Getting into medical school is not easy. Medical schools set high standards with demanding requirements and rigorous selection processes. This is not surprising given that students who enroll in their program will be making life and death decisions after graduation. This is an enormous responsibility and medical schools go to great lengths to accept only those students who have what it takes to meet the challenges inherent in any healthcare profession.
In going through the list of the easiest medical schools to get into, keep in mind that they are only comparatively the easiest to get accepted into. That does not in any way imply that they are easy to get into. Prospective students need to meet stringent minimum requirements and go through an extensive selection process to get into any medical school.
What Makes A Medical School Easy To Get Into?
It would be very difficult to pinpoint any one factor that makes a school easy to get into. There are several different factors that could impact your chances of med school acceptance. Moreover, what may be an easy medical school to get into for you may not be that easy for another student.
These are some of the factors we took into consideration when compiling this list of easiest medical schools to get into.
1. Higher Acceptance Rates
Acceptance rate compares the total number of students that apply to the number of students that are accepted. Colleges with higher acceptance rates are generally considered easier to get into as they are less competitive. A higher acceptance rate does not necessarily equate to a lower quality education.
Generally, colleges with higher acceptance rates have a more inclusive admissions policy that increases applicants’ chances of securing a spot. One advantage of attending such institutions is that they offer a more diverse learning environment, which can set a strong foundation to a career in medicine.
2. Lower Average GPA and MCAT Score
Schools that accept students with lower average GPAs and MCAT scores are easier to get into. The lower scores lower the barriers to admission for students with less than stellar GPAs or MCAT score, increasing their chances of getting accepted. As with acceptance rate, lower average scores do not mean the institution has a lower quality of education. Instead, some medical schools keep their minimum GPA and MCAT scores low as they value other attributes that go beyond academic or standardized test scores.
3. In-State Residency
In-state residency is one of the factors that influence admissions decisions. State-funded medical schools in general give priority to in-state resident, giving you an admission advantage if you apply to schools in your state of residence. This is a distinct example of a medical school being easy to get into for some students while being difficult for others. When you’re looking for easiest medical schools to get into, consider capitalizing on your in-state residency and apply to medical schools in your state.
10 Easiest Medical Schools To Get Into
1. San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
- Campus: Caguas PR
- College Type: Private not-for-profit
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- SAT Score: —
- Annual Degrees Awarded: 58
- Estimated Net Price: $8,784
2. University of South Dakota
- Campus: Vermillion, SD
- College Type: Public, 4-year or above
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- SAT Score: 1,010 – 1,220
- Annual Degrees Awarded: 64
- Estimated Net Price: $18,378
3. University of Mississippi
- Campus: University, MS
- College Type: Public, 4-year or above
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- SAT Score: 1,100 – 1.320
- Annual Degrees Awarded: 159
- Estimated Net Price: $14,289
4. Marshall University
- Campus: Huntington, WV
- College Type: Public, 4-year or above
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- SAT Score: 980 – 1,190
- Annual Degrees Awarded: 69
- Estimated Net Price: $8,756
5. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
- Campus: Albuquerque, NM
- College Type: Public, 4-year or above
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- SAT Score: 970 – 1,210
- Annual Degrees Awarded: 116
- Estimated Net Price: $10,633
6. Wright State University- Main Campus
- Campus: Dayton, OH
- College Type: Public, 4-year or above
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- SAT Score: 930 – 1,180
- Annual Degrees Awarded: 119
- Estimated Net Price: $15,650
7. University of Kentucky
- Campus: Lexington, KY
- College Type: Public, 4-year or above
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- SAT Score: 1.080 – 1,310
- Annual Degrees Awarded: 159
- Estimated Net Price: $18,693
8. California Northstate University
- Campus: Elk Grove, CA
- College Type: Private for-profit, 4-year or above
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- SAT Score: —
- Annual Degrees Awarded: 84
- Estimated Net Price: $68,994
9. East Carolina University
- Campus: Greenville, NC
- College Type: Public, 4-year or above
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- SAT Score: 1,020 – 1,180
- Annual Degrees Awarded: 84
- Estimated Net Price: $14,410
10. University of Toledo
- Campus: Toledo, OH
- College Type: Public, 4-year or above
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- SAT Score: 1,080 – 1,310
- Annual Degrees Awarded: 178
- Estimated Net Price: $17,654
Medical School Admission Requirements
Although every institution sets its own unique admission requirements, the basic medical school requirements typically include a bachelor’s degree, minimum undergrad GPA, high MCAT scores, completion of prerequisite courses, and outstanding letters of recommendation. Many also look for clinical experience and relevant extracurricular activities.
