Old nontrad low stats, should I still apply?

[trying_my_best]

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I'm an older nontrad with a very low undergrad gpa (3.07cGPA, sGPA 2.74), I did an SMP (3.6 GPA). I have been studying for the MCAT this past year in order to apply and was trying to offset my low GPA with a decent score. My highest FL was 508, took in August and just got back a 494 on the real test which is devastating. Is it even worth it to apply this cycle with a low gpa and a low mcat? I'm not even sure my experience can make up for it. I am in need of advice on if I should still apply to DO (I know MD is out of the question) or if I should just retake my MCAT, get more experience or maybe research and apply next cycle to both MD/DO? If yes for this cycle, what schools do you recommend?

Experience:
Med scribe (1600hrs), Pharm tech (1200hrs), MA (4200hrs), clinical volunteer (300hrs), nonclinical volunteer (250hrs), shadowing (30hrs), 2 leadership positions, no research. Also ORM

 

[wysdoc]

It looks like everything else is in place for an application except your MCAT score. You did well in your postbac with a 3.6
I would recommend you wait out this cycle, study more for the MCAT, and try to retake it in early 2026. Depending on how your next score is, apply to MD or DO schools next year.

 

[trying_my_best]

It looks like everything else is in place for an application except your MCAT score. You did well in your postbac with a 3.6
I would recommend you wait out this cycle, study more for the MCAT, and try to retake it in early 2026. Depending on how your next score is, apply to MD or DO schools next year.

Thank you for your reply! What score do you think I would need to reach for considering MD and DO?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You did an SMP? What feedback have you gotten from your faculty? What schools do they suggest?

 

[trying_my_best]

You did an SMP? What feedback have you gotten from your faculty? What schools do they suggest?

I had worked with the program administrator as well as the academic advisor on my applications, which they believed looked good but I was waiting for my MCAT. I had just gotten back my MCAT score yesterday and have an appointment with the advisor next week but was looking for advice beforehand. My program has a partnership with ACOM, VCOM and LMU-DCOM that I believe may provide interviews if you meet certain metrics but I actually am not sure if my MCAT will be a problem so I will need to discuss that. I guess I was questioning it would be worth it to still apply to medical schools in general and take a chance, or if I should just wait and retake (planning to retake either way). It just feels discouraging since I am older and this was going to be my first cycle applying. Welcome to any other suggestions for improvement!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

The 494 doesn't help you. I want to hear back from your advisors about your linkage agreement eligibility. Otherwise, I would wait until next year to apply with a stronger MCAT score before submitting.

 

[Goro]

I cannot recommend applying to medical school, any medical school until you get that MCAT score over the 505 Mark for DO, and 510 for MD.

If your school has linkage to those programs that you mentioned, then I would recommend Acom and vcom. I cannot recommend LMU

 

[DarkHorizon]

You can apply and you may even get in, given that some DO schools are having trouble filling their class. But I would be worried whether you can actually successfully finish and pass your board exams.