2013-2014 Underdawgs Thread ( Lets get it)

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FutureDO22 said:
Apply to more schools, and you have a decent chance at a few interviews IMO. Rock said interviews and hope for an acceptance. Study for September MCAT as a contingency plan because a 24 might get you in, but a 26 will open more doors.
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Awesome thanks for all of the input- any particular schools you have in mind to add? I already applied to PCOM-ga, ACOM, CUSOM, LMU DCOM, William Carey, AT stills, VCOM (both campus) and Marian
 
lcollier7 said:
Awesome thanks for all of the input- any particular schools you have in mind to add? I already applied to PCOM-ga, ACOM, CUSOM, LMU DCOM, William Carey, AT stills, VCOM (both campus) and Marian
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Add WVSOM, otherwise that list looks good. Also, add any other DO schools that are in your home state or border states if you have the money to spare on a few reaches.
 
So I got my MCAT score back and am now clearly an underdog.
Non-Trad, 41 years old, almost 20 years paramedic/firefighter.
3.45 cGPA, 3.8 sGPA, 25 MCAT (PS 8, VR 9, BS 8)
I was averaging 31 on my practice tests, felt confident going in and got rattled during PS, threw me off for the whole exam.
Strong upward trend in grades, failed out of school as a freshman a LONG time ago and it is an anchor around my GPA. Basically started college all over again 3 years ago. Thank goodness for grade forgiveness.
Was hoping to apply EDP to local MD school, but that's not going to happen now. I knew DO was a strong possibility for me as well, my age, grades and a better reputation of DO schools for looking at applicants holistically.
I have no ego about MD or DO at the end of my name, I just want to be a physician. Will be applying to several DO schools in southeast, (waiting on transcripts to clear).
The more I learn about Osteopathy, the more I like it, maybe things happen for a reason.
Wish me luck, and I'll do the same for you all.
 
You'll be fine for DO. Yeah, it's a 25, but none of your subscores are out-of-line. And the oldest person in our class is 38, so I don't think age will hold you back either.
 
coolingglasses said:
You'll be fine for DO. Yeah, it's a 25, but none of your subscores are out-of-line. And the oldest person in our class is 38, so I don't think age will hold you back either.
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I agree, fine for DO. I would recommend a retake if you averaged 31 on practice tests though. I know I would have a hard time forgiving myself if I scored that much lower than my practice tests if I didn't at least try again. Plus, a higher score will really give you some options. I say retake immediately, but apply regardless. Being 41 won't hurt you either, especially with 20 years spent in healthcare that can only be a plus. Good luck this cycle!
 
coolingglasses said:
You'll be fine for DO. Yeah, it's a 25, but none of your subscores are out-of-line. And the oldest person in our class is 38, so I don't think age will hold you back either.
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Thanks, that's nice to hear. I'm still reeling from the 25. I knew when I took the test that I didn't do as well as I could have, but everyone has been telling me since then that "everyone does better than they thought." I was hoping they were right.
Do you really think I have a legitimate shot with a 25?
I think I have good EC's and LOR's, and I hope almost 20 yrs. as a paramedic will be seen as a positive.
 
FutureDO22 said:
I agree, fine for DO. I would recommend a retake if you averaged 31 on practice tests though. I know I would have a hard time forgiving myself if I scored that much lower than my practice tests if I didn't at least try again. Plus, a higher score will really give you some options. I say retake immediately, but apply regardless. Being 41 won't hurt you either, especially with 20 years spent in healthcare that can only be a plus. Good luck this cycle!
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I am worried about an immediate retake. I think if I don't take the time to prepare and make a similar score it will look even worse. I figure I will apply with what I have and hope for the best. If no luck this cycle, I will retake next year after more prep time. At least that's my plan so far.
 
DE15C said:
I am worried about an immediate retake. I think if I don't take the time to prepare and make a similar score it will look even worse. I figure I will apply with what I have and hope for the best. If no luck this cycle, I will retake next year after more prep time. At least that's my plan so far.
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I think that's a good plan if you are worried about taking it again. You have a pretty good shot applying now with those stats given that it is still fairly early in the application process. Get that application in quick though just in case!
 
DE15C said:
Thanks, that's nice to hear. I'm still reeling from the 25. I knew when I took the test that I didn't do as well as I could have, but everyone has been telling me since then that "everyone does better than they thought." I was hoping they were right.
Do you really think I have a legitimate shot with a 25?
I think I have good EC's and LOR's, and I hope almost 20 yrs. as a paramedic will be seen as a positive.
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Yep. You'll have a lot to discuss on secondaries and interviews, and your sGPA will keep you afloat.
 
