2013-2014 Underdawgs Thread ( Lets get it)

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hello fellow underdogs!!

Here are my stats (based on AACOMAS calculations:
3.2 cGPA (actual undergrad gpa is 3.3)
3.0 sGPA
32Q MCAT

Here's hoping to a successful cycle for all of us!!! :luck::luck:
 
I don't get why they declared you an underdog.

Even with that 6 on verbal, only a handful of DO schools will be hesitant to interview you. Your overall MCAT is 4 points above average and you GPA is above the average of any school, including DMU.

As Goro would say, "Stop Fussing".

I am what you would call an experimental underdog. I am basically the walking test to see if one bad subsection score will cut you out from any/which medical schools.

I will eventually make a thread later to show which schools screen based on subsection scores alone according to my results. Of course it will be a rough estimate because I could easily have other downfalls about my application, but it will be useful for those that are in my situation and wondering if they should retake the MCAT after a 30+, yet <7 subsection score.

Overall, the fact that some schools throw a minimum MCAT req out there automatically dubs me an underdog at the end of the day.
 
Retaking July 25th as well. So worried about applying late but trying to stay hopeful!

I didnt think it was that late, but now I'm worried. :scared:

I also have a previous 21MCAT and my s&cGPA's are in reverse order from yours with my cGPA being a bit over 3.5. Your other stats are good and mine are on par as well.

Its just the MCAT :beat::diebanana::boom:
 
I couldnt find this anywhere else on SDN, so here it goes (I know its a big debate starter).

Is it better to go the DO route or a foreign MD route ? :shrug:
 
I couldnt find this anywhere else on SDN, so here it goes (I know its a big debate starter).

Is it better to go the DO route or a foreign MD route ? :shrug:

For purposes of getting an american residency....do>>>>>foreign
 
I couldnt find this anywhere else on SDN, so here it goes (I know its a big debate starter).

Is it better to go the DO route or a foreign MD route ? :shrug:

It is possible to get residency in the US going foreign MD but you would essentially be stuck on the east coast for them since they are more foreign MD friendly. DO friendly residencies are nationwide.
 
I wouldn't consider you an underdog. Yes, 24 is a below average score, but all of the sections are 7+. Besides, your GPA rocks. YOU SHOULD GET INTERVIEWS.

That being said, if I were in your shoes, I would sell myself short. I would retake and aim for 28+. Such score will make you ultracompetitive at any DO school, as well as MD schools. However, if you are tired of the MCAT and don't want to go through the whole process again (I completely understand the pain), I think you are golden as is. Maybe, you won't get into MCAT-loving schools (AZCOM or TouroNV) but you will definitely find love from other GPA-loving ones (DMU, Western, etc).

With that GPA, I have no doubt that your chances are better than mine.

Good luck!

Thanks man! Good to see a fellow 4/26er in here contributing. What an awesome group of people we had in that thread.

How are you coming along with the process. I've been rooting for you man. You're going to be a great doc!
 
Please dont feed the troll, and end this line of thread derailment.

Ok sorry I derailed thread. But a foreign program like Cornell-Qatar is hardly disadvantaged in terms of graduates findings residencies, at least relative to 'foreign IMGs'
 
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Ok sorry I derailed thread. But a foreign program like Cornell-Qatar is hardly disadvantaged in terms of graduates findings residencies.

With generally limited application we can't really say one way or the other. Regardless it'll cost a fortune.
 
With generally limited application we can't really say one way or the other. Regardless it'll cost a fortune.

Ya most Australian schools are 70K per year just for tuition. The other two (UQ and Flinders which are about 55K now) will be at 70K within 5 years at the rate that they are increasing every year
 
Ya most Australian schools are 70K per year just for tuition. The other two will be there within 5 years

Add in living expense and taxes and that will be 100k.
In Qatar chances are it'll be a fortune just for living expenses.
 
