The 2011-2012 Underdog Thread

BU Medical Sciences
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Members do not see this ad.
thomasfx10 said:
Add me to the list as well. My stats ... 3.66 CGPA, 3.71 SGPA and a 20 MCAT 6, 8, 6. I retook it on Aug. 18th and get the results back on Sept. 20th.

I applied to 25 DO schools and got ten secondaries. A few schools are just waiting for my Sept. 20th results. I am holding off until get my results back. At $50.00 a pop, it can add up.

I did apply to 3 Caribs schools too ... I had one interview at Ross, and SGU and AUC are waiting for my new MCAT score ... Ahhhhh the pressure 😱
Click to expand...
What were your practice MCATs averages at? Maybe that one was just an outlier, hopefully! If you got your MCAT to a 25 you'd be dancin'.
 
Just discovered this thread... and am already feeling encouraged by so many people's success so far! Add me to the list as well:

3.63cgpa/3.46sgpa/24O (6V/8P/10B) - Retake from last year (22N - 7V/7P/8B)

Good ECs. 500 + hours volunteering, 60ish shadowing hours (both MD and DO), Leadership includes running a local branch of a medical non-profit.

Almost applied last cycle, but decided to withdraw after getting my first MCAT back - plus I was already late in the cycle. This time around my AACOMAS was verified as of 9/7. Should be released to schools tomorrow or so? Hoping for the supplementals to start rolling in soon - then praying for some interviews and acceptances! Trusting that this year is going to be THE year - for all of us!
 
TitusDoc said:
Just discovered this thread... and am already feeling encouraged by so many people's success so far! Add me to the list as well:

3.63cgpa/3.46sgpa/24O (6V/8P/10B) - Retake from last year (22N - 7V/7P/8B)

Good ECs. 500 + hours volunteering, 60ish shadowing hours (both MD and DO), Leadership includes running a local branch of a medical non-profit.

Almost applied last cycle, but decided to withdraw after getting my first MCAT back - plus I was already late in the cycle. This time around my AACOMAS was verified as of 9/7. Should be released to schools tomorrow or so? Hoping for the supplementals to start rolling in soon - then praying for some interviews and acceptances! Trusting that this year is going to be THE year - for all of us!
Click to expand...
This is not underdog status.
 
Hey fellow underdogs. I have been complete at about 10 schools for almost a month now and haven't heard anything from any of them. I have my current (crappy) MCAT on my application and it also says that I'm planning to retake in January (as an aside, it kinda chaps my hide that they're not offered between October and late January).

So do any of you know, would they be waiting for the new score? Or will they evaluate my application as is? Yes, I realize I'm generalizing and that all the schools are different, but do any of you know of either specific info or general info about whether schools evaluate on the score you have on file or do they wait for the retake?
 
TriagePreMed said:
This is not underdog status.
Click to expand...

I thought it was based on whether or not your applicant score is below the national matriculant average... Which i'm about a point or so below. And I think from looking at last year's thread that my stats are comparable to a few of last year's underdogs... Regardless, I'm just happy to have this thread and all of your stories as a source of encouragement!
 
TitusDoc said:
I thought it was based on whether or not your applicant score is below the national matriculant average... Which i'm about a point or so below. And I think from looking at last year's thread that my stats are comparable to a few of last year's underdogs... Regardless, I'm just happy to have this thread and all of your stories as a source of encouragement!
Click to expand...

3.46*10 + 12 = 46.6, which is right on the dot of the average 2009 matriculant. Literally, you're perfectly average when it comes to applying to DO schools.

But I feel you. I technically have a roughly average score as well, but feel like an underdog too! Good luck mate, we're all rooting for you! 👍
 
TwinsFan said:
How about this as the general applicant formula:

cGPA * 10 + sGPA *10 + MCAT = applicant score

3.43 * 10 + 3.33 * 10 + 25.66 = 93.3 average applicant

3.49 * 10 + 3.41 * 10 + 26.48 = 95.5 average matriculant

This is based on the observation that osteopathic schools seem be more holistic when evaluating applicants and a little less concerned with numbers, specifically MCAT scores, than their allopathic counterparts. This is shown by the larger percentile difference in MCAT scores (26.5 vs. 31.1) than GPA (3.49 vs. 3.67) It places equal weighting between science GPA, cumulative GPA and MCAT score.


