Navigating medical school admissions has become an intensely competitive journey, as evidenced by the record 52,577 applicants vying for a spot in the 2023-2024 cycle, where nearly 85% of those with stellar stats got accepted while the overall acceptance rate remained a daunting 41.4%.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2023-2024 cycle, there were 52,577 applicants to U.S. MD-granting medical schools, marking a 2.7% increase from the previous year.
- The number of first-time applicants to MD programs rose to 42,254 in 2023, up 1.9% from 2022.
- Total applications submitted to MD schools reached 1,224,308 in 2023-2024, a 1.2% increase year-over-year.
- The average GPA for all MD applicants in 2023 was 3.77.
- Matriculants to MD programs had an average GPA of 3.88 in 2023.
- Applicants with GPA 3.90+ comprised 28.4% of the 2023 MD pool.
- Overall MD acceptance rate was 41.4% in 2023.
- Acceptance rate for in-state applicants: 47% vs 34% out-of-state in 2023.
- 60.4% of MD interviewees matriculated in 2023.
- Matriculants to MD programs totaled 22,976 in 2023.
- Females comprised 50.5% of 2023 MD matriculants.
- Asian matriculants: 24.1% of MD class of 2027.
- Average matriculant debt at entry: $195,000 projected for class of 2027.
- 76% of matriculants took at least one gap year in 2023.
- MD matriculation yield from acceptances: 74.2% in 2023.
Medical school admissions are increasingly competitive with more applicants each year.
Academic Metrics (GPA/MCAT)
- The average GPA for all MD applicants in 2023 was 3.77.
- Matriculants to MD programs had an average GPA of 3.88 in 2023.
- Applicants with GPA 3.90+ comprised 28.4% of the 2023 MD pool.
- Average MCAT for MD applicants was 511.7 in 2023.
- MD matriculants averaged 512.6 on MCAT in 2023.
- 45% of 2023 applicants scored 510+ on MCAT.
- GPA below 3.0 applicants: 4.2% of 2023 MD pool.
- BCPM GPA average for matriculants: 3.84 in 2023.
- MCAT CP section average for applicants: 127.1 in 2023.
- Applicants with GPA 3.8-3.99: 42% of accepted students in 2023.
- MCAT 520+ scorers: 6.8% of 2023 applicants, 28% of matriculants.
- Non-science GPA average: 3.80 for 2023 matriculants.
- From 2019-2023, average applicant MCAT rose 0.9 points.
- 2023 applicants with perfect 528 MCAT: 142 individuals.
- GPA 3.5-3.59 applicants matriculated at 12% rate in 2023.
- MCAT BBFL section average for MD matriculants: 128.2 in 2023.
- 75th percentile MCAT for applicants: 515 in 2023.
- GPA trends show 10-year increase of 0.15 points for applicants.
- MCAT PSY/SOC average: 127.8 for 2023 matriculants.
- Applicants with GPA <3.4: 22% acceptance rate in 2023.
- 25th percentile GPA for matriculants: 3.77 in 2023.
- MCAT CARS average for rejected applicants: 126.5 in 2023.
- Overall GPA standard deviation for applicants: 0.42 in 2023.
- MCAT scores for reapplicants averaged 509.1 in 2023.
- Science GPA 3.7+: 55% of 2023 matriculants.
- MCAT 500-503 scorers: 18% of applicants, 1% matriculants in 2023.
- Average GPA for DO-to-MD applicants: 3.72 in 2023.
- MD matriculant MCAT 75th percentile: 516 in 2023.
- Applicants with 4.0 GPA: 8.2% of 2023 pool.
Academic Metrics (GPA/MCAT) Interpretation
This data reveals the brutal, grade-fortified wall of medical admissions, where even a 3.77 GPA is merely the starting line for a race dominated by applicants whose averages are nearly perfect.
Acceptance and Rejection Rates
- Overall MD acceptance rate was 41.4% in 2023.
- Acceptance rate for in-state applicants: 47% vs 34% out-of-state in 2023.
- 60.4% of MD interviewees matriculated in 2023.
- Black or African American applicants had 42.1% acceptance rate in 2023.
- Rejection rate after secondary applications: 68% in 2023 MD cycle.
- Hispanic/Latino applicants acceptance: 45.8% in 2023.
- Overall matriculation rate: 2.5% of applicants per school average in 2023.
