The 2011-2012 Underdog Thread

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Interview at PCOM next Wednesday. 🙂
 
Hey guys, i have been accepted in two schools so far UNECOM and WVSOM but i have 2 upcoming interviews that i'm interested in; KCOM Vs PCOM which one should i pick.
 
luppop said:
Hey guys, i have been accepted in two schools so far UNECOM and WVSOM but i have 2 upcoming interviews that i'm interested in; KCOM Vs PCOM which one should i pick.
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If you're interested in both, you should go to both.

Both are great schools. If I were you I'd go to KCOM, just because I've researched it a bit more. Maybe go to the one that's a more suitable location for you?
 
Can you please give me specifics why u would one to go to KCOM over PCOM. Some specifics on the information u found thru ur research will be appreciated. Thanks in advance
 
luppop said:
Can you please give me specifics why u would one to go to KCOM over PCOM. Some specifics on the information u found thru ur research will be appreciated. Thanks in advance
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It's the oldest DO school so it's very well established. Good rotations from what I hear. Nice looking school; good curriculum. Good board scores (again, from what I hear), friendly environment, decent location.
 
luppop said:
Can you please give me specifics why u would one to go to KCOM over PCOM. Some specifics on the information u found thru ur research will be appreciated. Thanks in advance
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The environment and faculty at the school really seems like a great place to succeed. Very supportive community within KCOM and in KVille. Location with fewer distractions. Curriculum is now in block testing, classes are integrated, prepares you for boards well. Definetly a school worth a close look.
 
Accepted at Touro-CA!!!

Just to clarify again, I do NOT have an acceptance at WesternU as the front page indicates, only an interview. I also do have an acceptance at AZCOM.

Front page is looking great everyone, keep up the great work! 😀
 
IamKing said:
Accepted at Touro-CA!!!

Just to clarify again, I do NOT have an acceptance at WesternU as the front page indicates, only an interview. I also do have an acceptance at AZCOM.

Front page is looking great everyone, keep up the great work! 😀
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You've been busy my friend. Congrats 👍
 
Just got an acceptance letter for KCUMB. Doesn't mean too much since I'm going to DMU, but KCUMB is a great school!
 
Did some updates to the front page. It's always fun to edit and add some more acceptances!

NOTE: Some posts have mentioned me looking over their stats or names to post on the front. It is getting very hard to track where you posted your stats due to the size of this thread, so please PM me if you would like to be added. Telling me "I posted my stats a few pages back" doesn't help and I sadly don't have much time to scroll through pages and posts of this now very deep thread.

Posting interviews and acceptances is still great though! Let everyone know! Just PM if you need me to add your name and stats.

Also, a reminder: Having a 28 and a 3.5 does not make you an underdog. This thread is intended to give people with low stats hope and educate them on how best to apply and handle certain situations. Posting that you have average to above average stats and 4 interviews does nothing to support the purpose of this thread and only adds clutter to the front page.

Sorry to be so blunt.

On a much more positive note, y'all are doing fantastic. I really hope some people can draw hope from this and get motivation to accomplish their goals. Nice job!!
 
DrWily said:
You've been busy my friend. Congrats 👍
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Thanks Dr. Willy!

BTW, Djack, your doing a great job keeping everything up to date. Thanks again for making this thread and giving hope to all of us!
 
DJack said:
Also, a reminder: Having a 28 and a 3.5 does not make you an underdog. This thread is intended to give people with low stats hope and educate them on how best to apply and handle certain situations. Posting that you have average to above average stats and 4 interviews does nothing to support the purpose of this thread and only adds clutter to the front page.

Sorry to be so blunt.
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My bad DJack. Don't add me to the front page; I just like to pop in and post here/give advice every once in a while.

On another note, you are doing an amazing job with this thread. Good luck with LMU! 👍
 
I thought I'd wait until I had several updates before updating again. I have had a pretty good month and wish all the best of luck to you all this upcoming month! :luck:

Interview Results:
PCOM-GA: They requested I retake my MCAT in Jan in order to replace a 7 subsection before making a final decision. Ouch!

WCU-COM: Withdrew my application and did not attend interview.

WVSOM: Accepted!!!!!!

LMU-DCOM: Accepted!!!!!!

I am so very happy to be on my way to becomming a doctor and hopefully my story and the stories of others on this thread can provide hope to other underdogs.

