2013-2014 Underdawgs Thread ( Lets get it)

BU Medical Sciences
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Accepted to FIU! (I know it's not DO, but I wandered in here the other day by accident and ppl were nice so I stayed lol)
 
Hi all,

Is it too late already if I am a Canadian with a cgpa of 3.83 and a MCAT score of 31(11,9,11) and I submitted my application on Sept 18? I am still waiting for it to get verified; I do not know the verification process would take this long. I applied to 10 Canadian-friendly DO schools. Should I even bother rushing to get my secondaries completed? I understand that my stats are slightly above average for DO schools, but as a Canadian and applying so late, do I stand a chance anymore?

Thank you for the input,
Raymond
 
Everyone I have met, exchanged posts with or PM's has been incredibly helpful and kind. Class acts all around. Thanks for all the well-wishes and support 🙂
 
Update on my MCAT score -- I went up a couple points 26 MCAT (9VR, 10PS, 7BS)


-First test -- 24 (10VR, 8PS, 6BS)
- sGPA - 3.1 --- My lowest grade in a science class is a B-, I have almost straight Bs in the pre-reqs
- cGPA - 3.6

- 500 Volunteer hours in the hospital before becoming an ER Tech
- 1 year research (communication techniques with Alzheimer's patients)

App submitted 9-24
 
Dreamstoo said:
Congrats bro. Now go celebrate!
Click to expand...

Haha, I have no one to celebrate with! My family is in London, and I have midterms this week!! I would love to fly over to visit, but I have no one to watch my doggies. I know I know, first world problems. Alas
 
Hayden19 said:
Update on my MCAT score -- I went up a couple points 26 MCAT (9VR, 10PS, 7BS)


-First test -- 24 (10VR, 8PS, 6BS)
- sGPA - 3.1 --- My lowest grade in a science class is a B-, I have almost straight Bs in the pre-reqs
- cGPA - 3.6

- 500 Volunteer hours in the hospital before becoming an ER Tech
- 1 year research (communication techniques with Alzheimer's patients)

App submitted 9-24
Click to expand...

That 6BS might hurt you and your are applying late.
 
Hi, I'm definitely an underdog! Here's to hoping

My Stats:

sGPA 3.12
cGPA 3.17
MCAT 21 (3rd time taken, not going to improve!) (8 in Bio, hoping that will be enough to be considered)

Submitted all secondaries by August End, applied to CCOM, LMUDCOM, NYITCOM, PCOM, UNECOM, UMDNJ-SOM.

Western already rejected.

One publication, over 300 hours volunteering, and full time scientist. What do you think?
 
QuixoticGirl said:
Hi, I'm definitely an underdog! Here's to hoping

My Stats:

sGPA 3.12
cGPA 3.17
MCAT 21 (3rd time taken, not going to improve!) (8 in Bio, hoping that will be enough to be considered)


One publication, over 300 hours volunteering, and full time scientist. What do you think?
Click to expand...

what is your state of residence?
 
QuixoticGirl said:
California
Click to expand...

very poor chances for all of those schools except LMU. To have ANY chance of getting in, you absolutely need to add PNWU, ACOM, WVSOM, VCOM, CUSOM, SOMA, Touro-Middletown (NY) and LUCOM. You may not get secondaries from all of them, but those schools are your only hope if there is any.

There are other low stat schools like KYCOM, WCU, and PCOM-Ga that are regionally biased... But I would just apply to those others and pray.

You really need to get the MCAT up to at least 25 as a CA resident since there are no regionally biased/more forgiving schools for CA.
 
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user3 said:
very poor chances for all of those schools except LMU. To have ANY chance of getting in, you absolutely need to add PNWU, ACOM, WVSOM, VCOM, CUSOM, SOMA, Touro-Middletown (NY) and LUCOM. You may not get secondaries from all of them, but those schools are your only hope if there is any.

There are other low stat schools like KYCOM, WCU, and PCOM-Ga that are regionally biased... But I would just apply to those others and pray.

