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Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 6/20/24
Stick around for our list of the easiest med schools to get into in 2024.
Are you struggling to get your grades up before applying to medical school? You’re not the first! Getting started can feel overwhelming and sometimes downright impossible, depending on your academic standing.
For those seeking a smoother path to their dreams, it’s important to consider all the options and identify schools with less taxing requirements. We’ll delve into the easiest medical schools to get into based on their median GPAs, MCAT requirements, acceptance rates, and more.
While getting into medical school will require good grades and persistence, no matter what schools you apply to, there are some schools with more easily achievable expectations than others. Before we dive into our list of medical schools, let’s go over the basics.
There are a few main factors we use to determine what makes a medical school easier to get into than others. Here are the statistics we look at to determine the level of difficulty of gaining acceptance to a particular medical school.
The first factor we consider when determining how challenging it is to get into a medical school is the median GPA and minimum GPA requirements. Most schools use an unweighted GPA scale, so we will use the same for our list.
There are plenty of medical schools with average median GPAs that fall into the category of “below average.” According to the AAMC, the US average GPA for medical school applicants is 3.62 across the US. That said, our list focuses mainly on medical schools that accept students with a GPA of 3.6 or below.
The second factor we take into account is a med school’s median MCAT score. Keep in mind that what certain schools consider a “low” MCAT score won’t look the same for other schools. For our list, we’ll be focusing on US averages.
The total average MCAT score for US med school applicants is currently 506, with scores ranging between 125.8 and 127.5 across sections. In order to maintain the most regularity possible, our list considers only total MCAT scores below 506 as “below average.”
If you’re concerned about having a low MCAT score but don’t have time to retake the test, there are also MCAT-optional medical schools you can consider. Below is a list of US MD programs that do not have an MCAT requirement:
Finally, we’ll take a look at a school’s acceptance rate to determine how tough your competition will be. A medical school’s acceptance rate refers to the percentage of students who were accepted out of the total students who applied in one admissions cycle. Keep in mind that acceptance rates do not equal matriculation rates.
When looking at schools with below-average requirements, you may want to consider the school's ranking and make sure that each school you apply to is an accredited medical school. Now, without further adieu, here’s our list of the easiest MD-granting medical schools to get into in the US.
If you’re considering a degree in osteopathic medicine, you’re in luck! Generally speaking, DO schools represent some of the easiest medical schools to get accepted to. However, many also have lower acceptance rates due to small class sizes. Here, we’ll take a look at some DO schools that are easy to get into compared to average US statistics.
To recap, the average GPA for US med students is 3.62, and the average MCAT is 506.5. Like our MD school list, we will be taking a look at DO schools that have GPA and MCAT scores below these national averages.
Now that we’ve gone over what medical schools are the easiest to get into, let’s talk about which ones you should apply to.
If you have low grades and/or MCAT scores, you may be wondering if any school that will accept you is worth going to. The answer to this question completely depends on your personal career goals.
Ultimately, your medical school journey will take up a significant amount of time and impact your future. You should make sure that you can actually see yourself attending whichever schools you apply to. If your dream schools are unrealistic based on your academics, it may be worth waiting and applying again in a year.
You should consider the specialty you want to be a part of and the residency program you plan to attend. For example, plastic surgery residencies are highly competitive compared to family medicine programs. If you decide to attend a school with below-average requirements, chances are you won’t be able to attend top-tier residency or fellowship programs later on.
If you’re not quite sure what specialty you should go after, consider taking our quiz to help you find one that’s right for you:
That said, if your goals do not involve attending these programs, there’s no reason to shy away from schools that are easier to get into. You should just make sure that whichever school you attend is accredited by the LCME and that you can practice medicine in your desired country of residence.
The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) is an organization that has been appointed by the US Department of Education to determine the credibility of MD programs since 1965. The LCME is sponsored by the AAMC but operates independently, and uses a combination of 12 rigorous standards to grant accreditation to US medical schools.
Without accreditation, your MD degree may not be enough to qualify you for residency programs or US/state licensure. You should always make sure that whichever school you attend has been accredited by the LCME as a base standard before applying.
If your target school is highly competitive, it may be a good idea to take a serious look at your application materials. Working with an experienced med school admissions coach can help you strengthen your application and get into your dream school.
Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s how Inspira Advantage helped Naresh get accepted into 5 MD programs!