The following modification will be made to account for students who have a graduate degree in the natural sciences or have done a postbacc with 24 or more credit hours completed (one year full time) to account for the weighting of recent coursework in returning students.

(cGPA + grad cGPA) * 5 + (sGPA + grad sGPA)*5 + MCAT = graduate student applicant score

(cGPA + postbacc cGPA) * 5 + (sGPA + postbacc sGPA)*5 + MCAT = post bacc student applicant score


To determine the criteria for an underdog we can utilize the 10th /90th percentile rule from the MSAR and apply it as +/- 1 std deviation, or the 16th / 84th percentile to keep the calculations simple. So the true underdog would have at least one of the three academic categories below the 16th percentile with the other two average or below as well. By using the cGPAas the statistical outlier, and probably the most common one for successful underdogs, we come up with the following score for an underdog:

(3.49 - .26) * 10 + 3.41 * 10 + 26.48 = 92.9 underdog threshold

(3.49 - .26) * 10 + (3.41 - .30) * 10 + (26.48 - 3.14) = 86.7 long shot


However, outliers cause issues. A 3.6 cGPA, 3.5 sGPA with an 22 on the MCAT will be a underdog, but according to a simple formula it will compute as a competitive score. To combat this we will add several modifiers to compensate for people with unbalanced stats.

-1 point MCAT overall 24
-2 points MCAT overall 23
-3 points MCAT overall 22
-1.5 points Every section on the MCAT that scores a 7
-3 points Every section on the MCAT that scores a 6
-1 point cGPA 3.00-3.19
-3 points cGPA 2.85 - 2.99
-5 points cGPA 2.75 - 2.84
-1 point sGPA 3.00-3.09
-3 points sGPA 2.85 - 2.99
-5 points sGPA 2.75 - 2.84


Additional factors:
MCAT overall scores < 22 will be screened out by nearly every school and will not be rated
MCAT sectional scores < 6 will be screened out by nearly every school and will not be rated
cGPA or sGPA < 2.75 will be screened out by nearly every school and will not be rated

Finally, there is a large difference in the admission statistics between osteopathic schools, DMU has an average matriculant score over 100 while Pikeville is around 91. So a 3.2/3.1 with a 24 MCAT may be a big problem at one school and just fine at another.
Click to expand...



I like to use this formula. I think it's much better for calculating some extremities. Granted this doesn't have positive effects like "Above Average MCAT" and "Glowing Letter of Rec."
 
ksmajmudar said:
3.46*10 + 12 = 46.6, which is right on the dot of the average 2009 matriculant. Literally, you're perfectly average when it comes to applying to DO schools.

But I feel you. I technically have a roughly average score as well, but feel like an underdog too! Good luck mate, we're all rooting for you! 👍
Click to expand...

Thanks! And yeah, I was going by the updated matriculant averages for 2010 that somebody posted earlier in this thread... I guess the average actually raised about a point this year!
 
Yeah so I decided not to waste my money and go to the dcom interview this year since I interviewed last year. Its an amazing school but I have decided that I will be joining the lake erie college of osteopathic medicine class of 2016!

Just gotta drop my deposit in the next few days😀
 
drgioiadds said:
Accepted today!! MSU!! Very happy!!
Click to expand...

Congrats on your way to becomming a double doc!! I'm sure you'll rock the first two years since you've seen these classes already 😉 Too bad you can't exempt out of them.
 
GlimmerGlass said:
Congrats on your way to becomming a double doc!! I'm sure you'll rock the first two years since you've seen these classes already 😉 Too bad you can't exempt out of them.
Click to expand...