Here’s a breakdown of the basic medical school application requirements.
Education Qualifications
All medical school applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college. Although the major you choose does not matter, these college courses that are mandatory prerequisites for admissions.
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- English
- Physics
- Math
Majoring in biological sciences will boost your chances of getting into medical school as the curriculum includes all the mandatory admission prerequisites.
Minimum GPA
Overall, medical school requires prospective students to maintain a high undergrad GPA. However, the minimum requirements vary among institutions. In weighing GPA, medical schools take into consideration overall GPA, science GPA, and GPA in non-science classes. Every school has its own way of deciding how much weight to give each type of GPA.
Most medical schools set their minimum acceptable GPA as 3.0. Very few accept GPAs as low as 2.5. Those that set lower minimum GPA requirements are generally the easiest medical schools to get into. Keep in mind, your average GPA for science classes weigh more than your GPA for non-science classes. So even if your overall GPA is low, you still stand a good chance of getting accepted if your average GPA for science classes is high.
High MCAT Score
MCAT stands for Medical College Admission Test. This is a standardized test that all medical school applicants must complete to indicate their preparedness for the program. Your MCAT score is a critical factor that admissions committees consider when assessing your application and deciding whether to interview you.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) the average MCAT score for students who attended medical school in 2021 – 2022 was 511.9. The higher your MCAT score the better your chances of getting into the medical school of your choice.
Extracurriculars
The extracurricular activities you’ve participated in speak volumes about your passions and interests outside the classroom. Admissions panels look for students who have experiences in activities that demonstrate their commitment to serving others and to advancing healthcare.
These extracurriculars will boost your chances of admission:
- Physician shadowing
- Community service
- Volunteering in underserved communities
- Clinical experience
- Internship in a healthcare setting
- Research
Letters of Recommendation
Medical schools may ask for anywhere from 2 to 4 letters of recommendation. A strong recommendation letter can go a long way in helping you secure a coveted spot. Admissions panels often use these letters as a deciding factor when choosing between two candidates who are equally qualified in all other ways.
When choosing who to ask to write your letter of recommendation, consider someone who can speak to your strengths, abilities, and commitment. This could be your undergrad professor, a pre-med advisor, a doctor you shadowed or volunteered with, or your school’s pre-med office.
With understanding the basic medical school admission requirements, let’s talk about what makes a school easy to get into.
Tips for Getting Into Medical School
As we said earlier, getting into medical school is not easy. Whether you’re applying to easiest medical schools to get into or schools that are considered more competitive, here are some things you can do to strengthen your application.
- Choose a major you are interested in: Choosing a major you excel in is key to doing well and maintaining a high GPA, making you a more attractive candidate even in medical schools that are easy to get into. Make sure you complete the perquisite courses for admission.
- Volunteer in your community: Volunteering demonstrates your dedication to serving others in your community. While any volunteering experience is counts, volunteering in a healthcare setting can be especially valuable.
- Get medical experience on your resume: Although not mandatory, this will show admissions panels that you are committed to pursuing a career in medicine.
- Participate in research projects: Research experience can give you the competitive edge and set you apart from other applicants who lack this component. This is important if you’re interested in a career in academic medicine or medical research.
- Prepare to ace the MCAT: Your MCAT score plays an important role in getting accepted into medical school. To prepare for the MCAT, familiarize yourself with the test timing and format, start studying early, set a study schedule, and take a few practice tests to track your progress and check your readiness.
Easiest Medical Schools to Get Into – Your Next Steps
When creating your shortlist of medical schools to apply to, don’t limit your options to those that appear easy to get into. Apply to multiple schools to increase your chances of getting accepted. Research specific requirements and shortlist schools whose admissions criteria you meet. Make sure to choose an equal ratio of reach, match, and safety medical schools. Putting the easy-to-get-into schools in the safety category will act as a great backup if you don’t get accepted at your first-choice medical school.
Looking for help with making your shortlist of medical schools to apply to? Use College Raptor to discover personalized college matches, cost estimates, acceptance odds, and potential financial aid for medical schools around the US—for FREE!
