We all know that medical schools are on the top list of schools with the lowest acceptance rates, and finding medical schools with high acceptance rates is one of the main priorities of prospective students.
In this article, we have put in the work to find some of the best medical schools out there with a considerably high acceptance rate that you can apply to and stand a good chance of getting accepted into the school.
We know that the medical field is a very sensitive field of study, and that is why schools that offer degrees in this field make sure that they select the best students who would be able to do well in handling the sophistication that come with the field of study.
The medical field is very sensitive because lives are at stake and it is important that the lives of people are handled by the best minds out there.
All you need to do is grab a bottle of drink and read this article to the end, you will discover some of the facts about medical programs including why academic institutions offering medical programs are so competitive to get into – the cost of medical schools and the requirements that one would need to meet before being accepted into a medical school.
Why are Medical Schools so Competitive to Get Into?
Obtaining an MD opens up a series of lucrative and rewarding opportunities for you with respect to your career.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of physicians in 2019 was more than US$200,000. In addition to providing a considerable salary, working in medicine allows you to have a positive impact on society and the lives of individual patients through practices in clinics and research.
These benefits have made the pursuit of healthcare careers popular, which has increased the competition for medical programs in different academic institutions.
According to U.S. News and World Report, the average acceptance rate for medical schools in 2019 was only 6.7%. In addition, high demand has led schools to set stricter application requirements for medical courses. These requirements make many students feel that a medical degree is difficult to obtain.
What Are the Requirements for Entering Medical School?
The exact admission requirements for medical school vary by program. Most schools require the completion of prerequisite courses in core areas such as biology, psychology, physics, chemistry and genetics. Many future medical students get to complete these courses as they obtain a bachelor’s degree.
Applicants usually must submit college transcripts, recommendation letters, MCAT scores and resumes for the past three years. Some schools set cutoffs for GPA and MCAT scores, but other schools not only evaluate academic background to select candidates.
How Much Does Medical School Cost?
Pursuing a medical degree would require a lot of resources. However, tuition fees vary from program to program.
Factors affecting the cost include the student’s residence status, the student’s enrollment status i.e whether the student is a part-time or full-time student and whether the institution is public or private.
Generally speaking, students enrolled in private and/or prestigious schools and out-of-state students pay the most tuition. Although graduating from a prestigious university will bring some benefits, the medical courses offered by many schools will not make one go bankrupt.
According to data from the American Association of Medical Colleges, the average tuition students would have to pay in public medical schools in 2022 is $32,380 per year on average for students who are in-state students and $54,500 per year for students who are out-of-state.
The average tuition for in-state students at private medical schools is $56,150 per year, and for out-of-state students is $57,390.
How Long Does It Take to Complete Medical School?
Students usually get into medical school after they have completed a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the field of medicine. The average MD program requires an additional four years. Then, graduates must complete 3-7 years of residency training.
Students who are pursuing a major may need more time to obtain an MD. However, some schools offer double degree opportunities, such as programs in BS/MD and MD/Ph.D. These programs of study allow students to complete the degree requirements at the same time and are eligible to enter the residency stage of their education in advance.
List of Medical Schools with High Acceptance Rates
Generally, medical schools have very low acceptance rates and students are always interested to know the acceptance rate of their prospective school just to have a glimpse of what the possibility of being accepted into the school is.
Below we have listed some of the medical schools with high acceptance rates; this means that compared to other academic institutions offering programs in healthcare the ones listed below are some of the easiest to get into
1. University of Mississippi School of Medicine
- GPA – 2.8 and above
- MCAT – 504 ad above
- Tuition Rate: $26,949 ins state / $62,881 out-of-state
According to the Princeton Review, the University of Mississippi School of Medicine has an acceptance rate of 53%. The school is located in Jackson City and offers students a variety of programs in the field of healthcare and medicine. When you talk about Level 1 trauma centres the University Hospital is one of them and also a Level 4 neonatal centre.
Students in the field of medicine can also use several other health centres in the area. Considering how low the acceptance rates of medical schools can be, this is one of the highest you can see.
As a student, you can take this opportunity and start your medical career in this institution as you have a very high chance of getting in.