- Asian applicants acceptance rate: 39.2% in 2023 MD programs.
- White applicants: 44.6% acceptance in 2023.
- International medical graduates acceptance: 3.1% in 2023.
- Female applicant acceptance rate: 43.2% vs 40.1% male in 2023.
- MD/PhD program acceptance: 6.5% of applicants in 2023.
- Public school in-state acceptance: 51% in 2023.
- Private MD school acceptance: 38% average in 2023.
- Reapplicant acceptance rate: 35.2% in 2023.
- Acceptance rate for GPA 3.9+ and MCAT 520+: 85% in 2023.
- Low GPA (<3.5) with high MCAT acceptance: 28% in 2023.
- Top 20 MD schools average acceptance: 3.8% in 2023.
- Osteopathic-trained MD applicants acceptance: 22% in 2023.
- Early decision program acceptance: 52% success rate in 2023.
- Post-interview rejection rate: 39.6% in 2023 MD cycle.
- Acceptance rate for disadvantaged applicants: 46.3% in 2023.
- Rural applicants acceptance: 48.1% in 2023.
- Acceptance for 30+ age group: 41.7% in 2023.
- Military applicants acceptance: 55% in 2023.
- Acceptance rate at Harvard Medical School: 3.2% in 2023.
- Johns Hopkins MD acceptance: 1.9% for 2023 cycle.
- UCSF School of Medicine acceptance: 2.6% in 2023.
- Overall interview rate: 24.8% of applicants in 2023.
Acceptance and Rejection Rates Interpretation
Navigating medical school admissions is a statistical obstacle course where your chances swing wildly from a coin toss to a lightning strike depending on whether you're a local superstar, a military veteran, or simply naive enough to apply to Johns Hopkins.
Applicant Volume and Trends
- In the 2023-2024 cycle, there were 52,577 applicants to U.S. MD-granting medical schools, marking a 2.7% increase from the previous year.
- The number of first-time applicants to MD programs rose to 42,254 in 2023, up 1.9% from 2022.
- Total applications submitted to MD schools reached 1,224,308 in 2023-2024, a 1.2% increase year-over-year.
- Reapplicants to MD programs numbered 10,323 in 2023, representing 19.6% of all applicants.
- From 2019 to 2023, MD applicant numbers grew by 17.4%, from 44,589 to 52,577.
- In 2022-2023, 22,712 applicants applied to more than 20 MD schools.
- DO applicants to MD programs increased by 15% from 2021 to 2023.
- International applicants to U.S. MD schools totaled 11,102 in 2023.
- Female applicants comprised 46.5% of the MD applicant pool in 2023.
- Applicants over age 30 made up 12.3% of the 2023 MD pool.
- In 2023, 1,319 applicants held PhDs when applying to MD programs.
- Gap year takers among 2023 applicants reached 68.4%.
- From 2020-2023, underrepresented minority applicants increased by 25%.
- Total MD and DO combined applicants hit 90,000 in 2023.
- California residents submitted 14.2% of all MD applications in 2023.
- In 2023-2024, AMCAS applications opened with 30,000 submissions in the first month.
- Repeat applicants with prior MCAT scores averaged 508.2 in 2023.
- Applicants with military backgrounds numbered 1,456 in 2023 MD cycle.
- Post-baccalaureate program graduates applying to MD rose 8% in 2023.
- Texas medical schools received 8.5% of national MD applications in 2023.
- In 2022, 35% of applicants applied solely to public MD schools.
- National applicant pool for MD programs peaked at 53,000 in preliminary 2024 data.
- From 2018-2023, Asian applicant numbers grew 22%.
- Disadvantaged background self-identifiers among applicants hit 18% in 2023.
- Applicants with parents in medicine: 28.4% in 2023 MD cycle.
- Rural origin applicants: 4.2% of 2023 pool.
- In 2023, 7,891 applicants were Texas residents via TMDSAS.
- Overall cycle applications per applicant averaged 23.3 for MD in 2023.
- 2023 saw 2,345 dual MD/PhD applicants.
- First-generation college applicants: 12.7% in 2023.
Applicant Volume and Trends Interpretation
The medical school admissions arena is an ever-expanding universe of hopefuls—from repeat warriors to PhD-toting polymaths—where nearly everyone is taking a gap year to polish their narrative, yet the seats remain stubbornly finite, proving that while the pool gets deeper, the lifeguard's whistle only blows for a lucky few.
