2015-2016 Underdog Thread!

Started by winterwind_23
BU Medical Sciences
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winterwind_23

winterwind_23

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I noticed that we don't have an official 2015-2016 underdog thread in this forum. I'd like to make this the official thread for underdogs to motivate and encourage each other through this grueling application cycle! You can go ahead and post your stats if you're comfortable, or just join in. It'll be nice to look back at this thread once we have our acceptances, and for future applicants to find that not all hope is lost!

(Not sure if there actually is an underdog thread yet, but I couldn't find it in the search. Mods, please remove this thread if there is already an underdog thread and direct me to it!)

Having a cGPA < 3.5 OR MCAT < 30 qualifies you as an "underdog," but really, anyone who feels like an underdog is welcome in this thread. 🙂

I'll start: 3.41 cGPA/3.45 sGPA, 35 MCAT. I'm applying to 37 MD schools and 6 DO schools. Hoping for just one acceptance!
 
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5/10

Not an underdog MCAT, and $5000+ worth of applications? :uhno:

But you get points because the forum might benefit from an underdog thread.
 
I thought something like this would happen...I was trying to be inclusive, so I didn't include stats that would "qualify" someone as an underdog.

Personally, my opinion for an "underdog" is cGPA < 3.5 OR MCAT < 30. But anyone can be an underdog, it's just a matter of perspective.
 
einsteinm said:
Your 35 definitely makes up for the 3.4... Much better than 4.0 + 28
Click to expand...

So your MCAT qualifies you as an underdog, and my GPA qualifies me as an underdog. I think if we can combine our stats, we'd be in a much better position. 😛 You'll surely get some interviews and a few acceptances with a 4.0!
 
winterwind_23 said:
So your MCAT qualifies you as an underdog, and my GPA qualifies me as an underdog. I think if we can combine our stats, we'd be in a much better position. 😛 You'll surely get some interviews and a few acceptances with a 4.0!
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Haha, I was just using 4.0 + 28 as an example as I know way too many people in that situation. Thankfully, mine were pretty balanced.
 
lower gpa than you, higher mcat, non-trad, international, applying for 10-15ish since i still gotta eat. is this set to journey? cozzz we've gotta hold on ready or not... you live for the fight when it's all that you've got :woot:
 
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Speaking as someone with scores very similar to OP's I consider myself an underdog- primarily because I'm from CA. None of the schools on my list really qualifies as a "safety"- not because I am applying to mid/top tier schools, but because there aren't any safeties out there for me.

I think there are a lot of factors that play into being an underdog.
 
3.28 cGPa, still waiting on MCAT percentiles, but I felt pretty good about my May test date. So we will see.
 
TalkPARPiToMe said:
Speaking as someone with scores very similar to OP's I consider myself an underdog- primarily because I'm from CA. None of the schools on my list really qualifies as a "safety"- not because I am applying to mid/top tier schools, but because there aren't any safeties out there for me.

I think there are a lot of factors that play into being an underdog.
Click to expand...
Please expand on these factors.
 
I agree with OP. Someone could have a 71 LizzyM score but even if the MCAT is a 40, a 3.1 is still going to have a hard time at a lot of schools.
 
onyisraw said:
Please expand on these factors.
Click to expand...

Factors could be anything. 1) lack of friendly state schools, 2) economic factors that limit your ability to apply broadly 3) dearth of clinical volunteering/research/whatever.

I definitely think that anyone that doesn't have safeties to apply to is an underdog. And anyone that is applying with a major flaw in their application is an underdog to some extent. Right?
 
TalkPARPiToMe said:
Factors could be anything. 1) lack of friendly state schools, 2) economic factors that limit your ability to apply broadly 3) dearth of clinical volunteering/research/whatever.

I definitely think that anyone that doesn't have safeties to apply to is an underdog. And anyone that is applying with a major flaw in their application is an underdog to some extent. Right?
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I would agree!
 
TalkPARPiToMe said:
Speaking as someone with scores very similar to OP's I consider myself an underdog- primarily because I'm from CA. None of the schools on my list really qualifies as a "safety"- not because I am applying to mid/top tier schools, but because there aren't any safeties out there for me.