Thank you, but I took those classes 12 years ago, so it will be a good review!🙂
 
TitusDoc said:
I thought it was based on whether or not your applicant score is below the national matriculant average... Which i'm about a point or so below. And I think from looking at last year's thread that my stats are comparable to a few of last year's underdogs... Regardless, I'm just happy to have this thread and all of your stories as a source of encouragement!
Click to expand...

I agree with you. I like this thread because I like seeing people who work hard get accepted with less than 4.0 and 45 mcats. Probably I would not be considered an underdog, but I feel I was with an average MCAT score.

Best of luck to you!
 
Hey guys!

I'm an underdog... my stats are already on this site.
But I had a 3.35, 3.26, 27Q when I applied and got 3 interviews ( I only applied to a few schools) at LECOM-B, Touro NV, and NSU.

Just retook MCAT didnt show much improvement got a 28R. 11/7/10.

Best of luck to the rest of the underdogs out there, hopefully we all get in! 🙂
 
Art3MiS said:
Hey guys!

I'm an underdog... my stats are already on this site.
But I had a 3.35, 3.26, 27Q when I applied and got 3 interviews ( I only applied to a few schools) at LECOM-B, Touro NV, and NSU.

Just retook MCAT didnt show much improvement got a 28R. 11/7/10.

Best of luck to the rest of the underdogs out there, hopefully we all get in! 🙂
Click to expand...

Not an underdog, but congrats! Kill those interview invites.
 
drgioiadds said:
I agree with you. I like this thread because I like seeing people who work hard get accepted with less than 4.0 and 45 mcats. Probably I would not be considered an underdog, but I feel I was with an average MCAT score.

Best of luck to you!
Click to expand...

Congrats to you- I was following some of your post from last application period and could not understand why schools did not offer you seats right away. I too did not have the highest MCAT and stressed until I was finally accepted last cycle into 3 schools. That MCAT truly holds alot of people back- but good luck!! I know the feeling of finally getting accepted somewhere!
 
HOPINGTOBE said:
Congrats to you- I was following some of your post from last application period and could not understand why schools did not offer you seats right away. I too did not have the highest MCAT and stressed until I was finally accepted last cycle into 3 schools. That MCAT truly holds alot of people back- but good luck!! I know the feeling of finally getting accepted somewhere!
Click to expand...

yes it does. I think its almost better to have a slightly lower gpa and higher mcat. This cycle, I still didn't get interviews from schools that I thought I should based on admission averages. I think that also has to do with being an international applicant.

I know that with my mcat there is no way I could get into a Canadian MD school --they would automatically reject me without interview, with the exception of NORTHERN, which does not have an MCAT requirement. However, I chose only to apply DO, because I like their approach to healthcare.
 
Hi everyone!

I have a pretty low Science GPA from a BSc degree (I attribute part of it to hard school and no regular quizzes), with 2 Cs in upper level bio related sciences. Overall, a downward trend over the years b/c of way too much ECs...which robbed me of my sense of priority). I have an okay MCAT - 27R (10, 11, 6). I'm also applying as a non-traditional student, with a semester of graduate work (3.6 GPA, but it was a professional degree, so GPA wasn't reflected in the AACOMAS application)

Anyway, I'm fortunate to have received 3 few interviews so far.

I came across the following interview question on the feedback website. I was wondering if someone can shed some light on answering them more artfully.

In an OPEN file interview. how would you answer " explain the Cs in your record?"
- honestly, one of the courses had 100% final, which made it really hard to study for. I kept up with the course material and studied thoroughly for the final. I'm still puzzled how so much efforts translated into such a poor grade =S.

- The other course was a research oriented one, The short answer format was a big change from multiple choice. We were not only asked why certain experiments were designed but also to design out own experiments to reach a particular outcome. After this C, my interest/motivation for any basic research is pretty much down the drain too.

These are the real details..but I think I will end up sounding pretty negative if I tell this.
any tips would be GREATLY APPRECIATED
 
Last edited:
Optoed said:
Hi everyone!