Thanks man! Good to see a fellow 4/26er in here contributing. What an awesome group of people we had in that thread.

How are you coming along with the process. I've been rooting for you man. You're going to be a great doc!

Thank you man. I'm rooting for you too.
 
Were your EC's stronger than mine. When I posted my stats in the WAMC thread, I got no love even for DO. Everyone has said that even with my GPA, 24 is below the bottom.

My ECs were about the same as yours. I had more shadowing (500+ hours), but far less work experience, none of it medical.
 
When did you apply last cycle ?

I'm a true underdog applying this cycle, but I wont be able apply till I take my test on the 25th of july, will that be too late ?

Are you going to submit your primary after you take your MCAT or after you get your scores?

I submitted in early August after I got my scores, took 6 weeks to get approved, and another month and a half for my committee letter to go out. If my committee letter had gone out sooner, I may have gotten more interviews (I really wanted a shot at VCOM), but since WVSOM (and Lecom) invite for interviews without secondaries or letters, they were the first schools I heard back from. I got my interview invite for WVSOM in October, about 2 weeks after my primary was verified, and my interview invite for LECOM on Halloween. Interviewed at WVSOM in early November, accepted 11/27, interviewed at LECOM three days later (they waitlisted me.) LMU-DCOM called me the week after my LECOM interview for an interview invite, but I had already accepted my WVSOM seat at that point. ACOM emailed me just after Christmas for an interview in January, because I apparently forgot to email them and withdraw my application.

Anyway, try to submit as early as possible, especially because you're an underdog, and especially because very soon it will take 4 to 6 weeks for your primary application to be processed. You can select one school to apply to, just to get verified, and submit without taking your MCAT if you indicate the date of your MCAT, and then go back and add in your scores when you get them. You can also add more schools at that point. That way, since you'll already be verified, your primary application will be sent right away to the schools you choose.

Your chances of getting in are much better early on, before the schools swell with applications, because the people with the "average" numbers will be submitting in September and October and by December the "nervous" MD applicants will be submitted.
 
Are you going to submit your primary after you take your MCAT or after you get your scores?

I submitted in early August after I got my scores, took 6 weeks to get approved, and another month and a half for my committee letter to go out. If my committee letter had gone out sooner, I may have gotten more interviews (I really wanted a shot at VCOM), but since WVSOM (and Lecom) invite for interviews without secondaries or letters, they were the first schools I heard back from. I got my interview invite for WVSOM in October, about 2 weeks after my primary was verified, and my interview invite for LECOM on Halloween. Interviewed at WVSOM in early November, accepted 11/27, interviewed at LECOM three days later (they waitlisted me.) LMU-DCOM called me the week after my LECOM interview for an interview invite, but I had already accepted my WVSOM seat at that point. ACOM emailed me just after Christmas for an interview in January, because I apparently forgot to email them and withdraw my application.

Anyway, try to submit as early as possible, especially because you're an underdog, and especially because very soon it will take 4 to 6 weeks for your primary application to be processed. You can select one school to apply to, just to get verified, and submit without taking your MCAT if you indicate the date of your MCAT, and then go back and add in your scores when you get them. You can also add more schools at that point. That way, since you'll already be verified, your primary application will be sent right away to the schools you choose.

Your chances of getting in are much better early on, before the schools swell with applications, because the people with the "average" numbers will be submitting in September and October and by December the "nervous" MD applicants will be submitted.

I will start my application after I take my test, which is the 25th of July. So with all the essays, PS's and other stuff that goes into the App, I guess I will submit my primary sometime in the 1st week of august. And yes, that idea of submitting to one school to get the app verified is just awesome ! I guess I would have my LOR's ready by the time I submit.

Were you instate for WVSOM ? I was interested in this school until I saw the outrageous 50k OOS tuition. 😱
Do you think anything below a 24 on the MCAT is not worth applying ?

By the way, I'm interested in LECOM, OHCOM & MUCOM.
 
