Is a 517 MCAT score good?

Yes, a 517 is an excellent and highly competitive MCAT score, placing you in the top 94th percentile, making you a strong candidate for top-tier medical schools and significantly boosting your acceptance chances for most MD programs. While averages for accepted students hover around 512, a 517 is well above average, though section scores matter for holistic review.

Can I get into medical school with a 517 MCAT?

Minimum MCAT Score Requirements (Do They Exist?)

Some medical school admissions officers suggest students think in tiers: Top 20 schools - 518+ often needed. Top 50 schools- 512–517 may be competitive. Many medical schools (mid-tier) - 505–511 workable with strong GPA/ECs.

What is a respectable MCAT score?

A good MCAT score is generally 511 or higher, aligning with the average for accepted MD students, but this varies by school, with top programs seeking 518+, while a score of 508+ is competitive for many MD/DO programs, and balanced section scores (127+ per section) are crucial.
 

Is a 519 better than a 520 MCAT?

A 520 MCAT score puts you in the 97th percentile of all test takers—outstanding for top-tier medical schools. A 515–519 score range is still exceptional and competitive for medical school applicants.

Is a 517 MCAT too low?

Attaining a score of 517 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 96% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 129 (C/P) 130 (CARS) 129 (B/B) 129 (P/S).

Should You Retake the MCAT? | 3 Questions to Ask Yourself

Can I get into Harvard with a 519 MCAT?

For top-tier MD programs like Harvard, Stanford, and NYU Grossman, you're looking at an average MCAT between 519 and 523. That means scoring in the 97th–99th percentile. But don't stop at the number. Those schools expect everything: academic excellence, leadership, service, and a clear sense of purpose.

Should I retake a 517 MCAT reddit?

I wouldn't retake a 517. Plenty of people with a 4.0 GPA and a 528 MCAT are rejected from all of the schools they apply to. Getting a 523 is not going to change a committee's mind on whether they should accept you or not, in my opinion.

Is the MCAT harder than the SAT?

Yes, the MCAT is widely considered significantly harder than the SAT, as it's much longer (nearly 8 hours vs. ~3 hours), requires extensive, specialized science knowledge (biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, psychology, sociology), and tests advanced critical thinking in complex, passage-based scientific contexts, unlike the SAT's high school-level content. The MCAT demands hundreds of hours of dedicated study, making it a formidable challenge even for high-achievers who did well on the SAT.
 

What is the most common MCAT score?

The max score on the MCAT is 528, which means earning a perfect 132 in each of the four sections. The MCAT score range is between 472 to 528, with the average falling right around 501.

Should I retake a 516 MCAT?

Bottom line: If you scored 498 or below, I definitely recommend retaking the MCAT. If you scored 499-505 your first time, you should probably retake the MCAT. If you scored 506-511, you may not need to retake, but you could if you know you'd score much higher — especially if you're applying to Ivy League schools.

What is the average MCAT score for doctors?

Based on the data as well as our experience with countless students we've helped get into medical school, the average MCAT Score required for most medical schools is at least 508-513 (25th percentile). However, depending on the school this can vary quite a bit.

What is the average MCAT score for 2025?

The average MCAT score for all medical school applicants in 2025-2026 is 506.1. The average MCAT score for all medical school enrollees was 511.8. As of 2025, the average score for the psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior section is 125.9, the highest of all sections.

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted for Harvard?

While Harvard Medical School (HMS) doesn't publish a minimum MCAT score, accepted students typically have scores in the low 500s or higher, with averages around 520, but exceptional extracurriculars, research, and personal narratives can allow admission with lower scores, like a 515, especially with a high GPA, though even lower scores (like the 511 range for MD-PhD) are seen but are rare for MD-only. 

What extracurriculars boost med-school chances?

Here are some of the most highly regarded extracurricular activities that can strengthen your medical school application:

• Volunteering at a hospital or clinic. ...
• Participating in research. ...
• Shadowing a physician. ...
• Leadership roles in student organizations. ...
• Community service.

What is a realistic MCAT score?

A good MCAT score is generally considered to be 511 or higher, with no section score below 127. The MCAT, also known as the Medical College Admission Test, is a computer-based standardized exam designed to assess your potential as a medical student and doctor.

What is the easiest medical 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. 

What is the average MCAT score for Albert Einstein?

Accepted students at Einstein have an average MCAT score of 516. The 10th-90th percentile range is 511-520.

What score is 50% correct on MCAT?

A 50% on the MCAT means you scored around the average (median) score, which is approximately a total score of 500-501, placing you at the 50th percentile (or slightly below, depending on the exact date) – better than half of test-takers but below average for successful medical school matriculants, who often score much higher. Each section (118-132) has its own 50th percentile around 125. 

Does taking MCAT twice look bad?

While many students worry that taking the MCAT twice is bad, medical schools won't care if you take the MCAT twice, especially if you improve your score!

What is the hardest medical school to get into?

Stanford University School of Medicine

With an astonishingly low acceptance rate of about 1.4%, Stanford is the country's hardest medical school to get into.

What is the average MCAT score for Mayo Clinic?

Applicants should aim for an MCAT around 521. A minimum of 508 is required for secondary application consideration.