Will my CARS subscore kill me (124)

[Paoso]

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Hello, I am overwhelmed with a wave of emotions right now and need SDN peeps to hit me with some (possibly cold & harsh) clarity about my situation. I just applied to the 2022 medical school cycle. I have a 3.95 GPA & 3.93 SSGPA, am extremely proud of my activities section (published, many shadowing hours, abroad volunteering, competitive science programs, unique hobbies, and covid relief), a bomb personal statement, and very solid letters of rec. The downfall to all of this is that I have taken my MCAT for a second time and scored a 513 which I am proud of but my breakdown is wonky(130/124/130/129). I havent applied to any DO schools and am not really considering it. I was wondering how my chances are at getting interviews when my 124 doesn't even fall within the 10% range of almost any of the medical schools I applied to. UGHHHHH

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You don't need the DO schools unless you are overestimating your application. Where did you apply? Can you fill out a WAMC template?

 

[Paoso]

You don't need the DO schools unless you are overestimating your application. Where did you apply? Can you fill out a WAMC template?

1. cGPA 3.95 and sGPA 3.93
2. 501 -> 513 (130/124/130/129)
3. FL
4. White/ middle eastern
5. UF
6. Covid testing, free medical clinic, an organization working with kids in congenital heart disease unit and PICU, intern at organization meant to connect people current needs (such as housing, medical services, etc.), volunteer summer in Lebanon teaching Syrian refugees.
7. 4 years of MS research, the manuscript submitted for two projects
8. over 60 hours, 2 doctors- pulmonology & intensive care unit
9. meals on wheels (during covid lockdowns), T.A chemistry,
10. 1 Gap year->Online united nations, full-time job covid testing, the second half of the year will be doing Red cross disaster relief in Lebanon
11. none
12. Hobbies =Journalling & poetry

 

[Paoso]

You don't need the DO schools unless you are overestimating your application. Where did you apply? Can you fill out a WAMC template?

I responded!

 

[MDMechEngr]

I dont think you need to apply DO. Your stats indicate you have what it takes to get through the acedemic riggors of M1/M2, pass Steps and graduate in 4 years. You need to apply broadly however. They say that schools will cut you some slack for a low CARS score if everything else is good. Your other scores are excellent. With that said, some schools will screen you out b/c of the 124 sub score. Use MSAR to see section score break down for each school. You have an above average MCAT overall and excellent gpa. Consider applying to schools like Creighton/VCU type tier. Throw in some mid tiers and a couple of reaches to give it a shot. Good luck.

 

[Paoso]

I dont think you need to apply DO. Your stats indicate you have what it takes to get through the acedemic riggors of M1/M2, pass Steps and graduate in 4 years. You need to apply broadly however. They say that schools will cut you some slack for a low CARS score if everything else is good. Your other scores are excellent. With that said, some schools will screen you out b/c of the 124 sub score. Use MSAR to see section score break down for each school. You have an above average MCAT overall and excellent gpa. Consider applying to schools like Creighton/VCU type tier. Throw in some mid tiers and a couple of reaches to give it a shot. Good luck.

i feel like no schools have 124 in even their 10 percent range. It sucks because I feel like I have done everything in my power to be a very competitive applicant. It seems like you are saying mid tiers are a reach, right?

 

[deleted314957]

Mid tier schools teach the same stuff that any other med school teaches- and graduate a heck of a lot more doctors than “ top tier” ( whatever those are) schools. With very few exceptions, med school in the USA is just fine. It may interest you that there were very few physicians that I worked with for decades whose medical school was known to me. I knew what they were boarded in, but that’s about it.
Please don’t fixate on a specific school or a handful of schools. That is just a potentially great way to set yourself up for disappointment.

 

[Paoso]

Mid tier schools teach the same stuff that any other med school teaches- and graduate a heck of a lot more doctors than “ top tier” ( whatever those are) schools. With very few exceptions, med school in the USA is just fine. It may interest you that there were very few physicians that I worked with for decades whose medical school was known to me. I knew what they were boarded in, but that’s about it.
Please don’t fixate on a specific school or a handful of schools. That is just a potentially great way to set yourself up for disappointment.

I really appreciate your response. I am just somewhat worried about going to a low tier med school solely because of that aspect of my otherwise great application. Do you think that most schools could possibly overlook that cars score?