2013-2014 Underdawgs Thread ( Lets get it)

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I'm calling tomorrow to cancel my KCUMB interview. Let's give others a chance to interview earlier.
Yeah I gotta talk with my husband about it. Im curious to see what they have to offer in comparison to DMU but I don't want to waste my time/money if it doesn't end up being reasonable for us to go there.
 
Post-Bach underdog, here are my stats:

Post-bachelor science GPA = 3.90
Post-bachelor nonscience GPA = 4.0

Cumulative science GPA = 3.79; nonscience = 3.20

Overall GPA = 3.38

MCAT = 23 (ps 8, vr 7, bs 8)

EC: shadowing experiences, taught ESL overseas for a year, mentor, tutor, some community stuff, and "research" at the medcenter

Schools I that I sent my primary application to:

ACOM
ATSU-KCOM & ATSU-SOMA
CUSOM
KCUMB
LUCOM
MUCOM
LMUCOM
PIKEVILLE
VCOM - both campuses
WCUCOM
WVSOM
PCOM-Ga
OSUCOM
Ohio
PNWU-COM

So give it to me straight, what are my chances?

your science gpa will be your best friend. I think you will be fine.
 
Well I got my MCAT back and I've achieved a SUPER unbalanced score. Bio 8, VR 10, and Physics 5. I knew that I did badly in physics though so I was expecting this score. Currently I'm retaking physics 1 and chem 1 so that score should rise significantly just from retaking these classes. I'll be retaking in January and this time I plan to actually study the month before my MCAT, hopefully raise the bio to a 9 or 10 and the physics to at least a 7. I'm also retaking genetics right now and not doing to well. Fingers crossed for a B. If i get a C then the highest my SGPA will be is 3.13. I'm an AA female. Maybe a high MCAT wil make up for the low SGPA
 
Well I got my MCAT back and I've achieved a SUPER unbalanced score. Bio 8, VR 10, and Physics 5. I knew that I did badly in physics though so I was expecting this score. Currently I'm retaking physics 1 and chem 1 so that score should rise significantly just from retaking these classes. I'll be retaking in January and this time I plan to actually study the month before my MCAT, hopefully raise the bio to a 9 or 10 and the physics to at least a 7. I'm also retaking genetics right now and not doing to well. Fingers crossed for a B. If i get a C then the highest my SGPA will be is 3.13. I'm an AA female. Maybe a high MCAT wil make up for the low SGPA

Why would you retake physics one and chem one, just for the MCAT ? Instaed of doing that maybe you should just buy more MCAT materials and watch those God send videos on Youtube. In my opinion those are probably more helpful then retaking the classes. Also remember this, with the MCAT it's more important to do practice problems rather then just doing content review. I feel your pain with physics -_-. I took both physics classes over the summer that way I could have room for my required classes in my second major. I didn't get anything out of them besides the A's. I'm predicting total destruction on the PS section 🙁
 
Why would you retake physics one and chem one, just for the MCAT ? Instaed of doing that maybe you should just buy more MCAT materials and watch those God send videos on Youtube. In my opinion those are probably more helpful then retaking the classes. Also remember this, with the MCAT it's more important to do practice problems rather then just doing content review. I feel your pain with physics -_-. I took both physics classes over the summer that way I could have room for my required classes in my second major. I didn't get anything out of them besides the A's. I'm predicting total destruction on the PS section 🙁

I'm retaking anything I got C's in which is pretty much physics 1 and 2 and chem 1 and 2. And thanks for the advice I actually had the exam krackers 1001 questions in physics and focused on that because it was my weak area but it turns out that almost all of physical science section was chemistry which I barely studied! And hey those A's are still something to be proud of! I'd love a few A's instead of the constant string of B's I keep receiving! Anyway, good luck on your MCAT. I really didn't think it was THAT bad.
 
Hello everyone, Wondering what my chances are this year.

24 mcat (7,7,10)
3.53 cgpa
3.31 sgpa


I've applied to MU-COM, KCUMB, WVSOM, WCUCOM, RVUCOM, LECOM-E, ACOM, PCOM-PA and VCOM.
 
How likely is it for underdawgs to have 5-10 secondary invites, but no interview invites?
 
How likely is it for underdawgs to have 5-10 secondary invites, but no interview invites?
Secondaries for the majority of schools are nothing special and go through no further screening beyond a minimal requirements met checkpoint. That being said if you answer your secondary well it may do your application a whole lot of good.
 
