2013-2014 Underdawgs Thread ( Lets get it)

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If you are interested in primary care i.e. FM, IM, PEDS, Psych, ROSS is not a terrible option. However, I think you would better serve yourself by retaking the MCAT a 3rd time and increase your VR by 2+ points. By the way, I would go to AUC before going to ROSS because I heard so many terrible stuff about ROSS.

Edit: You can also do a post-back program at LECOM or LMU-DCOM that somewhat guarantee an acceptance to their DO program as long as you do well in the program.

I agree if you are fine going into primary care, ROSS is an ok option. I've heard good and bad things about it. Some doctors I have talked to said if it is your 2nd or 3rd cycle and you can only get into a Caribbean like ROSS or SGU, you should probably take it.
 
Hi all,

Not sure if you all would consider me and UD but it's my third cycle and before now never even got an interview so I sure feel like one.

I am a PA resident, with a BS/BA Biology, Physiology, and Spanish, with 3.5 GPA (I don't know what it breaks down to for sGPA), a certificate in epidemiology and biostatistics, 7+ publications with 1 first authorship, 5 years clinical research, lots of shadowing and volunteer work, my MCAT is pretty low: 25 (6/9/10), not even going to say how many times I took it.

Secondaries : LECOM, DMU, WVSOM, LUCOM, M, CCOM, KCOM, UNECOM, RVU, COMP-NW, VCOM, OH, MU-COM
Interviews: LECOM, LUCOM, WVSOM, COMP-NW
Radio Silence from: VCOM, OH, UNECOM, KCOM
Acceptances: WVSOM, COMP-NW


What do you guys think about WVSOM vs COMP-NW and should I just assume I won't hear from the other four?

Sorry guys added the mcat score the wrong way... PS killed me not Verbal
 
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Wow... I don't think serenade was too harsh except for the immuno comment, which is atypical of him/her... His/her comment about carib is legitimate.

It was less a critic of the person and more of the test. I don't think someone who has passed a masters in immunology has an inferior knowledge base to me or many others who scored higher than a 9. It simply gets back to the mcat being an odd test.
 
It was less a critic of the person and more of the test. I don't think someone who has passed a masters in immunology has an inferior knowledge base to me or many others who scored higher than a 9. It simply gets back to the mcat being an odd test.
That was my point though!
 
Hi all,

I am a CA resident, with a BS in biochemistry, with 3.4 sGPA, a MS in Immunology with 2 first author publications, my MCAT is pretty low: 23 (9/5/9), second time taking it.

I've filled out secondaries to : LECOM, NYIT, DMU, PNWU, TUCOM, LUCOM, PCOM, MWU CCOM, AZCOM, LMU-DCOM, and ACOM

but I have not gotten any interviews yet, although I did apply in late October. I got accepted into ROSS, but would really prefer to go to a US DO school. This is also my second time applying..

What do you think my chances are for getting in somewhere? Any thoughts or advice on getting into medical school this cycle would be appreciated! (I know that retaking the MCAT and reapplying is an option.)

Thanks!

There's nothing else you can do for this cycle. You just need to buckle down and realistically plan on reapplying.
 
Hi all,

I am a CA resident, with a BS in biochemistry, with 3.4 sGPA, a MS in Immunology with 2 first author publications, my MCAT is pretty low: 23 (9/5/9), second time taking it.

I've filled out secondaries to : LECOM, NYIT, DMU, PNWU, TUCOM, LUCOM, PCOM, MWU CCOM, AZCOM, LMU-DCOM, and ACOM

but I have not gotten any interviews yet, although I did apply in late October. I got accepted into ROSS, but would really prefer to go to a US DO school. This is also my second time applying..

What do you think my chances are for getting in somewhere? Any thoughts or advice on getting into medical school this cycle would be appreciated! (I know that retaking the MCAT and reapplying is an option.)

Thanks!

