Do You Have to Take the MCAT to Get into Med School?

Taking the MCAT, also known as the Medical College Admission Test, is one of the most well-known prerequisites for getting into medical school. It is notorious for being a difficult test, with most students beginning MCAT test prep months in advance. Though the format has changed over the last few years, this test has been around for decades, and has become one of the first things students’ think of when they consider applying to medical school. It is designed to show students’ proficiency in a number of areas and scientific concepts, which is why it is a major factor in determining whether applicants are fit to go through medical school.

With all of this in mind, it is difficult to imagine the possibility of making a successful medical school application without taking the test and having to go through all of that tedious MCAT test prep. Contrary to popular belief, however, it is possible. Several schools offer unique programs that allow applicants to bypass the MCAT altogether. The programs are not of a lesser value or significance, and you’ll be able to be a qualified physician, the same your peers who do take the MCAT. If you are wondering which schools are not requiring the MCAT, and how this is possible, read on.

BA/MD & BS/MD Programs 

Typically, most students will take the MCAT after completing a four-year undergraduate degree. With a combined BA/MD or BS/MD, students are able to complete their entire qualification at one university. Think of these as ‘dual’ degree programs, in which you go straight into your medical degree after completing your BA or BS. This means that you’ll apply to your desired program after high school and you will not have to go through a separate applications process for medical school. This, in turn, means that you will not be required to take the MCAT.

Of course, applicants should not just opt for BA/MD and BS/MD programs to avoid taking the MCAT. These programs are particularly good for students who are absolutely certain and committed to a career in medicine. For many students, taking the traditional route gives them room to change their minds along the way or switch to a different institution.

Flexible Admissions Programs and Early Admissions Programs

These programs are not as common as combined degrees, but they are still worth looking into if you want to know which schools are not requiring the MCAT. Flexible admissions programs allow you to apply early into your undergraduate degree, then matriculate automatically after you complete the degree, if you’ve been accepted. Early admissions programs work in a similar way, with students applying at the end of their second year of undergraduate studies, and matriculating automatically after completion. These two programs make more holistic considerations when accepting students, which is why the MCAT is not a requirement.

It is important to remember that these alternatives are not necessarily easier than taking the MCAT, and they may limit you in terms of which schools you can attend. For these reasons, many aspiring medical school applicants will opt to prepare well for the MCAT and take the test.

Source: MCAT tutors New York.