May 11, 2026
May 2, 2026
8 min read

How to Get Into NYU Grossman School of Medicine

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In this guide, we’ll break down how to get into NYU Grossman School of Medicine (NYU Grossman), including its acceptance rate, admissions statistics, GPA and MCAT benchmarks, and what NYU Grossman is really looking for in an applicant.

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NYU Grossman School of Medicine Acceptance Rate: 1.18%

NYU Grossman School of Medicine has an acceptance rate of 1.18% for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. According to verified application data from the AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database, there were 8,385 verified applications and 99 matriculants.

Here’s a closer look at NYU Grossman’s acceptance rate and admissions data over the past six years:

Year Acceptance Rate Number of Applicants Number of Matriculants
2025-2026 1.18% 8,385 99
2024-2025 1.26% 8,271 104
2023-2024 1.24% 8,081 100
2022-2023 1.26% 8,316 105
2021-2022 1.12% 9,632 108
2020-2021 1.10% 9,238 102
1.18%
Acceptance Rate
8,385
Applicants
99
Matriculants
~85:1
Applicants per Seat
Matriculant
Not admitted
Acceptance rate by cycle
NYU Grossman is among the most selective medical schools in the country. Despite a slight dip in application volume from a peak of 9,632 in 2021–2022, the class has consistently hovered around 100–108 matriculants. Its full-tuition scholarship for all students makes competition especially fierce.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine's average acceptance rate over the last six years is 1.19%. During this period, the school received an average of 8,654 applications per year for an average of 103 seats, meaning that for every student admitted, more than 84 were turned away.

The 2025-2026 cycle marks the most selective class in six years, with only 99 matriculants and a 1.18% acceptance rate.

How Hard Is It to Get Into NYU Grossman School of Medicine?

It is extremely difficult to gain admission to NYU Grossman, with an acceptance rate of 1.18%. For the 2025-2026 cycle, NYU Grossman received 8,385 applications for just 99 seats. The school could have filled its entire incoming class more than 84 times over with the number of students who applied.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Admissions Difficulty Scale

The NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Admissions Difficulty Scale was created by comparing acceptance rates and overall selectivity across all accredited US medical schools.

If you'd like help developing your application strategy, our NYU Grossman Medical School admissions counselors offer personalized med school advising focused on maximizing your strengths and aligning your profile with NYU’s mission and values.

What is NYU Grossman School of Medicine's Acceptance Rate for In-State Applicants?

NYU Grossman School of Medicine's acceptance rate for in-state applicants is 1.83%. According to MSAR, 1,146 in-state students applied to NYU Grossman's 2025-2026 application cycle, and 21 students matriculated.

In-state students made up 13.67% of NYU Grossman's 2025-2026 applicant pool. While in-state applicants have a slightly higher acceptance rate than out-of-state and international applicants, the overall odds remain extremely competitive. New York's large premed population means the in-state pool is still deep and highly qualified.

What is NYU Grossman School of Medicine's Acceptance Rate for Out-of-State Applicants?

NYU Grossman School of Medicine's acceptance rate for out-of-state applicants is 1.12%. According to MSAR, 6,806 out-of-state students applied to NYU Grossman's 2025-2026 application cycle, and 76 students matriculated.

Out-of-state students made up 81.16% of NYU Grossman's 2025-2026 applicant pool. The high percentage reflects the school's national reputation, generous tuition policy, and robust research opportunities, which make it a top destination for premed students across the country.

What is NYU Grossman School of Medicine's Acceptance Rate for International Students?

NYU Grossman School of Medicine's acceptance rate for international students is 0.46%. The MSAR reports that 433 international students applied to NYU Grossman's 2025-2026 application cycle, of which only 2 matriculated.

International students accounted for just 5.16% of NYU Grossman's applicant pool. The low acceptance rate for international applicants reflects the already intense competition, as well as additional challenges such as limited eligibility for financial aid and visa requirements.

How Many People Apply to NYU Grossman Medical School Every Year?

