514 Unbalanced CARS (124) MD/PhD Applicant

[honeycrisp22]

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MCAT score of 514 (130/124/130/130). My CARS score sucked..

I want to apply MD/PhD, but will my CARS score get me screened out?

GPA: 3.93
Clinical: ~400 hours volunteering, shadowing, scribing, medical missions trip
Research: 3+ years of research. 10+ poster/oral presentations. Thesis. One 1st author publication. One 4th author. One summer internship at Harvard and returning for a gap year.

I think everything is fine but the CARS score.. If I retake I have to take a 2nd gap year (don't want to do because of 7/8 year program length). But I also don't want to get denied from all my schools and be a re-applicant (which I feel like will hurt my chances next year). Should I reach out to the admissions deans and ask whether they would advise applying or not?

Ugh.. don't know what to do. Any advice would be great!! Thanks 🙂

 

[Lucca]

is English your second language? That might help. I think it will probably be OK as US schools are more lenient with CARS than other sections, but I'd wait for the PDs here to chime in.

 

[Fencer]

Agree...

 

[mdphdNYC]

I don't think most MD-PhD programs screen subject-specific scores. That said, your CARS score might not get you screened out but your overall MCAT of 514 is low for MD-PhD anywhere.

 

[Lucca]

I don't think most MD-PhD programs screen subject-specific scores. That said, your CARS score might not get you screened out but your overall MCAT of 514 is low for MD-PhD anywhere.

Is it though? It's the average matriculant MCAT for MD/PhD. Plenty of good programs (MSTPs included) with average stats at or below that number.

 

[Fencer]

For a non-native speaker, the score shows higher potential than a regular 514. If you came for your undergrad to the US, and succeeded with good cGPA and have other qualities. It would be fine, but you need 10 dream MSTP applications, 10 to programs in your MCAT range, and 5-10 with lower scores.

Check table B-8, and examine applicant/matriculant ratios for MSTPs. Take the lowest 15-20, i.e.: those with lower yields, where you might have greater opportunity. Peruse their websites. If their MCAT averages are around 514, that is a match.

This list of MSTPs will be updated in a few weeks: Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Institutions - National Institute of General Medical Sciences
There is at least a new MSTP (in Texas).

 

[Cal56]

For what it's worth, I also had a 124 CARS (512 overall). I applied this past cycle and received 10+ MD/PhD interviews with 4 being from MSTP's. Please free to message me.

 

[predental94]

513 (124 cars). 3 interviews (2 from MSTP) last cycle.

 

[predental94]

For what it's worth, I also had a 124 CARS (512 overall). I applied this past cycle and received 10+ MD/PhD interviews with 4 being from MSTP's. Please free to message me.

Hi Cal56, do you mind if I message you, too?

 

[floured]

I think MD/PhD programs care more about research than scores. I had less research than you, a similar score, ~125 CARS last cycle, got >5 MSTP interviews and ended up at a T10 MSTP.

 

[thehab1193]

I think MD/PhD programs care more about research than scores. I had less research than you, a similar score, ~125 CARS last cycle, got >5 MSTP interviews and ended up at a T10 MSTP.

Woah, do you mind if I message you?