Gitnux/Report 2026

Medical School Admissions Statistics

With U.S. MD-granting schools up to 52,577 applicants in the 2023 to 2024 cycle, selection is still tight, averaging a 41.4% overall MD acceptance rate. See how GPAs and MCAT cutoffs separate applicants from matriculants, including a 28.4% share of GPAs at 3.90+ and MCAT averages that climb from 511.7 for applicants to 512.6 for matriculants.
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May 14, 2026Updated
Medical School Admissions Statistics
Isabelle MoreauWritten by Isabelle Moreau·Edited by Christopher Morgan·Fact-checked by Maya Johansson
Published ·Updated
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With 52,577 applicants to U.S. MD granting medical schools in the 2023-2024 cycle, the competition is no longer just about meeting the cutoffs. The most selective parts of the profile swing in surprising ways, from GPA concentration to MCAT distributions, and from in state versus out of state outcomes to reapplicant performance. Let’s connect the dots behind the averages and percent shares that ultimately determine who gets interviews and who matriculates.

Key Takeaways

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

In 2023, MD applicants averaged 511.7 MCAT and a 3.77 GPA while acceptance rates stayed highly competitive.

Related reading

01 · Category

Academic Metrics (GPA/MCAT)29 stats

01
The average GPA for all MD applicants in 2023 was 3.77.
02
Matriculants to MD programs had an average GPA of 3.88 in 2023.
03
Applicants with GPA 3.90+ comprised 28.4% of the 2023 MD pool.
04
Average MCAT for MD applicants was 511.7 in 2023.
05
MD matriculants averaged 512.6 on MCAT in 2023.
06
45% of 2023 applicants scored 510+ on MCAT.
07
GPA below 3.0 applicants: 4.2% of 2023 MD pool.
08
BCPM GPA average for matriculants: 3.84 in 2023.
09
MCAT CP section average for applicants: 127.1 in 2023.
10
Applicants with GPA 3.8-3.99: 42% of accepted students in 2023.
11
MCAT 520+ scorers: 6.8% of 2023 applicants, 28% of matriculants.
12
Non-science GPA average: 3.80 for 2023 matriculants.
13
From 2019-2023, average applicant MCAT rose 0.9 points.
14
2023 applicants with perfect 528 MCAT: 142 individuals.
15
GPA 3.5-3.59 applicants matriculated at 12% rate in 2023.
16
MCAT BBFL section average for MD matriculants: 128.2 in 2023.
17
75th percentile MCAT for applicants: 515 in 2023.
18
GPA trends show 10-year increase of 0.15 points for applicants.
19
MCAT PSY/SOC average: 127.8 for 2023 matriculants.
20
Applicants with GPA <3.4: 22% acceptance rate in 2023.
21
25th percentile GPA for matriculants: 3.77 in 2023.
22
MCAT CARS average for rejected applicants: 126.5 in 2023.
23
Overall GPA standard deviation for applicants: 0.42 in 2023.
24
MCAT scores for reapplicants averaged 509.1 in 2023.
25
Science GPA 3.7+: 55% of 2023 matriculants.
26
MCAT 500-503 scorers: 18% of applicants, 1% matriculants in 2023.
27
Average GPA for DO-to-MD applicants: 3.72 in 2023.
28
MD matriculant MCAT 75th percentile: 516 in 2023.
29
Applicants with 4.0 GPA: 8.2% of 2023 pool.
Interpretation

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.

02 · Category

Acceptance and Rejection Rates29 stats

01
Overall MD acceptance rate was 41.4% in 2023.
02
Acceptance rate for in-state applicants: 47% vs 34% out-of-state in 2023.
03
60.4% of MD interviewees matriculated in 2023.
04
Black or African American applicants had 42.1% acceptance rate in 2023.
05
Rejection rate after secondary applications: 68% in 2023 MD cycle.
06
Hispanic/Latino applicants acceptance: 45.8% in 2023.
07
Overall matriculation rate: 2.5% of applicants per school average in 2023.
08
Asian applicants acceptance rate: 39.2% in 2023 MD programs.
09
White applicants: 44.6% acceptance in 2023.
10
International medical graduates acceptance: 3.1% in 2023.
11
Female applicant acceptance rate: 43.2% vs 40.1% male in 2023.
12
MD/PhD program acceptance: 6.5% of applicants in 2023.
13
Public school in-state acceptance: 51% in 2023.
14
Private MD school acceptance: 38% average in 2023.
15
Reapplicant acceptance rate: 35.2% in 2023.
16
Acceptance rate for GPA 3.9+ and MCAT 520+: 85% in 2023.
17
Low GPA (<3.5) with high MCAT acceptance: 28% in 2023.
18
Top 20 MD schools average acceptance: 3.8% in 2023.
19
Osteopathic-trained MD applicants acceptance: 22% in 2023.
20
Early decision program acceptance: 52% success rate in 2023.
21
Post-interview rejection rate: 39.6% in 2023 MD cycle.
22
Acceptance rate for disadvantaged applicants: 46.3% in 2023.
23
Rural applicants acceptance: 48.1% in 2023.
24
Acceptance for 30+ age group: 41.7% in 2023.
25
Military applicants acceptance: 55% in 2023.
26
Acceptance rate at Harvard Medical School: 3.2% in 2023.
27
Johns Hopkins MD acceptance: 1.9% for 2023 cycle.
28
UCSF School of Medicine acceptance: 2.6% in 2023.
29
Overall interview rate: 24.8% of applicants in 2023.
Interpretation

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.

