2013-2014 Underdawgs Thread ( Lets get it)

BU Medical Sciences
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pepes1lv1a said:
3.2 cGPA. It's the science one that's 3.0.

'Do I have to admit it?' Aren't those the instructions? Since this was an honor council hearing, pretty sure that qualifies as something I'd have to disclose.

I'm hearing mixed reviews on it. Some people say it isn't uncommon and won't make a huge difference, and other people take a more grim view
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It sounds like you weren't convicted of a crime so you don't need to disclose there, but it sounds like an institutional action so you'll have to disclose under that section. It's a crap shoot some adcomms will toss your app in the trash others won't care.
 
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pepes1lv1a said:
3.2 cGPA. It's the science one that's 3.0.

'Do I have to admit it?' Aren't those the instructions? Since this was an honor council hearing, pretty sure that qualifies as something I'd have to disclose.

I'm hearing mixed reviews on it. Some people say it isn't uncommon and won't make a huge difference, and other people take a more grim view
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Well, either at a 3.0. And admission would come down to whether it's on the record/criminal/institutional etc.

The 34 does give you a fighting chance though.
 
coolingglasses said:
Well, either at a 3.0. And admission would come down to whether it's on the record/criminal/institutional etc.

The 34 does give you a fighting chance though.
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Hopefully! It was not criminal but it was institutional. The pot use was also tied into my very low grades. I have a major upward trend during senior year into my postbacc classes now, and i incidentally stopped smoking weed during that time. The story adds up, as I have pulled myself together and matured a lot in the process, but that won't matter if adcoms don't even bother reading the app.

Either way...do I make the underdog list? I definitely don't fit in with the not-an-underdog crowd. I just want to belong!

+pity+
 
pre med 2014 said:
It sounds like you weren't convicted of a crime so you don't need to disclose there, but it sounds like an institutional action so you'll have to disclose under that section. It's a crap shoot some adcomms will toss your app in the trash others won't care.
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What about speeding tickets, I have one. 😳 It was a year ago for going 20 over in a 35 zone.

Is this something to disclose in any of the sections or do I let it slip under the rug ?
 
MIZ SEC said:
Hey Everyone! Long time lurker on sdn and I figured I would go ahead and contribute to the cause. Thought I would go ahead and put myself out there and see what you guys think.
I graduated from the University of Missouri in 2012 with a B.S. Biology and I am currently in the Masters of Biomedical Science program at KCUMB. I have seen a few people on here that have pretty similar stats and are also in masters programs so I am curious and hopeful to see how things pan out for you.

I graduate from KCUMB at the end of july but all of our grades are already in (we still have a cumulative exam and a thesis to finish writing). I finished the program with a 3.7 gpa which puts my current cumulative gpa at 3.26 and my science at 3.3. Unfortunately, KCUMB masters program is not really "linked" with the medical school. We have the same teachers as the medical students but there is no guaranteed acceptance given. As far as the previous posts about the criteria for an interview or whatever, it seems to be getting stricter. Even after succeeding in their program I was not accepted for the class of 2017. They want 3.25 science and cum gpa with a 24 mcat with 7 in each section. I applied with a 3.18 cum and 3.2 science.

I have a 26 mcat with an 11 verbal, 9 bio, and a 6 in physics. I've taken the mcat 3 times now (21, 24, and most recently in december scoring a 26). In order for me to be accepted into KCUMB it looks like I will need to retake the mcat again.. which I am not looking forward to. I am from kansas city and would like to stay as close as possible but it's not looking like that is going to work out. I have a few years of research, plenty of shadowing and volunteer hours and I have letters of rec from the KCUMB dean and some medical school teachers. If anyone has any advice for me where to apply or any feedback I would appreciate it. Also, if anyone has any questions about the KCUMB masters program or general questions about kcumb or the kansas city area I would be more than happy to answer them.