I would not go to Ross or AUC now, both are owned by DeVry and are in this business strictly for profit. "Ross University is not fully regulated by laws governing US educational institutions. After the takeover of Ross University by Devry Inc., Ross University in Dominica increased enrollment from 200 students per class to over 600 students per class. According to Ross University, only 57% of Ross University School of Medicine students finished their program; in comparison, the attrition rate for US medical schools is approximately 3%. Of those who do graduate, approximately 20% cannot find a residency, which is needed to get a medical license." I have a friend that went their and is now stuck in Wisconsin at the moment and his prospects of leaving are not looking good.
"Again, when Ross University School of Medicine advertises that its passing rate for USMLE Step 1 is greater than 90%, they fail to mention that almost half of the student who originally enrolled into the program don’t even make it into semester 5.

Here is the adjusted rate based on total number of enrollments that I believe is more in line with the reality at Ross University:

Sem 1-4 Pass Rate – 50%
NBME COMP Pass Rate (1st attempt) – 50%
USMLE Step -1 Pass Rate – 45%
USMLE Step -2 Pass Rate – 42%
Residency – 40%"

http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Ross-...rsity-School-of-Medicine-with-over-40-1093042
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-...al-school-rejects-as-taxpayers-fund-debt.html
http://thedominican.net/2009/12/us-congress-told-ross-university-may-be.html
 
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Hi all,

I am a CA resident, with a BS in biochemistry, with 3.4 sGPA, a MS in Immunology with 2 first author publications, my MCAT is pretty low: 23 (9/5/9), second time taking it.

What do you think my chances are for getting in somewhere? Any thoughts or advice on getting into medical school this cycle would be appreciated! (I know that retaking the MCAT and reapplying is an option.)

Thanks!

Hi juju,

People with your numbers have been getting in at the schools you listed; however, I do not know the history of acceptance with a 5 in verbal. As you probably know, that is the weak link in your application. Unfornunately, Your biggest odds against you right now is not your numbers but the time. You're pretty late in the cycle, and even if you had excellent MCAT and GPA numbers, you would suffer poor odds just because schools (most of them) are starting to slow down in the process. You've spent the $$ and are in the game, so good luck to you.
It may work out for you going DO this year; if not, you've got a interesting decision in Ross 2014vs DO 2015.
 
Someone accepted to "MCAT-obsessed" touro NY (which supposedly has 31 avg mcat) with 3.10/3.09/26. Definitely recommend this school for UD's in the future.
 
Someone accepted to "MCAT-obsessed" touro NY (which supposedly has 31 avg mcat) with 3.10/3.09/26. Definitely recommend this school for UD's in the future.


where did you get this info from? (not doubting you just curious)
 
Someone accepted to "MCAT-obsessed" touro NY (which supposedly has 31 avg mcat) with 3.10/3.09/26. Definitely recommend this school for UD's in the future.


He likely no... he almost certainly got into Middletown.
 
yes the reason I didn't apply there was because I'm not from that area...I think it might be kind of late to apply there now, what do you think?
Don't go Carib. If you can raise your mcat just 1 point and apply early, YOU SHOULD GET IN SOMEWHERE.
 
Hvilledoc and Indianarn accepted to LMU with 3.7/22 and 3.3/22 respectively. And another person with 3.9/23 and another with 3.0 sgpa/24.

Why do people shout that 22-23 mcat is a death sentence and the odds are against you?

Given the huge number of 3.4/30+ unsuccessful allo applicants every year, I can't help but be surprised that good GPA's and 22-23 MCAT's is still competitive for DO. But the truth is, it is.
 
Hvilledoc and Indianarn accepted to LMU with 3.7/22 and 3.3/22 respectively. And another person with 3.9/23 and another with 3.0 sgpa/24.

Why do people shout that 22-23 mcat is a death sentence and the odds are against you?

Given the huge number of 3.4/30+ unsuccessful allo applicants every year, I can't help but be surprised that good GPA's and 22-23 MCAT's is still competitive for DO. But the truth is, it is.

