3.97 GPA, 511 MCAT but 121 CARS. Should I apply?

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msdc2016

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Hi everyone,

I applied to medical school last year and did not get in. I got in the 25th percentile for CARS. I retook the MCAT for the 3rd time in May and just got my scores back:

Physics/Chem: 130 (97th percentile)
CARS: 121 (14th percentile)
Bio: 132 (100th percentile)
Psych/Sociology: 128 (86th percentile)
Overall: 511 (86th percentile)

I have a 3.97 GPA and I have lots of volunteering, scribing, and research experience. I do not know whether or not I should apply this year. Should I take the MCAT a fourth time? Should I apply to DO schools this year?

Thanks for your help.
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No. That's the equivalent of a 4 on the old scale. Lethal. Are you ESL?



msdc2016 said:
Hi everyone,

I applied to medical school last year and did not get in. I got in the 25th percentile for CARS. I retook the MCAT for the 3rd time in May and just got my scores back:

Physics/Chem: 130 (97th percentile)
CARS: 121 (14th percentile)
Bio: 132 (100th percentile)
Psych/Sociology: 128 (86th percentile)
Overall: 511 (86th percentile)

I have a 3.97 GPA and I have lots of volunteering, scribing, and research experience. I do not know whether or not I should apply this year. Should I take the MCAT a fourth time? Should I apply to DO schools this year?

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
 
msdc2016 said:
Hi everyone,

I applied to medical school last year and did not get in. I got in the 25th percentile for CARS. I retook the MCAT for the 3rd time in May and just got my scores back:

Physics/Chem: 130 (97th percentile)
CARS: 121 (14th percentile)
Bio: 132 (100th percentile)
Psych/Sociology: 128 (86th percentile)
Overall: 511 (86th percentile)

I have a 3.97 GPA and I have lots of volunteering, scribing, and research experience. I do not know whether or not I should apply this year. Should I take the MCAT a fourth time? Should I apply to DO schools this year?

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

Oh come on! With that GPA and MCAT score, I bet OP could get into 10 med schools easily. Remember the admission committee takes in the ENTIRE application into account, they hardly fixate on minor details. I doubt that a score of 121, while still pretty rough, will keep OP from making it through this application cycle. I say apply ahead msdc2016 !
 
I have met some very smart people that this happens to... and I've honestly never understood it. If you can read a complex passage on physics / chem and understand it... how can you not understand something equivalent to a newspaper's article?

I'm very sorry for you OP. Are you open to doing a PhD instead?
 
MedicineN'Jazz said:
Oh come on! With that GPA and MCAT score, I bet OP could get into 10 med schools easily. Remember the admission committee takes in the ENTIRE application into account, they hardly fixate on minor details. I doubt that a score of 121, while still pretty rough, will keep OP from making it through this application cycle. I say apply ahead msdc2016 !
Click to expand...
He was already rejected once, and his score used to be higher.
 
JessebenBenjamin said:
He was already rejected once, and his score used to be higher.
Click to expand...

Most likely he didn't apply broadly enough. Or maybe his primary/secondary needed work. Regardless, admission committees tend to be more lenient on CARS than any other section. OP just needs to be mindful of which schools he applies to, and create some colorful excuses while he's at it. I know a guy from my school that literally got into medical school with an 18 on the old MCAT. Anything is possible.
 
MedicineN'Jazz said:
Regardless, admission committees tend to be more lenient on CARS
Click to expand...

Really? I thought it was the other way around.

How do you even get a 132 in Bio and an OK score in Psych/Soc but a 4 in CARS?
Half of Bio and half of Psych/Soc is basically just CARS: read passages, understand them, and answer questions about them.

Maybe OP has a mental block / anxiety for this section? Did you get a 400 in SAT verbal?
 
This new grading system is confusing... OP I fear that at many schools you'll be automatically screened out or rejected for such a low score, most schools expect at the minimum the equivalent of an 8 (the national average) FROM THE OLD MCAT in order to qualify for review. At this point, it is imperative that you work on reading comprehension. As others have asked, is English your second or third language??

Best of luck
 
As someone who has spoken to quite a number of admission board members (both present + past), I can honestly tell you that OP's CARS score can still get him into a decent med school.

