2013-2014 Underdawgs Thread ( Lets get it)

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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)

If you can get that cGPA to 3.0+, you should be fine IMO...
 
If you can get that cGPA to 3.0+, you should be fine IMO...

Yeeaaaa... cGPA is not budging very far at this point. I'm about as good as its going to get without taking another slew of classes that I don't have money for. I have a serious upward trend of 80 credits post-bacc with cGPA 3.57 and sGPA 3.65. It puts me as an underdog and makes me nervous but I'm hoping my other stats at least earn me a second look...
 
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?

Damn, that sucks especially with great science scores.... but I've been there myself. My first MCAT (in 2010) I got a 12VR with horrible science scores... you could imagine my horror when I saw my second scores, up in the sciences [albeit slightly] and a 4VR. :scared:😱

Best of luck to you.
 
Well after reading so much I figured I should add myself to the threads. I am an AA male who is upset at my mcat score. I have a 3.65c/ 3.51s gpa but recieved a 21 on my mcat
(6v 7p 8b). Verbal was actually my strong point, I never received less than an 8 on the practice sections and averaged a 9 but on test day I guess none of that matters.

I do have decent ECs...
3+ years volunteering at a homeless shelter.
2+ years shadowing the medical director(D.O) of an ER hospital
2+ years shadowing a neurologist (MD)
Currently doing EM research at the only lvl 1 hospital in Jacksonville.

I will be taking another mcat (next cycle) if necessary and only decided to apply this cycle because my parents agreed to pay for the fees. Wish me luck.
 
Well after reading so much I figured I should add myself to the threads. I am an AA male who is upset at my mcat score. I have a 3.65c/ 3.51s gpa but recieved a 21 on my mcat
(6v 7p 8b). Verbal was actually my strong point, I never received less than an 8 on the practice sections and averaged a 9 but on test day I guess none of that matters.

I do have decent ECs...
3+ years volunteering at a homeless shelter.
2+ years shadowing the medical director(D.O) of an ER hospital
2+ years shadowing a neurologist (MD)
Currently doing EM research at the only lvl 1 hospital in Jacksonville.

I will be taking another mcat (next cycle) if necessary and only decided to apply this cycle because my parents agreed to pay for the fees. Wish me luck.

Realistically I wouldn't recommend applying even if your parents foot out the bill. It's not only just that your money will be wasted, but that you'll be a re applicant and will as need to show improvement in a lot of your application.
 
Well after reading so much I figured I should add myself to the threads. I am an AA male who is upset at my mcat score. I have a 3.65c/ 3.51s gpa but recieved a 21 on my mcat
(6v 7p 8b). Verbal was actually my strong point, I never received less than an 8 on the practice sections and averaged a 9 but on test day I guess none of that matters.

I do have decent ECs...
3+ years volunteering at a homeless shelter.
2+ years shadowing the medical director(D.O) of an ER hospital
2+ years shadowing a neurologist (MD)
Currently doing EM research at the only lvl 1 hospital in Jacksonville.

I will be taking another mcat (next cycle) if necessary and only decided to apply this cycle because my parents agreed to pay for the fees. Wish me luck.

Not scheduling a re-take this cycle?

As it stands, you're on thin ice with that MCAT score, even with everything else in your favor. If you even had a 24, I think it'd be a different story.
 
Well I thought that medical schools like to see perseverance? If I apply and dont get in I will Def raise my mcat score and have a slightly higher gpa.
 
Not scheduling a re-take this cycle?

As it stands, you're on thin ice with that MCAT score, even with everything else in your favor. If you even had a 24, I think it'd be a different story.

The only reason that I am not retaking this cycle is becuase I am working a full time job, plus doing 20 hours a weekof EM research and my little brother had to stay the summer with me. I want to make sure that I have minimal distractions before I take the next mcat. I know how important it is to improve his or her score.
 
Well after reading so much I figured I should add myself to the threads. I am an AA male who is upset at my mcat score. I have a 3.65c/ 3.51s gpa but recieved a 21 on my mcat
(6v 7p 8b). Verbal was actually my strong point, I never received less than an 8 on the practice sections and averaged a 9 but on test day I guess none of that matters.

