November 17, 2025
Written By
Michael Minh Le
Subscribe to the Premed Catalyst Newsletter
If you're looking into Howard University Medical School’s acceptance rate, you’re probably wondering if your stats are good enough, if you’ve missed something in your application, or if you’re even targeting the right schools. When it comes to Howard, it’s one of the most respected HBCU med schools in the country, and while its mission is rooted in access and representation, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to get in.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly how competitive Howard University Medical School is. You’ll get the average GPA and MCAT scores, their unique application requirements, what makes this school stand out, and step-by-step strategies to help you write your personal statement, secondaries, and prep for interviews.
If you’re serious about applying, don’t just guess what works. At Premed Catalyst, we created a free Application Database that includes 8 full AMCAS applications that got students into top programs like UCLA and UCI. See real personal statements, most meaningful, and more that got real results. Then model your app after what works.
Get your free resource here.
For the most recent application cycle, Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM) received nearly 9,000 applications. Out of those, only about 128 students matriculated.
That puts Howard’s acceptance rate at roughly 1.44%.
Unlike many state schools, Howard doesn’t give preference to in-state applicants. In fact, the majority of HUCM students come from out of state, so no matter where you’re applying from, the playing field is level.
And while Howard is a historically Black medical school (HBCU) and has a longstanding mission to train physicians who will serve medically underserved communities, especially Black and minority populations, its admissions process is open to applicants of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
At Howard, the average GPA for accepted students is 3.67, and the average MCAT score is 506.
For context, the national average GPA for med school matriculants is around 3.77, and the average MCAT score sits at about 511.7. So Howard’s numbers come in a bit below, but not by much.
Don’t mistake those averages for leniency. Howard requires at least a 3.0 science GPA and a 494 MCAT just to be eligible for interview consideration.
To be considered for admission to HUCM, you’ll need to complete the following prerequisites:
Applicants must also meet the following general requirements and eligibility factors:
The school does not appear to require the CASPer Test or the AAMC PREview™ situational‑judgement exams as a mandatory part of the general application process.
Howard University College of Medicine offers a competitively priced education among private medical schools, with tuition for the 2025–2026 academic year set at about $60,924. When factoring in estimated living expenses such as housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal costs, the total Cost of Attendance (COA) climbs to around $96,971 per year.
To support students, Howard offers a robust array of scholarships, grants, and loan programs. Internal aid includes university-based scholarships and loans, awarded based on both financial need and academic merit. Additionally, students can apply for funding through the broader Howard University scholarship portal, which is open to graduate and professional students.
The Howard University Medical Alumni Association (HUMAA) is also a major source of support, administering over 100 endowed scholarships and one-time awards specifically for medical students. In recent years, HUMAA has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to deserving students.
Beyond internal aid, students are encouraged to pursue external scholarships from community groups, foundations, and national organizations. A key opportunity is the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program, which covers tuition, fees, and living expenses in exchange for service in medically underserved areas after graduation.
When you think of medical schools that blend excellence in education with a deep, mission-driven purpose, Howard University College of Medicine is in a class of its own. Founded in 1868, just three years after the end of the Civil War, Howard’s medical school has long been a pillar in the training of African American physicians and a national leader in health equity. But its legacy isn’t the only thing that sets it apart.
Here’s more about what makes this program stand out.
Howard University College of Medicine was established to train Black physicians during a time when no other schools would. That mission continues today. Howard’s programs emphasize health equity, cultural competence, and advocacy. Students are not only expected to master medicine but also to understand and challenge the systemic inequities that shape public health outcomes in the U.S. and abroad.
Howard consistently ranks among the top U.S. medical schools in producing African American doctors. For generations, it has served as a gateway for Black students pursuing a career in medicine. This not only contributes to diversifying the medical workforce but also improves patient outcomes, especially in underserved and minority communities where representation matters deeply.
Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., Howard University Hospital and its affiliates give students front-line exposure to urban healthcare challenges and solutions. Students gain early and extensive clinical exposure in communities that face real barriers to care. The patient population is diverse and often medically underserved.
Community service isn’t a checkbox at Howard. Students regularly participate in health fairs, free clinics, and outreach programs focused on improving public health in D.C. and beyond.
Howard is deeply invested in research that addresses the root causes of health disparities, whether it's chronic diseases that disproportionately affect Black communities or social determinants of health. Students interested in public health, policy, and research will find opportunities to work on meaningful projects that have both local and national impact.
Getting into Howard University College of Medicine means showing more than just the stats. It’s about owning your story. Yes, your GPA and MCAT matter, but Howard is looking for future doctors who lead with purpose, who give back, who’ve faced adversity and turned it into fuel. Your application needs to reflect a deep connection to service and health equity.
Below, we break down exactly how to do that.
HUCM participates in the Association of American Medical Colleges’s AMCAS application service, meaning you submit a primary AMCAS application, followed by any school‑specific materials. While HUCM does not publicly advertise a strict “rolling admissions” model in the sense of first‑come‑first‑served, they do encourage applicants to apply early in the cycle.
Here’s the application timeline for Howard University Medical School:
Your personal statement for Howard University College of Medicine isn’t simply restating your resume. It’s where you show who you are, what you care about, and the kind of doctor you’re becoming.
