How to Get into Medical School with a Low MCAT

What Counts as a Low MCAT Score?

No single MCAT score is universally considered “low.” A score that is competitive for one school may be noncompetitive for another. But the ranges below provide a practical framework:

While your MCAT score is an important application component, it does not predetermine your chances of getting accepted. Getting into medical school with a low MCAT is possible if you apply strategically.

Each school has its own medical school requirements, and having a competitive score means that your MCAT results at least meet the school’s standard.

Most schools will look at your application holistically; for instance, some schools will put a lot of emphasis on your diversity med school secondary essay because they value students who can contribute to the school’s mission.

Want to know the secret to getting into medical school with a low MCAT? Watch this video!

What Should You Do Based on Your MCAT Score?

MCAT score strategy depends heavily on where your score falls. A 508 and a 498 create very different application decisions.

If your score is 505–509

You may still be competitive for many MD and DO programs, particularly if your GPA and extracurricular profile are strong. Focus on building a strategic school list and emphasizing other strengths.

If your score is 500–504

You should strongly consider DO schools and prioritize schools where your score aligns with accepted student ranges. Strong extracurriculars and essays become especially important.

If your score is below 500

A retake may be your strongest option. Before applying broadly, evaluate whether your current score reflects your academic ability or whether changes in preparation strategy could lead to meaningful improvement.

How to Get into Medical School with a Low MCAT Rule #1: Be Strategic

Every student should analyze where they might be a good applicant and carefully choose which schools they apply to. Successful applicants typically take a deliberate approach to school selection and application strategy.

To apply strategically, here are a few things you need to do:

1. Use MSAR to Conduct Research

Your first step should be to research and analyze the schools that you have a chance of getting into. This is where the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) can be a great help if you are applying to allopathic medical schools in the US and some in Canada. Look at the medical schools that accept low MCAT scores, in particular!

If you have a lower MCAT score, search for medical schools on MSAR that accept matriculants with similar MCAT scores to yours. This is easily done by setting the search criteria on the left side of the portal. In addition, if you plan on taking the MCAT again, you will need to look at schools that will consider only the most recent scores. Otherwise, if your score was too low on your first try, it might be more difficult to get accepted at certain schools, even with an improved second score.

Look through the search results and compare your other statistics and experiences with those of recent matriculants. Does your profile seem like a good fit for this school? Do you have similar experiences to those who were recently accepted? Does your GPA match or exceed the average accepted GPA of this school? Have you completed all the required prerequisites listed by the school? Carefully go through the information available on MSAR and make a list of schools where you would be a good fit in terms of MCAT score and other application elements.

Remember what we said at the beginning of this article: your MCAT score is not everything. So, even if you find schools that typically accept students with your MCAT score, other aspects of your application must also be a good fit to increase your chances of success, so consider them carefully. Even the easiest medical schools to get into want to see well-rounded applicants rather than applicants with just good statistics.

The infographic below summarizes the major strategies that can help strengthen your chances with a low MCAT.

2. Consider DO Schools

Many of the best osteopathic medical schools are just as competitive as MD programs, but, generally speaking, DO schools tend to have lower GPA and MCAT requirements. So, considering DO schools might be a good idea if you are looking to apply to schools where your MCAT score is competitive.

Top DO programs often have average MCAT scores between 506–510, while many MD schools average 513–516+. While individual schools vary, applicants with lower MCAT scores often find broader opportunities among osteopathic programs.

Want a deeper comparison? Read our guide on MD vs DO.

Should You Retake the MCAT?

Retaking the MCAT is one of the biggest decisions applicants with a low score face. A retake can improve your competitiveness, but only if you substantially change your preparation strategy. Before registering for another exam date, consider the following:

• Consider the pros and cons: deciding to retake the test is a big decision. Not only will you be required to go through the entire MCAT prep process again, but you will have to pay the MCAT fees again. MCAT prep is a tremendous undertaking, so embarking on another round is not to be taken lightly.
• Revise your strategy: be aware that using the same MCAT prep strategies the second time is a very bad idea. If they did not help you get the desired score the first time, they will not help you get it the second time. This is why preparing to retake the exam is a big decision. Organizing a new prep methodology and collecting more study materials can be a great strain on your already busy premed schedule.
• Consider getting professional help: if you are serious about drastically increasing your score and learning new methods of how to study for the MCAT, you might want to hire an MCAT tutor or join one of the best MCAT prep courses. These professionals can help you pinpoint your areas of weakness and devise strategies that will help you overcome your setbacks.

Most importantly, remember that if you do decide to retake the MCAT, your second attempt must result in a higher score. If your score is the same or lower, this might give the admissions committee a negative impression. 

Check out some tips that can help you decide whether you should retake the MCAT:

How to Get into Medical School with a Low MCAT Rule #2: Offset a Low MCAT Score

Once you’ve made your list of schools where you would be considered a competitive candidate, it’s time to strategize the rest of your application components to make up for your low MCAT.

