Universities like UCLA, UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, University of Florida, and UT Austin consistently send large numbers of students to medical school due to large student bodies, strong pre-med programs, and research opportunities, with UCLA often leading in total applicants. While selective schools like Harvard send high percentages, large public universities often produce the highest absolute numbers of applicants and matriculants.
According to AAMC data, some of the top feeder schools for medical students in the U.S. include:
However, some state medical schools have the highest medical school acceptance rates. For example, the University of North Dakota has an in-state acceptance rate of nearly 18%. The University of Nebraska accepts more than 40% of in-state medical school applicants!
Top 9 Easiest Medical Schools in Australia to Get into Based on Minimum Required GPA
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania received the most applications – 21,050 – in fall 2023, per U.S. News data.
15 of the “Easiest” Medical Schools to Get Into in 2025
The minimum GPA for most med schools is 3.0. But if you're a pre-med student, you'll need to aim for a GPA of 3.6 or higher to be a competitive applicant. In 2022-2023, the mean science and overall GPA of matriculants were 3.68 and 3.75, respectively.
The hardest Australian medical schools to get into generally include the University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, and UNSW Sydney, known for their high academic barriers (like top ATARs/GPAs, high GAMSAT scores) and demanding Multi-Mini Interviews (MMIs) for graduate entry, while some like the University of Queensland (UQ) are competitive for their prestige but might have different processes (no interview). Competitiveness varies by pathway (direct vs. graduate), location, and specific criteria, with high-achieving students needing excellent scores in UCAT/GAMSAT, GPA, and interviews.
14 Top Medical Schools in the United States (2025)
A 3.2 GPA is considered low for medical school, as the average accepted GPA is closer to 3.7+, but it's not impossible; you'd need an exceptional MCAT score, strong clinical experience, research, volunteering, and a significant upward trend in grades to compensate and get accepted into DO programs or some MD programs, especially if you have compelling extracurriculars and personal narrative.
Medical schools in the United States have an acceptance rate of around 41%. While these programs are hard to get into, medical school is an attainable goal for many people.
Stanford University School of Medicine
With an astonishingly low acceptance rate of about 1.4%, Stanford is the country's hardest medical school to get into.
What is considered a low GPA for medical school? Many medical schools have a cut-off for GPAs below 3.0. The average GPA at most MD medical schools ranges from about 3.7 to 3.9. The average GPA at most DO medical schools ranges from about 3.4 to 3.6.
According to the Medical Schools Council (MSC), here are the entry requirements for some of the easiest medical schools to get into based on grades:
Do Med Schools Care About Your Undergrad School? Your undergrad does matter for med school, although the degree of importance varies between institutions. If you're applying for a highly competitive program, the prestige of your undergrad school does make a difference in your medical school application.
In some cases, the caliber of the medical school you attend will have more bearing on your residency placement. Many medical students will tell you that better clinical training exists at schools without high research rankings.
According to recent AAMC stats, a 525 on the MCAT is not a bad score because it's an above-average MCAT score, and it is competitive for med-school admission: A 525 is 100 percentile rank on the MCAT. * The current average MCAT score is at the 501 mark, and a 525 is 24 points ahead of that score.
There isn't one "easiest" medical school, as it's highly competitive, but James Cook University (JCU) is often cited for its direct-entry MBBS without UCAT, focusing on rural medicine and offering pathways with specific ATARs, while Deakin University, Griffith, and Macquarie have lower GPA/ATAR/GAMSAT thresholds or specific streams (like rural/indigenous) that can make entry more accessible than other top-tier programs. The "easiest" depends on your strengths (ATAR vs. GAMSAT/UCAT, rural focus, interview skills) and whether you're seeking undergraduate or graduate entry.
Yes, a 98 ATAR is an excellent score and gives you a strong chance for medicine in Australia/NZ, but it's not a guarantee; you also need a high UCAT score, strong interview skills, and potentially bonus points (SEAS/EAS), as medical admissions are extremely competitive and often require selection ranks well above 98 (sometimes 99+) for direct entry. A 98 ATAR is often the minimum for provisional entry or for some universities, but competitive entry can push requirements to 99+; focus on maximizing your UCAT and interview performance.
Tips for Med School
Do med schools care more about science GPA or overall GPA? Medical schools consider both your overall GPA and science GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math), but science GPA often carries more weight.
To be competitive for Harvard Medical School, applicants generally need a GPA of 3.9 or higher. While there is no strict cutoff, most admitted students have exceptional academic records, particularly in science courses.