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Medical School Requirements: GPA, MCAT, and More
Getting into med school is competitive " — only 40% of applicants get accepted. Here's exactly what admissions committees look for.
Minimum Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum | Competitive |
|---|---|---|
| GPA (science) | 3.0 | 3.7+ |
| GPA (overall) | 3.2 | 3.8+ |
| MCAT | 500 | 512+ |
| Clinical hours | 50 | 200+ |
| Research hours | Optional | 500+ |
| Volunteer hours | 50 | 200+ |
Prerequisite Courses
- Biology: 2 semesters with lab
- Chemistry: 2 semesters with lab
- Organic Chemistry: 2 semesters with lab
- Physics: 2 semesters with lab
- Biochemistry: 1 semester
- English: 2 semesters
- Math/Statistics: 1 semester
The Timeline
- Freshman-Sophomore: Take prereqs, join premed club, start volunteering
- Junior: Shadow physicians, take MCAT (March-May)
- Senior: Apply (June), interview (Sept-Feb)
- Gap year (optional): Research, clinical experience, strengthen application
The acceptance math: ~55,000 applicants, ~22,000 accepted (40% acceptance rate). Top schools (Harvard, Johns Hopkins) accept <5% of applicants. State schools are your best bet " — higher acceptance rates and lower tuition. Apply broadly (15-20 schools).
⚠️ Med School Tips:
- Don't rush the MCAT " — retake if you score below 510
- Don't neglect clinical experience " — admissions want to see you've worked with patients
- Don't apply without strong letters of recommendation (2 science, 1 non-science)
- Don't ignore DO schools " — same residency match rate, easier admissions
The bottom line: Competitive applicants: 3.7+ GPA, 512+ MCAT, 200+ clinical hours, 200+ volunteer hours. Total cost: $200K-$350K for4 years. Takes8-11 years to become a licensed physician. Apply to 15-20 schools including state schools and DO programs.