Are Virginia medical schools out of state friendly?
Across the four Virginia schools that report both figures, in-state applicants reach interview at 20.4% and out of state applicants at 6.8%. University of Virginia School of Medicine interviews the largest share of out-of-state applicants at 10.0%, which makes it the friendliest of the group for an applicant from another state.
| School | In-state interview rate | Out-of-state interview rate | In-state advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Virginia School of Medicine | 16.9% | 10.0% | +6.9 pts |
| Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine | 26.2% | 6.9% | +19.3 pts |
| Eastern Virginia Medical School | 33.1% | 5.8% | +27.3 pts |
| Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine | 5.5% | 4.3% | +1.2 pts |
Interview rate is the share of applicants a school invites, so it measures how open a program is before essays and interviews decide anything. The national list of out-of-state friendly medical schools ranks every state against these numbers.
Medical schools in Virginia at a glance
All six medical schools in Virginia are below, with median MCAT and GPA, tuition in and out of state, class size and the share of applicants who reach interview. Each figure is the most recent one the school has published.
2026–27 cycle data. Last updated 30 August 2026.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| School | Degree | Apply through | Founded | Median MCAT | Median GPA | In-state tuition | Out-of-state tuition | Class size | Secondary essays | Interview rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Virginia School of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 1819 | 520 | 3.93 | $53,444 | $67,006 | 158 | 4 | 11.11% overall, 16.9% IS, 10% OOS |
| Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 2010 | 513 | 3.6 | $60,412 | $60,412 | 50 | n/a | 5.5% IS, 4.3% OOS |
| Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine | MD | AMCAS | 1838 | 512 | 3.88 | $39,712 | $64,384 | 184 | 5 | 26.2% IS, 6.9% OOS |
| Eastern Virginia Medical School | MD | AMCAS | 1973 | 512 | 3.72 | $39,577 | $61,253 | 151 | 7 | 33.1% IS, 5.8% OOS |
| Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine | do | AACOMAS | 2014 | 504 | 3.4 | $53,575 | $53,575 | 160 | 2 | 12.5% |
| Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine | DO | AACOMAS | 2003 | 502 | n/a[1] | $51,800 | $51,800 | 184 | 2 | na |
- VCOM requires a GPA above 3.4 to apply, so the median figure our source carried was below the school's own minimum. It is left out until a sourced number replaces it.
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What medical schools in Virginia look for
Median MCAT across Virginia runs from 502 at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine to 520 at University of Virginia School of Medicine. Where your score sits in that spread shapes which of them to apply to, so application, so check it before you build a list. What counts as a good MCAT score sets out the national picture, and the percentile tables show what each scaled score means.
Between 3.40 and 3.93 is where median GPA sits. A GPA below that band is still in the conversation with a strong MCAT, and a single cycle is long enough to raise an MCAT score. If you have already tested, the retake calculator prices what another attempt would take, and the score calculator converts an AAMC practice test into a scaled score.
All four schools reporting both figures interview in-state applicants at a higher rate than out-of-state ones, averaging 20.4% against 6.8%. Residency counts for a lot here. Applying from outside Virginia means leaning on schools that take out-of-state students in numbers.
For residents, tuition starts at $39,577 at Eastern Virginia Medical School and reaches $60,412 at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Medical school tuition across the US and Canada puts those numbers in context.
They do not all use the same application. It is AMCAS for four, AACOMAS for two. Applying across services means duplicating work, so check which one each school on your list takes before you start.
Secondaries are the next hurdle after the primary. The five schools here we hold prompts for ask 20 essays between them, from 2 up to 7 at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Our secondary prompt database carries the wording of every one for the 2026-27 cycle, so you can draft before they arrive.
Two of the six award a DO alongside the MD programs. Both lead to licensure and residency, and DO programs generally admit at lower median scores, which is why they belong on most lists. The medical schools that admit at the lowest medians covers that ground nationally.
Between them these programs read about 27,871 applications a year for roughly 887 seats, near enough 31 applications per place. Those totals double-count anyone applying to more than one school, so treat the ratio as a measure of how much reading each committee does rather than as your odds. It is the reason a screening score matters before anyone reads a word of your essays.
