California Northstate University College of Medicine: MCAT & Admissions

Can I get in?

Checking your session…

Admissions statistics

Median MCAT: 514
MCAT range (25–75): 512–517
Median GPA: 3.86
GPA range (25–75): 3.79–3.91
Science GPA (est.): 3.82
Acceptance rate: 3.4%
Interview rate: Not reported

Median MCAT by section (estimated)

Chem / Phys: 128
CARS: 127
Bio / Biochem: 129
Psych / Soc: 129

Section medians are projected from the total using the publicly published national section distribution (CARS runs lowest, Psych/Soc highest). Schools rarely publish their own per-section medians, so this is an estimate; real values are shown when we've sourced them.

Acceptance rate by residency Premier estimate

In-state applicants: ~3.5%
Out-of-state applicants: ~3.2%
Overall (reported): 3.4%

We split this school's overall acceptance rate into residency estimates using Premier's model of in-state vs. out-of-state selectivity and applicant mix, smoothed across schools. It reflects typical residency preference, not a guaranteed outcome — and it's an estimate, not an officially published in/out-of-state rate.

vs US MD matriculants: MCAT +2.2 (nat. 511.8), GPA +0.05 (nat. 3.81). MCAT 10/25/75/90 percentiles, median, and acceptance/interview rates are publicly sourced.

MCAT range by residency Premier estimate

My MCAT score see where you fall

Matriculants	10th	25th	75th	90th
Combined	509.4	509.9	517	519.7
In-state	508.1	511.4	518.3	520.1
Out-of-state	510.9	511.9	516.1	520.1

The box spans the 25th–75th percentile; the whiskers reach the 10th and 90th. We use this school's published 25–75 range as-is and model the hidden tails and the residency split, using its out-of-state share — calibrated across every US MD program and validated to within ~1.5 points of reported figures. Estimates are shown to one decimal. How this works.

Class profile

Entering class size: 113
Public / Private: Private
Setting: Not reported
% Out-of-state: 6.8%
Orientation: Service-oriented

Research vs. service orientation

Service / primary careBalancedResearch

Service-oriented (25/100) — Primary-care/social-accountability mission, ~48% primary-care match, no MSTP and negligible NIH research output (new 2015 private, non-AMC school).

In-state vs. out-of-state class makeup

In-state

93.2%

Out-of-state

6.8%

Course exams

Core clerkship exams are NBME-standardized “shelf” subject exams — standardized nationally, so they're consistent across MD schools. Whether the preclinical years lean on in-house, NBME-based, or a mix of exams isn't something schools publish in one place — so we don't guess per school; confirm specifics with the school.

Cost & aid

In-state tuition

$76,148

Out-of-state tuition

$76,148

Cost of attendance: $113,663
Avg. graduate debt: $208,082
Secondary fee: $100
% receiving aid: 83%

Tuition & cost of attendance verified against the school's official site (official source, 2025-2026). Schools report "tuition" vs. "tuition & fees" differently and some (e.g. NYU Grossman, Kaiser early cohorts) award universal scholarships — always confirm on the official page. Debt & % receiving aid are compiled from publicly available figures.

Prerequisites & requirements

Typical for US MD programs — confirm this school's exact list.

Biology: 1 year with lab
General Chemistry: 1 year with lab
Organic Chemistry: 1 year with lab
Biochemistry: 1 semester (recommended/required)
Physics: 1 year with lab
English / writing: 1 year
Math / statistics: 1 semester–1 year (varies)
Psychology & Sociology: Recommended for the MCAT

Required tests

MCAT — required
CASPer: not required
AAMC PREview: varies — verify

Letters of recommendation

A committee letter, or 3–5 individual letters
Typically 2 science faculty + 1 non-science
A letter from research/clinical mentors strengthens the file

Application timeline (AMCAS)

AMCAS opens

Early May

Submit primary (rolling — submit early)

Late May – June

Secondary applications

June – August

Interviews

August – March

Acceptances begin (rolling)

Oct 15 onward

Most US programs admit on a rolling basis — applying early materially helps.

What this school weighs

GPA & MCAT (academic readiness)
Clinical experience & shadowing
Research experience
Community service & volunteering
Letters of recommendation
Personal statement & secondary essays
Interview performance & mission fit
State residency (especially at public schools)

Mission focus: To advance the science and art of healthcare through education, service, research, personal wellness, and social accountability.

Secondary essay prompts (2024-2025)

⚠ Crowdsourced & anecdotal — secondary prompts change every cycle and may be incomplete. Always confirm on the school's own secondary application.

Why have you chosen to apply to CNUCOM? · 250 words
Did you have a Pre-Health Advisor at your undergraduate institution? If so, tell us about your experience and how it helped you in your journey to apply to medical school. If not, let us know how you worked independently to find out more about applying to medical school. · 250 words
In which direction would you like to see healthcare progress over the next decade? · 250 words
In the medical profession, you will be exposed to students, faculty, colleagues, and patients of various cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. How has your involvement with diverse populations prepared you for potentially four years in Elk Grove, the greater Sacramento area, and the rest of the Central Valley? · 250 words
What has been your biggest challenge in pursuing medicine? What have you learned as a result? · 250 words

Interview

⚠ Anecdotal — based on applicant-reported experiences (e.g. SDN). Format and questions vary year to year; treat as a guide, not a script.

Format: Traditional

Virtual interview with a Case question and a Dialogue segment (MMI-style elements); ~44 minutes, mostly one-on-one and closed-file. Applicants report friendly, knowledgeable faculty and a moderate stress level.

Questions applicants report

Why have you chosen to apply to CNUCOM?
In which direction would you like to see healthcare progress over the next decade?
What has been your biggest challenge in pursuing medicine and what did you learn?
Work through this case-based question (Case segment).
Respond to this dialogue/scenario prompt (Dialogue segment).
Tell us about yourself and your path to medicine.

Key facts

Degree: MD
Type: Private
Location: Elk Grove, California
Region: West
Interview format: Traditional
Preclinical grading: Not reported
Licensing exam: USMLE
Oldest MCAT accepted: January 2023
International applicants: Not considered
DACA applicants: Not considered
Early Decision: Not offered
Deferral: Rarely

Stats from the school's published class profile and publicly available national data. Tuition, debt, secondary fee, oldest-MCAT, PREview, interview format, and mission are compiled from publicly available figures. Prerequisite, timeline, and letter guidance is typical for US MD programs and may differ at this school. Some figures are being verified. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the AAMC.

Frequently Asked Questions

What MCAT score do I need for CNU?

California Northstate University College of Medicine has a median MCAT of 514 (typical accepted range about 512–517). At or above the median is most competitive; below the 25th percentile (512) is a reach without other strengths.

What GPA does CNU require?

The median accepted GPA is about 3.86 (roughly 3.79–3.91). There's no hard cutoff, but below the median you'll want to be strong elsewhere.

What are the prerequisites for CNU?

Like most US MD programs, expect a year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics (all with labs), biochemistry, and English, plus math/statistics. Psychology and sociology are recommended for the MCAT. Always confirm the school's exact list.

Is CNU hard to get into?

Its acceptance rate is approximately 3.4% — competitive for US MD programs.

Aiming for CNU?

Our 520+ scoring tutors help you close the gap to a competitive MCAT. Start with a free consultation.

Explore Tutoring