You really need to get the MCAT up to at least 25 as a CA resident since there are no regionally biased/more forgiving schools for CA.
Click to expand...



Thank you, but isn't it too late to apply to more primaries? I can afford it but I dont want to apply everywhere if there's no chance.
 
QuixoticGirl said:
Thank you, but isn't it too late to apply to more primaries? I can afford it but I dont want to apply everywhere if there's no chance.
Click to expand...

I think the ones user listed are your only chance, if any.
 
Hey everyone got my MCAT back today on my retake 28, I'm pretty happy. But extremely nervous about low hours of shadowing I have, I also still waiting on verification. But I am at least one step closer!
 
user3 said:
very poor chances for all of those schools except LMU. To have ANY chance of getting in, you absolutely need to add PNWU, ACOM, WVSOM, VCOM, CUSOM, SOMA, Touro-Middletown (NY) and LUCOM. You may not get secondaries from all of them, but those schools are your only hope if there is any.

There are other low stat schools like KYCOM, WCU, and PCOM-Ga that are regionally biased... But I would just apply to those others and pray.

You really need to get the MCAT up to at least 25 as a CA resident since there are no regionally biased/more forgiving schools for CA.
Click to expand...

Are there 2 Touro in NY? I did not see the Middletown one on the AACOMAS list of schools... I only saw the main Touro, which is the New York one...
 
QuixoticGirl said:
Thank you, but isn't it too late to apply to more primaries? I can afford it but I dont want to apply everywhere if there's no chance.
Click to expand...

If your application is already verified, I don't think it is too late since it might take no more than a week for these schools to receive your primary.
 
Interesting.
Quite a small class!

Sent from my SGH-T889V using Tapatalk
 
Just a year ago, I was a hopeless underdawg. In fact, I joined the 2011/2012 underdog thread thinking I was going to apply for class of 2016. In unexpected turn of events, I couldn't take the MCAT in the summer of 2011 because I was overseas. In 2012, scoring 20 on my first MCAT attempt kept me out of the run. I was very depressed and I even considered letting go of my dream of becoming a physician.

Then, I thought it was too late for me to back up. I had invested way too much energy, planning and emotions into this process to decide to quit. I dedicated 4 months of intensive mcat preperation. I bought TBR, TPR, EK and all AAMC FL tests. I reduced my work obligation so I could dedicate at leasts 30 hours a week for the MCAT. I took the test in April intending to have my score out before the beginning of this appliation cycle. Thankfully, my hard work didn't go to waste; I was able to improve my score by 8 points.

Meanwhile, I made sure that I had all my ducks lined in row so once the application is open, I won't have any thing preventing me from applying. I had all my letter writers send the letters to my undergrad school committee, filled out AACOMAS, applied for the application fee waiver, and knew exactly which schools I was going to apply to and more importantly why I was applying to those schools.

Once the application cycle began, I submitted my stuff. Everything has been running smoothly since then, with few minor exceptions. I applied to 12 schools and, so far, have received 8 interview invitations. That's 75% yield. I couldn't be more grateful. Out of the 3 schools I have interviewed at, I have been wait listed at one, accepted to another, and waiting to hear back on the third. I'm very content with the results of my application so far. Submitting my complete application Day 1 plus responding to the secondaries in timely manner has paid off abundantly.

I owe all my "success" to God for providing me with the support from my wife and family and from my colleagues here on SDN.

Stay focused. Don't get discouraged. If you don't get in this year, you'll always have next year for a strong comeback.
 
Ibn Alnafis MD said:
Just a year ago, I was a hopeless underdawg. In fact, I joined the 2011/2012 underdog thread thinking I was going to apply for class of 2016. In unexpected turn of events, I couldn't take the MCAT in the summer of 2011 because I was overseas. In 2012, scoring 20 on my first MCAT attempt kept me out of the run. I was very depressed and I even considered letting go of my dream of becoming a physician.

