15 Best Medical Schools With Low MCAT score 2024
15 Best Medical Schools With Low MCAT score | Schools to apply with low mcat. The lowest MCAT score you can get while still being accepted into medical school depends on a number of factors. Understanding these factors is important if you’re trying to weigh your chances.
MCAT®, or the Medical College Admission Test, is a standardized test required by almost all medical schools in the United States, as well as some medical schools in Canada.
The MCAT exam is split into four sections:
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems.
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior.
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills.
What’s Considered a “Low” MCAT Score?
To the surprise of many, the difference between getting accepted and getting rejected can come down to single digits. The MCAT score range goes from 472 to 528. This score is a cumulation of the four distinct sections, each of which has scores ranging from 118 on the low end to 132 on the high end.
The average score to put you in the 50th percentile is about 500, or 125 on each section. But even then, being in the 50th percentile is considered to be quite low.
Is It Possible To Get Accepted With Even Lower Scores?
That’s extremely uncommon. There have definitely been cases where students get into both MD and DO programs with sub-500 scores. In general, it’s incredibly difficult to get accepted with an MCAT score below 500. In most cases, those students require additional help and have to go through great hurdles just to gain acceptance.
What are the Best Medical Schools With Low MCAT score?
1. University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
The University of Missouri – Kansas City another lowest MCAT score accepted med school that allows six medical programs with 19 specialties. Prospective students have the option to enroll in the UMKC B.A. plus M.D., which can be completed in six years, or the M.D. program. Unlike many medical programs, UMKC exposes students to hands-on, practical exposures during their freshman year through weekly clinical experiences.
2. Wayne State University School of Medicine
Wayne State University School of Medicine provides exemplary clinical care and social responsiveness through cutting edge research and innovation. This program also earned the second-highest rating for medical research statewide. The School of Medicine has 25 departments and multiple support services. The curriculum allows students to accrue hands-on patient care experience from the beginning of their program. Most applicants hold a 3.7 GPA and score 509 on the MCAT, while the school retains a 9.3% acceptance rate.
3. Augusta University
The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, students complete the program in seven or eight years. Unlike many medical programs, the Augusta University Medical College of Georgia provides flexibility by permitting students to enter the program at different stages in their education. Total enrollment at Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia wavers around 962 students with a 12.1% acceptance rate. The university demands a 3.8 GPA and an average score of 511 on the MCAT.
4. University of Arizona College of Medicine
The University of Arizona College of Medicine proudly accepts academically diverse students. They want students for more than their grade point average and MCAT scores. The acceptance rate at the University of Arizona College of Medicine is 3.6%. MCAT score minimums are 498 with an average of 509. GPA minimums are 3.0 with an average of 3.9.
5. Medical University of South Carolina
The Medical University of South Carolina aims for academic excellence and exemplary patient care. With an 11% acceptance rate, about 160 students are admitted to the MUSC program each year. MUSC demands a minimum 495 MCAT score; however, most candidates score a 510 on the MCAT and have a 3.8 GPA.
6. University at Buffalo SUNY – Jacobs
The University at Buffalo, State University of New York, now called the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences exposes learners to a variety of professional environments. Each year, the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences receives 140 medical students, which yields a 1:3 professor-student ratio. Most applicants have a 510 MCAT score and a 3.8 GPA.
7. University of Massachusetts School of Medicine
UMass School of Medicine tuition is among the most affordable in the US. It is approximately $22,887 a year for in-state students. They receive over 3600 applications a year and accept 162 students. Most of the matriculated students are from in-state. Out-of-state applicants take 17% of the application quota. The average GPA is 3.73 with an average MCAT score of 509.
8. University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine offers an integrative curriculum that combines science-based concepts with clinical practice. With a 12% acceptance rate, the Reno School of Medicine creates a diverse population of medical students. The average MCAT score is 508 and an average GPA of 3.7.
9. University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences is not among the medical schools that don’t require MCAT. Just that it’s one of those medical schools with a low Mcat. UND demands an average of 3.79 GPA from her applicants. Furthermore, the school of medicine values well-rounded students; therefore, other factors influence admission. Successful applicants demonstrate exemplary communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. UND holds a 17.8% acceptance rate with a median MCAT score of 505.