Hello everyone, Wondering what my chances are this year.

24 mcat (7,7,10)
3.53 cgpa
3.31 sgpa


I've applied to MU-COM, KCUMB, WVSOM, WCUCOM, RVUCOM, LECOM-E, ACOM, PCOM-PA and VCOM.
If you're an east coaster then you may have a scent shot. You're an underdog but it may be a successful cycle yet.
 
Hello everyone, Wondering what my chances are this year.

24 mcat (7,7,10)
3.53 cgpa
3.31 sgpa


I've applied to MU-COM, KCUMB, WVSOM, WCUCOM, RVUCOM, LECOM-E, ACOM, PCOM-PA and VCOM.

Add a few more to be safe- CUSOM, LMU, and LUCOM are good choices. I think you have a decent chance for KCOM as well.
 
sGPA: 3.55
overall: 3.68
MCAT: (23 --> 25 with retake)
Experiences: Currently working as ER scribe (like shadowing but more!) and researching under Chemistry department (Alzheimer's Disease project), hospital volunteering (200+ hours), etc.

ii: PCOM-GA
waitlist: Midwestern (AZ)

schools applied to: Midwestern (AZ and IL), DMU, KCUMB, MSU, LECOM (both campus), Touro (NV, CA), NYIT, Nova, Rowan, Marian, PCOM (GA and PA), and couple more.

You guys think I still have a chance to hear back from schools like MSU, LECOM, Western, CCOM, PCOM (PA), NSU, etc. for an interview?

It is my first year applying so I have no clue what to expect.


You and I are very similar stats-wise.
According to aacomas, my undergrad cGPA/sGPA is 3.66/3.54. My GPAs would be MUCH higher than that (3.8ish/3.7ish) if it weren't for my terrible 3.35/2.67 cGPA/sGPA during my freshman year.
My MCAT is 26 (10/8/8).
Also did undergrad research, ER volunteer/shadow experiences, tutoring, volunteering, leadership, etc, and just took a med terminology test and typing test last week to become an ER Scribe.

I also applied to almost all of the same schools as you lol. As far as receiving ii from the schools you mentioned, I think it's a possibility but some of those schools have 27-29 MCAT averages. Both of our cGPA/sGPA are slightly above average at many schools though, which may help us out.

I believe CCOM has a 29 ave, so it might be a long shot there but you never know. I'm not expecting much love from them, myself.
MSU-COM does not interview unless they're on the fence about an applicant. I believe their ave hovers around a 27-28. I also know they're more aggressive with the rolling admissions since their seats typically fill up by December. However, many people are later accepted off of the waiting list.

If you don't mind me asking, when did you submit your secondaries to schools???
 
Just got off the phone with USC and he told me pretty much that not hearing any news is usually good news. Maybe to everyone out there waiting to hear back try to take the waiting game as a good thing. At least we haven't been rejected. Good luck everyone !
 
Got a call from LMU-DCOM last night for an ii! I'm seriously feeling super blessed at this point. My stats are definitely underdog (c3.5/s3.55/super unbalanced 25 MCAT), and I didn't expect much love from anyone this cycle. Sitting on 1 MD and 3 DO interviews (2 next week, one in Dec, and one in Jan), and feeling a lot more encouraged. Keep your heads up, everyone!!
 
So I think I've concluded a humbling fact about the application cycle. It doesn't matter how good you are at conversation or even whether you're an amazing person downright. If your interviewer is a jackass you're screwed.
 
So I think I've concluded a humbling fact about the application cycle. It doesn't matter how good you are at conversation or even whether you're an amazing person downright. If your interviewer is a jackass you're screwed.
Jeez what's going on man?
 
You and I are very similar stats-wise.
According to aacomas, my undergrad cGPA/sGPA is 3.66/3.54. My GPAs would be MUCH higher than that (3.8ish/3.7ish) if it weren't for my terrible 3.35/2.67 cGPA/sGPA during my freshman year.
My MCAT is 26 (10/8/8).
Also did undergrad research, ER volunteer/shadow experiences, tutoring, volunteering, leadership, etc, and just took a med terminology test and typing test last week to become an ER Scribe.

I also applied to almost all of the same schools as you lol. As far as receiving ii from the schools you mentioned, I think it's a possibility but some of those schools have 27-29 MCAT averages. Both of our cGPA/sGPA are slightly above average at many schools though, which may help us out.