I do have decent ECs...
3+ years volunteering at a homeless shelter.
2+ years shadowing the medical director(D.O) of an ER hospital
2+ years shadowing a neurologist (MD)
Currently doing EM research at the only lvl 1 hospital in Jacksonville.

I will be taking another mcat (next cycle) if necessary and only decided to apply this cycle because my parents agreed to pay for the fees. Wish me luck.

URM. Apply.
 
Hello fellow UD's,

3.83 cgpa, 3.85 sgpa
22 MCAT (8, 7, 7)
Several thousand volunteer hours
5,000+ work hours at a DO teaching hospital

Non-native speaker of English (came to the States when I was in second grade) and economically disadvantaged.

Best of luck to all.
 
Dude, you're way too optimistic. Hispanic URM's had a matriculant MCAT of a 25.22 for entering class of 2012. Honestly if he's not African American, he would be better off retaking the MCAT. A 21 is a far cry for most URMs.

Edit: I didn't see OP is a AA URM, does change things a little

Honestly I am hoping that they look at my gpa (which is way above average for an AA applicant), and my EM research. Maybe I will get blessed with one or two interviews. This is an underdog thread so we will see what happens! I submitted my aacomas on 7/11 and I will keep you guys updated!
 
Dude, you're way too optimistic. Hispanic URM's had a matriculant MCAT of a 25.22 for entering class of 2012. Honestly if he's not African American, he would be better off retaking the MCAT. A 21 is a far cry for most URMs.

Edit: I didn't see OP is a AA URM, does change things a little

Fortunate or unfortunately (choose which one fits you) it does. Latest maticulated stats for AA were 3.3 cGPA, 3.15+ sGPA and 23.1 MCAT. Therefore, the poster has a shot--albeit, a long one.
 
Dude, you're way too optimistic. Hispanic URM's had a matriculant MCAT of a 25.22 for entering class of 2012. Honestly if he's not African American, he would be better off retaking the MCAT. A 21 is a far cry for most URMs.

Edit: I didn't see OP is a AA URM, does change things a little

Honestly with a 21 I'd be weary of applying because it puts you on high risk of failing the boards/ failing out. If you cannot break a 24 then it might be wise to consider an alternative field.
 
Honestly with a 21 I'd be weary of applying because it puts you on high risk of failing the boards/ failing out. If you cannot break a 24 then it might be wise to consider an alternative field.

What a statement!
 
What do you guys think my chances are?

GPA: 3.62
GPA Science: 3.55
MCAT: 25 (7/8/10)

Should I retake the MCAT???
 
Honestly with a 21 I'd be weary of applying because it puts you on high risk of failing the boards/ failing out. If you cannot break a 24 then it might be wise to consider an alternative field.

I agree with this, however only if they have truly given everything they have to studying and still can't do it after multiple attempts. I got a 24, and have friends that scored lower than that, but I pissed away the months before my test because I had other commitments. I've busted balls this summer, and I'm finally starting to see it pay off. I'm no genius, and if I can break 30 on practice tests (and hopefully score close to that on the real thing) so can a lot of other people. I think it's very common for people to think they "studied" for the MCAT by taking a few practice FLs with no review afterwards.
 
I am prior military, I was medically retired with a right below the knee amputation. Not to sound like an @$$ but if I have mediocre stats do you think that might give me a leg up (pun intended) do to medical schools looking for diversity.
 
I still feel like an underdog compared to the 3.7+/28+ people.
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I'd feel like an underdog too if I was a pre-opt applying to medical school. Haha, all honesty, you change your career path recently?
 
^
thanks!

do you know if CCOM does as well?
I am still waiting for my science LOR for CCOM, but I have (probably) a weak science LOR on my interoflio at the moment. Wondering if I should use it.

The professor didn't wanted to write me one initially, but after sending him a extended email, he wrote me one. Wondering if it's negative :scared:
 
I am prior military, I was medically retired with a right below the knee amputation. Not to sound like an @$$ but if I have mediocre stats do you think that might give me a leg up (pun intended) do to medical schools looking for diversity.