Also Read: 21 Best Medical Schools in Australia
2. University of Missouri – Kansas School of Medicine
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 and above
- Average GPA: 3.56
- MCAT: 500 and above
- Average MCAT: 505
- Tuition fees: $31,463 IS /$61,052
The University of Missouri School of Medicine offers 6 programs in medicine with the option to concentrate on 19 specialities. If you compare this with most other medical courses, medical students in their first year have higher proximity with patients via weekly clinical experience courses.
In addition to MD courses, students can also choose BA+MD courses. The medical programs offered at the University of Missouri – Kansas School of Medicine take about 6 years to complete and have an average acceptance rate of 20%.
3. University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
According to Princeton Review, the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences acceptance is 28%. North Dakota Medical School is an old school of medicine and one of the easiest to get into. It has established multiple partnerships with other institutions to enable students to gain experience in different places.
It is known for its cutting-edge research in areas such as infectious diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, and the good thing is that they are all available to students.
In terms of enrollment, the university looks for students who are well-rounded, not only with academic achievements but also with communication and organization skills. Considering the low acceptance rates of medical schools this is one of the medical schools with the highest acceptance rates.
4. LSU Health Sciences Center – Shreveport
- GPA- 3.2 and above
- Average GPA – 3.7
- Average MCAT – 509
- Tuition Rate – $28,591.75 IS / $60,413.75
The Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center offer quality medical programs is considered some of the easiest to get into.
The academic institution was founded in Shreveport in 1969. This is the first academic institution when it comes to offering education in medicine in the whole of Louisiana. LSU Health Shreveport is an integral part of the local economy and health services.
With respect to the GPA, and MCAT requirements, including tuition fees, the Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center Shreveport School of Medicine program places this school as one of the easiest medical schools to get into. SACSCOC, ACGME and LCME, and are some of the platforms that have fully accredited this school of medicine making the programs offered by this institution globally recognised.
Also Read: 25 Colleges with High Acceptance Rate
5. The University of Oklahoma Community School of Medicine
- GPA- 3.0 and above
- Average GPA- 3.7
- MCAT- 492 and above
- Average MCAT- 508
- Tuition Rate- $24,752 in-state/$56,592 out of state
According to USNews, The University of Oklahoma has an overall acceptance rate of 75%, while the community school of Medicine has an average acceptance rate of 15%.
The school is very functional and constantly finds innovative ways to offer medical programs effectively through research, internal educational resources and collaborations with a lot of other medical and non-medical schools, including community organizations.
The University of Oklahoma Community School of Medicine is recognised by the American Society of Anesthesiologists and fully accredited by the American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institute.
6. University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
- GPA – 2.5 and above
- Average GPA- 3.7
- MCAT- 490 and above
- Average MCAT-500
- Tuition Fees – $30,380
According to different reliable sources on the internet University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine has an acceptance rate of 10.21%.
The academic institution is one of the best bilingual medical schools, as the medical college is constantly offering courses in both English and Spanish languages.
The school is a top-notch medical institution as they offer M.D. M.S. AMD PhD degree programs.
You will do biomedical science research in the first two years of your M.D. degree; then in the remaining two years, you will be directly involved in a clinical placement. Its medical school grew out of an early 20th-century battle with anaemia that affected much of Puerto Rico.
7. University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
- Median GPA: 3.83
- Median MCAT: 512
The University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center has an acceptance of 13.8%. The University is committed to the field of medicine and currently has more than 3,000 students. Research is the key advantage of the university, as it is reported that the academic institution spends about 80 million U.S. dollars each year on research.
It is among the few medical schools in the United States with high acceptance rates and offers distance learning opportunities.
8. University of Virginia School of Medicine
- GPA- 3.84 and above
- Average GPA- 3.7
- MCAT- 517.76 and above
- Average MCAT- 508
- Tuition Fees – $48,416
According to reports, the University of Virginia has an acceptance rate of 10.33%. It was founded by Thomas Jefferson, and its medical school is reportedly one of the medical schools with high acceptance rates in the United States. You can read the University of Virginia School of Medicine report about its previous admission process.
The university values students who have made a notable impact on the community in a positive way, so it focuses on thorough patient care, research, public and civic participation,
In addition, students have the opportunity to obtain a variety of professional development opportunities, including national organizations such as the American Medical Students Association, student management organizations such as the Mulholland Association, and volunteer experience,
If you are interested, you can consider applying to this medical school with a very high acceptance rate.