Good luck to everyone this cycle.
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Wow, an 11 in Verbal is pretty impressive. The Verbal section was the death of me. I had a comparable MCAT. At this point, I would say, retake the MCAT. The science sections are much easier to improve. I would recommend getting the PR physical sciences book (I thought it was extremely well written and easy to understand) as well as TBR physics and gen chem books (more difficult, but great prep). Give it your best shot and try to aim for a an 9+ on the PS. Get a timer and time yourself on the BR passages. I started out trying to do each passage at around 7 minutes and then started grouping passages together. Hopefully you can replicate the same performance on VR and BS.

I would also recommend applying broadly. Even though I applied this past cycle and got accepted, looking back now, I wish that I would have applied more broadly. I applied to all my instate MD schools (8 in Texas I believe), TCOM, DMU, AZCOM, KCUMB, LECOM-B, and OSU-COM. I only interviewed and DMU and TCOM. Thats 2/14, with one acceptance and 1 waitlist.

To give you an idea, I was a Biology major and had a 3.8+ cGPA, 3.9+ sGPA, and a 24 MCAT. I had a 4.0 my last 5 semesters of college. I, like you, took the MCAT 3 times but always fell short on Verbal (never broke 5), even though I tried different methods like speedreader software, LSAT verbal prep, examcrackers, PR. I was fortunate that my interviewers at DMU kinda gave me a pass in verbal after asking me whether english was my second language (which it was). I tried to lighten the mood by saying, "at least you know I can write"(I got an R on the writing all 3 times), to which they all laughed. I'm not sure if it will be as easy to get a pass with the physical sciences, BUT, I truly believe that it is possible to make significant gains in either of the science sections, which is why I would recommend retaking the MCAT.

looking at your app, it seems that unfortunately for you it becomes a numbers game. Im sure you have good EC's but since schools are getting thousands of applicants, many of them have programs that screen people out, like the 7+ on each section of the MCAT that you mention at KCUMB, and I think OSU-COM has something similar. So, the best way to ensure getting interviews is to either repair your GPA, which it appears you have with the masters program, or boost the MCAT. This is why I say boost the MCAT, especially since you have improved your grade with each retake. Best of luck. 👍
 
3.14 cGPA 30 MCAT

I'm an Illinois resident. What kind of selection (if any) will I have? Do I have a shot at CCOM? The doctor I shadowed many hours was a graduate of CCOM and is writing me a great letter as well.
 
IH8ColdWeath3r said:
Wow, an 11 in Verbal is pretty impressive. The Verbal section was the death of me. I had a comparable MCAT. At this point, I would say, retake the MCAT. The science sections are much easier to improve. I would recommend getting the PR physical sciences book (I thought it was extremely well written and easy to understand) as well as TBR physics and gen chem books (more difficult, but great prep). Give it your best shot and try to aim for a an 9+ on the PS. Get a timer and time yourself on the BR passages. I started out trying to do each passage at around 7 minutes and then started grouping passages together. Hopefully you can replicate the same performance on VR and BS.

I would also recommend applying broadly. Even though I applied this past cycle and got accepted, looking back now, I wish that I would have applied more broadly. I applied to all my instate MD schools (8 in Texas I believe), TCOM, DMU, AZCOM, KCUMB, LECOM-B, and OSU-COM. I only interviewed and DMU and TCOM. Thats 2/14, with one acceptance and 1 waitlist.

To give you an idea, I was a Biology major and had a 3.8+ cGPA, 3.9+ sGPA, and a 24 MCAT. I had a 4.0 my last 5 semesters of college. I, like you, took the MCAT 3 times but always fell short on Verbal (never broke 5), even though I tried different methods like speedreader software, LSAT verbal prep, examcrackers, PR. I was fortunate that my interviewers at DMU kinda gave me a pass in verbal after asking me whether english was my second language (which it was). I tried to lighten the mood by saying, "at least you know I can write"(I got an R on the writing all 3 times), to which they all laughed. I'm not sure if it will be as easy to get a pass with the physical sciences, BUT, I truly believe that it is possible to make significant gains in either of the science sections, which is why I would recommend retaking the MCAT.