I will start my application after I take my test, which is the 25th of July. So with all the essays, PS's and other stuff that goes into the App, I guess I will submit my primary sometime in the 1st week of august. And yes, that idea of submitting to one school to get the app verified is just awesome ! I guess I would have my LOR's ready by the time I submit.

Were you instate for WVSOM ? I was interested in this school until I saw the outrageous 50k OOS tuition. 😱
Do you think anything below a 24 on the MCAT is not worth applying ?

By the way, I'm interested in LECOM, OHCOM & MUCOM.

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.
 
I will start my application after I take my test, which is the 25th of July. So with all the essays, PS's and other stuff that goes into the App, I guess I will submit my primary sometime in the 1st week of august. And yes, that idea of submitting to one school to get the app verified is just awesome ! I guess I would have my LOR's ready by the time I submit.

Were you instate for WVSOM ? I was interested in this school until I saw the outrageous 50k OOS tuition. 😱
Do you think anything below a 24 on the MCAT is not worth applying ?

By the way, I'm interested in LECOM, OHCOM & MUCOM.

3.00+/3.00+/23+ is worth applying with
 
anyone know if you indicated that you are retaking the mcat on your application if they wait for that score before sending a secondary/inviting for an interview?
 
I still haven't been added to the list...

3.97cGPA, 3.92sGPA, 24
 
I just took a look at my official transcript I had a different gpa than I thought... So i guess we can update it to 3.77cGPA and 3.7 sGPA. Not sure if this changes whether or not I'd be considered an underdog.
Still 25 MCAT but hope to retake end of July.
 
I just took a look at my official transcript I had a different gpa than I thought... So i guess we can update it to 3.77cGPA and 3.7 sGPA. Not sure if this changes whether or not I'd be considered an underdog.
Still 25 MCAT but hope to retake end of July.

You're not an underdog.
 
3.3cgpa 3.5sgpa. Tons of volunteering, leadership, work....Sadly mcat 21 (7P,5V,9B) but retaking in two weeks. Still only getting around 24-26. Still praying and hoping for the best.
URM Status

What do you guys think about this school list? Enough? Im surely underdog right? haha

A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine -Virginia Campus
Georgia Campus - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton Campus
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Erie/Seton Hill
Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine,
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - School of Osteopathic Medicine
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Pikeville-Kentucky, College of Osteopathic Medicine
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
 
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3.3cgpa 3.5sgpa. Tons of volunteering, leadership, work....Sadly mcat 21 (7P,5V,9B) but retaking in two weeks. Still only getting around 24-26. Still praying and hoping for the best.

What do you guys think about this school list? Enough?

A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine -Virginia Campus
Georgia Campus - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton Campus
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Erie/Seton Hill
Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine,
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - School of Osteopathic Medicine
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Pikeville-Kentucky, College of Osteopathic Medicine
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

Good luck on your retake, especially on verbal. Few months ago I was in a worse situation than the one you're in, but thanks to the Almighty, I was able to redeem myself.

I'm seeing that you are applying to schools that may be biased against you being OOS. UNE, New Jersey, and NYCOM are regionally biased. On the other hand, DMU and CCOM have been notoriously competitive, so you may want to consider that.
 
3.3cgpa 3.5sgpa. Tons of volunteering, leadership, work....Sadly mcat 21 (7P,5V,9B) but retaking in two weeks. Still only getting around 24-26. Still praying and hoping for the best.
URM Status

What do you guys think about this school list? Enough? Im surely underdog right? haha

A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine -Virginia Campus
Georgia Campus - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton Campus
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Erie/Seton Hill
Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine,
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - School of Osteopathic Medicine
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Pikeville-Kentucky, College of Osteopathic Medicine
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

I would delay. Don't go into MCAT "hoping for the best". If 24-26 is not the score you want, delay until you are ready.
 
