California is a paradise for young people who want to study a medical field. The population of California is tremendous, and so is the number of universities. Looking for a study destination that will offer high-quality post graduation without breaking your budget? We decided to make things easy and compile the ultimate guide for you! As an international student, the desire to study in a foreign land is quite huge. Most students dream to go far away from their country is to make a better living for themselves especially in the area of MBBS. Questions like are you interested in medical schools in California are often in their mind? are you intrigued about finding more concerning UC san Diego school of medicine.

Are you among the category of those that are surfing the net for how to get into med school? Have you been searching for med school acceptance calculator for a while now and no visible results have been found? Are you in search of list of medical school acceptance rates, how many medical schools in California, easiest DO schools to get into, best medical schools in California, easiest medical schools to get into New York then look no further as Collegelearners has you covered.

Medical School in California

Getting into a medical school in California is a very common goal among premed students given the state’s high-ranking programs, reduced in-state tuition at public institutions, beautiful weather, cultural diversity, and so on.

Unfortunately, admissions is also incredibly difficult due to schools’ competitive stats, large state population, and massive number of applications each program receives.

Do a quick search online and you’ll come across horror stories from students on premed forums like:

Fortunately, there are systematic approaches to getting admitted to the 16 medical schools in California, as many of our students have demonstrated over the years:

Our goal for this guide is to list the best medical schools in California and to demystify what it takes to get into California medical schools so you can improve your admissions odds.

Your first step is to learn about your competition when applying to California med schools. We dug up the most pertinent information about each school to help you understand the admissions landscape, whether you’re a California resident or out-of-state applicant.

While compiling this information, we observed the following trends:

• California medical schools boast high rankings. Of the 10 schools ranked by US News (Research) in 2020, one is in the top 5, three in the top 10, four in the top 25, seven in the top 50, and ten in the top 122.
• Tuition and fees to attend California medical schools is comparable to schools outside California.
• While out-of-state students must pay more than in-state students at public California (i.e., UC) med schools, tuition and fees for out-of-state UC students is lower than all California private schools’ tuition and fees.
• California residents enjoy higher interview rates at every school except Stanford (tie). (Note: In-state vs. out-of-state interview rates were not found for three schools.)

Numbers in parentheses reflect each medical school’s national ranking, whereas numbers outside parentheses reflect each California medical school’s relative rank. Relative rankings allow us to more easily answer the question, “Which are the ‘best’ medicals school in California?”

Rankings & Admissions Statistics of Medical Schools in California

California Medical Schools	US News Ranking	Location	Degree	Year Est.	Annual Tuition & Fees	Avg. GPA	Avg. MCAT	Interview Rate	First-Year Class Size
Stanford University School of Medicine	1 (3)	Stanford	MD	1908	$59,271 IS $59,271 OOS	3.89	519	6.5% IS 6.3% OOS	90 (36.7% IS)
UCSF School of Medicine*	2 (6)	San Francisco	MD	1864	$35,384 IS $47,630 OOS	3.85	518	7.7% IS 4.7% OOS	171 (77.8% IS)
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine*^	2 (6)	Los Angeles	MD	1951	$36,752 IS $48,997 OOS	3.85	517	9.0% IS 5.4% OOS	180 (60.6% IS)
UC San Diego School of Medicine*^	3 (21)	San Diego	MD	1968	$35,951 IS $48,196 OOS	3.85	517	13.6% IS 6.1% OOS	134 (85.8% IS)
USC Keck School of Medicine^	4 (31)	Los Angeles	MD	1885	$63,844 IS $63,844 OOS	3.81	517	14.3% IS 5.0% OOS	186 (82.3% IS)
UC Davis School of Medicine*	5 (40)	Davis	MD	1966	$40,550 IS $52,795 OOS	3.7	512	10.3% IS 0.3% OOS	123 (98.4% IS)
UC Irvine School of Medicine*^	6 (44)	Irvine	MD	1896	$35,928 IS $48,173 OOS	3.83	517	11.6% IS 4.7% OOS	104 (85.6% IS)
UC Riverside School of Medicine*^	7 (91)	Riverside	MD	2008	$36,493 IS $48,738 OOS	3.72	510	6.9% IS 0% OOS	77 (98.7% IS)
Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine	8 (94-122)	Vallejo	DO	1997	$55,200 IS $55,200 OOS	3.51	508	NA	135 (82.2% IS)
Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine^	8 (94-122)	Pomona	DO	1977	$57,825 IS $55,200 OOS	3.63	506	11.7% Combined	221 (84% IS)
California Northstate University College of Medicine	UR	Elk Grove	MD	2015	$59,231 IS $59,231 OOS	3.69	512	10.7% IS 5.2% OOS	96 (90.6% IS)
California University of Science and Medicine^	UR	San Bernardino	MD	2015	$58,500 IS $58,500 OOS	3.69	513	13.4% IS 2.8% OOS	98 (83.7% IS)
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science^	UR	Los Angeles	MD	1966	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Kaiser Permanente Tyson School of Medicine^	UR	Pasadena	MD	2019	Free	NA	NA	NA	48
Loma Linda University School of Medicine^	UR	Loma Linda	MD	1909	$57,980 IS $57,980 OOS	3.89	510	8.0% IS 5.4% OOS	168 (43.5% IS)
California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine	UR	Clovis	DO	2012	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA

*Public medical schools in California | | ^Medical schools in Southern California | UR: Unranked | IS: In-state | OOS: Out-of-state | NA: Not available

California Medical School Admissions Process

Now that you’re familiar with how competitive the admissions process is at California medical schools, we’ll cover two strategies—beyond achieving high stats and completing all the right extracurriculars for medical school—to help maximize your odds of getting in.

