You just received your MCAT score and saw a 515. After months of intense preparation, the question immediately comes to mind: is 515 a good MCAT score?
Understanding what a 515 means for your medical school journey requires looking at how it compares to other applicants, which schools accept students with this score, and how to leverage it in your application. This guide covers everything you need to know about applying to medical school with a 515 MCAT.
Understanding What a 515 MCAT Score Means
The MCAT uses a scale from 472 to 528, with each of the four sections scored between 118 and 132. A 515 total score represents the sum of your four section scores.
In percentile terms, a 515 typically places you around the 92nd to 93rd percentile depending on the testing year. This means you scored higher than approximately 92 to 93 percent of all MCAT test takers. That’s an exceptional achievement on one of the most challenging standardized tests in higher education.
The national average MCAT score sits around 500 to 501. Your 515 is roughly 14 to 15 points above that average. Among actual medical school applicants, the average rises to about 506 to 507. You’re still beating that applicant average by 8 to 9 points.
Most importantly, the average MCAT score for students who matriculate into medical school is approximately 511 to 512. Your 515 sits 3 to 4 points above the typical accepted student across all medical schools. You’ve exceeded the benchmark that signals medical school readiness.
Is 515 a Good MCAT Score? The Answer
Yes, 515 is a very good MCAT score. This score demonstrates excellent content knowledge, strong critical thinking skills, and the ability to perform under pressure. You’ve proven beyond doubt that you can handle medical school academics.
A 515 opens doors to nearly every medical school in the United States. It makes you competitive at the vast majority of MD programs, including many in the top tier. Your MCAT score won’t be the reason you don’t get into medical school.
The question of whether 515 is a good MCAT score or not becomes clear when you look at where this score places you. At most medical schools, including competitive state flagships and respected private institutions, a 515 exceeds their average MCAT. You’re not just meeting their standards, you’re surpassing them.
For students wondering if 515 is a good MCAT score or not, consider this: acceptance rates for students with scores in the 514 to 517 range are significantly higher than those with lower scores. You’re in a sweet spot where your MCAT actively helps your application rather than just clearing a threshold.
Medical schools evaluate applications holistically, but your 515 MCAT means the test score component is handled. Admissions committees can focus on your experiences, personal qualities, and fit with their program without any concerns about your academic preparation.
Your Chances with a 515 MCAT Score
A 515 MCAT score creates excellent opportunities across all types of medical schools. Your acceptance chances depend on the strength of your overall application, but the MCAT won’t hold you back.
MD (Allopathic) Programs
A 515 makes you highly competitive at nearly all MD programs in the country. The average MCAT for MD matriculants is around 511 to 512. Your 515 sits well above that benchmark, positioning you as a strong candidate from a numbers perspective.
At mid-tier MD programs where the average MCAT ranges from 510 to 514, your 515 places you at or above their typical accepted student. Schools in this category include many excellent state medical schools and established private institutions. Your score makes you attractive to these programs.
For upper-tier MD programs with average MCATs around 515 to 517, you’re right in their target range. These competitive institutions will seriously consider your application. You’re not reaching, you’re competitive.
Even at many top 20 to 30 programs, a 515 keeps you in the conversation. While these schools have average MCATs in the 516 to 519 range, a 515 doesn’t disqualify you. Combined with strong research, clinical experiences, and compelling essays, you have realistic chances.
State schools where you have residency give you additional advantages. If your state school has an average MCAT of 512 to 514 and you’re an in-state applicant with a 515, you’re an extremely strong candidate. Public institutions often prioritize state residents, and your above-average MCAT strengthens that position.
DO (Osteopathic) Programs
At DO schools, a 515 MCAT makes you an exceptionally strong candidate. The average MCAT for DO matriculants typically ranges from 503 to 505. Your 515 sits roughly 10 to 12 points above that average.
DO programs will view you as having outstanding academic credentials. Your MCAT likely places you among the highest scorers in their applicant pool. This positioning gives you significant advantages, including strong chances of acceptance and potential merit scholarships.