Also Read: Study Medicine in Europe | Requirements and Tuition Fees in 2024
9. Mercer University School of Medicine
- GPA – 3.4 and above
- Average GPA- 3.61
- MCAT- 503 and above
- Average MCAT- 505
- Tuition Fees – $41,457
As one of the oldest higher education institutions in the United States, Mercer University School of Medicine provides students with rigorous medical courses. With an acceptance rate of 10.08% you stand a chance of being admitted into one of its medical programs.
It is dedicated to training medical professionals to provide primary care for disadvantaged groups in Georgia. The course includes several projects and majors, as well as courses based on clinical practice.
10. The University of Nebraska Medical Center
- GPA – 3.8 and above
- Average GPA- 3.75
- MCAT- 498 and above
- Average MCAT-511 and above
- TuitionFfees- $30,380
The University of Nebraska Medical Center has an acceptance rate of 11% according to Pinceton Review. The history of this academic institution dates back to the 19th century and has long been committed to improving health care throughout the state. Students can get a rich educational experience centred on the community.
The university is one of the medical schools with high acceptance rates and has participated in a number of healthcare improvement projects, such as the construction of the Lied Transplant Center, Twin Towers Research Unit and Lauritzen Outpatient Center.
11. University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
- GPA: 3.83 and above
- MCAT: 512 and above
University of Tennessee Health Sciences Centre has an average acceptance rate of 8.75%. Bear in mind that this acceptance rate is only for medical students as the overall University of Tennessee acceptance rate is 74.9%.
Research revenue at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Centre at Memphis exceeds $80 million. This is one of the medical schools that is committed to providing students who are studying at the school with great access to technologies that will set them apart from other medical students from different schools.
furthermore, the health science centre at this school is well recognised in the state as a centre dedicated to disease research.
Another good thing about this school is that they offer opportunities for people students only as a form of a distance learning program. SACSCOC has fully accredited this School of Medicine and you are sure to receive a degree that is recognised and accepted worldwide.
12. University of South Dakota – Sanford
- Acceptance rate –
- GPA- 3.1 and above
- Average GPA- 3.86 and above
- MCAT- 496 and above
- Average MCAT- 509 and above
- Tuition Fees- $15,386 in-state/ $36,870 out-of-state
The medical courses and programs of the University of South Dakota Sanford have developed into one of the country’s top rural medical courses. With an acceptance rate of 8.13%, the medical programs offered by the University of South Dakota are considered some of the easiest to get into.
The course medical programs at the aforementioned school focus on primary care and family medicine; starting from the second year, students can also enter the hospital and gain clinical experience in outpatient clinics.
The School of Medicine also recently received the prestigious Spencer Foreman Award and one of the best things about this institution is that it is one of the easiest medical schools to get into.
Also Read: 17 Medicine Schools in New York (Allopathic and Osteopathic)
13. East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine
- GPA: 3.66 and above
- MCAT: 508 and above
The Brody School of Medicine has an average acceptance rate of 7.11% according to College Compare. East Carolina University is known for focusing on primary care and it offers nationally recognized degrees in medicine and is known for providing and improving healthcare in North Carolina.
The university is in the business of improving access to students in the state who are disadvantaged and increasing doctors specializing in primary care. The good thing is that this is one of the easiest medical schools to get into.
14. Augusta University School of Medicine
Augusta School of Medicine offers internationally recognised degrees in the field of medicine. With an average of 7.40%, the medical programs are considerably easy to get into.
The school focused on making available innovative medical education and cutting-edge research for its teachers and students.
Students can obtain clinical training in the second year of medical research, and most students complete their medical degree after seven or eight years.
15. University of Nevada – Reno Medical School
- GPA- 3.7 and above
- Average GPA- 3.6 and above
- MCAT- 498 and above
- Average MCAT- 508 and above
- Tuition Fees- $37,736 IS / $58,410
Since its establishment, the University of Nevada Medical School has been one of the medical schools with high acceptance rates with an Acceptance rate of 7.30%. The school is located in Reno.
The institution has been committed to providing primary care medical education and increasing the number of primary care physicians in Nevada.