Thanks for your input guys, nice to think that not all hope is lost for this cycle. Best of luck to you both.
 
gc91 said:
x2

DE15C I had a 25 last cycle and had 4 interviews.
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gc91, Thanks. Actually WVSOM is on my list of schools to apply to, I would love to ask you some questions about their program if you have time. OK to PM you?
 
HipChick said:
Yes I know I can do better. I'm that person that fails the first exam to get Bs/As on the rest. I mean basically ill be sitting without secondaries until my retake score yes?
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Well, it all depends on whether or not the schools you apply to screen primaries or not. You'd have to check the CIB to find out which do and which don't. (The link for the CIB can be found on AACOM.org) Even if they do, I'm sure you can still contact them after you retake and see if they would send you a secondary.
 
Ogmora said:
Well, it all depends on whether or not the schools you apply to screen primaries or not. You'd have to check the CIB to find out which do and which don't. (The link for the CIB can be found on AACOM.org) Even if they do, I'm sure you can still contact them after you retake and see if they would send you a secondary.
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AWESOME! The main university I am interested in (MSUCOM) autoscreens MCAT 20, verbal 6, however CCOM does not.

So do you suggest that I still apply, noting that I have an additional MCAT date coming up, then just not expect a secondary, after I retake in September (which the CIB says they accept) contact them?
 
DE15C said:
gc91, Thanks. Actually WVSOM is on my list of schools to apply to, I would love to ask you some questions about their program if you have time. OK to PM you?
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Absolutely, go ahead.
 
HipChick said:
AWESOME! The main university I am interested in (MSUCOM) autoscreens MCAT 20, verbal 6, however CCOM does not.

So do you suggest that I still apply, noting that I have an additional MCAT date coming up, then just not expect a secondary, after I retake in September (which the CIB says they accept) contact them?
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Autoscreens pre or post secondary?
 
Awesome stats and EC!! MCAT is not bad I would try and see what happens! Can take it again if need be. Good luck!!!
 
Raze said:
Stats:
3.25 sGPA, 3.26 cGPA, MCAT: 26 (9P,8V,9B) about 1300 hours volunteer
I have applied broadly. Any feedback on my competitiveness?
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Slightly underdog! You will likely get multiple iis, and consequently will get multiple acceptances.
 
New underdog here:

sGPA: 3.47
cGPA: 3.42
MCAT: Pending - 7/02
 
Hey guys,

I'm in a tough situation. My GPA and sGPA are around the averages for DO schools.

However, my MCAT is a 25 (12/4/9).

English is my native language. I averaged around an 8 on verbal practice tests. Should I apply now and list an August/September retake, or is it only worth my time applying after a retake?
 
premed2113 said:
Hey guys,

I'm in a tough situation. My GPA and sGPA are around the averages for DO schools.

However, my MCAT is a 25 (12/4/9).

English is my native language. I averaged around an 8 on verbal practice tests. Should I apply now and list an August/September retake, or is it only worth my time applying after a retake?
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You're not gonna get any love with that 4, unfortunately. Good luck with the retake!!
 
premed2113 said:
Hey guys,

I'm in a tough situation. My GPA and sGPA are around the averages for DO schools.

However, my MCAT is a 25 (12/4/9).

English is my native language. I averaged around an 8 on verbal practice tests. Should I apply now and list an August/September retake, or is it only worth my time applying after a retake?
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I would be wary of applying this year to be honest. If you think you can potentially retake and be fine then go ahead.
 
serenade said:
I would be wary of applying this year, to be honest.
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This.

Take time to prepare adequately, retake, and apply next year. It'll be worth it to save your money and anxiety, and besides, this will give you time to make sure you can bet on your scores before you sit again. Good luck!
 
Yeah be totally prepared. I was averaging 26-28 and got 21....
 
I don't know why so many people score so far below their AAMC averages. I took the entire time on all my practices on every section, never finished early. On my real MCAT, PS was more detailed/slightly longer, VR easier but a bit longer, and bio comparable. I scored 3 points above my average.
 
user3 said:
I don't know why so many people score so far below their AAMC averages. I took the entire time on all my practices on every section, never finished early. On my real MCAT, PS was more detailed/slightly longer, VR easier but a bit longer, and bio comparable. I scored 3 points above my average.
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For me? Test anxiety. Suffered from it as long as I can remember (even elementary school)
 
Lysilegluleu said:
This.

Take time to prepare adequately, retake, and apply next year. It'll be worth it to save your money and anxiety, and besides, this will give you time to make sure you can bet on your scores before you sit again. Good luck!
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I think if they can retake by Sept and do well, they'd be fine applying this year. I wouldn't apply now though, because I don't know if there is a school with a cutoff at or below 4 for a subsection score.

