Reviewed by:
Former Chief Resident in Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, & Admissions Officer, Columbia University
Reviewed: 6/3/22
Did you know some medical schools accept students without an MCAT score? Here’s a list of medical schools in the US that don’t require an MCAT, and more about no-MCAT medical schools.
All future medical students dread the MCAT for its complex material, long hours, and the weight it carries in their medical school applications. However, there are ways around acing the MCAT to get into medical school.
Several programs throughout the US offer no MCAT options for students, which is good news for those who wish to opt out of the test or haven’t done well on their MCAT attempts so far.
So, how can you get into medical school without an MCAT? Let’s talk about it. Here we’ve comprised an inclusive list of programs and medical schools that do not require an MCAT. Let’s get started!
So, how can you apply for medical schools without an MCAT? There are a few options.
A small group of medical schools don’t have an MCAT requirement in their regular application, in which case you can simply apply through the application process without attaching an MCAT score. However, these schools are mostly abroad and may not provide you with ideal job options after your degree.
The most common way to attend medical school without an MCAT score is by participating in a Baccalaureate-MD program such as a:
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.
When looking for ways to attend medical school without taking the MCAT, you’ll most likely run into the terms “BS/MD” or “BA/MD”. In these programs, students can make a swift and smooth transition from a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree directly into a Medical Degree.
So, why does this matter when talking about the MCAT? Baccalaureate-MD degrees often waive MCAT requirements, making it easy to apply without taking the test or revealing your scores. Most combined MD programs are eight years in length with four years spent in a bachelor's degree and four years in medical school, although some schools offer seven year programs.
Similar to BS/MD programs, Early Assurance Programs (or EAPs) help future physicians secure a spot in medical school years in advance, and typically do not require an MCAT score as part of your application. However, the key difference between BS/MD programs and EAP programs is when admission begins.
Most Early Assurance Programs 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 stress involved in maintaining a perfect GPA up until graduation.
Although Early Assurance programs have many benefits, it should be noted that they are notoriously challenging to get into. Academic excellence is required in order to be considered for admission to an EAP.
Here is the list of US medical schools with BA/MD or BS/MD Programs that do not require the MCAT.
In collaboration with the SUNY Upstate, Adelphi University offers a 4+4 Guaranteed Entrance/ Accelerated Scholars combined medical degree program with no MCAT requirement. In the program, students can choose to complete either a BSc, BA, or BFA degree at Adelphi before moving directly into a medical degree at SUNY Upstate med.
The University at Albany has begun offering a program that can send high school students on a direct path to medical school.
The “Guaranteed Entrance for Select Majors”' program permits exceptional high school students who plan on studying Spanish, Chinese, or Engineering to “apply to UAlbany for their undergraduate education and simultaneously apply for admission into Upstate Medical University’s Doctor of Allopathic Medicine (MD) program.”
Brown University offers the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), the only combined baccalaureate/MD program in the Ivy League. Brown’s PLME is an eight-year program that permits students to “combine both their undergraduate and medical school education at Brown.”
The program is test-optional for the SAT or ACT, with no MCAT requirement.
Case Western offers admission to their Pre-Professional Scholars program to a small group of no more than 20 high-school seniors each year. The eight year program consists of four years in a bachelor’s degree with a major of the applicant’s choice, and four years completing an MD.
Students in the program do not have to complete the MCAT, but must successfully maintain an academic standard to maintain their acceptance to the program.
The Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program is offered by The City College Of New York’s CUNY School of Medicine, and serves to enroll high-school students with outstanding academics into an eight year BS/MD program. No MCAT is required to enter into the program.
Drexel University offers a 4+4 BA/MD or BS/MD Early Assurance program to promising high-school seniors who meet the admission requirements. Students in the program must choose to major in one of the following subjects throughout their bachelor’s degree :
No MCAT is required to enter into the BA/BS+MD program at Drexel.
In this program, the George Washington University Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences join forces to present an option for a small group of motivated high-school seniors.
Unlike other programs on our list, their BA/MD program is only seven years in length. While no MCAT is required, applicants must submit an MCAT practice test score along with other necessary test scores and application materials.
Hampton University offers a Joint BS / MD Program in collaboration with Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) in Norfolk, Va. Like the other programs on our list, Hampton’s BS/MD program has no MCAT requirement.
Preference is given to highschool students who exhibit not only excellent academic performance, but have a variety of extracurricular leadership experience. Examples of such include “scientific research, health care experiences through local hospitals, physician's offices, and rescue squads.”
The Marshall University BS/MD program allows students to achieve both a bachelor of science and an MD in an accelerated seven year program.
Applicants must declare a major in biology and achieve a high level of academic proficiency to be accepted into the program. No MCAT is required, and medical school admission is guaranteed upon being accepted into the program.
Montclair State University offers their Health Careers Program in collaboration with Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School (R-NJMS). Throughout the first four years of the program, students can major in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology before matriculating into medical school for the final four years.