Howard cares deeply about service, social justice, and uplifting underserved communities, so if you say you care about those things, then you should show experiences in mentorship, advocacy, or working in marginalized communities.
Your experiences are your proof. Anyone can say the right words, but your story needs receipts.
The secondary essays for Howard University College of Medicine show the admissions committee that you're not just qualified, but that you’re aligned with their mission, you understand underserved communities, and you’ll thrive in their environment.
Below are the most recent prompts from their current cycle and some direct advice on how to approach each one.
Prompt 1. Was your childhood home located in a rural, urban or suburban area?
How to address it: Use this prompt to give context about where you come from. Be honest and concise about your environment, then briefly highlight how that background shaped your outlook, especially as it relates to healthcare access, community needs, or your motivation to serve.
Prompt 2. Have you lived in communities which are medically underserved, or where the majority of the population is economically and/or educationally disadvantaged? (Please indicate Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less)
How to address it: If yes, pick one concrete experience from that setting, describe it clearly (what you saw, what you did, what you learned). If no, you still must answer, so you can reflect on what you observed in other settings, how this influences your goal to reach underserved populations, and why that matters in your journey.
Prompt 3. Have you worked (volunteer or paid employment) with medically underserved, economically disadvantaged and/or educationally disadvantaged populations? (Please indicate Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less)
How to address it: Give a specific role where you contributed meaningfully, like what your responsibilities were, how you engaged, and the impact you made (even small wins count). Then tie it to how it shaped your understanding of service and how that will carry into your medical education and career.
Prompt 4. After residency, do you plan to practice medicine in an underserved or disadvantaged community? (Please indicate Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less)
How to address it: Answer clearly. A “yes” is preferable given this school’s mission. Outline your vision: what kind of community you see yourself serving, what specialties or settings interest you, and why this commitment matters. Avoid being vague; show you’ve thought about it.
Prompt 5. Please provide below any additional information you believe is important in evaluating your application (e.g., additional coursework, problems with academic record; disadvantaged, etc.) (Please indicate Yes or No and then explain/describe briefly in 250 words or less)
How to address it: Use this space strategically, but only if you have something meaningful that doesn’t fit elsewhere. That might be an academic lapse with a clear explanation and improvement, a significant personal challenge, or additional context that enhances your story. Don’t repeat content already in your AMCAS unless you add new insight.
Prompt 6. Did COVID‑19 impact you preparing your AMCAS application for fall 2026? (i.e., volunteer/work experience, financially, course registration, MCAT testing, etc.) (250 words / 2000 characters)
How to address it: If you were impacted, describe specifically how. For example, maybe you lost shadowing opportunities, took on family responsibilities, or switched to remote learning. And most importantly, describe what you did in response (adapted, learned, maintained momentum). If you weren’t impacted, you can say “Not applicable” but keep it brief.
Prompt 7. Why Howard University College of Medicine? (Approximately 2,000‑2,500 characters)
How to address it: This is your key “fit” essay. Talk about Howard’s mission to serve underserved and disadvantaged populations, their commitment to health equity, and how your own experiences and aspirations align. Mention any specific strengths of the school that you resonate with (e.g., their research on health disparities, community‑based programs, location in D.C.). Show that you’re not just applying because you need a seat. You’re applying because this is where you want to train.
Howard University College of Medicine requires you to submit at least two letters of recommendation, and they need to be from science professors. That means instructors who taught you in a graded classroom or lab setting, not your PI from research, not your volunteering supervisor.
If your school offers a committee letter, Howard accepts that too, either by itself or alongside your other letters. But the key is that you cannot replace the science letters with ones from non-academic settings.
There's no hard cap on how many you can submit, but if you're tempted to send six mediocre letters, don’t. This isn't about quantity. It's about strategic storytelling from people who actually know your work ethic.
And don’t send any letters directly to Howard unless they ask. Everything goes through AMCAS.
At Howard the interview uses a traditional one‑on‑one format, not an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview). You’ll be interviewed by a member of the faculty (or alumni/representative) for one session, typically lasting 30‑45 minutes.
On the day of the interview, you will likely spend most of the day on campus: there’s a presentation on HUCM’s history and mission, an overview of the curriculum, a tour, a financial‑aid seminar, and lunch with current students.
Expect questions that dig into: “Why Howard?”, “How will you serve the underserved?”, ethical dilemmas (for example, trusting a patient, working in a disadvantaged community), times you advocated or faced structural barriers.
Historically, interviews at Howard were in person on campus. Some reports indicate interviews shifted to a virtual format more recently, but policy still describes in‑person full‑day interviews.
Choosing a medical school is about more than prestige. It’s about the environment, mission, curriculum, and whether you’ll thrive there. Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM) has a distinct profile and focus. So, let’s break down how to know if the program is the right fit for you.
HUCM is a good fit if you…
HUCM may not be a good fit if you…
If you’re applying to Howard or any competitive medical school, you can’t afford to submit a generic, average application. Maybe you’ve got a decent GPA and a solid MCAT, but still feel unsure about how your app will land. Or maybe you’re struggling with secondaries, trying to figure out how to stand out without sounding cliché.
That’s why we created a free Application Database with 8 real, accepted AMCAS applications, including ones that got into top med schools like UCLA and UCI. You’ll see the actual personal statements, work/activities descriptions, and more.
Use them as a blueprint to model your application after real success.
Get your free resource here.
