Can you get into med school with a 500?

Yes, you can get into medical school with a 500 MCAT, especially osteopathic (DO) schools, but it's challenging for allopathic (MD) programs and depends heavily on a strong overall application, including a good GPA, significant clinical/volunteer experience, compelling essays, and potentially diversity factors. A 500 is below the average for matriculants (around 511), making it more competitive, but some DO schools have averages near this score and MD programs may accept lower scores on a case-by-case basis.

Can you get into med school with 500?

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted into medical school? The lowest MCAT scores accepted by medical schools can vary, but generally, MD programs accept scores starting around the lower 500s, with 500-503 being on the lower end.

Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 500?

Definitely retake it. Honestly if you're scoring in that range you're missing some content, it's not because you're not smart. People do get in to DO schools with scores in that range but the odds are significantly better for DO schools with 505+ especially as it gets more competitive with each consecutive cycle.

Is 500 a good score for MCAT?

A 500 MCAT score is average (around the 50th percentile) and competitive for some DO (osteopathic) programs, but generally considered low for highly selective MD (allopathic) programs where scores of 511+ are often needed for competitiveness, though it's a starting point to be evaluated holistically with GPA and experiences.
 

What is the lowest GPA a med school will accept?

The lowest GPA for medical school is generally around 3.0, but anything below a 3.5-3.7 is considered low for MD programs, with DO (Osteopathic) schools often accepting slightly lower averages (around 3.2-3.4). While a low GPA (below 3.0) is a major hurdle, exceptional factors like a high MCAT score, significant upward trends in post-background studies (like SMPs or post-baccs), and compelling clinical/extracurricular experiences can sometimes overcome it, but it's challenging.
 

Low MCAT Score? These 8 Medical Schools Still Want You

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted?

The MCAT is scored between 472 and 528, with the average test-taker scoring around 501. Most competitive medical schools expect 510+, but there are programs with: Lower minimum cutoffs (498–502) Lower average accepted scores (500–505)

What is the 32 hour rule for medical school?

The "32-hour rule" in medical school admissions refers to a policy where some medical schools focus on an applicant's GPA from their most recent 32 credit hours, often in science courses, instead of their entire undergraduate GPA, benefiting students with a strong upward trend or a solid post-baccalaureate performance. Schools like Wayne State University and LSU Health New Orleans use variations of this to give more weight to recent academic efforts, allowing strong performance in later coursework or post-bacc programs to shine. 

Is a 505 a bad MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 505 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 70% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

What score is 50% correct on MCAT?

A 50% on the MCAT usually means a total score around 500-502, placing you at the 50th percentile (the average), meaning you scored better than roughly half of all test-takers, though this can fluctuate slightly with test years, with recent averages often being around 500.5. It's considered an average score, not necessarily competitive for top-tier schools but often meeting minimums for many programs, with scores above 508 being in the 75th percentile (good) and above 515 in the 90th percentile (excellent).
 

How hard is it to get 510 on MCAT?

It is not hard to get a 510 as it is at the 80th percentile. That means 20 percent of test takers score 510 or better, which means it is a very reachable goal. However, it requires a lot of studying to get a high MCAT score. Fortunately, at 510 and up, you'll be a competitive candidate.

Is 3 MCAT attempt bad?

Although you can take the MCAT up to seven times in your lifetime, that number certainly doesn't reflect how many times you should be taking the MCAT. Taking the MCAT twice is fine; even three times shouldn't impact your admissions too much. However, any more tries can begin to damage your application.

What's the lowest MCAT score accepted by Harvard?

Although HMS does not set a minimum grade point average or minimum MCAT scores, academic excellence is expected. Applicants must post their scores to their AMCAS application in order to be considered in the current application cycle no later than October 22, 2025.

Does MCAT outweigh GPA?

