How to Get Into Med School Without Taking the MCAT
The most common way to get into medical school without taking the MCAT is by participating in a Baccalaureate-MD program, such as a:
While most medical schools require the MCAT, there are alternative paths to achieving your dream of becoming a doctor. However, not taking the MCAT may limit your options, so take the exam if you can.
Other programs include Early Admission Programs (EAPs) or Guaranteed Admission programs. Several accredited US medical schools offer these types of programs, which means that you’ll be able to obtain residency in the US without issue after your degree.
U.S. Medical Schools That Don’t Require the MCAT
Here is a list of U.S. medical schools that don’t require the MCAT for admission.
| Medical School |
Location |
Eligibility (No MCAT Required) |
| The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University (PLME) |
Providence, RI |
PLME (Program in Liberal Medical Education) is an 8-year BA/MD pathway with no MCAT required. |
| CUNY School of Medicine (Sophie Davis Program) |
New York, NY |
The 8-year BS/MD Sophie Davis program admits directly from high school without requiring the MCAT. |
| Drexel University College of Medicine |
Philadelphia, PA |
Offers a 4+4 BA/MD or BS/MD Early Assurance program that does not require the MCAT. |
| George Washington University School of Medicine |
Washington, DC |
Offers a 7-year BA/MD program where no MCAT is required. An MCAT practice test score is requested instead. |
| Hampton University/Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) |
Hampton, VA / Norfolk, VA |
Joint BS/MD program from high school; MCAT is not required for admission into the program. |
| Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (NUPSP) |
Evanston, IL / Chicago, IL |
NUPSP allows early MD acceptance for Northwestern undergraduates. |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute / Albany Medical College BS/MD |
Troy, NY / Albany, NY |
Accelerated BS/MD program with no MCAT required for admission. |
| University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine (UMKC) |
Kansas City, MO |
6-year BA/MD program from high school; students must take the ACT/SAT instead of the MCAT. |
| Spelman University (Partnerships for BA/MD) |
Atlanta, GA |
Offers BA/MD partnerships where the MCAT is not required for admission. |
While many of these BA/MD, BS/MD, and Early Assurance programs do not require the MCAT, the vast majority of U.S. medical schools still require the MCAT for standard admission pathways. Always review each program’s specific requirements before applying.
1. The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Location: Providence, RI
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University offers the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), the only combined baccalaureate/MD program in the Ivy League. This eight-year program permits students to combine both their undergraduate and medical school education at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. The program requires the SAT and ACT, but not the MCAT.
Eligibility
Open to high school seniors applying to Brown. Applicants must show exceptional academic achievement, strong SAT/ACT scores, intellectual curiosity, and extracurricular engagement. The program values well-rounded students who demonstrate both academic ability and commitment to service or leadership.
2. Case Western Reserve University
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Case Western’s Pre-Professional Scholars Program provides highly qualified high school seniors with conditional admission to either the School of Medicine (8-year track) or the School of Dental Medicine (7-year track). Admission is extremely competitive, with up to 20 spots available annually. Students in the program do not have to complete the MCAT but must maintain high grades.
Eligibility
Open to high school seniors applying to Case Western Reserve University. Applicants must present outstanding academics (often top 10% of their class), strong standardized test scores, significant extracurricular involvement, and evidence of leadership or healthcare-related experiences.
3. CUNY School of Medicine
Location: New York, New York
The Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program at The City College of New York offers an eight-year BS/MD program. No MCAT is required.
Eligibility
Applicants must be high school seniors residing in New York State, with excellent academic records (GPA, SAT/ACT), strong recommendations, and a demonstrated interest in serving urban and underserved populations in medicine.
4. Drexel University College of Medicine
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Drexel University offers a 4+4 BA/MD or BS/MD Early Assurance program to promising high school seniors. Students must major in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, or Biomedical Engineering. No MCAT is required.
Eligibility
Applicants must apply as high school seniors with a top GPA, strong SAT/ACT scores, and a demonstrated interest in medicine. They must maintain a minimum GPA (often 3.5+) during undergrad to progress into the MD program.
5. George Washington University
Location: Washington, D.C.
The BA/MD program at George Washington University takes seven years instead of eight. No MCAT is required, but applicants must submit an MCAT practice test score with their application.
Eligibility
Highly competitive program for exceptional high school seniors with strong grades, standardized test scores, leadership, and healthcare exposure. Students must maintain high GPA standards during undergrad to remain eligible.
6. Hampton University/Eastern Virginia Medical School
Location: Hampton, Virginia / Norfolk, Virginia
The Joint BS/MD Program between Hampton University and EVMS offers a direct path to medical school for high-achieving undergraduates. Students are selected at the end of their sophomore year. No MCAT is required.
Eligibility
Applicants must be Hampton undergraduates with excellent GPAs (usually 3.5+), strong science coursework, leadership, and meaningful extracurricular or healthcare experiences. Selection is based on both academic excellence and demonstrated interest in medicine.
7. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (NUPSP)
Location: Evanston & Chicago, Illinois
The Northwestern Undergraduate Premedical Scholars Program (NUPSP) is an early MD acceptance program for accomplished Northwestern undergraduates. No MCAT is required.
Eligibility
Applicants must be Northwestern undergraduates who have completed at least two years of coursework, with a cumulative and science GPA of 3.7 or higher. Strong service, leadership, and research experience are required.