looking at your app, it seems that unfortunately for you it becomes a numbers game. Im sure you have good EC's but since schools are getting thousands of applicants, many of them have programs that screen people out, like the 7+ on each section of the MCAT that you mention at KCUMB, and I think OSU-COM has something similar. So, the best way to ensure getting interviews is to either repair your GPA, which it appears you have with the masters program, or boost the MCAT. This is why I say boost the MCAT, especially since you have improved your grade with each retake. Best of luck. 👍
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With a GPA like yours, why do you think you got such little love? Was it just the 5 in VR? I have an identical GPA as yours and my MCAT was 7/9/8 so it makes me nervous to hear that you also had a 24 but such little response even with your GPA.
 
gc91 said:
Well word of caution, by August it is going to take 4 to 6 weeks to verified, that's when I submitted last cycle and I wasn't verified until the end of September. I understand though. Just make sure you have everything ready to go. And pre-write your secondaries while you wait (that goes for everyone who will be submitting later in the summer)! There should be a thread with the prompts coming soon. I pre-wrote all my essays and had a friend read them for spelling/grammar/sense.

Nope, OOS. Yes I am paying 80k for my first year of medical school. And yes I do cry when I actually really think about it. But the minute states/hospitals stop offering loan repayment incentives is the day young doctors riot, so I try to remember that.😀

I think it depends on a lot of things. I have a friend who will be 2nd year at VCOM-CC whose MCAT scores were a 23 and a 20. We went to a Jesuit school and lived and breathed community service, locally, nationally, and for her internationally. I'm positive that's one of the reasons she was accepted, and it's a testament to the difference ECs can make. So do I think it's risky to apply with less then a 24, absolutely, but is it impossible to be a doctor, no.

I wanted to go to MUCOM because of my background in Catholic education, but by the time they sent me a secondary I had the interview invite to WVSOM so I never completed it. I interviewed at LECOM-erie and disliked it for multiple reasons, but I also had been accepted to WV by then. I had Ohio on my list but took it off because I worried my MCAT score was too low for them.
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Is the DO LOR really an absolute requirement for WVSOM ?

""Does WVSOM require a letter of recommendation from an osteopathic physician?
Yes - a letter from an osteopathic physician (non-relative) is required to complete your file.""
http://www.wvsom.edu/Applicants/applied-faq

I really like this school, but there is no possible way for me to get a DO LOR.
 
IH8ColdWeath3r said:
you do not need to disclose speeding tickets
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+1

SFSK said:
3.14 cGPA 30 MCAT

I'm an Illinois resident. What kind of selection (if any) will I have? Do I have a shot at CCOM? The doctor I shadowed many hours was a graduate of CCOM and is writing me a great letter as well.
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It's worth a shot. Didn't SIU open an MD school recently? You could try them too.

Anicetus said:
I've been told that I may not get much love with a 3.6/3.75 GPAs and a 14/6/11 MCAT. The MCAT is a big deal to medical schools.
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Is the 6 in VR? If you cast a big net you'll get some bites. 14/11 in the sciences is pretty good.

geniusace said:
Is the DO LOR really an absolute requirement for WVSOM ?

""Does WVSOM require a letter of recommendation from an osteopathic physician?
Yes - a letter from an osteopathic physician (non-relative) is required to complete your file.""
http://www.wvsom.edu/Applicants/applied-faq

I really like this school, but there is no possible way for me to get a DO LOR.
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I imagine they're probably pretty stringent, but you can always call and explain your situation. Why can't you get one? You can still apply, but if they DO offer you an interview you then have three weeks to have all your LORs in order.
 
Anicetus said:
Is 19 DO schools and 24 MD schools a big enough net?
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Yep. I regret not starting out with MD and DO apps at the same time. I waited until December to attempt MD applications which didn't pan out.

