This list of the 18 easiest medical schools have the most generous requirements for entry. We’ve looked at acceptance rate, average MCAT score, and undergrad requirements to rank these med schools for 2024.
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The 18 Easiest Medical Schools to Get Into In 2024
University of Mississippi School of Medicine
At the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, medical students are trained to provide care to everyone in the state and the larger country. There is an accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. The school particularly focuses on providing healthcare to Mississippi residents, especially those in racially diverse or underserved areas.
Students study for four years to receive their Doctor of Medicine degree. The experience involves a combination of classes, research opportunities, and hands-on clinical work. The school states that they embrace diversity to reflect the diversity of the state population. They embrace students from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Location: Jackson, Mississippi
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average MCAT Score: 503
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.0
Residency requirements: To be admitted, students must be residents of Mississippi for 12 consecutive months before admission.
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine
The University of Missouri at Kansas City offers six different programs for getting your medical degree. You can also specialize in 19 different areas. You have the option of doing a traditional four-year degree or applying to a six-year degree that combines a bachelor’s degree with medical school. So if you’re not yet finished with undergrad, this might be a versatile option.
Students interact hands-on with real patients from their first school semester. You can also participate in the docent learning system. This allows you to apprentice with a current physician while also helping with mentoring and coaching your peers. The school has 36 student organizations, as well as partnerships with six hospitals in Kansas City.
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average MCAT Score: 509
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.0
Residency requirements: Out of state and in state students are accepted, though in-state students are given priority. International students are not considered for admission – permanent resident status must be achieved by August 1 of the year before the spring term for which the applicant is applying.
Central Michigan University College of Medicine
The main focus of the Central Michigan University College of Medicine is to work with students from the state who want to serve the Michigan population. However, you can still apply if you are from out-of-state. The university combines classes with community work, clinical rotations, and medical simulations. This allows students to gain real-world knowledge on the go.
The school also has residency programs that involve a legacy lasting over half a century. Their residencies cover a variety of specialties through their two partnered hospitals. The university’s research covers public, clinical, and basic areas related to health. Much of the research is geared toward improving health outcomes for people in the community.
Location: Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average MCAT Score: 506
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.25
Residency Requirements: Preference goes towards Michigan residents. Residents of other states and Canadian citizens and permanent residents are invited to apply, but admission is particularly competitive in these cases.
University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
The University of North Dakota is a little more competitive as acceptance rates go. But the average MCAT score of students is lower than with many other schools. If you struggle with standardized tests, this might be a good fit. The university has operated since 1905, and it is the only North Dakota medical school.
There is a strong focus on educating students from North Dakota. About 2 in 3 doctors practicing in North Dakota graduated from UND. You can choose from 8 different healthcare programs. Every year, 78 students are admitted. Of those, 60 spots are reserved for North Dakota students. Another 11 are reserved for Minnesota students.
Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota
Acceptance Rate: 17.83%
Average MCAT Score: 506
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.7 (average)
Residency Requirements: Preference to North Dakota residents (legal residents of North Dakota and have lived in the state for at least 12 months prior to Nov. 1 of the year of application) or those who have strong ties to the state. INMED (Indians into Medicine) applicants do not have a residency preference but do have other requirements. All applicants to medical school at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States.
Mercer University School of Medicine
Mercer University School of Medicine was created in 1982 with a focus on serving rural and underserved populations in Georgia. Most people who graduate from the school practice medicine in Georgia. Because of the school’s focus on rural areas, this is a great choice for students who plan to work in more remote areas.
Students are given early opportunities to interact with patients, with the programs focusing on patients first. After the first two years of school, each student does a clinical clerkship at one of the teaching hospitals for the school. There are multiple campuses throughout Georgia, allowing you to choose the location that works best for your specific needs.
Location: Macon, Georgia
Acceptance Rate: 78.2%
Average MCAT Score: 505
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 2.8
Residency Requirements: The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have established residency in the state of Georgia for at least 12 months prior to matriculation. Applications are not accepted from international students.
LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport
The LSU Health Shreveport school offers education to help further the region’s development. This is the only medical school located in northern Louisiana. There are only three medical schools in the whole state. In addition to offering medical degrees, they also have a variety of other healthcare degree programs.
There are currently 551 students enrolled in the medical school, with 4,455 practicing alumni. They also beat the national residency match rates. Over 98% of their students are able to match with a residency program. Global learning opportunities are available.
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Acceptance Rate: No Data Available
Average MCAT Score: 505
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.76 (average)
Residency Requirements: The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, “Final” Resident Alien or have INS approved Asylum in the U.S. Credits earned at foreign institutions while the applicant was studying abroad under the auspices of an accredited college or university located in North America are accepted. Out of state students make up 10% of the accepted applicants.
University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
The University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center has been operating since 1911. It has schools of both medicine and nursing. While the main campus is in Memphis, there are also medical school campuses in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.
There are four-year MD programs, as well as PhD and graduate programs. The college offers a shorter physician assistant program for students. For those who want to graduate early, you can apply to a 3-year MD program.