That said, the last date this year is like the beginning/middle of Sept, so unless things get turned around fast, I doubt it would make sense to retake that quickly. The late January MCAT is probably too late for this cycle too.

Dr Dazzle said:
New schools were all at the average for all other DO schools stats wise it seems for this year.
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We won't know this for sure until the matriculant stats come out around Dec/Jan.

user3 said:
I don't know why so many people score so far below their AAMC averages. I took the entire time on all my practices on every section, never finished early. On my real MCAT, PS was more detailed/slightly longer, VR easier but a bit longer, and bio comparable. I scored 3 points above my average.
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You are not representative of most test takers. Most people are more comfortable when taking practice tests (especially if they are at their home on the computer they are most comfortable with), than they are on test day. That usually means lower or at least equal scores. Plus, there is an issue of simply being lucky or unlucky and having more or less, respectively, of the material you are most comfortable with on the test.

pre med 2014 said:
Is medians be up? My 2011 us news book of med schools has just about every DO school median to be 8 per section, so a 24 total. Maybe the top 3 have 9 medians but majority are 8.
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Besides the fact that the DO matriculant MCAT averages have gone up by ~1.5 points since 2011 (not counting last cycle, which should show even more of a rise), US News and Report of med schools tends to use already outdated stats for a lot of the DO and lower/mid-tier MD schools. By the way, the total median MCAT score for DO matriculants in 2012 was 27.

I wouldn't rely too heavily on that data for predicting the results of this cycle or future cycles.

That said, a 24 doesn't mean there is absolutely no chance. Its well below average (by a good 3 points), but at the less competitive schools, it may be just fine considering all else is good and lots of waitlist movement. Afterall, a decent amount of people get into MD schools with 28/29s.
 
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serenade said:
3.4/24 won't bring you much love outside of the newer schools.
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This is saying I receive my average - like others have said, it's certainly possible to score higher or lower. I have 4+ years of clinical work experience, with multiple DO's performing OMM and assisting in procedures etc. I'm the vice president of Pre-SOMA at my school. Have letters from 4 DO's, father and brother are DO grads. In my opinion, I think if my application gets a broad look by schools rather than just my stats, I'm a solid applicant. Only time will tell so I can't do anything but live easy right now. And also die of anxiety about all of the secondaries.
Furthermore, I've met with admission faculty from PCOM and Rowan-SOM multiple times - they aren't looking for robots with awesome stats and no life, they want actual humans capable of social interactions to be trained as physicians - if they have the stats to come with it, thats a plus. Most of the time, they're only looking to maintain their averages. For every 24 they're accepting, they'll be accepting a 28. There are plenty of 28's hoping to attend those schools. Just my thoughts
 
Juiboi said:
This is saying I receive my average - like others have said, it's certainly possible to score higher or lower. I have 4+ years of clinical work experience, with multiple DO's performing OMM and assisting in procedures etc. I'm the vice president of Pre-SOMA at my school. Have letters from 4 DO's, father and brother are DO grads. In my opinion, I think if my application gets a broad look by schools rather than just my stats, I'm a solid applicant. Only time will tell so I can't do anything but live easy right now. And also die of anxiety about all of the secondaries.
Furthermore, I've met with admission faculty from PCOM and Rowan-SOM multiple times - they aren't looking for robots with awesome stats and no life, they want actual humans capable of social interactions to be trained as physicians - if they have the stats to come with it, thats a plus. Most of the time, they're only looking to maintain their averages. For every 24 they're accepting, they'll be accepting a 28. There are plenty of 28's hoping to attend those schools. Just my thoughts
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what schools are you applying to?
 
Juiboi said:
New underdog here:

sGPA: 3.47
cGPA: 3.42
MCAT: Pending - 7/02
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I think you will have a good shot but it might not be the schools that are mcat obsessed like Nova, AZCOM, Touro-CA, CCOM, DMU
 
buctuong said:
what schools are you applying to?
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Full list:
LECOM-Erie
LECOM-Brad.
LMU
NYCOM
PCOM Philly
PCOM georgia
RVU
UNECOM
West Virginia
Touro Harlem
Pacific northwest
AT Still Kirk
AT Still Mesa
Nova
Pikeville
Rowan COM
DMU
Edward via virginia
Campbell
Alabama
Marian
William Carey

Certainly kept my options open
 
Hi everyone... Been reading posts for a while and decided to jump in myself. Im a non-trad with about 190 credit hours (had a lackluster BA in poly sci about 9 years ago) Been a hospital-based paramedic for 6 years and a volunteer EMT for 5 years before that. Applying this cycle and nervous like everyone else...

cGPA: 2.96, sGPA 3.52, MCAT 27 (9/9/9)
 
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