The 2011-2012 Underdog Thread

[tbone1234]

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I take my MCAT tomorrow... yikes! I took a practice test yesterday and scored a 25. If I can score that on the real thing, it will help my case a lot! My scores were a little funky though... On my actual MCAT I got a 7P, 9V, 5B. On my most recent practice I got a 10P, 8V, 7B. Hmm... Keepin my fingers crossed I can duplicate it!

I'm sure you'll even do better than you hope. Stay calm, get some sleep, and knock that sucker out cold.

 

[Newme]

Hi guys, long time lurker, 1st time poster here
CGPA: 3.3
CSci: 2.80
MCAT....wait for it...20. 9VR7PS4BS (weirdly enough BS was my strongest section going into the exam).

Stats:
Tons of volunteer, leadership, shadowing, research, DO letter etc etc. Immigrant & English is my 3rd language.

Any advice would be great. Merci beaucoup.

 

[lxasylum]

Hi guys, long time lurker, 1st time poster here
CGPA: 3.3
CSci: 2.80
MCAT....wait for it...20. 9VR7PS4BS (weirdly enough BS was my strongest section going into the exam).

Stats:
Tons of volunteer, leadership, shadowing, research, DO letter etc etc. Immigrant & English is my 3rd language.

Any advice would be great. Merci beaucoup.

Well, you probably already know that the 4 will hurt your application (probably get screened). you should consider retaking it to help you if you are applying this year. If you are applying next year or later then take time to study and do your best. You're ECs should be fine. The science gpa could be raised too as well. Possibly a retake of courses may be in store to quickly increase it. They could screen you out for that as well. The correlation between your science gpa and bio mcat might flag the adcoms too if they look at your application.

 

[lxasylum]

I take my MCAT tomorrow... yikes! I took a practice test yesterday and scored a 25. If I can score that on the real thing, it will help my case a lot! My scores were a little funky though... On my actual MCAT I got a 7P, 9V, 5B. On my most recent practice I got a 10P, 8V, 7B. Hmm... Keepin my fingers crossed I can duplicate it!

Easy for me to say, but try to relax and dont study anything except for formulas and stuff. Go to bed early. I can't stress that enough. Goodluck Djack.

 

[DrWily]

Hi guys, long time lurker, 1st time poster here
CGPA: 3.3
CSci: 2.80
MCAT....wait for it...20. 9VR7PS4BS (weirdly enough BS was my strongest section going into the exam).

Stats:
Tons of volunteer, leadership, shadowing, research, DO letter etc etc. Immigrant & English is my 3rd language.

Any advice would be great. Merci beaucoup.

Welcome!

I would retake the MCAT asap. Going to be hardpressed to get in this cycle with a 20 and less than average GPA (unless you're not applying this cycle?)

 

[museic]

Hi guys, long time lurker, 1st time poster here
CGPA: 3.3
CSci: 2.80
MCAT....wait for it...20. 9VR7PS4BS (weirdly enough BS was my strongest section going into the exam).

Stats:
Tons of volunteer, leadership, shadowing, research, DO letter etc etc. Immigrant & English is my 3rd language.

Any advice would be great. Merci beaucoup.

Science GPA is pretty rough. If you could rock the MCAT you'd be okay...and by rock i mean a 30.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Hi guys, long time lurker, 1st time poster here
CGPA: 3.3
CSci: 2.80
MCAT....wait for it...20. 9VR7PS4BS (weirdly enough BS was my strongest section going into the exam).

Stats:
Tons of volunteer, leadership, shadowing, research, DO letter etc etc. Immigrant & English is my 3rd language.

Any advice would be great. Merci beaucoup.

Don't apply until you get at least a 7 in each section. You're too low on the sGPA. It's likely > 1 standard deviation. I suggest you start doing retakes.

 

[california16]

Hey fellow underdogs! Just got an interview invite for Touro CA 😀
You can do it! Keep your chin up 🙂

 

[DJack]

Hi guys, long time lurker, 1st time poster here
CGPA: 3.3
CSci: 2.80
MCAT....wait for it...20. 9VR7PS4BS (weirdly enough BS was my strongest section going into the exam).

Stats:
Tons of volunteer, leadership, shadowing, research, DO letter etc etc. Immigrant & English is my 3rd language.

Any advice would be great. Merci beaucoup.

