Selectivity Index

Accepted’s Selectivity Index is designed to help you assess your competitiveness as a candidate at top medical schools and programs. The tool allows you to compare key admissions criteria for different programs, including average overall GPA, average science GPA, and average MCAT score, providing valuable insight into the relative difficulty of gaining admission at your target programs and positioning you to make more-informed application decisions.

Peruse the following table, and then read on to understand the relative importance of the criteria presented and how each one factors into your candidacy. Then, take our Medical School Admissions Quiz to evaluate your readiness and learn how to strengthen your application strategy.

While subjective and qualitative factors are crucial elements of a strong medical school application, objective, quantitative metrics are equally important in both the admissions process and determining where you should apply.

Medical schools’ acceptance rates, average GPAs, and average MCAT scores are key factors that can influence your application’s success. Many schools use these metrics as initial screening tools before releasing secondary applications, while others view them as indicators of an applicant’s potential for academic success in medical school and on licensing exams. Understanding these statistics can help you make more-informed decisions when selecting programs to apply to.

In a survey conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), admissions officers at 178 allopathic medical schools identified the top academic criteria in their admissions decisions:

1. Total MCAT score
2. Cumulative undergraduate and/or postbaccalaureate GPA
3. Cumulative BCPM GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math), also known as the “science GPA”

When assessing your competitiveness for medical school admissions, these are the most critical statistics to consider:

1. Median MCAT score for matriculants
2. Median undergraduate GPA for matriculants
3. Overall, in-state, and out-of-state acceptance rates

Accepted has compiled the 2024 acceptance rates for U.S. medical schools, including a breakdown of in-state and out-of-state acceptance trends. With our interactive table, you can explore median MCAT scores, median undergraduate GPAs, and acceptance rate differentials based on residency status.

Leveraging Your Academic Profile to Strategically Select Medical Schools

When determining which medical schools to apply to, you must start by assessing your academic profile in relation to each program’s acceptance rates. For the 2023 admissions cycle, allopathic medical school acceptance rates varied significantly, ranging from 1.20% at Northeast Ohio Medical University to 16.98% at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. While these individual program rates might seem daunting, the overall acceptance landscape provides a more encouraging perspective.

In the 2023 cycle, 52,577 unique applicants applied to allopathic (MD) medical schools, and 22,981 ultimately matriculated – resulting in an overall acceptance rate of 43.7%. This figure does not account for applicants who chose to enroll in osteopathic (DO) medical programs, further expanding opportunities for aspiring physicians. However, the reality remains that the majority of MD applicants in any given year do not ultimately secure admission to a program.

To optimize your chances of acceptance, it is crucial to apply primarily to schools where your academic credentials (GPA and MCAT score) are equal to or higher than the program’s medians. Although it is advisable to include a few aspirational “dream schools” on your application list, you should also include institutions where you are more competitive and would be genuinely excited to attend. Avoid applying solely to schools where you are a less-competitive candidate without first determining that the programs truly align with your educational and professional goals.

Keep in mind that median statistics represent a midpoint, meaning that schools admit applicants whose scores are above the median and applicants whose scores fall below the median. However, the further your scores deviate from the median – especially if both your GPA and MCAT score are below average – the lower your chances of acceptance.

Additionally, take into account the impact of in-state versus out-of-state acceptance rates when selecting target schools. Public medical schools often prioritize in-state applicants and might offer lower tuition for residents. Applying to in-state medical schools, as well as private institutions and out-of-state programs where you have strong connections, can therefore improve your chances of admission.

By strategically selecting schools based on your academic profile and institutional preferences, you can maximize your likelihood of acceptance and ensure a strong fit for your medical education.

Why are GPA, MCAT scores, and acceptance rates important when applying to medical school?

The GPA

Your undergraduate GPA reflects your academic performance in college over an extended period. Because a foundational admissions belief is that past behavior predicts future behavior, that number is quite important.

Medical school admissions officers need to know that you will be able to perform in a demanding academic environment, particularly in the sciences. Your GPA tells them how you have performed in the past, both overall and relative to your peers.

The GPAs in the table above are median figures. Again, applicants are accepted with GPAs that are below a school’s median and above that median. To gain a fuller understanding of the GPA range at a given school, you can check the following:

• Each school’s website
• The AAMC’s Medical School Admissions Requirements (a good investment)
• U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of Best Medical Schools

When you are assessing the competitiveness of your GPA, the median GPA provided here should be used only as an initial data point; examine the broader range of GPAs as you measure your competitiveness at particular schools.