Doing thorough research on each medical school you apply to is a crucial step in your final decision. Remember, your school of choice can significantly impact your educational experience and future career in medicine. While looking for more accessible options, you may be wondering: “is this medical school still considered a good school?”
The first step in your detective work should be considering key factors beyond the admission requirements. Here are some factors you can use as reference points to help you decide if a med school suits your ambitions:
As mentioned above, LCME accreditation is a must for any medical school you may apply to.
Medical school is a major financial decision, so you should make sure you’re getting enough bang for your buck! Take a look at each school’s curriculum structures, teachers, and values. A good med school curriculum will offer a balance between classroom instruction, clinical experience, and research opportunities.
Consider what is important to you as a student. How do you learn best? Does the school offer hands-on training opportunities? Do they have up-to-date equipment? The best medical school for you won’t look the same as it might for someone else. No matter what, a good med school will have experienced staff, great educational opportunities, and a good student-to-faculty ratio.
It’s crucial that your program has excellent residency placement rates to ensure you’ll be well set up for your next steps. Learn about the affiliations each target school has with hospitals, clinics, and healthcare institutions around the US.
Examining a school's track record for residency placements and employment is also a critical step toward launching your medical career.
If you know which medical specialty you want to matriculate into later on, it might make doing your research even easier. Don’t worry, it’s completely normal to be undecided at this stage in the process. However, med schools are often known for having certain programs that are better than others.
So, take a look at the residency placement rates and program reviews that are specific to the specialties you are interested in.
Wherever you decide to go to medical school - you’ll be there for a while! Even though the location of a school doesn’t necessarily lend itself to the strength of its programs, you should consider how it will impact your quality of life. For example, if you prefer wide open spaces for mental clarity, you may want to look at rural schools rather than ones in downtown areas.
The local scene can also impact your work/life balance throughout your degree. Consider the nearby locations for studying, going out with friends, and buying necessities.
There are several trusted online blogs that consistently update their medical school rankings, some of which include US News, QS World Rankings, and Inspira Advantage. Ranking systems typically take into account the quality of programs, resources available, acceptance rates, and much more to turn out their lists.
While ranking isn’t everything, it can be a good place to start, especially if you know what specialty you plan on matriculating into later on. Certain schools have better rankings according to the opportunities they offer in relation to each medical specialty. For example, US News offers rankings for the best medical schools in research, family medicine, and many more.
Student testimonials can be an excellent way to learn what to expect. Websites such as Quora, Student Doctor Network, and Reddit all have servers dedicated to students asking questions and reviewing schools. Of course, everyone’s experience is different, but past students will be able to give you a sense of the staff, campus life, and student support like none other.
Although you may not think so right away, the level of student support a school provides can have a major impact on your overall experience. While researching medical schools that are easy to get into, take a look at the counseling services, career development programs, and academic advising resources each one offers to students.
Still looking for answers? Take a look at our frequently asked questions concerning the easiest med schools to get into below. If you have questions about how to improve your application, book a free consultation with us to discover how we can help you get into med school.
The University of Mississippi School of Medicine is widely considered the easiest medical school to get into due to its abnormally high acceptance rate. The school has boasted an acceptance rate of 53% over the years (currently 43%) and has relatively low minimum GPA and MCAT requirements.
Other schools with high acceptance rates are East Carolina University's Brody School of Medicine, the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, which also report above-average acceptance rates.
North Dakota and Mississippi are both considered to be states with easier medical school requirements and above-average acceptance rates. In a recent cycle, the University of North Dakota's School of Medicine & Health Sciences accepted 28% of applicants, while the University of Mississippi Medical Center accepted a whopping 53%.
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 of around 2.5, but these are less common.
Every medical specialty presents unique challenges; however, family medicine is generally considered the easiest MD to become. This is because it takes less time than most other specialties and doesn’t require as much intense training as other programs, such as general surgery.
Getting into medical school is challenging; however, some schools have higher acceptance rates and lower academic requirements that might increase your chances of acceptance. It’s important to remember that "easier" is a relative term in the context of medical school admissions; it’s important to remain committed to the quality of your education.
When choosing a school, consider its accreditation, available programs, and opportunities, and fit for a fulfilling medical education. If you’re still not sure which school is best for you after considering all these factors, taking our quiz can help push you in the right direction!
With determination and thorough school research, you’ll have no problem navigating your way toward a fulfilling future in medicine.
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