Which state residency gives me the best shot at acceptance?

[chabang]

I’m a high school senior starting college this fall as a pre-med. I’m trying to decide which college, and really which STATE RESIDENCY, gives me the best shot of admission to med school. My research shows that your in-state school is your best shot at acceptance. I’m a white male, do well academically but not great (3.7 GPA, 32 ACT); I’m realistic enough to realize I probably won’t be an amazing candidate as an out of state applicant at a medical school. I’m also really unwilling to pay out of state or private tuition.

My parents are willing to move anywhere I go to school so that we can establish residency there before I apply to medical school. I’ve been rejected by several colleges already but right now have it narrowed down to 3 that have accepted me: University of Washington, Mississippi State University, Marshall University.

MS and WV seem like “easy buttons” to me and significantly less competitive. MS has one medical school that only accepts MS residents and one DO school (both high acceptance rates) and WV has 2 medical schools and one DO school (also high acceptance rates for WV residents). My parents have family in both MS and WV so are cool with moving to either.

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[Deggroll]

In the grand scheme of things, where you go for college does not matter. The most important thing to worry about now is choosing a college and a degree you could excel in while having fun. Medical school will always be competitive, and there's nothing that will change that. So please don't go diving headfirst into the premed world. I knew so many people in freshman year that were premed and are now working in business or tech (which are great fields btw). Take it one step at a time, and choose a school that best fits you.

 

[Arbitas]

Also, do your research on residency.m requirements. Some in state schools are far more strict on what counts as “in state”

 

[WildWing]

Also, it's incredibly generous that your parents are willing to choose a state to support you, but it's important that they are mostly focused on what works best for them financially and personally, since they've probably had more than their fair share of moves:

Best & Worst States for Military Retirees in 2025

Best & Worst States for Military Retirees in 2025

wallethub.com

 

[dimplesage]

I will preface this by saying that I don't think you should make a college decision based on what you think you will want to do in the future for medical school. Tons of people go into college pre-med and find out that a different career path suits them better in the long run.

That being said, I can't speak to the other schools, but the University of Washington is a unique medical school that accepts basically no students outside the WWAMI region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho), so you wouldn't be competing with CA residents at least for UW. WSU also has a large in-state bias as well. I think (double check this) that if you went to undergrad at UW, you would count as having significant ties to UW and thus can apply there for medical school. I personally grew up in Seattle and love UW as an institution (undergraduate and medical), but I strongly urge you to make a decision for college separate from medical school.

 

[ophthoaspirant]

I’m a high school senior starting college this fall as a pre-med. I’m trying to decide which college, and really which STATE RESIDENCY, gives me the best shot of admission to med school. My research shows that your in-state school is your best shot at acceptance. I’m a white male, do well academically but not great (3.7 GPA, 32 ACT); I’m realistic enough to realize I probably won’t be an amazing candidate as an out of state applicant at a medical school. I’m also really unwilling to pay out of state or private tuition.

Right now, we live in Georgia but have to move since my Dad retired, and Georgia taxes his military pension. My parents are willing to move anywhere I go to school so that we can establish residency there before I apply to medical school. I’ve been rejected by several colleges already but right now have it narrowed down to 3 that have accepted me: University of Washington, Mississippi State University, Marshall University.

MS and WV seem like “easy buttons” to me and significantly less competitive. MS has one medical school that only accepts MS residents and one DO school (both high acceptance rates) and WV has 2 medical schools and one DO school (also high acceptance rates for WV residents). My parents have family in both MS and WV so are cool with moving to either.

UW is very appealing to me and I think I would love the climate and area but it does not seem like an “easy option”. Both medical schools in WA are very competitive with low acceptance rates and I’d be competing with tons of CA residents as well as everyone else from the PNW region. What would you do? MS and WV are NOT thrilling options for college but I want to be smart and think long-term about what is the best move here (literally).

WSU in Washington is not so competitive?

 

[ophthoaspirant]

In the grand scheme of things, where you go for college does not matter. The most important thing to worry about now is choosing a college and a degree you could excel in while having fun. Medical school will always be competitive, and there's nothing that will change that. So please don't go diving headfirst into the premed world. I knew so many people in freshman year that were premed and are now working in business or tech (which are great fields btw). Take it one step at a time, and choose a school that best fits you.

That tide is turning. I know a few that started out as CS/business majors in 2022 but now are taking a year longer to graduate because they switched to pre-med, due to concerns about the job market, AI writing code, etc.

I agree that you have to enjoy and be passionate about the field you choose but it doesn’t hurt to think about the future assuming you are open to multiple fields and paths. Even the medical school journey has gotten more complicated, especially since Step 1 was made P/F.

 

[Faha]

Georgia is a good state for residency. There will be another Georgia state public MD school opening in 2026.

 

[Goro]

GA
SD
MN
IA
MS
AL
WV
CT
FL
AR
NM
KS
AZ
WWAMI
NE
IN
OH
OK
OR
SC
KY
TN
UT
NV
MO

 

[ophthoaspirant]

GA
SD
MN
IA
MS
AL
WV
CT
FL
AR
NM
KS
AZ
WWAMI
NE
IN
OH
OK
OR
SC
KY
TN
UT
NV
MO

FL is not that good although not as bad as CA. IMO, for a state to be considered IS friendly, 90% of the class in the state public medical school should be IS. I think UF, UCF, USF, FAU (not sure about FSU and FIU) have much lower percentages.