I think there are a lot of factors that play into being an underdog.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm from California, and there are no "safety" state schools that I could apply for. Sure, if I were in Texas or Ohio, I might have some peace of mind knowing that I have a good shot at a state school. But as a California resident, there is no such thing as a safety school, even with decent stats.
 
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You see, I see these awesome stories and then there are these people with 38s and 3.9s freaking out about getting in.
 
Underdog checking in! 34 MCAT, 3.44 cGPA, low sGPA.. let's just say I made it past the 3.0 screen. I have had a phenomenal post-baccalaureate performance and have extensive healthcare experience, so I am hoping that my motivations and strong academic performance since 2010 keep me in the running for an acceptance. I applied to 26 schools, mostly low and mid-tier.
 
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3.79 GPA/29 MCAT. Retaking in August and have a list of 32 schools right now. I'm just gonna go all in on this retake and hope my situation improves
 
3.55 cGPA, but only a 3.35 sGPA (although I got a 3.9 in 30 science credits this past year as a super senior). Waiting to hear back about the May MCAT, but I think I did pretty well. Applying to 33 MSTP programs and hoping my great LoRs and heavy research background will at least pull me an interview somewhere. I'd probably apply to some state MD programs if my state wasn't sucky and had more than one (Indiana).
 
I know how much reading those underdog success stories helped motivate me during my application process. I'd consider myself a significant underdog with a 3.39 cgpa, a 3.2 sgpa, and a 31 MCAT. I submitted secondaries to 6 DO schools, received interviews at 4, attended 1 interview, and was accepted there.
I submitted secondaries to 4 MD schools, received an interview at 1, and was accepted. I'm not an under represented minority. I'm from CA and will be attending allopathic school in CA beginning this summer.
Best of luck to everyone!
 
what classifies an underdog? Don't you think being in the right place at the right time sometimes has influence. Im sure there are people with amazing stats that don't get in anywhere in a cycle and Im sure there are people with mediocre stats that manage to get into a school. Now thats not taking into account when they applied or if they applied smartly. But seriously when applying to medical school, nothing is guaranteed.
 
Master3930 said:
what classifies an underdog? Don't you think being in the right place at the right time sometimes has influence. Im sure there are people with amazing stats that don't get in anywhere in a cycle and Im sure there are people with mediocre stats that manage to get into a school. Now thats not taking into account when they applied or if they applied smartly. But seriously when applying to medical school, nothing is guaranteed.
Click to expand...

There is absolutely an element of luck when applying. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been accepted to my dream school with the stats I have. Aside from my stats, I know I had en excellent personal statement, LORs, and ECs. I also know that my values were very much in line with the school's values.
There are statistics that can be used as general indicators of how competitive you are for different schools. These can be helpful guides but of course exceptions always happen (and it's nice to hear about them!)
 
Guess it is my time to slip in on this thread.
3.2sgpa/3.5cgpa
37-47%ile on may 22nd MCAT. ~25/26 on the old scale according to some spreadsheets I have seen here.

I'm literally moving to Chicago today. I already submitted my MD/DO. I applied 12 DO, 4 instate MD. I was going to add more based on my MCAT but now I can't decide if it's worth it. I am looking at a September retake. Life was pretty chaotic for the May date and I feel Like my move will allow me to distance myself from the chaos and buckle down.

Any suggestions? Should I add the other 10 MD I was considering? Or just mosey on through this cycle, work towards a solid September retake, and apply next cycle?

I empathize so much with the other underdogs. My ECs and LORs are top notch. Military service and URM. But nothing is going to save me from that MCAT [emoji30]
 
I think your percentile falls into the 23/24 on the old scale. If I were you, I would actually keep applying and see what they say. The worst they can say is "no", right? I understand your fear of wasting money, time.... etc but I would say just go for it but def APPLY EARLY! If you are looking to just get into any school, then continue with the application process; but if you want the Harvard/UCLA/Wash U bunch... then retake. Just my thoughts! Best of Luck!


BLACKMD said:
Guess it is my time to slip in on this thread.
3.2sgpa/3.5cgpa
37-47%ile on may 22nd MCAT. ~25/26 on the old scale according to some spreadsheets I have seen here.

