Medical Schools that Accept Low GPAs in 2026

<p>The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine provides students with access to virtual labs and a state-of-the-art Smart Hospital complex to prepare future physicians for all types of patient care. Students need a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 to be admitted to the school's Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfMissouriColumbia">University of Missouri - Columbia</h2> <p>The University of Missouri's School of Medicine provides a patient-based curriculum for its medical students. With a state-of-the-art simulation center, students have access to hands-on learning programs on how to improve patient care. Students may earn their MD degree and various Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees or combine medicine and basic sciences in an MD/PhD program. Students need a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to gain admission to the school's MD or MD/PhD programs. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfMissouriKansasCity">University of Missouri - Kansas City</h2> <p>Students at the University of Missouri - Kansas City's School of Medicine have access to clinical and research training. MD students interact with patients as a member of a docent team, in which they gain clinical experience at the school's partner hospitals and simulation centers. To gain admission, students must have earned a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 during their bachelor's degree program. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfNewMexico">University of New Mexico</h2> <p>At the University of New Mexico's School of Medicine, MD students benefit from community-based learning and early clinical skills training designed to improve their problem-solving skills. Entering students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. </p> <h2 id="section---RutgersUniversity">Rutgers University</h2> <p>Rutgers University's Medical School prepares students to provide adaptive and ethical medical care in patient and family-centered settings. Students earn their MD degree while collaborating with other medical professionals through clinical experiences. The school looks for applicants with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfArizona">University of Arizona</h2> <p>The University of Arizona's College of Medicine prepares MD students to improve patient care by providing them with problem-solving strategies, research skills, and the ability to participate in professional discourse. Students should gain new perspectives of the health care industry. The school requires applicants to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfUtah">University of Utah</h2> <p>At the University of Utah's School of Medicine, students in the MD program have access to a curriculum that emphasizes community-based health care, doctor-patient relationships, and evidence-based learning. Entering students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. </p> <h2 id="section---HowardUniversity">Howard University</h2> <p>Howard University's College of Medicine prepares future physicians and health care professionals to serve patients from all population groups. The program focuses on teaching students to address health care disparities in underserved communities. Students can earn their MD degree. Students need a minimum science GPA of 3.0. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfOklahomaHealthSciencesCenter">University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center</h2> <p>The University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center's College of Medicine has a state-of-the-art simulation center, which provides students with the technology and experience needed to prepare for their medical careers. Students interested in earning their MD degrees should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be admitted. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfSouthDakota">University of South Dakota</h2> <p>The University of South Dakota's School of Medicine provides medical students with hands-on clinical training that can include a rural medicine focus. Students can earn an MD degree, a PhD in Basic Biomedical Sciences, or a combined MD/PhD in the physician scientist program. Applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.1. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>School Name</th><th> Programs Offered</th><th> Minimum GPA</th><th> Graduate Tuition (2019-2020)*</th></tr> <tr><td>University of Texas Rio Grande Valley</td><td> Doctor of Medicine (MD) </td><td> 3.0</td><td> $5,959 in-state; $13,555 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Missouri - Columbia</td><td> MD; MD/PhD</td><td> 3.0</td><td> $9,264 in-state; $25,363 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Missouri - Kansas City</td><td> MD</td><td> 3.0</td><td> $9,542 in-state; $24,636 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>University of New Mexico</td><td> MD</td><td> 3.0</td><td> $5,156 in-state; $17,407 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>Rutgers University</td><td> MD</td><td> 3.0</td><td> $17,736 in-state; $30,144 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Arizona</td><td> MD</td><td> 3.0</td><td> $11,938 in-state; $32,065 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Utah</td><td> MD</td><td> 3.0</td><td> $7,211 in-state; $25,455 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>Howard University</td><td> MD</td><td> 3.0</td><td> $31,309</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center </td><td> MD</td><td> 3.0</td><td> $5,119 in-state; $19,778 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>University of South Dakota</td><td> MD; Ph.D. in Basic Biomedical Sciences; MD/Ph.D. </td><td> 3.1</td><td> $6,062 in-state; $11,656 out-of-state</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *National Center for Education Statistics </i></p> <h2 id="section---DegreeInformationForDoctorOfMedicinePrograms">Degree Information for Doctor of Medicine Programs</h2> <p>Doctor of Medicine programs are best suited for students who wish to become physicians. The programs require extensive research, patient-based training, and clinical experience. Students can expect to take a variety of courses during their first year, including introduction to patient care, structure and function of medicine, and cardiovascular systems classes. </p> <h3 id="section---IntroductionToPatientCare">Introduction to Patient Care</h3> <p>An introduction to patient care course typically introduces students to the clinical skills necessary for their future careers as medical professionals. It focuses on physical examinations, diagnostic tests, and patient communication. Students could learn in small groups while participating in lectures and laboratories. </p> <h3 id="section---StructureAndFunction">Structure and Function</h3> <p>A course on the structure and function of medicine typically allows students to learn the musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous systems of the human body. Students use their anatomy training to communicate with their peers. This course will most likely introduce students to future discussions of other body systems. </p> <h3 id="section---CardiovascularSystem">Cardiovascular System</h3> <p>A course on the cardiovascular system typically reviews the medical sciences related to cardiology and serves as an introduction to the cardiovascular system. Students should learn more about the heart and vascular systems as well as related diagnostic procedures. The course correlates with other medical courses, including biomedical sciences, structure-function courses, anatomy, and more. </p> <h2 id="section---AdmittanceRequirementsForDoctorOfMedicinePrograms">Admittance Requirements for Doctor of Medicine Programs</h2> <p>All medical students should complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Each program varies on its individual admission requirements, but prospective students should have completed prerequisite courses during their undergraduate education. These courses include biology, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. In addition, applicants should submit letters of recommendation and have volunteer clinical experience at hospitals or medical clinics. </p> <p>Many medical schools accept applicants with fairly low grade point averages (GPAs), provided students can prove their ability to do well in biomedical sciences coursework. These programs are located across the United States and have curricula that require students to complete clinical practices and extensive research.</p>