Selection Factors

MCAT and CASPer

The college does not have specific cutoff scores.  Instead, we use a mission-based, holistic assessment of applicants that strongly considers nonacademic variables. The college strives for an entering class with figures approximating the national averages of accepted students.

We welcome disadvantaged and nontraditional students. With the understanding that disadvantaged and nontraditional students typically lack access to routine premedical counseling and academic support, our average GPA and MCAT profile can be slightly below that of national averages. The college acknowledges research that demonstrates students with MCAT scores below 500 and science GPAs below 3.0 have a greater risk of academic difficulty in successfully completing a rigorous medical curriculum.

MCAT scores for all tests taken within the past four years are included when assessing academic potential. The colleage also requires applicants take the CASPer test for admission. The CASPer test result is only valid for a single application cycle for which the test has been taken.

Academic Factors

While academics is only a portion of what we consider, there are general figures typically expected of competitive applicants. Despite not having GPA or MCAT cutoffs, there are figures that we feel are good indicators of an applicant's ability to handle the medical school curriculum. Generally, applicants should aim for a 3.5 GPA—in particular, a 3.5 cumulative GPA in the sciences shows well. Additionally, applicants should aim for an MCAT score in the 500 range or above.

If your undergraduate GPA is less than 3.4, you may want to consider taking postbaccalaureate courses to establish a higher grade point average and to demonstrate academic potential. This would involve at least 16 or more credits of graduate or postbaccalaureate work, including upper level biology courses and repeating any science courses for which you received a low grade.

Still, applicants with slightly lower GPAs that have shown to trend upward are good signs for the admissions committee to see. Paired with solid non-academic variables, applicants may still find an opportunity to join the incoming class.

Assessment of your GPA is based upon a number of factors, including employment and concurrent activities. Students who have very significant (if not unusual) experiences and goals that are clearly consistent with our mission and would enhance the class/profession typically demonstrate more curricular success than those with a downward trend or stable performance at a lower GPA level.

Nonacademic Factors

The college evaluates a number of nonacademic factors. These include but are not limited to

  • Community service/volunteer work – medical/clinical
  • Community service/volunteer work – nonmedical/nonclinical
  • Physician shadowing
  • Research/lab
  • Leadership roles
  • Teamwork
  • Experience with people different from themselves
  • Paid employment
  • Military service
  • Teaching/tutoring
  • Publications/posters

Michigan and Non-Michigan Residents

As a state-funded school, residents of Michigan are given preference. However, approximately 20-30% of each entering class is from outside of Michigan. The Committee on Admissions believes that non-Michigan resident diversity is an important component of every CHM entering class. 

The most competitive non-Michigan residents have MCAT scores well above 500, a very strong or improving academic profile, and nonacademic attributes and experiences that will enrich the class and be consistent with the mission of the college. Nonacademic factors tend to play a very large role in academically successful, non-Michigan residents gaining acceptance.

Undergraduate Degrees

The Committee on Admissions does not prefer one major to another. Approximately two-thirds of any entering class will have earned traditional science degrees, but other students will have earned degrees in engineering, nursing, English, music, art, religion, psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, business, and other areas.

Advanced Baccalaureate Learning Experience (ABLE)

Disadvantaged students with a modest academic profile may be interested in our postbaccalaureate program, the Advanced Baccalaureate Learning Experience (ABLE). ABLE is not a postbaccalaureate preparatory program, but rather a conditional acceptance to medical school. The program reviews disadvantaged students who have applied directly to medical school through the AMCAS application service and are interviewed for regular admission.

There is no separate ABLE application procedure. The College of Human Medicine Committee on Admissions refers applicants to the ABLE Selection Committee. Students who show promise for medicine, yet may lack the science background required to perform optimally in medical school, can become candidates for the ABLE Program. The ABLE Selection Committee makes the final student selections for the ABLE Program from those applicants referred by the Committee on Admissions.

Please refer to our ABLE page for more information.

Applying