8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute / Albany Medical College
Location: Troy, New York / Albany, New York
The accelerated BS/MD program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Albany Medical College allows students to earn both degrees in seven years. The program focuses on training physician-scientists. No MCAT is required.
Eligibility
Open to high school seniors with outstanding academics, top SAT/ACT scores, and a demonstrated passion for medicine and research. Applicants must also show leadership, maturity, and a commitment to healthcare.
9. Rochester Institute of Technology
Location: Rochester, New York
The Rochester Early Medical Scholars (REMS) program is an eight-year BA/BS–MD track. Students are guaranteed admission to the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry upon successful completion of undergraduate studies.
Eligibility
Open to high school seniors with exceptional academics, strong standardized test scores, leadership, and healthcare-related experiences. Students must maintain minimum GPA and performance standards during undergrad.
10. Spelman University
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Spelman University offers multiple BS/MD and early assurance pathways through partnerships with schools such as Boston University, Morehouse, and the University of Rochester. No MCAT is required for many of these pathways.
Eligibility
High-achieving Spelman undergraduates are eligible. Admission is based on strong GPA, science coursework, leadership, and healthcare-related extracurriculars. Requirements vary by partner institution.
11. University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC)
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
The University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine offers a six-year combined BA/MD program admitting students directly from high school. The curriculum integrates liberal arts, clinical medicine, and patient interaction from year one. No MCAT is required.
Eligibility
High school seniors with strong academics, ACT/SAT scores, and extracurricular involvement are eligible. The program looks for well-rounded applicants with demonstrated commitment to medicine, community service, and leadership.
What Is A BS/MD Or BA/MD Degree?
A BS/MD or BA/MD degree is a combined program that allows students to earn both a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in a streamlined pathway, often over seven to eight years.
These programs are designed for high-achieving high school students who are committed to a career in medicine and typically guarantee medical school admission upon successful completion of undergraduate requirements, often without needing to take the MCAT.
These programs tend to be highly competitive, so it’s a smart move to seek support from med school admissions advisors who can guide you through the entire process and ensure you're a strong applicant.
What Is An Early Assurance Program For Med School?
An Early Assurance Program (EAP) for medical school is a pathway that allows undergraduate students to secure conditional acceptance to a medical school before completing their bachelor’s degree. Unlike the traditional route, where students apply during their junior or senior year and must take the MCAT, many EAPs waive the MCAT requirement and reserve a seat for students who maintain strong GPAs and meet program-specific conditions.
However, the key difference between BS/MD programs and EAP programs is when admission begins. Most EAPs accept students while they’re taking pre-med courses during their undergraduate degree, rather than accepting students straight out of high school.
This gives applicants more time to explore their options before committing to medical school and can relieve some of the stress involved in maintaining a perfect GPA up until graduation.
Although Early Assurance programs have many benefits, they are notoriously challenging to get into. Academic excellence is required to be considered for admission to an EAP.
What Is a DO Degree?
A DO degree, or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, is a professional medical degree in the United States that trains physicians to practice medicine with a holistic approach. Like MDs (Doctor of Medicine), DOs are fully licensed to diagnose, treat, prescribe medications, and perform surgery.
The key distinction is that DO programs emphasize preventive care, the connection between body systems, and include additional training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on technique used to diagnose and support healing.
FAQs
1. Are No-MCAT Med Schools Worth Going To?
Yes, going to a no-MCAT medical school can be worthwhile for students who do not perform well on the exam. However, it’s not recommended to apply to these schools only if you want to avoid taking the MCAT.
2. Do You Need to Take The MCAT For Early Assurance Programs?
No, most early assurance programs do not require the MCAT. Instead, EAPs typically require a high GPA, volunteering experience, extracurricular experience, and either an SAT or ACT score to be submitted alongside your application.
3. Do You Need to Take The MCAT For a BS/MD Program?
No, you typically don’t need to take the MCAT to get into a BS/MD, BA/MD, or BFA/MD program. Students often take a three- to four-year baccalaureate program before automatically matriculating into medical school.
4. How Can I Prepare for Medical School in High School?
You can prepare for medical school in high school by taking biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and any other science courses that are available to you. Additionally, you can participate in any health-related volunteer or extracurricular programs. You may also apply for BS/MD or BA/MD programs to ensure admission to medical school.
5. What Are My Options If I Fail The MCAT?
If you fail the MCAT, many BS/MD, BA/MD, and EAP programs allow students to attend medical school without an MCAT score. You can also study and prepare to retake the MCAT after more practice.
6. Should I Take The MCAT If It’s Not Required?
Yes, you should take the MCAT even if it’s not required. Taking the MCAT opens up your options to many medical schools and can prepare you for the courses you’ll have to take in your MD.
7. Do You Need to Take the MCAT for a DO Program?
Yes, most osteopathic (DO) programs in the U.S. require the MCAT as part of the admissions process. Applicants typically need to submit MCAT scores through AACOMAS (the centralized DO application service).
Final Thoughts
If you’re interested in attending medical school but do not want to take the MCAT or submit your current score, your best option may be BS/BA and MD programs or EAP programs. If you’re unhappy with your current MCAT score, you can always retake the test or apply to programs that don’t require it.
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