P.S. - Thanks DJack for keeping this thread going. Also, a tip...what I learned from DCOM was that they do not rank their wait list and they re-review everyone again in the summer and they highly stressed showing lots of interest between now and then because that plays a very large role in getting pulled off the waitlist.
 
Way to go, Glimmerglass! Are you waiting on any other schools? Where are you leaning right now?
 
DJack said:
Did some updates to the front page. It's always fun to edit and add some more acceptances!

NOTE: Some posts have mentioned me looking over their stats or names to post on the front. It is getting very hard to track where you posted your stats due to the size of this thread, so please PM me if you would like to be added. Telling me "I posted my stats a few pages back" doesn't help and I sadly don't have much time to scroll through pages and posts of this now very deep thread.

Posting interviews and acceptances is still great though! Let everyone know! Just PM if you need me to add your name and stats.

Also, a reminder: Having a 28 and a 3.5 does not make you an underdog. This thread is intended to give people with low stats hope and educate them on how best to apply and handle certain situations. Posting that you have average to above average stats and 4 interviews does nothing to support the purpose of this thread and only adds clutter to the front page.

Sorry to be so blunt.

On a much more positive note, y'all are doing fantastic. I really hope some people can draw hope from this and get motivation to accomplish their goals. Nice job!!
Click to expand...

It's all good, I'll just update when I (hopefully) get some interviews. No need to clutter before then. Thanks.
 
I don't know if i ever got added... but here I am!

3.27 cGPA/3.1 sGPA/ 25M

INTERVIEWS: LECOM - Seton Hill; LMU-DCOM
ACCEPTED: LECOM - Seton Hill
 
clinke said:
I don't know if i ever got added... but here I am!

3.27 cGPA/3.1 sGPA/ 25M

INTERVIEWS: LECOM - Seton Hill; LMU-DCOM
ACCEPTED: LECOM - Seton Hill
Click to expand...

what happened at LMU? are you waitlisted?
I have an interview end of this month here and i see a lot of ppl not getting accepted after the interview. thats scary
 
Laiba said:
what happened at LMU? are you waitlisted?
I have an interview end of this month here and i see a lot of ppl not getting accepted after the interview. thats scary
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An interview is not a guaranteed acceptance. I was interviewed at KCUMB which accepts 80% of those interviewed and got rejected! LOL

However, it is a chance -- just be yourself and show the school how much you want to go there. IMO, that is where I went wrong in my KCUMB interview. Initially I had high hopes about the school, but I really didn't like the area (westport) and maybe it showed. Also, MSU was my first choice and I had been accepted the week prior. I was asked a question about multiple acceptances and how I would make my final decision and I didn't really emphasize that KCUMB would be my final decision. Just be honest and make it known that you want to go to that school.
 
DJack said:
Did some updates to the front page. It's always fun to edit and add some more acceptances!

NOTE: Some posts have mentioned me looking over their stats or names to post on the front. It is getting very hard to track where you posted your stats due to the size of this thread, so please PM me if you would like to be added. Telling me "I posted my stats a few pages back" doesn't help and I sadly don't have much time to scroll through pages and posts of this now very deep thread.

Posting interviews and acceptances is still great though! Let everyone know! Just PM if you need me to add your name and stats.

Also, a reminder: Having a 28 and a 3.5 does not make you an underdog. This thread is intended to give people with low stats hope and educate them on how best to apply and handle certain situations. Posting that you have average to above average stats and 4 interviews does nothing to support the purpose of this thread and only adds clutter to the front page.

Sorry to be so blunt.

On a much more positive note, y'all are doing fantastic. I really hope some people can draw hope from this and get motivation to accomplish their goals. Nice job!!
Click to expand...

Maybe so, but there are various factors that could make you an underdog. I feel non traditional/second career students could be underdogs. I was questioned a few times about my capabilities to do the science courses again because I have been out of classes for over 10 years and my MCAT was mediocre. Secondly, international applicants are underdogs. Several schools that accept internationals did not invite me for an interview even though my stats were on par with their matriculation averages.
 
sgpa 3.3
cgpa 2.9
Received interview for Oct 6th at TouroNY with 26Q mcat initially.
Accepted at TouroNY with 31Q mcat (2nd time)

Those with lower scores, there is still hope! lol
 
drgioiadds said:
Maybe so, but there are various factors that could make you an underdog. I feel non traditional/second career students could be underdogs. I was questioned a few times about my capabilities to do the science courses again because I have been out of classes for over 10 years and my MCAT was mediocre. Secondly, international applicants are underdogs. Several schools that accept internationals did not invite me for an interview even though my stats were on par with their matriculation averages.
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But Canadians are so cool~
I think having a career/life experience can be a huge plus; especially in DO due to their philosophy. DO schools emphasize empathy and maturity, and I believe lot of that is attained from experience. I believe it was one of the reasons why I was accepted even with my low stats. The panel can often tell if a person is passionate about medicine and serving the community their school is focused on.
 