Strategy 1: Take a data-driven approach to decide which California medical schools to apply to

Although med schools in California are often lumped together, there is significant variability with regard to admissions statistics that you would be wise to incorporate when developing your medical school list.

We routinely observe how students add certain schools to their list “just because” or thinking that “it can’t hurt,” even though the data clearly show that their chances of getting in are slim to none.

For instance, UC Riverside receives over 1,000 applications from out-of-state applicants each year, despite the fact that none of them receive interviews or get admitted. Why waste your money and time when you could be spending your resources on better options?

In addition, be realistic about your admissions odds based on your GPA and MCAT score.

For example, Stanford admits students with an average GPA of ~3.9 and an average MCAT score of 519. If you have a 3.6 GPA and below a 510 MCAT score, you’re highly unlikely to get in, unless you’re exceptional in some other regard (e.g., first author on 5 publications to high-impact research journals).

While we’re proponents of including a few reach schools in your med school list, we don’t subscribe to the “it can’t hurt to apply” philosophy when it comes to applying to schools that are nearly impossible for you to get into.

Writing high-quality secondary essays take a lot of time, so it’s best to prioritize schools that you have a better chance of getting into. Focusing on far, far reach schools at the expense of realistic ones detracts from your chances of getting admitted to the latter.

In other words, it can hurt to apply to unrealistic schools, in California or elsewhere.

Strategy 2: Focus on each California medical school’s mission and demonstrate fit

Individual California schools—like any other med school—have specific areas that they excel in and about which they’re proud.

For instance, the home page of UC Irvine’s website boasts research grants, research discoveries, and information on upcoming grand rounds. On the other hand, Loma Linda’s website’s home page largely highlights their commitment to service, to the community, and to promote Christian values.

It’s not that Loma Linda’s faculty are not interested in conducting research (they are) or that UC Irvine does not care about service or the community (it does), but rather that the type of students they aim to recruit differ.

Therefore, when completing secondary applications for each school, make sure to demonstrate fit with their stated and presented mission.

The same advice applies during medical school interviews in California or elsewhere. While MMI interviews leave less room for explicit statements about your commitment to a certain community within California, etc., you can still demonstrate how your values align with each school’s mission through the answers you provide.

Medical Schools in California

Appendix A: California Medical Schools by Degree Type

Allopathic Medical Schools in California (MD)

• California Northstate University College of Medicine
• California University of Science and Medicine
• Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
• Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine (Tyson)
• Loma Linda University School of Medicine
• Stanford University School of Medicine
• UC Davis School of Medicine
• UC Irvine School of Medicine
• UCLA School of Medicine (Geffen)
• UC Riverside School of Medicine
• UC San Diego School of Medicine
• UCSF School of Medicine
• USC School of Medicine (Keck)

Osteopathic Medical Schools in California (DO)

• California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine

Appendix B: California Medical Schools by Institution Type

Public Medical Schools in California

• UC Davis School of Medicine
• UC Irvine School of Medicine
• UCLA School of Medicine (Geffen)
• UC Riverside School of Medicine
• UC San Diego School of Medicine
• UCSF School of Medicine

Private Medical Schools in California

• California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• California Northstate University College of Medicine
• California University of Science and Medicine
• Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
• Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine
• Loma Linda University School of Medicine
• Stanford University School of Medicine
• Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine
• USC School of Medicine (Keck)
• Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine

Appendix C: California Medical Schools by Region

Medical Schools in Southern California

• California University of Science and Medicine
• Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
• Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine
• Loma Linda University School of Medicine
• UC Irvine School of Medicine
• UCLA School of Medicine (Geffen)
• UC Riverside School of Medicine
• UC San Diego School of Medicine
• USC School of Medicine (Keck)
• Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical Schools in Northern California

• California Northstate University College of Medicine
• Stanford University School of Medicine
• UC Davis School of Medicine
• UCSF School of Medicine
• Touro University of California College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical Schools in Central California

• California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine

10 Easiest Medical Schools To Get Into

Studying medicine can prepare scholars for a wide range of careers, but most people choose to pursue their education before entering the workforce. Depending on the education and work history of graduates, graduates may become general practitioners, registered nurses, health educators, medical researchers, allied health managers, forensic science technicians and clinical laboratory technologists.

