Medical Schools That Don’t Require MCAT: All You Need to Know

We often place a high value on the MCAT. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could avoid taking the MCAT entirely? You might be shocked to learn that certain medical schools do not require the MCAT. In this post, we will explore which med schools don’t require the MCAT and their requirements.

What to Do If You Don’t Want to Take the MCAT to Get into Medical School

So, if you don’t have an MCAT, what are your options for applying to medical schools?

If you are applying to one of the few medical schools that do not require an MCAT score as part of their standard application, you can submit your application through the regular channels without attaching an MCAT score.

Participation in a Baccalaureate-MD program is the most popular route to medical school without an MCAT score. These programs are:

BA/MD
BS/MD
BFA/MD

EAPs (Early Admission Programs) and Guaranteed Admission Programs (GAPs) are further options. These programs are offered by a number of approved US medical schools, which means that you’ll be eligible to practice in the US after graduating.

What are BS/MD and BA/MD degrees?

You’re likely to come across the words “BS/MD” or “BA/MD” when searching for ways to get into medical school without taking the MCAT. Students can quickly and easily move from a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree to a Medical Degree through these programs.

Why is this relevant to the MCAT in the first place? MCAT requirements are sometimes waived for applicants with baccalaureate-MD degrees, making it simple to apply without taking the test or giving your results. A bachelor’s degree and four years of medical school will take eight years. This is the typical length of most combined MD programs. However, some schools offer seven-year programs.

What is a Medical School Early Assurance Program?

Early Assurance Programs (or EAPs) are similar to BS/MD programs in that they enable potential physicians to earn a position in medical school in advance and often do not require an MCAT score. However, the most significant distinction between BS/MD and EAP programs is the beginning of the admission period.

Instead of admitting students directly out of high school, the majority of Early Assurance Programs wait until students are in their junior or senior year of undergraduate education to consider them for enrollment. This not only provides candidates with additional time to consider their alternatives before making a commitment to medical school but also helps ease some of the stress associated with maintaining a perfect grade point average right up to graduation.

While Early Assurance programs are known to offer a number of advantages, it is essential to highlight that enrolling in one of these programs is challenging. To be considered for admission to an EAP, students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

US Medical Schools Without MCAT Requirements

Which med schools don’t require MCAT? Here is a list of US medical schools with no minimum MCAT:

Adelphi University

In cooperation with SUNY Upstate, Adelphi University provides a Guaranteed Entrance/Accelerated Scholars joint medical degree program with no MCAT prerequisite. Students can earn a BSc, BA, or BFA degree at Adelphi before progressing to a medical degree at SUNY Upstate med.

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

The University at Albany has started a program that allows high school graduates to enter medical school directly.

The title of this program is “Guaranteed Entrance for Select Majors.” It allows outstanding high schoolers who want to study Spanish, Chinese, or Engineering to apply to the University of Albany for their undergraduate studies and, at the same time, to Upstate Medical University’s Doctor of Allopathic Medicine (MD) program.

The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

The Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) offered by Brown University is the only joint bachelors and MD program that can be found in the Ivy League. Brown’s Pre-Medical Studies (PLME) program takes eight years and enables students to join their undergraduate and medical school studies at Brown.

The program does not require applicants to submit their scores from the SAT or ACT, and there is no prerequisite for the MCAT.

CUNY School of Medicine

The CUNY School of Medicine at City College of New York offers the Sophie Davis Biomedical Education program, enrolling high school students with exceptional academic records in an eight-year BS/MD program.

Drexel University College of Medicine

Drexel University provides a 4+4 BA/MD or BS/MD Early Assurance Program to qualified high school graduates. Throughout their bachelor’s degree, students must pick one of the following majors:

Chemistry
Biological Sciences
Biomedical Engineering

George Washington University

In this program, the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences at George Washington University collaborate to provide a selected number of highly motivated high school seniors with a unique opportunity.

The duration of their combined BA/MD curriculum is only seven years, which is much shorter than the other schools on our list. Although there is no MCAT requirement, candidates have to submit an MCAT practice test score together with other mandatory test results and application documents.

Hampton University

The Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) in Norfolk, Virginia, and Hampton University have come together to offer a BS/MD Joint Program. LIKE THE OTHER UNIVERSITIES ON OUR LIST, the BS/MD program at Hampton University does not require students to have an MCAT score.

High school students who demonstrate not just academic excellence but also diverse leadership experience in extracurricular activities are considered more competent than other applicants. For example, those who have done scientific research or have the experience of working at local hospitals, physicians’ offices, and rescue squads may have a better chance.

Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine

The BS/MD program at Marshall University provides students with the opportunity to earn both a BS and medical degree in seven years.

To be admitted into this program, applicants must have taken a major in biology and have an excellent academic performance. No MCAT is necessary, and acceptance into the program guarantees medical school entrance.

Montclair State University

In collaboration with Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Montclair State University presents its Health Careers Program to eligible candidates. Students can study Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology for the first four years before enrolling in medical school for the remaining four years.

The program is intended for students who are academically qualified and interested in entering medical school as early as possible but lack the financial resources. These students get comprehensive support throughout the baccalaureate phase of their studies.

The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

The Honors Program in Medical Education is a collaborative effort between the Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and Northwestern University in Evanston. Both institutions are located in Illinois (HPME). Students who have been accepted may complete the three to four-year baccalaureate component of their degree at:

McCormick School of Engineering (Northwestern Evanston campus)
School of Communication
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

After successfully completing the program, students are admitted without further consideration into the Feinberg School of Medicine to begin their four-year MD program.

Purchase College

Like Adelphi University, Purchase College collaborates with SUNY Upstate Medical University College to present a combined eight-year BC / MD program.

Students have the option of completing a BA, BFA, or BS in their first four years before enrolling in SUNY’s medical school. No MCAT is required for this program.

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

In the BA/MD program offered by the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, students who are in the second year of their undergraduate studies and have exceptional academic records are eligible to apply.

During the bachelor’s degree component of the program, students who are admitted into the program pay tuition for only three out of the four years; however, they pay tuition for all four years of medical school. In order to be considered for admission, candidates need to have previously finished four semesters of college; however, the MCAT is not necessary.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s accelerated BS/MD program lets students get both a bachelor’s degree and a medical degree in just seven years.

The part of the degree that deals with medical school takes place at Albany Medical College (AMC), which is close to Rensselaer. This BS/MD program is designed to make doctors who are also scientists, and it does not require the MCAT.

Rochester Institute of Technology

The Rochester Early Medical Scholars (REMS) program at the Rochester Institute of Technology is an eight-year BA/BS and MD program. After successful completion of their bachelor’s degree, REMS students are immediately accepted to the University’s School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Spelman University

Spelman University is exceptional since it offers numerous opportunities for Medical School Early Assurance and BS/MD programs through multiple partner universities. Spelman provides BS/MD and early assurance programs that include:

University of Florida College of Medicine

The Medical Honors Program (MHP), originally known as the Junior Honors Medical Program, is an accelerated seven-year BS/MD program at the University of Florida (JHMP).

The program is restricted to US citizens with outstanding educational achievements and a desire to pursue a medical career. There is no MCAT requirement for participation in this program.

University of Missouri-Kansas City

The BA/MD program at the University of Missouri in Kansas City is meant to introduce academically talented high school graduates to the university’s rigorous medical curriculum.

Yeshiva University

Together with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the Yeshiva University Honors Programs provide a medical BA/MD.

Similar to other BA/MD programs, Yeshiva provides academically gifted high school students with the chance to earn a bachelor’s degree and enroll in medical school. Yeshiva does not require the MCAT for its BA/MD program.

Other Medical Schools with No Minimum MCAT

As was said above, there are other ways to get into medical school without taking the MCAT other than BS/BA and MD programs. Early Admissions Programs (EAP) usually do not require an MCAT, and they guarantee admission. Here is a list of medical schools that do not require the MCAT and offer EAPs and similar programs.

It is important to remember that enrolment in EAP programs is quite competitive. Make an appointment with a professional admissions counselor if you are looking for guidance.

Is the MCAT required for early assurance?

The MCAT is not required for most of the early assurance programs. Instead, EAPs often need strong GPAs, extensive volunteer and extracurricular activity, and the submission of an SAT or ACT score along with your application.

How can I get ready for medical school while still in high school?

You can begin preparing for a future in medicine as a high school student by enrolling in biology, maths, chemistry, physics, and any other available science classes. In addition, any relevant volunteer work or extracurricular activities that you may participate in would look great on your resume.

If I don’t pass the MCAT, what are my other options?

Although receiving a poor score on the MCAT might be discouraging, it is not the end of your future in the medical field. Students can enter medical school without submitting an MCAT score if they participate in one of the mentioned BS/MD, BA/MD, or EAP programs. You may also keep studying, and once you’ve had some more practice, you can give the MCAT another shot.

Conclusion

Choosing the right school can be a life-changing decision since it will affect your whole career as a physician. If you think you need to consult a professional about your best options, go to Jack Westin’s Admissions section to schedule an appointment with one of our consultants.