Although that did give me the benefit of answering that I was only applying to DO schools for a while...
 
HotHamH2O said:
With a GPA like yours, why do you think you got such little love? Was it just the 5 in VR? I have an identical GPA as yours and my MCAT was 7/9/8 so it makes me nervous to hear that you also had a 24 but such little response even with your GPA.
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Well, I did apply to 8 MD schools, and with 3 takes on the MCAT and failing to crack a 5 on verbal....I pretty much figured I would get zero love from the instate MD schools but decided to bite anyway since someone I knew got into Texas A&M with a 22 MCAT. I would never know without applying, right? So, it was worth it for me to apply, given my GPA and my ECs, (nothing special, cookie cutter but well balanced). I had 2.5 years volunteering in hospital, non medical volunteering at soup kitchen/salvation army/children's shelter, 1 year OCHEM tutoring, pediatric MD and EM DO shadowing, 1 semester microbiology research w/ no pub, and 2 years as an ER scribe.

Out of the DO schools, I went 2/7 (forgot to add that I applied to LMU-DCOM). I received secondaries from AZCOM, LMU-DCOM, TCOM, and DMU. I was flat out rejected by KCUMB, OSU-COM, and LECOM-B. I know that KCUMB and OSU-COM have minimum requirements of 7-8 on each section, so, just know this before you apply, especially if you have a 6 or lower on any section of the MCAT. I guess some schools just need hard cutoffs to trim the field. I honestly don't know if a more balanced MCAT like yours can help or hurt you. On one end, you have a balanced score with a good verbal score of 9, so that means something. Also, at schools with hard cutoffs, you wont be screened out. On the other hand, some schools may find it alarming that your cGPA and sGPA are so high (especially if you were a bio major, like me), yet you failed to crack a 10 on any of the science sections.


Anicetus said:
I've been told that I may not get much love with a 3.6/3.75 GPAs and a 14/6/11 MCAT. The MCAT is a big deal to medical schools.
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I knew two people who had 13/6/13 MCATs, and both had difficulty getting in to medical school. The 6 was in verbal for both of them, and both were Texas residents. One had a 3.9+ GPA, he was told to retake the MCAT for a more balanced score. He raised it to a 13/9/13 I believe and ended up interviewing at 1 MD school in Texas and eventually got accepted.

The other had a 3.5 +, but didn't get accepted the first time applying with that score. This year she applied again and got into the DO school in Alabama. To me, a 13/6/13 looks a hell of a lot better than my 9/5/10. I'm just happy to be accepted, especially after seeing DMU's recent match list, (although I have read some concerning things about their 3rd year curriculum from 4th years on the official thread). Don't ask me about it, but if you want to read it, its on page 31 or 32 of the thread by username LiberalDoc
 
Yes.

I should also mention that for both, English was their second language. I think it's unfortunate that the verbal section, of all things, weeds out so many qualified students who, IMHO, are more than fit to handle a medical school curriculum. I mean, you all have taken the MCAT and seen the kinds of passages they put on the verbal, especially on the real deal. And they always try to change one word subtly, or have an author support one premise until the very last line of the final paragraph before he does a complete 180 on his entire premise. Its unfortunate that something like this is weighed so heavily in admissions, especially because we are talking about MEDICAL school, where you learn about the sciences, not how well you can understand a passage about observing the migratory patterns of turtles from a satellite in space that analyzes this date based on the soil which the turtles inhabit (AAMC #10 I think?)

Okay, I think I am done venting.
 
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IH8ColdWeath3r said:
Yes.

I should also mention that for both, English was their second language. I think it's unfortunate that the verbal section, of all things, weeds out so many qualified students who, IMHO, are more than fit to handle a medical school curriculum. I mean, you all have taken the MCAT and seen the kinds of passages they put on the verbal, especially on the real deal. And they always try to change one word subtly, or have an author support one premise until the very last line of the final paragraph before he does a complete 180 on his entire premise. Its unfortunate that something like this is weighed so heavily in admissions, especially because we are talking about MEDICAL school, where you learn about the sciences, not how well you can understand a passage about observing the migratory patterns of turtles from a satellite in space that analyzes this date based on the soil which the turtles inhabit (AAMC #10 I think?)