Every school here sends a secondary, and the load is uneven. University of Virginia School of Medicine asks for 3 required, 2 if applicable, and the rest range from one required essay to several more once optional prompts open up. One of them interview by MMI, which rewards different preparation from a conversational panel. Our secondary prompt database carries the current prompts for each of them, so you can draft in June instead of reacting in August.
On the US News research ranking, University of Virginia School of Medicine places highest at 30. Rankings shift little from year to year and matter far less than fit, funding and where you want to train, though they do shape how competitive a given cycle feels.
Free checklist
Virginia's medical schools sit between a 502 and a 520 median MCAT. The checklist covers everything else your application is graded on.
Every phase of the application cycle, what is due when, and what to have ready before you open AMCAS.
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University of Virginia School of Medicine
Competitiveness: 8.2/10
Founded in 1819, UVA School of Medicine is a public powerhouse where innovation meets patient-first care. With cutting-edge research and real-world learning, it’s not just about earning a degree—it’s about shaping the future of medicine.
Median GPA
3.93
Median MCAT
520
Location
Charlottesville
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$53,444
Out-of-State Tuition
$67,006
Class Size
158
US News Ranking (Research)
30
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
35
Total Applicants
5,894
Secondaries Required
3 required, 2 if applicable
Interview Rate
11.11% overall, 16.9% IS, 10% OOS
Interview Format
Two one-on-one, half-hour interviews
Address
200 Jeanette Lancaster Way, VA 22903
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Competitiveness: 5.3/10
Founded in 1838, VCU School of Medicine is a public leader in innovation, research, and hands-on training. Based in Richmond, it’s shaping the future of medicine through discovery and real-world impact.
Median GPA
3.88
Median MCAT
514
Location
Richmond
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$39,712
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,384
Class Size
184
US News Ranking (Research)
62
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
48
Total Applicants
7,435
Secondaries Required
2 required, 3 if applicable
Interview Rate
26.2% IS, 6.9% OOS
Interview Format
MMI
Address
1201 E Marshall Street, VA 23298
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Competitiveness: 3.5/10
Founded in 2010, VTC School of Medicine blends high-tech research with hands-on care. With small classes and problem-based learning, it’s shaping physician-scientists ready to lead.
Median GPA
3.6
Median MCAT
513
Location
Roanoke
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$60,412
Out-of-State Tuition
$60,412
Class Size
50
US News Ranking (Research)
82
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
94-124
Total Applicants
6,914
Secondaries Required
4
Interview Rate
5.5% IS, 4.3% OOS
Interview Format
Address
2 Riverside Circle, VA 24016
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Competitiveness: 3.7/10
Founded in 1973, EVMS is a private, community-driven medical school in Norfolk. With hands-on learning and cutting-edge research, it’s shaping healthcare leaders who make a difference.
Median GPA
3.72
Median MCAT
512
Location
Norfolk
Degree
MD
In-State Tuition
$39,577
Out-of-State Tuition
$61,253
Class Size
151
US News Ranking (Research)
87
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
56
Total Applicants
7,628
Secondaries Required
5
Interview Rate
33.1% IS, 5.8% OOS
Interview Format
Panel interviews
Address
825 Fairfax Ave Suite 310, VA 23507
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Competitiveness: 1.0/10
Founded in 2003, VCOM trains compassionate, community-focused physicians. With campuses across the Southeast, it blends cutting-edge science with hands-on, holistic care.
Median GPA
3.07
Median MCAT
502
Location
Blacksburg
Degree
DO
In-State Tuition
$51,800
Out-of-State Tuition
$51,800
Class Size
184
US News Ranking (Research)
95-124
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
94-124
Total Applicants
Secondaries Required
4
Interview Rate
na
Interview Format
Traditional interviews
Address
2265 Kraft Dr SW, VA 24060
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Competitiveness: 6.0/10
Founded in 2014, LUCOM trains mission-driven, patient-focused physicians. With a holistic approach and cutting-edge science, it prepares DOs to lead with skill and compassion.