1. University of Arizona College of Medicine

The University of Arizona College of Medicine proudly accepts academically diverse students. They want students for more than their grade point average and MCAT scores. Their website states the admissions committee looks for students who:

appreciate the humanities,

demonstrated respect for ethics in their professional, academic and personal life,

strong critical thinking skills

problem-solving ability and demonstrated skills,

a solid foundation in the sciences.

The acceptance rate at University of Arizona College of Medicine is 3.6%. MCAT score minimums are 498 with an average of 509. GPA minimums are 3.0 with an average of 3.9. These are only one aspect of the acceptance process at UofA.

2. LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans

More than 76% of LSU applications are from out-of-state. They get more than 3,000 applications each year. They accept approximately 195 students with less than 10% being out-of-state.

The minimum academic need is a C or better in courses. They consider the previous 3 academic years as a measure of grades. The average GPA of students entering freshman year is 3.7.

There’s no minimum MCAT score listed though the average for students accepted is 509.

Approximately 700 students attend LSU Health Sciences with an acceptance rate of 20%. Medical students acceptance is at about 7%.

3. Central University of the Caribbean

The selling point isn’t only that it’s located in the Caribbean near beautiful beaches. There’s the fact that they accept approximately 44% of applicants.

Minimum MCAT scores of 490 and GPAs of 3.0 are also enticing. The average MCAT score for students is only slightly higher at 496. The average GPA of students is 3.5.

They only require 9 behavioral science for consideration. You will also need 3 biology credits, and 3 math credits to be considered for their program.

4. University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine

The curriculum taught is in English and Spanish so if you’re fluent in both this is a great school to apply to. The minimum MCAT score for consideration is 490.

The average MCAT score of students is 500. While the minimum GPA is 2.5 the average of students is much higher at 3.7.

You’ll need to present a portfolio of extracurricular activities. You’ll also require recommendations from current professors. 28.7% of applicants are accepted into the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine.

5. University of North Dakota School of Medicine

They receive just over 1330 applications with more than 90% coming from out-of-state. Their matriculated students are 57% from in-state. A preference is given to students from North Dakota. Their overall acceptance rate of just under 19%.

They have no minimum MCAT score but the average for students is 506. The minimum GPA considered is 3.0.

They’ve adopted a holistic approach to the admission process. This gives applicants a chance to promote non-academic assets for consideration.

6. University of Massachusetts School of Medicine

UMass School of Medicine tuition is among the most affordable. It is approximately $22,887 a year for in-state students.

They receive over 3600 applications a year and accept 162 students. Most of the matriculated students are from in-state. Out-of-state applicants aren’t out of luck though. 17% of the students attending are from elsewhere.

The average GPA is 3.73 with an average MCAT score of 509.

Over 95% of students pass their Medical Licensing Board National exams on the first try.

7. LSU Shreveport School of Medicine

LSU makes our list of easiest medical schools to get into with it’s Shreveport School of Medicine program. They have a low out-of-state acceptance which is a downfall. A recently developed residency program has opened the door for out-of-state applicants.

Their GPA, MCAT and tuition requirements are reasonable. Other factors taken into account by the admissions team are helpful for students.

Their acceptance rate is 11% with an average GPA of 3.7 and MCAT scores of 503.

8. The University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Tuition at the UNM School of Medicine is just over $17,000 for in-state students. The average GPA is 3.7 with a minimum acceptable GPA of 3.0. The MCAT score minimum considered is 491 with an average score of 504.7.

Approximately 10% of applicants are accepted out of the 1,464 interested. Between 10-20% are accepted through the early admissions program.

9. The University of South Dakota Medical School

If you have strong ties to South Dakota, this is definitely one of the easiest medical schools to get into. They receive a meager 700 applications and accept about 10%.

The minimum MCAT score considered is 491 and the minimum GPA accepted is 3.1.

They do not accept transfer students or permit advanced standing admissions.

10. University of Oklahoma School of Medicine

The University of Oklahoma School of Medicine receives approximately 1,800 applications each year. They interview around 300 of those applicants.

The minimum GPA for consideration is 3.0 or a letter grade of C in all relevant courses. A minimum MCAT score of 492 is necessary for applicants to be in contention for a spot.

Extracurriculars, volunteer, and leadership are all taken into account during the interview process.

California Medical Schools in The World

Medical schools in California are listed below with the 2016 research rank by US World and News Report. Not all schools are ranked. If you notice differences between the GPA listed here and the GPA listed on the Top 100 Medical Schools page, that’s because the GPA here is an average given by the school and the GPA on the Top 100 page is a median GPA for this year.

Public Schools

• UCLA Medical School

• US World and News Report Rank: #14
• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Average MCAT: 35 (515)
• Average GPA: 3.81
• Tuition:$31,731 for CA residents/$43,976 for non-CA residents
• Public/Private: Public
• Accepts International Students: Yes
• Insider Info: My Alma Mater! UCLA is a great medical school and in the Top 20 medical schools in the country! I have a full page about my home school here that has all the insider information that I think you would find useful.