Definetly not the Ivy Leagues (although hey! who knows?), but I know a few mid tier schools that would most likely grant him an interview. Albany Med School being the first and foremost on my list. They're pretty good at holistically looking at applicant's overall application. And I'm not just pulling this from out under my foot. Last year, I attended a program where I eventually got the chance to meet with Albany's "screening director" (or atleast that's what I'm calling her lol).
And all in all, I'd say we had a pretty descent discussion. I got the chance to learn a lot about what medical schools look for (but in particular Albany), and circumstances where applicants are definitely screened out. For example, a junior in a D1 school submitted her application with a 31 MCAT, 4.0cGPA, 3.8sGPA, but only 20 hours of shadowing. When asked how many hours she dedicated to sports (I believe she was on the soccer team), she said 90 hours. She was rejected pre-secondary. Whereas, a M1 girl I had talked to, explained how she got accepted into medical school with a 28 MCAT and 3.0 cGPA as a non URM. Basically, what drew her into the medical school was the fact that she had volunteered 2000+ hours in clinical care for the sick and needy. Was she accepted right away? No. But she was accepted on the condition that she complete a one year Masters of Science program (which the school payed for btw), and attain a B average in all her classes. She didn't even have to retake her MCAT, and guess what? She's now a second year medical student. So like I said, anything is possible. It's not fair to put OP down for that one awful subsection, ESPECIALLY when his cumulative was a 511!

My advice to OP, if you're applying to Harvard, Yale, etc. then chill out and start being more realistic. Nothing's wrong with a mid to lower tier med school. An MD is an MD (Am I right or am I right?) As for the peeps on thread, stop being so pessimistic. If you don't have bald spots and grey hairs by now, then you're on the right path for getting them soon. Not a good idea. Just saying🙂
 
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MedicineN'Jazz said:
As someone who has spoken to quite a number of admission board members (both present + past), I can honestly tell you that OP's CARS score can still get him into a decent med school.

Definetly not the Ivy Leagues (although hey! who knows?), but I know a few mid tier schools that would most likely grant him an interview. Albany Med School being the first and foremost on my list. They're pretty good at holistically looking at applicant's overall application. I'm not just pulling this from out under my foot. I attended a program last year, where I met with screening director (that's what I'm calling her lol). And all in all, I'd say we had a pretty descent discussion, and I got the chance to learn a lot about what medical schools (but in particular Albany) look for in applicants, and when they're definetly screened out. For example, a junior in a D1 school submitted her application with a 31 MCAT, 4.0cGPA, 3.8sGPA, but only 20 hours of shadowing. When asked how many hours she dedicated to sports (I believe she was on the soccer team), she said 90 hours. She was rejected pre-secondary. Whereas, a M1 girl I had talked to explained how she got accepted into medical school with a 28 MCAT and 3.0 cGPA as a non URm. Basically, what drew her into the medical school was the fact that she had volunteered 2000+ hours in clinical care for the sick and needy. Was she accepted right away? no. But she was accepted on the condition that she complete a one year Masters of Science program (which they payed for btw), and attain a B average in all her classes. She didn't even have to retake her MCAT, and guess what? She's not a second year medical student. So like I said, anything is possible. It's not fair to put OP down for one subsection. From my impression, this section is not going to hurt him as much as everyone seems to be telling him, and ESPECIALLY not when his cumaltive is a 511!

My advice to OP, if you're applying to Harvard, Yale, etc. then chill and start being more realistic. Nothing's wrong with a mid to lower tier med school. An MD is an MD (Am I right or am I right?)

As for the peeps on thread, stop being so pessimistic. If you don't have bald spots and grey hairs sprouting right about now, you'll be getting them soon. Not a good idea considering we'll be giving up the next 10 years of our life 🙂
Click to expand...
Did you want to say now instead of not? While I do hope OP the best of luck and prays that he be accepted, the issue however is that these two cases are apples to oranges, OP's critical reading section is the equivalent to a 4 on the old mcat. While your example, we don't know her subsection scores. For all you know, she may have averaged a 9-10 per section which is still within acceptable deviations, and generally, a 3.0 to 3.3 is the minimum for review at many schools. A "4" on an MCAT section is not within acceptable deviations. I am not sure about Albany, but I definitely recall that U Miami stated you needed at least an 8 on each section to be considered for review.
 
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elgauchotejano said:
Did you want now instead of not? While I do hope OP the best of luck and if he wants to apply I wish him luck, the issue however is that it is apples to oranges, OP's critical reading section is the equivalent to a 4 on the old mcat. While your example, you don't know her subsections. For all you know, she may have averaged a 9-10 per section which is still within acceptable deviations, and generally, a 3.0 is the minimum for review at most schools. A "4" on an MCAT section is not within acceptable deviations. I am not sure about Albany, but I definitely recall that U Miami stated you needed at least an 8 on each section to be considered for review.
Click to expand...

