Medical Schools That Don't Require The MCAT in 2024

US Medical Schools that Don't Require MCAT

BA/MD, BS/MD programs, and Early Assurance Programs that Don't Require MCAT:

These joint programs offer the opportunity for exceptional high school students to secure a spot in medical school before even beginning undergraduate studies. Essentially, students will obtain either a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA), or secure their place in a medical school before they graduate from their undergrad, and will then proceed directly to medical school to obtain a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD). 

Case Western Reserve University

CUNY School of Medicine

Drexel University College of Medicine

George Washington University (only practice score is required)

Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine

Montclair State University

Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Rochester Institute of Technology

University of Florida College of Medicine

University of Missouri-Kansas City

University at Albany State University of New York Early Assurance Pathway

Union College Early Assurance Program

Dartmouth University Geisel School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

Georgetown University School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, FlexMed Program

Syracuse University Early Assurance Program

University of Pittsburgh Guaranteed Admission Program (if admitted with SAT/ACT scores)

Tufts University School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

University of Rochester School of Medicine Early Assurance Program

University of Toledo College of Medicine MedStart Program

DO Schools that Don’t Require MCAT

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and the LECOM Bradenton campus will accept an alternative to the MCAT. In lieu of taking the MCAT, you can submit your ACT or SAT scores, along with your cumulative undergraduate GPA, which LECOM will use to calculate your Academic Index Score (AIS). Applicants must have an AIS score of 110 or better.

Students can submit their MCAT scores as part of the LECOM admissions process if they so choose. The exam must have been taken in the past 3 years, and students must have earned a score above 497 to be considered. Applicants who do not meet this requirement or have not taken the exam will be considered based on their AIS.

Canadian Medical Schools that Don't Require MCAT

In Canada, the situation is slightly different and there are actually traditional allopathic 3- and 4-year medical schools in Canada that do not require the MCAT, as you will see below.

• University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine
• Northern Ontario School of Medicine
• McGill University Faculty of Medicine  
• Université Laval
• Université de Montréal 
• Université de Sherbrooke

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How Hard is the MCAT? Why Do Students Want to Avoid It?

If you are just starting your premed journey, you might be wondering “What’s the deal with the MCAT? Why is everyone looking for medical schools that don't require the MCAT?” This is a legitimate question. What makes the MCAT so frightening? Why do students want to avoid writing the MCAT and look for medical schools without the MCAT requirement? Let’s let the students speak for themselves:

“I currently am discouraged… I am dreading having to redo MCAT. I currently don't know whether I should just take a gap year to do it… I have lots to think about.” – Alexander C., BeMo Student

Another reason why premeds look for medical schools that do not require the MCAT is that MCAT can be a real hinderance to your medical school dreams. Instead of helping you get accepted, your MCAT score can be a limiting factor, often preventing you from applying to your top-choice schools. Our student Melissa had to face a disappointment when she saw her MCAT score – her score really limited which schools she could apply to:

“After I took my MCAT, I could only choose from roughly one-third of the medical schools I wanted to apply to…” – Melissa, BeMo Student

Yes, many students choose to retake the MCAT with the hope of improving their score, but this is a huge undertaking, which is not always successful! The MCAT is incredibly hard to prepare for. Here’s what our student Charley had to say about their preparation:

“There is a much greater breadth of material to cover for the MCAT than originally expected. The concepts tested are not merely presented but are inquired over in depth. Classical study methods do not work for a test that covers so much in a rapid succession of strenuous passages. Reading passages qualitatively and effectively is the most important foundation for succeeding on the MCAT.” – Charley F., BeMo Student

These are just a few of the experiences that illustrate why students all over the US and Canada look for medical schools that do not require the MCAT. So if you're one of them - you are not alone and we are here to help! Below, we list the medical schools without the MCAT requirement and provide tips on how to approach the medical school application process if you choose to avoid the MCAT! Let’s dive in. 

Students often underestimate the difficulty of the MCAT; if they're used to performing well on their college or university tests, they assume that naturally, they'll perform well on the MCAT. Unfortunately, the MCAT is no pop quiz, and countless hours of review and practice are necessary to succeed. Did you know that on average, 24% of all test takers write the MCAT more than once, trying to improve their scores? According to the AAMC, in the last 3–5 years, over 85% of MCAT examinees completed courses in biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics prior to taking the test. In addition, nearly half of those test takers completed a commercial, university, or medical school preparation course. With that said, out of roughly 185,000 students who wrote the MCAT during this period, nearly a quarter of them decided to take the test again, likely in hopes of scoring better the second time around. So, how hard is the MCAT? Very hard, but not impossible. With dedicated MCAT test prep and study, it is certainly possible to do well. If you do decide to take the MCAT, check out our blog to find out MCAT test and release dates.

Is It Possible to Get into Medical School Without the MCAT?

While the MCAT is one of the most common medical school requirements in the US and Canada, it is possible to become a doctor without taking this test. In the US, this route is usually reserved for those who have known that they want to become a physician for a while. There are several accelerated medical school programs like BS/MD and BA/MD and early assurance programs, such as FlexMed, that forgo the MCAT (and we list them above!) Typically, only students who are certain of their choice early on in their academic career apply to these options.

And while there is an accelerated program in Canada that does not require the MCAT, QuARMS, the rest of the schools we listed above are all full-fledged MD programs traditional premeds and non-traditional medical school applicants can pursue. So you can definitely get into medical school in Canada without the MCAT!

Should You Avoid Writing the MCAT?

Many students wonder whether they can skip the MCAT to get into medical school. And it’s no wonder. In addition to the challenging process of MCAT test prep, there are impressive MCAT costs to consider as well. Some students look to avoid the MCAT because they want to get into medical school without a science background. If you majored in something other than the physical sciences, the prospect of MCAT biology passages or MCAT physics equations may be intimidating.