Kliffmeister said:
But Canadians are so cool~
I think having a career/life experience can be a huge plus; especially in DO due to their philosophy. DO schools emphasize empathy and maturity, and I believe lot of that is attained from experience. I believe it was one of the reasons why I was accepted even with my low stats. The panel can often tell if a person is passionate about medicine and serving the community their school is focused on.
Click to expand...

I totally agree! I have found in my interviews that having quality work, life, and volunteer experience shows what you can bring to the table and what you are capable of. I did not have a single interviewer ask about any of my grades or classes or my MCAT; they were all focused on my experiences and where I see myself going.

drgioiadds said:
An interview is not a guaranteed acceptance. I was interviewed at KCUMB which accepts 80% of those interviewed and got rejected! LOL

However, it is a chance -- just be yourself and show the school how much you want to go there. IMO, that is where I went wrong in my KCUMB interview. Initially I had high hopes about the school, but I really didn't like the area (westport) and maybe it showed. Also, MSU was my first choice and I had been accepted the week prior. I was asked a question about multiple acceptances and how I would make my final decision and I didn't really emphasize that KCUMB would be my final decision. Just be honest and make it known that you want to go to that school.
Click to expand...

LMU-DCOM asked me that exact same question. They asked about my decision making process and what things I will look at when in the situation of multiple acceptances. I did not in any way indicate they would be my choice because I do not know that yet...I was honest and told them those things that I would consider and the interviewer actually said that how I thought about the process was the same way of how they think about the process of evaluating us. I have found in this whole process that being completely honest and open has served me well.
 
I actually had a dean of admissions tell me to take the mcat again to score 1-2 points higher because they didn't think I could handle the science courses because I took them so long ago. I think my 10 years of patient care should have trumped the 1-2 points on the MCAT but apparently not in this situation.
 
dannydickman said:
Way to go, Glimmerglass! Are you waiting on any other schools? Where are you leaning right now?
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'm waiting on a few other schools that I have not heard from yet after sending in secondaries, pretty much schools in the northeast. But I have been lucky in that I have acceptances from some of my top choice schools and all my rejections are from my lower choice schools; so I can't complain 🙂 I have my initial gut reactions to each school I have visited but now is the time to take those feelings and combine them with research on the schools and then make the best decision.
 
How do I withdraw my application from particular schools I have interviews at but do not plan on attending? Is it better to call or send emails?

I hope that my interview spots go to all of you. 👍
 
This underdog has a UNECOM interview - first one of the season.
 
IamKing said:
How do I withdraw my application from particular schools I have interviews at but do not plan on attending? Is it better to call or send emails?

I hope that my interview spots go to all of you. 👍
Click to expand...
Be a man, pick up the phone. (and send an email right afterwards)
 
Updated spreadsheet!!!

Looking good people!


Also side note: After combing through the threads ppl seem to be concerned about what an underdog is... yes an underdog is below avg but it can also vary with different situations (basically EC's).
Some ppl might have low gpa but high mcats vice versa. Some ppl might have high stats but very bad EC's vice versa. And since this has mostly stats all I can say is take everything with a grain salt and use the info how you want to use it.
 
PerfectCoat said:
Updated spreadsheet!!!

Looking good people!


Also side note: After combing through the threads ppl seem to be concerned about what an underdog is... yes an underdog is below avg but it can also vary with different situations (basically EC's).
Some ppl might have low gpa but high mcats vice versa. Some ppl might have high stats but very bad EC's vice versa. And since this has mostly stats all I can say is take everything with a grain salt and use the info how you want to use it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for keeping up with the updates PerfectCoat!

Just wanted to add that I received my first interview invite of the cycle at TUNCOM later this month. Thanks in advance for updating the spreadsheet and front page guys, best of luck to all.
*edit* stats 3.1 cgpa, 3.7 sgpa, 27
 
Last edited:
PerfectCoat said:
Updated spreadsheet!!!