Some students with 515 MCATs wonder if DO schools will think they’re not genuinely interested or are using them as backups. That’s rarely a concern. DO schools appreciate strong students and recognize that many applicants genuinely prefer osteopathic medicine regardless of their test scores.
Top Tier and Elite Programs
Here’s where a 515 shows its true strength. At top 20 to 30 medical schools, you’re competitive. Many programs in this tier have average MCAT scores ranging from 516 to 519. Your 515 might be slightly below their average, but you’re close enough that the rest of your application can carry weight.
Schools like University of Michigan, UCLA, University of Washington, and similar competitive institutions regularly accept students with 515 MCATs. You’re in their range. Your research experiences, clinical work, and personal narrative become the deciding factors.
For the very top programs like Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, and UCSF, a 515 places you toward the lower end of their range. These schools often have average MCATs of 519 to 521. You’re not out of contention, but you’d need particularly strong achievements in other areas to stand out.
The important point is that even at elite programs, a 515 doesn’t automatically screen you out. You’re competitive enough that admissions committees will evaluate your entire application. Your MCAT isn’t limiting your options.
What Makes 515 a Very Good Score
A 515 MCAT demonstrates several key qualities that medical schools value highly.
First, it shows comprehensive content mastery. You’ve proven strong understanding across biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology. Medical schools can trust you’ll handle their rigorous curriculum without struggling with foundational concepts.
Second, a 515 indicates excellent critical thinking and reasoning abilities. The MCAT tests far more than memorization. You need to analyze complex passages, apply concepts to unfamiliar situations, and work through multi-step problems. Scoring 515 means you excel at these cognitive tasks that mirror the thinking required in medical practice.
Third, this score demonstrates exceptional test-taking skills and mental endurance. Performing at this level during a seven-hour exam shows you can maintain focus and execute under pressure. These same qualities serve you well during medical school exams and eventually in high-stakes clinical situations.
The score also signals highly effective study habits and preparation strategies. Reaching 515 typically requires months of disciplined, strategic studying. Medical schools recognize that students who prepare this effectively for the MCAT will bring similar dedication to their medical education.
Finally, a 515 removes any doubt about your academic capabilities. Admissions committees can focus on evaluating you as a future physician rather than questioning whether you can handle the coursework.
Maximizing Your Application with a 515
With a 515 MCAT, you’ve excelled at the standardized testing component. Now focus your energy entirely on the other parts of your application.
Your GPA remains important even with a strong MCAT. Medical schools look at both metrics together. A 515 MCAT paired with a 3.7+ GPA creates an outstanding academic profile. If your GPA is slightly lower, around 3.5 to 3.6, your 515 MCAT helps balance that out significantly.
Clinical experience becomes crucial for distinguishing yourself. Many applicants to top programs have excellent test scores. What separates accepted students from rejected ones often comes down to their clinical experiences and how those shaped their understanding of medicine. Aim for substantial, meaningful patient contact through roles like medical assistant, EMT, scribe, or clinical volunteer positions.
Research experience matters especially for research-focused institutions. If you’re targeting academic medical centers or top-tier programs, strong research involvement helps. Publications, presentations, or even just sustained engagement in lab work demonstrates your ability to contribute to medical knowledge.
Leadership and extracurricular activities show you can balance multiple commitments and contribute beyond academics. Medical schools want well-rounded individuals who will enrich their community. Whether through student organizations, volunteer work, or other activities, demonstrate these qualities.
Your personal statement and secondary essays become opportunities to show who you are and why medicine. With a 515 MCAT, you’ve proven your academic capabilities. Now admissions committees want to understand your motivations, experiences, and what kind of doctor you’ll become. Be authentic, specific, and compelling in your writing.
Strong letters of recommendation add credibility and personal perspective to your application. Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak meaningfully about your character, work ethic, and potential as a physician.
Should You Retake with a 515?
