
Medical schools have a reputation for being competitive and very expensive. To even be admitted into a medical school, applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance and earn competitive MCAT test scores. And, many potential medical students prefer to attend prestigious universities, which further drives the competition for those schools.
Using college acceptance rates, Student Major created a ranked list of the easiest medical schools to get into. We also provide an overview of what to expect from medical school, including the cost and average program length.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, medical schools get an average of 815,000 applications annually. This means that there are lots of candidates who submit tons of applications to several medical schools, increasing the competition.
Knowing these stats for some of the easiest medical schools to get into will help your application process massively, and save you some time doing the difficult research yourself.
Easiest Medical Schools to Get Into
1. University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Starting the list is the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. The medical school has one of the highest acceptance rates. 37% acceptance rate. The university is located in Jackson City and offers students a variety of degree programs in the field of medicine and healthcare.
Tuition rates can rise dramatically from $408/hour to $1,143/hour and are highly dependent on whether the applicant is in-state or not.
The University Hospital is known to have a Level 1 trauma centre and also a Level 4 neonatal center.
Students in the field of medicine can have access to several health centers in the area. Bearing in mind how low the acceptance rates of medical schools can be, this university of Mississippi School of medicine is one of the medical schools with the highest acceptance rate, making it the easiest medical schools to get into.
Their MD program is 4 years, and there is also an option to pursue a joint MD/Ph.D. program that lasts 7 years.
The school enrolls about 407 students and accepts 37% of applicants. The average GPA of getting admitted into the University of Mississippi School of Medicine is 3.6 with MCAT scores averaging around 504.
2. University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
The University of North Dakota’s School of Medicine & Health Sciences offers eight healthcare programs, including the state’s only four-year MD program. This is the oldest university in North Dakota, and they partner with clinical facilities throughout the state where students can train after their second year.
The university accepts about 28% of medical school applicants, making it one of the easiest medical schools to get into. They also strive to offer educational opportunities for American Indian students by pledging to accept a certain percentage of qualifying applicants each year.
Students must submit MCAT scores, and experiences and attributes portfolio, and letters of recommendation. The admissions department does not have a minimum MCAT score, but all applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Students can expect to pay $16,151 per year if they live in North Dakota, while out-of-state students are expected to pay $26,694 per year.
3. University of Massachusetts Medical School
The University of Massachusetts Medical School which is situated in Worcester offers training in several medical disciplines but accentuates on primary care specialties. The school offers MD and MD/Ph.D. programs to both in-state and out-of-state residents.
The university partners with two acute care hospitals and maintains relationships with various community hospitals and health centres in the region. Students typically complete clinical requirements at one of these locations.
The university accepts 23% of applicants. All potential students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and submit MCAT scores and letters of recommendation. They must also complete an interview. Academic requirements for getting into the University of Massachusetts Medical School include Physics with a lab, Biology or Zoology with a lab, one semester of Calculus, two semesters of English Composition, one semester of Statistics, and a sequence of Chemistry courses.
The school does not set MCAT or GPA cutoffs, but the average medical student has an MCAT score in the 88th percentile and a 3.7 GPA.
Students can expect to pay $34,600 per year if they live in-state, while out-of-state students are expected to pay $59,400 per year.
4. Central Michigan University College of Medicine
The Central Michigan University school of medicine is located in Mt Pleasant, Michigan. The University provides the opportunity for prospective students to study in a great environment where they can enjoy outdoor sports and adventures.
The MD program is 4 years long and with a prerequisite for basic science knowledge, two semesters of organic chemistry, and two semesters of biological science with labs.
In terms of admission, you need to be a US or Canadian citizen, or a permanent resident of the US or Canada, in order to be considered for admission. The university takes a holistic approach when assessing each applicant for entry into the medical school.
The school enrols about 104 students into each class of medical students, with an acceptance rate of roughly 22%.
The average GPA for accepted students is 3.7, and the minimum MCAT that is accepted is 504.
Students can expect to pay $40,070 per year if they live in-state, while out-of-state students are expected to pay $73,522 per year.
5. University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine
The University of Missouri-Kansas City school of medicine offers six medical programs with 19 specialties. Students can enrol in a six-year BA/MD program or a traditional four-year MD program. These programs integrate clinical experiences beginning in the first semester.
The university partners with six leading hospitals in the region to provide students with fieldwork opportunities.
Potential BA/MD students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and score at least 1160 on the SAT or 24 on the ACT. MD applicants must earn an MCAT score of at least 500 to be eligible.
The university enrols about 645 medical students and accepts about 20% of applicants.
Students can expect to pay $31,463 per year if they live in-state, while out-of-state students are expected to $61,052 per year.
6. LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport
Founded in 1969, LSU Health Shreveport was the first state school to offer medical education in the whole of Louisiana. The university remains the only medical school in north Louisiana and one of only three operating in the Bayou State.
LSU Health Shreveport offers joint PhD programs with Louisiana Tech for students interested in conducting research. The college also offers 43 fully accredited residency and fellowship programs.
The school accepts 20% of applicants and doesn’t use GPA or MCAT cutoffs. Nevertheless, the average student has a 3.7 GPA and a 505 MCAT score.
