Legitimately a disadvantaged student. How much will this help?

[Ragtime]

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I've read threads about people applying as a disadvantaged student, but usually these people either don't seem to actually fit the criteria or they have somewhat competitive stats anyway. I truly feel that I am exactly what a disadvantaged student is defined as. I've grown up living in a medically underserved community AND had both economical and educational disadvantages my whole life prior to and during college.

I feel like I spent most of college having to learn how to even be a good student (learning strategies, good habits, time-management, etc.) before I was actually able to have higher performances. I barely graduated high school, didn't even know how college worked, and had to take many high-school level prerequisite courses (i.e algebra, intro chemistry, etc.) before I could register for college-level courses at a community college. I spent 4 years in CC before I transferred to a university to complete my degree along the premed sequences. Although it has taken me years to finally have higher performances in school, I feel that I have been progressing consistently throughout the years. I don't believe my poor performances were due to laziness. Instead, I feel like I just didn't know how to be a student.

My stats are not too bad, but also not really good... I'm a non-science major (psychology). I have a steep upward trend in my last 2 years of my bachelors degree ~3.8+. I'm planning on doing an informal post-bac for retakes which would make my cGPA=~3.3 and sGPA=~3.3 (after the new D.O. retake policy) assuming I will earn a 4.0 in my retakes (which I feel is very probable). And I will be taking the mcat in September.

My question is, will applying as a disadvantaged student really help me with these stats & a decent mcat score? I feel like my application will be overlooked due to my low stats and the fact that applying as a disadvantaged student is basically a self-reported status with little meaning.

 

[deleted480308]

studying will help your app far more than proving you were poor... just focus on your grades/mcat

 

[Ragtime]

That's the plan! However, I'm concerned that even after focusing on grades and mcat, my final stats of ~3.3 both sGPA and cGPA will immediately turn off adcoms because they have not considered the entire context. What I was trying to get at was whether or not applying as a disadvantaged student could instead help by highlighting the positive aspects of my application (i.e. being capable of achieving high academic performances as evidenced by my upward trends), which in turn signals adcoms to see beyond my low final gpas.

 

[deleted480308]

That's the plan! However, I'm concerned that even after focusing on grades and mcat, my final stats of ~3.3 both sGPA and cGPA will immediately turn off adcoms because they have not considered the entire context. What I was trying to get at was whether or not applying as a disadvantaged student could instead help by highlighting the positive aspects of my application (i.e. being capable of achieving high academic performances as evidenced by my upward trends), which in turn signals adcoms to see beyond my low final gpas.

a hard screen is a hard screen....all you can do is study at this point

 

[CastleG8]

Apply broadly and show that you are interested in helping the disadvantaged and it might help your interview topics and gain favorable impression on your interviews. I don't think it will nudge them either way on your decision unless you also have another component like being native Spanish bilingual or you are African American. I think being a first generational college grad and being of lower socio-economic group coupled with a top 95% MCAT makes those type of circumstances stand out a lot more because it takes you from being just a less common applicant to a very unique one.

If you want to get into DO, then you will still want an above average matriculate MCAT score for your target schools and apply early and broadly to schools that you like. If you want MD, then don't expect much extra points for hardships without a stellar MCAT score to go with it.
My opinion.

I've read threads about people applying as a disadvantaged student, but usually these people either don't seem to actually fit the criteria or they have somewhat competitive stats anyway. I truly feel that I am exactly what a disadvantaged student is defined as. I've grown up living in a medically underserved community AND had both economical and educational disadvantages my whole life prior to and during college.

I feel like I spent most of college having to learn how to even be a good student (learning strategies, good habits, time-management, etc.) before I was actually able to have higher performances. I barely graduated high school, didn't even know how college worked, and had to take many high-school level prerequisite courses (i.e algebra, intro chemistry, etc.) before I could register for college-level courses at a community college. I spent 4 years in CC before I transferred to a university to complete my degree along the premed sequences. Although it has taken me years to finally have higher performances in school, I feel that I have been progressing consistently throughout the years. I don't believe my poor performances were due to laziness. Instead, I feel like I just didn't know how to be a student.

My stats are not too bad, but also not really good... I'm a non-science major (psychology). I have a steep upward trend in my last 2 years of my bachelors degree ~3.8+. I'm planning on doing an informal post-bac for retakes which would make my cGPA=~3.3 and sGPA=~3.3 (after the new D.O. retake policy) assuming I will earn a 4.0 in my retakes (which I feel is very probable). And I will be taking the mcat in September.

