Get in touch: (800) 727-0780
Reviewed by:
Third-Year Medical Student, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Reviewed: 7/25/24
Though the MCAT is a requirement for many, some medical schools don’t require it. Here’s a full list of medical schools in the US that don’t require an MCAT submission.
Several programs throughout the US do not offer MCAT options for students, which is good news for those who wish to opt out of the test or have not 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 compiled an inclusive list of programs and medical schools that do not require the MCAT. Let’s get started!
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 it's best to consider the test if possible.
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.
If you're aiming to get into med school without taking the MCAT, it's essential to explore all your options.
This tool helps you estimate your potential MCAT scores based on the raw scores you enter for each section. It converts these raw scores into scaled scores and calculates your total estimated score. While it can't guarantee exact results, it's a useful way to gauge your performance on practice tests.
Here is the list of US medical schools with BA/MD or BS/MD Programs that do not require the MCAT.
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.
Let’s explore these programs more deeply!
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 Brown.”
The program required the SAT and ACT, but not the MCAT.
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. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic performance, leadership, and relevant experience, such as volunteering or shadowing in medical or dental settings.
Students in the program do not have to complete the MCAT but must maintain high grades to be considered competitive.
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 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 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.
The Joint BS/MD Program between Hampton University and Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) offers a direct path to medical school for high-achieving undergraduates.
Students at Hampton are selected at the end of their sophomore year based on academic excellence, leadership, and meaningful extracurricular involvement, especially in healthcare settings like hospitals, clinics, or research labs.
Once accepted, participants gain early exposure to medicine through summer academic and clinical experiences at EVMS in Norfolk, Virginia, prior to their junior and senior years. The MCAT is not required.
While not exactly a BS/MD program, the Northwestern Undergraduate Premedical Scholars Program (NUPSP) offers an early MD acceptance to highly accomplished Northwestern undergraduate students (with an overall and average science GPA of 3.7 or higher).
Eligible candidates must have completed two full years of undergraduate study and demonstrate a strong commitment to pursuing a career in medicine. They do not have to write the MCAT, however. Upon acceptance, students gain admission into the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
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 near 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, an eight-year combined BA/BS and MD educational track. Upon successful completion of the bachelor's portion of their degree, REMS students are automatically admitted to the university’s School of Medicine and Dentistry.
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 Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) School of Medicine offers a six-year combined B.A./M.D. program that admits students directly from high school.
This accelerated, year-round curriculum integrates liberal arts and humanities with medical science and clinical skills, allowing students to earn both degrees in less time than traditional paths.
Students can pursue undergraduate majors in Liberal Arts, Chemistry, or Biology, with the option to transfer college credits from Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, CLEP, or dual-enrollment courses.
The program emphasizes early clinical exposure, with students beginning patient interactions and clinical experiences in the third week through the unique docent system, a mentorship model where students are grouped into teams led by teaching physicians.
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 waive the MCAT requirement.
Programs with Conditional MCAT Requirements
Acceptance into an EAP often comes with the expectation that the student will attend the affiliated medical school. Most EAPs require students to apply during their sophomore or junior year of undergraduate studies.
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.
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 of the 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 to be considered for admission to an EAP.
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about medical schools that don’t require the MCAT.
Medical schools not requiring the MCAT exam can be good options for students planning to practice medicine abroad. However, avoiding the MCAT by attending international schools is generally not recommended for those looking to obtain a US medical license.
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.
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 continue to study and tackle the MCAT again after more practice.
Even if it’s not required, it is highly recommended that you take the MCAT. 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.
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. If you’re unhappy with your current MCAT score, you can always retake the test or apply to programs that don’t require it.
Reviewed by:
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Physician, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Get 25+ free medical school personal statements written by our succcessful applicants free of charge. No strings attached.
.avif)
.svg)