It comes down to probability of gaining an interview/acceptance. It's certainly not impossible to gain an acceptance with a 3.0 GPA or a 22 MCAT, or both, but the odds mount against applicants with lower stats. This is compounded as the umber of applicants increases each year and mean GPA and MCAT score creep upward. There's no certainty at all in the application process; it's all about maximizing your chances. The fact remains that despite some applicants gaining acceptances with lower stats, their situation was still statistically unlikely.
 
Hvilledoc and Indianarn accepted to LMU with 3.7/22 and 3.3/22 respectively. And another person with 3.9/23 and another with 3.0 sgpa/24 ...
Why do people shout that 22-23 mcat is a death sentence and the odds are against you?
Because 22-23 is somewhere around the 30th percentile of all MCAT test takers (even those taking it for fun, out of curiosity, and those who have no business applying to med school). Plus this data is from 5 years ago, so I wouldn't be surprised if it were now somewhere closer to the 25th percentile.

I find that to objectively show unpreparedness for a medical education that relies heavily on standardized tests.

... I can't help but be surprised that good GPA's and 22-23 MCAT's is still competitive for DO.
As I said before, your use of "competitive" is misleading. A 22-23 is not as good as or better than the average applicant. I have a low GPA and high MCAT, so it's certainly true that one number can make up for the other -- that's the magic of the holistic review process -- but I'm not kidding myself by saying I'm "competitive" with a 3.1. I consider myself very lucky to have been accepted to my great in-state school (29 MCAT, 3.6+ sGPA average for the current class).
 
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It comes down to probability of gaining an interview/acceptance. It's certainly not impossible to gain an acceptance with a 3.0 GPA or a 22 MCAT, or both, but the odds mount against applicants with lower stats. This is compounded as the umber of applicants increases each year and mean GPA and MCAT score creep upward. There's no certainty at all in the application process; it's all about maximizing your chances. The fact remains that despite some applicants gaining acceptances with lower stats, their situation was still statistically unlikely.

The common theme I have seen across most unsuccessful lower stat people is a failure to apply to enough schools like LMU WVSOM LUCOM etc that are in their range. Them applying too high or too narrow and not getting in might make it appear that their numbers weren't competitive, when the reality is they didn't apply to enough schools within their range.

There are far too many instances of these lower stat people getting in for us to call their acceptances atypical.
 
Someone accepted to "MCAT-obsessed" touro NY (which supposedly has 31 avg mcat) with 3.10/3.09/26. Definitely recommend this school for UD's in the future.
Hvilledoc and Indianarn accepted to LMU with 3.7/22 and 3.3/22 respectively. And another person with 3.9/23 and another with 3.0 sgpa/24.

Why do people shout that 22-23 mcat is a death sentence and the odds are against you?

Given the huge number of 3.4/30+ unsuccessful allo applicants every year, I can't help but be surprised that good GPA's and 22-23 MCAT's is still competitive for DO. But the truth is, it is.
I was waiting for you to post this about Hvilledoc and Idianarn...Lol
 
Why do people shout that 22-23 mcat is a death sentence and the odds are against you?
Because 22-23 is somewhere around the 30th percentile of all MCAT test takers (even those taking it for fun, out of curiosity, and those who have no business applying to med school). Plus this data is from 5 years ago, so I wouldn't be surprised if it were now somewhere closer to the 25th percentile.

I find that to objectively show unpreparedness for a medical education that relies heavily on standardized tests.

... I can't help but be surprised that good GPA's and 22-23 MCAT's is still competitive for DO.
As I said before, your use of "competitive" is misleading. A 22-23 is not as good as or better than the average applicant. I have a low GPA and high MCAT, so it's certainly true that one number can make up for the other -- that's the magic of the holistic review process -- but I'm not kidding myself by saying I'm "competitive" with a 3.1. I consider myself very lucky to have been accepted to my great in-state school (29 MCAT, 3.6+ sGPA average for the current class).
I'll be curious to see what MSUCOM's final class averages are once the cycle is over. They will be accepting deeper into the app pool as the cycle continues as higher stat people give up their spots.

