In this guide, we’ll learn how to get into the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (MCASOM), including acceptance rates, admissions statistics, GPA and MCAT benchmarks, application requirements, and what the admissions committee values most.
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Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Acceptance Rate: 1.90%
The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine has an acceptance rate of approximately 1.90%. According to AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database, MCASOM received 5,591 verified applications and welcomed 106 matriculants into its 2024 class.
Here’s a breakdown of MCASOM matriculation over the last five years:
Year
Number of Applicants
Number of Matriculated Students
Acceptance Rate
2024
5,591
106
1.90%
2023
5,503
108
1.96%
2022
5,067
104
2.05%
2021
5,323
106
1.99%
2020
6,327
105
1.66%
The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine has a highly competitive admissions landscape, with an average acceptance rate of 1.9% over the past five admissions cycles. AAMC data shows that annual applicant volume has stayed high, ranging from roughly 5,000 to more than 6,000 verified applicants, while class size has remained steady at around 104 to 108 matriculants each year.
How Hard Is It to Get Into the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine?
Getting into MCASOM is extremely difficult. In 2024, only 106 students were admitted out of 5,591 applicants, resulting in a 1.90% acceptance rate. With over 5,500 applicants competing for just over 100 seats, MCASOM could fill its class more than 52 times over.
The MCASOM’s Admissions Difficulty Scale was created by comparing acceptance rates and overall selectivity across all accredited US medical schools.
Want deeper insights into your chances of acceptance to Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine? Use our quick Med School Competitiveness Calculator to get an instant estimate.
You can work with our expert admissions counselors for extra MCASOM application help to ensure you stand out in a competitive pool of applicants!
What Is MCASOM’s Acceptance Rate for Out-of-State Applicants?
MCASOM’s out-of-state acceptance rate was 1.80%. The MSAR reports that out-of-state applicants made up 91.33% of the pool (5,106 of 5,591 applications), with 92 students matriculating.
What Is MCASOM’s Acceptance Rate for In-State Applicants?
In-state MCASOM applicants had an acceptance rate of 4.36% in 2024, according to the MSAR. They represented 5.33% of the total pool (298 of 5,591 applications), with only 13 matriculants.
What Is MCASOM’s Acceptance Rate for International Applicants?
MCASOM’s acceptance rate for international applicants is 0.53%. They represented 3.34% of the applicant pool (187 of 5,591), with 1 student matriculating.
How Many People Apply to MCASOM Every Year?
Approximately 5,500 people apply to MCASOM annually. Verified applications over the past five years have ranged from 4,900 to 5,591.
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The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Admissions Statistics
MCASOM Median MCAT Score: 522
MCASOM’s median MCAT score was 522 in 2024. According to data from the AAMC’s MSAR database, students admitted to the 2024 cycle achieved:
MCAT Section
Median Score
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
130
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
130
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
131
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
131
MCASOM does not have a minimum MCAT score requirement.
Here’s a closer look at how MCASOM’s 2024 entering class performed on the MCAT:
MCAT Score Percentiles of MCASOM Matriculants
Percentile
10th Percentile
515
25th Percentile
518
50th Percentile (Median)
522
75th Percentile
524
90th Percentile
525
MCASOM’s median MCAT score of 522 for the 2024 entering class falls in the 99th percentile of all MCAT test-takers from 2022 through 2024. For context, only about 1% of examinees nationwide achieve a score at or above this level.
What MCAT Score Makes You Competitive at MCASOM?
An MCAT score of 524–525 makes you competitive at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, as this range aligns with the top end of 2024’s matriculant scores. Achieving a 525 places you in the 99th percentile of all MCAT test-takers nationwide.
What this means for competitiveness:
● A 524–525 score places you among the strongest Mayo matriculants
● Although a 522 MCAT score is the median for Mayo, it can still be competitive if paired with exceptional research, volunteer, and clinical experience
● Aim for a 525 if you want to truly stand out, as this puts you at the very top of Mayo’s admitted students
Can I get into Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine with a 515 MCAT Score?
Yes, it is possible to get into Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine with a 515 MCAT, but it is unlikely. A 515 is at the 10th percentile for matriculants, below the median of 522. Applicants with this score need exceptional clinical experience, research, and volunteer work to be truly considered for admission.
Our experienced admissions counselors can guide you strategically, helping you present your strongest possible application and maximize your chances of acceptance.
MCASOM Median GPA: 3.95
MCASOM’s median GPA was 3.95 in 2024. MCASOM does not set a minimum GPA requirement.