The program targets students who are academically capable and show an early passion for medical school but may not have the financial means to attend. Comprehensive support is given to students throughout the baccalaureate portion of their degree.
The Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and Northwestern University in Evanston work together to offer the Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME). Accepted students may take the three to four year baccalaureate portion of their degree at:
Upon successful completion, students then automatically matriculate into the Feinberg School of Medicine for their four-year MD.
Similarly to Adelphi University, Purchase College works in partnership with SUNY Upstate Medical University College to provide their eight-year Baccalaureate/MD program.
Students participating in the program can select to complete a BA, BFA, or BS in their first four years before automatically matriculating into medical school at SUNY. No MCAT is required for admission to the program.
In the BA/MD program offered by Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, pre-medical students with excellent academics may apply for the program in their sophomore year.
Students accepted into the program pay for only three out of four years during the bachelor’s portion of the program, and pay all four years of medical school. Although applicants must have already completed four semesters of college, no MCAT is required for admission.
The accelerated BS/MD program offered by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute grants students both a bachelor’s degree and a medical degree within only seven years.
The medical school portion of the degree is taken at Albany Medical College (AMC), which is within close proximity to Rensselaer. This BS/MD program is specifically tailored to creating physician-scientists, and has no MCAT requirement.
The Rochester Institute of Technology offers the Rochester Early Medical Scholars (REMS) program, which is an eight-year combined BA/BS and MD educational track. REMS students are automatically admitted to the University’s School of Medicine and Dentistry upon successful completion of the bachelor’s portion of their degree.
Spelman University is unique in offering multiple options for Medical School Early Assurance and BS/MD programs through multiple partner schools. Spelman offers combined baccalaureate/MD and early assurance programs with:
Spelman has many options for early admissions and works with all of the fine institutions listed above as well as several others, which can be found on their website.
The University of Florida offers an accelerated seven year BS/MD program called The Medical Honors Program (MHP), formerly known as the Junior Honors Medical Program (JHMP).
The program is available only to residents of the United States who demonstrate excellent scholastic abilities and motivation to work in the medical field. No MCAT is required to participate in this program.
The University of Missouri in Kansas City offers a BA/MD program designed to give academically skilled high-school graduates immediate exposure to their strong medical curriculum.
The Yeshiva University Honors Programs partners with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine to offer their medical BA/MD.
Like other BA/MD programs, Yeshiva offers academically inclined high school students the opportunity to complete a bachelor's degree and automatically matriculate into medical school. There is no MCAT requirement for the BA/MD program at Yeshiva.
As mentioned above, BS/BA and MD programs are not the only way to attend medical school without taking the MCAT. Early Admissions Programs (EAP) also typically do not require an MCAT while guaranteeing admission. Here is a list of medical schools with EAPs and similar initiatives that do not require the MCAT.
It should be noted that EAP programs are highly competitive. If you’re applying for BS/BA + MD or EAP programs for medical school and are looking for assistance, make an appointment with an experienced admissions advisor.
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about no mcat medical schools in the US.
Most US schools require the MCAT as part of your application unless you are entering medical school through a BS/MD degree or EAP program. Schools that don’t require the MCAT in the regular admissions process are typically abroad, which may make obtaining a US medical license more complicated.
Most early assurance programs do not require an MCAT score. Instead, EAPs typically require high GPAs, excellent volunteerism and extracurricular experience, and either an SAT or ACT score to be submitted alongside your application.
BS/MD, BA/MD and BFA/MD programs typically do not require the MCAT. Admitted students take a three to four year baccalaureate program before automatically matriculating into medical school.
As a high school student who aspires to a career in medicine, you can begin preparing by taking biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and any other science courses that are available to you. Additionally, any health-related volunteer or extracurricular programs you can participate in will look excellent on your resume.
High school students who are certain about going to medical school after their bachelor’s degree can apply for BS/MD or BA/MD programs to ensure their admission to medical school.
Getting a low score on the MCAT can be disappointing, but it doesn’t have to mean your medical career is over. There are many BS/MD, BA/MD, and EAP programs that allow students to attend medical school without an MCAT score. You can also continue to study and tackle the MCAT again after more practice.
While some medical schools and medical school programs do not require the MCAT, it is highly recommended that you take the test. Taking the MCAT opens up your options to many medical schools and can overall prepare you for the courses you’ll have to take in your MD. You can also retake the MCAT or apply to a program that doesn’t require the MCAT if you are unhappy with your score.
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.
The US medical schools that offer BA/BS and MD and EAP programs in our list are accredited medical schools that have good reputations, meaning taking their programs will not limit your options.
Most medical schools that do not require the MCAT in their regular application are abroad, which can make practicing medicine in the US challenging later on.
If you are debating taking the MCAT at all, our advice would be to do so. If you’re unhappy with your current MCAT score you can always retake the test or apply to programs that don’t require a score.
Good luck!
.svg)
