10 Medical Schools That Accept a 3.5 GPA

A 3.5 GPA may put you closer to the admissions range at many MD programs than you think, even though it still falls below the average at some highly selective schools. Medical school admissions committees often evaluate applicants holistically, which means factors like MCAT scores, clinical experience, research, leadership, and service work can all influence how competitive your application appears.

As a result, there are medical schools that accept low GPA students and may consider applicants with a 3.5 GPA when the rest of the application is strong. Schools focused on primary care, rural medicine, community health, and underserved populations may place additional value on mission fit and real-world experience. Below, we’ll look at medical schools that accept a 3.5 GPA and explain what can help applicants stand out during the admissions process.

Can You Get Into Medical School With a 3.5 GPA?

A 3.5 GPA can absolutely be competitive for medical school, especially when combined with a strong MCAT score and meaningful health care experience. While many MD programs report average admitted GPAs somewhat above a 3.5, applicants at this level are often within a realistic admissions range rather than far below it.

At this stage, the conversation usually shifts away from “Can you get in at all?” and toward “Which schools are the best fit for your application?” Applicants with a 3.5 GPA may be competitive at many mission-driven, community-focused, and holistic-review medical schools, particularly if they have strong clinical exposure and a compelling personal story.

Admissions committees also evaluate the context behind your GPA. Schools may consider:

• Improvement over time in science coursework
• The rigor of your undergraduate classes
• Research and laboratory experience
• Volunteer work and patient care experience
• Leadership and communication skills

Applicants who connect clearly with a school’s mission may stand out even if their GPA falls slightly below the school’s average admitted range. Programs focused on primary care, rural medicine, physician diversity, or underserved communities often value life experience and service alongside academics.

A 3.5 GPA may not place you among the most statistically competitive applicants at elite research-heavy medical schools, but it can still support a strong application at many accredited MD programs. Careful school selection and a balanced application often matter just as much as GPA alone.

Medical Schools That Accept a 3.5 GPA

A 3.5 GPA may place applicants within range at a broader group of MD programs, especially when paired with strong MCAT scores, clinical experience, and a well-rounded application. Many medical schools now use holistic admissions practices that consider service work, leadership, research, and mission fit alongside academic performance.

The schools below include programs known for community-focused medicine, rural health training, holistic admissions, or somewhat more accessible academic profiles compared to highly selective research institutions. While admissions is still competitive at every program on this list, applicants with a 3.5 GPA may have realistic opportunities at these schools when supported by strong experiences and thoughtful school selection. All schools listed are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).

1. California University of Science and Medicine

California University of Science and Medicine is located in Colton, California, and is one of the newer medical schools on the West Coast. The university is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The school focuses heavily on community medicine, physician shortages, and improving health outcomes in underserved regions across California.

CUSM publicly states that it prefers applicants to have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and science GPA, which may make a 3.5 applicant relatively competitive compared to some traditional MD programs. The school still maintains selective admissions standards, and many successful applicants pair their GPA with strong MCAT scores, research experience, or extensive clinical exposure. Students with a demonstrated interest in service-oriented medicine and community health may align especially well with the school’s mission.

2. Central Michigan University College of Medicine

Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and is one of the best STEM colleges in Michigan. The College of Medicine here is known for emphasizing rural medicine, community engagement, and training physicians to serve underserved populations throughout the state. Students often gain clinical experience through partnerships with regional hospitals and community-based health systems across Michigan.

Central Michigan University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The College of Medicine does not publish a strict minimum GPA requirement, but applicants with a 3.5 GPA may fall within a more competitive range when supported by strong clinical experience, leadership, volunteer work, and a solid MCAT score. The school’s holistic admissions process also places value on interpersonal skills, service, and alignment with its mission of improving health care access in Michigan communities.

3. Drexel University College of Medicine

Drexel University College of Medicine is known for its large class size, broad clinical training network, and holistic admissions approach. The school reviews applicants across multiple areas, including academics, service, leadership, and life experience, which may appeal to students whose GPA falls slightly below the average at highly selective MD programs. Drexel also offers students access to a wide variety of clinical settings and patient populations throughout the Northeast.

