UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Information about the MCAT

  1. Dates

    Almost all U.S. medical schools require, or at least strongly recommend, the Medical College Admission Test - the MCAT. (Some schools that do not absolutely require the MCAT are: Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, and Rochester.) This test allows medical schools to compare the ability and achievement of applicants from schools that differ in admissions standards and/or academic rigor. The test is given twice each year, once in April and once in August; with application deadlines about a month prior to the test. The remaining 1999 test date is August 21 (with registration deadline of July 16). Optimally, you should take the MCAT by April of the year before you plan to enter medical school. This will allow you to apply to medical schools during the summer before your senior year. Moreover, if you are disappointed with the results, you will be able to repeat the test and still apply before the final deadlines for most medical school applications.

    Registration packets for the MCAT test are first available in February, and can be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Studies (Baker 102), or by contacting:

    MCAT Program
    Phone (319) 337-1357
    P.O. Box 4056
    Iowa City, Iowa 52243

    You can also find information about MCAT registration on the AAMC web site:

    http://www.aamc.org/stuapps/admiss/mcat/mcatreg.htm

  2. Fees

    The examination fee is $165. For this fee, scores will be sent to you, to your premedical advisor, to AMCAS, and to up to 6 non-AMCAS schools, provided that you release the scores at the time you take the test. (Underrepresented minorities or financially disadvantaged students may also have their scores included in the Medical Minority Applicant Registry.) Additional reports, or reports requested after you have taken the test, will result in additional fees. There are further fees for late registration ($50), for arrangements to take the test on Sunday rather than the usual Saturday ($10), or for taking the test in a foreign country (England, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Philippine Islands, Australia or Singapore) instead of in the U.S. ($60).

    In certain financial situations, you can apply for a fee reduction, and a copy of the form you need is included with the MCAT application packet or can be obtained from the web.

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