What MCAT score is needed to be competitive for Harvard Medical School?
I’ve been thinking seriously about applying to Harvard Medical School next year and the MCAT is kind of freaking me out.
I know their admissions stats are super intense, but I’m having a hard time finding a straight answer about the average MCAT score for accepted students. Some places say “over 520,” others mention wider ranges. How high does your MCAT really need to be to have a decent shot? Could a great GPA make up for a lower MCAT or is there like a hard cutoff? I’m also curious if they weigh certain sections more heavily.
I’ve taken a couple practice tests and my scores are okay, but not 520+ yet. I have a 3.95 GPA at a top public university, some research, and hospital volunteering experience, but the MCAT is definitely my weak spot right now. Does Harvard ever make exceptions for students with really strong extracurriculars? Just trying to figure out how high I should realistically aim for to be considered, and how much everything else matters compared to that test score.
I know their admissions stats are super intense, but I’m having a hard time finding a straight answer about the average MCAT score for accepted students. Some places say “over 520,” others mention wider ranges. How high does your MCAT really need to be to have a decent shot? Could a great GPA make up for a lower MCAT or is there like a hard cutoff? I’m also curious if they weigh certain sections more heavily.
I’ve taken a couple practice tests and my scores are okay, but not 520+ yet. I have a 3.95 GPA at a top public university, some research, and hospital volunteering experience, but the MCAT is definitely my weak spot right now. Does Harvard ever make exceptions for students with really strong extracurriculars? Just trying to figure out how high I should realistically aim for to be considered, and how much everything else matters compared to that test score.
6 months ago
•
608 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Harvard Medical School is definitely one of the most competitive programs out there, and their MCAT expectations reflect that. For recent admissions cycles, the average MCAT score for admitted students is typically between 519 and 522. In practical terms, scoring at least a 520 puts you in the zone where your application won’t be automatically flagged due to test scores.
While there isn’t an explicit hard cutoff, applicants with MCAT scores below about 515 are rarely admitted unless they bring something truly exceptional to the table (such as groundbreaking research, significant leadership, or overcoming really unusual adversity). With a 3.95 GPA from a strong school, it’s clear that your academic profile is already strong—so your challenge is simply to get your MCAT score as close to that average range as possible.
Harvard, like other top med schools, does take a holistic approach and will look at your GPA, research, clinical experiences, and your essays, but the MCAT is a critical metric because it’s one of the standardized measures they can use to compare applicants from wildly different backgrounds. It’s very rare for them to weigh one section of the MCAT more heavily, unless you have an extremely unbalanced score (e.g., a 131/124/130/130). As long as your section scores aren't lopsided, they care most about the overall number.
Anecdotally, there are students who have gotten into Harvard Med with MCATs in the 514–518 range, but these applicants usually have exceptional stories or achievements. For example, a student with a 516 MCAT who founded a nonprofit that made a tangible impact in global health might get a closer look than one without those experiences. There’s no formal exception policy, but extraordinary accomplishments can sometimes tip the scales.
If your practice scores are in the 510–518 range, keep prepping, as even a point or two can make a difference. Definitely aim for as high as possible, but don’t let the pressure keep you from applying if you’re within reasonable range and have a strong rest of your application. Above all, a 520+ MCAT score combined with your GPA, research, and volunteer experience will set you up as a strong candidate for Harvard and other top-tier med schools, even if it’s still highly competitive.
Lastly, set a realistic MCAT target based on practice exams and give yourself enough time for one retake, if needed. Your GPA and extracurriculars are excellent, so with a little more MCAT prep, you’ll put yourself in the best possible spot.
While there isn’t an explicit hard cutoff, applicants with MCAT scores below about 515 are rarely admitted unless they bring something truly exceptional to the table (such as groundbreaking research, significant leadership, or overcoming really unusual adversity). With a 3.95 GPA from a strong school, it’s clear that your academic profile is already strong—so your challenge is simply to get your MCAT score as close to that average range as possible.
Harvard, like other top med schools, does take a holistic approach and will look at your GPA, research, clinical experiences, and your essays, but the MCAT is a critical metric because it’s one of the standardized measures they can use to compare applicants from wildly different backgrounds. It’s very rare for them to weigh one section of the MCAT more heavily, unless you have an extremely unbalanced score (e.g., a 131/124/130/130). As long as your section scores aren't lopsided, they care most about the overall number.
Anecdotally, there are students who have gotten into Harvard Med with MCATs in the 514–518 range, but these applicants usually have exceptional stories or achievements. For example, a student with a 516 MCAT who founded a nonprofit that made a tangible impact in global health might get a closer look than one without those experiences. There’s no formal exception policy, but extraordinary accomplishments can sometimes tip the scales.
If your practice scores are in the 510–518 range, keep prepping, as even a point or two can make a difference. Definitely aim for as high as possible, but don’t let the pressure keep you from applying if you’re within reasonable range and have a strong rest of your application. Above all, a 520+ MCAT score combined with your GPA, research, and volunteer experience will set you up as a strong candidate for Harvard and other top-tier med schools, even if it’s still highly competitive.
Lastly, set a realistic MCAT target based on practice exams and give yourself enough time for one retake, if needed. Your GPA and extracurriculars are excellent, so with a little more MCAT prep, you’ll put yourself in the best possible spot.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years