NYU Grossman School of Medicine has received an average of 8,654 annual applications for its MD program over the past 6 years, according to AAMC reports.

Applications peaked in 2021 with 9,632, compared to roughly 8,000 to 8,400 in most other years. Annual applicant numbers generally land in the low-to-mid 8,000s, with 2021 standing out as an outlier likely driven by pandemic-related factors.

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Admissions Statistics

NYU Grossman School of Medicine Median MCAT Score: 523 

The median MCAT score among accepted applicants and matriculants at NYU Grossman School of Medicine is 523.

523
Median MCAT Score of Accepted Applicants
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
519
10th
Percentile
520
25th
Percentile
523
Median
Score
525
75th
Percentile
526
90th
Percentile
Enter your MCAT score
523
472 490 500 510 520 528
NYU Grossman School of Medicine does not publish a minimum MCAT requirement. The MCAT is one factor in a holistic review that also considers GPA, research, clinical experience, service, leadership, and personal qualities.

Here is how accepted applicants scored across each MCAT section:

MCAT Section Median Score
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems 131
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills 130
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems 131
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior 131

Here is the full percentile distribution for accepted applicants and matriculants:

Percentile MCAT Score for Accepted Applicants MCAT Score for Matriculants
10th Percentile 519 519
25th Percentile 520 520
Median 523 523
75th Percentile 525 525
90th Percentile 526 526

A 523 MCAT score sits at the 99th percentile nationally. Even the 10th percentile of NYU Grossman accepted applicants, at 519, outperforms roughly 96% of all test takers. 

For further context, the national average MCAT score for applicants is 506.3, according to the AAMC. NYU Grossman's accepted applicants had an average MCAT score of 522.6, which sits more than 16 points above the average applicant.

What MCAT Score Makes You Competitive at NYU Grossman School of Medicine?

A 525 MCAT score makes you competitive at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, placing you in the top 25% of accepted applicants.

Here is how each score tier maps to your standing among NYU Grossman admits:

⚈ A 523 MCAT puts you at the median of accepted applicants. You meet the academic threshold, but at a school this selective, a median score means you are surrounded by equally strong candidates. Your research record, clinical depth, and essay quality determine whether you advance.

⚈ A 525 MCAT places you above three-quarters of accepted applicants. At this level, the admissions committee stops asking whether you can handle the curriculum and starts evaluating what you bring to the class.

⚈ A 526+ MCAT puts you in the top 10% of admitted students. At a school where the median already sits at the 99th national percentile, a 526 signals rare academic strength and makes you stand out right away.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine Median GPA: 3.99

Accepted applicants to the NYU Grossman School of Medicine had a median total GPA of 3.99. Matriculants had a median total GPA of 3.98.

NYU Grossman does not publish a minimum GPA requirement.

3.99
Median Total GPA of Accepted Applicants
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
3.87
10th
Percentile
3.94
25th
Percentile
3.99
Median
GPA
4.00
75th
Percentile
4.00
90th
Percentile
Enter your total GPA
3.99
2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00
NYU Grossman School of Medicine does not publish a minimum GPA requirement. Total GPA is one factor in a holistic review that also considers MCAT scores, research, clinical experience, service, leadership, and personal qualities.

Here is the full percentile breakdown for accepted applicants and matriculants:

Percentile Total GPA of Accepted Applicants Total GPA of Matriculants
10th Percentile 3.87 3.86
25th Percentile 3.94 3.94
Median 3.99 3.98
75th Percentile 4.00 4.00
90th Percentile 4.00 4.00

The AAMC reports a national average GPA of 3.67 for all medical school applicants. NYU Grossman's accepted applicant average of 3.96 sits 0.29 points above that figure. The 75th and 90th percentiles both reach 4.00, meaning at least one in four accepted applicants earned a perfect total GPA.

What GPA Makes You Competitive at NYU Grossman School of Medicine?

