine SC MD 3.77 511 496
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Columbia SC MD 3.7 508 NR
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville SC MD 3.7–3.75 509 NR
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas Campus SC DO 3.7 500-506 496
University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine SD MD 3.82 508 496
East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine TN MD 3.78 510.74 NR
Meharry Medical College School of Medicine TN MD 3.46 503 NR
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine TN MD 3.61 512 NR
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine TN MD 3.5-4.0 509-528 NR
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine TN DO 3.5 501 NR
Baylor College of Medicine TX MD 3.92 518 NR
TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine TX MD 3.66 509 NR
Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine TX MD 3.86 513 NR
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine TX MD 3.8 509 NR
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine – Lubbock TX MD 3.9 512 NR
University of Houston College of Medicine TX MD 3.59 506 NR
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School TX MD 3.78 514 NR
University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine TX MD 3.8 511 NR
University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston TX MD 3.84 512 NR
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine TX MD 3.69 508 495
University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio TX MD 3.86 517.64 NR
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School TX MD 3.83 517 NR
Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine TX DO 3.65 506 NR
University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine TX DO 3.6 503 NR
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine TX DO 3.81 508.7 NR
University of Utah School of Medicine UT MD 3.87 514 500
Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine UT DO 3.47 504 500
Eastern Virginia Medical School VA MD 3.5 513 NR
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine VA MD 3.7 512 NR
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute VA MD 3.6 512 NR
University of Virginia School of Medicine VA MD 3.87 518.41 NR
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia Campus VA DO 3.7 502 494
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine VA DO 3.4 504 501
The University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine VT MD 3.7 511 NR
University of Washington School of Medicine WA MD 3.75 511 NR
Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine WA MD 3.59 507.5 NR
Pacific Northwestern University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine WA DO 3.6 504 NR
Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine WV MD 3.66 503 496
West Virginia University School of Medicine WV MD 3.8 511 NR
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine WV DO 3.53 504 495
Medical College of Wisconsin WI MD 3.75 511 NR
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health WI MD 3.69 511 NR

What is included in the GPA used on your medical school application?

Your GPA for medical school application purposes consists of your science GPA, non-science GPA, and your cumulative GPA. 

Your science GPA is based on grades from medical school prerequisite courses like biology, chemistry, physics, and math, often referred to as “BCPM” (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics) by the AMCAS. Your non-science GPA is based on grades from all other courses. 

While the overall GPA provides a general idea of your academic performance, your science GPA specifically reflects how capable you are in the health sciences, which is particularly important to admissions committees.

Learn more about acceptance rates and your chances of getting into your preferred school with our chance predictor.

How to Get into Med School with a Lower GPA

Getting into medical school with a lower GPA is possible, but you’ll probably need to put in extra work to stand out as an applicant. The good news is that applicants who fall below national GPA averages can still be accepted if they excel in other components of their applications.

Medical schools understand that each applicant is unique. That’s why they take subjective aspects of an application into account, like your extracurricular involvement, research experience, and personal qualities. 

Here are 6 strategies to get into med school if you have a less-than-stellar GPA.

1. Focus on extracurriculars.

Medical schools value well-rounded applicants who demonstrate a commitment to the field of healthcare. Engage in meaningful extracurricular activities such as clinical experience, volunteer work in hospitals or clinics, participation in research projects, and community service.

Physician shadowing is another great option to gain on-site experience in the specialties you’re interested in. Aim for 100-150 shadowing hours if possible.

These experiences can showcase your dedication, passion, and unique qualities beyond your GPA. Leadership positions or active involvement in student organizations can also illustrate your teamwork and management skills, which are highly valued in the healthcare industry.

2. Get a high MCAT score.

A good MCAT score can counterbalance a low GPA. Getting a high score on this standardized test will prove to the admissions committee that you’re capable of handling the academic rigor of medical school, despite your lower-than-average GPA.

The average MCAT score for matriculants in the 2022-2023 year was 511.9 — and it keeps going up. For now, that’s the score to beat if your GPA is less than impressive. Be sure to prepare thoroughly, using resources like MCAT prep courses, practice tests, and studying the coursework extensively.

If you know you’re likely to struggle with the MCAT, hire a tutor before your first test attempt. You can certainly retake the exam, but several do-overs may give a negative impression to admissions committees.

Want your best shot at acing the MCAT and getting into your preferred school? Learn more about how we can help you boost your MCAT score.

3. Submit glowing letters of recommendation.

Strong letters of recommendation can provide a holistic perspective of your capabilities and potential as a future physician.

Cultivate relationships with professors, healthcare professionals, and mentors who can speak to your academic abilities, personal qualities, and dedication to the field. Choose recommenders who know you well and can provide meaningful insights into your strengths.

4. Write a strong personal statement.

Your medical school personal statement is your chance to tell your story, share your motivations for pursuing medicine, and highlight experiences that shaped you. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with the admissions committee on a personal level and make a lasting impression. 

Make sure your essay is well-crafted, sincere, and reflects your commitment to becoming a medical professional. The best personal statements use storytelling to communicate why you’re pursuing this career and point to your passions and soft skills that can’t be defined by a test.

5. Prepare for med school interviews.

If you receive an interview invitation, make sure to thoroughly prepare

Research the medical school, practice answering common interview questions, and reflect on your experiences and goals. Present yourself confidently, articulately, and passionately during the interview to demonstrate your potential as a medical student.

Interviews are an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for medicine and explain any academic shortcomings. Use this platform to articulate why you believe you’ll succeed in med school and make a significant contribution to the healthcare field. 

A low GPA is a potential red flag that admissions committee members will most certainly ask you about during an interview. Be ready to discuss your GPA openly and honestly, and explain what you’ve learned from the experience.

6. Boost your GPA.

Consider ways to improve your GPA. This could mean retaking courses where you underperformed or enrolling in a post-baccalaureate program designed to help pre-med students enhance their academic records.

Can a student with a 3.5 GPA get into medical school? Yes, with a well-rounded application highlighting other strengths, it’s still possible to get into medical school with a GPA of 3.5 (or even lower).

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn how we can help boost your chances of success getting into medical school.

Key Takeaways

A competitive GPA is vital for medical school admission. Strive for a GPA of 3.6 or higher, particularly in science courses, to increase your chances of acceptance into top-tier medical schools.

Remember that GPA is just one aspect of the holistic evaluation process. Medical schools assess applicants based on a range of factors, including extracurricular involvement, research experience, letters of recommendation, and personal qualities. 

Standing out in these areas can compensate for a slightly lower GPA and make you a strong candidate for medical school admission.

Renee Marinelli, MD

Dr. Marinelli has practiced family medicine, served on the University of California Admissions Committee, and has helped hundreds of students get into medical school. She spearheads a team of physician advisors who guide MedSchoolCoach students.