I'm kind of with your adviser because I think your MCAT is that good but make sure you apply smart. My suggestions (from a lowly acceptee):
- Apply to ALL of the schools in your state(s) of residence (past or present), any states that you are in anyway familiar with (e.g. visited a lot or have family/friends there; makes for interesting secondaries), and any schools in your region (e.g. the Southwest). Schools take that close-ties thing seriously for the most-part, but any tie gets your app a closer look in my experience. I got interviewed at schools well above my MCAT & gpa as an OOS due to writing about a personal tie in my secondary & having a very thorough primary application.
- The MSAR can be your best friend, but also your biggest naysayer. You already know you may be a long shot so use definitely use it but don't be as deterred by the gpa percentiles. However, go to every school's website (or contact Admissions personally) about their gpa cut off. You need to know this so you are not wasting your time or money so find out if they have a hard line as far as gpa
- Realize that your high MCAT may also screen you out (not sure how to phrase that) of lower-tier programs too. You might seem like the kind of applicant that "would not attend if accepted" on paper so make sure to emphasize your reasons for wanting to do medicine, your humbleness, and how both these things are reflected in your service or other ECs. The lower-tiers need to kind of be wooed too, so show them you are eager and willing at every step (but don't go over the top of course)
- Again, scan the MSAR for any schools that might give you a shot
- Apply DO. I can't really tell you much about this, but I know they publish a stats too like in the MSAR. Maybe here & here? I personally know of a great one in my area that really values reinvention and adversity so PM about that if you want, but apply to a few just to be safe.
- Have your app in early (June/July) & make it as thorough as possible. I know some people talk about not adding too much, but honestly I think the opposite. Especially if you do not have very many ECs. These people have never met you in real life so your primary app is your introduction, CV, biography, etc. to them. It doesn't have to drag on or be boring, but make it real, personal, and informative.
- Really craft your personal statement. I rewrote mine a bunch of times on my own and had two friends read final drafts just to make sure I answered the questions "Why medicine?" & "Why me?" well. I think it works best when it is someone outside of bio/medicine but do what you feel and have access to.
- Start working on secondaries early. Even if you think you won't get one. It saves time & gets your writing juices flowing for the schools that will give you a secondary.
- Practice with some interview questions like these or these & be prepared to talk about yourself A LOT before this cycle is over
- Address the low gpa. It might/probably will come up, but schools know you can hack it based on your score. They just might want to know why those classes were trouble and if you can reflect well on that now.
I think that's it. I think you'll be fine. Also, if you don't mind sharing, what kind of activities or service do you have? About how many hours?
Also, if you choose the CA residency, then you also get points for being a CA resident as schools know how competitive it is there. You would do well at places like SLU, or in Chicago, or along the East coast.
EDIT: Don't ignore the schools mission or values. This plays into a schools "personality" and will come into play when they consider whether or not you will fulfill their mission (e.g. underserved, diversity, women's health, etc.).