Application advice, low MCAT, good GPA, good extracurricular

[thecloverdoc]

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Hey y'all, I've been a lurker for quite a while. I was always pretty confident about my application process, having looked through so many threads of people with similar credentials as me but as the application approaches, I am becoming more nervous and would just like some advice from people. ORM.

My stats for the MCAT are only average, scoring a 505 on my first attempt. I originally planned to re-take, however due to the recent pandemic I am not sure when that will be. I will be applying either 75% MD 25% DO or something like 60% MD 40% DO.

MCAT: 505 (127/124/127/127)
GPA: 3.75 in Biology B.A.
Extracurriculars:

200 hours of surgical/clinical shadowing at a hospital in Taiwan (Orthopedics, plastic surgery, dermatology, trauma surgery)
800+ hours of outpatient orthopedics medical scribing
50+ hours at humane shelter volunteering
100+ hours of clinical assistant at inpatient autism unit
(current) 750+ hours as a clinical/research assistant in Neurology that involves administrative, clinical work, and clinical trial research
(gap year) 2000 hours doing medical research including hopefully at least 2 research publications

I also have somewhat of a complicated background story to how I came to the US to pursue medicine. I am really hoping for MD, however have noted that due to my average MCAT that DO school is a high possibility.

Any advice is appreciated, I am the first person in my family to pursue medicine in the US, so I did not have anyone to really talk to for applications other than advisors. My main questions are: when applying, should I basically just look at average matriculant GPA/MCAT and apply to those that fit my scores? Or is there another criteria I should follow? Any good recommendations?

Thank you sirs and mams

 

[Faha]

Where is your state of residence ?

 

[thecloverdoc]

Where is your state of residence ?

Currently in MD. State school has like average MCAT 511-512 I believe

 

[mmchick]

You're set for any DO. You will likely have trouble with MD, especially with that CARS 124 score that will be filtered out automatically by a lot of schools. You could give it a shot at some low-tier and your state schools, but I would sincerely suggest deferring applications a year and re-taking your MCAT if you are gun-ho for MD (or taking a summer MCAT for this cycle if you feel ready for a re-take). You'll likely have the re-applicant disadvantage on your side otherwise.

 

[thecloverdoc]

Thank you for the replies. I realized after browsing that I have posted in the wrong sub-forum and I will repost it there!