I have a pretty low Science GPA from a BSc degree (I attribute part of it to hard school and no regular quizzes), with 2 Cs in upper level bio related sciences. Overall, a downward trend over the years..which is not helping me.

Anyway, I'm fortunate to have received 3 few interviews so far.

I'm came across the following interview question and was wondering if someone can shed some light on answering them more artfully.

1) in a CLOSED file interview. how would you answer "comment on your grades?"



2) In an OPEN file interview. how would you answer " explain the Cs in your record?"
Click to expand...


The difficult part to explain is the downward trend. You need to think about exactly why you didn't succeed in those classes. Were you busy? Not motivated? Partying? Whatever conclusion you come to, that needs to be where your answer comes from. Do NOT make excuses like "so and so class was too hard, etc.", because to be honest, the med school classes are going to be way tougher in terms of volume of material to learn.

Their thought is going to be "if he thought ____ undergrad class was too hard, how do I know he can handle a med school level class?"

It's hard to help you come up with answers without knowing your backstory a little more in depth. Can you talk about your ECs, your actual cGPA, sGPA, break it down by year, MCAT score and talk about what were some of the difficulties with the classes you didn't succeed in? Then we will be able to help you a little better.
 
ksmajmudar said:
Hey Laiba, I don't know what your situation is specifically (if you've already graduated, what your GPA/MCAT is, etc.) but I would definitely spend the next few months beefing up your application. You weren't rejected, just put on hold. Do some shadowing, do some volunteering, sign up for a few fall semester classes (if it's not too late), do some research, work somewhere, anything.

You can send AZCOM a letter of interest and tell them why they should interview you. As GlimmerGlass said, it's pretty early in the cycle, and you can definitely strengthen yourself as an applicant by January.

Stay optimistic! Although this is my first time going through the application process, I've learned that optimism and patience are absolutely crucial to not having a nervous breakdown.
Click to expand...

Blind ambition ! 🙂
 
ksmajmudar said:
The difficult part to explain is the downward trend. You need to think about exactly why you didn't succeed in those classes. Were you busy? Not motivated? Partying? Whatever conclusion you come to, that needs to be where your answer comes from. Do NOT make excuses like "so and so class was too hard, etc.", because to be honest, the med school classes are going to be way tougher in terms of volume of material to learn.

Their thought is going to be "if he thought ____ undergrad class was too hard, how do I know he can handle a med school level class?"

It's hard to help you come up with answers without knowing your backstory a little more in depth. Can you talk about your ECs, your actual cGPA, sGPA, break it down by year, MCAT score and talk about what were some of the difficulties with the classes you didn't succeed in? Then we will be able to help you a little better.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the fast and detailed reply. I have a semester of coursework at the graduate level with decent GPA & good science scores on the MCAT, so I think I know how to answer "comment on your grades".

For the C's..I will have to just say how much the experience taught me about prioritization & proper time management.
gahh..Neuroanatomy.
 
Never mentioned that my new mcat score i received was a 29...whoops lol oh and I also got another interview at ATSU/KCOM!
 
Want an underdog like none other?

I decided 1.5 months before starting O.D. school that I wanted to go the medical route....signed up for the MCAT and took it 3 weeks later, didn't have any time to study for it :scared:.

cGPA 3.3 MCAT 27Q :xf:
 
thecgrblue said:
Want an underdog like none other?

I decided 1.5 months before starting O.D. school that I wanted to go the medical route....signed up for the MCAT and took it 3 weeks later, didn't have any time to study for it :scared:.

cGPA 3.3 MCAT 27Q :xf:
Click to expand...

Based on your stats, you're not an underdog :laugh:
 
DrWily said:
Based on your stats, you're not an underdog :laugh:
Click to expand...

How about when I say my sGPA is a 2.8? :meanie: That's what you get for picking a hardcore science major. I should've just done Sociology.