Then, I thought it was too late for me to back up. I had invested way too much energy, planning and emotions into this process to decide to quit. I dedicated 4 months of intensive mcat preperation. I bought TBR, TPR, EK and all AAMC FL tests. I reduced my work obligation so I could dedicate at leasts 30 hours a week for the MCAT. I took the test in April intending to have my score out before the beginning of this appliation cycle. Thankfully, my hard work didn't go to waste; I was able to improve my score by 8 points.

Meanwhile, I made sure that I had all my ducks lined in row so once the application is open, I won't have any thing preventing me from applying. I had all my letter writers send the letters to my undergrad school committee, filled out AACOMAS, applied for the application fee waiver, and knew exactly which schools I was going to apply to and more importantly why I was applying to those schools.

Once the application cycle began, I submitted my stuff. Everything has been running smoothly since then, with few minor exceptions. I applied to 12 schools and, so far, have received 8 interview invitations. That's 75% yield. I couldn't be more grateful. Out of the 3 schools I have interviewed at, I have been wait listed at one, accepted to another, and waiting to hear back on the third. I'm very content with the results of my application so far. Submitting my complete application Day 1 plus responding to the secondaries in timely manner has paid off abundantly.

I owe all my "success" to God for providing me with the support from my wife and family and from my colleagues here on SDN.

Stay focused. Don't get discouraged. If you don't get in this year, you'll always have next year for a strong comeback.
Click to expand...

Loving this! You have an amazing story. 🙂
 
This thread is what I have been missing in my life. Late to apply, and late to find this thread. I've got a 25 MCAT, 10 bs, 10 ps, 5 vr. This is a retake score, and my first total score was 23, 9 ps, 8 bs, 6 vr.

I do volunteer research at a well respected hospital in NYC, but do not have a letter of recommendation from them since I've only worked with them a month or so. This will be a year long commitment, and may lead to a well written LOR and a publication or two or three. Other than that, I have over 300+ hours of volunteer work. Shadowed a few plus one doctors, all MD's, and observed Osteopaths from NYCOM. My GPA is all A's and B's except for the first year I went to college where I received F's and D's, and one C, at that point in my life I had no idea what I wanted to do ----and college was not important to me. Consequently, the GPA is slightly below average or above depending on what school we are talking about.

I'm a native New Yorker and have applied to North East only, except for one located in Arizona as it really stands out to me. Obviously, if it does not work out this cycle, then I will apply again next cycle and retake MCAT, as I'm worried that 5 may get me screened out. What do you guys think about my chances for this cycle? +pity+
 
Neuropeptide said:
This thread is what I have been missing in my life. Late to apply, and late to find this thread. I've got a 25 MCAT, 10 bs, 10 ps, 5 vr. This is a retake score, and my first total score was 23, 9 ps, 8 bs, 6 vr.

I do volunteer research at a well respected hospital in NYC, but do not have a letter of recommendation from them since I've only worked with them a month or so. This will be a year long commitment, and may lead to a well written LOR and a publication or two or three. Other than that, I have over 300+ hours of volunteer work. Shadowed a few plus one doctors, all MD's, and observed Osteopaths from NYCOM. My GPA is all A's and B's except for the first year I went to college where I received F's and D's, and one C, at that point in my life I had no idea what I wanted to do ----and college was not important to me. Consequently, the GPA is slightly below average or above depending on what school we are talking about.

I'm a native New Yorker and have applied to North East only, except for one located in Arizona as it really stands out to me. Obviously, if it does not work out this cycle, then I will apply again next cycle and retake MCAT, as I'm worried that 5 may get me screened out. What do you guys think about my chances for this cycle? +pity+
Click to expand...

what is your science GPA?
 
user3 said:
very poor chances for all of those schools except LMU. To have ANY chance of getting in, you absolutely need to add PNWU, ACOM, WVSOM, VCOM, CUSOM, SOMA, Touro-Middletown (NY) and LUCOM. You may not get secondaries from all of them, but those schools are your only hope if there is any.

There are other low stat schools like KYCOM, WCU, and PCOM-Ga that are regionally biased... But I would just apply to those others and pray.

