How to Get Into NYU Grossman School of Medicine

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.

If you’re looking for just the requirements, click here.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine Acceptance Rate: 1.26%

NYU Grossman School of Medicine has an approximate acceptance rate of 1.26% for the 2024 admissions cycle. According to verified application data from the AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database, there were 8,271 verified applications and 104 matriculants.

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

NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s average acceptance rate over the last five years is 1.20%. During this period, the school received an average of 8,708 applications per year for an average of 104 seats, meaning that for every student admitted, more than 80 were turned away. 

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

It is extremely difficult to gain admission to NYU Grossman. With an approximate acceptance rate of 1.26%, around 1 in every 100 applicants is admitted. For the 2024 cycle, NYU Grossman received 8,271 applications for just 104 seats. The school could have filled its entire incoming class more than 79 times over with the number of students who applied.

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.

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 approximately 1.33%. According to MSAR, 6,774 out-of-state students applied to NYU Grossman’s 2024 application cycle, and 90 students matriculated.

Out-of-state students made up 81.90% of NYU Grossman’s 2024 applicant pool. This 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 approximately 0.52%. The MSAR reports that 383 international students applied to NYU Grossman’s 2024 application cycle, of which only 2 matriculated.

International students accounted for just 4.6% 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 about 8,708 applications for its MD program over the past 5 years, according to AAMC reports.

Applications peaked in 2021 with 9,632, compared to roughly 8,000 to 8,300 in most other years. This indicates that annual applicant numbers are generally in the low 8,000s, with 2021 standing out as an outlier likely driven by pandemic-related factors.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into NYU Grossman

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: 91% of admits had physician shadowing experience, 88% had clinical volunteering, and 79% had paid clinical employment. These numbers make it clear that clinical experience is non-negotiable, and variety, depth, and reflection matter.

Consider the inverse: only 9% of matriculants lacked physician shadowing, 12% lacked clinical volunteering, and 21% had no paid clinical work. 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, 94% 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 can articulate its impact and meaning. According to MSAR, 97% 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.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine MD Programs Offered

NYU Grossman School of Medicine offers seven MD programs:

How Much Is NYU Grossman School of Medicine?

NYU Grossman School of Medicine offers a full-tuition scholarship to all MD students, regardless of in-state or out-of-state residency. This scholarship fully covers the standard tuition of $64,250 per year. In addition, NYU Grossman covers the full cost of student health insurance, saving students another $6,378 annually. 

While students are still responsible for fees and living expenses, the total out-of-pocket cost is significantly lower than that of most US medical schools.

Here’s a breakdown of the estimated 2025-2026 annual costs for first-year students:

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

The estimated total cost of attending NYU Grossman School of Medicine over four years ranges from approximately $141,284 to $148,274. This amount reflects the financial support provided by both the full-tuition scholarship and the health insurance subsidy, making NYU Grossman one of the most affordable options among top-ranked medical schools.

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

FAQs

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 average GPA for admitted students was 3.97, 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.

Get Into the NYU Grossman School of Medicine With Inspira Advantage 

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.

Book a free consultation today to get started on your path to acceptance!

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Dr. Jonathan Preminger was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.