More related reading

04 · Category

Demographic Breakdowns30 stats

01
Matriculants to MD programs totaled 22,976 in 2023.
02
Females comprised 50.5% of 2023 MD matriculants.
03
Asian matriculants: 24.1% of MD class of 2027.
04
White matriculants: 47.3% in 2023 MD programs.
05
Hispanic/Latino matriculants: 12.4% of 2023 class.
06
Black/African American: 9.5% of MD matriculants 2023.
07
American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.9% in 2023.
08
Multi-racial matriculants: 5.7% of 2023 MD.
09
In-state matriculants average 62% per public school in 2023.
10
Average age of MD matriculants: 24.8 years in 2023.
11
1st generation college matriculants: 15.2% in 2023.
12
PhD holders among matriculants: 1.1% in 2023 MD.
13
Gap year matriculants: 59.8% of class of 2027.
14
California residents: 12% of national MD matriculants 2023.
15
Disadvantaged background matriculants: 20.1% in 2023.
16
Rural origin matriculants: 5.3% in 2023 MD classes.
17
Parental physician households: 29% of 2023 matriculants.
18
Military service matriculants: 0.8% in 2023.
19
DO matriculants to MD programs: 4.2% crossover in 2023.
20
International matriculants to MD: 0.2% in 2023.
21
LGBTQ+ self-identified matriculants: 7.4% in 2023 survey.
22
Economic disadvantage indicator: 18.5% of 2023 matriculants.
23
STEM major undergrads: 62% of 2023 MD matriculants.
24
Humanities majors matriculants: 12% in 2023.
25
Social sciences majors: 22.1% of class of 2027.
26
Public undergrad institutions: 68% of 2023 matriculants.
27
Ivy League undergrads: 8.5% of MD matriculants 2023.
28
Community college pathway matriculants: 2.1% in 2023.
29
Underrepresented in medicine (URM): 18.6% of 2023 matriculants.
30
Total first-year MD enrollment reached 22,976 in 2023.
Interpretation

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.

05 · Category

Matriculation and Enrollment Data27 stats

01
Average matriculant debt at entry: $195,000projected for class of 2027.
02
76% of matriculants took at least one gap year in 2023.
03
MD matriculation yield from acceptances: 74.2% in 2023.
04
Total MD seats available: 30,945 in 2023 cycle.
05
Public MD schools enrolled 55% of class of 2027.
06
Private schools matriculated 45% despite more applicants in 2023.
07
Multiple acceptances held by matriculants averaged 4.2 in 2023.
08
Waitlist matriculants: 15% of class of 2027.
09
Early assurance program matriculants: 1,200 nationwide in 2023.
10
Combined MD/PhD matriculants: 1,024 in 2023.
11
Deferred matriculation rate: 3.1% of accepted in 2023.
12
Average applications to matriculate: 28 per student in 2023 MD.
13
Fee assistance program users among matriculants: 25% in 2023.
14
Post-bac matriculants: 12% of class of 2027.
15
SMP (special master's) matriculants: 8.4% in 2023.
16
Inter-school matriculation rate from interviews: 62% in 2023.
17
Regional matriculants: 70% stay within 500 miles of home in 2023.
18
Financial aid coverage: 85% of matriculants receive some in 2023.
19
Merit scholarship matriculants: 18% of class of 2027.
20
Out-of-state matriculants at public schools: 38% average 2023.
21
Total DO enrollment growth: 5% to 31,486 in 2023.
22
MD school class size average: 162 students in 2023.
23
Fill rate for MD seats: 99.8% in 2023 cycle.
24
Legacy matriculants: 5-10% per school average in 2023.
25
Athletes matriculants: 3.2% of MD classes 2023.
26
International baccalaureate matriculants: 4.1% in 2023.
27
Non-traditional (5+ years post-undergrad): 22% of 2023 matriculants.
Interpretation

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.
Reference

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APA
Isabelle Moreau. (2026, February 13). Medical School Admissions Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/medical-school-admissions-statistics
MLA
Isabelle Moreau. "Medical School Admissions Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/medical-school-admissions-statistics.
Chicago
Isabelle Moreau. 2026. "Medical School Admissions Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/medical-school-admissions-statistics.

Sources & references

19 datasets cited across this report

aamc.orgstudents-residents.aamc.orgaacom.orgtmdsas.commededits.comusnews.commedschoolinsiders.comprincetonreview.comkaptest.comshemmassianconsulting.combemoacademicconsulting.cominspiraadvantage.comecfmg.orgmeded.hms.harvard.eduhopkinsmedicine.orgmeded.ucsf.eduucop.eduarcoruralhealth.orgivycoach.com