The MSAR: How and why to use it when applying to medical school 

As a former medical school admissions committee member and founder of MedEdits, I have reviewed thousands of applications. One of the most consistent mistakes I see is a poorly constructed school list; students applying to too many reaches, ignoring strong fits, or missing schools entirely because they simply didn't know those schools might be a great fit. The The Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) is the tool that, if utilized well, can help you avoid all of these mistakes.

The MSAR database, updated annually by the AAMC, is the single most important resource you have when deciding where to apply. It covers every MD-granting school in the United States and Canada, and when you know how to navigate it, it tells you far more than average GPA and MCAT scores. We rely on it every day when advising MedEdits students.

Here is how to use the MSAR  effectively.

The MSAR includes a profile page for every MD-granting school in the U.S. and Canada. Each profile covers admissions statistics, prerequisites, curriculum, research opportunities, tuition, financial aid, and campus life. The depth of data is significant, but knowing where to find information is only half the value. The other half is knowing how to interpret it.

How to Search for Medical Schools

While the MSAR is an invaluable tool in medical school admissions, students can’t make the most of this database until they learn how to use it properly.

The homepage is a good place to start, as it allows users to search for individual schools. Students can look up schools alphabetically by name or sort them based on factors like average GPA and MCAT scores.

The filter feature allows prospective med school students to personalize their search results. The database lets users find schools based on a number of factors, including location, public/private designation, class size, and degrees available. Additionally, students can find schools based on median MCAT and GPA scores, campus type, and even class size.

What You'll Find in Each MSAR School Profile

Each medical school profile contains the following:

• Overview: Each school profile opens with general information including contact details and social media. Importantly, it also includes the school's mission statement. Reading mission statements carefully is not optional; schools with a strong primary care or rural medicine focus, for example, will weight your application differently than research-intensive institutions. At MedEdits, we advise students to review mission statements early and use them to assess genuine fit before adding a school to their list.
• School-Specific Admissions Requirements: Another key aspect of the school profile, the admissions section provides detailed information about application requirements, including medical school prerequisites, MCAT scores, what extracurriculars accepted students have, and letters of recommendation requirements.
• Average MCAT and GPA for each medical school broken up for in state and out of state students
  
• Recommended and Required Courses: It’s no secret that medical schools encourage students to pursue certain coursework prior to applying. One of the best reasons to use the MSAR is that the database includes both required and recommended coursework for admission. If you utilize the MSAR early in the application process, you may have time to sign up for additional classes to make yourself a more desirable candidate.
• Interview Information: Additionally, the admissions section will offer details on the medical school interview process and whether interviews are MMI, traditional, virtual or in person, including whether they’re conducted in person or virtually, and relay important application dates and deadlines. Knowing the interview format in advance, MMI vs. traditional vs. panel,  allows you to prepare differently for each, and that some schools conduct all interviews virtually while others require in-person visits, which has cost and logistics implications.
• Education and research: Students are unlikely to attend a school that doesn’t offer the desired academic opportunities. One of the benefits of using the MSAR is that it allows students to learn about the curriculum and research opportunities at their target schools. You can also view the school’s resources page to learn about activities available outside the classroom.
• Tuition, aid and debt: For most students, cost is a significant factor when it comes to selecting a medical school. The MSAR includes a section on tuition and aid to give applicants an idea of how much financial support they can expect. Additionally, the section offers details on the average amount of debt a student can expect to have upon graduation.
• Campus life: You’ll be spending a significant amount of time in medical school, so it’s only logical to choose an institution that offers a desirable campus life along with the required academics. This section of the MSAR provides information on housing, student support systems, extracurriculars, and diversity programming. The goal is to help you choose a school where you’ll be happy and comfortable.
• Waitlist Information: Some school profiles include data on how many students were placed on the waitlist in a prior cycle and how many were ultimately accepted. A school that routinely pulls significant numbers from its waitlist tells a different story than one that rarely moves and that distinction should influence both whether you apply and how aggressively you follow up if waitlisted
• Residency placement. You can discover the specialties that graduates pursue and those breakdowns. This can offer an idea of how competitive the residency matches are for each med school.

