Medical Pros and Cons When Applying with Low Stats

[Goro]

Hello all,

I apologize if I post this in the wrong spot. If I do, please redirect me to right forum/sub.

1. Background:
CA resident
ORM - Nontrad (30 yo)
Community college - CSU graduate - 7 years to graduate
GPA: 3.7
MCAT: 501 (124 CARS) and 502 (123 CARS)
Excellent LORs
400 hours volunteer at hospital
40 hours of shadowing MD's
3 quarters of undergrad research project (driven by students). Presented 1 poster.
5+ years of community-oriented volunteer
Strong leadership demonstration and relatively good social skills
Working full time/two jobs since college (a few odd jobs and mostly veterinarian medicine)
Took care of family member with critical illness for 2 years

2. Application
AAMC: only need to click submit (not verified)
AACOMAS: yet to start (not verified)
Interest: very much interested in primary care/pediatric
Not interested in attending mission-based school(s) or genuinely, any schools outside of the US.

3. Questions:
I am aware that my MCAT score is incredibly low. In conjunction with such a late submission and poor stats for MSAR standard, I do not see myself having the slightest chance of making it this cycle (applying broadly or not). I guess the question is really in the title: What are the pros and cons in just applying this year?

I tried to be critical and level-headed about the situation and these are my thoughts:
Pros:
- I may get in.
- If I get II without A, I can ask where to improve upon (besides MCAT score)
- If I get no II, next cycle may be started early on.
- Classes taken in early 2010 will still be within 8 years of application
- More time to shadow (especially DO's)

Cons:
- Waste of money and time
- May have to repolish/rewrite PS/applications
- Harder to get in the schools applied to this year (this may be wrong)
- Getting much older for everything
- Having to explain all the gap years
- Feeling lost/defeated a-whole-nother year is rather detrimental

4. In conclusion,
Is it worth it?

I forgot to say thank you for your time. I appreciate honest inputs (okay with a slap of reality).

Apply broadly to DO........Any DO school except the NY and CA Touros, CCOM, and AZCOM. I can't recommend LUCOM, Wm Carey, nor Nova for different reasons. MSUCOM? Read up on Larry Nasser and you decide. CalHS is too new and appears to be too limited in rotations sites.


Chances for MD are so poor that I can't recommend it. Save your money.

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[Mr.Smile12]

I think public in-state CA MD programs would be a long shot. Not impossible but challenging with the MCAT scores. I agree apply to DO schools in California broadly.

 

[Goro]

Today I learned that Larry Nasser is a DO. I had no idea.
Why not CA Touro?
What is your thought on both Westerns?

Your MCAT score is probably too low. The Touros like high MCATs, as does CCOM and AZCOM.

The Westerns are fine schools. I have a friend on Faculty at the OR campus; a lot of my colleagues have been from Western.