Drexel University College of Medicine is one of the better-known medical schools in Philadelphia. The university is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). While admitted students still tend to present strong academic profiles, a 3.5 GPA may remain competitive when combined with a solid MCAT score, meaningful clinical exposure, and strong communication or leadership skills.

4. East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine

East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine has built a strong reputation for training physicians focused on rural medicine and primary care. The school emphasizes service to medically underserved communities throughout Appalachia and often looks for applicants with strong community involvement, clinical experience, and an interest in practicing in high-need regions. Its mission-centered approach may benefit students whose strengths extend beyond GPA alone.

East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine is located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The university is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The school does not publish a strict GPA minimum, though admitted students often have academic averages above a 3.5. Applicants with strong service backgrounds, rural health interests, and meaningful patient care experience may still be competitive during the admissions process.

5. Howard University College of Medicine

Howard University is located in Washington, D.C.one of the most famous HBCUs in the United States. It’s institutionally accredited by the MSCHE, and its College of Medicine is widely recognized for its commitment to physician diversity, health equity, and training doctors to serve underserved populations.

Howard uses a holistic admissions process that evaluates more than academic metrics alone. While the school publishes minimum science GPA and MCAT expectations for applicants, successful candidates often demonstrate strong leadership, volunteer work, community service, and dedication to improving health outcomes in underserved communities. A 3.5 GPA may place applicants in a more competitive position here, particularly when paired with strong clinical experience and mission alignment.

6. Meharry Medical College

Meharry Medical College is located in Nashville and is another of the medical schools in Tennessee known for its strong commitment to underserved communities and health equity. As an HBCU, the school has a longstanding history of training physicians dedicated to primary care, community medicine, and improving access to health care. Meharry’s mission-driven approach to admissions may appeal to applicants with strong service backgrounds and meaningful community involvement.

Meharry Medical College is institutionally accredited by the SACSCOC. The school does not publish a strict minimum GPA requirement, and its admitted student averages are often somewhat lower than those at many traditional MD programs. Applicants with a 3.5 GPA may be competitive when paired with strong clinical exposure, leadership experience, and a demonstrated commitment to serving underserved populations.

7. Mercer University School of Medicine

Mercer University School of Medicine focuses heavily on preparing physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities throughout Georgia. The school’s mission-centered admissions process places strong emphasis on service, community involvement, and interest in practicing primary care or rural medicine. Because of this focus, applicants whose experiences align with the school’s goals may stand out even if they are not at the very top of the academic range.

Mercer University School of Medicine is located in Macon, Georgia, and is one of the medical schools in Georgia with a strong regional mission. The university is institutionally accredited by the SACSCOC. Admissions is generally limited to Georgia residents, which is important for applicants to consider. A 3.5 GPA may be competitive for qualified in-state applicants, especially when combined with strong clinical experience, volunteer work, and ties to underserved communities within the state.

8. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is known for its holistic admissions process and strong focus on community-based medical education. The school places significant value on service, leadership, communication skills, and commitment to patient care in addition to academic performance. Students often train in a wide range of community hospitals and clinics throughout Michigan, giving them early exposure to diverse patient populations.

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine has campuses in East Lansing, Grand Rapids, and other locations throughout Michigan. Michigan State University is institutionally accredited by the HLC. Applicants with a 3.5 GPA may remain competitive here when supported by strong MCAT scores, meaningful clinical involvement, and a demonstrated commitment to service or community health. The school’s large class size and holistic review process may also create opportunities for applicants whose strengths extend beyond GPA alone.

9. Morehouse School of Medicine

Morehouse School of Medicine is one of the best-known medical schools in Atlanta and is recognized for its focus on health equity, physician diversity, and community-based medicine. The school is institutionally accredited by the SACSCOC. Morehouse places strong emphasis on preparing physicians to serve underserved populations and improve health outcomes in high-need communities.