The medical curriculum at the school is highly integrated with rigorous science-oriented education and thoroughly integrated with intensive clinical practice.
Myths about getting into the easiest medical school
Students have different opinions on what it takes to get into medical school or some specific things you can do that may increase your chances of getting into medical school. The truth of the matter is that while some of these opinions or rumours are true, many of them are myths that are not supported by evidence.
As you prepare to apply to a medical school, we’ve highlighted some of the myths that are not backed by evidence you’re most likely to hear.
Weaker students get kicked out over time
A myth you may have heard is that they accept far more students than necessary to ensure they exclude weaker links and narrow the potential student base. The truth of the matter is that the students were not expelled on purpose. In fact, those students who leave the program naturally leave the program because of their rigorous training and education.
You have to do a research project to get into medical school
The second myth that is paramount among students that people often hear when preparing to apply to medical school is that when they complete their undergraduate studies to get into medical school, they need to do a lot of research or assist with a research project.
The assumption behind this myth is that medical schools only look for students who devote significant time to research during their undergraduate years, and doing so helps differentiate themselves from those who don’t do much research.
The truth of this myth is that you should focus on what interests you, including research that might interest you. When you interview with admissions committees, they will usually ask you which particular field of science or research you are interested in. You should be able to answer this question and be able to explain effectively why you are interested in that particular field of study.
Your Recommendation Letters may not be needed
If you’ve ever attended a large public university, getting to know your professors or educators on a personal level can be a huge challenge. Then, once you get to know them, it’s hard to build relationships and possibly ask for references. The reason is that teachers at large public universities tend to have hundreds of students each semester, and they can easily forget about each student from one semester to the next.
Medical schools all over the world value letters of recommendation, therefore you should brace for this, as they often have an outside perspective on who you are as a student, your personality, your work ethic, and more. If you’re struggling to find potential professors who can write letters of recommendation for you, email them or follow up in person. You can help them remember by meeting them in person and adding faces to their names.
You must major in science
One of the biggest myths people hear when preparing to apply for a medical program is that you should major in science or a field of science.
Medical programs do focus on a lot of science in order to equip students with the necessary become potential physicians and doctors, but that’s not the only important factor that medical schools consider you. In fact, you can choose any major you want, as long as you have completed the required science courses.
One of the things that might really help you when you get into medical school is to major in a field other than science. The reason why majoring in something other than science can actually help you is that the school actually promotes diversity in the class and student body.
If students have different educational or professional backgrounds, they can solve problems and come up with unique solutions. Academic programs offering medical programs need students with diverse backgrounds as this helps advance the healthcare industry.
You can also complete humanities and social science courses, plus the necessary science course that is required to be able to stand out from other applicants. These courses help students excel in the exemplary communication skills they develop that can later be applied when taking the MCAT.
Medical schools are not only looking for students majoring in science but students from all backgrounds. As long as you can demonstrate that you have the ability to pick up where you left off from your advanced science courses during the first few weeks of medical school, you’ll do well.
The MCAT is only about science
The MCAT, which stands for Medical College Admission Test, is a standardized test for pre-med students to enter the medical school of their choice. A common myth associated with the MCAT is that it only focuses on science. This myth, combined with earlier myths about majoring in science, seems like the only way to get into medical school is if you’re good at science.
In fact, the MCAT mainly focuses on science, but that’s not the only thing that matters. MCAT focuses on combinations of different things. MCAT subjects include critical analysis and reasoning skills, biological and biochemical foundations of living systems, chemical and physical foundations of biological systems, and psychological, social and biological foundations of behaviour.
While the science section makes up a large portion of the MCAT test, reading comprehension will really determine whether you pass the test. You may have all the knowledge in the world, but you must be able to apply it.
This is one of the main concerns of the MCAT. Can you apply what you have learned? Focus on building skills that allow you to read questions, understand them, and then apply your knowledge, and you’ll be successful on the MCAT and accepted into medical school.
Students with low grades can still get in
While some schools may have simpler criteria for getting into their medical program, there is still an emphasis on what you can do in your undergraduate career. There is often a combination of different factors that lead to admissions criteria for different schools, which make them easier to get into compared to other schools.
Underperforming students are always at risk of being admitted to medical school, but their odds are greater if they succeed academically in school.