Score Analysis
Is 514 a Good MCAT Score?
A 520+ scoring MCAT tutor breaks down what a 514 means for MD and DO admissions, which schools match your score, and whether retaking makes sense.
514 is the 89th percentile, just below the 90th. It matches the matriculant medians at several strong state MD programs.
What 514 means in the applicant pool
512 to 514 puts you in the 84th to 89th percentile, above the MD matriculant median. The MCAT becomes a clear positive on your application, and the full middle tier of MD programs treats you as academically competitive. Top 20 schools are still reaches, but mid-to-upper-tier MD programs open up, and the rest of your application becomes the primary driver.
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 514, the realistic range is roughly Roughly 55 to 70 percent with a 3.7+ GPA. 514 with a 3.7 GPA puts MD acceptance around 70 percent at matched-median programs. At a 3.9 GPA, that rises to roughly 78 percent.
For DO programs, the acceptance picture is different because the DO matriculant average is 503 and the applicant pool is smaller. Expect roughly Roughly 80 to 90 percent with a 3.6+ GPA.
MD schools to consider with a 514
Your score matches the medians of a wide middle tier: strong state schools, research-second private schools, and most programs outside the T20. Apply broadly with a 20 to 30 school list targeted to mission fit.
Schools are grouped by how a 514 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 The 25th/75th MCAT values are estimated from published medians using typical published IQR spreads; most schools do not publish their exact percentile figures.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 (80)
Your 514 sits within the 25th-75th MCAT range of these programs.
+ 65 more MD target schools.
Reach schools (10)
Your 514 is below the 25th-percentile MCAT at these programs. Reachable if your application is strong elsewhere.
+ 2 more MD reach schools.
Stats-positive MD programs (35)
Your 514 sits above the 75th-percentile MCAT at these programs.
DO schools to consider with a 514
Your score is well above the DO matriculant average, so DO admissions is largely a function of application strength rather than score. The most competitive DO programs are comfortably in play.
Stats-positive DO programs (2)
Canadian MD programs
This is a comfortably competitive range for most Canadian MD programs. Toronto, Queen's, and McMaster (with a CARS of 127+) treat this score well. Western is realistic if each section is 127 or higher, which is a meaningful constraint even at this total. Alberta and Calgary accept with 128+ CARS for non-residents. UBC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Dalhousie are realistic with in-province preference. Ottawa, McGill, Laval, Sherbrooke, and Montreal do not require the MCAT.
Canadian schools mapped to 514
How the 514 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 514 total can have meaningfully different realistic school lists depending on how that score was distributed.
Low CARS with a 514 total
A 512 with 122 CARS still gets interviews at most state MD schools, especially in Texas and the Midwest. It rules out McMaster and seriously hurts at CARS-weighted US schools. If CARS is the only weakness and the rest of your application is strong, many students apply this cycle rather than retake.
A balanced 514 (128/128/129/129) reads strongly for all categories of MD programs including Canadian. A 514 with a 121 CARS retains most of the US MD list but closes McMaster.
Low C/P with a 514 total
Low C/P at 513 often reads as a physics or biochemistry gap. For research-heavy schools and MD-PhD programs, it can matter. For most MD programs, a total of 513 with a 121 C/P is still interviewable, especially at state schools.
Balanced vs. split profile
A balanced 513 (128/128/129/128) is significantly stronger for Canadian applications than a split 513. For US applications, balance still matters but is weighted against holistic factors like story, activities, and mission fit.
Should you retake a 514?
514 is above the MD matriculant median and comfortably competitive for most non-T20 programs. Retaking makes sense only for T20-focused lists where the median is 518+.
Retaking at this range only makes sense if you are targeting T20 programs with 518+ medians. The risk-reward of a retake (1 in 4 retakers score lower) compared to the marginal benefit at mid-tier schools usually favors applying now. If your target list is heavy on research-first T20s, retaking can be justified if you can credibly expect a 3+ point gain.
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 514 a good MCAT score?
514 is the 89th percentile. It sits above the MD matriculant median. The MCAT becomes a small positive on your application, and the full middle tier of MD programs is in play. 514 is the 89th percentile, just below the 90th. It matches the matriculant medians at several strong state MD programs.
What medical schools can I get into with a 514 MCAT?
For MD, Your score matches the medians of a wide middle tier: strong state schools, research-second private schools, and most programs outside the T20. Apply broadly with a 20 to 30 school list targeted to mission fit.. For DO, Your score is well above the DO matriculant average, so DO admissions is largely a function of application strength rather than score. The most competitive DO programs are comfortably in play.. Full named school lists for your score are in the guide above.
Should I retake the MCAT if I scored 514?
Do not retake. 514 is above the MD matriculant median and comfortably competitive for most non-T20 programs. Retaking makes sense only for T20-focused lists where the median is 518+.
What percentile is 514 on the MCAT?
514 is the 89th 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.