• UC Davis Medical School
  • US World and News Report Rank: #47
  • Location: Sacramento, CA
  • Average MCAT: 32 (511)
  • Average GPA: 3.66
  • Tuition: $35,322for CA residents/$47,567 for non-CA
  • Public/Private: Public
  • Accepts International Students: Yes
  • Insider Info: UC Davis offers several different degree opportunities. These include a rural medicine track )PRIME), MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/PhD and MD/Health Informatics. UC Davis also has seven student-run clinics, which will be very useful to you in improving your diagnostic and physical exam skills early on in your training. Students can also participate in “Saturday Academy,” where medical students mentor high school students interested in medicine. This is unique to this one of the medical schools in California. UC Davis a well-respected California medical school and you would be very happy to end up here. It is one of the Top 50 medical schools. For more specific information, use the MSAR.

• UC San Diego School of Medicine
  • US World and News Report Rank: #15
  • Location: La Jolla, CA
  • Average MCAT: 35
  • Average GPA: 3.86
  • Tuition: $30,083 for CA residents/$42,328 for non-CA
  • Public/Private: Public
  • Accepts International Students: No
  • Insider Info: UC San Diego is a California medical school that has the MD/PhD training program, as well as a student run free clinic for students to improve their diagnostic and exam skills. You can’t beat the weather at this location and it is super close to the beach. I just went there for a residency interview and really enjoyed the school. San Diego is one of the well respected California medical schools, particularly for its research. If you are interested in research, San Diego would be a great choice. It is one of the Top 20 medical schools. For more specific information, use the MSAR.
  • School website: Click here
• UC Irvine Medical School
  • US World and News Report Rank: #42
  • Location: Irvine, CA
  • Average MCAT: 33
  • Average GPA: 3.66
  • Tuition: $28,604 for CA residents/$40,849 for non-CA
  • Public/Private: Public
  • Accepts International Students: No
  • Insider Info: UC Irvine has an initiative to provide a “completely digital learning environment” for their students. This is different from the other medical schools in California. As such, medical students receive iPads at their entrance ceremony to the school (called the white coat ceremony)! UC Irvine has a reputation for being a little more laid back than other medical schools in California, which is a good thing if that fits your personality. It’s also in a great location in Orange County, which is a very family friendly and safe place. They have some of the best schools in the nation if that’s an important factor for you. It’s also one of the Top 50 Medical Schools in the country. For more specific information, use the MSAR.
  • School website: Click here
• University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine
  • US World and News Report Rank: #5
  • Location: San Francisco, CA
  • Average MCAT: 11 Verbal, 12 Physical Science, 12 Biological Science
  • Average GPA: 3.71, 3.73 science
  • Tuition:
    $28,005 CA Residents/$40,250 Non-CA
  • Public/Private: Public
  • Accepts International Students:
    Yes
  • Insider Info: UCSF is regarded as one of the best medical schools in the United States, and obviously one of the best medical schools in California. I would call this a “wow factor” school. If you come from here, people are impressed! It is one of the Top 10 Medical Schools. The program offers an organ-systems based curriculum during the first two years. The website is very useful with great information and videos from students. UCSF is often regarded as a research institution, so make sure to emphasize this to get accepted. UCSF offers the MSTP program, combined MD/MS, MD/MPH, and a PRIME program for those interested in underserved populations. For more specific information, use the MSAR.
  • School website: Click here
• UC Riverside School of Medicine
  • Click here for school site
  • Average MCAT: 31
  • Average GPA: 3.69
  • In-State Tuition: $32,704
  • Out-of-State Tuition: $44,950
  • Accepts international applicants: Yes
  • UC Riverside had their first class in 2013. This is a relatively new medical school in California.
  • Private Schools: There are also several California medical schools that are private. Private medical schools have the advantage of not giving favor to people from a certain state of residence. They are also some of the most respected schools in the nation. However, they are more expensive. Although, recently the tuition for public California medical schools has gone up and is now approaching the cost of private medical schools in California. A lot of this is due to the budget issues in California currently. Here are the private schools:
    • Stanford Medical School
      • US World and News Report Rank: #5
      • Location: Stanford, CA
      • Average MCAT: 34.2
      • Average GPA: 3.81
      • Public/Private: Private
      • Tuition: $44,196
      • Accepts International Students: Yes
      • Insider Info: Stanford University is a research-heavy institution with several research requirements for all students applying. This is similar to UCSF, as they are both highly ranked medical schools in California for research. You will again find this in the Top 10 medical schools in the country. This is another “wow factor” school with a great reputation throughout California, the country and the world. Getting accepted here would be a great accomplishment. If you are interested in research and have good experience in research, this would be a good school for you. For more specific
        information, use the MSAR.
  • • USC Medical School
    • US World and News Report Rank: #36
    • Location: Los Angeles, CA
    • Average MCAT: 34.2
    • Average GPA: 3.6
    • Tuition: $47,072
    • Public/Private: Private
    • Accepts International Students: Yes
    • Insider Info: USC is a California medical school that also offers several combined degree programs including MD/PhD, MD/MS in medical
      education. It is one of the Top 50 medical schools. This school is associated with County Hospitals mainly. What this means is that the patients you will see here are lower income patients. The area has serious gang problems and hence gang violence. What this means for you is that you will see trauma that you will not see in other places. It also means that you will probably see more serious disease than you will see at other places. UCLA also has an associated county program (Harbor), but you may or may not rotate there during your time at UCLA. I only had one rotation there. USC and UCLA is one of the biggest rivalries in California medical schools and particularly the undergrad campuses, so obviously I favor UCLA! However, the county-based training at USC offers a great opportunity for you to get a lot of experience, particularly with procedures. This is because the patient population at USC is generally more open to having medical students help them. For more specific information, use the MSAR.
    • School website: Click here
  • Loma Linda University School of Medicine