However, I take great comfort in the thought you don't consider me an underdog.
 
thecgrblue said:
How about when I say my sGPA is a 2.8? :meanie: That's what you get for picking a hardcore science major. I should've just done Sociology.

However, I take great comfort in the thought you don't consider me an underdog.
Click to expand...

Well well, you didn't include that in your original post. Welcome to the Underdog club 😀

I'm not sure if that's something to be proud of though :laugh:
 
drgioiadds said:
yes it does. I think its almost better to have a slightly lower gpa and higher mcat. This cycle, I still didn't get interviews from schools that I thought I should based on admission averages. I think that also has to do with being an international applicant.

I know that with my mcat there is no way I could get into a Canadian MD school --they would automatically reject me without interview, with the exception of NORTHERN, which does not have an MCAT requirement. However, I chose only to apply DO, because I like their approach to healthcare.
Click to expand...


I am from the US but went to MCGill. You have no idea- some admissions personnel never heard of the school. One school who took into account undergraduate institutions told me they could not give any consideration to the school in fact it may have hurt me attending! Anyway good luck!
 
thecgrblue said:
How about when I say my sGPA is a 2.8? :meanie: That's what you get for picking a hardcore science major. I should've just done Sociology.
Click to expand...

Hahaha I say that same thing to myself b/c my sGPA got slammed with ridiculous engineering courses. But hey these challenges help sculpt the person we become and I know I am a better analytical thinker and problem solver for being challenged in such a way as these types of hardcore science classes do.
 
GlimmerGlass said:
Hahaha I say that same thing to myself b/c my sGPA got slammed with ridiculous engineering courses. But hey these challenges help sculpt the person we become and I know I am a better analytical thinker and problem solver for being challenged in such a way as these types of hardcore science classes do.
Click to expand...

👍
 
HOPINGTOBE said:
I am from the US but went to MCGill. You have no idea- some admissions personnel never heard of the school. One school who took into account undergraduate institutions told me they could not give any consideration to the school in fact it may have hurt me attending! Anyway good luck!
Click to expand...

Really? Mcgill is a very good school. I looked at the MD program, the stats were ridiculous for out of province students. I think they now have MCAT optional.
 
Rejected Post Secondary from KCUMB.
 
Ok underdogs... in need of advice.

I got my second MCAT score back today. I unfortunately did not improve on my score. While I believe there is partly a personal reason for this, there is no excuse for it lowering other than I wasn't prepared well enough for it.

I have a few options now, and I need your advice as to what's going to be best. It is worth noting a little background info... I will be graduating with a B.S. in the spring and getting married shortly after. I have applied to ~20 D.O. schools and have been rejected from 4 thus far. I am on hold at 3 schools for my new MCAT (meaning they will most likely become rejections) and am on hold at one other for my fall grades (my top choice school, but my fall semester is absolutely brutal.)

What do you guys think would be best? I can

1) Ride out the storm... I still have a lot of schools I'm waiting to hear back from and while my GPAs and MCAT make it nearly impossible for me to get in, there is still a (very) slim chance.

2) Retake in January. My tough semester right now will block me from doing any MCAT studying, but my spring semester will be very easy. I can retake it then and hope to squeeze into a waitlist somewhere, but overall my chances for this year are probably shot.

3) Start applying to some post-bacc options. I am definitely going to start looking into some.

4) Think about taking a year off

etc...

Advice is appreciated and needed.
 
DJack said:
Ok underdogs... in need of advice.

I got my second MCAT score back today. I unfortunately did not improve on my score. While I believe there is partly a personal reason for this, there is no excuse for it lowering other than I wasn't prepared well enough for it.

I have a few options now, and I need your advice as to what's going to be best. It is worth noting a little background info... I will be graduating with a B.S. in the spring and getting married shortly after. I have applied to ~20 D.O. schools and have been rejected from 4 thus far. I am on hold at 3 schools for my new MCAT (meaning they will most likely become rejections) and am on hold at one other for my fall grades (my top choice school, but my fall semester is absolutely brutal.)

