Non-Traditional Applicant, What should I do?

[surgfering]

Hello everyone!

I truly need help in what to do from now. I am a current applicant with 2 MCAT attempts (492, 502) who only applied to 4 schools this cycle (MD schools) for the sole reason that I meet their minimum requirements criteria, but I have not heard from any of them. Given the consensus, I would like to prepare for reapplying the next cycle.

A little bit about myself:

26 y/o male, non-traditional, Hispanic (1st generation immigrant, GC holder), with foreign bachelor's degree (Equivalence by WES; I attached an equivalence done by a different company, so you can have an idea of my coursework) and 3.45 GPA.

I am currently taking undergrad post-bacc classes at my local CC (WY resident for ~3 years who does not qualify for WWAMI), these classes include: General Psychology, 3 semesters of Math (1 semester of college algebra) and a GPA of 4.0 so far.

Since most schools require applicants to have completed ~90 credit hours at an US institution or have an US/Canadian bachelor's degree, I was wondering what would be the best route in order to get accepted the next cycle?. Keep the kind-of-DIY at my local CC? Where I am planning to take Physics l & ll, General Chem l & ll, Organic Chem l & ll (probs a couple more??). Or do a formal Master's program (Preferably an online one given my location and current full-time employment).

A glance on my EC's:

~1000 hours of Research, co-author on published paper at home country undergraduate institution (included in foreign transcripts).
~70 hours food bank volunteer, ~20 hours Boys and Girls Club Volunteer.
~7000 hours paid clinical experience, 1 year in Venezuela, ~3 years in the US. Direct patient interaction, working alongside doctors (Mainly Pathologist, also Pulm/CC, Interventional Radiologist, General Surgeons, Endocrinologists).
5 Individual LOR's (2 pathologists, 3 Interventional Radiologists), 1 Faculty professor LOR (Math Professor).
A few more of EC's, but done at home country. So I do not think they're worth mentioning, but they include: Gathering of food and toys for the elderly in nursing homes and kids who are in orphanages. Visiting hospitalized kids with cancer or terminal disease to provide entertainment, etc.
Completed 1 year of medical school in Venezuela, dropped out upon moving to the US.

I understand my situation is extremely complex and unusual. However, I'd appreciate any help or advice on where to go from here. I understand that an MCAT retake will be necessary, but I'd like an idea on how to improve my coursework in order to apply to a wider array of schools and increase my chances of admission.

Thank you greatly, please feel free to include any critique or advice, they will be highly appreciated.

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[stickgirl390]

Apply DO, and increase your application count closer to 30, not 4. Also, do not retake the MCAT unless your practice scores are consistently 510+. Another low MCAT could be the proverbial nail in the coffin for you.

 

[candbgirl]

You aren’t really competitive for MD. You should plan on applying to DO schools next cycle and way more than 4. As @stickgirl390 said, don’t retake the MCAT unless you can score at least a 510. Many schools average multiple MCAT scores so for those that do you are working with a 496. So you need to score much higher.