FWIW, someone with 3.39/3.3/27 was just accepted there. If you're "lucky" to get in there with your stats, then that person must have hit the lottery to get in with theirs.
 
I'll be curious to see what MSUCOM's final class averages are once the cycle is over. They will be accepting deeper into the app pool as the cycle continues as higher stat people give up their spots.

FWIW, someone with 3.39/3.3/27 was just accepted there. If you're "lucky" to get in there with your stats, then that person must have hit the lottery to get in with theirs.

Why do you have to be such a royal ****?
 
I think both MD and DO admin understand that at times there are exceptions to the "golden rules," and people with lower gpa and/or MCAT deserve a chance at medical school. People with life experience and work experience, that show this person is able to survive in the medical field, should be a strong indicator in my opinion. Between 2011-2013 U.S. MD schools accepted 1,570 people with an MCAT between 21-23, giving people with that score a chance of acceptance over others with higher stats. Over those 3 years however, you had a 23% to 2.9% chance depending on your gpa range overall. In 2013 D.O. schools did allow 1,270 people to matriculate with an MCAT score between 20-24, but this accounts for only 21.9% of those that matriculated with various gpa levels, maybe some very high. My point being, just because you see tons of people between a certain MCAT level saying they made it in on SDN, the odds are still against you overall. I do agree however, that strategically planning where to apply will increase the odds for your pool and if people applied more realistically these numbers could change. One of the attending D.O.'s I shadow does not even have a bachelor's degree and scored a 24 on the MCAT when he matriculated and he is probably my favorite of them all for patient care and overall skill. However, his life skills prior to matriculation are unbelievable, so I take MCAT and gpa with a grain of salt as it correlates with medical success. The fact is 1,270 people still made it with 20-24 MCAT, so if it is your dream I encourage you to chase it and I hope success for each of you.

https://www.aamc.org/download/321508/data/2013factstable24.pdf
http://www.aacom.org/data/applicantsmatriculants/Documents/2013-Applicant-Matriculant-Report.pdf
 
I'll be curious to see what MSUCOM's final class averages are once the cycle is over. They will be accepting deeper into the app pool as the cycle continues as higher stat people give up their spots.

FWIW, someone with 3.39/3.3/27 was just accepted there. If you're "lucky" to get in there with your stats, then that person must have hit the lottery to get in with theirs.
Well, I doubt most people on here want to hear my speculations for one school, but anywhoo...

Yes, I expect the averages will fall a bit as the cycle continues. At the moment, though, about 80% of seats have been filled (meaning $1,100 deposits paid, paper forms mailed in, and site preferences submitted -- i.e., I don't think too many people will be walking away from their deposits). I expect overall averages will be somewhere between 28-29 MCAT and 3.5-3.6 GPA.

A 3.4/27 is below their average, but I'm not too surprised to hear that. Though my MCAT score was several standard deviations above the average, my GPA was a few below. My opinion is that a very unbalanced set of scores (3.1/36) is more concerning to admissions than is a relatively consistent set of scores (3.4/27). At least, IMO, you can't "get lucky" with your GPA... while you can certainly have a fortuitous MCAT.
 
Why do you have to be such a royal ****?
I am frustrated that DO schools are not doing enough to raise admissions standards. I wish more would start taking the WashU method (numbers-whoring).
 
