June 11, 2025
Written By
You want to go to UPenn. But deep down, you’re wondering if you actually have a shot. And for good reason. The UPenn medical school acceptance rate is one of the lowest in the country. It's easy to feel like you’re not doing enough. But here’s the truth: stats alone don’t get you in. Strategy does.
This article breaks it all down: what the acceptance rate actually means, the average GPA and MCAT of students who did get in, what makes UPenn different, and most importantly, how to craft an application that makes admissions say, “We need this student.”
At Premed Catalyst, we’ve been through this exact stress ourselves, which is why we built the resource we wish we had back then. We’ve compiled 8 full AMCAS applications that got students into schools like UCSF, UCLA, and other top schools. You’ll see what a real winning app looks like so you can build yours to match.
Grab the free resource here.
The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is among the most selective medical schools in the United States. For the 2025 entering class, the school received 6,288 applications and enrolled only 154 students.
That makes the UPenn Medical School acceptance rate 2.45%. That means out of 100 applicants, about three get accepted.
Notably, only 12.3% of matriculants were Pennsylvania residents, which means both in-state and out-of-state applicants face similar odds.
Admitted students to UPenn's Perelman School of Medicine boast impressive academic credentials. The average GPA for the 2025 entering class was 3.97, and the average MCAT score was 522.
For context, the national average GPA for medical school matriculants is approximately 3.84, and the average MCAT score is around 513. That puts UPenn students in the top 15% in GPA scores and the top 1% for MCAT.
To be considered for admission to the Perelman School of Medicine, applicants must fulfill the following prerequisites:
While UPenn doesn’t mandate specific coursework, a strong foundation in the sciences and humanities is essential.
Additionally, applicants must:
For the 2024–2025 academic year, the annual tuition is approximately $70,000, with total costs including fees, health insurance, and living expenses nearing $100,000 per year.
Over four years, this means the full cost of attendance can exceed $400,000.
UPenn’s price tag is steep. There’s no sugarcoating that. But they don’t want cost to be the reason someone walks away from a dream. Here’s how they help make med school actually doable:
When you're applying to one of the top medical schools in the country, you want to know what sets it apart beyond the numbers. And at UPenn’s Perelman School of Medicine, it’s not just about prestige. It’s about purpose, innovation, and world-class opportunity.
UPenn’s Perelman School of Medicine is the oldest medical school in the U.S., founded in 1765. But despite its deep historical roots, it’s anything but outdated. UPenn is a pioneer in biomedical research, consistently ranking among the top 3 recipients of NIH funding nationwide. That means students are learning from and working alongside the scientists shaping tomorrow’s medicine.
UPenn thrives on cross-campus collaboration. Students can tap into world-class programs across Wharton (business), Penn Law, and the School of Engineering through dual degrees and joint research. This makes it a hub for aspiring physician-leaders, physician-lawyers, and medical entrepreneurs.
The school prioritizes health equity and social responsibility. Through the Center for Global Health and initiatives like the Bridging the Gaps program, students are actively addressing health disparities both locally in Philadelphia and abroad.
Students rotate through the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which includes the renowned Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). The training is intensive, hands-on, and integrated early into the curriculum, ensuring students are clinically prepared from day one.
UPenn revamped its curriculum into what it calls "Curriculum 2.0.” This modern and flexible program emphasizes early clinical exposure, small-group learning, and personalized education tracks, including research, advocacy, and global health.
Getting into the Perelman School of Medicine at UPenn isn’t just about being smart. It’s about being intentional. Yes, it’s one of the most prestigious med schools in the country. Yes, the academic bar is sky-high. But what really sets applicants apart is the story they bring: the values they’ve lived out, the communities they’ve served, the purpose behind every hour of volunteering, research, or studying.
UPenn operates on a non-rolling admissions basis. That means all decisions are released at the same time, typically in March, regardless of when you submit your application. So, while early submission won't give you an admissions edge, it will give you peace of mind and more time to focus on interviews and secondaries.
Here’s the timeline you need to follow:
Your personal statement isn’t just a summary of your achievements; it’s the core of your application. This is where you weave your experiences into a story that shows who you are, what drives you, and the kind of doctor you're becoming.
If you say you're committed to underserved communities, show us where you showed up for them. If you say you're resilient, walk us through a moment that tested you and what you did next.
You’re not just telling the admissions committee who you are. You’re convincing them through action. That shadowing experience, that free clinic, that research project. They’re not just resume items. They’re proof.