I believe CCOM has a 29 ave, so it might be a long shot there but you never know. I'm not expecting much love from them, myself.
MSU-COM does not interview unless they're on the fence about an applicant. I believe their ave hovers around a 27-28. I also know they're more aggressive with the rolling admissions since their seats typically fill up by December. However, many people are later accepted off of the waiting list.

If you don't mind me asking, when did you submit your secondaries to schools???

I submitted my secondaries as soon as I received them... so most of them were submitted around September - Early October.
 
I am starting to wonder if things are really that much more competitive this year. I just saw two profiles on mdapps. One person with 3.18/3.22/27 has received 13(!!!) interviews. Another person (ORM Male for California) was accepted outright to RowanSOM, one of the most popular and competitive schools, with 3.57/3.35/26. Two people were also accepted outright to DMU, another one the most competitive schools, with 3.5/3.4/25 and 3.3/3.3/27. I don't think these examples are outliers or atypical either. I will not be surprised if people with 3.0-ish/23-24 are able to get into the newer schools this year.
 
I am starting to wonder if things are really that much more competitive this year. I just saw two profiles on mdapps. One person with 3.18/3.22/27 has received 13(!!!) interviews. Another person (ORM Male for California) was accepted outright to RowanSOM, one of the most popular and competitive schools, with 3.57/3.35/26. Two people were also accepted outright to DMU, another one the most competitive schools, with 3.5/3.4/25 and 3.3/3.3/27. I don't think these examples are outliers or atypical either. I will not be surprised if people with 3.0-ish/23-24 are able to get into the newer schools this year.

Yeah, it's tough to say since DO adcoms tend to look more at the application as a whole rather than just the gpa and scores. I don't think it's the norm for someone with a 3.18/3.22 to get into top DO programs, but I believe it happens occasionally when the rest of the application compensates. That's just out of pure speculation.

I will say that I was quite surprised by a recent post on here which listed all DO programs and their average mcat. Many of the schools are at a 28-30 mcat average these days. When my brother applied a few years ago, his school which now has a 29 average, was at like a 27 average back then. Based on the way things are looking, it seems like the whole application process is getting more competitive all the way around. I won't be shocked if those mcat averages continue to rise and hit 30 at many schools in a few years from now. All I know is that I sure as heck better be in somewhere when that time comes!
 
hey guys, in general how long after secondary completion did you hear about rejection/interview invitation?
 
I am starting to wonder if things are really that much more competitive this year. I just saw two profiles on mdapps. One person with 3.18/3.22/27 has received 13(!!!) interviews. Another person (ORM Male for California) was accepted outright to RowanSOM, one of the most popular and competitive schools, with 3.57/3.35/26. Two people were also accepted outright to DMU, another one the most competitive schools, with 3.5/3.4/25 and 3.3/3.3/27. I don't think these examples are outliers or atypical either. I will not be surprised if people with 3.0-ish/23-24 are able to get into the newer schools this year.

Ehh I'd say my case is an outlier. The averages for DMU for c/o 2017 are like 3.68 / 28. I'm sure they are aiming to keep that about the same for our class. I just had a lot of the intangible things they were looking for.
 
I am starting to wonder if things are really that much more competitive this year. I just saw two profiles on mdapps. One person with 3.18/3.22/27 has received 13(!!!) interviews. Another person (ORM Male for California) was accepted outright to RowanSOM, one of the most popular and competitive schools, with 3.57/3.35/26. Two people were also accepted outright to DMU, another one the most competitive schools, with 3.5/3.4/25 and 3.3/3.3/27. I don't think these examples are outliers or atypical either. I will not be surprised if people with 3.0-ish/23-24 are able to get into the newer schools this year.
I remember that in one post you said 3.0-ish and 20-22 mcat. Which one is it then? Do you think I should have applied as an URM-AA with 3.2 cGPA , 3.4 sGPA and 22 MCAT (4 in VR)?
 
I remember that in one post you said 3.0-ish and 20-22 mcat. Which one is it then? Do you think I should have applied as an URM-AA with 3.2 cGPA , 3.4 sGPA and 22 MCAT (4 in VR)?
I would say no because of ur verbal score.
 
I remember that in one post you said 3.0-ish and 20-22 mcat. Which one is it then? Do you think I should have applied as an URM-AA with 3.2 cGPA , 3.4 sGPA and 22 MCAT (4 in VR)?