 

[Deggroll]

Agreed. I'm surprised that Texas wasn't mentioned. There are so many medical schools in there, most of which have substantial IS bias.

 

[etxaccepted36]

Agreed. I'm surprised that Texas wasn't mentioned. There are so many medical schools in there, most of which have substantial IS bias.

I think this is just in context of where OP was accepted to, though it is correct that most Texas schools (if not all, exception of TCU?) have a minimum 90% IS rule.

If OP REALLY wants to attend medical school in Texas they can always establish residency by taking a couple of gap years to work / live there.

 

[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

Outside of Texas, Ohio has one of the highest in-state matriculant rates within the United States. This is due to its relatively smaller population and the fact that it has five public medical schools that prioritize in-state applicants (Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, Ohio State, Ohio University (DO)). Choosing where you go to college should not be based upon admission rates for medical school, but rather the opportunities you can pursue as an undergraduate. You can always change your residency after you graduate by pursuing a work experience or a graduate education.

 

[Goro]

Agreed. I'm surprised that Texas wasn't mentioned. There are so many medical schools in there, most of which have substantial IS bias.

True, but very competitive for Texans!

 

[wysdoc]

True, but very competitive for Texans!

The admit rate in Texas for Texans is still 35-40 % though.
We’re a big state with a lot of applicants, like CA and FL

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Outside of Texas, Ohio has one of the highest in-state matriculant rates within the United States. This is due to its relatively smaller population and the fact that it has five public medical schools that prioritize in-state applicants (Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, Ohio State, Ohio University (DO)). Choosing where you go to college should not be based upon admission rates for medical school, but rather the opportunities you can pursue as an undergraduate. You can always change your residency after you graduate by pursuing a work experience or a graduate education.

Ohio also has a "forever Buckeye" mindset. If you grew up in Ohio, you're generally good. (Include NEOMED to the list above for a public program. CWRU is private too.)

 

[soapapple]

The admit rate in Texas for Texans is still 35-40 % though.
We’re a big state with a lot of applicants, like CA and FL

Total US MD Applicants (AMCAS) for 2023-2024 are 52,577. Total Acceptees are 24,014. The acceptance rate is 45.67%
Total in-state TX MD Applicants (TMDSAS, not sure about DO also included in these numbers) for 2023-2024 are 4,878. Total Acceptees are 2,293. The acceptance rate is 47.01% . Almost around the same percentage as national level.

 

[Goro]

FYI:

The Easiest 30 U.S. Med Schools to Get Into in 2025 | MedSchoolCoach

The least competitive medical schools often get more applications because their qualifications are a bit lower. Here’s the latest list and how to pick schools.

www.medschoolcoach.com

Do note that several of the MD schools are HBCs, or do not accept OOS applicants, like U ND.

 

[AJS59]

To cycle back to the OP's point: This will sound counter-intuitive, but pick between your colleges as if you decide one day that you won't be premed. So that means evaluating things like finances (mainly), academics and other opportunities.

Personally of the 3 I'd pick UW (academics are great + Seattle is gorgeous and a great place to live) over Starkville and Huntington, but it's your decision at the end of the day.

 

[soapapple]

These are the states that are top and bottom (AMCAS 2023-2024)

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

Outside of Texas, Ohio has one of the highest in-state matriculant rates within the United States. This is due to its relatively smaller population and the fact that it has five public medical schools that prioritize in-state applicants (Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, Ohio State, Ohio University (DO)). Choosing where you go to college should not be based upon admission rates for medical school, but rather the opportunities you can pursue as an undergraduate. You can always change your residency after you graduate by pursuing a work experience or a graduate education.

I think you overlooked Northeast Ohio in beautiful Rootstown.

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

Actually, I think the first thing to look at is the average MCAT score among MD matriculants. You can find it here 2024 FACTS: Applicants and Matriculants Data

See table 20 and you will find the average MCAT by state. You should know that at some state schools in states that are starving for doctors you may be discriminated against if you look like you are preying on them. See the case of Paula Buchwald vs New Mexico

 

[soapapple]

I’m a high school senior starting college this fall as a pre-med. I’m trying to decide which college, and really which STATE RESIDENCY, gives me the best shot of admission to med school. My research shows that your in-state school is your best shot at acceptance. I’m a white male, do well academically but not great (3.7 GPA, 32 ACT); I’m realistic enough to realize I probably won’t be an amazing candidate as an out of state applicant at a medical school. I’m also really unwilling to pay out of state or private tuition.

My parents are willing to move anywhere I go to school so that we can establish residency there before I apply to medical school. I’ve been rejected by several colleges already but right now have it narrowed down to 3 that have accepted me: University of Washington, Mississippi State University, Marshall University.

MS and WV seem like “easy buttons” to me and significantly less competitive. MS has one medical school that only accepts MS residents and one DO school (both high acceptance rates) and WV has 2 medical schools and one DO school (also high acceptance rates for WV residents). My parents have family in both MS and WV so are cool with moving to either.

You seem to be a self-aware person. You never know what changes will take place in your life in the next 4 years. But, if you have to take a decision based on current information, West Virginia seems to be the better choice compared to your other options.