You really need to get the MCAT up to at least 25 as a CA resident since there are no regionally biased/more forgiving schools for CA.
Click to expand...

Not so sure about SOMA. The rest look good.
 
sGPA is 3.44
cGPA is 3.2 but there are definitely reasons for that, and its mostly to do with my first year of college when I had no idea what I wanted to do and was not ready for college.

However, I got a Magna Cum Laude when I received my AA, and Cum Laude when I received my BS in Life Sciences. Hopefully I can show that I have had a change of determination.
 
Neuropeptide said:
what is your science GPA?
Click to expand...

sGPA is 3.44
cGPA is 3.2 but there are definitely reasons for that, and its mostly to do with my first year of college when I had no idea what I wanted to do and was not ready for college.

However, I got a Magna Cum Laude when I received my AA, and Cum Laude when I received my BS in Life Sciences. Hopefully I can show that I have had a change of determination.
 
Just posting update on my situation:

3.68 overall GPA/ 3.5 science GPA/ 23 MCAT (--> 25 on retake). A lot of volunteering, shadowing (working as an ER Scribe), research, etc.

I received my first interview invitation for PCOM-GA. Hopefully more will follow.

If I am able to receive interview invitation, I know everybody else can. Good luck everyone!!
 
Ibn Alnafis MD said:
Just a year ago, I was a hopeless underdawg. In fact, I joined the 2011/2012 underdog thread thinking I was going to apply for class of 2016. In unexpected turn of events, I couldn't take the MCAT in the summer of 2011 because I was overseas. In 2012, scoring 20 on my first MCAT attempt kept me out of the run. I was very depressed and I even considered letting go of my dream of becoming a physician.

Then, I thought it was too late for me to back up. I had invested way too much energy, planning and emotions into this process to decide to quit. I dedicated 4 months of intensive mcat preperation. I bought TBR, TPR, EK and all AAMC FL tests. I reduced my work obligation so I could dedicate at leasts 30 hours a week for the MCAT. I took the test in April intending to have my score out before the beginning of this appliation cycle. Thankfully, my hard work didn't go to waste; I was able to improve my score by 8 points.

Meanwhile, I made sure that I had all my ducks lined in row so once the application is open, I won't have any thing preventing me from applying. I had all my letter writers send the letters to my undergrad school committee, filled out AACOMAS, applied for the application fee waiver, and knew exactly which schools I was going to apply to and more importantly why I was applying to those schools.

Once the application cycle began, I submitted my stuff. Everything has been running smoothly since then, with few minor exceptions. I applied to 12 schools and, so far, have received 8 interview invitations. That's 75% yield. I couldn't be more grateful. Out of the 3 schools I have interviewed at, I have been wait listed at one, accepted to another, and waiting to hear back on the third. I'm very content with the results of my application so far. Submitting my complete application Day 1 plus responding to the secondaries in timely manner has paid off abundantly.

I owe all my "success" to God for providing me with the support from my wife and family and from my colleagues here on SDN.

Stay focused. Don't get discouraged. If you don't get in this year, you'll always have next year for a strong comeback.
Click to expand...

Mabruk!

InshaAllah I can be in your shoes soon (maybe next year)
 
Ibn Alnafis MD said:
Thank you, brother.

You WILL insha'Allah be in a much better situation next year. Just rock that MCAT and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

I've been keeping up with your story of how you got here man. It is great to see how you did so well this cycle with a GPA very similar to mine. I haven't taken the MCAT yet but I hope to score a 30+. This term is tough and so will next term. I hope to bring my GPA (cgpa and sgpa as close to a 3.5 as possible). I'm applying in june 2015. However, my adviser recommended to consider applying this year with a ~3.3/3.3 ish.
 