I think both MD and DO admin understand that at times there are exceptions to the "golden rules," and people with lower gpa and/or MCAT deserve a chance at medical school. People with life experience and work experience, that show this person is able to survive in the medical field, should be a strong indicator in my opinion. Between 2011-2013 U.S. MD schools accepted 1,570 people with an MCAT between 21-23, giving people with that score a chance of acceptance over others with higher stats. Over those 3 years however, you had a 23% to 2.9% chance depending on your gpa range overall. In 2013 D.O. schools did allow 1,270 people to matriculate with an MCAT score between 20-24, but this accounts for only 21.9% of those that matriculated with various gpa levels, maybe some very high. My point being, just because you see tons of people between a certain MCAT level saying they made it in on SDN, the odds are still against you overall. I do agree however, that strategically planning where to apply will increase the odds for your pool and if people applied more realistically these numbers could change. One of the attending D.O.'s I shadow does not even have a bachelor's degree and scored a 24 on the MCAT when he matriculated and he is probably my favorite of them all for patient care and overall skill. However, his life skills prior to matriculation are unbelievable, so I take MCAT and gpa with a grain of salt as it correlates with medical success. The fact is 1,270 people still made it with 20-24 MCAT, so if it is your dream I encourage you to chase it and I hope success for each of you.

https://www.aamc.org/download/321508/data/2013factstable24.pdf
http://www.aacom.org/data/applicantsmatriculants/Documents/2013-Applicant-Matriculant-Report.pdf

Donk, I wish more people put the thought and honest numbers to their arguments as this. There's not many posts I feel smarter for having read, but you just did that. Props
 
Thanks for the replies everyone!!

I was not expecting all the nay sayers. But I guess I should have seen it coming.

Yes I interviewed at liberty. But I interviewed the first week they had interviews and not sure why I got rejected. People with lower stats than me got into liberty who interviewed there after me...

But I digress! Yes I have tons of research (including 2 publications). I also have extensive volunteer work in rural and underserved areas (I am originally from the midwest)--I was able to express this in my personal statement and secondaries and believe my desire to attend came out. I have lots of ties to Indiana so I believe that is what helped me get in. I have ties to Touro CA's area as well in terms of volunteering so that may have helped get me an interview.

As for the gpa--I have taken upper level classes which are harder versions of the basic class and have done well in them. I am assuming my letters of recommendations are good from those upper level classes that make up for it. I retook some at a higher level but AACOMAS didn't replace them since they were not identical style courses so my grades did not get replaced. In my interviews I was able to explain this issue and the ones that took me were ok with it I am guessing. Also--I have kept in touch with admissions directors since before AACOMAS opened up in May, so I have been in contact with them very frequently, which I believe has helped me just get the interview in the first place. I would recommend any and everyone to keep in contact with admissions directors, or even people in charge of applicants.

Yes, I did interview at Touro CA in December!

P.S. At some schools I interviewed, it seemed there were much less deposits sent in than anticipated. I am not sure exactly why, but feel free to call schools up and ask them (especially Liberty and Nova). I believe this may have also played a role in getting the interview in the first place.

Good luck to you all! Call schools/send letters/emails so they know who you are!!!!!

-Vicky

You're also a very pretty lass which could've only helped!
 
I haven't added my info on here, but I thought I might as well. Seeing as the definition of underdog is pretty subjective, I thought I'd throw my hat in. Again, I honestly don't know if I am an UD, but I feel like I've had success this cycle.

In terms of my info:
I applied pretty late and I wasn't complete in my applications until early/mid December.
ORM
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.6
MCAT: 24
Lots of ECs, rural background, lots of recs from DOs and MDs, shadowing (which everyone has now, of course!), research experience (5 first author publications), leadership experience, teaching experience, and some higher degrees (one of 'em in the hard sciences)
APPLIED: Many, many places (applied broadly because of my MCAT, but had a few top choices in mind)
REJECTED: MSUCOM, RVUCOM, Rowan, CCOM, ATSU-SOMA
PRE-INTERVIEW HOLD: AZCOM, DMU-COM
INTERVIEWS: PNWU, VCOM-CC
FUTURE INTERVIEWS: MUCOM, KYCOM, WVSOM, LUCOM, LMU-DCOM, COMP-NW
POST-INTERVIEW REJECTED: PNWU
ACCEPTED: VCOM-CC