For the vast majority of students, retaking the MCAT with a 515 makes no sense whatsoever. You’ve achieved an excellent score that makes you competitive virtually everywhere. The time and energy required for a retake would be far better spent strengthening other application components.
Why Retaking Usually Doesn’t Make Sense
The potential gain from retaking is minimal. Moving from 515 to 517 or 518 doesn’t meaningfully expand your options. You’re already competitive at top programs with a 515. A few extra points won’t dramatically change your acceptance chances when other factors matter more at that level.
Retaking carries real risks. You might score the same or even lower. Medical schools will see all attempts, and retaking a 515 could raise questions about your judgment. Even schools that only consider your highest score will wonder why you weren’t satisfied with an excellent result.
The opportunity cost is substantial. The months you’d spend preparing for a retake could instead go toward gaining clinical experience, conducting research, or developing meaningful relationships for letters of recommendation. These activities likely help your application more than a marginally higher MCAT.
The Rare Exception
There’s really only one scenario where retaking might make sense: you’re specifically targeting top 5 programs (Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, UCSF, Penn) AND you’re genuinely confident you can score 520 or higher.
Even then, it’s questionable. These elite programs care about more than MCAT scores. Many accepted students have 515 MCATs paired with extraordinary research, unique experiences, or compelling narratives. Your time might still be better spent on those other elements.
If you have a severely unbalanced score, like a 515 total with one section below 125, retaking to balance sections could theoretically help at schools with section cutoffs. But this is an unusual situation.
For essentially everyone else, accept your 515 and move forward confidently.
Building Your School List with a 515
Creating a school list with a 515 means you can apply broadly and ambitiously while still being strategic.
Your target schools should include upper mid-tier and lower top-tier MD programs where the average MCAT ranges from 513 to 517. At these schools, your 515 makes you a competitive applicant. Combined with strong experiences and essays, you have excellent chances. Apply to 10 to 15 schools in this category.
Include reach schools where the average MCAT is 518 to 520. These might be top 20 programs or highly competitive state schools. You’re slightly below their average but close enough to have realistic chances. Your other application components become crucial here. Apply to 5 to 8 reach schools if you’re interested in these programs.
Add some safety schools where the average MCAT is 510 to 512 or where you have significant advantages. These should be programs where your 515 makes you a very strong candidate and acceptance is likely with a solid overall application. Include 3 to 5 safety schools.
Your state schools deserve careful consideration. If you have residency in a state with public medical schools, apply to them regardless of their average MCAT. The in-state advantage combined with your 515 creates strong odds of acceptance.
DO schools can serve as additional safety options if you’re open to osteopathic medicine. With a 515, you’d be among the top applicants at any DO program.
Build a final list of 20 to 30 schools total. With a 515, you can afford to be ambitious while ensuring you have realistic options. Make sure you’d genuinely be happy attending any school on your list.
Moving Forward with Confidence
So, is 515 a good MCAT score? Absolutely. You’ve achieved a score that won’t limit your medical school options and makes you competitive at nearly every program in the country.
Your MCAT work is complete. That 515 will serve you excellently throughout the application process. Stop second-guessing and pour your energy into the other components that will distinguish your application.
Focus on gaining meaningful clinical experiences that deepen your understanding of medicine and patient care. Pursue research opportunities if you’re interested in academic medicine. Develop relationships with mentors who can write compelling letters of recommendation. Craft personal statements and secondary essays that authentically convey who you are and why you’re pursuing medicine.
Apply strategically to a range of programs where your 515 makes you competitive. Don’t be afraid to reach for top-tier schools, but balance your list with solid targets and safeties. Your MCAT score gives you the flexibility to be ambitious.
Walk into this process with well-earned confidence. A 515 MCAT represents months of hard work and positions you as a strong candidate. You’ve proven your academic capabilities beyond any doubt. Now show medical schools who you are as a person and why you’ll be an outstanding physician.
The path ahead is wide open. Your 515 has unlocked doors to virtually every medical school in the country. What you do with those opportunities is now up to you.