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Acceptance Rate: 13.76%
Average MCAT Score: 511
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.6 (average)
Residency Requirements: Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents at the time of application. Admission priority is given to applicants from Tennessee. Applicants from any state may apply and be considered for admission, but priority will continue to be given to Tennessee residents. A small number (currently 10% of each class) of out of state applicants may be admitted.
Related: Raise your MCAT Score with these Online MCAT Prep Courses
University of Arizona College of Medicine
The University of Arizona College of Medicine was founded in 1967. It became the first medical school in Arizona. Today, it is known for its research opportunities. Since the school began, they have taught over 4,000 doctors. The school has somewhere between 500 and 1,000 students every year, with 515 currently.
There are over $110 million dollars given in research grants to the university every year. In 2018, the university participated in a whopping 216 clinical trials. An undergraduate program is also available for science degrees. You can also participate in dual-degree programs to earn a PHD or MBA at the same time as your medical degree.
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average MCAT Score: 508
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.0
Residency Requirements: Students must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. Out of state students are accepted. To qualify for in-state tuition, you must be a resident of Arizona, Montana, or Wyoming.
Sanford School of Medicine – The University of South Dakota
The Sanford School of Medicine in South Dakota has a strong focus on rural medicine and family medicine. However, you can specialize in a range of different interests. The school operates in the 99th percentile of choices for rural practitioners, so it’s excellent for those planning to practice in rural hometowns.
During the 2021 year, the school was given $13.5 million worth of research grants. About 4 out of 5 students are interested in practicing in South Dakota after they graduate. But students from out of state are also welcome. There are over 2,000 practicing physicians in the state that teach and work with the students on an annual basis.
Location: Vermillion, South Dakota
Acceptance Rate: 13.03%
Average MCAT Score: 507
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.1
Residency Requirements: To apply for the M.D. program at the USD Sanford School of Medicine, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. You also must be a South Dakota resident or non-resident with strong ties to the state.
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
The UMass Chan medical school is the only public health science school in Massachusetts. If you’re from the Northeast and want to attend school closer to home, this might be a good option. They have been described as one of the best medical schools nationwide for primary education. In 2021, the university received $421 million in research grants.
The medical school trains a full range of healthcare professionals. They do emphasize people training to be primary care physicians, as well as people planning to work in public healthcare or underserved places. Also at the university are a school of nursing and a graduate school for biomedical science.
Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average MCAT Score: 514
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.15
Residency Requirements: All applicants must be U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents, DACA, refugees or ayslees. The UMass Chan Medical School accepts both in-state and out-of-state students.
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The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
The Brody School of Medicine was established in 1974 and has been operating for nearly half a century. They focus mainly on training primary care doctors so that they can serve the North Carolina population. In addition, one of their main goals is to help disadvantaged and minority students access medical school.
The Brody School of Medicine is in the top 10% of the nation’s schools if you plan to practice in an underserved area, practice as a primary care physician, or practice in North Carolina. In addition, students with the Brody School of Medicine graduate with a third less debt than the average med student nationwide.
Location: Greenville, North Carolina
Acceptance Rate: 12.40%
Average MCAT Score: 508
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.6 (average)
Residency Requirements: Only students who are in-state residents are accepted into the Brody School of Medicine.
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
The Medical College of Georgia is the only publicly funded medical school in Georgia. It began in 1828, making it one of the first medical schools in the entire country. There are 260 students in each graduating class. While the Augusta campus is the main campus, there are also regional clinical campuses once you reach your last two years of study.
Another campus is available in Athens thanks to the university’s partnership with the University of Georgia. The school’s healthcare partnerships give students around 350 unique locations where they can get hands-on practice with medicine. These cover everything from rural one-physician practices to major complex hospitals.
Location: Augusta, Georgia
Acceptance Rate: 82.9%
Average MCAT Score: 512
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.0
Residency Requirements: You must be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S. with a valid permanent resident (“green”) card to be offered acceptance. Both in-state and out-of-state students are accepted.
The University of New Mexico School of Medicine
The University of New Mexico School of Medicine was founded in 1964, in a time when there was no state access to medical education. Today, over 40% of the physicians practicing in New Mexico are graduates from UNM. Students from New Mexico are more likely to be admitted due to the state government funding.
There are healthcare programs affiliated with the school in 141 communities throughout New Mexico. The physicians work with people in central New Mexico. They are also frequently used for specialty surgical and medical services for both adults and children.
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Acceptance Rate: 9.08%
Average MCAT Score: 505
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.0
Residency Requirements: Applicants must be a resident of New Mexico for at least one year or be financially dependent on a New Mexico resident.
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
The University of Oklahoma has over 2,500 applications every year. Of these, they interview about 300 students. The average class size is 165 students, with about 45% being women and 36% being an ethnic minority. They accept students whose undergraduate degrees are in arts and humanities as well as sciences.
