thoughts on applying this cycle?

[ghermione1900]

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I just got my 8/16 score back and was in for a disappointment. I had taken it 6/28 and got a 501 (124/124/123/130) and ended up with the same score this time (126/124/124/127) despite my last FL being a 508. Would I even have a chance anywhere (MD) if I continued with this cycle (my primary is already verified)?

cGPA: 3.79 / sGPA: 3.74
State of residence: CA
Race: ORM (Asian female)
Undergrad: T20

Clinical Experience
- hospital volunteer (acc had direct patient contact, fed patients, etc): 175 hrs
- emt (ride-along + work hours): 108 hrs (+ 700 hrs anticipated)
- ma (primary care/gastro): 150 hrs

Research Experience
- clinical research (1 pub in progress): 400 hrs (+ 450 hrs anticipated)
- 1 pub in journal with IF ~5-6 (high school project that continued into part of freshman year)

Shadowing: 60 hrs (pulmonology, surgery, oncology, critical care)

Non-Clinical Volunteering
- tutor english to underprivileged foreign students: 125 hrs (+ 100 hrs anticipated)
- assisted living facility volunteer (social activities with residents): 125 hrs (+ 100 hrs anticipated)
- cultural events committee volunteer (organizing large community events yearly): 150 hrs (+ 75 hrs anticipated)
- organize donation drives for local homeless shelter: 50 hrs (+ 50 hrs anticipated)
- meals on wheels social call volunteer: 10 hrs (+ 30 hrs anticipated)

Others
- ta for science lab: 360 hrs (+ 120 hrs anticipated)
- graphic designer (marketing materials for a small business): 100 hrs (+ 50 hrs anticipated)
- yoga and meditation: 150 hrs

LoRs: I think my letters from a science prof and my PI will be strong, but the ones from my non-science prof and other science prof may be average (I took the class a while ago).

Writing: 8-9/10 (I got my ps and activity descriptions reviewed by some med students and they said they were pretty strong)

The 124s in cars and b/b are my main concern... I'm a 3-year grad and I rushed trying to apply without a gap year after my 2nd year. Is there any chance for continuing applying this year? I would ideally like to apply md. If I retake it in jan and apply with a 515+ how badly will it be seen?

 

[Faha]

You are not competitive for MD schools with MCAT scores of 501. You could receive interviews at some DO schools and it is not late to apply to DO schools.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I tend to ignore any activities with fewer than 50 documented hours (except shadowing), so your meals on wheels activity won't carry weight with me. Your homeless shelter food drives would be your only service orientation hours, well below the 150 hours threshold to move your application forward in the process (for me). You cannot take the MCAT in January to help you for AMCAS.

 

[chilly_md]

Not for MD schools. You would be better off retaking the MCAT and actually completing those EMT hours to prepare for the next cycle.

 

[polymerization]

From the applicant perspective, consider the opportunity cost of attempting to take the MCAT a third time and the kind of pressure you would be putting yourself under to achieve a +14 point bump on your previous scores.

I don't doubt your academic potential, I'm just saying your FL ceiling was still more than a standard deviation from your goal score...and even then, some MD schools will average all your scores, so all of that work getting to a hypothetical 515 may only get you credit for a 506—and that's being generous and assuming you are successful in getting that 515.

To add insult to injury, you get to go through this brutal application cycle all over again. Not fun, to say the least.

Ask for a DO list and go be a doctor. I can pretty much guarantee this won't be the last test you feel you didn't do your best on... let it just be a test on your journey instead of the test that defines whether or not you keep pursuing your goals.