As tens of thousands of aspiring doctors navigate an ever-more competitive landscape, where acceptance rates at top schools have plummeted below 3%, understanding the latest statistics—from the slight rise in applicants to the crucial 511.9 average MCAT score for matriculants—is the essential first step in crafting a successful medical school application.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, a total of 52,867 individuals applied to U.S. MD-granting medical schools, representing a 0.3% increase from 52,720 in 2022.
- The number of first-time applicants to MD schools in 2023 was 42,254, up 1.2% from 41,761 in 2022.
- Total applications submitted to MD schools in 2023 reached 997,550, a slight decrease from 1,014,461 in 2022.
- In 2023, the average GPA for MD matriculants was 3.77 overall, with 3.80 in science courses.
- For MD applicants in 2023, mean total GPA was 3.61, BCPM GPA 3.52, and AO GPA 3.74.
- MD matriculants in 2023 had an average MCAT score of 511.9, up from 511.7 in 2022.
- Overall MD acceptance rate in 2023 was 41.8%, based on 52,867 applicants and 22,981 matriculants.
- Acceptance rate for first-time MD applicants in 2023 was 43.4%.
- In 2023, 60.2% of MD interviewees received at least one acceptance.
- 51.3% of MD applicants in 2023 were female, up from 49.8% in 2022.
- In 2023, Asian applicants comprised 24.1% of MD total applicants.
- Underrepresented in medicine (URM) applicants to MD schools were 18.4% in 2023.
- 95.3% of 2023 MD matriculants had at least one clinical shadowing experience.
- In 2023, 22,981 students matriculated into MD programs, filling 95.1% of available seats.
- 70.4% of MD matriculants in 2023 had research experience with publication.
Medical school applicants slightly increased but acceptance remains highly competitive.
Acceptance Rates
- Overall MD acceptance rate in 2023 was 41.8%, based on 52,867 applicants and 22,981 matriculants.
- Acceptance rate for first-time MD applicants in 2023 was 43.4%.
- In 2023, 60.2% of MD interviewees received at least one acceptance.
- Acceptance rate for MD reapplicants in 2023 dropped to 35.1% from 38.2% in 2022.
- Top 10 MD schools had acceptance rates below 3% in 2023, e.g., Harvard at 2.3%.
- DO schools accepted 42% of applicants in 2023, higher than MD's 41.8%.
- From 2013-2023, MD acceptance rates fluctuated from 43.1% to 41.8%.
- In 2023, 17.8% of MD applicants were accepted to their first-choice school.
- Female MD applicants had a 42.5% acceptance rate in 2023 vs 41.1% for males.
- Acceptance rate for in-state MD applicants averaged 47% in public schools in 2023.
- NYU acceptance rate 2.1% in 2023 with average matriculant MCAT 521.
- Johns Hopkins MD acceptance rate: 1.9% for 2023 cycle.
- UCSF acceptance rate 2.6%, all applicants MCAT avg 518 in 2023.
- Overall MD interview rate: 45.2% of applicants in 2023.
- In-state acceptance at public MD schools: 44.3% in 2023.
- Stanford MD acceptance rate 1.5%, GPA avg 3.90 for matriculants 2023.
- Mayo Clinic Alix School acceptance rate 2.4% in 2023.
- Female acceptance rate higher by 1.4% over males in MD 2023.
- URM acceptance rate 47.2% vs 40.1% non-URM for MD 2023.
Acceptance Rates Interpretation
Getting into medical school is a bit like winning a raffle where you can dramatically improve your odds by being brilliant, persistent, and strategic, yet still face the sobering reality that at the top tiers you're essentially vying for a golden ticket in a room full of valedictorians.
Applicant Numbers and Trends
- In 2023, a total of 52,867 individuals applied to U.S. MD-granting medical schools, representing a 0.3% increase from 52,720 in 2022.
- The number of first-time applicants to MD schools in 2023 was 42,254, up 1.2% from 41,761 in 2022.
- Total applications submitted to MD schools in 2023 reached 997,550, a slight decrease from 1,014,461 in 2022.
- In 2023, 22,981 matriculants enrolled in MD programs, down 0.2% from 23,048 in 2022.
- Applications per applicant to MD schools averaged 23.6 in 2023 for all applicants.
- From 2013 to 2023, total MD applicants increased by 25.6%, from 42,122 to 52,867.
- In 2023, 88.5% of MD applicants were U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Total DO applicants in 2023 numbered 45,217, a 4.5% increase from 43,309 in 2022.
- Combined MD/DO applicants in 2023 were approximately 70,000, reflecting dual application trends.
- Early decision program applicants to MD schools in 2023 totaled 1,012, with 34 acceptances (3.4% rate).
- Texas public med schools had 1,800 first-year seats in 2023, highest in U.S.
- California received 12% of all MD applications in 2023 despite 10% of seats.
- AMCAS opened June 2023 with 10,000 early applicants by July 1.
- Reapplicants to MD schools were 14.2% of total applicants in 2023.
- International applicants to MD programs: 3,456 in 2023, 1.2% acceptance rate.
- AACOMAS applications for DO increased 8.2% in 2023 cycle.
- 1 in 5 MD applicants in 2023 applied to over 30 schools.
