Scholarship · Fall 2026
The MCAT costs hundreds of dollars to register for before you’ve answered a single question. Each year we cover that fee for five members: three on financial need, two on merit.
Applications open in
Monday, October 5
Applications are closed. Recipients will be announced November 20.
Timeline
Two tracks
Awarded annually
03 awards · scored out of 100
For applicants who can show that financial hardship is a barrier to their MCAT preparation.
02 awards · scored out of 65
For applicants who may not qualify on need, but show strong academic dedication and commitment to medicine.
What you’ll submit
Via UK Qualtrics
The journey to becoming a med student is full of obstacles and unplanned circumstances, and studying for the MCAT will bring its own. Drawing on your previous experience, how do you plan to approach and overcome unexpected problems during your MCAT studies?
How have you demonstrated academic dedication and commitment to medicine? For example: engagement in M-CATS seminars, peer tutoring, or coursework.
Describe the uncompensated financial burdens or changes in circumstances you are facing.
Optionally attach evidence (Pell Grant eligibility, a pay stub, your FAFSA Student Aid Report, or a tax return) and reference it in your statement. Documents only corroborate what you write; they are never a standalone bar to entry.
Describe how receiving this award would relieve these barriers.
An unofficial transcript from myUK showing your cumulative GPA and pre-med science coursework. No official transcript fees.
How it’s scored
Need /100 · Merit /65
Financial need
Statement of hardship and any supporting documentation
MCAT readiness
M-CATS participation and commitment to MCAT studying
Commitment to medicine
Clinical exposure, shadowing, research, leadership, and service
Interview
Communication, motivation, fit, and resilience
Academic merit
GPA, coursework rigor, and science GPA
Essays
Quality of writing, reflection, and goals
Applications are reviewed by unbiased members of The M-CATS executive board, external BCPM faculty, and the donor. Equal scores are settled by a formal discussion between the board and the donor.
How it works
Submit your essays through UK Qualtrics. Applications are reviewed as they arrive.
The selection committee scores each application against the published rubric.
Semifinalists book a 30–60 minute in-person interview with members of the board.
Recipients are announced November 20 with conditional acceptance.
Regular one-on-ones with an officer. Your registration is funded once you’re ready for your planned test date.
Questions
Awards are conditional. Your MCAT registration is reimbursed or paid once the board agrees you’re showing the competence and commitment to succeed on your planned timeline and target score. That’s what the regular one-on-ones are for.
No. Only the written Statement of Financial Hardship is required. Pell Grant, pay stub, FAFSA, or tax documents are optional and only support what you write.
No. A screenshot or PDF of your unofficial transcript from myUK is enough, so there are no transcript fees.
A 30 to 60 minute in-person conversation with members of the executive board about your path to medicine and your MCAT plan. It is recorded so the donor can review it.
It may shift depending on the size of the applicant pool. Any change will be posted here and in the GroupMe.