Completely ready to apply but got a 504

[Fdsa2495]

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I have all my activities in, my personal statement written, my LORs ready but my scores came in on June 13th and I received a 504 (126/125/127/126). I haven't applied to any school yet. My cGPA and sGPA is 3.84. This was supposed to be my gap year but if I try to take the MCAT again I'll probably have to apply next year which means 2 gap years.
I have over 4,000 hrs of clinical experience, and over 1500 hrs of research (no pubs) and have great extracurriculars just like everyone else here but my MCAT sucks. Honestly, I didn't study consistently.... my day to day studying included me getting up whenever I wanted to (usually around noon), going to the library and spending most of my time on social media, talking to my friends, eating out, going to the gym and then feeling exhausted becuase I "thought" I studied. I know I didn't take the MCAT seriously and I also know that I do have the potential to do very well.
I really want to get into an MD/PhD program or atleast MD.

So the QUESTION is what should I tell my LOR writers, I really pushed them to get my LOR in by June 1st but I ended up waiting till the 13th and now I don't want to apply till next year.

 

[aformerstudent]

Tell them you need to retake the MCAT and you'll apply next cycle.

 

[Fdsa2495]

Do I need to ask for letters again for next year? I have them saved in interfolio

 

[PiggyPug6]

I was all set to apply after one gap year, but then due to a family emergency ended up taking two years off. Kept the same letters from the previous year and just added one from my current boss so there would be one letter that was more recent. So most of my letters were a year old and no one cared.

 

[bannie22]

Its better if the letters are recent but it wouldnt hurt a hell lot either ways.

 

[oopsaloo]

I recommend applying DO if you don't want to take another gap year. It looks like your options are:

1) Apply DO this cycle - you become a doctor a year earlier (if you get in)

2) Retake the MCAT after studying seriously, take another gap year, and apply MD or MD/PhD (if your stats are competitive enough)

or maybe

3) Retake the MCAT in July/early August after studying seriously, and apply MD a little late (but you should only retake after getting practice exam scores in your desired score range)

 

[LizzyM]

If you really want MD/PhD, you'd be better positioned if you had at least one publication. So, in that sense, 2 gap years would be a good situation.

First, you need to make studying for the MCAT your full time job with practice tests under test conditions weekly leading up to the test so that you are accustomed to the grind of it (it is like an exhausting athletic event and you need to be "in shape" for it). Your poor study skills resulted in your disappointing MCAT and could be a harbinger of a disappointing Step 1 exam (which can't be retaken if you hit the minimum passing score). You need to double down and learn/practice intensive studying as if you are training for the Olympic trials with the hope of competing in the Olympics itself.

After you have the retake out of the way, you'll be ready to launch into a research gig that should result in a publication. Your other goal should be acquisition of transferrable skills to a lab at the med school where you would earn your PhD.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Just an anecdote but I had a good friend get accepted, and have 3 MD interviews with a GPA very similar to you and a 503. I don't think it's the app killer that you would think. You need to apply very broadly, and add a few DO schools. If you are gunning for MD/PhD then you should retake.

 

[JPSmyth]

if you are not URM, please retake. You will be set for DO school with a 504 and get multiple acceptances but if you want to be an MD, then it is worth the one extra year.

 

[libertyyne]

Interfolio for your letter problems.

 

[cactusman]

Just an anecdote but I had a good friend get accepted, and have 3 MD interviews with a GPA very similar to you and a 503. I don't think it's the app killer that you would think. You need to apply very broadly, and add a few DO schools. If you are gunning for MD/PhD then you should retake.

Agreed with this. The majority of applicants with above a 3.79 and 502-505 are actually accepted, and about a third of accepted have a 505 or below. But again, not good for MD/PhD.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

If you're white, based on stats alone you have a 59 percent chance of admission.

I'd apply broadly MD/DO

MD/Phd get that score up and get a pub

 

[stickgirl390]

Just offering my personal experience: I applied last cycle with a 3.8 GPA and 505 MCAT, and received 2 interviews. My downfall was not knowing about the MSAR, and I applied to schools that didn't line up with my scores. If your school list is appropriate, and you can financially afford it, I think you should apply to at least a few this year, and plan on an MCAT retake anyway, just in case.

 

[rolliespring]

MD-PhD is pretty much out of the equation now. You can try to apply to some lower tiered MD schools + DO to see what happens this cycle (invest in MSAR and apply to schools with matriculants of similar stats). If you do plan on a retake please take some serious time studying. Improving is definitely possible but you must put in the effort. Keep in mind that schools will see all your MCAT scores if you retake.