A 4.00 GPA or higher makes you competitive at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, as it aligns with the top 25% of recently accepted applicants.

Here is how each GPA tier maps to your standing among NYU Grossman admits:

⚈ A 3.99 GPA puts you at the median of accepted students. You meet the academic benchmark precisely, but you don’t exceed it. Every other component of your application needs to pull significant weight.

⚈ A 4.00 GPA aligns with the 75th to 90th percentile range and clearly makes you stand out.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine Science GPA: 4.00

NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s 2025-2026 accepted applicants had a median science GPA of 4.00. Matriculants matched that figure as well.

Percentile Science GPA of Accepted Applicants Science GPA of Matriculants
10th Percentile 3.85 3.85
25th Percentile 3.95 3.93
Median 4.00 4.00
75th Percentile 4.00 4.00
90th Percentile 4.00 4.00

The compression at the top of this distribution gives you insight into how NYU Grossman's pool actually looks. From the 25th percentile upward, three-quarters of accepted applicants earned a science GPA between 3.95 and 4.00. 

Science GPA functions less as a differentiator here and more as a baseline requirement: you need near-perfect marks in the sciences in order to clear NYU Grossman’s academic expectations.

What Science GPA Makes You Competitive at NYU Grossman School of Medicine?

A 3.95 science GPA or higher makes you competitive at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, placing you at or above the 25th percentile of recently accepted applicants.

If your science GPA falls between 3.85 and 3.95, you land in the bottom quarter of the accepted range. A 525+ MCAT, notable research output, and a compelling personal narrative can offset a science GPA in this range, but each of those elements needs to perform at an elite level.

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NYU Grossman Medical School Admissions Requirements

NYU Grossman Medical School’s admissions requirements include:

  • A completed undergraduate transcript 
  • A competitive GPA
  • An MCAT score submitted through AMCAS
  • A personal statement submitted via the AMCAS application
  • American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) primary application 
  • A current resume with up-to-date publications, abstracts, and presentations
  • NYU Grossman secondary application with a $110 fee
  • Two to eight letters of recommendation
  • Successful completion of an admissions interview

NYU Grossman Medical School Course Requirements

NYU Grossman does not have course prerequisites. However, they strongly recommend students take the following premedical courses:

  • Inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry with lab
  • General biology with lab
  • General physics with lab
  • Statistics
  • Genetics
  • English

These recommended NYU Grossman prerequisites can provide a strong basis for your medical education. To impress the admissions committee, ensure you take several advanced courses within these subjects.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine Interview Format

NYU Grossman School of Medicine uses a virtual multiple mini interview (MMI) format. Applicants rotate through eight stations, each involving a short, timed conversation with a different interviewer from the faculty, staff, or student body. Most stations are seven minutes long and present an open-ended prompt designed to assess qualities like empathy, communication, and ethical reasoning. 

One station follows a more traditional one-on-one interview format and lasts 14 minutes, while two are designated rest stations. This structure allows the admissions team to evaluate candidates more holistically, minimizing bias and emphasizing interpersonal skills and professionalism.

What is NYU Grossman's Interview Rate?

NYU Grossman School of Medicine's overall interview rate is 8.92%. According to MSAR data, NYU Grossman interviewed 748 of the 8,385 students who submitted verified applications during the most recent admissions cycle.

Of the 748 students interviewed, 81 were in-state applicants, 655 were out-of-state applicants, and 12 were international applicants.

Here is how interview rates break down by residency status:

Applicant Type Verified Applications Interviewed Interview Rate
In-State 1,146 81 7.07%
Out-of-State 6,806 655 9.62%
International 433 12 2.77%
Total 8,385 748 8.92%

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Secondary Application Essays

NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s secondary application includes a set of short-answer and essay-style questions designed to assess applicants beyond their academic metrics. 

Here are NYU Grossman’s  2025-2026 secondary essay prompts:

Conditional Prompt 1: Explaining Significant Fluctuations in Your Academic Record

"If applicable, please comment on significant fluctuations in your academic record."