There are a few different degree programs to choose from. You can do a typical four-year MD program. Or you can do a dual MD and PhD program. Some students get a lesser physician associate degree from the school of medicine.
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Acceptance Rate: 9.66%
Average MCAT Score: 505
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.0
Residency Requirements: All applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold a permanent visa and have a minimum of 90 semester hours. The College of Medicine accepts both in-state and out-of-state applicants.
Related: Practice Makes Perfect With These Free MCAT Practice Tests
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
The University of Arkansas College of Medicine has been training doctors since 1879. Most of the physicians practicing in Arkansas attend this school. They are the only academic health center in the state.
Students interested in practicing as primary care physicians are eligible for a three-year MD track. You can also do a traditional four-year degree at the Little Rock campus. Another option is to complete your last two years of medical school at the university’s Fayetteville campus instead.
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Acceptance Rate: 41.2%
Average MCAT Score: 507
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 2.7
Residency Requirements: Preference is given to Arkansas residents. However, state law permits the Admissions Committee to accept a limited number of non-Arkansas residents. Non-Arkansas residents with strong ties to Arkansas are given preference. Individuals with strong ties should communicate this information to the Office of Admissions by Nov. 15. An applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident.
Buffalo University Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
The Buffalo University Jacobs School of Medicine has fairly straightforward requirements for application. You must be a permanent US resident or US citizen. You must have completed two years of undergraduate school and have taken the MCAT sometime in the past three years. You must complete half of the premed courses.
When you study at the Jacobs School of Medicine, you begin interacting with patients very quickly. Students typically interact with patients two months or less into their classes. You’ll work in multiple different hospitals and clinical settings, as well as have the opportunity to work with the community.
Location: Buffalo, New York
Acceptance Rate: 10.86%
Average MCAT Score: 510
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.79 (average)
Residency Requirements: To apply, students must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. resident. They must have completed two full years or 60 credit hours of higher education in the U.S. or Canada.
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University of Virginia School of Medicine
The University of Virginia School of Medicine is made up of four different colleges. Within the college, students are divided into groups of six. The colleges all rotate the clerkship year for students. In addition to studying at the regular campus, students can practice with the Inova health system. This serves the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia areas.
Multiple program tracks are available. Students can pursue dual degrees as a medical doctor and a master in public health, MBA, PhD, and others. A summer research program is available for medical students. This university has received awards for its excellent diversity in terms of students and faculty.
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Acceptance Rate: 11.1%
Average MCAT Score: 518
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.89 (average)
Residency Requirements: The UVA School of Medicine is comprised of half out-of-state students. Non-U.S. citizens or temporary U.S. residents are eligible to apply upon completing at least 90 semester hours of coursework (at the time of application) at a U.S. or Canadian college or university.
UNMC College of Medicine
The University of Nebraska Medical Center has an MD program that has a class size of about 130 per year. Rather than separating classes by department, they use core subjects with a mix of clinical work and science. Students will encounter lectures, smaller sessions, and patient simulations. For students who want to specialize, there are additional programs available.
There are also dual degree options available. For example, you can get your MD and MBA at the same time. Or you can get an MPH or a PhD at the same time as your medical license. It all depends on exactly where you want to study and specialize in your future career.
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average MCAT Score: 515
Undergrad GPA Requirements: 3.75 (average)
Residency Requirements: Consideration of foreign student applications is limited to those with a permanent resident visa. Both in-state and out-of-state applications are accepted.
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What We Looked At For Making This List
First, we looked at the acceptance rate. Hypercompetitive schools have to reject a lot of students because of the sheer volume of applications. But med schools like the one in Mississippi can admit many more of the applicants.
Then we considered the average MCAT score of the students, along with the GPA. Sometimes a good MCAT will make up for a struggling GPA on an application and vice versa. Some schools with relatively low acceptance rates also have GPA thresholds as low as 2.7, making them ideal for those who struggled in a semester! If your MCAT score isn’t what you’d like it to be, you may feel a bit of solace knowing the lowest MCAT score accepted into med school.
Med School Admissions FAQ
What’s more important – GPA or MCAT score?
Your MCAT score shows how you perform objectively compared to other students. Your GPA shows how well you can perform over time.
What is the lowest GPA for medical school?
Under 3.7 is considered low, but Mississippi only requires 3.0.
Can a high GPA make up for a low MCAT score?
A high GPA can give you further consideration even if you have a low MCAT score!
What medical schools abroad are easy to get into?
For those who are looking to apply outside of the USA, Caribbean Medical University in Curacao have admitted students with GPAs as low as 2.8 GPA.
Bottom Line on This List of the Easiest Medical Schools to Get Into
You still need to work hard, even if you’re applying to the easiest medical schools to get into. But these statistics might help calm your mind if you’re panicking about Ivy League acceptance rates of under 2%.
The easiest medical school to get into in the US is the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. To be considered, you must have a GPA of at least 3.0. But about 88% of the applicants are accepted, and the average MCAT score is below the 90th percentile.