I think you should have. I know of a white male that got into an allo school with a 4 in verbal (albeit, from an SMP).
 
Alright Serenade, finally time to update me:

Acceptances: ATSU-SOMA, AZCOM, DMU-COM, LECOM-E, LECOM-B, Touro-CA, WesternU-COMP.
 
3.6/3.75/31. He thought he was an underdog due to 6 vr. His results show that this obviously did not hurt him.

I've seen people with similar stats get rejected.

I'm sure his stats were part of the story but lets not discredit how well he probably sold himself at interviews. He definitely did his homework.
 
I've seen people with similar stats get rejected.

I'm sure his stats were part of the story but lets not discredit how well he probably sold himself at interviews. He definitely did his homework.

I think one of the biggest factors about each interview is really try to see what the school is looking for in its students and do the best you can to explain why you are a good fit for their mold.

My biggest goal at each interview was to show that I was actually literate in person, despite my VR score.

Good god.

Which one are you choosing lol?

Most likely leaning towards WesternU-COMP.
 
I've seen people with similar stats get rejected.

I'm sure his stats were part of the story but lets not discredit how well he probably sold himself at interviews. He definitely did his homework.

but do the interviews make that much of a difference with those numbers? I kind of wonder, would a new school be more likely to accept a 3.7/31 applicant that is a poor communicator, or a 3.2/24 that is an ok communicator?
 
Id say chances are slim. PCOM gets a ton of applications and you won't be verified until mid-December. Schools are already down to giving out January interviews. You might have a shot at newer schools, but if you really want PCOM and Rowan, I'd wait till next cycle.
 
Hi Everyone,

I'm super new to SDN and wanted to ask everone's advice:

I know my stats would not have been terrible for this cycle had I applied MUCH earlier on in the cycle.. but I am aiming to submit my primary tomorrow(I know, terribly late at this point.. most likely screwed myself :/) Here's my stats:

3.44c
3.19s
28 MCAT
2 DO letters
1 sci
2 work (I've been out of school for a year and work in clinical research)
1 non sci

These are the schools I plan on putting in an app for: PCOM(top choice), PCOM(GA),RowanSOM, LECOM(both campuses), Touro(Harlem), Nova, VCOM, WVCOM, UNECOM

Do you think I have any type of shot at PCOM(Philly) or NJSOM at this point in the cycle? I know that would be a stretch.. at this point I would be happy with even a glimmer of hope at any school.

Thanks so much for your advice 🙂

I agree with Elevencents. If you apply to new schools, you may have a chance, but you'd have a much better chance at your top choice schools if you apply next cycle. Schools won't even see your app until it's verified in mid-December, then you'd have secondaries sent to you anywhere from days to weeks of them receiving the primary. By the time you send in the secondaries it will be very, very close to the deadlines.

Speaking from experience, I applied late last cycle (submitted October and wasn't verified until around this time November.) Sent my app to ~20 schools and I received 0 ii's. This cycle I applied to about half as many schools with the same stats in early June and have been fortunate enough to have 3 ii's and an acceptance to my top choice. In retrospect I would have been better off saving the ~$600+ and the mental anguish that came with applying.
 
Hi Everyone,

I'm super new to SDN and wanted to ask everone's advice:

I know my stats would not have been terrible for this cycle had I applied MUCH earlier on in the cycle.. but I am aiming to submit my primary tomorrow(I know, terribly late at this point.. most likely screwed myself :/) Here's my stats:

3.44c
3.19s
28 MCAT
2 DO letters
1 sci
2 work (I've been out of school for a year and work in clinical research)
1 non sci

These are the schools I plan on putting in an app for: PCOM(top choice), PCOM(GA),RowanSOM, LECOM(both campuses), Touro(Harlem), Nova, VCOM, WVCOM, UNECOM

Do you think I have any type of shot at PCOM(Philly) or NJSOM at this point in the cycle? I know that would be a stretch.. at this point I would be happy with even a glimmer of hope at any school.

Thanks so much for your advice 🙂

I know it may be really annoying to apply this year knowing your chances are slim, but when you apply next cycle, early, you are looked at as a reapplicant which could be in your favor. So if you already submitted your primary and forked out the money for it, then that could possibly help you next cycle if you don't get in this go around 🙂
 
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