Demographic Breakdowns
- Matriculants to MD programs totaled 22,976 in 2023.
- Females comprised 50.5% of 2023 MD matriculants.
- Asian matriculants: 24.1% of MD class of 2027.
- White matriculants: 47.3% in 2023 MD programs.
- Hispanic/Latino matriculants: 12.4% of 2023 class.
- Black/African American: 9.5% of MD matriculants 2023.
- American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.9% in 2023.
- Multi-racial matriculants: 5.7% of 2023 MD.
- In-state matriculants average 62% per public school in 2023.
- Average age of MD matriculants: 24.8 years in 2023.
- 1st generation college matriculants: 15.2% in 2023.
- PhD holders among matriculants: 1.1% in 2023 MD.
- Gap year matriculants: 59.8% of class of 2027.
- California residents: 12% of national MD matriculants 2023.
- Disadvantaged background matriculants: 20.1% in 2023.
- Rural origin matriculants: 5.3% in 2023 MD classes.
- Parental physician households: 29% of 2023 matriculants.
- Military service matriculants: 0.8% in 2023.
- DO matriculants to MD programs: 4.2% crossover in 2023.
- International matriculants to MD: 0.2% in 2023.
- LGBTQ+ self-identified matriculants: 7.4% in 2023 survey.
- Economic disadvantage indicator: 18.5% of 2023 matriculants.
- STEM major undergrads: 62% of 2023 MD matriculants.
- Humanities majors matriculants: 12% in 2023.
- Social sciences majors: 22.1% of class of 2027.
- Public undergrad institutions: 68% of 2023 matriculants.
- Ivy League undergrads: 8.5% of MD matriculants 2023.
- Community college pathway matriculants: 2.1% in 2023.
- Underrepresented in medicine (URM): 18.6% of 2023 matriculants.
- Total first-year MD enrollment reached 22,976 in 2023.
- URM matriculants increased 12% from 2022 to 2023.
Demographic Breakdowns Interpretation
In a welcome but incomplete shift, the medical school class of 2027 is a more balanced mosaic of gender and race, yet it still leans heavily toward traditional pipelines of privilege, as evidenced by nearly a third of students having a doctor parent, over half taking a gap year likely for resume-building, and a mere sliver coming from community college or military service backgrounds.
Matriculation and Enrollment Data
- Average matriculant debt at entry: $195,000 projected for class of 2027.
- 76% of matriculants took at least one gap year in 2023.
- MD matriculation yield from acceptances: 74.2% in 2023.
- Total MD seats available: 30,945 in 2023 cycle.
- Public MD schools enrolled 55% of class of 2027.
- Private schools matriculated 45% despite more applicants in 2023.
- Multiple acceptances held by matriculants averaged 4.2 in 2023.
- Waitlist matriculants: 15% of class of 2027.
- Early assurance program matriculants: 1,200 nationwide in 2023.
- Combined MD/PhD matriculants: 1,024 in 2023.
- Deferred matriculation rate: 3.1% of accepted in 2023.
- Average applications to matriculate: 28 per student in 2023 MD.
- Fee assistance program users among matriculants: 25% in 2023.
- Post-bac matriculants: 12% of class of 2027.
- SMP (special master's) matriculants: 8.4% in 2023.
- Inter-school matriculation rate from interviews: 62% in 2023.
- Regional matriculants: 70% stay within 500 miles of home in 2023.
- Financial aid coverage: 85% of matriculants receive some in 2023.
- Merit scholarship matriculants: 18% of class of 2027.
- Out-of-state matriculants at public schools: 38% average 2023.
- Total DO enrollment growth: 5% to 31,486 in 2023.
- MD school class size average: 162 students in 2023.
- Fill rate for MD seats: 99.8% in 2023 cycle.
- Legacy matriculants: 5-10% per school average in 2023.
- Athletes matriculants: 3.2% of MD classes 2023.
- International baccalaureate matriculants: 4.1% in 2023.
- Non-traditional (5+ years post-undergrad): 22% of 2023 matriculants.
Matriculation and Enrollment Data Interpretation
While dauntingly expensive and fiercely competitive, the path to becoming a doctor is surprisingly human, marked by debt, detours, and a stubborn preference for schools close to home.
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