The school uses a holistic admissions process that considers leadership, service, clinical experience, and mission alignment alongside academic performance. While admitted students often have GPAs above a 3.5, applicants in this range may still be competitive when paired with strong MCAT scores, meaningful volunteer work, and a demonstrated commitment to community health. Students interested in primary care, public health, and underserved medicine may find the program especially appealing.

10. University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

The University of Oklahoma is located in Oklahoma City is one of the top 50 public universities in the country. The College of Medicine here is known for its emphasis on rural medicine, primary care, and improving health care access across Oklahoma. Students often gain broad clinical experience through partnerships with hospitals and medical centers throughout the state.

The University of Oklahoma is institutionally accredited by the HLC. The College of Medicine publishes minimum GPA and MCAT requirements for applicants, though admitted students generally exceed those benchmarks. Applicants with a 3.5 GPA may still be competitive, particularly Oklahoma residents with strong clinical experience, leadership backgrounds, and community involvement. The school’s mission-driven focus on regional physician shortages may also benefit applicants interested in serving rural or underserved communities.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. We also compare: 

• Accreditation: We prioritize schools that hold institutional accreditation through recognized regional accrediting agencies such as the HLC, SACSCOC, or MSCHE, as well as medical schools with LCME accreditation.
• Admissions requirements: We review published GPA and MCAT expectations, holistic admissions policies, mission-based selection criteria, and factors such as community service, leadership, and clinical experience. 
• Online availability: Because MD programs require extensive hands-on clinical training, fully online medical degrees are not available. However, we consider whether schools offer flexible clinical placements, regional campuses, or support systems that may benefit nontraditional students. 
• Student outcomes: We evaluate residency preparation, access to clinical training opportunities, institutional reputation, and each school’s commitment to preparing physicians for rural, underserved, or community-based practice settings.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

What Average GPA Do You Need for Medical School? - include the phrase "average GPA and MCAT"
Can You Get Financial Aid With a 3.0 GPA? - include the phrase "GPA requirements for financial aid"
Tips for Getting Into Medical School With a 3.0 GPA- include the phrases "get into med school with a low GPA" and "medical schools with high acceptance rates" 

What Average GPA Do You Need for Medical School?

Medical schools across the United States report a wide range of admissions statistics, but many MD programs enroll students with GPAs in the mid-to-high 3.0 range. Admissions committees also pay close attention to MCAT performance, which is why schools often evaluate the average GPA and MCAT together rather than treating either number in isolation.

Averages can still vary significantly depending on the type of school and its mission. Research-heavy institutions often admit students with very high academic metrics, while schools focused on primary care, rural medicine, or underserved communities may place greater emphasis on service, leadership, and clinical experience. Some mission-driven programs also use more holistic admissions processes that consider the full context of an applicant’s background.

Applicants with a 3.5 GPA are often closer to the competitive range than they may assume, especially if they have a strong science GPA or upward academic trend. Strong performance in upper-level biology, chemistry, and other science courses can help demonstrate readiness for the demands of medical school coursework.

Ultimately, medical schools want applicants who show both academic preparation and a clear understanding of patient care. GPA matters, but it is only one part of a much larger admissions process.

Can You Get Financial Aid With a 3.5 GPA?

Students with a 3.5 GPA are generally eligible for most forms of financial aid available to medical students. Federal student loans, Graduate PLUS loans, institutional scholarships, and service-based programs may all be available through accredited medical schools and the FAFSA process.

Most GPA requirements for financial aid focus on maintaining satisfactory academic progress after enrollment rather than meeting a specific admissions threshold. In many cases, medical students simply need to remain in good academic standing and continue progressing through their coursework to keep receiving aid.

Some scholarships may favor applicants with especially high academic metrics, but many schools also award funding based on leadership, service, research, financial need, or commitment to underserved communities. Students attending mission-focused schools may additionally qualify for loan repayment or scholarship programs tied to primary care or rural medicine.