What do you guys think would be best? I can

1) Ride out the storm... I still have a lot of schools I'm waiting to hear back from and while my GPAs and MCAT make it nearly impossible for me to get in, there is still a (very) slim chance.

2) Retake in January. My tough semester right now will block me from doing any MCAT studying, but my spring semester will be very easy. I can retake it then and hope to squeeze into a waitlist somewhere, but overall my chances for this year are probably shot.

3) Start applying to some post-bacc options. I am definitely going to start looking into some.

4) Think about taking a year off

etc...

Advice is appreciated and needed.
Click to expand...

Keep doing ur best to get a chance at the schools ur still waiting to hear from. other than that, you said u have a tough semester rite now. I would say forget mcat...ACE ur classes right now. get ur gpa a little higher from this one semester by end of december...and THEN take the mcat..even if u cant take it in jan...take it at ur earliest possible convenience. but dont risk ur grades right now for mcat. u might never HAVE to do a post bacc if u do great this semester.
im myself receiving rejections so i cant say much but this is just my opinion. if not a higher mcat...maybe a higher gpa by end of december cud get u an acceptance? u never know 🙂
if not, definitely retake ur mcat before june next year 🙂
best of luck!
 
DJack said:
Ok underdogs... in need of advice.

I got my second MCAT score back today. I unfortunately did not improve on my score. While I believe there is partly a personal reason for this, there is no excuse for it lowering other than I wasn't prepared well enough for it.

I have a few options now, and I need your advice as to what's going to be best. It is worth noting a little background info... I will be graduating with a B.S. in the spring and getting married shortly after. I have applied to ~20 D.O. schools and have been rejected from 4 thus far. I am on hold at 3 schools for my new MCAT (meaning they will most likely become rejections) and am on hold at one other for my fall grades (my top choice school, but my fall semester is absolutely brutal.)

What do you guys think would be best? I can

1) Ride out the storm... I still have a lot of schools I'm waiting to hear back from and while my GPAs and MCAT make it nearly impossible for me to get in, there is still a (very) slim chance.

2) Retake in January. My tough semester right now will block me from doing any MCAT studying, but my spring semester will be very easy. I can retake it then and hope to squeeze into a waitlist somewhere, but overall my chances for this year are probably shot.

3) Start applying to some post-bacc options. I am definitely going to start looking into some.

4) Think about taking a year off

etc...

Advice is appreciated and needed.
Click to expand...

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that DJack, I was really hoping you'd have some good luck this time around...

Here is what I would do: Get your GPA up over this next year, and maybe retake a few courses if you can swing it. You can be a solid 3.5+ GPA applicant that way.

I would most definitely take the year off. I did it to raise my GPA (applied after I graduated so I could use senior year grades, which have REALLY helped my application). I think you should do it to focus on your MCAT. Get that 27, and don't give yourself any reason to fail! This is really your last shot at it, so I would say you should be scoring 27+ 2 weeks before the exam. Set that goal. Really utilize resources like EK and the MCAT subforum.

When are you getting married? That's a big event to plan your studying and MCAT-preparation around. If you're getting married in May or June, this is what I would do:

I think you should schedule your MCAT for early July. This way you can spend the entire spring semester preparing, give yourself that break to get married (congrats!) and still have ~1 month to get your preparation in order. Granted, you won't get verified until August, but if you pre-write secondaries, you can be finished applying before September hits, which should be early enough if you score ~27.

Don't let yourself be underprepared! Think about how much you want this, and go for it man. Good luck. 👍
 
Also, I'm not sure if this sounds bad, but can I just not report my newer score? My other one has already been verified and sent out.
 
DJack said:
Also, I'm not sure if this sounds bad, but can I just not report my newer score? My other one has already been verified and sent out.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure you have to report it. Have you identified your weakness with the test? What's going on? Is it a timing issue, material not really memorized (should know this stuff COLD), test anxiety?