Good luck on your retake, especially on verbal. Few months ago I was in a worse situation than the one you're in, but thanks to the Almighty, I was able to redeem myself.

I'm seeing that you are applying to schools that may be biased against you being OOS. UNE, New Jersey, and NYCOM are regionally biased. On the other hand, DMU and CCOM have been notoriously competitive, so you may want to consider that.
Thanks for your advise. Not really a big fan of Ccom anyway or DMU so guess they can go. What schools do you suggest I could replace them with?

As for my mcat, I think I will be fine with a 24-26. No?. I start classes on the 24th and would really like to get it out of the way. Have been studying for way too long. At this point I feel like it's just a mental game.
 
Thanks for your advise. Not really a big fan of Ccom anyway or DMU so guess they can go. What schools do you suggest I could replace them with?

As for my mcat, I think I will be fine with a 24-26. No?. I start classes on the 24th and would really like to get it out of the way. Have been studying for way too long. At this point I feel like it's just a mental game.

I think 25+ might get you multiple interviews because of your URM status and especially if your are an AA....
 
Thanks for your advise. Not really a big fan of Ccom anyway or DMU so guess they can go. What schools do you suggest I could replace them with?

As for my mcat, I think I will be fine with a 24-26. No?. I start classes on the 24th and would really like to get it out of the way. Have been studying for way too long. At this point I feel like it's just a mental game.

Well, let me put it to you this way. You are averaging 24-26 on your practices. I averaged a 29 on my last three AAMC FL's (#9 30, #10 30, #11 28) and came out with a 24. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but the MCAT is too big of a deal to leave up to chance. Take it from someone who is learning the hard way. If you score poorly, say a 20, your chances for this cycle are out because you do not have enough time to recollect and retake. The choice is up to you though bud : ) good luck.
 
Well, let me put it to you this way. You are averaging 24-26 on your practices. I averaged a 29 on my last three AAMC FL's (#9 30, #10 30, #11 28) and came out with a 24. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but the MCAT is too big of a deal to leave up to chance. Take it from someone who is learning the hard way. If you score poorly, say a 20, your chances for this cycle are out because you do not have enough time to recollect and retake. The choice is up to you though bud : ) good luck.

Lol. Your example is evidence that it's up to chance, not the opposite. 🙄
 
Lol. Your example is evidence that it's up to chance, not the opposite. 🙄

No the point is, test day ain't practice day. When its the real deal, you better have a bit of a buffer zone and not "hope for the best".

Have you sat for the test yet?
 
Underdawg here!
3.3sgpa
3.5cgpa
27MCAT (7ps, 10vr, 10bs)

Slightly above average volunteering/leadership...

Any thoughts on my chances and which schools I should apply to?
 
Underdawg here!
3.3sgpa
3.5cgpa
27MCAT (7ps, 10vr, 10bs)

Slightly above average volunteering/leadership...

Any thoughts on my chances and which schools I should apply to?

I don't think you are an underdog man.
 
No the point is, test day ain't practice day. When its the real deal, you better have a bit of a buffer zone and not "hope for the best".

Have you sat for the test yet?

The consensus on here is that practice scores are indicative of test scores, that is all. There is no buffer zone... Either you know the material or you don't. The practice tests together more or less cover all the topics, that's why an average of that is used. If you're weak on certain topics then you're certainly leaving things to chance.
 
Final Stats.
3.5 cGPA
3.3 sGPA
4.0 gGPA

10/8/8

Are the 8's in Bio and Verbal the limiting factor here?

I have a retake for Gen Chem 2 underway--so at the end of the summer, my sGPA should be 3.35.

Nova is my number 1.

Any comments?
 
Final Stats.
3.5 cGPA
3.3 sGPA
4.0 gGPA

10/8/8

Are the 8's in Bio and Verbal the limiting factor here?

I have a retake for Gen Chem 2 underway--so at the end of the summer, my sGPA should be 3.35.