Comparing aid packages carefully can help students better understand the long-term cost of medical school. Even schools with similar admissions standards may offer very different levels of institutional support and scholarship funding.

Tips for Getting Into Medical School With a 3.5 GPA

A 3.5 GPA may already place you within the admissions range at many medical schools, but building a strong overall application is still important. Applicants in this range often benefit most from strengthening the areas that help distinguish them from other competitive candidates.

A strong MCAT score can help reinforce academic readiness and make your application more competitive at schools where the average GPA is slightly higher. Students who want to get into med school with a low GPA compared to national MD averages may also benefit from demonstrating consistent success in upper-level science coursework.

Clinical experience remains one of the most important parts of a medical school application. Admissions committees want to see that applicants understand patient care and have meaningful exposure to medical settings. Experiences such as shadowing physicians, volunteering in clinics, medical scribing, EMT work, or community health outreach can all strengthen your application.

Applicants should also pay attention to school mission and fit. Many medical schools with high acceptance rates compared to similarly ranked institutions place greater emphasis on service, rural medicine, community health, or underserved populations. Applying to schools that align with your experiences and goals may improve your chances more than applying broadly without a strategy.

Other ways to improve your competitiveness may include:

• Applying early in the admissions cycle
• Building strong relationships for recommendation letters
• Highlighting leadership and teamwork experience
• Demonstrating long-term volunteer involvement
• Showing a clear interest in a school’s mission or patient population

At the 3.5 GPA level, admissions decisions often come down to the strength and balance of the entire application. Students who combine solid academics with meaningful experiences and thoughtful school selection may have opportunities at a wide range of medical programs.

FAQs About Medical Schools That Accept a 3.5 GPA

Applicants with a 3.5 GPA are often closer to the admissions range at many MD programs than they realize, but medical school admissions can still feel competitive and complicated. Below are answers to common questions about applying to medical school with a 3.5 GPA and building a stronger application.

Is a 3.5 GPA Good Enough for Medical School?

A 3.5 GPA can be competitive for many medical schools, especially when paired with a strong MCAT score and meaningful clinical experience. While some highly selective programs enroll students with higher average GPAs, many schools evaluate applicants holistically rather than relying on academics alone.

Mission-focused schools may also place strong emphasis on leadership, service, and patient care experience. Strategic school selection can make a significant difference for applicants in this GPA range.

How Important Is Clinical Experience for Medical School Admissions?

Clinical experience is one of the most important parts of a medical school application because it helps demonstrate commitment to patient care and understanding of the medical profession. Schools often want to see direct exposure to physicians, hospitals, clinics, or community health settings.

Experiences such as medical scribing, shadowing, EMT work, hospice volunteering, and patient care positions can strengthen an application and provide valuable material for interviews and personal statements.

How Long is Medical School?

The typical length of medical school is four years for most MD programs. Students usually spend the first two years focusing on classroom and laboratory instruction before moving into clinical rotations during the final two years.

After graduation, physicians must also complete residency training, which can last anywhere from three to seven years depending on the specialty. Some schools additionally offer accelerated pathways or combined degree programs that may shorten or extend training timelines.

Can Research Experience Improve Your Chances of Acceptance?

Research experience can strengthen a medical school application, particularly at schools that value academic medicine or scientific inquiry. Participating in laboratory work, clinical research, or public health studies may help demonstrate curiosity, critical thinking, and long-term commitment to medicine.

Research is not always required for admission, especially at mission-focused or community-based schools. However, it can still help applicants stand out in a competitive admissions pool.

Do Medical Schools Look at Science GPA Separately?

Many medical schools review science GPA separately from cumulative GPA. Admissions committees often pay close attention to grades earned in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics coursework because these subjects are closely tied to medical school readiness.

A strong science GPA may help offset weaknesses in other academic areas. Likewise, improvement in advanced science coursework can help demonstrate academic growth over time.

Discover 3.5 GPA Medical Schools

Start your journey toward medical school by exploring the accessible program options highlighted on Learn.org. To find out more about admissions requirements and policies, reach out to individual medical schools directly.