Okay, I think I am done venting.
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Haha, I remember this passage. I didn't think it was so bad. The TV passage (AAMC3 I think) wins the cake.

On a more serious note, I am one of those who struggled with verbal. I scored 3 on my first take and 7 on my second (and hopefully last). My methodology was to lay off all other non AAMC material. I did every single AAMC verbal passage at least 3 times. Although I didn't become proficient at it, I reached a point where I could almost predict what questions will be asked as I was reading the passage. Timing, on the other hand, was my number 1 killer. I have no doubt in my mind that if I had a little more time left to actually read the last two passages on my test, I would have scored 9+.

Before my retake, I read many posts stating that verbal can be beat by sufficient practice, and I always thought "they have no idea what the hell they're talking about". However, now that I was able to raise my score by 4 points, I have to agree. You may not be able to score 10, but scoring 7+ is definitely within reach. With sufficient practice (AAMC verbal passages), it will eventually click.
 
Ibn Alnafis MD said:
Haha, I remember this passage. I didn't think it was so bad. The TV passage (AAMC3 I think) wins the cake.

On a more serious note, I am one of those who struggled with verbal. I scored 3 on my first take and 7 on my second (and hopefully last). My methodology was to lay off all other non AAMC material. I did every single AAMC verbal passage at least 3 times. Although I didn't become proficient at it, I reached a point where I could almost predict what questions will be asked as I was reading the passage. Timing, on the other hand, was my number 1 killer. I have no doubt in my mind that if I had a little more time left to actually read the last two passages on my test, I would have scored 9+.

Before my retake, I read many posts stating that verbal can be beat by sufficient practice, and I always thought "they have no idea what the hell they're talking about". However, now that I was able to raise my score by 4 points, I have to agree. You may not be able to score 10, but scoring 7+ is definitely within reach. With sufficient practice (AAMC verbal passages), it will eventually click.
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I already plan to retake as soon as I'm allowed to. I have to agree for VR timing killed me. Literally slayed me. I'm hoping to schedule a late July/early aug retake. I'm not even waiting for my score because I just know...
 
IH8ColdWeath3r said:
Yes.

I should also mention that for both, English was their second language. I think it's unfortunate that the verbal section, of all things, weeds out so many qualified students who, IMHO, are more than fit to handle a medical school curriculum. I mean, you all have taken the MCAT and seen the kinds of passages they put on the verbal, especially on the real deal. And they always try to change one word subtly, or have an author support one premise until the very last line of the final paragraph before he does a complete 180 on his entire premise. Its unfortunate that something like this is weighed so heavily in admissions, especially because we are talking about MEDICAL school, where you learn about the sciences, not how well you can understand a passage about observing the migratory patterns of turtles from a satellite in space that analyzes this date based on the soil which the turtles inhabit (AAMC #10 I think?)

Okay, I think I am done venting.
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I remember that passage, that was easy. I hated the one about the progression of bee bop in the 1920s into the modern era jazz we know now lol
 
Yeah.... Some of the AAMC passages are f...cked.
 
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geniusace said:
Is the DO LOR really an absolute requirement for WVSOM ?

""Does WVSOM require a letter of recommendation from an osteopathic physician?
Yes - a letter from an osteopathic physician (non-relative) is required to complete your file.""
http://www.wvsom.edu/Applicants/applied-faq

I really like this school, but there is no possible way for me to get a DO LOR.
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coolingglasses said:
I imagine they're probably pretty stringent, but you can always call and explain your situation. Why can't you get one? You can still apply, but if they DO offer you an interview you then have three weeks to have all your LORs in order.
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So can I get some more input on my original question of DO shadowing requirement ? (And I believe this isnt just for WVSOM, but some other schools as well.)