Others may be more concerned with how long the MCAT is and how challenging it is to do well on such a massive exam. This is also understandable. The test covers a myriad of subjects and disciplines, so the preparation it takes to succeed is significant. Plus, there’s the MCAT CARS section – a section everyone dreads. So, in addition to content review, you must simultaneously work on a strong MCAT CARS strategy.

But does all this mean that you should avoid the MCAT? The answer is up to you, but consider the following:

#1 MCAT gives you a solid foundation

If you did not major in the physical sciences, the MCAT may be the biggest reason for you to complete and do well in your medical school prerequisites. And even if you are one of those students looking to get into medical school with limited science knowledge, you cannot avoid the sciences if you decide to pursue medicine. So, by skipping the MCAT, you are still not in the clear, so to speak. Needing to study and take the MCAT will give you a solid foundation for your years in medical school and beyond.

#2 MCAT is far from being your last extensive exam if you go to medical school

Whether you pursue an MD or DO program, the MCAT is far from being the last test you will take. So, if you are avoiding the test due to its length, size, prep commitment, and so on, medical school might not be the best choice for you. USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 and 3, as well as different shelf exams and OSCE exams are going to be your constant companions throughout medical school and beyond. And if you are planning to be a medical school student in Canada, prepare to take on the extensive MCCQE Part 1, as well as the NAC OSCE if you are an international medical graduate.

So, if you are trying to avoid the MCAT because you do not like tests, face the fact that you will be required to complete and do well on many other exams once you are in medical school, including licensing exams.

#3 MCAT cost

Taking the MCAT is not cheap – and we’re not referring to the administrative fees you pay to actually take the exam. MCAT test prep is a significant expense. Whether you do the prep on your own or hire an MCAT tutor, it will cost you. If you are studying independently, even if you use the cheap or MCAT prep free resources, you will still need to access MCAT prep books, practice tests, and so on. Your expenses will increase if you are looking to work with MCAT teachers or MCAT prep courses. And while your first reaction may be to avoid this professional prep help, we want to warn you that retaking the MCAT or reapplying to medical school due to a bad MCAT score is even more expensive. So, do keep this in mind when you plan your prep.

Food for thought: if you have a limited budget and need to save money, it is nevertheless important to remember that medical school involves significant costs throughout the process, in addition to tuition. You can apply to medical schools that do not require CASPer, look for schools without secondary essays, or even apply to the cheapest medical schools out there, but attending medical school will still be expensive. Most medical school students will need to carefully arrange financing and plan a reasonable budget.

#4 MCAT Gives You More Options

The biggest advantage of taking the MCAT is that if you do get a good score, a lot more metaphorical medical school doors open for you. You will have a lot more choice if you do write the MCAT and get a competitive score. While the MCAT is intimidating, it is possible to prepare and get a high score that will allow you to pick and choose out of hundreds of schools in the US and Canada. This does not mean that you want to apply to an endless number of institutions, but you do want to apply widely. Here’s what Dr. Neel Mistry, MD and our medical school admissions expert had to say about the MCAT:

“I have seen many students over the years with perfect GPAs and MCAT not get in, while those with less impressive statistics get in. All that to say, if getting into medical school is your ultimate goal, it is important to apply to as many schools as possible. Like Gretzky said, “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”. – Dr. Neel Mistry, MD

As you can see, a perfect MCAT is not a guarantee of acceptance, but if you get a good MCAT score, your application is more likely to be reviewed in its entirety, so you can impress the admissions committee with your personal statement, activities sections, recommendations, and so on. Remember that many schools use your MCAT score as a benchmark – if you do not meet the requirement, then you are less likely to have the rest of your application reviewed as you'll be weeded our of the applicant pool. A high MCAT score will give you the chance to impress the admissions committee with the rest of your application.

Testimonial: I Got into Medical School With Low MCAT!

If you are really worried about your MCAT score, here's the truth: it is possible to get into medical school with a low MCAT. All you need is strategy. Our student, Kannan, has written the MCAT twice!

"The first [test] was a 497, so not too hot! But then when I took some time off and I [prepared] for a longer time, I was able to jump 13 points to a 510." - Kannan, BeMo student

And while this is a huge improvement, 510 is still not a super competitive score for medical schools in the US and Canada. So here's Kannan's strategy that got him accepted to 4 medical schools!

"So, basically, I used MSAR, which has the stats for every med school, so I used that to classify schools into "reaches", about mid-tier, and also lower-tier [that were good] targets for me. I also applied to about five or six DO schools. The "reaches" would be like anything like 515-516 and the ones that are more targets were closer to 511-512 or anything around that... I read online about how important the personal statement and the work and activities [were], and also writing the secondaries... So that's when I decided to get like some professional help because [I just wanted] to make sure they're like really well written because at a certain point stats can get you so far, but making sure you can present yourself a certain way ultimately helps you land acceptance..." - Kannan, BeMo student

If you want to learn more about Kannan's journey, check out his full interview below to learn more about how he navigated the application and interview process to ultimately attend the Western University of Health Sciences!

FAQs

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

Please note: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa. If you see an error here, please notify us with the updated information, and we’ll send you a FREE copy of a BeMo ebook of your choosing! You can receive our Ultimate Guide to Med School Admissions, our Ultimate Guide to MMI Prep, our Ultimate Guide to Medical School Personal Statements & Secondary Essays or our Ultimate Guide to CASPer Prep! Please email us at content [at] bemoacademicconsulting.com with any corrections, and we’ll arrange to send you your free ebook upon confirming the information.

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