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The Truth About Med School GPA Requirements: Most Are Not Publicly Available
“Required” GPAs rarely exist at medical schools. The vast majority of MD programs use holistic review, which means admissions committees do not evaluate GPA as a fixed cutoff. They interpret it in context, factoring in course rigor, academic trends, institution, major, and the rest of your application. That is why two applicants with the same GPA can receive very different decisions.
That said, some schools do publish a minimum GPA, but these numbers function as eligibility floors, not competitiveness targets. For example, Howard University College of Medicine lists a 3.0 science GPA minimum to apply. Meeting that minimum GPA only means your application will be reviewed. It does not mean your GPA is competitive or strong enough on its own.
Most U.S. medical schools avoid publishing GPA cutoffs because internal screening thresholds are flexible, non-public, and can change by cycle or applicant category. As a result, applicants should look to the GPAs of recently matriculated students, including the median and 25th percentile to 75th percentile ranges, to gauge competitiveness rather than chasing a single “required GPA” that usually does not exist.
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A List of Top Allopathic Med Schools’ GPA ‘Requirements’
Here is a list of the top allopathic med school’s GPA requirements. Our methodology for finding each school’s GPA requirement can be found below.
Our Methodology
For each school listed below, we use 10th percentile GPA data from the AAMC MSAR for matriculated students as a proxy for the school’s “GPA requirement.”
The 10th percentile GPA reflects the lower bound of GPAs among matriculated students, meaning 10% of accepted students had a GPA at or below this level and 90% were above it; this is not a guarantee of admission or a formal cutoff, but rather the lowest GPA accepted in the most recent cycle, typically alongside strong MCAT scores, compelling experiences, or clear institutional mission fit.
This approach allows applicants to compare schools on a more realistic scale and see which programs are more GPA-flexible.
What’s the Average GPA for Medical School Applicants?
For the 2025 application cycle, the average cumulative GPA for medical school applicants was 3.67, according to the AAMC. This figure reflects the academic profile of all students who applied, regardless of whether they were ultimately accepted.
What’s the Average GPA for Students Accepted to Medical School?
Students who matriculated into medical school had an average cumulative GPA of 3.81. This higher average shows that admitted students generally outperform the overall applicant pool academically.
The gap between applicant and matriculant GPAs highlights how admissions committees use GPA as a key indicator of academic readiness and likelihood of success in a rigorous medical curriculum.
If your GPA is lower than this range, medical school admissions consulting can help you identify strategies to strengthen the rest of your application and remain competitive.
What is the Average Science GPA for Students Accepted to Medical School?
The average science GPA for matriculants in the 2023–2024 cycle was 3.71, according to the AAMC. A strong science GPA not only signals mastery of foundational concepts but also demonstrates your ability to sustain high performance in challenging, relevant coursework over time.
Admissions committees often weigh this metric heavily because it predicts how well students can handle the academic rigor of medical school, especially in the first two years of science-heavy classes.
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How Important Is Your GPA for Admission to Med School?
Your GPA is one of the most important factors in medical school admissions, as it’s used as a key screening metric. Medical schools apply school-specific GPA thresholds to determine whether an application receives a full review.
If an applicant falls below a school’s academic screening range, the admissions committee may not evaluate the rest of the application in depth. In other words, GPA functions as a gatekeeper, not a ranking tool. You must clear the academic bar for your application to be seriously considered, but your overall profile determines whether you gain admission.
Medical schools often screen applicants by GPA early in the process. Falling below a school’s cutoff can limit consideration, especially at highly selective institutions.
Admissions committees evaluate multiple GPA types:
- Cumulative GPA
- Science GPA
- Non-science GPA
That said, your GPA is not the sole deciding factor. Admissions committees evaluate all of your application components holistically, including:
A below-average GPA can be offset by strengths elsewhere, particularly a strong MCAT and meaningful clinical experience.
Since your personal statement is a key part of your application that goes beyond metrics and gives you a chance to showcase your experiences and strengths, it can be helpful to explore our database of over 25 personal statement examples.
What Is the Most Common MD GPA Requirement?
The most common MD GPA requirement cutoffs fall around 3.0 to 3.3. However, these are just cutoffs. The schools will still likely expect GPAs much higher than this, at around 3.5 or above.
Is Your Science GPA More Important Than Your Cumulative GPA?
Yes, science GPA is generally considered more important because it reflects your performance in biology, chemistry, physics, and math (courses most relevant to medical school). Cumulative GPA still matters as a measure of overall academic consistency, but admissions committees weigh science GPA more heavily when assessing readiness for the rigors of medical training.
How Important Is Your Science GPA for Med School Admission?
Your science GPA is especially important and includes prerequisite courses such as:
- Biology
- Chemistry (including organic and biochemistry)
- Physics
- Math
- Other related science courses
Strong performance in science courses is critical, regardless of your major. As Christina Grabowski, Associate Dean for Admissions and Enrollment at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, notes:
“Whether you're a psychology major or a business major or a biology major, we are going to look at how you did in science coursework specifically.”
Your non-science GPA includes all other coursework. If you are unsure how courses are classified, the AAMC’s AMCAS course classification guide can help.
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Is Your GPA or MCAT Score More Important For Med School Admissions?
Your GPA can actually carry more weight in predicting long-term success in medical school. MCAT performance reflects your knowledge and test-taking ability at a single moment, but GPA provides a longitudinal view of your academic potential, showing how you perform across multiple semesters and diverse courses.
Dr. Bima Hasjim, a UC Irvine general surgery resident and medical school admissions consultant with Inspira Advantage, explains this in the webinar How To Get Ahead Of The Competition For 2025 Med School Admissions:
“Your GPA is a more longitudinal piece of data to support your academic potential… a GPA tells me your (A) trajectory and (B) longitudinal academic potential… we can see the trajectory of your GPA—so maybe you started a little slow or weak and in the last two years you’ve been straight A’s—that’s helpful to see… gives me an idea that you’ll be able to do that same exact kind of ‘figure it out along the way’ thing in medical school.”
This perspective underscores why admissions committees sometimes prioritize GPA over the MCAT. A strong GPA trajectory demonstrates resilience, consistent effort, and the ability to learn and improve over time. Even a lower early GPA can be offset by an upward trend, signaling that you can handle rigorous coursework and adapt effectively to challenges.
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What Is the Minimum GPA Needed to Gain Admission to Med School?
The minimum GPA for medical school varies by institution, and many don’t list a minimum GPA as part of their admissions requirements. As a general guideline, aim for at least a 3.5 undergraduate GPA. If a school does not specify a cutoff; target the 75th percentile GPA of matriculated students to remain competitive.
GPA expectations also differ by tier of school and generally follow these guidelines:
- Tier 1 (top research-focused schools): Median GPA ~3.90–3.97
- Tier 2 (strong academic and research programs): Median GPA ~3.80–3.92
- Tier 3 (regional or primary-care focused programs): Median GPA ~3.55–3.80
Maintaining a GPA above your target medical school’s median improves your chances of admission, while a strong upward trend in grades can help offset early academic challenges. This makes GPA not just a number but a signal of long-term academic potential.
Do All MD Programs Have a GPA Requirement?
No, most medical schools don’t have a GPA requirement. If a school doesn’t state a minimum GPA requirement, it’s best to check their class profile data and find their median GPA before you apply. Aiming for a GPA slightly higher, or in the 75th percentile of the class’ median, is best to stay competitive.
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