Most of us had dreams of becoming a doctor for a long time. Some of us recently decided to try and join such a wonderful profession. As for me, becoming a doctor was a goal ever since I was a little kid. Unfortunately throughout my college career I had to work full time while taking a pre med course load. Although I mainly revived A's in my classes my time spent studying for the mcat was limited. Although I got a 27 on a practice test I received a 21 on the real mcat. Of course for me and for any medical student a 21 is devastating! Lol even though I am a minority I was told to not even apply and retake the test. Now after looking back at everything receiving a 21 was the best thing to ever happen to me. I learned how to put my faith and my trust in God. I started to change and eventually became blessed with two interviews! One at Vcom-cc and one at wvsom! I just found out about two days ago that Ive been accepted to Vcom-cc. I just want my fellow underdogs to know that if you decide to put God first and trust in The Lord anything is possible! A 21 is not acceptable but if you know your going to be a doctor never ever give up on your hopes and dreams!
 
Godfearing said:
Most of us had dreams of becoming a doctor for a long time. Some of us recently decided to try and join such a wonderful profession. As for me, becoming a doctor was a goal ever since I was a little kid. Unfortunately throughout my college career I had to work full time while taking a pre med course load. Although I mainly revived A's in my classes my time spent studying for the mcat was limited. Although I got a 27 on a practice test I received a 21 on the real mcat. Of course for me and for any medical student a 21 is devastating! Lol even though I am a minority I was told to not even apply and retake the test. Now after looking back at everything receiving a 21 was the best thing to ever happen to me. I learned how to put my faith and my trust in God. I started to change and eventually became blessed with two interviews! One at Vcom-cc and one at wvsom! I just found out about two days ago that Ive been accepted to Vcom-cc. I just want my fellow underdogs to know that if you decide to put God first and trust in The Lord anything is possible! A 21 is not acceptable but if you know your going to be a doctor never ever give up on your hopes and dreams!
Click to expand...

I actually have a friend whose brother got into VCOM last year. He is a non trad student. He is not a URM but he is from a low income family.
 
Last edited:
Godfearing said:
Most of us had dreams of becoming a doctor for a long time. Some of us recently decided to try and join such a wonderful profession. As for me, becoming a doctor was a goal ever since I was a little kid. Unfortunately throughout my college career I had to work full time while taking a pre med course load. Although I mainly revived A's in my classes my time spent studying for the mcat was limited. Although I got a 27 on a practice test I received a 21 on the real mcat. Of course for me and for any medical student a 21 is devastating! Lol even though I am a minority I was told to not even apply and retake the test. Now after looking back at everything receiving a 21 was the best thing to ever happen to me. I learned how to put my faith and my trust in God. I started to change and eventually became blessed with two interviews! One at Vcom-cc and one at wvsom! I just found out about two days ago that Ive been accepted to Vcom-cc. I just want my fellow underdogs to know that if you decide to put God first and trust in The Lord anything is possible! A 21 is not acceptable but if you know your going to be a doctor never ever give up on your hopes and dreams!
Click to expand...

What was your mcat score breakdown? Your situation is somewhat similar to mine... I was averaging 26 in the mcat and I ultimately got a 22 with dismal 4 in VR. Never had a 4 in practice test...Therefore, I am retaking and applying next cycle... I would like to attend VCOM as well, maybe I will have that chance next cycle... Congrats on your success!
 
Last edited:
Dreamstoo said:
I've been keeping up with your story of how you got here man. It is great to see how you did so well this cycle with a GPA very similar to mine. I haven't taken the MCAT yet but I hope to score a 30+. This term is tough and so will next term. I hope to bring my GPA (cgpa and sgpa as close to a 3.5 as possible). I'm applying in june 2015. However, my adviser recommended to consider applying this year with a ~3.3/3.3 ish.
Click to expand...

With your current GPA, a score of 27+ will open many doors for you. The higher you score on the MCAT the better your chances will be in getting early interviews.

Good luck!
 