Median GPA
3.4
Median MCAT
503
Location
Lynchburg
Degree
do
In-State Tuition
$53,575
Out-of-State Tuition
$53,575
Class Size
160
US News Ranking (Research)
unranked
US News Ranking (Primary Care)
unranked
Total Applicants
Secondaries Required
2
Interview Rate
12.5%
Interview Format
Traditional interviews
Address
306 Liberty View Lane, VA 24502
Common questions about medical schools in Virginia
How many medical schools are in Virginia?
Six medical schools. Four award an MD and two award a DO. Every one is listed in the table above with its median MCAT, median GPA and tuition.
What MCAT score do you need for medical school in Virginia?
Median MCAT runs from 502 to 520, so a score at or above 512 puts you in range at about half of them. A median is the midpoint rather than a cut-off, and roughly half of each admitted class scored below it. What counts as a good MCAT score goes through how to read those numbers, and our guide to raising a score covers how to raise one.
What GPA do you need for medical school in Virginia?
Medians land between 3.40 and 3.93. A GPA under that band is workable when the MCAT is strong, which is the part of the application still open to change once your transcript is fixed.
Is it easier to get into medical school in Virginia as a resident?
On the interview data above, yes. Across the four schools reporting both, in-state applicants reach interview at 20.4% against 6.8% for out-of-state. Applying from elsewhere means weighting your list toward programs that take out-of-state students in numbers.
How much does medical school cost in Virginia?
In-state tuition runs from $39,577 a year at Eastern Virginia Medical School to $60,412 at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, before living costs. Tuition across the US and Canada sets those against the national range.
Which Virginia medical school is easiest to get into?
By median MCAT, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine admits at the lowest score of the group at 502. That makes it the most forgiving on numbers, though secondaries, interviews and mission fit still decide the outcome. Our secondary prompt database carries the essays each school asks for.
What is the acceptance rate at medical schools in Virginia?
Schools here report roughly 27,871 applications against about 887 seats, which works out near one place for every 31 applications. That is not a per-applicant acceptance rate, because most people apply to fifteen or twenty schools and get counted at each one. Read it as a measure of how crowded each committee's desk is, and as the reason a screening MCAT and GPA come first. Individual schools publish their own rates, and the in-state and out-of-state figures usually differ sharply.
Which application service do Virginia medical schools use?
Amcas for four, aacomas for two. The table above lists it per school, so you can group your list by service before you start writing.
What secondary essays do Virginia medical schools ask for?
Across the five we hold prompts for, 20 in total, ranging from 2 to 7 at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Secondaries arrive within days of a verified application and the turnaround runs to about two weeks, so prewriting is the difference between a considered essay and a rushed one. Our secondary prompt database carries the wording of every one for the 2026-27 cycle.
Are there DO schools in Virginia?
Yes. Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine award a DO rather than an MD. Osteopathic programs lead to the same licensure and compete for the same residencies, and they generally admit at lower median MCAT and GPA, so leaving them off a list narrows your options for no good reason. The table above shows their numbers beside the MD programs.
Can you get into a medical school in Virginia with a low GPA?
It happens, and the MCAT is usually what carries it. With medians between 3.40 and 3.93, a GPA a few tenths under still gets read when the test score sits at or above the median and the rest of the application is strong. An upward trend across your transcript reads better than a flat average, and a post-bacc or a master's is the standard route when the gap is wider than that. Raising an MCAT score is the faster of the two levers.
When should you apply to medical school in Virginia?
AMCAS opens in May and submitting in the first weeks of June is the strongest position, because most schools review on a rolling basis. Work back from that to pick a test date on the AAMC calendar, leaving room for a retake if the first score comes in short.
Medical schools in other states
Every state in the South with a medical school, on the same figures: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia.
The medical school hub carries all 59, including Northeast, the Midwest, the West, Canada.
Where to go next
- Studying for the MCAT now? The live MCAT course runs one cohort at a time with 515+ scorers teaching it.
- Want one-on-one help? MCAT tutors in Virginia are matched on the section costing you points, and our tutoring packages list what each one includes.
- Building an application rather than a score? Medical school admissions coaching covers the list, the essays and the interviews.
- Deciding whether to sit it again? The retake calculator gives you a verdict and a date.
- Just browsing? The free MCAT resources are a good place to start, and our reviews and student score stories show what the jumps look like.
- Looking beyond the medical schools in Virginia? The medical school hub lists every state and province with a program.