I honestly think that its not fair that schools specifically want DO LOR's when they are trying to convince students that there is no difference between MD's and DO's except for the OMM which most DO's dont practice anyway.
 
geniusace said:
So can I get some more input on my original question of DO shadowing requirement ? (And I believe this isnt just for WVSOM, but some other schools as well.)

I honestly think that its not fair that schools specifically want DO LOR's when they are trying to convince students that there is no difference between MD's and DO's except for the OMM which most DO's dont practice anyway.
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I've heard its to filter out the students who applied to MD schools and are just using DO schools as backups.
 
Anicetus said:
Is 19 DO schools and 24 MD schools a big enough net?
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There is no way you will be able to complete 43 secondary applications before losing your mind or going bankrupt. Sincerely consider cutting that number down to 30.
 
Ibn Alnafis MD said:
Haha, I remember this passage. I didn't think it was so bad. The TV passage (AAMC3 I think) wins the cake.

On a more serious note, I am one of those who struggled with verbal. I scored 3 on my first take and 7 on my second (and hopefully last). My methodology was to lay off all other non AAMC material. I did every single AAMC verbal passage at least 3 times. Although I didn't become proficient at it, I reached a point where I could almost predict what questions will be asked as I was reading the passage. Timing, on the other hand, was my number 1 killer. I have no doubt in my mind that if I had a little more time left to actually read the last two passages on my test, I would have scored 9+.

Before my retake, I read many posts stating that verbal can be beat by sufficient practice, and I always thought "they have no idea what the hell they're talking about". However, now that I was able to raise my score by 4 points, I have to agree. You may not be able to score 10, but scoring 7+ is definitely within reach. With sufficient practice (AAMC verbal passages), it will eventually click.
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Nice, congrats on the improvement. I wish I could have scored a 7 on the real deal. I was averaging 7-8 on the practice tests, and hit 9 two or three times. But on the real deal, it just didn't pan out. I think I may have got interviews at some MD schools with a 7, as I know many people with 27 MCAT scores who did.

One thing I have to ask, just out of curiosity (because I have absolutely 0 interest in taking that exam again), won't you remember the answer choices, the question stems, or even the answers subconsciously after doing the AAMC passages so many times and then going back to analyze the passage? doesn't that sort of defeat the purpose the unknown with regard to each passage?
 
TopTomato said:
I've heard its to filter out the students who applied to MD schools and are just using DO schools as backups.
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Is there any other way that you can suggest (or anyone else as well) with which I can explain to these schools why I dont have a DO LOR ?

Will it be helpful that if I tell them my main focus is primary care in rural and medically under-served areas which I can prove through my extensive volunteering abroad in such areas.

With my 22 credit hour course load and other various personal issues that I had to deal with while maintaining a decent GPA, I'm glad I even have a doctors LOR.
 
IH8ColdWeath3r said:
Nice, congrats on the improvement. I wish I could have scored a 7 on the real deal. I was averaging 7-8 on the practice tests, and hit 9 two or three times. But on the real deal, it just didn't pan out. I think I may have got interviews at some MD schools with a 7, as I know many people with 27 MCAT scores who did.

One thing I have to ask, just out of curiosity (because I have absolutely 0 interest in taking that exam again), won't you remember the answer choices, the question stems, or even the answers subconsciously after doing the AAMC passages so many times and then going back to analyze the passage? doesn't that sort of defeat the purpose the unknown with regard to each passage?
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Yes, of course I remembered almost all of the questions. However, I never looked at the answers after I attempted the tests. Although I knew how many mistakes I made on each passage, I never looked at the answers until after my second or third attempt. I was forcing myself to think differently and come up with different rationale. My goal was not to assess myself as much as studying the layout of the passages and how the questions were formulated. Honestly, you could categorize 90% of the questions into 5-7 categories. If you become very comfortable with these categories, you'll automatically be able to fish out important clues in the passage and anticipate possible questions.
 