Here’s a breakdown of the GPA range of successful Mayo Clinic Alix 2024 applicants:
Total GPA Percentiles of the MCASOM Matriculants
Percentile
10th Percentile
3.74
25th Percentile
3.87
50th Percentile (Median)
3.95
75th Percentile
3.99
90th Percentile
4.0
For perspective, the national average GPA for medical school applicants and matriculants in the 2023–2024 cycle was about 3.64. This means the typical Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine admit, with an average GPA of 3.95, earns grades roughly 22% closer to a perfect 4.0 than the average medical school applicant.
What GPA Score Makes You Competitive at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine?
A 3.99 GPA makes you highly competitive at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. Since a 3.99 GPA was reported at the 75th percentile for matriculants in 2024 (with 4.0 at the 90th percentile), this score places you within the top 25% of admitted students.
MCASOM places significant weight on GPA as a reflection of your ability to excel across rigorous coursework in both science and non-science fields. A GPA at or near 4.0 demonstrates not only academic excellence but also consistency, discipline, and mastery of the foundational knowledge Mayo expects students to carry into its research-intensive curriculum.
MCASOM Median Science GPA: 3.95
MCASOM’s median science GPA was 3.95. Here’s a breakdown of the science GPA range of the matriculants:
Science GPA Percentiles of the MCASOM Matriculants
Percentile
10th Percentile
3.74
25th Percentile
3.87
50th Percentile (Median)
3.95
75th Percentile
3.99
90th Percentile
4.0
What Science GPA Makes You Competitive at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine?
A 3.99 science GPA makes you highly competitive at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. A 3.99 GPA was reported at the 75th percentile for matriculants in 2024 (with 4.0 at the 90th percentile), meaning a 3.99 GPA places you within the top 25% of admitted students.
MCASOM places particular weight on science GPA since it reflects your ability to succeed in demanding biology, chemistry, physics, and math coursework. A near-perfect science GPA demonstrates mastery of core concepts, strong study discipline, and the intellectual preparation needed to thrive in Mayo’s rigorous, research-focused curriculum.
Don't settle for a 1.97% acceptance rate. Boost your odds with former admissions officers now.
There are no course requirements to apply to MSASOm. However, there are certain prerequisites that MCASOM applicants are recommended to have:
Biology
Microbiology
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Physics
Successful applicants have a strong background in the life sciences and social sciences.
MCASOM Secondary Application
Applicants to MCASOM must complete a secondary application with essay responses of 500 words or less. These essays ask you to reflect on your motivations for attending Mayo Clinic Alix, the track you selected, your unique strengths, and how your personal, cultural, or professional experiences have shaped your identity.
Your responses should highlight how you will contribute to Mayo’s collaborative learning environment, support its mission of patient-centered care, and demonstrate excellence, compassion, and innovation.
MCASOM’s 2025-2026 secondary prompts are:
1. At Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, we seek students whose values align with our mission to put the needs of the patient first. Please share why you are drawn to our school and the top track you selected. What unique strengths do you bring to our community to advance our commitment to excellence, compassion, and innovation? (500 words)
2. At Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, we value the vast lived experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our students as they contribute to a vibrant learning environment and enhance how we care for our diverse patient population. Reflect on how your personal, cultural, or professional experiences have shaped your identity, and how they may help you contribute to a collaborative learning environment and advocate for your future patients. (500 words)
MCASOM Interview Format
MCASOM uses a traditional, semi-structured on-campus interview format. Each applicant invited to interview participates in two 30-minute, one-on-one conversations with members of the MD Admissions Committee. Interviews provide a holistic evaluation, covering academics, research, clinical exposure, community service, and extracurricular involvement.
Interviewers also assess qualities such as communication skills, maturity, professionalism, and alignment with Mayo’s mission of patient-centered care, collaboration, and innovation.
Applicants also participate in welcome sessions, Q&A sessions, and a campus tour to meet current students and experience Mayo’s community firsthand, ensuring you feel connected to the school as if you were already part of it.
In our recent webinar, “The RIGHT Way to Write The AMCAS Work and Activities Section,” Dr. Aditya Khurana, a Mayo Clinic radiology resident, Duke Neuroscience graduate, and admissions expert at Inspira Advantage, underscored that interview performance is built through intentional practice and deep familiarity with one’s application:
“Interviewing is a skill set, and the name of the game is practice. The more that you practice interviewing, the more it’s going to feel like a natural skill on interview day. It’s also really important to have a strong understanding of your application. You need to be the expert on your application.”
Because Mayo’s interviews are conversational and committee-led rather than purely scripted, applicants who rehearse articulating their experiences and can clearly connect their work to Mayo’s values tend to perform best.
Strong interview preparation is not about memorized answers, but about confidently explaining your own journey, motivations, and fit with Mayo’s collaborative, patient-centered culture.
What is MCACOM’s Interview Rate?
