Which med-schools use the 32 hour rule?

A few medical schools, notably Wayne State, Michigan State (CHM), Boston University, and LSU Health New Orleans, are known for using a variation of the "32-hour rule," which allows them to focus on an applicant's most recent 32 credit hours (often post-bacc or final semesters) for GPA evaluation, rewarding academic improvement, though many schools consider this as part of a holistic review rather than a strict "rule".

Is the 32 hour rule real?

The 32-hour rule for med school is a standard some medical programs use to consider the most recent 2-3 semesters of coursework when weighing GPA.

What is the easiest MD school to get into?

The "easiest" medical schools to get into often have higher acceptance rates, favoring in-state applicants and those with strong but not necessarily top-tier GPAs (around 3.7+) and MCATs (around 500+), with examples including University of Mississippi, ECU Brody School of Medicine, University of North Dakota, and Mercer University School of Medicine, but even these are competitive, requiring dedication to building a strong application with experiences and good scores. Osteopathic (DO) schools like William Carey and Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine are also options, often with lower average stats. 

Can you finish MD in 3 years?

Yes, you can get your M.D. in three years through competitive, accelerated medical school programs (3-Year MD Pathways) offered by some universities, allowing you to finish medical school faster, save on costs, and potentially enter residency sooner, often with a direct path to a residency program at the same institution. These programs are rigorous, geared toward high-achieving students already set on a specialty (like primary care), and compress the traditional four-year curriculum into three by adding pre-matriculation work and summer research. 

What is the lowest GPA a med school will accept?

The lowest GPA for medical school is highly variable, but generally, U.S. MD programs often filter for GPAs below 3.0, with averages closer to 3.6-3.8; however, exceptional MCAT scores, strong post-baccalaureate work (like SMPs), or unique experiences can sometimes allow admission with GPAs in the low 3s, while DO schools might be slightly more lenient, sometimes accepting averages around 3.5.
 

Highest Paid Doctor Specialties in 2026 (💰New Leaders)

Is a 3.7 too low for med school?

No, a 3.7 GPA is generally considered strong and competitive for medical school, but it's not a guarantee and becomes much stronger when paired with a high MCAT score and a robust science GPA. While MD school matriculant averages hover around 3.8+, a 3.7 is above the applicant average, especially if you show an upward trend in your grades, but a lower science GPA (BCPM) could raise concerns. 

What MCAT score is required for UCLA?

Accepted students at the UCLA School of Medicine had an average MCAT score of 516. A 510 represented the 25th percentile, while 520 was at the 75th percentile of students.

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in high-demand surgical and specialized fields like Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, Radiology, Cardiology, and Gastroenterology often earn over $500,000 annually, with some top earners in Thoracic Surgery or Neurosurgery making significantly more, while even family doctors can reach this level through practice ownership or specialized services.
 

How old is the youngest doctor?

The youngest person to become a doctor, according to Guinness World Records, is Dr. Balamurali Ambati, who earned his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1995 at the age of 17 years, 294 days, after completing school and college at exceptionally young ages. He graduated from high school at 11, NYU at 13, and finished medical school shortly after turning 17, becoming the world's youngest physician.
 

What is a 7 year medical program called?

New Jersey Medical School at Rutgers University. Rutgers University-Newark College of Arts and Sciences. 7 YEAR PROGRAM. The 7-Year BA/MD joint degree program is designed for high school seniors interested in pursuing a medical degree upon completion of their bachelor's degree.

What is the easiest MD specialty?

1. Family Medicine. Family medicine is one of the easiest medical specialties. ...
2. Pediatrics. Pediatrics is the branch of medicine dedicated to the care of infants, children, and teenagers. ...
3. Psychiatry. ...
4. Emergency Medicine. ...
5. Internal Medicine. ...
6. Anesthesiology. ...
7. Obstetrics-Gynecology. ...
8. Pathology.

How many people are rejected from med school?

But here's the truth: medical school rejection isn't the end of your path to becoming a doctor. In fact, it can be the beginning of a new, even more rewarding journey. Every year, approximately 60% of applicants to U.S. medical schools are turned away.