For some applicants, a higher MCAT score can help balance out a lower GPA—especially when that GPA reflects earlier academic struggles. In medical school admissions, a strong MCAT shows that you're academically ready for the demands of med school, even if your transcript is less than perfect.

Can I get into MD with a 505 MCAT?

Assuming a good cumulative GPA (i.e., 3.5+) and well-written application essays, we suggest the following rough program breakdowns depending on your MCAT total score: 511+: 100% MD programs; 0% DO programs. 506–510: 75% MD programs, 25% DO programs. 500–505: 25–50% MD programs; 50–75% DO programs.

Is 502 bad on MCAT?

The answer depends on several factors including what type of medical school (MD vs DO vs Canadian) you're interested in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 502 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 60% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

What's the easiest med school to get into?

There are no truly "easy" medical schools, but some have higher acceptance rates or lower average GPA/MCAT scores, often focusing on regional needs or specific missions, like University of Mississippi, East Carolina University (Brody), University of North Dakota, Mercer University, Meharry Medical College, University of North Dakota, and University of New Mexico. Osteopathic (DO) schools like William Carey, Arkansas COM, Pikeville KYCOM, and Lincoln Memorial are also frequently listed as having higher acceptance rates than top MD programs. 

Is a 500 a bad MCAT score?

A 500 MCAT score is average (50th percentile) but generally considered low for competitive MD programs, where accepted averages are closer to 511+, but it can be acceptable for DO or lower-ranked MD programs, especially with a strong GPA and experiences, though many advisors suggest aiming higher or retaking for better chances at most schools.
 

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted into med-school?

Yes, you can get into several medical schools with a 503 MCAT score. Many medical schools accept scores as low as 494, though students with a 503 will likely be more competitive at DO programs than MD programs.

How rare is a 525 MCAT?

A 525 MCAT score is extremely rare and exceptional, placing you in the top 1% (100th percentile) of test-takers, just three points shy of a perfect 528, making you a top-tier applicant highly competitive for even the most selective medical schools. While exact numbers vary, only a tiny fraction of test-takers (around 1 in 450 or less) achieve scores of 525+, signifying mastery of the material. 

Should I retake a 518 MCAT?

You scored a 518 or higher.

With scores at this level, an MCAT retake is not necessary because schools will consider you to be academically elite.

What is a top 1% MCAT score?

A top 1% MCAT score generally starts around 517-518+, with the highest percentile being the perfect 528, but scores in the low 520s (like 521-522) already put you in the 98th percentile or above, meaning you're scoring better than nearly everyone else and firmly in that elite tier for top medical schools, though a 528 is statistically extremely rare.
 

Can I get into med-school with a 501?

Considering that a 501 is the average MCAT score, it's not competitive for med-school admission. With a 501, you might make some med-school score cutoffs, but the rest of your application needs to be very competitive to make you a viable candidate for most med-schools.

What is the hardest year in medical school?

Most medical students find the first year hardest due to the overwhelming volume of foundational science and the drastic adjustment to a new academic environment, while others find the third year the most challenging because of the intense, long hours and emotional demands of clinical rotations in the hospital setting, but it often comes down to whether you find academic hurdles or clinical burnout more difficult. 

Is being a doctor a 9 to 5 job?

No, most doctors do not work a standard 9-to-5; their hours are often long, irregular, and include nights, weekends, and on-call shifts, varying greatly by specialty, with roles like ER or OB/GYN having less fixed schedules, while some outpatient or VA physicians might find more 9-to-5 opportunities, though still typically exceeding 40 hours weekly. 

Can I get my MD in 3 years?

Yes, you can get your M.D. in three years through competitive, accelerated medical school programs (3-Year MD Pathways) offered by some universities, allowing you to finish medical school faster, save on costs, and potentially enter residency sooner, often with a direct path to a residency program at the same institution. These programs are rigorous, geared toward high-achieving students already set on a specialty (like primary care), and compress the traditional four-year curriculum into three by adding pre-matriculation work and summer research.