How to Approach This Prompt

Only answer this prompt if your transcript shows a meaningful dip that an admissions reader will notice and wonder about. A single difficult semester, a failed course, or a sharp early decline followed by recovery all qualify. A ‘B’ in organic chemistry does not.

Explain what caused the fluctuation, what you did in response, and what you learned from the experience. Keep the tone factual and forward-looking. The committee wants context, not an apology. If your transcript tells a clean story with no notable gaps or declines, leave this blank.

Conditional Prompt 2: What You Did During Any Time Off from Your Studies

"If you have taken any time off from your studies, before, during, or after college, please describe what you did during that time and your reasons for doing so."

How to Approach This Prompt

Answer this prompt if a gap exists in your academic timeline, like a gap year. State clearly when the gap occurred, why you took time away, and what you did during that period. Connect the experience to your development as a future physician wherever possible.

Avoid vague language like "I needed time to find myself." Admissions committees respond to specificity: you worked as a clinical scribe, pursued research, or pursued a post-bacc program. Name the experience and explain what it contributed to your readiness for medical school.

Required Essay 1: The Unique Qualities and Lived Experiences That Make You Suited to Become a Physician

"The Admissions Committee holistically evaluates a range of student qualities and life experiences that complement demonstrated academic excellence. What unique qualities do you possess that make you uniquely suited to become a physician or physician-scientist? How have your individual lived experiences shaped your core values and desire to be a future leader in our profession?"

How to Approach This Prompt

Pick one or two qualities that genuinely set you apart and anchor each one in a specific experience. Do not list traits; show them.

If you have spent years navigating the healthcare system as a patient or caregiver, that experience shapes how you see medicine differently from a classmate who has not.

If you founded a student organization, led a community health initiative, or engineered a solution to a clinical workflow problem, explain what that experience reveals about how you make decisions under pressure, how you treat the people around you, and what kind of physician-leader you are building toward.

The second half of the prompt asks about leadership in the profession. Be direct about what kind of physician or physician-scientist you want to become and how NYU Grossman's environment and research infrastructure will help you to get there.

Required Essay 2: The Personal Non-Academic Accomplishment That Makes You Most Proud

"The most meaningful achievements are often non-academic in nature. Describe the personal accomplishment that makes you most proud. Why is this important to you?"

How to Approach This Prompt

The prompt explicitly steers you away from academics, so do not mention your MCAT score or research publication. Pick something personal: a commitment you kept under difficult circumstances, an extracurricular or cause you organized, a relationship you repaired, or a goal you pursued without external validation.

The "why is this important to you" question is where most answers fall flat. Go deeper than "it taught me perseverance." Explain what the accomplishment revealed about your values and how those values will show up in your work as a physician.

Required Essay 3: How You Define Respect and a Time When Remaining Respectful Was Challenging

"Conflicts arise daily from differences in perspectives, priorities, worldviews, and traditions. How do you define respect? Describe a situation where you found it challenging to remain respectful while facing differences."

How to Approach This Prompt

Start this essay with your definition of respect, but keep it brief. The real substance of this answer lives in the situation you describe.

Choose a scenario with genuine tension, not a polished story where everyone got along in the end after a brief misunderstanding. Medicine requires working with people with differences in values, beliefs, and priorities.

Show the committee you have already navigated that kind of friction. Describe what made it difficult, how you handled it in the moment, and what you would do the same or differently now.

Required Essay 4: A Challenging Experience Working with a Colleague, Family Member, or Friend

"Describe a situation in which working with a colleague, family member, or friend has been challenging. How did you approach the situation, and what did you gain from the experience that will benefit you as a future healthcare provider?"

How to Approach This Prompt

Pick a situation with real stakes and real difficulty. The weakest answers describe a minor miscommunication resolved by talking it out. The strongest answers describe a sustained challenge where you had to adapt your approach, sit with discomfort, or revise your assumptions about another person.