Wow, that MCAT is strikingly similar to mine. (9V, 7P, 5B). I am retaking it tomorrow though. Your cGPA is very similar too... mine is a 3.37. However, that 2.8 will kill you at many places. I had to really stretch some things to get my sGPA above a 3.0 to a 3.03. Anything below a 3.0 (cGPA or sGPA) will get you screened at many places, along with your low MCAT (trust me, I know). If I were you, I would honestly wait and apply next year. Retake some classes to get that sGPA above a 3.0 and, while studying hard for those classes, use that material to study for a new, better MCAT... specifically your BS score.

Easy for me to say, but try to relax and dont study anything except for formulas and stuff. Go to bed early. I can't stress that enough. Goodluck Djack.

Thanks a lot! I appreciate it 👍

 

[Dr Yiot]

Wow, that MCAT is strikingly similar to mine. (9V, 7P, 5B). I am retaking it tomorrow though. Your cGPA is very similar too... mine is a 3.37. However, that 2.8 will kill you at many places. I had to really stretch some things to get my sGPA above a 3.0 to a 3.03. Anything below a 3.0 (cGPA or sGPA) will get you screened at many places, along with your low MCAT (trust me, I know). If I were you, I would honestly wait and apply next year. Retake some classes to get that sGPA above a 3.0 and, while studying hard for those classes, use that material to study for a new, better MCAT... specifically your BS score.



Thanks a lot! I appreciate it 👍

Djack, get rest and when u get there Anhilate that thing. During ur breaks get up walk around and do some jumping jacks to get your blood flowing. And stretch. You'll do grwat man. Attack the passages. Not like my score is great but I felt those things really helped. I knw you'll kill it though man!

 

[tbone1234]

Haha, you have a lot of us rooting for you DJack. Hope that's not any added pressure

 

[Newme]

Thanks for the response guys! I'll retake ASAP cos i submitted primaries late July already lol. Oh and good luck tomorrow DJack!

 

[KhaoticKarma]

sGPA 3.39
cGPA 3.6

MCAT: 27Q

Looks fine right? Here's the kicker: verbal was a 6. PS: 9 and BS: 12. Btw, in the application cycle, I wouldn't say I'm early or late; probably in the middle (primaries are being processed at the moment). What do you guys think the chances are for this cycle? (applied to 13 schools so far and prob. gonna add like 5 or 6 more) I really don't think I can retake this September and pull up my verbal score by then. Thx.

 

[SanAntonian]

sGPA 3.39
cGPA 3.6

MCAT: 27Q

Looks fine right? Here's the kicker: verbal was a 6. PS: 9 and BS: 12. Btw, in the application cycle, I wouldn't say I'm early or late; probably in the middle (primaries are being processed at the moment). What do you guys think the chances are for this cycle? (applied to 13 schools so far and prob. gonna add like 5 or 6 more) I really don't think I can retake this September and pull up my verbal score by then. Thx.

One of those mcat surprises how your writing score was good, but verbal reasoning not as much. I think your scores are very competitive for almost any DO program, based on what I have read. Good luck and keep at it.

 

[SesameStreetDoc]

SesameStreetDoc - cGPA: 3.25, sGPA: 3.13, MCAT: 25

Question: do you think it's better to focus on boosting GPA or MCAT?? Yes, I know both would be ideal, but I don't have that kind of time. I can take 4 courses over the next year to boost my GPA, or 3 classes and the MCAT. I'm just trying to figure out which would be the best "bang for my buck".

 

[Laiba]

SesameStreetDoc - cGPA: 3.2, sGPA: 3.1, MCAT: 25

Question: do you think it's better to focus on boosting GPA or MCAT?? Yes, I know both would be ideal, but I don't have that kind of time. I can take 4 courses over the next year to boost my GPA, or 3 classes and the MCAT. I'm just trying to figure out which would be the best "bang for my buck".

i applied this year with almost the exact same stats as u.
lets see wat happens 🙂

 

[KhaoticKarma]

.

 

[KhaoticKarma]

One of those mcat surprises how your writing score was good, but verbal reasoning not as much. I think your scores are very competitive for almost any DO program, based on what I have read. Good luck and keep at it.

thank you for your support!🙂

 

[scummie]

SesameStreetDoc - cGPA: 3.2, sGPA: 3.1, MCAT: 25

Question: do you think it's better to focus on boosting GPA or MCAT?? Yes, I know both would be ideal, but I don't have that kind of time. I can take 4 courses over the next year to boost my GPA, or 3 classes and the MCAT. I'm just trying to figure out which would be the best "bang for my buck".