What was the spread on the new test? I don't remember your old score off the top of my head. I concur with ksmajmudar (that guy above). Do well this year, retake classes to get that GPA up, find a block of 3-4 months where you can devote yourself 100% to the MCAT and study everyday. Pay the $300 for every single AAMC practice test and GO OVER THEM. Don't just chalk things up to simple mistakes, you missed them for a reason. Practice full lengths like you were really sitting for it. Do many many full length tests. At least 7 of them, 4 days apart, one month of just straight full length tests.

Unfortunately your MCAT is the major thing holding you back. If you haven't improved, its going to be a rough cycle this year. At this point, I'd just hold off and take a gap year to lock things down and reapply next cycle. If you can, do an SMP with a linkage like WesternU's SMP. If you get into their SMP with linkage, you are guaranteed a spot in the next DO Cycle if you can maintain a 3.0 GPA in their classes and get a 24 on the MCAT. It's a very good plan and I wish I had applied last year for it.

:luck::luck::luck:
 
Yeah, VCOM has a similar program that I thought about looking into. I'm from Ohio, so I'd like to stay in the region if possible
 
DJack said:
Yeah, VCOM has a similar program that I thought about looking into. I'm from Ohio, so I'd like to stay in the region if possible
Click to expand...

What was your MCAT, exactly? I bombed mine today too, putting me in SOLID underdog status. I got a 25, even though my practice FL's were 29-30. I'm like you, full time hardcore upper-division science classes this semester, so I feel you on not being able to put in the time to properly study for the next MCAT. What a raw deal.
 
djack -- don't rush the mcat again. You can beat this exam! Take it when your ready. Report the mcat scores, no sense hiding them. I read a thread where someone took the mcat 5 times and finally scored a 27 (first 3 times in the teens).

Dannydickman - I still think you will get interviews with your stats.
 
DJack, it depends what you ended up with on the MCAT. You started with a 5 in one section. If you managed to balance it to 7-7-7, that outweighs any 5-7-9 out there. If you completely bombed it, it's not the time to plan on rushing again. If at your 3rd try you can't break at least a 25, you're going to be in a serious mess. Please re-evaluate what you're doing.

For now, I recommend riding the storm. Chances are low to get in, especially with a 3.0 and a section with a 5, but you never know until you confirm it.
 
Hey all,

I'm a long time lurker and I've taken advice you guys gave everyone else. I had made up my mind that I wanted to go the doctor route too late; close to graduation. I had always toyed at the thought of becoming a doctor but honestly felt I wasn't smart enough. I ended up with a 2.6X SGPA. I retook classes this summer and now I have 2.84 sGPA, with my cGPA still floating around 2.9X.

After I graduated, I took a year off to work/study for MCAT/get my **** together. Took my MCAT March 2011, ended up with 28Q (10PS, 9V, 9B, Q).

Summer I retook a few undergrad science courses to raise GPA, as mentioned previously. Got a OChem B+, OChem Lab B+, Biochem B+, Molecular Bio A. I must say, I overloaded the **** out of myself and emptied my bank account.

I have decent clinical experience:
Volunteer Hospital - 1 year, around 250 hours
Volunteer Research with Med Mission trip
DO Shadowing - 30 hours (so far)

Decent work experience, all tutoring jobs.

I have two strong letters of rec, one coming from a DO who also teaches at Western. Third one can come from the hospital that volunteered at, but I feel its not as strong as the two previously mentioned

I haven't applied yet, as I have been overloaded with retaking classes during the summer. 👎 No excuses from me though, that was all on me. I'm in the process right now. Transcripts are getting sent to AACOMAS, I'm working on personal statement right now. (I know)

Now I feel its a long shot applying to Western, but I'm local and also went to high school in Pomona. Its difficult for me to re-take classes, as it won't raise my sGPA too much. I calculated that if I replace one of my C's with an A, I can hit 2.91; If I replace two of my C's with 2 A's I can hit 2.99. But the problem is the money. In my situation, big money is inevitably going to be spent, whether it be on wasted applications or re-taking courses (post bacc is the last resort... I can't afford $20,000!)