10. University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
The University of Missouri – Kansas City another lowest MCAT score accepted med school that allows six medical programs with 19 specialties. Prospective students have the option to enroll in the UMKC B.A. plus M.D., which can be completed in six years, or the M.D. program. With a 20% acceptance rate, UMKC welcomes a diverse population of students. Learners must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a 500 MCAT score; however, most aspirants have a 3.5 GPA and a 505 on the MCAT.
11. University of Mississippi Medical Center
The University of Mississippi School of Medicine is also among the md schools with low mcat requirements. This medical school allows multiple health-related programs. Currently, the average medical school acceptance rates remain near 7%. At UMMC, acceptance rates reach nearly 41%. UMMC demands a minimum of 2.8 GPA; however, most applicants have about 3.6 GPA and a 504 MCAT score.
12. LSU Shreveport School of Medicine
Louisiana State University makes our list of medical schools with low MCAT requirements LSU has a low out-of-state acceptance which is a downfall. A recently developed residency program has opened the door for out-of-state applicants. However their GPA, MCAT, and tuition requirements are reasonable. Their acceptance rate is 11% with an average GPA of 3.7 and MCAT scores of 503.
13. University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
MD schools with low MCAT is the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. This school provides quality education for diverse and competent biomedical sciences researchers and physicians with the scientific, professional, and ethical knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to provide exceptional health services, with empathy and humanism, at the forefront of technology.
The minimum MCAT score for consideration is 490. While the minimum GPA is 2.5 the average of students is much higher at 3.7. To that effect, the school has proven to be among the medical schools to apply to with low MCAT.
14. University of Tennessee Health Science Center
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center offers online courses that meet the academic standards of the Southern Regional Education Board. The school also holds accreditation from the SACSCOC. Aspirants have an average 3.7 GPA and a 510 MCAT score. The Health Science Center has a 13.8% acceptance rate with 694 students registered.
15. University of South Dakota, Sanford
The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine is nationally known for its distinction in medical education. The M.D., USD offers graduate degrees in basic biomedical science. After the second year, students work at hospitals and ambulatory clinics throughout the state. USD Sanford School of medicine holds ALCME accreditation. Aspirants require a 3.8 GPA and an average 509 MCAT score.
How To Make Up For A Low MCAT Score
There are several things that you can do to make up for a lower MCAT score. If you’re struggling to get the MCAT score you want, you’re going to have to work a bit harder to make your application stand out. While the MCAT is very important when applying to medical schools, it’s not the end-all-be-all.
- Gain Additional Clinical Experience: One of the best ways to make your application appealing is to gain as much clinical experience as possible. Schools look at the breadth of your extracurricular activities and will put a lot of thought into students that excel outside of the classroom.
- Do A Post-Bacc Or Special Master’s Program: If your MCAT score is too low for your target school, you can get some additional education to show that you’re ready for the challenge of medical school. Post-Baccalaureate and Special Master’s programs are a very common route for students that aren’t immediately accepted into medical school. These programs offer intensive training in several important fields. This includes biology, biochemical science, and biomedical science.
- Perform Well In Extra Classes: Another great way to make up for a low MCAT score is to do well in extra coursework. You can take classes outside of your pre-med track to overcome those challenges you faced on the test. For example, say that you scored poorly in the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of the Living Systems section. This section might have brought down your final score.
How Is the MCAT Scored?
About 30-35 days after completing the MCAT exam, you will receive five score results. There will be one cumulative score, encompassing your performance on all four sections of the exam, and four additional scores to evaluate each of the four exam sections. The section scores will fall within 118-132, while the total score will range from 472-528. The MCAT exam is scaled, meaning that there is no curve associated with the test.
The AAMC scales the test scores as there are multiple versions of the MCAT exam administered each year. Despite trying to make each of the test versions equal in difficulty, it may so happen that certain tests are easier, more difficult, or more clear than others. Scaling the test results compensates for variation and ensures an even opportunity for all test takers.
What About the DO Programs?
Generally, getting into a DO program is possible as long as you have a score of at least 500 on your MCAT. The MCAT figures above all apply to allopathic medical schools that grant a traditional MD. But what about osteopathic schools that grant a DO? Even the best DO schools are usually much more forgiving when it comes to low MCAT scores. They tend to take a broader look at a student’s achievements and will consider upward grading trends when making a decision.
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