I'd say MCAT score. I had similar stats to you, but my MCAT was a lot higher. How much will taking classes improve your GPA? If we're talking going from F/D to A, then take the classes instead.

 

[DrWily]

SesameStreetDoc - cGPA: 3.2, sGPA: 3.1, MCAT: 25

Question: do you think it's better to focus on boosting GPA or MCAT?? Yes, I know both would be ideal, but I don't have that kind of time. I can take 4 courses over the next year to boost my GPA, or 3 classes and the MCAT. I'm just trying to figure out which would be the best "bang for my buck".

That really depends on you. If you can get a 30+, then your GPA might be fine, but if you can only get a 27ish, then you're going to want to get that GPA up to like ~3.3-4.

You decide what's more feasible for you. Ideally, retake the classes (hopefully core sciences that can also contribue to your MCAT), take the MCAT April, and have a great cycle next year.

 

[timaq]

Got another interview invitation, this time to William Carey. And to think I almost waited to apply till next year...

Once again, stats (since that's what everyones interested in) are: 2.98 sGPA, 3.05 cGPA, 27P MCAT

 

[SesameStreetDoc]

I'd say MCAT score. I had similar stats to you, but my MCAT was a lot higher. How much will taking classes improve your GPA? If we're talking going from F/D to A, then take the classes instead.

I'm not sure how much it will change the GPA. I will do the replacement thing to change C's to A's (assuming I get A's!). I think, realistically, I could change my MCAT from 25 to probably 28. So it's a matter of being a bit below average to a bit above average.

 

[IamKing]

I take my MCAT tomorrow... yikes! I took a practice test yesterday and scored a 25. If I can score that on the real thing, it will help my case a lot! My scores were a little funky though... On my actual MCAT I got a 7P, 9V, 5B. On my most recent practice I got a 10P, 8V, 7B. Hmm... Keepin my fingers crossed I can duplicate it!

GOOD LUCK Djack!!

 

[IamKing]

Interviews at KCOM!! I'm totally stoked!

 

[DrWily]

Interviews at KCOM!! I'm totally stoked!

When were you complete at KCOM?

 

[museic]

interview at lecom - e 😎...11-10-2011

 

[DJack]

Front page is lookin good everyone

 

[YiSheng]

How was your mcat? Killed it this time?

Front page is lookin good everyone

 

[DJack]

Haha we'll see. It was quite a bit different than my last one, so I'm not really sure how I feel about it. Fingers are crossed!

 

[IamKing]

When were you complete at KCOM?

I'm not sure when I was officially complete. But I submitted everything on 8/2.

 

[nicknickp3]

Good luck drjack!

 

[Laiba]

now that im verified and released i know my official gpa's.

u can add me to the underdogs 🙁

cumulative gpa: 3.47
science gpa: 3.24
mcat: 25 O

no interviews yet booo 🙁

 

[IamKing]

now that im verified and released i know my official gpa's.

u can add me to the underdogs 🙁

cumulative gpa: 3.47
science gpa: 3.24
mcat: 25 O

no interviews yet booo 🙁

If you just got verified, then there is nothing to worry about! Have you submitted any secondaries?

 

[Laiba]

If you just got verified, then there is nothing to worry about! Have you submitted any secondaries?

yes...submitted nova and des moines. havent been completed but should be by today or monday.
will work on 5 more secondaries this weekend.

 

[TriagePreMed]

now that im verified and released i know my official gpa's.

u can add me to the underdogs 🙁

cumulative gpa: 3.47
science gpa: 3.24
mcat: 25 O

no interviews yet booo 🙁

This is just barely below the average for D.O.. I wouldn't count you for underdog.

 

[coloradoguy]

Hey, how late do you think that I am in applying if I still have not submitted my applications? (I am still waiting on a couple of letters of recommendation).

 

[tbone1234]

You mean you haven't submitted your primary or secondaries? If you haven't submitted AACOMAS yet, it's getting kinda late (unless you have really good stats, then it might be okay). You should submit your primary NOW! Letters of recommendation go out with the secondaries... so you don't need to wait on them right now.

 

[SLC]

Hey, how late do you think that I am in applying if I still have not submitted my applications? (I am still waiting on a couple of letters of recommendation).

I didn't send out primary's until mid-October lastyear. I was interviewed and accepted, and with a subpar GPA to boot. Some schools haven't even really started looking at primaries yet. Get them in ASAP though since like was said above, you don't need LOR's till secondaries.