MCACOM has an interview rate of 14.00%. In 2024, 783 out of 5,591 applicants were invited to interview. In-state applicants had the highest chance of being invited, with 168 of 298 applicants (56.38%) receiving interview invitations. Out-of-state applicants saw an 11.77% interview rate, with 601 of 5,106 invited, while international applicants had a 7.49% interview rate, with 14 of 187 invited to interview.
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How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Here are three tips to get into the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.
1. Gain Comprehensive Clinical Exposure and Volunteering Experience
Most MCASOM matriculants bring substantial patient‑facing or volunteer experience. According to MSAR data, 89% had community service or volunteer experience, leaving 11% who did not. Similarly, 95% had physician shadowing or clinical observation, meaning 5% lacked any shadowing experience.
For medical or clinical community service/volunteer work, 87% participated, leaving 13% without this type of exposure. Applying without meaningful clinical or volunteer experience risks placing you in this small minority, which could raise red flags for admissions committees, as they look for applicants with demonstrated commitment to patient care and community service.
“There is no magic number and there is no magic threshold … volunteering and clinical shadowing are really important … but you can also demonstrate your interest in medicine through other activities and other opportunities.”
Dr. Katherine Munoz, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery resident at UW–Madison Med and an admissions counselor at Inspira, reinforced this point in our webinar on “Everything You Need to Know Before Applying To Medical School” by saying “a longitudinal investment means a lot more than a scramble at the end.”
As such, you should aim for sustained, hands-on, patient- or community-centered volunteering or shadowing.
2. Paid Clinical Roles Can Stand Out, But Only If You Take Initiative
Paid clinical or medical-related employment is common among competitive applicants. Approximately 57% of matriculants had medical or clinical paid employment experience, often in roles such as scribing, clinical research assistant, CNA, or EMT. These positions offer more exposure and responsibility than passive shadowing.
Overholtzer shared his experience, saying he:
“Worked as an emergency department scribe … worked in a clinical research department … [and] was paid … [he] probably got a lot more clinical exposure than [he] would have gotten through shadowing.”
“About whether it is paid or unpaid, it is a lot about initiative, leadership and what you have done with the clinical experience … you really want to push yourself.”
Applicants should understand that simply holding a paid position is not enough. Superficial or administrative roles without meaningful patient contact or responsibility will not impress admissions committees.
Instead, aim for positions where you can take initiative, demonstrate leadership, and actively engage with patients or clinical teams. Doing so not only mirrors the experiences of successful matriculants but also gives you concrete examples to highlight in your application and interviews, helping you stand out in a competitive pool.
3. Pair Clinical Exposure with Research or Service to Tell a Cohesive Story
Research and clinical experience go hand-in-hand in MCASOM admissions. Almost all students have research experience (98%), and nearly all have clinical exposure or shadowing. Admissions committees look for applicants who can combine these experiences into a cohesive narrative that demonstrates both intellectual curiosity and commitment to patient care.
“This is not a check box. If you are checking a box, you might actually not be a great candidate. Screeners ask: do they hit thresholds for research, community service, and commitment to medicine?”
Applicants should demonstrate how volunteering, clinical work, and research connect to tell a story of sustained commitment and growth. Admissions committees are less impressed by fragmented or last-minute experiences. Thoughtfully framed, longitudinal engagement shows resilience, intellectual curiosity, and readiness for medical school.
Can I get into Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine if I have no research experience?
It is possible to get into Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine without research experience, as about 2% of the 2024 matriculants did not have research experience. However, 98% of matriculants did, so lacking it will limit your competitiveness.
Applicants without research should emphasize strong clinical exposure, volunteering, or other sustained activities to demonstrate commitment to medicine and intellectual curiosity.
Do I need research publications to be competitive for Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine?
No, publications are not required to be competitive at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. What matters is meaningful research experience that shows curiosity, initiative, and growth. Without publications, applicants should ensure research is combined with clinical or volunteer work to create a cohesive application that demonstrates preparedness for medical school.
However, having publications will still strengthen your application, as it provides concrete evidence of sustained engagement, scholarly contribution, and the ability to see a project through to completion.
Real-Life Example of an Ideal Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Applicant
Here is the profile of a recent MCASOM admit, illustrating the combination of academics, clinical experience, research, and service that helped them get accepted.
Metric / Attribute
Applicant’s Value / Background
GPA
4.00
MCAT
519 (130 / 129 / 129 / 131)
Gap Years
2
Clinical Hours
~4000 (paid + volunteer + shadowing)
Volunteer Hours (non-clinical)
~700
Research Hours
~300
Research Publications
0
URM Status
No
Secondary Application Turnaround
~26 days
Lessons From this Profile:
Academic Excellence: A perfect GPA signals consistent performance across coursework.
