10 Medical Schools with High Acceptance Rates
When it comes to pursuing a medical career, the experience of applying for admission to the medical schools of your choice is one of the notoriously difficult steps in every aspiring student’s career. Whether you complete an undergraduate degree in the US or are applying as an international student, medical school admissions are highly competitive. So, which are the easiest medical schools to get into?
Looking at acceptance rates is a good indication of how easy it might be to get into a medical school. For example, Stanford University only accepts 2% of applicants!
Below are some of the top medical schools with high acceptance rates, based primarily on their published acceptance rate.
Why Choose a Medical School with High Acceptance Rate
Here are the reasons why you should consider attending a medical school with high acceptance rate:
- Increased chances of getting into medical school: If you are struggling to get accepted to your preferred medical schools, attending a school with a higher acceptance rate can give you a better chance of getting in.
- Lower competition among applicants: Medical schools with high acceptance rates may have less competition for spots in the class, which can make it easier for you to stand out and be considered for admission.
- Lower tuition costs: Many medical schools with high acceptance rates have lower tuition costs than more selective schools, which can make them more affordable for students who may be struggling to pay for their education.
Learn More: Study Medicine in the United States
Medical Schools with Highest Acceptance Rates
1. Medical University of the Americas
The Medical University of the Americas is a medical school located in Saint Kitts and Nevis, which is in the Caribbean. It provides an excellent education with lower costs than the American medical schools. In addition, MUA is one of the medical schools with a high acceptance rate since MUA accepts almost anyone that meets their admission requirements!
Check Also: Tuition Fees for Caribbean Medical Schools
2. Saba Medical School
Saba Medical School is another top medical school in the Caribbean that has a high acceptance rate. Saba Medical School is easy to get into if you meet all their requirements. It also has an impressive USMLE Step1 first-time pass rate of 99% in the past four years.
3. University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Located in Jackson, MS, the University of Mississippi offers an MD program into which c. 37% of applicants are accepted every year. Their MD program is as per the standard American duration of 4 years, and there is also the option to pursue a joint MD/PhD program that lasts 7 years.
Admissions stats:
- Average GPA: 3.6
- Average MCAT score: 504
- Acceptance rate: 37%
Learn More: How to Study in Mississippi as an International Student
4. Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Central Michigan University is located in Mt Pleasant, MI, and offers you the opportunity to study in a great environment where you can also enjoy outdoor sports and adventures. The MD program is 4 years long and there is a pre-requisite for basic science knowledge, as you would expect from any medical school. Central Michigan University College of Medicine is also one of the medical schools with high acceptance rates.
Thanks to its great facilities but also generous admissions statistics, Central Michigan University can be a much easier medical school to get into than many others of the same caliber. Be careful though: you need to be a US or Canadian citizen, or a permanent resident of the US or Canada, in order to be considered for admission.
Admissions stats:
- Average GPA: 3.74
- Average MCAT score: 506
- Acceptance rate: 22%
5. Mercer University School of Medicine
Situated in Georgia, Mercer University’s School of Medicine explicitly focuses on improving access to health care for rural and medically underserved areas of the state. So, if you have a passion for serving such communities, you will be an excellent candidate for Mercer. The first two years of the MD program are taught on the Macon and Savannah campuses, while from year 3 you can also study on the Columbus campus.
The MD program at Mercer University has a small intake, encouraging students to take leadership and learn from a problem-based approach to the basic science disciplines.
Admissions stats:
- Average GPA: 3.68
- Average MCAT score: 503
- Acceptance rate: 11%
6. University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
Next on our list of medical schools with high acceptance rates is the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Located in Memphis, TN, and part of a huge university with multiple degree options within its various colleges, the Doctor of Medicine program takes 4 years.
The Health Sciences Center also offers studies in Nursing, Pharmacology, and more. Only 170 students are admitted into the College of Medicine every year, ensuring a great student: faculty ratio and an optimal learning environment.
To gain admission, you need to be a US citizen or permanent resident and come from either Tennessee or one of the eight states contiguous to Tennessee. Alternatively, you’ll also be considered if one of your parents is an alumnus/a of the University of Tennessee, regardless of where you currently live.
Admissions stats:
- Average GPA: 3.77
- Average MCAT score: 500-510
- Acceptance rate: 14%
Learn More: Best Universities in Tennessee
7. University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences
The University of North Dakota offers the only 4-year MD program in North Dakota, with the first two years of tuition taking place on the campus at Grand Forks. Only 78 students are admitted each year. The special thing about the University of North Dakota is its Indians into Medicine Program (INMED), whose aim is to assist American Indians to become doctors and support tribal communities.
Prospective students need to be US citizens or permanent residents and preference is given to residents of North Dakota.
Admissions stats:
- Average GPA: 3.7
- Average MCAT score: 506
- Acceptance rate: 18%
8. Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
Located in Tulsa, OK, the Center for Health Sciences at Oklahoma State University is another public university where admissions stats are more in favor of students. It was founded in 1972 and it’s affiliated with Tulsa Regional Medical Center, where your clinical practice can be carried out in the third and fourth year of the MD program. Oklahoma State University Medical School is also one of the medical schools with high acceptance rates.
Admissions stats:
- Average GPA: 3.73
- Average MCAT score: 500
- Acceptance rate: 15%
Check Also: How to Become a Doctor in the United States
9. University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine
The Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota is particularly well-known in the US for its focus on family medicine and rural medicine. It aims to provide residents of South Dakota with a high-quality medical education and inspire them to be active members of their communities, serving predominantly in medically underserved areas.
The School of Medicine was established in 1907 and continues to be the only medical school in the state of South Dakota. Its class size continues to be small (there were only 2 students in this first year!) and it places a great emphasis on research, with funding growing exponentially, especially since the 1990s.
Admissions stats:
- Average GPA: 3.83
- Average MCAT score: 507
- Acceptance rate: 13%
See Also: Best Universities in South Dakota
10. Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
We end our list of medical schools with the highest acceptance rates with the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. The only public medical school in Georgia, the Medical College of Georgia is a great school if you are a resident of the state. It is one of the top 10 largest medical schools in the US, unlike the other schools in this list, enrolling over 600 students every year in its programs. The school has lowered admissions requirements deliberately in recent years, in order to attract more applications in response to a shortage of medical professionals in Georgia.
The Medical College of Georgia has a long and illustrious history, having been founded in 1828.
In order to gain admission, you’ll have to have completed specific undergraduate courses listed on the Admissions website, take the MCAT, as well as the CASPer exam – a computer-based assessment used for sampling personal characteristics.
Admissions stats:
- Average GPA: 3.7
- Average MCAT score: 511
- Acceptance rate: 12% (only c. 8% in 2019)
Medical schools with high acceptance rates provide a great opportunity for students looking to pursue a career in the medical field. These institutions offer a wide range of specializations, highly qualified faculty, and excellent opportunities for research and clinical experience.
With the right dedication and hard work, you can take advantage of these schools and gain the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in your chosen fields. Check out our latest guide if you’re looking to study as an international student in the US and get started on your journey.
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