 

[md2b111]

This thread surely is amazing! cant wait till i can be ready to apply. Good luck to everyone! hope everyone gets interviewed and accepted! 👍

 

[beatenupcase]

Good Job everyone! I'll be at KCUMB in september and AZCOM in october.

Hello. Did you submit a copy of INS documentation and VISA as required by KCUMB along with your supplemental?

 

[GlimmerGlass]

Hey, how late do you think that I am in applying if I still have not submitted my applications? (I am still waiting on a couple of letters of recommendation).

You mean you haven't submitted your primary or secondaries? If you haven't submitted AACOMAS yet, it's getting kinda late (unless you have really good stats, then it might be okay). You should submit your primary NOW! Letters of recommendation go out with the secondaries... so you don't need to wait on them right now.

Agree with tbone, you need to submit now and not wait on LOR. Your primary will take at least a month to be verified and that does not require LORs. If you already were verified on your primary then don't wait on secondaries, just send them in and send all your other LORs in and then politely remind your letter writer you are waiting. I had to remind several of mine (especially if they are profs) because they get busy and I am sure have lots of LOR requests. It is definitely not too late!

 

[abcveq]

Hey everyone,

First time poster on the underdog thread! For people who have received interviews/anyone who knows the answer....how long do you usually wait for an interview invite after application completion? Most of mine were completed second week of August (committee letter was "late").

A little about myself...
cGPA: 3.54
sGPA: 3.3
- Volunteered as an EMT-B on college campus for 3 years
- Secretary for Medical Emergency Response Team
- Co-captain for an Indian dance team
- Treasurer for another cultural club
- Tutor & lab assistant for a statistics class
- Independent research in college, Research at BU Med, Yale Med (scholarship from college), currently at Harvard Med
- 200+ shadowing experience
- TA'ed an EMT-B class
- 2 publications, 1st author abstract

now for the ugly mcat scores....
23O, 19M, 19P 🙁

Despite my horrible horrible MCAT scores, I really do hope I can get some interviews. My fingers are way crossed >.<

 

[GlimmerGlass]

Got a Secondary from TouroCOM-NY today! Word on the street is that secondary = eventual interview. I am hoping that is true and not just a tall tale 🙂 Anybody know for sure?

 

[museic]

i just landed in denver from a two month adventure in Vietnam to find out that PCOM in phil and LMU-DCOM scheduled me for interviews...I'm speechless.

they are on the 19th and 20th respectively though...this is gonna be tough.😱

 

[california16]

Got a Secondary from TouroCOM-NY today! Word on the street is that secondary = eventual interview. I am hoping that is true and not just a tall tale 🙂 Anybody know for sure?

Me too! I heard the same thing 🙂 wonder how many interview tho.....

 

[925native]

I also got the 2ndary for tourocom ny!! and it is an interview invite eventually

 

[DrWily]

$200 steep app fee @_@

 

[TwinsFan]

Hey everyone,

First time poster on the underdog thread! For people who have received interviews/anyone who knows the answer....how long do you usually wait for an interview invite after application completion? Most of mine were completed second week of August (committee letter was "late").

A little about myself...
cGPA: 3.54
sGPA: 3.3
- Volunteered as an EMT-B on college campus for 3 years
- Secretary for Medical Emergency Response Team
- Co-captain for an Indian dance team
- Treasurer for another cultural club
- Tutor & lab assistant for a statistics class
- Independent research in college, Research at BU Med, Yale Med (scholarship from college), currently at Harvard Med
- 200+ shadowing experience
- TA'ed an EMT-B class
- 2 publications, 1st author abstract

now for the ugly mcat scores....
23O, 19M, 19P 🙁

Despite my horrible horrible MCAT scores, I really do hope I can get some interviews. My fingers are way crossed >.<

I don't want to be rude, because other than your MCAT your app is solid, but 19 twice isn't going to cut it. There is a reasonable correlation between passing boards and the MCAT. With your repeated low scores you are not a safe bet. Figure out what you need to do (check Noshie's low MCAT help) and get to work for next year. I wish you the best at turning this around.

Think of it this way, they are protecting you too by not taking super low MCAT scorers. If you got in and paid two years tuition and expenses but couldn't pass COMLEX you're sunk, and over 100k in debt!

 

[IamKing]

I also got the 2ndary for tourocom ny!! and it is an interview invite eventually

How do you know that the secondary for a fact leads to an interview? I also got a secondary from tourocom-ny.

 

[DrWily]

it's been going around on the TUCOM-NY thread.. People from past years have said that a secondary will equal an interview granted you can write a cohesive essay.