Also consider the trend in your overall GPA, your science GPA, your postbac grades (if relevant), and any extenuating circumstances that might make your GPA look better than it is at first glance.

How does your GPA compare to the median GPA at your target medical schools?

If your GPA is equal to or higher than the median GPAs for your target schools, that’s great!

If it’s significantly lower than the median or if both your GPA and MCAT score are lower than the median, you’ll want to explore the following free resources:

• Applying to Medical Schools with Low Stats: What You Need to Know
• Boost Your GPA for Medical School Acceptance
• Get Accepted to Med School with Low Stats

The MCAT: A Standardized Measure of Academic Readiness

An applicant’s GPA provides valuable insight into their past academic performance, but it is not an entirely objective metric. Grading standards can vary across institutions, professors, and teaching assistants, introducing a degree of subjectivity.

In contrast, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) provides a standardized and consistent measure for medical schools to use when evaluating applicants. Because all aspiring medical students – whether applying to MD or DO programs – take the MCAT, it serves as a common benchmark for comparison.

Furthermore, MCAT scores have been shown to correlate with performance on critical licensing exams, including the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK. Admissions committees seek candidates who are not only able to manage the rigorous medical school curriculum but also likely to succeed in these high-stakes assessments.

Key Considerations When Evaluating Your MCAT Score

• Score Distribution: A strong overall MCAT score can be offset by a significantly low section score, which could raise concerns for admissions committees. 
• Multiple Attempts: Medical schools have varying policies on multiple MCAT attempts. Some consider only a candidate’s highest score, others take the average of all of an applicant’s scores, and some prioritize the candidate’s most recent score while assessing score trends over time.

Understanding how medical schools interpret MCAT scores can help applicants make informed decisions about retaking the exam and selecting schools that align with their academic profile.

How does your MCAT score compare to the median score at your target medical schools?

If you have an MCAT score that you are satisfied with, that’s fantastic! Check the exam off your medical application to-do list. But if you are not satisfied with your MCAT score, here are some helpful resources for you:

• 3 Ways to Deal with a Low MCAT Score
• Tips for Applicants with a Low MCAT Score
• Applying with Low Stats

Allopathic Medical Schools with the Highest Median MCAT Scores

Allopathic Medical Schools with the Lowest Median MCAT Scores

Clearly there’s a significant range in median MCAT scores at different schools. Not only that, but some applicants are admitted with MCAT scores below the median.

In-State versus Out-of-State Medical School Acceptance Rates

Understanding In-State Preferences

Before applying to medical schools, it is essential to determine whether your state’s medical schools prioritize in-state applicants. Most public medical schools, and some private institutions that receive state funding, strongly favor in-state candidates. This preference is often reflected in significantly higher acceptance rates for in-state applicants, sometimes two to four times higher than for out-of-state candidates.

Certain medical schools, such as the University of Mississippi, Mercer University, Brody School of Medicine, and the University of California, Riverside, exclusively admit in-state applicants or, in rare cases, individuals with strong ties to the state or region.

If your state’s medical school has a pronounced preference for in-state applicants and your academic credentials align with those presented in its class profile, applying to that school is strongly advised. In-state applicants often also benefit from lower tuition costs and proximity to family and support networks.

Considering Out-of-State Programs

Applicants in states with a limited number of medical schools or a highly competitive applicant pool (e.g., California) should seriously consider out-of-state medical schools. Broadening your search to include out-of-state programs can significantly increase your chances of acceptance.

Maximizing Your Admissions Strategy with the In-State Advantage Tool

To streamline your school selection process, we have created our In-State Advantage Tool, which highlights the extent of in-state preference at various institutions:

• Schools where the in-state acceptance rate is at least four times higher than the out-of-state rate are categorized as having a “Huge” in-state preference. Out-of-state applicants have minimal odds of acceptance at these institutions.
• Schools with little to no difference in acceptance rates between in-state and out-of-state applicants are more accessible to nonresidents.

By sorting the data based on Out-of-State Acceptance Rates, In-State vs. Out-of-State Ratios, or the In-State Advantage Index, you can quickly identify schools where your application is most competitive. However, it is worth noting that institutions with the least preference for in-state applicants often tend to be among the most selective overall.

