Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine: MCAT & Admissions

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Admissions statistics

Median MCAT: 514
MCAT range (25–75): 511–517
Median GPA: 3.89
GPA range (25–75): 3.82–3.94
Science GPA: 3.77
Acceptance rate: 6.1%
Interview rate: 13.8%

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: ~23.6%
Out-of-state applicants: ~3.3%
Overall (reported): 6.1%

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 +0.08 (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	505.9	511	517	519.7
In-state	508.2	511.3	518.2	521.2
Out-of-state	510.5	513.4	519.1	521.3

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: 124
Public / Private: Private
Setting: Not reported
% Out-of-state: 26.6%
Orientation: Service-oriented

Research vs. service orientation

Service / primary careBalancedResearch

Service-oriented (28/100) — US News Primary Care Tier 2 vs Research Tier 3; rural/community PA workforce mission, low NIH/research output, no major MSTP.

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

In-state

73.4%

Out-of-state

26.6%

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

$75,958

Out-of-state tuition

$83,120

Cost of attendance: $107,910
Avg. graduate debt: $240,615
Secondary fee: $100
% receiving aid: 90%

Tuition & cost of attendance verified against the school's official site (official source, 2026-2027 (cost); Class of 2029 (stats)). 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: not required

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: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine will educate aspiring physicians and scientists to serve society using a community-based, patient-centered, interprofessional and evidence-based model of education that is committed fairness and respect for all, promotes discovery and utilizes innovative techniques.

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.

Given Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine's unique mission and values, please tell us why you believe you are a good fit for our institution.
List the five most important attributes you believe a physician should possess. Please choose one that you believe you embody and describe a personal experience that demonstrates this trait.
Geisinger Commonwealth values diversity, health equity, inclusion, and social justice. Tell us how you will share in this mission.
If you have previously applied to medical school, please describe your significant experiences between this year's application and your previous application.
If applying to the Abigail Geisinger Scholars Program, please share with the Admissions Committee what primary care and/or psychiatry means to you, and why you believe you are a good fit for the Abigail Geisinger Scholars Program.

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: MMI

Virtual Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format (adopted September 2021); stations assess ethics, teamwork, cultural competency, resiliency and reliability, with community members, faculty, students and clinical staff as interviewers rather than actors.

Key facts

Degree: MD
Type: Private
Location: Pennsylvania
Region: Northeast
Interview format: MMI
Preclinical grading: Not reported
Licensing exam: USMLE
Oldest MCAT accepted: June 2023
International applicants: Not considered
DACA applicants: Not considered
Early Decision: Offered
Deferral: Allowed

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 Geisinger?

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine has a median MCAT of 514 (typical accepted range about 511–517). At or above the median is most competitive; below the 25th percentile (511) is a reach without other strengths.

What GPA does Geisinger require?

The median accepted GPA is about 3.89 (roughly 3.82–3.94). There's no hard cutoff, but below the median you'll want to be strong elsewhere.

What are the prerequisites for Geisinger?

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 Geisinger hard to get into?

Its acceptance rate is approximately 6.1% — competitive for US MD programs.

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