• US World and News Report Rank: Not ranked
• Location: Loma Linda, CA
• Average MCAT: 30
• Average GPA: 3.8
• Tuition: $41,876
• Public/Private: Private
• Accepts International Students: Yes
• Insider Info: Loma Linda is a Seventh Day Adventist school and is focused on Christian principles. It is located in Loma Linda, CA, which is in the Inland Empire. The benefit to this location is that the cost of living is FAR less expensive than any of the other medical schools in California, particularly Southern California. While Loma Linda is a Christian school, you do not have to be Christian to attend. You will learn more about spirituality and its influence on medicine here than you will at other schools. Students learn how to take a “spiritual history” from patients, which basically just means learning about the person’s faith. Faith often influences people’s perception of illness so in my opinion it’s a great asset to have this training in your medical education. The school library and other services close on Saturdays. For more specific
  information, use the MSAR.

Osteopathic Schools

Another option for California medical schools are the osteopathic schools. Osteopathic schools award the DO degree, vs the MD degree from allopathic schools. Osteopathic schools have more of a “holistic” focus, thinking about the whole person in treating disease. These schools also train in osteopathic manipulative medicine, which involves manipulating the body in order to treat disease. These schools are all private schools and generally have lower average GPA and MCAT scores for entering students than allopathic schools, although as you can see, they’re not that much lower.

• Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • US News and World Report: Not ranked
  • Location: Vallejo, CA
  • Average MCAT: 28.9
  • Average GPA: 3.45
  • Tuition: $42,000
  • Public/Private: Private
  • Accepts International Students: Yes, but must hold either US Citizenship or US
    Permanent Resident Status. Also do not accept foreign transcripts.
  • Insider Info: Touro is a California medical school that lists the following attributes for what they are looking for in an applicant: Academic competence, personal/professional achievements,
    demonstrated leadership skills, creative abilities, experience in health care and likelihood to practice in under served primary care areas. This means that the school is looking for students who have shown that they are interested in serving lower income populations. So, if you are applying to this California medical school, make sure that you have volunteered in places or done things that show that you are interested in working in under served areas. Also make sure this comes out in your personal statement.
• Western University of Health Sciences
  • US News and World Report: Not ranked
  • Location: Pomona, CA
  • Average MCAT: 28
  • Average GPA: 3.53 (3.47 science)
  • Tuition: $47,515
  • Public/Private: Private
  • Accepts International Students: Yes. Requires F-1 Student visa.
  • Insider Info: Western is the other one of the Osteopathic California medical schools. They list academic preparation, diverse experiences, interest and involvement in the community, commitment to compassionate health care, a good understanding of the profession and WesternU, and excellent verbal and written communication skills as selection factors for their school. Again, you will need to show that you have these skills in your personal statement and your interview. I was able to work with several students from Western during my rotations. They seemed to enjoy their school and felt prepared for their rotations and prospective
    residencies.

As you can see, you have several California medical schools to choose from. Whether you want to stay close to home or come out to the West Coast, California is a great place to live. If you are a California resident, you do have an advantage as there are several public schools to choose from.

However, as you can tell, all of the California medical schools are very competitive. MCAT and GPA are part of what will get you into medical school, but there’s a lot more you need to do.

easiest medical schools to get into uK

After completing A-Levels (or any other equivalent qualification), shortlisting universities and medical schools is usually next on the agenda of an aspiring medical student. Fishing for information and finding out more about various medical schools – with all their different entry requirements – can be a nightmare in itself. 

Medical schools are generally thought to have a stringent admission process; they are believed to be extremely hard to get into. While all this is true, some medical schools are a little easier to get into than others. 

10. UCL Medical School

The tenth easiest medical school to get into in the UK is UCL Medical School, the medical school of University College London. Located in London, it is an extremely well-known university and has even been ranked in the list of the best universities in the world! 

With an acceptance rate of 20%, UCL Medical School comes out last in the list of ten easiest medical schools to get into in the UK.  

However, just like a lot of medical schools, their entry requirements are quite competitive – perhaps even more competitive than average medical schools. Given the popularity of the university, this is no surprise.  

