52,343 applicants sought spots at MD-granting medical schools in the most recent cycle. 22,171 students matriculated. The statistics below detail acceptance rates, GPAs, MCAT scores, and demographic patterns across recent cycles.
Key Takeaways
- Overall MD acceptance rate 2023: 41.8% (acceptances/applicants)
- 45% of 2023 matriculants to MD schools were female
- Overall GPA for all 2023 MD applicants averaged 3.60
- Average MCAT for all 2023 MD applicants: 506.5
- In the 2023-2024 cycle, there were 52,343 applicants to MD-granting medical schools in the US
Medical school admissions are highly competitive, so strong grades and application strategy matter more than ever.
Related reading
01 · Category
Acceptance and Enrollment Statistics24 stats
01
Overall MD acceptance rate 2023: 41.8% (acceptances/applicants)
02
Matriculation rate 2023: 42.3% of accepted students enrolled
03
Total MD matriculants 2023: 22,171
04
2022 acceptance rate: 41.2%
05
2022 matriculants: 22,712
06
2021 acceptance rate: 43.5%
07
2021 matriculants: 22,239 to MD schools
08
2020 acceptance rate: 40.8%, matriculants 21,131
09
Average applications per applicant 2023: 20.5
10
2023 offers per matriculant: 5.2 average
11
URM acceptance rate 2023: 50.2% vs non-URM 39.1%
12
Female acceptance rate 2023: 44.3%, male 38.9%
13
In-state acceptance rate 2023: 52.1% vs out-of-state 28.4%
14
Acceptance rate by GPA 3.80+ 2023: 78%
15
MCAT 515+ acceptance rate 2023: 82.5%
16
Top 20 schools average acceptance rate: 3.5% in 2023
17
DO matriculants 2023: 8,348, acceptance rate ~45%
18
Total MD seats 2023: 22,981 available, fill rate 96.4%
19
Reapplicant acceptance rate 2023: 35.2% vs first-time 43.8%
20
2023 matriculation by major: bio sciences 60.5% acceptance to matriculation
21
Humanities majors matriculation rate higher: 48%
22
National average yield rate (enrollment/acceptance) 2023: 42%
23
Harvard med acceptance rate 2023: 3.2%
24
Johns Hopkins acceptance: 1.9% in 2023
Interpretation
Acceptance and Enrollment Statistics Interpretation
Getting into medical school requires a perfect storm of sky-high stats, strategic applications, and a bit of geographic or demographic luck, turning this noble pursuit into a grueling numbers game where even the most qualified face daunting odds.
02 · Category
Demographic Statistics24 stats
01
45% of 2023 matriculants to MD schools were female
02
2023 MD matriculants: 11.3% Hispanic/Latino
03
Black/African American: 10.1% of 2023 MD matriculants
04
Asian: 24.6% of 2023 MD matriculants
05
White: 52.8% of 2023 MD matriculants
06
Multiple race: 5.2%, Other: 3.8% in 2023 matriculants
07
2022 MD matriculants female: 46.2%
08
URM matriculants 2022: 18.9% of total
09
2021 matriculants: 49% female
10
Asian matriculants 2021: 25.1%
11
Average age MD matriculants 2023: 24 years
12
82% of 2023 matriculants under 25 years old
13
Texas residents 12% of 2023 matriculants
14
California matriculants: 13% in 2023
15
New York: 9% of 2023 MD matriculants
16
Female applicants 2023: 57.1% of total pool
17
Male applicants 2023: 42.9%
18
URM applicants 2023: 32.4% of pool
19
Biological science majors among matriculants 2023: 60%
20
Humanities majors matriculants 2023: 11%
21
Physical sciences matriculants: 10% in 2023
22
Socioeconomic disadvantaged matriculants 2023: 15.2%
23
First-generation college matriculants 2023: 12.5%
24
Rural background matriculants 2023 MD: 4.8%
Interpretation
Demographic Statistics Interpretation
While medical schools have nearly achieved gender parity in matriculation, the journey to a physician workforce that truly mirrors America's rich diversity in race, background, and perspective remains a complex and urgent diagnosis.
More related reading
05 · Category
Overall Applicant Statistics30 stats
01
In the 2023-2024 cycle, there were 52,343 applicants to MD-granting medical schools in the US
02
For 2022-2023, total MD applicants numbered 48,033, marking a 2.7% increase from prior year
03
In 2021-2022, 52,080 individuals applied to MD programs, with 82% being first-time applicants
04
2020-2021 saw 48,142 MD applicants amid COVID disruptions
05
Total applicants to MD schools in 2019-2020 reached 41,955
06
In 2018-2019, 47,000+ applicants competed for spots, precisely 41,802
07
2017-2018 cycle had 47,378 applicants to MD schools
08
Pre-2017, 2016-2017 applicants totaled 48,142 to MD programs
09
In 2023, 32% of applicants were from underrepresented minorities in medicine (URM)
10
Average age of MD applicants in 2023 was 25 years
11
2023 MD applicants: 57% female, 43% male
12
Texas residents comprised 11% of 2023 MD applicants nationally
13
California applicants made up 14% of national MD pool in 2023
14
Florida contributed 6% of 2023 MD applicants
15
New York state applicants: 8% of 2023 total MD applicants
16
In 2023, 72% of MD applicants held bachelor's degrees in biological sciences
17
12% of 2023 applicants majored in humanities/social sciences
18
Physical sciences majors: 9% of 2023 MD applicants
19
Other majors (math, engineering): 7% of 2023 applicants
20
In 2023, 85% of MD applicants had research experience
21
Volunteer experience reported by 92% of 2023 MD applicants
22
Paid employment in healthcare: 68% of 2023 applicants
23
Shadowing physicians: 79% of 2023 MD applicants
24
Teaching/tutoring experience: 55% of 2023 applicants
25
Community service: 88% participation among 2023 MD applicants
26
Leadership experience: 76% of 2023 applicants
27
Average number of MCAT attempts for 2023 applicants: 1.3
28
In 2023, 15% of applicants reapplied after previous cycles
29
DO applicants in 2023: 45,027, separate from MD
30
Combined MD/DO applicants 2023: nearly 97,000 unique individuals
Interpretation
Overall Applicant Statistics Interpretation
While the nearly 97,000 aspiring doctors of 2023 have impressively checked every box—from research and volunteering to healthcare jobs and shadowing—this army of identically excellent candidates suggests that standing out in the admissions queue now requires not just a stellar application, but perhaps a personality hologram and a cure for the common cold.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Rachel Svensson. (2026, February 13). Medical School Admission Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/medical-school-admission-statistics
MLA
Rachel Svensson. "Medical School Admission Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/medical-school-admission-statistics.
Chicago
Rachel Svensson. 2026. "Medical School Admission Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/medical-school-admission-statistics.
Sources & references
5 datasets cited across this report