Applicant Numbers and Trends Interpretation
While more aspiring physicians than ever are vying for a dwindling number of seats, each throwing an average of nearly two dozen applications into the hopeful void, the process has become a high-stakes lottery where persistence is mandatory and luck is the unspoken prerequisite.
Demographics
- 51.3% of MD applicants in 2023 were female, up from 49.8% in 2022.
- In 2023, Asian applicants comprised 24.1% of MD total applicants.
- Underrepresented in medicine (URM) applicants to MD schools were 18.4% in 2023.
- Average age of MD applicants in 2023 was 25.3 years, with 58% under 24.
- In 2023, 13.7% of MD matriculants identified as Hispanic/Latino.
- Black or African American MD applicants were 9.5% in 2023.
- From 2013-2023, female MD matriculants increased from 47.0% to 51.4%.
- 5.8% of MD matriculants in 2023 had parents who are physicians.
- Rural applicants to MD schools were 4.2% of total in 2023.
- 62% of MD matriculants in 2023 held a bachelor's degree in biological sciences.
- White applicants 47.3% of MD total in 2023.
- 2.1% of MD matriculants LGBTQ+ identified in 2023.
- Economics majors: 1.5% of MD matriculants 2023.
- First-generation college students: 20.4% of MD matriculants 2023.
- 28% of MD applicants from top 20 undergrad feeder schools in 2023.
- Married applicants: 4.7% of MD total in 2023.
- Military/veteran applicants: 1.8% of MD applicants 2023.
- 85% of MD matriculants English primary language 2023.
Demographics Interpretation
While the composition of future doctors is gradually becoming more representative, with women now forming a slight majority and first-generation students making up a significant one-in-five, the field remains predominantly drawn from traditional pipelines, as evidenced by the overwhelming number of biological science majors and the persistent underrepresentation of key groups like rural, Black, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
GPA and MCAT Scores
- In 2023, the average GPA for MD matriculants was 3.77 overall, with 3.80 in science courses.
- For MD applicants in 2023, mean total GPA was 3.61, BCPM GPA 3.52, and AO GPA 3.74.
- MD matriculants in 2023 had an average MCAT score of 511.9, up from 511.7 in 2022.
- In 2023, 62% of MD matriculants scored 510 or higher on the MCAT.
- Average MCAT for MD applicants in 2023 was 506.5, with sections: CP 126.3, CARS 126.0, BBFL 126.8, PSBB 127.4.
- DO matriculants in 2023 averaged 3.61 GPA and 503.6 MCAT, compared to MD's higher averages.
- From 2018-2023, mean MCAT for MD matriculants rose from 510.8 to 511.9.
- In 2023, 55.4% of MD matriculants had GPAs of 3.8 or higher.
- Mean GPA for underrepresented minorities matriculating to MD in 2023 was 3.69 vs 3.80 for Asian.
- MCAT scores for MD applicants aged 22-23 averaged 507.2 in 2023, higher for older applicants.
- GPA for MD matriculants from top undergrad schools averaged 3.85 in 2023.
- MCAT CARS mean for successful MD applicants: 127.0 in 2023.
- 75th percentile MCAT for MD matriculants in 2023: 518.
- Science GPA below 3.0: only 1.2% of MD matriculants in 2023.
- MCAT 500-503 applicants had 15% acceptance rate to MD in 2023.
- GPA trends: humanities majors averaged 3.65 GPA for MD matriculants 2023.
- DO applicants' mean MCAT rose to 504.1 in 2023 from 502.9.
- 10th percentile GPA for MD applicants: 2.95 in 2023.
- MCAT scores unchanged policy led to 512 average for top MD schools 2023.
GPA and MCAT Scores Interpretation
It appears medical schools are increasingly expecting you to cure diseases in class before they’ll let you learn how to do it in the hospital.
Matriculation and Outcomes
- 95.3% of 2023 MD matriculants had at least one clinical shadowing experience.
- In 2023, 22,981 students matriculated into MD programs, filling 95.1% of available seats.
- 70.4% of MD matriculants in 2023 had research experience with publication.
- Average debt for MD graduates in 2023 was $200,000 at public schools, $250,000 private.
- 78% of 2023 MD matriculants volunteered in medical-related community service.
- Post-baccalaureate program participants had 45% MD matriculation rate in 2023.
- In 2023, 15% of MD matriculants were non-traditional students over 30 years old.
- 92% of accepted MD applicants in 2023 enrolled in a medical school.
- 98.2% of MD matriculants had bachelor's degree, 1.8% advanced in 2023.
- 82% of MD matriculants had paid clinical experience in 2023.
- Leadership experience in 94.5% of 2023 MD matriculants.
- Teaching/tutoring experience: 83.7% of MD matriculants 2023.
- 45% of MD matriculants had 100+ hours clinical volunteering 2023.
- Match rate for MD seniors: 93.8% in 2024 (from 2023 matriculants).
- Average applications to residency: 65 for MD grads from 2023 class.
- 65.2% of MD schools tuition-free or scholarship-covered for 2023 entrants.
- 1,200+ seats added to MD programs since 2015-2023.
- 76% retention rate first to second year MD matriculants 2023.
Matriculation and Outcomes Interpretation
While one can technically survive a med school application without shadowing, community service, or research, the data suggests you'll be marching into a $200,000 debt with 65 residency applications in hand having missed the memo that becoming a doctor is now a grueling decathlon of curated altruism and strategically documented grit.
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