If you’d like to step around the MCAT, you’re not alone. Plenty of hopeful med students find that test’s length and intensity pretty intimidating. Fortunately, certain U.S. and Canadian programs let you attend medical school without MCAT scores. Let’s look at how this works and whether it might be right for you. Feel free to call us at 310-870-5428 or fill out our form if you need a tailor-made plan from SOS Admissions.
Why Some People Avoid the MCAT
There are a few reasons folks try to dodge it:
- Time and Stress: MCAT prep requires serious energy and cash for study materials, which feels overwhelming.
- Limited Options: If you take the MCAT and don’t reach your target score, you might end up applying to fewer schools.
- Test Anxiety: Some students simply struggle with large standardized exams.
U.S. Medical Schools Without MCAT Requirements
Combined or Accelerated Degrees (BA/MD, BS/MD, DO)
Certain colleges let you jump into med school after earning your bachelor’s, no MCAT required. Places like CUNY School of Medicine or Drexel University College of Medicine offer these no MCAT medical programs. They’re often competitive because you’re basically locking down a seat in med school from day one.
Early Assurance Programs
Sophomores or juniors at certain universities (like Mount Sinai’s FlexMed or Georgetown’s EAP) can secure an acceptance early—assuming they meet GPA and coursework requirements. You’d still need solid grades and involvement in health-related activities, but they won’t ask for an MCAT score, making them great options to attend medical school without MCAT worries.
Select DO Schools
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), for instance, considers your ACT/SAT plus GPA. They’ll use an “Academic Index Score” instead of MCAT results. If you cross the required threshold, you might skip the MCAT altogether, providing yet another path to medical school without MCAT testing.
Canadian Medical Schools Without MCAT
A handful of Canadian medical faculties either don’t look at MCAT scores or never adopted them in the first place:
- University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine
- McGill University Faculty of Medicine
- Université Laval
- Université de Montréal
- Université de Sherbrooke
Some of these are open to certain regional or language-specific applicants, so check each school’s details.
Is Attending Medical School Without MCAT a Good Idea?
Pros
- No expensive or stressful exam prep
- Potentially secure your med school spot early
- Useful if you have a strong high school or early-college record
Cons
- Limits the number of schools you can pick from
- Prep for the MCAT does build knowledge you’ll use later
- You’ll face plenty of big exams in med school anyway—no permanent getaway
What If Your MCAT Score Is Low?
Some people do take the MCAT and end up with a number that’s not as high as they’d hoped. We’ve seen students bump up their scores on a retake, which gave them more freedom to apply widely. Others prefer to focus on a short list of no MCAT medical programs. In both cases, you can still win an acceptance if the rest of your application (grades, experiences, essays, etc.) is strong.
How We Can Help
At SOS Admissions, we’ve guided applicants through every stage of the med school process. This might include:
- Advising on School Choices: Figuring out which guaranteed-admission or early assurance programs fit your situation.
- Essay & Application Support: We help you shape personal statements and supplemental essays.
- Interview Prep: We offer coaching that prepares you for any format, from MMI to traditional interviews.
- Strategic Planning: If your MCAT score is borderline, we’ll suggest ways to strengthen your academic profile or craft a thoughtful re-take plan.
Got Questions?
If you want to explore medical schools without MCAT requirements or even figure out how to deal with a low MCAT score, we’re ready to help. Call us at 310-870-5428 or tap “Start Now” to get connected. The sooner we chat, the sooner we can set you on the right path.
(MCAT is a registered trademark of the AAMC. SOS Admissions isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by AAMC.)