The standard conditional offer requires grades A*AA at A-Level and must include Chemistry and Biology. Furthermore, they have specific GCSE grade requirements to enter – again, like most medical schools. If you are interested in knowing more about UCL’s entry requirements, find out more here. 

9. Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry

Ninth on the list is a medical school part of Queen Mary University of London. Commonly known as Barts, this medical and dental school is located in London. It is one of the oldest medical schools in England and is sometimes referred to by students as “the best medical school in the UK”, due to a high student satisfaction rate.  

According to this data, the university has an acceptance rate of 21.5% (21.43% to be exact), ranking it as ninth on the list. However, being a medical school in a popular university, they have strict A-Level requirements – A*AA – and specific GCSE requirements too. 

8. Leicester Medical School

Eighth on the list is Leicester Medical School, a university preferred by students for its friendly atmosphere. It is fairly well-known and has a strong reputation. The curriculum is designed to integrate interactive learning whilst still being clinically relevant, making it a great place for all kinds of aspiring doctors. 

The medical school has an acceptance rate of 21.5%, so it is not too challenging to get into; thus, it ranks eighth on the list. Furthermore, the entry requirements are generally AAA, but more information (and possible variations of these grades) can be found here. 

7. University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine

Being one of the most popular universities in the world (I mean, who has not heard of Cambridge?), you may be surprised to find that the medical school at the University of Cambridge has made it on to the list of the ‘easiest medical schools’ to get into.  

The acceptance rate is 21.8%, which is higher than other medical schools. However, there are some important other factors to consider when looking at admissions for Cambridge University.  

You could say that it is easy to get into Cambridge medical school because there is less competition for places. However, the entry requirements and standards expected are set much, much higher to start with, so it is tougher in that respect. 

On the bright side, it means that if you apply to Cambridge for medicine and meet the entry requirements well enough, you will have a good chance of acceptance. If you are curious to find out, the full list of entry requirements can be found right here. 

A downside is that Cambridge medical courses are more difficult than other universities, so students should only apply if they are sure they will have enough strength and motivation to keep up. Students at Cambridge write far more essays and have far less free time than students at other universities, so it is important to keep factors like these in mind. 

The application process for Cambridge also tends to be very tough, to determine which applicants are good enough for the hard work that the courses require. I am by no means saying that it is an easy task to get into Cambridge University!https://171ba15cbd1a8544981b31912c37144d.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

6. Medical School at the University of Manchester

The medical school at The University of Manchester is one of the largest medical schools in the UK. It is quite popular and frequently applied to by many students around the UK, who are attracted by the diversity of the city and the unique teaching-style at the university.  

With an acceptance rate of 23.8%, it ranks as sixth on our list of the top ‘easiest’ medical schools to get in to. 

Their application process is not as rigorous as other medical schools; that does not mean it is easy though — it is, after all, a medical school! Applicants are generally given offers if they have received an AAA in their A-Levels. If you would like more details, you can check out the university’s website.

5. Medical School at the University of Birmingham

Next on the list is the medical school at the University of Birmingham, a popular university that attracts lots of students for multiple reasons. 

The university provides a varied style of teaching and hands-on learning. Although courses at the University of Birmingham are seemingly more traditional than others, this equips them with a strong foundation in medicine and can be a valuable thing. On top of that, it is often a preferred university choice as many students enjoy experiencing all the city has to offer, including an abundance of marvellous greenery and great outdoor fun. 

Luckily, the medical school has an acceptance rate of 24%, making it the fifth easiest medical school to get into on our list. There’s further good news: the entry requirements are slightly less difficult than other medical schools – the usual offer calls for AAA or AAB at A-Levels. If you are interested, more information regarding this can be found right here.

4. School of Medicine at University of St Andrews

Fourth on the list is a more traditional medical school: The University of St Andrews School of Medicine, which is the oldest medical school in Scotland. It is widely considered a prestigious school and many students enjoy being there; the medical school has a high student satisfaction rate. 

Even though it is a relatively small university located in a small town, studying at St Andrews can be full of great opportunities – besides, small schools come with their host of advantages!  

The medical school has an acceptance rate of 25.1%, which brings it to fourth place on the list. Not only does it have a higher acceptance rate than some other universities, but the entry requirements are also quite attainable – AAA or AAB at A-Levels. The full list of entry requirements (and more information) can be found by clicking right here. 

3. Durham University School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health

The Durham University School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health was part of Durham University (now part of Newcastle University) and has been ranked among the UK’s and the world’s leading universities. Also, it is well-known amongst students (especially Harry Potter fans since the castle-like university is often referred to as ‘Hogwarts’!). 

While Durham University is generally considered to be a competitive university, the medical school had an acceptance rate of 28.8% – this is quite high for a medical school. Being one of the top three on the list, Durham was one of the easiest medical schools to get into in the UK. The entry requirements were AAA at A-Level – not so tough compared to some of the others!  