Be that as it may, do you honestly believe OP shouldn't apply in this year's cycle? Do you feel as if NO allopathic schools would overlook this one section on OP's application?
 
The concensus here has always been that anything below a 7 is a kiss of death and honestly I had never heard of anyone getting something like a 4. If OP wants to try again I wish him the best of luck, but he obviously has to be realistic.
@gyngyn thoughts?
 
MedicineN'Jazz said:
As someone who has spoken to quite a number of admission board members (both present + past), I can honestly tell you that OP's CARS score can still get him into a decent med school.

Definetly not the Ivy Leagues (although hey! who knows?), but I know a few mid tier schools that would most likely grant him an interview. Albany Med School being the first and foremost on my list. They're pretty good at holistically looking at applicant's overall application. And I'm not just pulling this from out under my foot. Last year, I attended a program where I eventually got the chance to meet with Albany's "screening director" (or atleast that's what I'm calling her lol).
And all in all, I'd say we had a pretty descent discussion. I got the chance to learn a lot about what medical schools look for (but in particular Albany), and circumstances where applicants are definitely screened out. For example, a junior in a D1 school submitted her application with a 31 MCAT, 4.0cGPA, 3.8sGPA, but only 20 hours of shadowing. When asked how many hours she dedicated to sports (I believe she was on the soccer team), she said 90 hours. She was rejected pre-secondary. Whereas, a M1 girl I had talked to, explained how she got accepted into medical school with a 28 MCAT and 3.0 cGPA as a non URM. Basically, what drew her into the medical school was the fact that she had volunteered 2000+ hours in clinical care for the sick and needy. Was she accepted right away? No. But she was accepted on the condition that she complete a one year Masters of Science program (which the school payed for btw), and attain a B average in all her classes. She didn't even have to retake her MCAT, and guess what? She's now a second year medical student. So like I said, anything is possible. It's not fair to put OP down for that one awful subsection, ESPECIALLY when his cumulative was a 511!

My advice to OP, if you're applying to Harvard, Yale, etc. then chill out and start being more realistic. Nothing's wrong with a mid to lower tier med school. An MD is an MD (Am I right or am I right?) As for the peeps on thread, stop being so pessimistic. If you don't have bald spots and grey hairs by now, then you're on the right path for getting them soon. Not a good idea. Just saying🙂
Click to expand...
I mean...you're a premed student telling adcoms that they're wrong about admissions...it's not really much of an argument imo
 
MedicineN'Jazz said:
Be that as it may, do you honestly believe OP shouldn't apply in this year's cycle? Do you feel as if NO allopathic schools would overlook this one section on OP's application?
Click to expand...
I would say that he do his due diligence on which schools don't screen if he is so eager to apply. I am sure some places will overlook it if he is nontraditional, veteran, an employee with at least 20 hours/week, or from a low-ses. But his options are significantly reduced... and a "4" on a subsection will raise eyebrows regardless of the total score. Generally adcom appreciate a balanced score instead a score with much disparity among its subsections.
 
OP why do you think there is such a high different in performance on this specific section? How did you do on your 2 previous MCATs? I might be tempted to take it one last time... then hope for the best, apply smart to MD/DO. If you don't get in cut your losses and move on.
 
JessebenBenjamin said:
The concensus here has always been that anything below a 7 is a kiss of death and honestly I had never heard of anyone getting something like a 4. If OP wants to try again I wish him the best of luck, but he obviously has to be realistic.
@gyngyn thoughts?
Click to expand...
I would say that 8 is the bare minimum, most schoola to which I applied said that 8 was the bare minimum to be considered for review.
 
elgauchotejano said:
I would say that he do his due diligence on which schools don't screen. I am sure some places will overlook it if he is nontraditional, veteran, an employee with at least 20 hours/week, or from a low-ses. But his options are significantly reduced... and a "4" on a subsection will raise eyebrows regardless of the total score
Click to expand...

Oh yeah no doubt. Getting accepted with a 121 definetly won't be easy, but it most certainly can be done. OP just needs to be more tenacious. If that means logging on to YouTube and learning how to speak with a "French accent," then so be it. I'd definetly play the I'm-not-a-native-speaker card if I were in that situation
 
AlphaBeta<3 said:
I mean...you're a premed student telling adcoms that they're wrong about admissions...it's not really much of an argument imo
Click to expand...

It's not even about "telling people about admissions." What I'm trying to convey: is that there's hope. I don't know why everyone seems to be oppressing OP, as if applicants haven't gotten in with worst scores.