TopTomato said:
I've heard its to filter out the students who applied to MD schools and are just using DO schools as backups.
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I don't think that's exactly right. It's likely that they want the students to see the distinctions between osteopathic and allopathic physicians ( You're going to be asked this question anyway, so might as well have a little anecdotal stuff to add to it). Admittedly I think the requirement is bullocks because the majority of premeds are literally going to just get a letter from either their neighbor or their primary care physician and very few are going to honestly either put in the effort to hunt down a DO that is willing to shadow or be successful in said hunt.
 
Anicetus said:
With a 6 in VR it sure beats MCAT fees/another year of NOT being in medical school/another round of applying.
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And the risk of burning out on essay writing will make your chances even lower. It's better to have 30 strong applications than 50 weak ones.
 
How much do secondaries cost? Is it like about $50 per school to send in primaries? Then what's the cost of secondaries?

I'm anticipating to drop a grand on an initial 20 schools and wondering what to expect for after that...
 
pre med 2014 said:
How much do secondaries cost? Is it like about $50 per school to send in primaries? Then what's the cost of secondaries?

I'm anticipating to drop a grand on an initial 20 schools and wondering what to expect for after that...
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75 is the average.
 
$195 for the first school and an additional $35 for the next schools. So 195+ 35(19)= $860 for primaries.Secondaries will be $40-$200 bucks a piece averaging about $75. I would not recommend applying to 20 schools. It cost me about $350 to interview for each school with hotel and airfare. Save your money and apply to 10 schools... 15 at the most. Be realistic and apply smartly... Not broadly.
 
MIZ SEC said:
$195 for the first school and an additional $35 for the next schools. So 195+ 35(19)= $860 for primaries.Secondaries will be $40-$200 bucks a piece averaging about $75. I would not recommend applying to 20 schools. It cost me about $350 to interview for each school with hotel and airfare. Save your money and apply to 10 schools... 15 at the most. Be realistic and apply smartly... Not broadly.
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👍
 
MIZ SEC said:
$195 for the first school and an additional $35 for the next schools. So 195+ 35(19)= $860 for primaries.Secondaries will be $40-$200 bucks a piece averaging about $75. I would not recommend applying to 20 schools. It cost me about $350 to interview for each school with hotel and airfare. Save your money and apply to 10 schools... 15 at the most. Be realistic and apply smartly... Not broadly.
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10-15 is alright if you're only applying to DO schools or a Texas resident. If you're applying DO + MD then 20-30 is perfectly fine if not a complete requirement.
 
Okay I know you all wanted to kick me out of the underdawgs thread but I still feel like I might be one...

27 (9PS, 8VR, 10BS), 3.78 GPA Biochem major and psychology minor, non-trad... 4-5 years of research (3 years clinical research), lots of public health outreach (I love education), shadowed 2 DO's...

I wanted to retake my MCAT for MD schools but I have been so busy at work and with my application that I have barely studied since I took it last in late April. I applied to all the DO schools in the NE and Michigan... I am interested in family medicine or pediatrics. I think my top choice right now is PCOM.

I feel like I screwed myself because I am such a perfectionist... I took forever to complete my application. I submitted it yesterday. My letters of recommendation are not in yet. I am going through my pre-med committee and I hope that my letter will go out by late July. Am I screwed???

I also haven't submitted my AMCAS because I am nervous about not being able to change it and people don't think I am "self-reflective" enough in my personal statement. I want to apply to two MD schools that I think I might have a chance at.

Any advice? I need encouragement. I wish I could pay someone to write what I feel. Does anyone else feel like they struggle with communicating exactly what they want to say?

I really want to get in this year.
 
VinceViegel said:
You are too neurotic. If you really want to be an underdog then you should join the one in pre-allo. The vast majority of people don't send in their letters of recommendation until they do their secondaries. YOU ARE FINE.
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I thought that people are going to start getting secondaries July 1st and then people pre-write them and send them in as soon as they get them. So hypothetically, the schools could start reviewing and sending out interview invitations on July 1st right? Or am I wrong?