Nova is my number 1.

Any comments?

I think you'll be fine.
 
Good luck to you all! Still in college but I hope you all the best !!! 🙂
 
c3.47 s3.41 MCAT 24 (P8, V5, B11) and tons of EC....just got this today....should I still even apply or retake??? Verbal got me a little worried....im scared...I would love to stay in California...

also have a misdemeaner (it was dumb)....
 
The consensus on here is that practice scores are indicative of test scores, that is all. There is no buffer zone... Either you know the material or you don't. The practice tests together more or less cover all the topics, that's why an average of that is used. If you're weak on certain topics then you're certainly leaving things to chance.

Correct, within a margin of error of ± 2 points. So if he is scoring between 24-26 on his early AAMC FL's most likely his #9, #10, and #11 will be more on the 24 side. Given the consensus of error, he has the potential to score a 22.

I was merely sharing my experience with him. He doesn't have to take my advice, nor is my experience absolute. It was just trying to help and also echo what most of the adcoms on here say, "If you aren't absolutely ready then postpone." MCAT is not a test you cross your fingers on. In all honesty, the advice wasn't motioned towards you so I have no idea why we are even arguing about this.
 
Underdawg here!
3.3sgpa
3.5cgpa
27MCAT (7ps, 10vr, 10bs)

Slightly above average volunteering/leadership...

Any thoughts on my chances and which schools I should apply to?

Not an underdog...
 
...says that man with a 3.9 gpa...

Touche, but I am only basing my "underdogness" on the kind of responses I got in WAMC thread. And from the kind of feedback I got there, schools don't really give a **** about GPA when you have sub 26 MCAT. Sometimes I feel like a person with 4.0 and 40 MCAT could get into medschool even if they were a diagnosed sociopath. Shame...

Eitherway, that MCAT is competitive for DO and your GPA is as well. I think you are going to do great man. Best of luck to you!
 
Touche, but I am only basing my "underdogness" on the kind of responses I got in WAMC thread. And from the kind of feedback I got there, schools don't really give a **** about GPA when you have sub 26 MCAT. Sometimes I feel like a person with 4.0 and 40 MCAT could get into medschool even if they were a diagnosed sociopath. Shame...

Eitherway, that MCAT is competitive for DO and your GPA is as well. I think you are going to do great man. Best of luck to you!

Thanks hothamH20. Good luck to you too!
 
I have a 3.6 cGPA, a 3.75 sGPA a 31 (14/6/11) and I am still an underdog because of the 6 in VR since most schools will screen that score out.

Is this true? What are the schools that you all know that do this. I potentially am gonna try this round with that Mcat and trying to compile a list of schools...
 
Newest underdog here!!

Help here fellow underdogs!

sGPA 3.89
cGPA 3.92

MCAT 7/15/15
what are my chances?

Some guys at the lab where I work said that my only option was Carib or Poland?

any suggestions?

EDIT: I forgot to mention I barely have 50k volunteer hrs
 
Correct, within a margin of error of ± 2 points. So if he is scoring between 24-26 on his early AAMC FL's most likely his #9, #10, and #11 will be more on the 24 side. Given the consensus of error, he has the potential to score a 22.

I was merely sharing my experience with him. He doesn't have to take my advice, nor is my experience absolute. It was just trying to help and also echo what most of the adcoms on here say, "If you aren't absolutely ready then postpone." MCAT is not a test you cross your fingers on. In all honesty, the advice wasn't motioned towards you so I have no idea why we are even arguing about this.

Test scores should generally improve for FL practice exams. I was just saying that since you're telling him to postpone that would delay his app even further. I think this is bad advice, that's why I'm interjecting. He's already taken the MCAT, and so he's not going to improve much between the span of an extra month studying for the retake. Scoring that low on subsequent practices indicates poor test taking skills (IMO) which can't be cured over short lengths of time.
 
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