MCAT Flexibility: A 519 is below the median for MCASOM (522), but combined with strong extracurriculars, it still yields a competitive application.
Hands-On Experience Matters: 4000 clinical hours and 700 volunteer hours demonstrate long-term commitment to patient care and community service.
Research Engagement: Even without publications, 300 research hours show intellectual curiosity and exposure to scientific inquiry.
Consistency Over Flash: Sustained involvement in multiple areas (clinical, volunteer, research) is more valuable than short-term or last-minute efforts.
Holistic Narrative: The combination of academics, clinical experience, volunteering, and research builds a cohesive story that admissions committees look for.
We know what committees want—our ex-admissions officers wrote the playbook.
Combines clinical medicine and rigorous biomedical research.
MD‑MS (MD + Master of Science in Clinical & Translational Science)
5 years
Offers medical students the option to earn a master’s degree alongside their MD, focusing on clinical and translational research.
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The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Tuition and Scholarships
The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine tuition for the 2025–2026 academic year is $67,900 for 54 credits ($762 per credit).
The estimated total cost of attendance for a first-year medical student, including tuition, housing, food, transportation, personal expenses, and other indirect costs, is $106,795. This estimate does not include optional health, dental, or vision insurance.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the estimated cost of attendance for one year at Mayo Clinic Alix:
Item
Cost
Tuition (54 credits, $762/credit)
$67,900
Housing and Food ($2,150/month)
$25,800
Home Internet ($85/month + $75 one-time install)
$1,095
Transportation ($375/month)
$4,500
Personal and Miscellaneous ($625/month)
$7,500
Total Cost of Attendance
$106,795
How Much Is Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine for 4 Years?
The total estimated cost of attendance for four years at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is approximately $427,180 (before optional health, dental, or vision insurance).
Scholarships
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine offers financial support through institutional scholarships, grants, and loans. Scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need and are renewable each year, provided students maintain satisfactory academic performance. The school uses parental income and asset information to determine eligibility.
94% of students receive scholarships.
49% of graduates in the class of 2024 had less than $100,000 in student loan debt.
71% of students borrowed student loans to help fund their education.
In addition to institutional scholarships, students are encouraged to pursue external grants and scholarships to further reduce loan dependence.
Mayo Clinic uses a need-aware admissions process where financial aid is awarded after admission based on demonstrated need. All financial aid is applied first to tuition bills, and excess funds are refunded to students.
The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Application Timeline
Here is the full MCASOM application timeline, along with when you should start preparing your application to submit on time:
Stage / Month
Action / Focus
Junior Year: Jan – Mar
Focus on MCAT prep. Take practice tests, review weak areas, and consider tutoring if needed. Aim to finish your test by April.
Junior Year: Apr
Finalize your school list. Begin drafting your primary application, including personal statement and AMCAS Work and Activities section.
Junior Year: Early May 2025
AMCAS opens. Begin submitting primary application materials and request letters of recommendation.
Application Window: June 1 – Oct 1, 2025
Submit your AMCAS application as early as possible. Early submission improves your chances in a rolling admissions system.
Secondary Applications: Jun – Oct 2025
Complete Mayo-specific secondary applications quickly, ideally within two weeks. Prepare essays and supporting materials.
MCAT / Transcripts Deadline: Oct 15, 2025
Ensure all MCAT scores, transcripts, secondary applications, letters of recommendation, and fees are submitted by this date.
Interview Invitations: Aug – Nov 2025
Mayo begins sending interview invitations. Prepare thoroughly for interviews, reviewing common questions and your application narrative.
Campus Interviews: Sep – Dec 2025
Attend in-person campus interviews. Show clinical experience, research engagement, and community involvement.
Acceptance Offers: Feb 2026
Initial offers of acceptance are sent. Evaluate financial aid, fit, and location carefully.
Waitlist Decisions: Apr – Jun 2026
Applicants accepted from the waitlist are notified. Stay responsive and provide updates if requested.
Pre-Matriculation: Jun – Aug 2026
Complete required paperwork, connect with future classmates, and prepare for orientation. Use this time to rest and plan for medical school.
FAQs
1. Where Is Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Located?
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine has campuses in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida.
2. Does Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Only Do On-Campus Interviews?
Yes, MCASOM interviews are conducted on campus at their respective campuses. Applicants should plan to attend in person, as virtual interviews are generally not offered.
3. Does MCASOM Accept Transfer Students?
No, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine does not accept transfer students from other medical schools at any of its campuses. All applicants must apply as first‑year students through the standard admissions process and complete the full curriculum at MCASOM to earn their MD degree.
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