Close the answer by connecting what you gained directly to healthcare delivery. Medicine runs on teams. Admissions committees want evidence that you can work through interpersonal difficulty without shutting down, escalating conflict, or avoiding the issue entirely.

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How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into NYU Grossman

3 Tips to boost your application

Below are tips to get into NYU Grossman School of Medicine, drawn from NYU’s admissions values, MSAR data on recent admits, and admissions experts’ insights.

1. Gain Deep and Varied Clinical Experience

Clinical exposure is expected of all serious applicants, but at NYU Grossman, it’s nearly universal: 94% of admits had physician shadowing experience, and 93% had clinical volunteering. These numbers make it clear that clinical experience is non-negotiable, and variety, depth, and reflection matter.

Consider the inverse: only 6% of matriculants lacked physician shadowing, and 7% lacked clinical volunteering. In such a competitive pool, being part of those small percentages risks weakening your application. To stand out, aim for both clinical observation and hands-on service, then articulate how those experiences shaped your vision of the physician you hope to become.

Spending time in hospitals, clinics, or patient-facing roles helps you internalize what patient care looks like beyond the textbook. It also shows you understand the emotional and ethical complexities of medicine, which the NYU Grossman School of Medicine assesses closely through interviews and essays. 

Clinical work also demonstrates readiness for the fast-paced, urban medical environment Grossman is known for. Ideally, your experience will include both observation (shadowing) and direct patient interaction (volunteering or working), allowing you to reflect on what kind of physician you hope to become.

2. Show Strong Engagement with Research and Real Purpose Behind It

Research experience is essential to get into NYU Grossman, as it’s a core part of their training philosophy. As reported in the MSAR, 100% of accepted students had research or lab experience, proving that meaningful engagement with research is expected. What truly matters is why you did it, what you learned, and how it connects to your future goals in medicine.

As Costner McKenzie, a dermatology resident at NYU and Inspira Advantage admissions consultant, shared in a webinar about med school application mistakes to avoid:

“Admissions committees are looking for passionate people... they want people that find things that drive them, that motivate them. That’s what will carry over into your interviews and distinguish you from other applicants.”

To demonstrate your passion, you should choose a research project that genuinely excites you. Whether it involves basic science, clinical trials, or public health, use it to show a deeper passion for a specific area in medicine, such as health equity, patient care innovation, or biomedical discovery.

You can also demonstrate that your research is not just a short-term activity but something you hope to continue at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and into your career by mentioning similar initiatives the school is involved in. Showing this kind of sustained interest signals long-term motivation and purpose, which is exactly what NYU Grossman is looking for in future physician-leaders.

3. Commit to Long-Term, Meaningful Community Service

As McKenzie emphasizes:

“If someone asks you, hey I see that your sophomore year you engaged in the volunteer experience at your local hospital, tell me more about that — you should be ready to launch into an explanation of what that experience was like and why it’s meaningful for you. You need to be the expert on your application. Your application is going to highlight all of the activities that you've engaged in… and you should be ready to talk about them in detail during interviews.”

This insight captures what NYU Grossman looks for: applicants who not only participate in service but also can articulate its impact and meaning. According to MSAR, 91% of recently admitted Grossman students reported community service or volunteer experience. That overwhelming statistic underscores how central service is to NYU’s admissions philosophy.

To stand out, your service should reflect personal investment and consistency. Whether it's working with youth, organizing mutual aid efforts, or advocating for public health, your commitment should demonstrate genuine care and leadership.

These experiences allow NYU Grossman’s admissions committee to evaluate not just your values but also your interpersonal skills and cultural humility. Interpersonal skills and cultural humility are key traits that physicians practicing in diverse communities like New York City should have. Highlighting these qualities in your activities and personal statements will help align your application with what NYU Grossman Medical School looks for in applicants.