That’s why so many academically competitive students end up with rejections. Their essays read like a checklist, not a story. No theme. No meaning. Just noise. Your job is to make every piece of your journey meaningful and connected.
Your secondary essays are your opportunity to show how your story lines up with what UPenn actually values. For the 2024–2025 cycle, here’s what they asked:
1. COVID-19 Impact (500 characters)
"Were there changes to your academic, professional, and/or personal circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic that you would like to share with the committee?"
If COVID changed your plans, your family responsibilities, your mental health, or your grades, say it here. Be honest but not dramatic. This is about clarity, not pity. The goal is to give context.
2. Pass/Fail Grading (500 characters)
"If you elected Pass/Fail during COVID, explain why."
They’re not judging your choice. They just want to know your reasoning. Maybe it was mental health, a tough situation at home, or institutional policy. Keep it professional and reflective. Own the decision and show maturity in how you explain it.
3. Online Courses
"Have you taken any online courses for credit?"
This one’s straightforward. If you did, list them. Don’t overthink it. If there’s something notable (like mastering Biochem online while working full-time), you can briefly mention that strength.
4. Awards
"Have you been nominated for or received an award from any state, regional, or national organization?"
Think beyond academics to scholarships, community recognition, or leadership awards. The key here is selection: only include what’s truly competitive or meaningful.
5. Gap Years (500 characters)
"Have you taken or are you planning to take time off between college graduation and medical school matriculation?"
Use this to show intention. What did you do with your time? Whether it was working, doing research, taking care of family, or growing personally, frame it as a decision, not just a delay. If you learned, built, or healed, say so.
6. Global Activities
"Have you participated in any global activities outside of the U.S.?"
If you’ve worked, volunteered, or studied abroad, list those experiences. But don’t just drop names. Briefly touch on what you took away. Cultural humility, adaptability, or awareness of global health systems? That’s gold.
Just be cautious not to frame your experience as “voluntourism.” If it was a short-term trip, make sure you’re not presenting yourself as a savior. Focus instead on what the community taught you, not what you “gave” them.
7. Diversity and Inclusion (1,000 characters)
"How would you and your life experiences contribute to the diversity of the student body and/or to an inclusive atmosphere at PSOM?"
This isn’t just about race or identity, although those matter. It’s about perspective. Where have you lived, who have you served, what communities do you understand deeply? How have your lived experiences prepared you to bring something unique to a collaborative, inclusive med school class?
8. Ambiguity and Decision-Making (3,000 characters)
"Describe a time you faced a situation that was ambiguous, confusing, or uncertain, and how you navigated making a decision without complete information."
This is a test of your judgment, maturity, and ability to function under real-world conditions. Don’t pick a perfect outcome. Pick a real one. Walk through your thought process, what information you had, what risks you took, and what you learned. This is a great prompt to show leadership and that you stay calm under pressure.
9. Why UPenn? (1,000 characters)
"Please explain your reasons for applying to the Perelman School of Medicine."
This is not the place to list rankings. Show why UPenn is the only school that makes sense for you. Mention specifics: Curriculum 2.0, dual-degree options, centers for global health or policy, a particular program that aligns with your goals. The more tailored this is, the stronger your case for fit.
Your letters of rec should echo the same story you’re telling in the rest of your app. UPenn wants to hear from people who know your work ethic, your character, and your why. Not just that you’re smart, but how you show up when it’s hard. Not just that you’re kind, but how you connect with others under pressure.
Here’s what they ask for:
The interview is where UPenn stops looking at your stats and starts looking at you. It’s their chance to see how you communicate, carry yourself, and connect, whether you actually live the values you’ve been writing about. At Perelman, here’s what that looks like:
To prepare:
UPenn’s Perelman School of Medicine isn’t for everyone, and that’s a good thing. This school attracts a specific kind of student. It’s a place for people who want to ask bold questions, challenge old systems, and lead in medicine, research, or both.
If any of the following sounds exciting, UPenn may be your fit:
And if any of the following are deal breakers, there’s a better school out there for you:
Let’s be real: most premeds won’t get into UPenn. Not because they’re not smart enough but because they didn’t have a plan for their application. They hit submit with an average personal statement, generic secondaries, and letters from people who barely know them. Then they wonder why they didn’t get that interview invite.
At Premed Catalyst, we pulled together real AMCAS applications that actually got accepted, including ones from students who got into places like UCLA. These aren’t polished sample essays. They’re the full, raw applications that worked. You’ll see what top applicants did differently and how you can reverse-engineer their strategy.
The best part? It’s 100% free.
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