Yes. A lot of schools love military service. Look into LMU
 
Honestly with a 21 I'd be weary of applying because it puts you on high risk of failing the boards/ failing out. If you cannot break a 24 then it might be wise to consider an alternative field.

I slightly disagree. First of all my average practice test (aamc) was a 26. My lowest score that I ever received was a 24. Secondly, I took almost all of my pre-reqs 3+ years ago. If someone was only counting my pre-req gpa I would have a 3.86. People put way too much into this test. If you think about it, your gpa means more than anything. You learn the material then take a test based on what you have learned. If you prove that you can average A's and B's while taking pre med classes in college you should deserve a shot at becoming a doctor. I know an ER resident who received a 22 on his mcat and got into LECOM. He scored in the 95th percentile on his boards and could have gotten into almost any specialty. Do not get me wrong, I do believe that the MCAT is an important test and that a 21 is completely unacceptable however a lot of people place too much emphasis on this test.
 
Replying to Serenade's "I mean if you can't break a 24 after three times then I would recommend looking for a different field"

I definitely agree with this statement, hopefully I only have to retake it one more time 🙂
 
I slightly disagree. First of all my average practice test (aamc) was a 26. My lowest score that I ever received was a 24. Secondly, I took almost all of my pre-reqs 3+ years ago. If someone was only counting my pre-req gpa I would have a 3.86. People put way too much into this test. If you think about it, your gpa means more than anything. You learn the material then take a test based on what you have learned. If you prove that you can average A's and B's while taking pre med classes in college you should deserve a shot at becoming a doctor. I know an ER resident who received a 22 on his mcat and got into LECOM. He scored in the 95th percentile on his boards and could have gotten into almost any specialty. Do not get me wrong, I do believe that the MCAT is an important test and that a 21 is completely unacceptable however a lot of people place too much emphasis on this test.

Gpa is a very unstandardized thing when you think about it. For me getting a 3.5 at my university would have gotten me a 4.0 at countless other smaller colleges. So realistically it's not the best medium to judge candidates by. That being said the mcat isn't that great of a medium either because its mostly a complete mess of a test. But you take what you get.
 
Gpa is a very unstandardized thing when you think about it. For me getting a 3.5 at my university would have gotten me a 4.0 at countless other smaller colleges. So realistically it's not the best medium to judge candidates by. That being said the mcat isn't that great of a medium either because its mostly a complete mess of a test. But you take what you get.

True, guess you have to take everything with a grain of salt.
 
I slightly disagree. First of all my average practice test (aamc) was a 26. My lowest score that I ever received was a 24. Secondly, I took almost all of my pre-reqs 3+ years ago. If someone was only counting my pre-req gpa I would have a 3.86. People put way too much into this test. If you think about it, your gpa means more than anything. You learn the material then take a test based on what you have learned. If you prove that you can average A's and B's while taking pre med classes in college you should deserve a shot at becoming a doctor. I know an ER resident who received a 22 on his mcat and got into LECOM. He scored in the 95th percentile on his boards and could have gotten into almost any specialty. Do not get me wrong, I do believe that the MCAT is an important test and that a 21 is completely unacceptable however a lot of people place too much emphasis on this test.
I think MCAT scores are weighed so heavily because standardized tests are basically going to be part of your life once med school starts. If you have problems taking this test then you are going to be miserable taking your Step 1, and then a year after that your Step 2. Being the smartest kid in your class in med school means nothing if you can't get past your Step 1 and your stuck in your second year
 
Hello fellow UD's,

Chance me please.

3.83 cgpa, 3.85 sgpa
22 MCAT (8, 7, 7)
Several thousand volunteer hours
5,000+ work hours at a DO teaching hospital

Non-native speaker of English (came to the States when I was in second grade) and economically disadvantaged.
 
dont worry my fellow underdogs!! We still have a good shot, dont let your stats hold you back!

accepted LECOM-SH, stats: 3.1 sGPA, 3.2 cGPA, 3.91 gGPA, 25 MCAT
 
Hello Underdogs,

My stats: cGPA: 3.2 sGPA: 3.5 and MCAT: 26 I am a AA
Good ECs: Executive Director of NGO, lead a team of volunteers to Haiti to do humanitarian work.
+ Research Experience
However no LORs from a DO or a MD. Ill be applying to schools that dont require them.
 