Unfortunately, the acceptance rates for Newcastle University’s Medical school seem to be much lower, and this option is a lot more competitive that it first seemed! You can no longer apply to Newcastle’s Medical School through Durham University, and so this is not an option for medical school applicants looking for the ‘easiest’ universities to apply to anymore. 

2. Hull York Medical School

The runner-up on our list is Hull York, a joint medical school of the Universities of Hull and York.  

Hull York Medical School offers a more contemporary and modern approach to medicine, making it a popular choice amongst keen students. Being a joint school, students often select this medical school as they find it fun to be part of two different universities at the same time! 

The application process is quite straightforward, the entry requirements being an AAA at A-Levels.  The acceptance rate is 28.9%, making it the second easiest medical school to get into in the UK. If you are interested, more information can be found on the medical school’s website.

1. Queen’s University Belfast School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences

Number one on the list, the easiest medical school to get into in the UK is the medical school at Queen’s University Belfast. 

While no medical school is “easy” to get into, this one is comparatively ‘easier’ to get into, as it has an acceptance rate of 38.3% — not too bad for a medical school! Despite its high acceptance rate, this medical school is a great place for learners. The innovative teaching style and the state-of-the-art facilities make it a popular choice amongst students who want to become great doctors in the future. Additionally, Queen’s University Belfast is widely seen as a very prestigious university that provides world-class education. 

A downside is that the entry requirements – which can be found here – are slightly harder to meet than the other medical schools. The common offer is A*AA at A-Levels. This can be used to explain the high acceptance rate: the students who apply will have already met the tough entry requirements.  

easiest medical schools to get into for international students

So you want to go to medical school, but maybe circumstances haven’t been in your favor. The easiest medical schools to get into can still offer you a quality education with lower costs and stress!

In today’s competitive job marketplace, individuals are constantly seeking new ways to improve their career outlook and establish a sense of security for future economic downturns. More individuals are considering going back to school to further their education, to make them a more attractive candidate overall and earn more over time.

1. University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine

Admissions Statistics

• Acceptance Rate: 20%
• Minimum GPA: 3.0
• Average GPA: 3.56
• Minimum MCAT: 500
• Average MCAT: 505
• Tuition Rate: $31,463 IS /$61,052 OOS

About the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine

The University of Missouri School of Medicine, located in Kansas City, MO, comes in at #1 on the list of easiest medical schools to get into. The minimum GPA and MCAT scores are 3.0 and at least a 500 on the MCAT, respectively, to be considered for acceptance. However, the average for matriculating students is around a 3.56 GPA and 497 composite MCAT score. The minimum MCAT score has recently been increased.

Tuition rates are a little on the higher side among all medical schools for non-residents at $61,052, but is fairly typical for in-state residents at $31,463. According to the Princeton Review, the UM-KC School of Medicine boasts a 20% acceptance rate and currently has 645 students enrolled.

2. University of Mississippi School of Medicine

Admissions Statistics

• Acceptance Rate: 40.7%
• Minimum GPA: 2.8
• Average GPA: 3.6
• Minimum MCAT: 493
• Average MCAT: 504
• Tuition Rate: $26,949 IS / $62,881 OOS

About the University of Mississippi School of Medicine

According to the Princeton Review, the UM School of Medicine accepts 40.7% of applicants with 407 students currently enrolled. Tuition rates jump dramatically from $408/hour to $1,143/hour depending on whether the applicant is a state resident or not.

However, according to the UM School of Medicine website, roughly “90% of first-year students receive some form of financial aid.” As far as acceptance goes, the average GPA of entering classes at UM is a 3.6 with MCAT scores averaging around 504.

3. San Juan Bautista School of Medicine

Admissions Statistics

• Acceptance Rate; 7.7%
• Minimum GPA: 2.75
• Average GPA: 3.43
• Minimum MCAT: 492
• Average MCAT: 493
• Tuition Rate: $23,500 IS / $31,000 OOS

About San Juan Bautista School of Medicine

The San Juan Bautista School of Medicine is located in Caguas, Puerto Rico is somewhat unique in their admissions requirements. Their site states that candidates seeking a M.D. degree must be capable of demonstrating skills in six areas:

1. Observation
2. Communication
3. Motor
4. Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative
5. Behavioral and Social
6. Ethical

Additionally, the typical science and mathematics coursework is required, including biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, and physics. The minimum accepted GPA at this school is lower than average, 2.75

Tuition rates for residents start at $11,750/semester ($23,500/year) and $15,500/semester ($31,000/year) for non-residents. Including all additional fees, materials, medical insurance, housing, meals, and transportation, costs total around $58,000 and $66,000 per year for residents and non-residents respectively.

4. University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Admissions Statistics

• Acceptance Rate- 18.79%
• Minimum GPA – 3.0
• Average GPA- 3.7
• Minimum MCAT – No Minimum
• Average MCAT – 506
• Tuition Rate – $30,238 IS / $54,730 OOS

About the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences

The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, requires a higher than average GPA for acceptance at 3.81, with MCAT scores being lower around 29, using the old scoring system. Students can expect to pay $16,151/year if they live in ND, while out-of-state students are expected to pay $26,694/year.