Taking the time to research and strategically select schools based on residency preferences will help you maximize your chances of acceptance and ensure a strong alignment with your educational and financial goals.

Medical Schools That Strongly Prefer In-State Applicant

School	State	Overall Acceptance Rate	In-State Acceptance Rate	Out-of-State Acceptance Rate
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine	AR	16.98%	60.63%	1.57%
Robert Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont	VT	5.12%	58.54%	4.46%
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine	OK	13.11%	57.19%	1.76%
Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine	WV	6.16%	56.95%	2%
University of New Mexico School of Medicine	NM	7.11%	53.30%	1%
West Virginia University School of Medicine	WV	3.40%	49.21%	2%
Indiana University School of Medicine	IN	10.49%	47.08%	5.47%
University of Nebraska Medical Center	NE	8.64%	46.92%	3%
University of Kansas School of Medicine	KS	8.62%	43.19%	3.25%
University of Iowa Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine	IA	8.87%	41.78%	5.77%
University of Louisville School of Medicine	KY	5.26%	40.47%	2%
University of Kentucky College of Medicine	KY		40.21%	2%
Medical University of South Carolina	SC	6.34%	37.71%	0.84%
University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine	AL	6.59%	36.28%	2.36%
University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia	SC	7.87%	35.17%	2.24%
University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine	HI	4.40%	32.68%	1%
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine	TN	9.76%	31.55%	2.74%
University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville	SC		31.01%	4%
University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine	MO	8.23%	29.41%	2.88%
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University	GA	12.01%	29.41%	1%
University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine	NV	6.01%	29.17%	1%
University of Minnesota Medical School	MN	6.77%	28.29%	3%
University of Connecticut School of Medicine	CT	5.03%	28.09%	2%
Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine	OR		27.60%	1%
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine	MO	10.58%	27.27%	5.42%
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine	PA	6.95%	24.77%	3.48%
Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine	OH	6.98%	24.18%	2.73%

Allopathic Medical Schools with the Highest Out-of-State Acceptance Rates

School	State	Overall Acceptance Rate	Out-of-State Acceptance Rate
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine	FL	8.68%	10%
University of Virginia School of Medicine	VA	10.69%	10%
Wayne State University School of Medicine	WI	9.16%	7%
University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry	NY	5.94%	6%
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine	MD		6%
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine	OH	6.38%	6%
Hofstra University/Northwell Health (Zucker School of Medicine)	NY	7.90%	6%
Hackensack-Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall Univ	NJ	8.79%	6%
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School	MA	8.80%	6%
Saint Louis University School of Medicine	MO	7.26%	6%

Navigating the Medical School Admissions Process

Medical schools tend to have a limited number of seats and a highly competitive applicant pool, making them incredibly selective. Admissions statistics play a critical role in the application process, which is why we recommend using the tools we provide to identify the 20-30 programs where you are most likely to be accepted. Making informed decisions about where to apply can save you significant time, money, and stress.

However, choosing the right schools requires going beyond the statistics. In addition to considering academic metrics, it is essential to look at such factors as institutional mission, values, and overall fit to ensure that a program aligns with your goals and aspirations. A successful application also demands that you pay attention to qualitative elements, including your personal statement, secondary essays, and interview performance.

Expert Guidance for a Competitive Application

You do not have to navigate this complex process alone. With extensive experience and industry insights, our medical school admissions advisors can provide a personalized strategy to help you strengthen your application and guide you to success at your target medical schools.

Whether you need assistance with selecting the right schools, addressing weaknesses in your candidacy, crafting compelling primary and secondary applications, or any other aspect of the application process, Accepted’s consultants help you present your best self and maximize your chances of acceptance.

About the Medical School Selectivity Index

The Selectivity Index uses data from the most recent U.S. News & World Report rankings, including median MCAT scores, median undergraduate GPAs, and acceptance rates for the schools’ program entrants.

The Selectivity Index for each school is calculated as follows:

1. First, the Selectivity Score is determined using the following formula:
   (MCAT Score) x (GPA) x (1 – Acceptance Rate)
2. Then, the Selectivity Index is calculated using the following formula:
   100 x Selectivity Score / (the highest Selectivity Score)

The Selectivity Index is not provided for Western University of Health Sciences because key data are not available. For Touro University California and the California University of Science and Medicine, the average MCAT score presented on the schools’ websites were used for the programs’ median MCAT scores.