I'm literally moving to Chicago today. I already submitted my MD/DO. I applied 12 DO, 4 instate MD. I was going to add more based on my MCAT but now I can't decide if it's worth it. I am looking at a September retake. Life was pretty chaotic for the May date and I feel Like my move will allow me to distance myself from the chaos and buckle down.

Any suggestions? Should I add the other 10 MD I was considering? Or just mosey on through this cycle, work towards a solid September retake, and apply next cycle?

I empathize so much with the other underdogs. My ECs and LORs are top notch. Military service and URM. But nothing is going to save me from that MCAT [emoji30]
Click to expand...
 
xc_stallion92 said:
3.55 cGPA, but only a 3.35 sGPA (although I got a 3.9 in 30 science credits this past year as a super senior). Waiting to hear back about the May MCAT, but I think I did pretty well. Applying to 33 MSTP programs and hoping my great LoRs and heavy research background will at least pull me an interview somewhere. I'd probably apply to some state MD programs if my state wasn't sucky and had more than one (Indiana).
Click to expand...
IN is a good state. 34.3% IS matriculation is enviable.
 
Underdogs would be classified as having difficulty in getting into any MD school (in an allopathic forum). Not people who have the privilege of choosing. Everyone is an underdog when applying to Harvard.

Neurotic pre meds will be neurotic.
 
lol sorry. Here goes:

Undergrad:
3.42 cGPA
3.33 sGPA


Took old MCAT twice my senior year, Fall and Spring. Scored 26 (10 BS, 9 PS, 7 VR) and 25 (10 BS, 9 PS, 6 VR) respectively. Had sub 3.0 GPA freshmen and sophomore years. I graduated in Fall 2014 (I took summer classes during my senior year to raise GPA).

In 2015 I took a review course for new MCAT and took 8 quarter units through concurrent enrollment at another university and received an A and A-, raising my cGPA to 3.43 and sGPA to 3.35. I received a 512 on the new MCAT (87th percentile). I am about to send out my application (I hope I'm not late). At this point I have taken 256 graded units, so raising my GPA substantially won't happen easily. I have considered taking more upper division bio classes at a nearby university during the application cycle to continue showing improvement but am not sure if it will be worth the money. I will be working at a nursing home throughout this application year and am looking for more work.

ECs:
- >600 hours with Americorps (work study) working with children at underprivileged schools during my freshmen and sophomore years
- Philanthropy chair for pledge class freshmen year and the fraternity my sophomore year
- 110 volunteering hours at hospital (~80 in ER)
- Mission trip to rural China over Christmas break my senior year
- 160 research hours in cancer bio lab (lots of reading papers and gave presentations for PI during meetings). Left and did research in a cardio lab with animals for last year and a half (>200 hours), presented an abstract at school symposium.
- 30 hours shadowing a family doctor (MD) and 15 hours shadowing OMT physician

There is other information about my background that I feel should be considered and will mention in my applications, but don't feel comfortable sharing here

At this point, I'll be happy if I can get into a DO school. I was wondering how many I should apply to. I know MD is a long shot, but I'll see what happens with that as well.


I'm a CA resident, not URM.

Thanks for any feedback.
 
True underdog here! Applied only to 4 schools. 2DO, 2MD. Retaking in January. 494MCAT. 3.7sgpa, 3.5cgpa. Mother of 2 amazing kids! Full-time working RN. non-trad student. Hubby is a D1 (hence username). Applied this cycle. Hoping to hear back at least from DO schools!
 
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IlyaR said:
35 mcat 2.7 science gpa, in!
4.0 SMP
Click to expand...

This was the only one close to an underdog.

finished undergrad with a 2.4 GPA overall after some family stuff starting my junior year going into my senior which brought it down from a 3.6 chemistry post physical chemistry.

I took two classes I bombed, got A's took original MCAT got 21.

Took SMP, 3.92 GPA then took new MCAT earning a 512.

MD ADMIT for 2016 living in PA. There is hope. To anyone using this thread for its actually purpose instead of OPs stupid view of what an under dog is.

Same story for my friend did SMP and retook MCAT, 3.9 and 524 and has multiple acceptances and interviews for MD. GPA was 2.7 and had a D in chemistry without ever retaking it.


BELEIVE!
 
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