My question is, will applying as a disadvantaged student really help me with these stats & a decent mcat score? I feel like my application will be overlooked due to my low stats and the fact that applying as a disadvantaged student is basically a self-reported status with little meaning.

 

[Ragtime]

Would I even have a shot at any D.O. school with a ~3.3 sGPA and ~3.3 cGPA and say an mcat score of 510? These are very likely to be the stats that I am going to apply with (after a 1-year informal post-bac of retakes). This was the original plan suggested to me by members of SDN before the new DO grade calculation policy. If this is not enough, what other options should I now consider before applying?

 

[kamchatka]

Would I even have a shot at any D.O. school with a ~3.3 sGPA and ~3.3 cGPA and say an mcat score of 510? These are very likely to be the stats that I am going to apply with (after a 1-year informal post-bac of retakes). This was the original plan suggested to me by members of SDN before the new DO grade calculation policy. If this is not enough, what other options should I now consider before applying?

For what its worth, I have a 3.35/3.25/506 (after grade replacement), and I've received 6 interviews. I submitted in late November, and only finished up secondaries for 26 schools mid January, so I hope for even more interviews. I failed multiple classes during my first year of undergrad, and rebounded hard with grade replacement, which I believe has made me a far more appealing applicant. Interviewers have commented on their fascination with my story as well. For applicants like us, the secondary essay is the most important part of the application, and if you can write well about your story and frame yourself properly you will do fine. You'll be above the pre-screens, and beyond that point it is up to you to frame yourself in the best possible light.

 

[Ragtime]

For what its worth, I have a 3.35/3.25/506 (after grade replacement), and I've received 6 interviews. I submitted in late November, and only finished up secondaries for 26 schools mid January, so I hope for even more interviews. I failed multiple classes during my first year of undergrad, and rebounded hard with grade replacement, which I believe has made me a far more appealing applicant. Interviewers have commented on their fascination with my story as well. For applicants like us, the secondary essay is the most important part of the application, and if you can write well about your story and frame yourself properly you will do fine. You'll be above the pre-screens, and beyond that point it is up to you to frame yourself in the best possible light.

I was very concerned about my primary being overlooked, and then not receiving any secondaries.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Very inspirational. I wish you the best of luck in receiving acceptances

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Would I even have a shot at any D.O. school with a ~3.3 sGPA and ~3.3 cGPA and say an mcat score of 510? These are very likely to be the stats that I am going to apply with (after a 1-year informal post-bac of retakes). This was the original plan suggested to me by members of SDN before the new DO grade calculation policy. If this is not enough, what other options should I now consider before applying?

I was very concerned about my primary being overlooked, and then not receiving any secondaries.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Very inspirational. I wish you the best of luck in receiving acceptances

Every primary that meets the cutoff will get a secondary.

A 3.3/3.3/510 is good for every DO school pretty much. Heck a 3.3/500 combo will get a few interviews and likely acceptance. Just do as well as you can in your classes and study your butt off for the MCAT and then come back when you have all your numbers.

 

[kamchatka]

I was very concerned about my primary being overlooked, and then not receiving any secondaries.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Very inspirational. I wish you the best of luck in receiving acceptances

No problem 🙂, I know how stressful it can be to be unsure of where you stand, especially given how long the cycle is. Just make sure you prepare well for each portion of your application. Read books on medical school interviews, MMIs, research how to write strong secondaries, etc.

 

[dwgrubbs1s]

Pretty much came from the same type of situation as you did. Poor, went to a bad high school which put me behind in college. Most people either went to work at a factory after high school, or got a 2 year degree from a local community college. Schools that are big on rural healthcare may give you some slack for the MCAT scores but again, some may not. I would say own your bad scores and don't use your background as an excuse for them. Because at the end of the day, irregardless of your background, you still have to pass national boards and schools want people who they feel like can pass those.

 

[Mr. D.O.five]

A 510 is much easier said than done.

 

[Goro]

Are you aware that your GPA is the national median for DO acceptees?

Would I even have a shot at any D.O. school with a ~3.3 sGPA and ~3.3 cGPA and say an mcat score of 510? These are very likely to be the stats that I am going to apply with (after a 1-year informal post-bac of retakes). This was the original plan suggested to me by members of SDN before the new DO grade calculation policy. If this is not enough, what other options should I now consider before applying?

 

[Ragtime]

Are you aware that your GPA is the national median for DO acceptees?

I was unaware. I went to a few schools' websites to check some stats, and saw averages around 3.5/3.4. Thanks for informing me!