So what is your guys' advice? Should I shoot a few late applications out there to the relatively less (no offense) competitive schools and save up to re-take classes? Anything else I can do with my GPA? It's really holding me back right now. Thanks guys!

Sincerely,
A fellow hopeful

:luck:
 
Last edited:
moneybags22514 said:
Hey all,

I'm a long time lurker and I've taken advice you guys gave everyone else. I had made up my mind that I wanted to go the doctor route too late; close to graduation. I had always toyed at the thought of becoming a doctor but honestly felt I wasn't smart enough. I ended up with a 2.6X SGPA. I retook classes this summer and now I have 2.84 sGPA, with my cGPA still floating around 2.9X.

After I graduated, I took a year off to work/study for MCAT/get my **** together. Took my MCAT March 2011, ended up with 28Q (10PS, 9V, 9B, Q).

Summer I retook a few undergrad science courses to raise GPA, as mentioned previously. Got a OChem B+, OChem Lab B+, Biochem B+, Molecular Bio A. I must say, I overloaded the **** out of myself and emptied my bank account.

I have decent clinical experience:
Volunteer Hospital - 1 year, around 250 hours
Volunteer Research with Med Mission trip
DO Shadowing - 30 hours (so far)

Decent work experience, all tutoring jobs.

I have two strong letters of rec, one coming from a DO who also teaches at Western. Third one can come from the hospital that volunteered at, but I feel its not as strong as the two previously mentioned

I haven't applied yet, as I have been overloaded with retaking classes during the summer. 👎 No excuses from me though, that was all on me. I'm in the process right now. Transcripts are getting sent to AACOMAS, I'm working on personal statement right now. (I know)

Now I feel its a long shot applying to Western, but I'm local and also went to high school in Pomona. Its difficult for me to re-take classes, as it won't raise my sGPA too much. I calculated that if I replace one of my C's with an A, I can hit 2.91; If I replace two of my C's with 2 A's I can hit 2.99. But the problem is the money. In my situation, big money is inevitably going to be spent, whether it be on wasted applications or re-taking courses (post bacc is the last resort... I can't afford $20,000!)

So what is your guys' advice? Should I shoot a few late applications out there to the relatively less (no offense) competitive schools and save up to re-take classes? Anything else I can do with my GPA? It's really holding me back right now. Thanks guys!

Sincerely,
A fellow hopeful

:luck:
Click to expand...

Hey man,

First of all, keep your chin up. Although you do have a couple obstacles ahead with your grades, it's important you focus and do whatever it takes if this is the path you want to take. I'm sure you know this already, though. 😛

Anyway, my advice would be to NOT apply this cycle. Your GPA is too low and you'll be screened out of some schools pre-secondary. Thus, there's no point in applying this cycle, especially because it's getting kinda late. Save the money, and keep taking science classes to bring up your sGPA and cGPA. Prove to them that you can do it.

Your MCAT is good. So there's a relief! 🙂 Your clinical experience is pretty solid, and assuming you have other ECs like leadership positions or community service things... this part of your application should be solid as well. Thus, the only thing you have to be concerned with are your grades... so like I said, just retake science classes to try and get at least a 3.2 or so. Then reapply EARLY next cycle and enjoy your interviews 😀

Hope this helps. Best of luck man, keep us updated.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

chilly_md
*The Official Osteopathic Underdawgs Thread 2025-26*
Replies
0
Views
1K
chilly_md
chilly_md
chilly_md
  • Sticky
*~*~Official AACOMAS Questions Thread 2025-2026~*~*
Replies
19
Views
5K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
A
  • Locked
should i call the med schools?
Replies
9
Views
1K
Goro
Goro
R
RVU-MCOM, take the A?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Ho0v-man
Ho0v-man
Mr.Smile12
The secret DO handshake???
Replies
1
Views
2K
Goro
Goro
Top Bottom