Updated October 28, 2026
University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine acceptance rate
1,076 people applied to University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine for fall 2025 and 71 enrolled (AAMC data), so 6.6% of applicants matriculated. The share offered a seat is higher, because some admitted applicants enroll elsewhere. The school reports an average MCAT of 508.3 and an average GPA of 3.79 for its entering class of 2025.
- Applicants enrolled
- 6.6%
- matriculants per applicant, fall 2025 entry
- Applicants
- 1,076
- fall 2025 entry
- Matriculants
- 71
- fall 2025 entry
- Average MCAT
- 508.3
- entering class of 2025
- Average GPA
- 3.79
- entering class of 2025
- Interview format
- Three one-on-one interviews (two faculty, one student)
Applicants and matriculants: AAMC FACTS Table A-1, 2025-2026 (matriculants divided by applications, the class that entered in fall 2025). MCAT: Sanford's own page. GPA: Sanford's own page. Interview format: USD Sanford School of Medicine: How to apply.
Sanford interviews with a traditional interview
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How the Sanford rate is worked out
The AAMC's FACTS Table A-1 lists, for every MD school in the US, how many applications it received and how many students enrolled. For the class that entered in fall 2025, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine received 1,076 applications and enrolled 71 students. 71 divided by 1,076 is 6.6%.
A-1 does not count acceptances by school, so this is not the share of applicants offered a seat. That share is higher, because some admitted applicants choose another school.
In-state and out-of-state applicants
12.0% of applications to Sanford came from South Dakota residents, and 78.9% of the students who enrolled were South Dakota residents. That is about 56 of roughly 129 in-state applicants (43.4%) and 15 of roughly 947 out-of-state applicants (1.6%).
Source: AAMC FACTS Table A-1, 2025-2026 (fall 2025 entry). Counts are approximate: they come from A-1's in-state percentages, which are rounded to one decimal.
Sanford MCAT and GPA
University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine reports an average MCAT of 508.3 and an average GPA of 3.79 (cumulative GPA, science GPA 3.73) for its entering class of 2025. These describe the class, not a minimum.
What Sanford says about its program
- The Fall 2025 class had 71 matriculants from 1,076 applications and 201 interviews. Source
- The school's mission is to give South Dakota residents a medical education with an emphasis on family medicine. Source
- Applicants must be South Dakota residents or have strong ties to South Dakota to move past screening. Source
Sanford interview format
Three one-on-one interviews (two faculty, one student). Mode: Virtual. Structure: 3 interviews: 2 committee members (open file), 1 student (closed file).
Sources: USD Sanford School of Medicine: How to apply, AAMC MSAR 2027 interview report. Checked 2026-10-16.
Full Sanford interview guide with practice questionsQuestions people ask
What is the Sanford medical school acceptance rate?
For the class that started in fall 2025, 1,076 people applied to University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and 71 enrolled, according to AAMC FACTS Table A-1. That is 6.6% of applicants. The AAMC does not publish acceptances by school, so the share offered a seat is somewhat higher, because some admitted applicants choose another school.
What MCAT score do you need for Sanford?
University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine reports an average MCAT of 508.3 for its entering class of 2025. It describes the class as a whole and is not a minimum score.
What GPA do you need for Sanford?
University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine reports an average GPA of 3.79 for its entering class of 2025 (cumulative GPA, science GPA 3.73). Admissions committees read it alongside the rest of the application.
What is the Sanford interview format?
Three one-on-one interviews (two faculty, one student). Mode: Virtual. Our Sanford interview guide covers the format and practice questions.
Does Sanford favor in-state applicants?
About 12.0% of applications came from South Dakota residents, and 78.9% of the students who enrolled were South Dakota residents (AAMC FACTS Table A-1, 2025-2026). That works out to roughly 43.4% of in-state applicants enrolling, against 1.6% of out-of-state applicants.
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Confetto is not affiliated with the AAMC or University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. Applicant and matriculant counts are from Table A-1: U.S. MD-Granting Medical School Applications and Matriculants by School, State of Legal Residence, and Gender, Academic Year 2025-2026, © Association of American Medical Colleges, used with attribution. School figures are from Sanford's own website, checked 2026-10-28.