Advice...

[Fluffytoez]

URM (African), 3.5 non-sciences, 3.6 science, a high trend for both, 3 shadowing experiences, started an organization, held two positions in Student Government at my college, lots of volunteer hours, MCAT is 498, applied to some schools; both MD and DO. Any advice on which schools I should add..? Is there enough time to retake MCAT for this cycle? If I don't get in, what would I do with a gap year..?

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[chemdoctor]

Get clinical experience (didn’t see any)

And definitely retake MCAT.

 

[Fluffytoez]

Get clinical experience (didn’t see any)

And definitely retake MCAT.

Got clinical experience already, do I have time to retake it though?

 

[chemdoctor]

Got clinical experience already, do I have time to retake it though?

For this cycle you should have time for DO schools but not for MD schools. I think you should take a gap year, spend adequate time prepping for the MCAT since you already have a bad score counting against you, fill in on service to those less fortunate, get a DO letter, retake the MCAT and apply EARLY next cycle to MD and DO

 

[Goro]

Got clinical experience already, do I have time to retake it though?

I'll wager that there will be enough reserve seats later in the cycle for a candidate like yourself, if you can improve significantly on the MCAT.

The DO cycle is longer And so you definitely have time to retake the MCAT

 

[hungrydoc710]

MD is gone with that MCAT.
But honestly, with a broad enough list, you could get into some of the newer osteo schools.
Add VCOM's to your list as they prefer higher GPA's and don't seem to mind sub-500 MCAT's too much.

Although I say you have a shot, an MCAT under 500 makes your chances high to not be accepted anywhere.
Retake of MCAT is something you should think about.

Good luck.

 

[Osminog]

If you apply broadly to DO schools (>15), you’ll probably get multiple interviews. You have a good GPA, and your MCAT is above the average for black DO matriculants (497). Good luck!

 

[MustyElbow]

I was accepted to 2 schools with a 498 MCAT and GPA's about the same as yours. I think you have a shot with your current

 

[chemdoctor]

I was accepted to 2 schools with a 498 MCAT and GPA's about the same as yours. I think you have a shot with your current

URM?

 

[MustyElbow]

URM?

Nope