According to the Princeton Review, the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences currently accepts 28% of applicants on average and has an enrollment of 252 students.

5. LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport

Admissions Statistics

• Acceptance Rate- 17%
• Minimum GPA- 3.2
• Average GPA – 3.7
• Minimum MCAT – No Minimum
• Average MCAT – 509
• Tuition Rate – $28,591.75 IS / $60,413.75 OOS

About the LSU Health Sciences Center – Shreveport

The LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, LA offers students a very low tuition rate of $20,146/year for in-state and $46,881/year for out-of-state candidates. The average GPA for matriculating students is about a 3.74, with MCAT scores for accepted applicants being lower than average at 29 out of 45 on the old scoring system.

Currently, the school has a student body of 391 and accepts roughly 11% of applicants each year.

Additional requirements for entry into the MD program include:

• English – 6 hours
• Chemistry -12 hours
• Biological Science – 12 hours
• Humanities – 12 hours

6. University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine

Admissions Statistics

• Acceptance Rate- 28.7%
• Minimum GPA- 2.5
• Average GPA- 3.7
• Minimum MCAT- 490
• Average MCAT- 500
• Tuition Rate- $9,317

About the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine

At the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, the average GPA of matriculating students is roughly a 3.75, higher than average, but MCAT scores are a little below average, at 25 out of 45 on the old scoring system. In-state total cost of attendance is about $37,500 an $47,924 for out-of-state students.

Requirements for admission into the program include:

• Undergraduate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA
• Working knowledge of English & Spanish
• 3 Letters of Recommendation

7. Mercer University School of Medicine

Admissions Statistics

• Acceptance Rate – 10.4%
• Minimum GPA – 3.4
• Average GPA- 3.61
• Minimum MCAT- 503
• Average MCAT- 505
• Tuition Rate- $41,457

About the Mercer University School of Medicine

Students at the Mercer University School of Medicine, located in Macon, GA, average a GPA of 3.61 and MCAT scores around 29 on the old scoring system. Tuition rates for students seeking a Doctor of Medicine are $41,457, as of 2014.

Requirements for admission into the M.D. program include 1 year in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. As of fall 2016, 121 students have matriculated into the M.D. program. According to the Princeton Review, the Mercer University School of Medicine currently boasts a student body of 241 with an 10% acceptance rate.

8. University of Arizona College of Medicine

Admissions Statistics

• Acceptance Rate- 3.6%
• Minimum GPA- 3.0
• Average GPA- 3.6
• Minimum MCAT- 498
• Average MCAT- 509
• Tuition Rate- $37,736 IS / $58,410 OOS

About the University of Arizona College of Medicine

The University of Arizona College of Medicine, located in Tucson, AZ, comes in at #8 on our list of easiest medical schools to get into. With the average GPA of entering students a 3.77 and MCAT scores around 31, with a minimum of 24 (old scoring format), this school is somewhat above average when it comes to admissions requirements. However, they do take a holistic approach to acceptance, so be sure to include as many experiences and/or other weighty elements in your application, such as internships and work experiences.

Check out the 2020 Arizona MedCats Report for more statistical information about the program.

Tuition rates for Arizona residents starts at $29,689 and $48,864 for out-of-state students. According to the Princeton Review, the University of Arizona College of Medicine currently has 406 students enrolled and accepts only 8% of applicants.

9. LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans

Admissions Statistics

• Acceptance Rate- 7%
• Minimum GPA- No Minimum
• Average GPA- 3.7
• Minimum MCAT – No Minimum
• Average MCAT- 509
• Tuition Rate – $32,936.95 IS / $59,552.34 OOS

About the LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans

According to the Princeton Review, the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans currently has a student body of 712 and accepts 20% of applicants. The median GPA for incoming students is around 3.7, which is higher-than-average for this group of schools, with MCAT scores coming in around 507. Tuition for Louisiana state residents starts at $31,472/year and $60,239 for non-residents.

Coursework required for admission includes:

• Inorganic/General Chemistry – 8 hours
• Organic Chemistry – 8 hours
• Physics – 8 hours
• Biochemistry – 3 hours
• Biology – 8 hours
• English – 6 hours
• Statistics – 3 hours

10. Central University of the Caribbean

Admissions Statistics

• Acceptance Rate- 44.4%
• Minimum GPA- 3.0
• Average GPA- 3.5
• Minimum MCAT- 490
• Average MCAT- 496
• Tuition Rate – $34,250 IS / $42,255 OOS

About the Central University of the Caribbean Medical School

According to the Princeton Review, in 2011, the Central University of the Caribbean Medical School had a student body of 494 and accepts 44.4% of applicants. Tuition for residents starts at $34,250/year and $42,255/year for residents of the San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The minimum GPA required for admission is a 2.5 and they require only 9 credits in behavioral science, 3 in biology, and 3 in mathematics for consideration. A 200 word essay is also included with the application, along with a copy of the applicant’s resume and a photo.