Absolutely crushed by my MCAT retake. URM 3.5 cGPA, 3.4sGPA, 497 MCAT

[urmwithhope]

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Let me start here so I don't waste your time:
URM | CA Resident | Non-Trad | 3.5 cGPA / 3.4 sGPA | MCAT: 497 on 6/23 (121/126/123/127), 497 on 5/25 (124/122/125/126)
Hispanic woman, former foster youth, low-income/first-gen background, T20 alum. ~4,000 hrs clinical hours, 6 publications, ~300 volunteer hrs with underserved youth, licensed phlebotomist, etc. My personal statement was regarded as very strong from many people who reviewed it.
Strong leadership, public speaking, and advocacy experience.

I was originally going to apply to ~30 MD programs with missions aligned to my application, but with my retake, I am absolutely devastated. I studied extensively, but nerves got to me. I already submitted my primaries to one school who has lower stats and aligns with my mission exactly, but I don't know if I should just withdraw completely.
I want to prioritize MD programs, but I'm wondering if I should apply for DO after all. Although, my second MCAT is holding me back from that, too.
I was considering post-bacc, but it really is my MCAT holding me back. I seriously don't know what to do.

 

[Goro]

Retake the MCAT, but do not do so until you are 100% ready for it. Have you checked out the MCAT forum for advice?

 

[urmwithhope]

Retake the MCAT, but do not do so until you are 100% ready for it. Have you checked out the MCAT forum for advice?

Thank you so much for responding. I will retake. Should I withdraw my application?

 

[Goro]

Thank you so much for responding. I will retake. Should I withdraw my application?

Yup

 

[Faha]

Are you willing to apply to DO schools? You could receive interviews at some DO schools with a MCAT of 497.

 

[Med Ed]

How were your practice scores before the retake?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Are you part of any mentoring organization designed to help future minority/Latinx physicians?

 

[urmwithhope]

How were your practice scores before the retake?

Practice scores were all 506-507. 🙁

 

[urmwithhope]

Are you part of any mentoring organization designed to help future minority/Latinx physicians?

I think I will join one, because I feel so out of place in my circle and workplace (popular with pre-med students). I feel like I’m at such a disadvantage.

 

[urmwithhope]

Are you willing to apply to DO schools? You could receive interviews at some DO schools with a MCAT of 497.

I might apply DO, however I want my application to be as strong as possible before submitting. 🙁

 

[Faha]

I might apply DO, however I want my application to be as strong as possible before submitting. 🙁

If you decide to apply to DO schools, let me know and I will suggest schools.

 

[urmwithhope]

If you decide to apply to DO schools, let me know and I will suggest schools.

I would love to know the schools, if possible ❤️

 

[Faha]

I would love to know the schools, if possible ❤️

I suggest these schools with your stats:
TUNCOM
BCOM (both schools)
Noorda-COM
KHSC-COM
UIWSOM
ICOM
VCOM (all 4 schools)
WCU-COM
ARCOM
NYIT-AR
WCU-COM
ACOM
LMU-DCOM (all schools)
LECOM (all schools)
BUCOM
OCOM
WVSOM
UP-KYCOM
MERITUS
DUQCOM
MU-COM
ILLINOIS-COM (new school)

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I think I will join one, because I feel so out of place in my circle and workplace (popular with pre-med students). I feel like I’m at such a disadvantage.

LMSA has chapters at most medical schools, so it should be easy to connect with them. SNMA is very involved online and with social media. I know about the MiMentor team, and many Latinx organizations exist throughout California.

 

[DO2015CA]

Practice scores were all 506-507. 🙁

Game day tends to be a little lower than practice. I’d say you underperformed only slightly compared to expected drop from practice. I support retaking if you don’t want to do DO but don’t retake until your practices are consistently ~512 to account for underperforming and hopefully hit a 510.

 

[Goro]

I suggest these schools with your stats:
TUNCOM
BCOM (both schools)
Noorda-COM
KHSC-COM
UIWSOM
ICOM
VCOM (all 4 schools)
WCU-COM
ARCOM
NYIT-AR
WCU-COM
ACOM
LMU-DCOM (all schools)
LECOM (all schools)
BUCOM
OCOM
WVSOM
UP-KYCOM
MERITUS
DUQCOM
MU-COM
ILLINOIS-COM (new school)

OP, given your score, you are in the risk zone for failing Boards and/out of med school. Most of the schools on Faha's list are brand new schools that are very unlikely to give you the help you need to succeed. They'll be happy to take any warm body.

Of the list, I can only suggest:
TUNCOM
UIWSOM
VCOM (all 4 schools)
WCU-COM
ARCOM
NYIT-AR
WCU-COM
ACOM
LECOM (all schools)
WVSOM
UP-KYCOM
MU-COM
CAHSUCOM (Fresno, CA)

 

[Isoval]

Unless you can significantly improve your MCAT, I would not only recommend that you apply broadly to DO but I would go as far to recommend not applying via AMCAS at all - it sounds like a donation with these stats.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Maybe the only MD programs I would have you consider would be Hispanic-serving institutions in Puerto Rico and maybe the HBCU's. Others will need very strong mission fit, but there are no guarantees on the MD side with that.