Score Analysis
Is 503 a Good MCAT Score?
A 520+ scoring MCAT tutor breaks down what a 503 means for MD and DO admissions, which schools match your score, and whether retaking makes sense.
503 is the 58th percentile and sits at the national DO matriculant average.
What 503 means in the applicant pool
502 to 504 sits right at the DO national matriculant average. For DO applicants with a 3.5+ GPA, this is a solidly competitive score, and the numbers stop being the primary concern. For MD applicants, the score sits 7 to 10 points below the MD matriculant median, so MD becomes realistic only at specific low-median state schools and mission-driven programs.
MD acceptance odds at this score
AAMC Table A-23 aggregates three application cycles of real MD applicant data to map MCAT and GPA combinations to acceptance rates. At 503, the realistic range is roughly Roughly 15 to 25 percent with a 3.7+ GPA. With a 3.6 GPA, 503 is a matriculation-level DO score. MD with a 3.7+ GPA is realistic only at a narrow list of low-median state and mission-driven programs.
For DO programs, the acceptance picture is different because the DO matriculant average is 503 and the applicant pool is smaller. Expect roughly Roughly 50 to 65 percent with a 3.6+ GPA at mid-range DO programs.
MD schools to consider with a 503
Around 10 MD programs have matriculant medians at or below your score. In-state residency matters more than anything else at this range because public schools are where the realistic MD options cluster.
Schools are grouped by how a 503 compares to their matriculant interquartile range. Target schools place your score inside the middle 50% of admitted students (roughly 25th-75th percentile). Reach and safety are sorted by the gap. The 25th/75th MCAT values are estimated from published medians using typical published IQR spreads; most schools do not publish their exact percentile figures.
Target schools (7)
Your 503 sits within the 25th-75th MCAT range of these programs.
Reach schools (17)
Your 503 is below the 25th-percentile MCAT at these programs. Reachable if your application is strong elsewhere.
+ 9 more MD reach schools.
DO schools to consider with a 503
This is the sweet spot for DO admissions. Most applicants with this score and a 3.6+ GPA who apply broadly and submit early will be competitive at 10 to 20 DO programs.
Target DO schools (41)
+ 26 more DO target schools.
Reach DO schools (6)
Canadian MD programs
Your MCAT meets the Toronto section-level floors if your section scores are balanced at 125 or higher, but Toronto does not use the MCAT competitively. Western and Queen's remain unlikely at this total score. McMaster is possible only if your CARS is 127 or higher. Alberta and Calgary require 128+ in CARS for non-resident applicants. McGill and the Quebec schools (Laval, Sherbrooke, Montreal) do not require the MCAT.
Canadian schools mapped to 503
How the 503 realistic school list compares
The section-split edge cases
The MCAT total tells only part of the story. Adcoms also look at section balance, and two applicants with the same 503 total can have meaningfully different realistic school lists depending on how that score was distributed.
Low CARS with a 503 total
If CARS is 124 or below, McMaster closes. Some DO programs care less about CARS, so a CARS-weak 503 is still fine for most DO lists. Georgetown and a few other MD schools are known for weighting CARS heavily and may pass even with otherwise competitive stats.
Balanced 503s are the most common pattern. A 503 with a 127 CARS and other sections around 125 is an especially strong McMaster application.
Low C/P with a 503 total
Low C/P (around 123) at a 503 often costs a few MD interviews at schools that look at subsections. For DO, the total is what drives review at most programs.
Balanced vs. split profile
A balanced 503 (126/125/126/126) reads noticeably stronger than a split 503 (130/122/129/122). DO programs still evaluate the split, especially for CARS reading-intensive curricula.
Should you retake a 503?
If your target is DO, 503 is the national matriculant average and retaking adds marginal value. If your target is MD, a retake to 506 to 508 opens up a meaningfully wider realistic list.
If your target is MD, a retake is worth strongly considering because a 3 to 5 point gain moves you into a meaningfully wider MD list. If your target is DO, a retake is lower priority, and the application energy is usually better spent on broad school list, early submission, and osteopathic clinical experience.
Before registering for a retake, run the numbers. Our MCAT Retake Calculator uses AAMC retake score-change data to estimate your realistic retake outcome based on your current score, practice average, and study time. It is free and takes under two minutes.
For a deeper framework on the retake decision, see the full Should You Retake the MCAT guide, and if your score is below your practice average, the MCAT Score Not Improving guide walks through the four error types that drive most plateaus.
Frequently asked questions
Is 503 a good MCAT score?
503 is the 58th percentile. It sits at or just above the DO matriculant average, making DO genuinely competitive. MD is realistic only at low-median state and mission-driven programs. 503 is the 58th percentile and sits at the national DO matriculant average.
What medical schools can I get into with a 503 MCAT?
For MD, Around 10 MD programs have matriculant medians at or below your score. In-state residency matters more than anything else at this range because public schools are where the realistic MD options cluster.. For DO, This is the sweet spot for DO admissions. Most applicants with this score and a 3.6+ GPA who apply broadly and submit early will be competitive at 10 to 20 DO programs.. Full named school lists for your score are in the guide above.
Should I retake the MCAT if I scored 503?
Conditional. If your target is DO, 503 is the national matriculant average and retaking adds marginal value. If your target is MD, a retake to 506 to 508 opens up a meaningfully wider realistic list.
What percentile is 503 on the MCAT?
503 is the 58th percentile according to AAMC data in effect May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026.
Related scores
See all score-by-score guides in the full MCAT Score Guide, or check the complete MCAT percentile chart.