Hello Underdogs,

My stats: cGPA: 3.2 sGPA: 3.5 and MCAT: 26 I am a AA
Good ECs: Executive Director of NGO, lead a team of volunteers to Haiti to do humanitarian work.
+ Research Experience
However no LORs from a DO or a MD. Ill be applying to schools that dont require them.

You are a shoo-in for DO... And decent shot at MD due to your AA status...
 
dont worry my fellow underdogs!! We still have a good shot, dont let your stats hold you back!

accepted LECOM-SH, stats: 3.1 sGPA, 3.2 cGPA, 3.91 gGPA, 25 MCAT

Wow.. That early!... Congrats 👍
 
dont worry my fellow underdogs!! We still have a good shot, dont let your stats hold you back!

accepted LECOM-SH, stats: 3.1 sGPA, 3.2 cGPA, 3.91 gGPA, 25 MCAT

DO competitiveness seems to begin roughly around 3.0/3.0/24. Perhaps lower if liberty opens.
 
DO competitiveness seems to begin roughly around 3.0/3.0/24. Perhaps lower if liberty opens.

I tend to agree with but I think you are exaggerating on that one.... 3.0 c/sGPA and 24 is no where near competitive for DO (It is for POD school).... I would agree that 3.3 and 25 mcat is competitive for DO if the applicant understands the process very well (i.e. apply broadly and smartly)... Are you saying if LUCOM accepts application this year, their entrance class stats will be 3.0-3.1 c/sGPA and 22-23 MCAT?... I don't think it will be that low... My guess is it will be 3.2-3.3 and 24-25 MCAT.
 
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I tend to agree with but I think you are exaggerating on that one.... 3.0 c/sGPA and 24 is no where near competitive for DO (It is for POD school).... I would agree that 3.3 and 25 mcat is competitive for DO if the applicant understands the process very well (i.e. apply broadly and smartly)... Are you saying if LUCOM accepts application this year, their entrance class stats will be 3.0-3.1 c/sGPA and 22-23 MCAT?... I don't think it will be that low... My guess is it will be 3.2-3.3 and 24-25 MCAT.

3/3/24 isn't competitive. It's "well I already spent money on these applications, might as well see what happens."
 
3/3/24 isn't competitive. It's "well I already spent money on these applications, might as well see what happens."

I know... But I was saying 3.3 c/sGPA and 25 mcat is if someone applies smartly and broadly...
 
DO stats are going way up. Look through the school specific threads and see the crazy average numbers that schools are releasing, very disheartening.

I'm adding myself to the underdog thread (based on the #'s schools are releasing), especially after my LECOM rejection.

3.32c 3.54s 27 (9/9/9) MCAT.
 
DO stats are going way up. Look through the school specific threads and see the crazy average numbers that schools are releasing, very disheartening.

I'm adding myself to the underdog thread (based on the #'s schools are releasing), especially after my LECOM rejection.

3.32c 3.54s 27 (9/9/9) MCAT.

Did they say why they rejected you? That sucks man I'm sorry.
 
DO stats are going way up. Look through the school specific threads and see the crazy average numbers that schools are releasing, very disheartening.

I'm adding myself to the underdog thread (based on the #'s schools are releasing), especially after my LECOM rejection.

3.32c 3.54s 27 (9/9/9) MCAT.

That sucks...
 
I was rejected from Lecom even before the secondary lol.
Gpa 3.27
Mcat 32
Maybr they aren't international friendly...

Sent from my SGH-T889V using Tapatalk 2
 
DO stats are going way up. Look through the school specific threads and see the crazy average numbers that schools are releasing, very disheartening.

I'm adding myself to the underdog thread (based on the #'s schools are releasing), especially after my LECOM rejection.

3.32c 3.54s 27 (9/9/9) MCAT.

I'm not sure what the rhyme or reason is behind LECOM's admissions process. Both campuses rejected me and my numbers were, at the time, not terribly far off from their averages.
 
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