Thanks for setting me straight VinceViegel. 🙂
 
tinylilron said:
Okay I know you all wanted to kick me out of the underdawgs thread but I still feel like I might be one...

27 (9PS, 8VR, 10BS), 3.78 GPA Biochem major and psychology minor, non-trad... 4-5 years of research (3 years clinical research), lots of public health outreach (I love education), shadowed 2 DO's...

I wanted to retake my MCAT for MD schools but I have been so busy at work and with my application that I have barely studied since I took it last in late April. I applied to all the DO schools in the NE and Michigan... I am interested in family medicine or pediatrics. I think my top choice right now is PCOM.

I feel like I screwed myself because I am such a perfectionist... I took forever to complete my application. I submitted it yesterday. My letters of recommendation are not in yet. I am going through my pre-med committee and I hope that my letter will go out by late July. Am I screwed???

I also haven't submitted my AMCAS because I am nervous about not being able to change it and people don't think I am "self-reflective" enough in my personal statement. I want to apply to two MD schools that I think I might have a chance at.

Any advice? I need encouragement. I wish I could pay someone to write what I feel. Does anyone else feel like they struggle with communicating exactly what they want to say?

I really want to get in this year.
Click to expand...

You're fine! Stop worrying! MCAT is at the average, GPA is above average. DO schools will not recommend you retaking the MCAT with that score and especially with that GPA. (Thats what they told me and my GPA is nowhere near yours.) MD schools may tell you to retake, but with your EC's you should be fine as long as the MD schools are mid-tier.

Your letters don't have to go out until secondaries come out. You'll be fine if they're sent out in July!

Use the secondaries thread to work on the secondary app before it gets sent out, that way you minimize the time between receiving it and returning it. Spending less time on secondaries will give you much more time to practice your interviewing skills!

Get out of this thread, you're definitely not an underdog! 👍

tinylilron said:
...the schools could start reviewing and sending out interview invitations on July 1st right? Or am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Generally, interviews begin around September, maybe mid-August at the earliest
 
Ogmora said:
You're fine! Stop worrying! MCAT is at the average, GPA is above average. DO schools will not recommend you retaking the MCAT with that score and especially with that GPA. (Thats what they told me and my GPA is nowhere near yours.) MD schools may tell you to retake, but with your EC's you should be fine as long as the MD schools are mid-tier.

Your letters don't have to go out until secondaries come out. You'll be fine if they're sent out in July!

Use the secondaries thread to work on the secondary app before it gets sent out, that way you minimize the time between receiving it and returning it. Spending less time on secondaries will give you much more time to practice your interviewing skills!

Get out of this thread, you're definitely not an underdog! 👍



Generally, interviews begin around September, maybe mid-August at the earliest
Click to expand...

so even if my LORs are not send out until early August I should still be fine then, right? Do you know if this is the same for MD schools?
 
VinceViegel said:
You are too neurotic. If you really want to be an underdog then you should join the one in pre-allo. The vast majority of people don't send in their letters of recommendation until they do their secondaries. YOU ARE FINE.
Click to expand...

Agreed.
 
serenade said:
Agreed.
Click to expand...

👍

Hey serenade, I'm up from 3.08 -> 3.13cGPA and will be adding post-bacc grades in the fall

Also, how would you feel about adding the old UD lists to the OP just to give future posters some perspective on what being an underdog means?
 
Ogmora said:
👍

Hey serenade, I'm up from 3.08 -> 3.13cGPA and will be adding post-bacc grades in the fall

Also, how would you feel about adding the old UD lists to the OP just to give future posters some perspective on what being an underdog means?
Click to expand...

I don't think it would add too much, way too many people on that list had stats in the high 3.5s/28s as well. But like I said, who's to determine that they're an ideal form of underdog :laugh:.
 
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