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MD Programs Offered

NYU Grossman School of Medicine offers seven MD programs:

MD Program Offered Length of Program Key Information
Doctor of Medicine (MD) 4 years Core MD program that is tuition-free
MD/PhD (Medical Scientist) 7–8 years Offered through the Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences
MD/MPA in Health Policy & Management 4 years Offered in partnership with NYU Wagner
MD/MPH in Global Health 4 years Offered in partnership with NYU’s College of Global Health
MD/MS in Biomedical Informatics or Clinical Investigation 4 years Offered in partnership with Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences or the Clinical and Translational Science Institute
MD/MA in Bioethics 4 years Offered in partnership with the NYU School of Global Public Health
MD/MA in General Management 4 years Offered in partnership with NYU Stern School of Business

Tuition and Scholarships

NYU Grossman School of Medicine awards a full-tuition scholarship to every enrolled MD student, automatically, regardless of financial need or residency status. 

For the 2026-27 academic year, the scholarship covers $63,552 in tuition per student. NYU Grossman also fully subsidizes the required student health insurance plan, worth $7,026 annually, at no cost to students.

Students remain responsible for fees and living expenses, but the total out-of-pocket cost sits well below what most US medical schools require.

Here is a breakdown of the estimated 2026-27 annual costs for first-year students:

Expense Category Cost
Tuition $63,552
Full-Tuition Scholarship (-$63,552)
Mandatory Fees $4,550
Health Insurance $7,026
NYU Health Insurance Subsidy ($7,026)
Housing $14,232
Food $8,736
Miscellaneous Expenses $3,736
Educational Expenses $1,141
USMLE Fees $0
Total Estimated Annual Cost $32,396

How Much Is NYU Grossman School of Medicine For 4 Years?

The estimated out-of-pocket cost of attending NYU Grossman over the first three years, after the full-tuition scholarship and health insurance subsidy are applied, totals approximately $94,876. 

That figure breaks down to $32,396 in year one, $32,050 in year two, and $30,430 in year three. Fourth-year costs vary based on individual circumstances and are not included in the published breakdown. 

With the full-tuition scholarship eliminating $63,552 per year in tuition and the health insurance subsidy removing another $7,026 annually, NYU Grossman remains one of the most affordable options among top-ranked medical schools in the country.

Scholarships

NYU Grossman School of Medicine provides every MD student with a full-tuition scholarship. Additionally, the school offers a need-based Debt-Free Scholarship to cover the remaining cost of attendance, such as living expenses and fees, for those who qualify. These scholarships ensure that eligible students can graduate without incurring any medical school debt.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine Application Timeline

Here are the important dates and deadlines to keep in mind when applying to NYU Grossman:

Date Stage
May 27, 2025 AMCAS applications open
September 22, 2025 Latest MCAT accepted
October 15, 2025 AMCAS primary deadline
November 10, 2025 NYU secondary application deadline
September 2025–January 2026 Interview period
April 30, 2026 “Plan to Enroll” deadline
June 16, 2026 “Commit to Enroll” deadline

FAQs

Is NYU Medical School Really Free?

Yes, NYU Grossman School of Medicine is free. NYU Grossman offers a full-tuition scholarship to every student in its MD program. Students are responsible for living expenses and other fees, but the cost of tuition is $0.

Do You Need to Be a New York Resident to Get Free Tuition?

No, you don’t need to be a New York resident to get the full-tuition scholarship. The program is open to all admitted MD students, regardless of their state or country of residence, and eligibility is based solely on admission to NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Can You Get Into NYU Grossman With a 3.50 GPA?

Yes, it’s possible to get into NYU Grossman with a 3.50 GPA, but it will be challenging. NYU Grossman’s recent median GPA for admitted students was 3.99, which means a 3.50 is well below the typical range. 

To be competitive, you’ll need to offset your GPA with an exceptional MCAT score. The median MCAT for admitted students is 523, so aiming for a 525 or higher would strengthen your application and show you’ve excelled academically despite a lower GPA.

Dr. Marshall Kirsch

Dr. Marshall Kirsch

Neurologist

Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine

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