Godfearing said:
Most of us had dreams of becoming a doctor for a long time. Some of us recently decided to try and join such a wonderful profession. As for me, becoming a doctor was a goal ever since I was a little kid. Unfortunately throughout my college career I had to work full time while taking a pre med course load. Although I mainly revived A's in my classes my time spent studying for the mcat was limited. Although I got a 27 on a practice test I received a 21 on the real mcat. Of course for me and for any medical student a 21 is devastating! Lol even though I am a minority I was told to not even apply and retake the test. Now after looking back at everything receiving a 21 was the best thing to ever happen to me. I learned how to put my faith and my trust in God. I started to change and eventually became blessed with two interviews! One at Vcom-cc and one at wvsom! I just found out about two days ago that Ive been accepted to Vcom-cc. I just want my fellow underdogs to know that if you decide to put God first and trust in The Lord anything is possible! A 21 is not acceptable but if you know your going to be a doctor never ever give up on your hopes and dreams!
Click to expand...

*This person is URM (AA)
 
Temperature101 said:
What was your mcat score breakdown? Your situation is somewhat similar to mine... I was averaging 26 in the mcat and I ultimately got a 22 with dismal 4 in VR. Never had a 4 in practice test...Therefore, I am retaking and applying next cycle... I would like to attend VCOM as well, maybe I will have that chance next cycle... Congrats on your success!
Click to expand...

Yea I was the same way lol. I averaged an 8 it verbal and received a 6 on the real test. I have no idea what happened 🙂 my test break down was a 6 in verbal 7 in physics and an 8 in biology! Best of luck to you getting in Vcom! Message me if you have other questions.
 
Well, let's give this a try...

28 MCAT (8 PS, 10 BS, 10 VR)

cGPA and sGPA are both 2.95-ish. (Undergrad wasn't a great time for me.) Right now, I am retaking two pre-requisites through continuing ed; if I do well, those will bring both up over that 3.0 mark.

I have been getting clinical experience over the past two years, and especially consistently in the past year. I am continuing to rack up hours. Much of it has been with osteopathic physicians.

I live in one of the New England states; two of the physicians I have shadowed are affiliated with UNECOM.

Not a URM.

Any suggestions would be appreciated - I know that I will have to bust my rear end, but I'm okay with that. 👍
 
Kerosene Hat said:
Well, let's give this a try...

28 MCAT (8 PS, 10 BS, 10 VR)

cGPA and sGPA are both 2.95-ish. (Undergrad wasn't a great time for me.) Right now, I am retaking two pre-requisites through continuing ed; if I do well, those will bring both up over that 3.0 mark.

I have been getting clinical experience over the past two years, and especially consistently in the past year. I am continuing to rack up hours. Much of it has been with osteopathic physicians.

I live in one of the New England states; two of the physicians I have shadowed are affiliated with UNECOM.

Not a URM.

Any suggestions would be appreciated - I know that I will have to bust my rear end, but I'm okay with that. 👍
Click to expand...

Call unecom admissions and speak to one of the counselors/coordinators and let them know your intentions and ask for advice. Kind of giving them a lookout for your app.
 
NontradCA said:
Call unecom admissions and speak to one of the counselors/coordinators and let them know your intentions and ask for advice. Kind of giving them a lookout for your app.
Click to expand...

👍. A great LOR from one of these physicians can also help substantially.
 
Haven't updated in a while... Accepted ACOM on 9/13, withdrew from NSU after the ACOM acceptance.

Go Underdogs!!
 
Anybody know how soon you hear back from a school if you are put on the wait-list for interview invitation?

Just got an e-mail from Midwestern (AZ) stating that my application is on hold for possible future interview invitation...
 
dkskyline17 said:
Anybody know how soon you hear back from a school if you are put on the wait-list for interview invitation?

Just got an e-mail from Midwestern (AZ) stating that my application is on hold for possible future interview invitation...
Click to expand...

No idea...I was put on hold by them about a month ago
 
dkskyline17 said:
Anybody know how soon you hear back from a school if you are put on the wait-list for interview invitation?

Just got an e-mail from Midwestern (AZ) stating that my application is on hold for possible future interview invitation...
Click to expand...

Pre-interview holds from AZCOM can be indefinite.
 
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