What is the oldest person to go to medical school?

The oldest recent medical graduate making global headlines is Toh Hong Keng, a 70-year-old retired Malaysian executive who graduated from Southwestern University (SWU) PHINMA School of Medicine in the Philippines in 2024, becoming one of the world's oldest medical students to earn a degree. While there's no official record for the absolute "oldest," Toh Hong Keng's story highlights that age is no barrier to achieving medical dreams, even with challenges like memory and eyesight.
 

How do I know if I can handle med school?

Consider shadowing a practicing physician, researcher, and/or academician to help visualize yourself in one of these roles, says one expert. Some college graduates consider a postbaccalaureate premedical program or coursework to be a stronger, more qualified medical school applicant.

Which schools use the 32 hour rule?

Some notable medical programs, such as Wayne State, LSU, Boston University, and Michigan State, have been said to follow this rule.

Who is the 7 year old surgeon?

Akrit Jaswal: The Youngest Surgeon Globally. At the tender age of 7, when most of the children were busy playing with dolls and guns, he performed his first surgery!! Meet Akrit Jaswal, whose IQ was tested to be 146, making him the smartest in India.

How old do doctors have kids?

From undergraduate school to end of residency is 11 to 15 years depending on your chosen field, taking you through your entire 20s and often into your 30s. The average age at which women complete their medical training is 31. The average age female physicians give birth is 32 years old.

Can you be an MD at 25?

Becoming a physician later in life will be more feasible if you already have an undergraduate degree or higher in a scientific field. Most medical schools require that you have at least a bachelor-level degree and that you have completed certain courses in chemistry, biology, and other sciences.

What is the lowest paid MD?

Lowest paid:

• Pediatric endocrinology: $230,426.
• Pediatric rheumatology: $231,574.
• Pediatric infectious disease: $248,322.
• Pediatric hematology and oncology: $255,733.
• Medical genetics: $259,564.
• Pediatric nephrology: $263,031.
• Pediatrics: $265,230.
• Pediatric pulmonology: $282,000.

What jobs in the US pay $300,000 a year?

Jobs paying $300,000 or more in the U.S. are typically senior roles in technology, finance, law, and medicine, including roles like CEOs, Chief Technology Officers, Investment Bankers, Partner-Level Lawyers, Surgeons, and Specialized Physicians, along with top-tier Sales Directors, Management Consultants, and Private Equity Executives, often relying on bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing for high earnings. High-income careers without traditional degrees can also be found in tech entrepreneurship, high-level skilled trades, and top-performing sales. 

Who makes more money, a do or md?

While average data suggests MDs tend to earn slightly more, the biggest factor in physician income isn't the degree (MD vs. DO) but the specialty, experience, and location, with more DOs historically entering lower-paying primary care or rural areas, leading to overall lower average DO salaries, though MDs and DOs in the same specialty often earn comparable pay. 

What is the #1 pre-med school in the US?

There's no single "official" #1 pre-med school, but Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, and Duke University consistently rank at the top due to exceptional advising, research access, clinical opportunities in top hospitals, and high medical school acceptance rates, often exceeding 90% for top applicants. Other perennial contenders include the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Stanford, UPenn, Columbia, and Northwestern, all offering strong science programs and support for aspiring doctors.
 

What is the hardest major to get into UCLA?

The hardest majors to get into at UCLA are often in specialized professional schools like Nursing, Film & Television, and Engineering (especially Computer Science/Engineering), which have extremely low acceptance rates (sometimes <1-4%) due to high demand and rigorous selection, often requiring auditions or high stats, with Computer Science being notoriously tough within the College of Letters & Science as well. 

What MCAT score does Harvard want?

Harvard Medical School (HMS) is extremely competitive, with recent average MCAT scores for matriculants hovering around 520-521, though there's no official minimum score, and acceptance relies on holistic review. While scores in the 512-528 range are common for accepted students, achieving a 515+ score is generally needed to be competitive for top-tier schools like HMS, reflecting rigorous standards.