Remember that a lower MCAT score does not necessarily reflect your overall academic ability. Many students underperform for reasons that have more to do with the structure of the exam than with their potential as future physicians.

Some of the most common factors that contribute to lower MCAT performance are summarized below:

1. GPA

The GPA and MCAT are often considered in tandem. They are both viewed as indicators of your academic prowess. Most schools will forgive a lower MCAT score if your GPA is outstanding. If your MCAT is on the lower end of the spectrum, meeting and exceeding medical school GPA requirements is strongly encouraged.

The AAMC provides a correlation chart that shows what GPA you need to achieve based on your MCAT. Carefully determine the GPA you need to have, based on your existing MCAT score, to have a higher chance of acceptance. This correlation can help you decide whether applying with your current stats is advisable.

The bottom line is this: if you have a low MCAT, you must do your best to balance it with a high GPA. Some schools will not continue the review of your application if you do not demonstrate a strong academic history via your GPA and MCAT. If you have a low MCAT, do your best to offset it with your GPA.

To really compensate for your lower MCAT, or if you don't have sufficient time to boost your GPA, your stats should be accompanied by outstanding application components. Many schools will review your application holistically, so overshadow less than stellar grades and scores with other application elements.

Need to increase your MCAT score? Here's how:

2. Extracurriculars

Your AMCAS work and activities or the AACOMAS activities section should be methodically planned. A great activities section can really bolster your profile in light of a low MCAT.

For more information about building a strong set of activities, view our guide on extracurriculars for medical school.

3. Medical School Personal Statement

You can use your medical school personal statement to briefly explain why your MCAT is not as great as the rest of your application components. If you have a reason other than “I just didn’t study enough,” this extenuating circumstance can be incorporated into your medical school personal statement. If you come from a socioeconomic background that prevented you from adequately preparing for the MCAT, you may be able to briefly explain how this hindered your score. If you have a medical condition that prevented you from achieving the desired score, and you did not get proper MCAT accommodations, you may succinctly indicate this in your essay.

Review the following example of a personal statement addressing a low MCAT score. Note that this example can work as an AMCAS personal statement or an AACOMAS personal statement.

4. Secondaries

Many secondary prompts naturally create opportunities to explain setbacks or adversity. Questions about challenges, obstacles, or personal growth can help you provide context for a lower MCAT score without making it the focus of your application. Remember to take responsibility for your low score, though, even if the circumstances were out of your control.

Need examples? Read our example medical school secondary essays.

5. Medical School Interview

If your MCAT score comes up during an interview, take responsibility, provide context, and redirect attention toward what you've done to strengthen your candidacy. Interviewers are often more interested in your response and growth than the score itself.

For more preparation help, review our guide to MMI practice questions and common medical school interview questions.

If Your MCAT is Still Too Low…

If you go through all the tips above and still think that your MCAT is too low to be competitive, then you may consider the options we outline below.

Strategy #1: Apply to Schools that Do Not Require the MCAT

You can limit your applications to medical schools that do not require the MCAT or make them the majority of medical schools that you apply to. Keep in mind that, generally, the only medical programs that waive the MCAT are BS/MD programs with very particular admission requirements.

If you are looking to apply to Canadian medical schools, some medical schools in Ontario will not request your MCAT score, and no medical schools in Quebec do. Also note that many Canadian medical schools have relaxed MCAT score requirements for in-province applicants. So, even if your score is not very high, you may still meet the threshold for medical schools in your province.

Strategy #2: Take a Year Off

If you decide to take a gap year before medical school to increase your MCAT score, you might want to consider enrolling in a post-baccalaureate program for med school or a special master’s program (SMP). Most post-baccs are specifically designed to help students increase their GPA or MCAT and gain additional extracurricular experiences. In short, post-baccs are there to help you bolster your applications via extra coursework and prep courses, as well as workshops on taking the MCAT and applying to medical school. So, if you want some additional help with improving your overall application, a post-bacc might be the perfect choice for you.

SMPs are typically used by premeds to increase their research profiles. They provide ample opportunity to participate in research projects, get to know medical experts in your chosen field, and gain more academic skills and extracurriculars for medical school. Additionally, some medical schools may give you additional points if you have a graduate degree, so having an SMP would give you a slight advantage.

Keep in mind that enrolling in a post-bacc or SMP simply to bolster your application is an expensive choice. Nor should the difficulty of these programs be underestimated. If you decide to pursue a post-bacc or SMP, let it be for more than simply to increase your MCAT score. Make sure to participate in impressive research projects, publish your findings, make close connections with your supervisors and instructors – you must have more than your MCAT score as a reason to spend a year or two in these programs. 

Conclusion: Consider Hiring a Medical School Advisor That Can Help with a Low MCAT Score

Consider reaching out to a medical school consultant to help you get into medical school with a low MCAT. If it’s challenging for you to objectively see what can offset your score and what you can do to impress admissions committees, a med school coach can truly make a difference. Admissions experts can identify the strong suits of your application that can help you put a low MCAT in context, something that may be difficult for you to do on your own.

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