I'm actually a bit shocked to have these interviews on account of my MCAT and how late I applied. Because I kept hearing and seeing that I had no chance with my stats, given that I was basically complete in mid December, says a lot about schools looking beyond the numbers. I find my stats to either be average, or, really, lower than average, so I'm just grateful and humbled by these interview opportunities. Again, I don't know if I was an UD, but I was made to believe I was one. And, sometimes, that can be worse than anything. Others telling you that you might as well not bother (which, honestly, happens a lot on this site) when you actually might have had a shot is not what I feel an UD thread should be. I do believe that being realistic is important, but we should also have a little bit of hope, be more supportive, and definitely more encouraging. Let's say we tell someone to apply and they don't get in anywhere. Well, it would have been the same outcome if they never applied in the first place so why not try? Of course, financial reasons are a factor, but, generally, we should be more optimistic than pessimistic.

Okay, getting off my soapbox! I do wish each and everyone of you the best of luck in this endeavor, though!
 
I am frustrated that DO schools are not doing enough to raise admissions standards. I wish more would start taking the WashU method (numbers-whoring).


I completely agree...some of the DO schools are making it easier to get into medical schools than grad schools...what a joke..
 
I completely agree...some of the DO schools are making it easier to get into medical schools than grad schools...what a joke..

The issue is the population applying. I don't believe that most schools are specifically aiming to be filled entirely by low stat apps. But that's how it ends up especially with some schools in odd places.
That being said averages are raising enormously. Even low tier now average closer to 26s and the higher tier edges closer and closer to low tier md stats.

All I can say is that thanks to SDN osteopathic medicine is getting more competitive.
 
I am frustrated that DO schools are not doing enough to raise admissions standards. I wish more would start taking the WashU method (numbers-whoring).
They would be 'numbers-whoring' if they can get applicants with high numbers IMO... They can only work with what they have. They (DO) are just like MD. There are schools on the MD side that will only look at your app if you have 34+ MCAT (WashU , UChicago etc...). At the same time , there are schools with MCAT from low 20s (PR schools) to mid/upper 20s (HBCU, Marshall, University of Kansas, Brody etc...). For DO we have TouroNY, AZCOM, Nova, CCOM that are 'MCAT-obsessed'; we also have schools like VCOM, LUCOM, DCOM, ACOM, KYCOM that 22-24 MCAT is an acceptable range.

Edit... I guess we should stop telling people that have 3.3 c/sGPA and 22-23 MCAT not to apply if their VR>5.
 
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Edit... I guess we should stop telling people that have 3.3 c/sGPA and 22-23 MCAT not to apply if their VR>5.

I agree with you. There is a poster here with 3.5+ GPA and 22 (6 in VR) MCAT who applied late because of the hysteria on SDN. That person was verified in early Nov and he is already sitting on one acceptance and have 3 more interviews to go.
 
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They would be 'numbers-whoring' if they can get applicants with high numbers IMO... They can only work with what they have. They (DO) are just like MD. There are schools on the MD side that will only look at your app if you have 34+ MCAT (WashU , UChicago etc...). At the same time , there are schools with MCAT from low 20s (PR schools) to mid/upper 20s (HBCU, Marshall, University of Kansas, Brody etc...). For DO we have TouroNY, AZCOM, Nova, CCOM that are 'MCAT-obsessed'; we also have schools like VCOM, LUCOM, DCOM, ACOM, KYCOM that 22-24 MCAT is an acceptable range.

Edit... I guess we should stop telling people that have 3.3 c/sGPA and 22-23 MCAT not to apply if their VR>5.
They do get a decent amount of higher stats, but these people lose interest when they have to fill out long secondaries or travel far away to interview. Schools need to start offering remote interview locations or something (and quick or no secondaries) or auto-accept those with MD stats in order to avoid having to resort to far less qualified people. Sure, it might weird to accept a 3.9/30 applicant with no interview, but better than having to accept people with low 20's mcat.
 
The issue is the population applying. I don't believe that most schools are specifically aiming to be filled entirely by low stat apps. But that's how it ends up especially with some schools in odd places.
That being said averages are raising enormously. Even low tier now average closer to 26s and the higher tier edges closer and closer to low tier md stats.