The world would be a much better place if we'd all just stop trying to put one another down, and instead work on trying to build each other up.
 
MedicineN'Jazz said:
Oh yeah no doubt. Getting accepted with a 121 definetly won't be easy, but it most certainly can be done. OP just needs to be more tenacious. If that means logging on to YouTube and learning how to speak with a "French accent," then so be it. I'd definetly play the I'm-not-a-native-speaker card if I were in that situation
Click to expand...
I added to my original comments that scores that are greatly imbalanced tend to be frowned upon. IDK if they changed it but I remembered that U Miami mentioned in the FAQ section, that while their average MCAT was a 33, they preferred that the overall score be balanced and additionally, cited that a score with subsections of 11 is preferred over a score that had a 13 on one section, and another section has score of 8. If OP wants to try then he should call every school he is interested and ask if they will consider his app and apply ONLY to a few schools like 5 to 10 schools as a sample to see if he has a fighting chance before he pisses all his earnings onto one cycle and yield nothing.

I disagree with applying because at the end of day, time is money
 
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It would be a disservice to you to tell you to apply. OP please take some time to reevaluate. A subsection score of 4 is lethal. Listen to the reason that is Goro. Anecdotal evidence is irrelevant when evaluating this situation.
 
*Shrugs shoulders* I guess I'm bred from a different type of tree. Cause if this were me, I'd apply and to hell with everyone else.

In the end OP, do what you got to do. If you don't think it's worth it, then perhaps listen to @JessebenBenjamin. A PhD might turn out to be exactly what you're looking for. Taking the MCAT more than 3 times....looks a way (and not a good one). Either way, just know that I'm rooting for you 🙂
 
MedicineN'Jazz said:
*Shrugs shoulders* I guess I'm bred from a different type of tree. Cause if this were me, I'd apply and to hell with everyone else.
Click to expand...

And you would be better served to give your money to me. This isn't the world of ring around the rosie and everybody gets a participation trophy. While we can agree that there is always a >0 chance the decimal points in this one are so small the OP has an effective chance of zero. I have never even heard an anecdote of someone being accepted with the equivalent of a 4.
 
MedicineN'Jazz said:
As someone who has spoken to quite a number of admission board members (both present + past), I can honestly tell you that OP's CARS score can still get him into a decent med school.

Definetly not the Ivy Leagues (although hey! who knows?), but I know a few mid tier schools that would most likely grant him an interview. Albany Med School being the first and foremost on my list. They're pretty good at holistically looking at applicant's overall application. And I'm not just pulling this from out under my foot. Last year, I attended a program where I eventually got the chance to meet with Albany's "screening director" (or atleast that's what I'm calling her lol).
And all in all, I'd say we had a pretty descent discussion. I got the chance to learn a lot about what medical schools look for (but in particular Albany), and circumstances where applicants are definitely screened out. For example, a junior in a D1 school submitted her application with a 31 MCAT, 4.0cGPA, 3.8sGPA, but only 20 hours of shadowing. When asked how many hours she dedicated to sports (I believe she was on the soccer team), she said 90 hours. She was rejected pre-secondary. Whereas, a M1 girl I had talked to, explained how she got accepted into medical school with a 28 MCAT and 3.0 cGPA as a non URM. Basically, what drew her into the medical school was the fact that she had volunteered 2000+ hours in clinical care for the sick and needy. Was she accepted right away? No. But she was accepted on the condition that she complete a one year Masters of Science program (which the school payed for btw), and attain a B average in all her classes. She didn't even have to retake her MCAT, and guess what? She's now a second year medical student. So like I said, anything is possible. It's not fair to put OP down for that one awful subsection, ESPECIALLY when his cumulative was a 511!

My advice to OP, if you're applying to Harvard, Yale, etc. then chill out and start being more realistic. Nothing's wrong with a mid to lower tier med school. An MD is an MD (Am I right or am I right?) As for the peeps on thread, stop being so pessimistic. If you don't have bald spots and grey hairs by now, then you're on the right path for getting them soon. Not a good idea. Just saying🙂
Click to expand...
Especially with 3 takes, this is lethal. People that get in with below average stats have an extraordinary aspect to their application. In OP's case, I don't think even being an Olympian could make up for a 4 in CARS at ANY U.S. MD school let alone a mid-tier. There are limits to "holistic". Holistic does not mean you can be extremely deficient in one area.

P.S. since when has being realistic been considered pessimism?
 
MCW and GW superscore your MCAT.... OP do you have ANY CARS score that is at atleast a 123-125?
 
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