When should I take my MCAT and apply to medical school?

If you hope to attend medical school immediately after you graduate, then you will need to complete pre-med coursework and take the MCAT by early May of your junior year in order to get your score before submitting your application in June when the cycle opens.

When should I take my MCAT before applying to medical school?

You should plan to take the MCAT for the final time between January and April of your application year. For instance, if you'd like to enroll in medical school in August 2025, you'll want to take your MCAT during the first four months of 2024—that is, no later than April 2024.

Do you take the MCAT junior or senior year?

The MCAT is something that requires planning and should not be taken on a whim. The ideal time to take the MCAT is the spring of your junior year of college, if you plan to attend medical school immediately following graduation.

What year of school should you take the MCAT?

You should aim to take the MCAT after your sophomore year of undergrad. At this point, you've taken most, if not all, of the prerequisite courses, so you should have a firm grasp of the material.

How far in advance should I register for the MCAT?

[00:50] An Overview of the Timeline

So if you're planning on taking the MCAT anywhere at the beginning half of next year, where the typical recommendation is somewhere around March to May of the year you're planning on applying. This is going to be a year before you're planning on going into medical school.

When should you take the MCAT? | Medical School Application Guide

Can I take the MCAT 2 years before applying?

Most schools will accept a score taken within three years of expected matriculation. If you are applying for 2025 matriculation, your MCAT can be as old as 2022.

Do you apply to med school junior or senior year?

If you plan to attend medical school immediately after graduation, you would apply in June after your junior year.

When should I start my med school application?

Begin filling out your primary application as soon as possible when it opens in May. Each school sets its own (very strict) deadline for submitting applications (usually in early fall), but we recommend submitting as early as you can in June. This will give you the best chance at acceptance.

What is the best month to take the MCAT?

The MCAT exam is offered in January & March through September, and there are thirty MCAT test dates to choose from. Aim to take the MCAT as early in the year as possible, preferably no later than mid-May before AMCAS application submissions begin in early June.

Can I apply to med school before taking MCAT?

Yes, it is possible to get into certain medical schools without taking the MCAT. Though, you must keep in mind that the vast majority of schools require you to take the MCAT. As a result, your options become more limited should you choose to skip the exam.

Can you go straight from high school to medical school?

Sort of. High school students can apply to BS/MD programs. If accepted, students will embark on a program that lets them go straight to medical school after obtaining a Bachelor's degree without applying to medical school. The length of these programs varies; some are six years, some are seven, and others are eight.

How much does an MCAT cost?

The MCAT test cost is $335. This is the standard registration fee for the exam. There's also an international fee of $120 for anyone outside the U.S. or Canada.

Can I submit my primary application without MCAT?

Generally speaking, while most schools can receive your primary application without your MCAT scores, they will not look at it until your scores have been reported. As a result, make sure you keep in mind how your test date/score release will impact when your application is considered.

How long do med schools accept MCAT?

Medical schools generally accept scores dating back two or three years. If you have taken the exam previously, we recommend that you consult the Medical School Admission Requirements to check the application policies of each school to which you intend to apply.

Can you take the MCAT the same year you apply to medical school?

Often, students will choose to take their MCAT exam in the same year they are applying to medical school. For example, if you are thinking about attending medical school in fall 2025, you might consider taking your exam during 2024.

What month do most people get accepted to medical school?

Rolling admissions means that applications are evaluated as they are received. Applying early in the cycle may increase your chance of admission. Many schools begin interviewing in August or September, and some M.D. schools offer acceptances as early as mid-October (and even earlier for D.O. schools).

How old is the average med school first year?

Most med students are around 24 years old when heading into their first year. The average graduating age is 28, but it's never too late to go to med school.

How many times do people apply to med school before they get in?

The number of times you can apply to medical school depends on the school itself. Many schools limit students to two attempts, whereas others have no such limits. It's best to check with the schools that you're interested in individually to be sure. That said, many students get in on the third attempt.

When should I take my MCAT for 2024 cycle?

There are 4 different “windows” to take the MCAT in 2024: the Winter (late January), the Spring (March, April, and May), the summer (June and July), and the Fall (August and September). The “ideal” time to take it is when you feel fully prepared. It isn't worth it to rush your MCAT if you don't feel ready.

What age do most finish medical school?

Usually, students graduate medical school at 26, followed by three years of internship and residency. Add to that an additional three to seven years for a specialty, and most doctors don't begin their careers until well in their thirties.

What year in college should you apply to med school?

Though the formal application process typically doesn't start until May of a college student's junior year, those with medical school aspirations should start planning almost as soon as they set foot on campus, experts say.

How many times can you take the MCAT before it looks bad?

First, assess your situation to determine if you actually need a higher score. Next, consider the energy you have and whether or not you have sufficient time to dedicate to studying all over again. Lastly, consider how many times you've already taken the MCAT. We recommend not taking the test more than three times.

What classes do you need for MCAT?

The AAMC suggests a year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biology, plus a semester each of psychology, sociology, and biochemistry.

When to take the MCAT and apply to med school if you re taking a gap year?

If you plan to take a single gap year, you are likely taking the MCAT during the spring or early summer windows to apply to medical school during the fall. Some students opt to wait until after graduation to take the exam.