All I can say is that thanks to SDN osteopathic medicine is getting more competitive.

Increase in 2013 vs 2012 mcat avg.....


0.02. That's it.
 
They do get a decent amount of higher stats, but these people lose interest when they have to fill out long secondaries or travel far away to interview. Schools need to start offering remote interview locations or something (and quick or no secondaries) or auto-accept those with MD stats in order to avoid having to resort to far less qualified people. Sure, it might weird to accept a 3.9/30 applicant with no interview, but better than having to accept people with low 20's mcat.
I think most of these high stats end up going to MD... At the pace MD/DO schools are opening these day, I predict that 22-23 will be perfectly acceptable for DO schools in the next 5 years. We will have VCOM-AU next cycle, and 2016 we will have LarkinCOM, University of in the Incarnate Word ( these 2 are just approved) to open in 2016 and a couple others in that same year.
 
They do get a decent amount of higher stats, but these people lose interest when they have to fill out long secondaries or travel far away to interview. Schools need to start offering remote interview locations or something (and quick or no secondaries) or auto-accept those with MD stats in order to avoid having to resort to far less qualified people. Sure, it might weird to accept a 3.9/30 applicant with no interview, but better than having to accept people with low 20's mcat.
It is perfectly acceptable to take applicant with high stats with no interview IMO. MSUCOM does that.
 
I think most of these high stats end up going to MD... At the pace MD/DO schools are opening these day, I predict that 22-23 will be perfectly acceptable for DO schools in the next 5 years. We will have VCOM-AU next cycle, and 2016 we will have LarkinCOM, University of in the Incarnate Word ( these 2 are just approved) to open in 2016 and a couple others in that same year.

Isn't there a shortage in residency? Do you guys know if there is going to be more residency spots added in order to fulfill the influx from these new schools?
 
Isn't there a shortage in residency? Do you guys know if there is going to be more residency spots added in order to fulfill the influx from these new schools?
Most likely not. We are dealing with the US congress here... Have they tackled any bid issue recently?
 
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I haven't added my info on here, but I thought I might as well. Seeing as the definition of underdog is pretty subjective, I thought I'd throw my hat in. Again, I honestly don't know if I am an UD, but I feel like I've had success this cycle.

In terms of my info:
I applied pretty late and I wasn't complete in my applications until early/mid December.
ORM
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.6
MCAT: 24
Lots of ECs, rural background, lots of recs from DOs and MDs, shadowing (which everyone has now, of course!), research experience (5 first author publications), leadership experience, teaching experience, and some higher degrees (one of 'em in the hard sciences)
APPLIED: Many, many places (applied broadly because of my MCAT, but had a few top choices in mind)
REJECTED: MSUCOM, RVUCOM, Rowan, CCOM, ATSU-SOMA
PRE-INTERVIEW HOLD: AZCOM, DMU-COM
INTERVIEWS: PNWU, VCOM-CC
FUTURE INTERVIEWS: MUCOM, KYCOM, WVSOM, LUCOM, LMU-DCOM, COMP-NW
POST-INTERVIEW REJECTED: PNWU
ACCEPTED: VCOM-CC

I'm actually a bit shocked to have these interviews on account of my MCAT and how late I applied. Because I kept hearing and seeing that I had no chance with my stats, given that I was basically complete in mid December, says a lot about schools looking beyond the numbers. I find my stats to either be average, or, really, lower than average, so I'm just grateful and humbled by these interview opportunities. Again, I don't know if I was an UD, but I was made to believe I was one. And, sometimes, that can be worse than anything. Others telling you that you might as well not bother (which, honestly, happens a lot on this site) when you actually might have had a shot is not what I feel an UD thread should be. I do believe that being realistic is important, but we should also have a little bit of hope, be more supportive, and definitely more encouraging. Let's say we tell someone to apply and they don't get in anywhere. Well, it would have been the same outcome if they never applied in the first place so why not try? Of course, financial reasons are a factor, but, generally, we should be more optimistic than pessimistic.

