Anyone looking to enter medical school needs to know which schools they plan to apply to. Once you know where you’re applying, it’s important to know what you need to get in. We are breaking down the top 20 med schools of 2017, as listed by U.S. News, so that those looking to enter medical school know what MCAT score and GPA they need to be a candidate for acceptance.

1.    Harvard Medical School

Harvard University is one of the best schools in the country regardless of which program you enter. Harvard Medical School is no different and no less difficult to enter. Incoming Haravard Med Students have:

Average GPA: 3.9

Average MCAT: 519

Required Prerequisites: https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/admissions-prerequisite-courses

2.    Stanford School of Medicine

Stanford is a name that most in this country recognize immediately. Like Harvard, this school is an equally prestigious and historic establishment. Students who are accepted to Stanford School of Medicine have an:

Average GPA: 3.83

Average MCAT: 519

Required Prerequisites: http://med.stanford.edu/md-admissions/how-to-apply/academic-requirements.html

3.    Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A household name, Johns Hopkins has a smaller, but infamous, program. Students entering this program have an::

Average GPA: 3.91

Average MCAT: 522

Required Prerequisites:  http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/som/admissions/md/application_process/prerequisites_requirements.html

4.    University of California – San Francisco School of Medicine

UCSF has a larger medical program. It’s not quite as large as Harvard’s, but it is noticeably larger than Stanford or Johns Hopkins. Students admitted to this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.8

Average MCAT: 516

Required Prerequisites: http://meded.ucsf.edu/admissions/getting-started

5.    University of Pennsylvania (Perelman School of Medicine)

Founded in the mid-1700s, this historic program is approximately the same size (and age) as Harvard’s. Students entering this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.89

Average MCAT: 521

Required Prerequisites: http://www.med.upenn.edu/admissions/admissions.html

6.    Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons

Columbia University’s medical program is larger than average. Based in New York City, students entering this medical school have an:

Average GPA: 3.87

Average MCAT: 520

Required Prerequisites: http://ps.columbia.edu/education/admissions/applying/application-requirements

7.    (tie) Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

This program has an average first-year class size compared to the other programs on this list. Students admitted to this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.85

Average MCAT: 519

Required Prerequisites: https://mdadmissions.wustl.edu/how-to-apply/requirements/

7.    (tie) Duke University School of Medicine

This program is much newer than the others on this list. Founded in 1930, this program has an average number of students enrolled. Students in this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.8

Average MCAT: 520

Required Prerequisites: https://medschool.duke.edu/education/student-services/office-admissions/admissions-process/academic-expectations

9.    (tie) University of Michigan – Ann Arbor (Michigan Medical School)

This program is on the larger side. Students entering this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.86

Average MCAT: 516

Required Prerequisites: https://medicine.umich.edu/medschool/education/md-program/md-admissions/requirements

9.    (tie) Yale University School of Medicine

Most people have heard of Yale; it’s one of the better known Ivy league schools. Fitting with the prestige and selective nature of ivy leagues, this program is on the smaller side. Students entering this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.87

Average MCAT: 518

Required Prerequisites: http://medicine.yale.edu/education/admissions/requirements.aspx

11.    University of California – Los Angeles (David Geffen School of Medicine)

This is a larger program and one of the youngest on this list. It was founded in 1950. Students entering this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.79

Average MCAT: 508

Required Prerequisites: http://medschool.ucla.edu/apply-prerequisites

12.    (tie) New York University School of Medicine

NYU’s medical program is on the larger side. Students who enter this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.9

Average MCAT: 520

Required Prerequisites: http://www.med.nyu.edu/school/md-admissions/how-apply/admissions-requirements-selection-criteria

12.    (tie) University of Washington School of Medicine

Even younger than Duke University’s program, this program was founded in 1946. It has one of the largest number of total students on this list. Students admitted to this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.71

Average MCAT: 507

Required Prerequisites: hhttp://www.uwmedicine.org/education/md-program/admissions/applicants/course-requirements

14.    Vanderbilt School of Medicine

This program is on the smaller side. Students in this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.9

Average MCAT: 520

Required Prerequisites: https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/md-admissions/admission-requirements

15.    (tie) University of Chicago (Pritzker School of Medicine)

This program is noticeably smaller than most of the other programs on this list. The first-year class is only about 88 students. Those admitted to this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.9

Average MCAT: 520

Required Prerequisites: https://pritzker.uchicago.edu/page/entrance-requirements

15.    (tie) University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

This is an average sized program. Students in this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.85

Average MCAT: 515

Required Prerequisites: http://www.medadmissions.pitt.edu/admissions-requirements/requirements.php

17.    Northwestern University (Feinberg School of Medicine)

This is one of the larger medical programs. Students who enter this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.9

Average MCAT: 519

Required Prerequisites: http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/requirements.html

18.    (tie) Cornell University (Weill Cornell Medical College)

This is a smaller medical program and students who enter this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.87

Average MCAT: 519

Required Prerequisites: http://weill.cornell.edu/education/admissions/app_req.html

18.    (tie) University of California – San Diego School of Medicine

This program may be the youngest on the list, founded in 1968. It is on the smaller side, but is closer to an average size program. Students who enter this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.84

Average MCAT: 517

Required Prerequisites: https://meded.ucsd.edu/index.cfm/asa/admissions/application_process/

20.    Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

This medical school is part of the Mayo Clinic, a widely recognized name in medicine. They host a relatively small program that focuses on clinical experience and research. Students who enter this program have an:

Average GPA: 3.89

Average MCAT: 516

Required Prerequisites: http://www.mayo.edu/mayo-clinic-school-of-medicine/programs/md/admissions-and-application-process/prerequisites

You may know where you’re going (or at least where you want to go), so make sure you know how to get there. If you’re struggling to reach the average MCAT score of your school of choice, don’t fret. Instead, consider getting outside help. Next Step offers private, one-on-one MCAT tutoring as well as an online MCAT course.

If you’re just starting out with your MCAT prep, you’ll want to begin with a diagnostic exam. We have a free MCAT practice bundle that gives students access to a half-length diagnostic exam, our first full-length exam, and a demo of our online course. You can also benefit from free extra help with our regular pre-med webinars. We also offer several practice exam bundles and many MCAT books to help you with your MCAT prep.