 

[Ragtime]

Thank you everyone for sharing your input!

 

[Cardboard101]

I was unaware. I went to a few schools' websites to check some stats, and saw averages around 3.5/3.4. Thanks for informing me!

Yes, their GPA average is around that. But the MCAT average is on the low end of 500. If you take your LizzyM score, it's right at, or slightly above in many cases the average.

 

[JB50]

A 510 is not that difficult opie depending on time and how you study. You sound very similar to my situation and how my grades panned out. cGPA 3.64, sGPA 3.59, 512 MCAT (2)

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Check out the underdog threads. Tons of people with ~3.0s and/or ~500s sitting on acceptances.

 

[Mad Jack]

I've read threads about people applying as a disadvantaged student, but usually these people either don't seem to actually fit the criteria or they have somewhat competitive stats anyway. I truly feel that I am exactly what a disadvantaged student is defined as. I've grown up living in a medically underserved community AND had both economical and educational disadvantages my whole life prior to and during college.

I feel like I spent most of college having to learn how to even be a good student (learning strategies, good habits, time-management, etc.) before I was actually able to have higher performances. I barely graduated high school, didn't even know how college worked, and had to take many high-school level prerequisite courses (i.e algebra, intro chemistry, etc.) before I could register for college-level courses at a community college. I spent 4 years in CC before I transferred to a university to complete my degree along the premed sequences. Although it has taken me years to finally have higher performances in school, I feel that I have been progressing consistently throughout the years. I don't believe my poor performances were due to laziness. Instead, I feel like I just didn't know how to be a student.

My stats are not too bad, but also not really good... I'm a non-science major (psychology). I have a steep upward trend in my last 2 years of my bachelors degree ~3.8+. I'm planning on doing an informal post-bac for retakes which would make my cGPA=~3.3 and sGPA=~3.3 (after the new D.O. retake policy) assuming I will earn a 4.0 in my retakes (which I feel is very probable). And I will be taking the mcat in September.

My question is, will applying as a disadvantaged student really help me with these stats & a decent mcat score? I feel like my application will be overlooked due to my low stats and the fact that applying as a disadvantaged student is basically a self-reported status with little meaning.

You'll 100% get in, regardless of story.

 

[White Coat Hopefuls]

Of course no one knows if you'll get in, only a few people do, and those are the people sitting in some secret room at the medical schools you will apply to. Everything else is anecdotal. On first glance, while not stunning numbers, they also aren't horrible by any means, and I would say you've got a chance! Remember that grades and MCAT are only a part of the equation. You are made of a lot more than just numbers. These nontangible qualities can be ones that really set you apart. I wouldn't necessarily focus on how hard life has been (even if it has been really hard), but instead focus on what that has made you become. I know people who are in medicine who had sad stories growing up, but they were also outstanding people, hard workers, etc... Make sure you do as well as possible grade- and test-wise, but don't neglect the other aspects of your app.

 

[Ragtime]

Just a quick update for those following this thread who find themselves in a similar situation:

Took me 8 years in total (4 years at a CC, 3 years at a university, 1 year post bac), but I finally got my first DO acceptance last week. There is hope!

Thank you everyone for the great advice and support!

 

[big_Z]

Just a quick update for those following this thread who find themselves in a similar situation:

Took me 8 years in total (4 years at a CC, 3 years at a university, 1 year post bac), but I finally got my first DO acceptance last week. There is hope!

Thank you everyone for the great advice and support!

Congratulations! Do you mind sharing your stats/ECs? Will be applying in a similar stats situation soon. Any advice?

 

[Ragtime]

Congratulations! Do you mind sharing your stats/ECs? Will be applying in a similar stats situation soon. Any advice?

cGPA: 3.3, sGPA: 3.1, MCAT: 504. Upward trend: 3.7+ including prereq and upper division coursework (60+ units)

200 hours clinical volunteering, 400 hours research assistant,100 hours community health service, 1000 hours medical scribe, 2 years of part-time job

2 science letters, 1 MD letter, 1 research letter

MISC: low income and underserved, nonscience major, ORM

Thank you so much big_Z! My general advice is to be realistic with your school list and apply to schools with average GPAs and MCAT closest to yours. Also, it would be a good idea to find a central theme for which you can present your entire application in a cohesive and consistent manner in your personal statement and during your interviews. In my case, my theme was living low-income/underserved and how that inspired me to work with underserved populations. It also served as an explanation for my poor academic performance early on. Hope that helps and good luck!