Students can expect to pay a low tuition fee of $20,146 per year if they live in-state, while out-of-state students are expected to $46,881 per year.
7. University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine
The University of Nevada, Reno’s School of Medicine offers a traditional MD program, a BS/MD program, and a post-baccalaureate certificate program. The school also offer students the chance to pursue dual degrees, including an MD/MPH, an MD/MBA, and an MD/Ph.D.
The university boasts of a small community feel, maintaining a 3-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, and students begin working in clinical environments from their first year.
In-state applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 and a 497 or higher MCAT score. Out-of-state applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.3 and an MCAT score that is 500 or higher.
The university only accepts about 12% of applicants.
Students can expect to pay a tuition fee of $29,386 per year if they live in-state, while out-of-state students are expected to $57,704 per year.
8. University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine
The university only accepts 14% of applicants. Potential students must have a minimum GPA of 3.1 and an MCAT score of at least 496.
Students can expect to pay a low tuition fee of $15, 386 per year if they live in-state, while out-of-state students are expected to $36,870 per year.
The cost of attending the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota is $15,386 for in-state residents and $36,870 for out-of-state students.
The University of South Dakota’s Sanford School of Medicine was established in 1907 and is still the only medical school in the state. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, Sanford focuses on rural family medicine to treat traditionally underserved communities, using a unique three-pillar program schedule.
Pillars one and two focus on establishing foundational knowledge of biomedical systems and beginning clinical clerkships. The final pillar gives students the opportunity to complete surgery subspecialties, electives, internships, research, and global experiences.
The medical courses and programs of the University of South Dakota Sanford school of medicine have established themselves as one of the country’s top rural medical courses. The university recently received the prestigious Spencer Foreman Award.
9. Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Having 240 students per class, the university is currently one of the largest medical schools in the U.S, offering several medical degrees across 23 departments.
The medical school accepts only 14% of applicants. The college considers an applicant’s residency, GPA, MCAT scores, and letters of recommendation. The average student at MCG has a 3.8 overall GPA and an MCAT score of 511. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and an MCAT score of at least 496 to be considered.
Students can expect to pay $28,926 per year if they live in-state, while out-of-state students are expected to $57,850 per year.
With a history spanning nearly 200 years, the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University was one of the first medical schools in the nation. The school focuses on improving healthcare in Georgia, with over 48% of graduates choosing to remain in the state to practice medicine after earning their degree.
10. University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
The university enrols 165 new medical students every year, with an acceptance rate of 15%, and over 75% of students are Oklahoma residents. The average accepted applicant has a 3.7 GPA and an MCAT score of 492.
Students can expect to pay $24,752 per year if they live in-state, while out-of-state students are expected to $56,592 per year.
The University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine offers an MD program, a physician assistant program, and several dual-degree options. Also, students who wish to complement their practice with public health knowledge can complete concurrent MPH coursework.
The college utilizes an innovative simulation centre to train students. The school allows medical students and residents to practise clinical skills on high-tech mannequins.
Applicants must have completed a semester of either Cellular Biology, Genetics, or Molecular Biology as well. Additionally, applicants must complete at least two semesters of Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Physics, and English each. Students can also take any combination of three semesters in Sociology, Psychology, Humanities, or Philosophy. The University also recommends that applicants complete courses in Biochemistry and an intensive writing or English course.
FAQs On Medical Schools
Do medical schools with higher admission rates have a lower quality of education?
No. All medical schools have very high standards of education. These schools are regularly evaluated and accredited. Rest assured that an MD from any American-accredited school will prepare you for a great medical career.
How do I choose which medical school to apply to?
When choosing which schools to apply to, make sure to check if your GPA and MCAT score meet the school’s requirements. You must at least meet the minimum standard set by the previous year’s matriculants.
Additionally, check out the school’s mission statements and program descriptions on their official websites. Through that, you can find out what kind of qualities and experiences your school of choice prefers in their students.
How hard is it really to get into medical school?
It’s quite hard. But not impossible. It’s all about meeting the requirements these schools set in place. You won’t get admitted into the easiest medical school if you don’t meet their requirements.
How Long Does It Take to Complete Medical School?
Students usually enroll in medical school after completing a bachelor’s degree in a related field. The MD program takes an average additional four years. Graduates must then complete 3-7 years of residency training.
Students pursuing a specialty may be granted additional time to earn an MD. However, some medical schools offer dual-degree opportunities like BS/MD and MD/Ph.D. programs. These allow students to complete degree requirements and qualify for early entry into the residency phase of their education.
What Are the Requirements to Get Admitted into Medical School?
The exact requirements for getting into medical school differ by program. Most schools require prerequisite coursework in core areas like chemistry, physics, biology, genetics, and psychology. Many potential medical students complete these courses while earning their bachelor’s degree.
But generally, students must typically submit:
· College transcripts
· Letters of recommendation
· MCAT scores from within the last three years
· GPA
· A resume
Some medical schools set GPA and MCAT score cutoffs, but others evaluate more than just academic performance to select candidates.