It’s worth noting that many schools provide data on their applicants. For example, they might share how many students applied in a given year versus how many were granted interviews. Schools may also opt to share details on the average GPA, MCAT, and extracurricular activities of their first-year students. In some cases, schools will relay information about their waitlist process, including the number of students put on the list in the previous application cycle.

Related: MSAR Video Tutorial

Related: Medical School Average GPA & MCAT, Admissions Statistics and Acceptance Rates.

How to Interpret the MSAR Data Strategically

Knowing where to find data in the MSAR is straightforward. Knowing what to do with it is where most applicants struggle.

GPA and MCAT ranges matter more than medians. Every school profile shows the 10th and 90th percentile GPA and MCAT scores for enrolled students, not just the median. These ranges tell you far more than a single number. If your GPA falls below the 10th percentile for a given school, that is a significant warning sign regardless of your MCAT. If your numbers sit between the 10th and 50th percentile, that school belongs on your list only if the rest of your application is exceptionally strong.

Medical school acceptance rates require context. A school with a 3% acceptance rate is not necessarily harder to get into than one with a 7% rate. Look at the ratio of applicants to interviews granted. A school that interviews a small percentage of applicants but accepts most of those it interviews tells a very different story than one that interviews broadly and is highly selective at the final stage.

State residency flags are non-negotiable. Some public medical schools accept very few or no  out-of-state students. The MSAR shows you exactly what percentage of each incoming class came from out of state. If that number is consistently below 20%, applying as an out-of-state student is rarely worth the application fee unless your profile is exceptional.

Prerequisites can affect your readiness to apply. If you are early in your premedical journey, checking required and recommended coursework for your target schools now gives you time to adjust your schedule. Waiting until the application cycle to discover a missing prerequisite is an avoidable mistake.

At MedEdits, we use MSAR data alongside our own internal admissions data to help students build realistic, strategically balanced school lists. The database is a starting point, not a final answer and how you interpret it determines the quality of your application strategy.

MSAR Cost and Registration

Registering for the MSAR is straightforward. Create an account on the AAMC website, enter your contact information, and answer a few questions about your academic status. You will receive a confirmation email and can access the database immediately.

All users can view general school information including degree offerings, tuition, and application deadlines. A paid subscription unlocks admissions criteria and full school profiles. A one-year subscription costs $33; a two-year subscription costs $41. For anyone serious about applying to medical school, it is one of the most valuable $33 investments you will make.

Frequently Asked Questions About the MSAR

Is the MSAR free?

The MSAR offers limited free access, including application deadlines, tuition information, and basic school details. To access full admissions profiles including GPA and MCAT ranges, interview rates, and extracurricular data, you need a paid subscription. Students enrolled in the AAMC Fee Assistance Program receive free MSAR access for the year they participate in the program.

When does the AAMC update MSAR data?

The AAMC updates MSAR annually, typically in April, using data gathered directly from medical school admissions offices. Minor updates may occur throughout the year to keep information current.

Does the MSAR include DO schools?

No. The MSAR covers MD-granting, LCME-accredited schools only. If you are considering osteopathic programs, use the AACOM Choose DO Explorer for comparable data on DO schools.

How do I calculate a school's acceptance rate using the MSAR?

The MSAR does not display acceptance rates directly. You can calculate one by dividing the number of matriculants by the total number of applicants for that cycle. Keep in mind that acceptance rate alone is not a reliable measure of how competitive you will be;  always look at it alongside GPA and MCAT ranges and out-of-state acceptance percentages.

Can I use the MSAR to see out-of-state acceptance data?

Yes, and you should. The MSAR shows the breakdown of in-state versus out-of-state applicants and matriculants for each school. Some public schools accept very few out-of-state students; this data will tell you clearly whether applying as a non-resident is realistic.

How many med schools should I apply to?

There is no universal answer, but most competitive applicants apply to around 30 medical schools, with a mix of reach, target, and most likely programs. There is no such thing as a safety school in med school admissions. The MSAR is the foundation for building that list, but how you interpret the data matters as much as the number of schools you choose

About MedEdits

MedEdits helps students get admitted to medical school and residency programs. Our consultants have years of experience serving on medical school admissions committees, and as faculty members at the top medical schools in the country.