Naturally, when you apply for medical school, you’d rather be doing it with high MCAT (medical college admission test) scores. It is a computer-based examination, which consists of several sections aiming to test your knowledge of biological and physical sciences, as well as writing skills and verbal reasoning. Some of the new blocks have been added lately in 2015, which makes this test even more stressful to pass. MCAT is 7.5 hour long test, which sounds absolutely challenging and intimidating at the same time. Moreover, it is not for free and costs around $300. MCAT can be taken only 15 times a year. However, the most interesting part it seems to be the highest score that you can get, which is 528. Though it used to be 45 before April 2015.
Dealing with Low MCAT score
Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible, and when MCAT overall score is low, it’s easy to get disheartened and believe that you are blown your best ever chance of getting into med school. The good news, though, is that there are tonnes of low MCAT score medical schools that are willing to consider your application, provided that you stress your other attributes.
You see, whilst a high MCAT score is certainly a big advantage when you apply for med school, admissions teams consider a wide range of factors when looking at your application. They take into account your exams, including your MCAT, but they also consider your qualitative attributes, as well as any experience you have built up. So to counteract your low MCAT, it’s often a case of doing a bit of research and finding out what else the med school wants from you.
Low MCAT Medical Schools Sometimes Want You To Retake The Exam
We know, we know. Taking the MCAT once was bad enough, but taking it a second time? That’s just stressful and no one would look forward to that. But if you’ve got a low MCAT score, and are concerned about it, you might be best advised to retake the exam. Low MCAT medical schools don’t necessarily always want you to retake it, but the top-ranked med schools tend to base their decision solely on you exams. So if you want to keep aiming higher and join one of the top-ranked schools, you will need to retake the exam. Sorry.
Low MCAT Score Medical Schools Want To See Your Other Attributes
Got a low MCAT score? No problem. You now need to focus on your other attributes instead, and showcase them to the admissions team. You can do this in the form of a compelling personal statement that explains the reasons behind your low MCAT – loss of focus, standardized tests aren’t your thing, extenuating circumstances, such as illness – and which puts forward the argument that you will perform more solidly at med school. A personal statement is your weapon, and you should use it to convince the admissions board that you’re worth a place in their school. Keep it brief, keep it objective, and don’t go into huge swathes of detail.
List of 10 Medical Schools That Accept Low MCAT Scores
It is good to know that a few years ago Trinity School of Medicine was accredited by St. Vincent & The Grenadines, so now on you can get the Doctor of Medicine degree. There is also a 220-bed teaching hospital, where you can have practice from the very first term. Trinity School of Medicine is ready to enroll students with the low MCAT score. However, they highly value your qualitative contribution, such as courseworks, volunteering experiences, letter of recommendation etc.
Ohio University is one of the oldest universities in America, which has around 23,300 students. It also provides distance learning opportunities. Moreover, you can get dual degree in some departments. For more information about this, please visit their website. In 2014 the students who entered Ohio University had an average MCAT of 27.42. Though they also consider additional measures as the previous university.
The school was established in 1860. Since then it enlarged to three main schools: School of Medicine, Graduate School of Basic Sciences, School of Health and Practice; all on one campus. New York Medical College is really tolerate and is very proud that its graduates are of all nationalities and genders. Diversity is one of the top priorities of the college. Regarding required MCAT score, 32 is stated to be an average.
The university is one of the top 100 research universities across the world, which makes it definitely worth considering. With regard to their entry requirements, one of the most important criteria is your passion to medicine. The way you carry it through your life, in terms of your participation in community services or any related clinical experience that you may have. Michigan State University highest concern is your nonacademic variables, as the MCAT and GPA scores they need are not specified. It tends to be around the national average among all the students taking the exam.
It was established in 1798. The main purpose of University of Louisville is to be one of the best metropolitan research university and attract citizens from all over the world. There are three campuses , the Health Science one is located in the downtown of the city’s medical complex. The Medicine School gives averages for the separate sections: Verbal Reasoning – 9.68, Physical Sciences – 9.53, Biological Sciences – 10.05.
East Tennessee University was founded in 1911. Regarding Medical School, it promises to its applicants relatively small class size within the personal touch from the professors to enhance the quality of knowledge you are getting. Moreover, they ensure that you will feel safe and secure in the comfortable campus area. The average statistics of the applicants in 2015 showed that you need to have 9.4 in Verbal Reasoning, 9.3 – Physical Sciences and 10 – Biological Sciences.
University of Florida was founded in 1851, which makes it one of the oldest in America.The university gives a unique chance of getting all the necessary experiences from the first year, with an opportunity to rotate afterwards. The school cares about its community, thus you might look after the elders, people in rural area. With regard to the applying procedure, it is claimed that it would rather consider all the documents you provide, rather than only your scores. Though the average score of MCAT was 28 in 2015.
Oklahoma State University is one of the Best Western Universities in 2011 by Princeton Review. The University aims to bring a prosperity to state of Oklahoma, as well as the nation and the entire world by teaching, learning, researching and other activities. The average MCAT here is 27, however, you should bare in mind that the format in 2015 has been changed.
It is the state’s oldest university with around 15,000 students form 85 countries and 50 states. University of North Dakota cares about its class sizes, thus you can be sure that there will be around 22 students in your lass. Your MCAT scores should not be older than three years. The University does not set a minimun of MCAT, though the previous year’s average was 28.
The programs in the University of South Carolina are considered to be one of the most efficient across the US and the whole world, according to U.S. News and World Report. Moreover, it is acclaimed to be one of the best university, where you will have the most memorable first year experiences. To enter it though you should still work hard. Even though MCAT average is around 28-29, the Medical School considers your Letter of Recommendation and other supporting documents, which are highly valued.
There are indeed a large number of medical schools that accept low MCAT scores, and finding the right one is often just a case of carrying out some research. If you really are concerned about your low MCAT score, and know that deep down you are better than that, the best piece of advice is to focus, and retake the exam at a later date.
If you score well the second time around, you might even be able to have a shot at one of the top-ranked schools. Good luck!
Review the list of law schools that accept low lsat scores.