Pursuing a career in medicine is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and challenging paths. Gaining admission to a US medical school is a monumental milestone, signifying years of academic excellence, extracurricular dedication, and unwavering commitment to the field. With the promise of a rewarding career comes the reality of an intensely competitive application process.
Medical schools in the United States are notoriously selective. Admission committees evaluate candidates based on numerous factors, including exceptional MCAT scores, strong academic records, insightful recommendation letters, meaningful clinical and research experiences, and demonstrated leadership skills.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), aspiring students should meet specific academic prerequisites, including completing courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, among others.
Despite meeting the basic qualifications, prospective medical students face steep odds. The average acceptance rate across 113 ranked medical schools in 2022 was 6.2%, with many schools admitting far fewer applicants. To navigate this rigorous process, students must not only meet but exceed the baseline requirements to distinguish themselves in a highly competitive pool.
Understanding the numbers behind the competition
Out of the 16 medical schools with the lowest acceptance rates in 2022 that were evaluated, fewer than 3.5% of applicants were admitted, per US News data. On average, these schools had an acceptance rate of 2.7%, with an average of 8,768 applicants. Some programs were even more selective, such as the New York University—Long Island School of Medicine, which admitted just 1.2% of its 2,498 applicants.
The University of California—Los Angeles’ David Geffen School of Medicine received the largest number of applications among these selective schools, totaling 13,072. Comparatively, the University of California—San Diego and the University of California—Irvine had the highest acceptance rates among these elite schools, each admitting 3.4% of their applicants. These statistics underscore the fierce competition that defines medical school admissions in the United States.
Top 10 US Medical Schools with the Lowest Acceptance Rates
Below is a detailed look at 10 US medical schools with the lowest acceptance rates. The table highlights the name of the school, the total number of applicants, and the acceptance rate:
Beyond these highly competitive programs, data from other schools illustrates a wider range of selectivity. For example, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania reported the largest applicant pool in 2022, with 21,364 prospective students. Meanwhile, William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Mississippi boasted the highest acceptance rate, at 19.1%.