Okay, getting off my soapbox! I do wish each and everyone of you the best of luck in this endeavor, though!

Crazy that people would get down on you. Even with a December app, your app profile looks solid.
 
I completely agree...some of the DO schools are making it easier to get into medical schools than grad schools...what a joke..
The majority of those schools are in undesirable locations for most candidates. They probably need to interview more people in a wide range because they know they will lose good applicants to MD or DO schools in more desirable locations. Personally, I think 23 needs to be the minimum MCAT to get into medical school.
 
And hvilledoc now has 5 interviews with a "terrible" 22 mcat.

Folks, 3.6+ sgpa and 22 mcat is fine for DO, especially with so many schools opening.

(Also, Indianarn received 4 ii's and 2 acceptances with only 3.3/22.)
 
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And hvilledoc now has 5 interviews with a "terrible" 22 mcat.

Folks, 3.6+ sgpa and 22 mcat is fine for DO, especially with so many schools opening.

(Also, Indianarn received 3 ii's and 2 acceptances with only 3.3/22.)
Where did Hvilledoc get his latest interview? I thought he had only 4 interviews....
 
Hi All this has been my situation so far:
I took the MCAT 3 times 26,22,27. My 27 was made up of a 10,9,8. My highest section score was an 11,9,8.
GPA; 3.29 sGPA 3.45
I applied to: Nova, CCOM, VCOM, Rowan, NYCOM, ATSU, CUSOM, LECOM, NJMS, Cooper, Quinnipiac and Howard
Rejected Pre-Interview: CCOM, ATSU,LECOM, Cooper
Accepted: Nova, CUSOM
And still waiting on the rest. Don't give up Hope!!
 
And hvilledoc now has 5 interviews with a "terrible" 22 mcat.

Folks, 3.6+ sgpa and 22 mcat is fine for DO, especially with so many schools opening.

(Also, Indianarn received 3 ii's and 2 acceptances with only 3.3/22.)


Honestly, AACOM needs a grid.
 
And hvilledoc now has 5 interviews with a "terrible" 22 mcat.

Folks, 3.6+ sgpa and 22 mcat is fine for DO, especially with so many schools opening.

(Also, Indianarn received 3 ii's and 2 acceptances with only 3.3/22.)

I know a guy with a 3.6 c/sGPA and a 24 mcat on his third try (22, 24, 24). He got accepted to a relatively competitive state MD school without anything else exceptional on his application. So TBH, after two cycles, it's beginning to look like a total crapshoot. It's pretty obvious that numbers are the most objective way to look at an applicant, but looking at those who did and didn't get in, there's obviously a mystery factor at most schools that accounts for the disparity in numbers that get accepted. My theory is that they pick the ones that have last names that will sound good after Dr.

Hi All this has been my situation so far:
I took the MCAT 3 times 26,22,27. My 27 was made up of a 10,9,8. My highest section score was an 11,9,8.
GPA; 3.29 sGPA 3.45
I applied to: Nova, CCOM, VCOM, Rowan, NYCOM, ATSU, CUSOM, LECOM, NJMS, Cooper, Quinnipiac and Howard
Rejected Pre-Interview: CCOM, ATSU,LECOM, Cooper
Accepted: Nova, CUSOM
And still waiting on the rest. Don't give up Hope!!

Congrats!! Nova is a great school and I've heard great things about CUSOM too!! Good luck with the rest!!
 
Honestly, AACOM needs a grid.

A table 25 for AACOM would be great, and would definitely settle the "who's an underdog" discussion...

That being said, even with the MD grid, how do you account for those with sub 3.0 GPA's and sub 25 mcats getting accepted?
 
Just submitted my secondaries yesterday to: KYCOM, LMU-DCOM, ATSU-SOMA, and RVCOM.

MCAT 26, cGPA 3.48, sGPA 3.29

Hoping for the best, I'm pretty nervous about whether or not I'll get an interview.
 
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