Looking good people!


Also side note: After combing through the threads ppl seem to be concerned about what an underdog is... yes an underdog is below avg but it can also vary with different situations (basically EC's).
Some ppl might have low gpa but high mcats vice versa. Some ppl might have high stats but very bad EC's vice versa. And since this has mostly stats all I can say is take everything with a grain salt and use the info how you want to use it.
Click to expand...

Hey PerfectCoat,

I wanna be on the spreadsheet! Just kidding, but I do think my story will give put a few people with lower than average MCAT scores at ease. I had a 25M with a science gpa of 3.42, and an overal GPA of 3.7. So far this cycle I was accepted to KCUMB, VCOM (Carolina), LECOM (Bradenton), and KCOM. I also canceled an interview at LMU. Go Underdogs!
 
I consider myself an underdog because im applying very late, i saw that the osteopathic school deadline was much later than MD so i thought it would be ok applying around this time, but now i See most people already have interviews in november!! assuming i get secondaries in within a few days of getting them(i already filled out nycom secondary bc you can access it whenever
 
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Stats look great, hopefully you have some clinical shadowing/volunteering/work. Problem is, most of the 5 schools you applied to historically take forever to hear back from. You might want to apply a little more broadly, it will definitely help applying this late. Assuming the rest of your EC's are up to par, you'll probably get an interview or two, though you have to remember a lot of spots have already been filled by (gasp!) applicants with lower scores than you who applied early.
 
drgioiadds said:
NICE!! But I say LMU!!!! I'm sad I didn't go to that interview, I probably would have gone if I didn't hear from MSU so early.
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Oh I know exactly what you mean. To be honest, I definitely think LMU is one of the best schools ever...the good worth of mouth is certainly well deserved. I loved the school, the faculty, and basically everything. The students are super happy there and the technology they have is out of control. Plus cost of living is insanely cheap and you definitely feel like the administration has your back. Unfortunately, I don't just have myself to consider. I have a spouse that needs to be able to find work and I can't see myself commuting an hour each way 5-6 days per week just so he can have a job. PCOM's location was perfect, I loved the school, and we have family out there.

Definitely can't find a negative word to say about LMU though. For single people, the lack of distractions is probably nice, but ultimately the location isn't going to work out. 🙁
 
Congrats on the acceptance. I totally agree with you on attending PCOM-Ga and supporting your husband. After all, you're both taking on the debt, and if he can't find a job in rural BFE, your student loans will be that much higher (and he will be naggy at home with nothing else to do lol 😉 )
 
dannydickman said:
Congrats on the acceptance. I totally agree with you on attending PCOM-Ga and supporting your husband. After all, you're both taking on the debt, and if he can't find a job in rural BFE, your student loans will be that much higher (and he will be naggy at home with nothing else to do lol 😉 )
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Thanks a lot...my sentiments exactly!

poopyhead said:
grats vandy 😀
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Thanks so much! 😀 Love how supportive everyone on this thread is!
 
Got an interview to LECOM - Erie campus, but it's in February! Guess that's what I get for applying so late -- hopefully I still have a chance by then.

Submitted my secondary for NYCOM w/o LORs and waiting on my committee letter to be complete before I send my secondary to PCOM. Is that a wise thing to do, since I hear PCOM doesn't look at your file until they get letters anyway? I just hope I don't end up getting interviews for these schools next year too!
 
fly higher said:
Got an interview to LECOM - Erie campus, but it's in February! Guess that's what I get for applying so late -- hopefully I still have a chance by then.

Submitted my secondary for NYCOM w/o LORs and waiting on my committee letter to be complete before I send my secondary to PCOM. Is that a wise thing to do, since I hear PCOM doesn't look at your file until they get letters anyway? I just hope I don't end up getting interviews for these schools next year too!
Click to expand...

I would keep an eye on the LECOM-E boards and if anyone on there mentions canceling an interview, give them a call and ask if you can reschedule to an earlier date. Even if you don't hear someone mention they canceled, it might still be worthwhile to call periodically to see if anyone dropped their interview spot. Good luck and congrats on the interview invite!
 
Updated front page 👍

GlimmerGlass said:
P.S. - Thanks DJack for keeping this thread going. Also, a tip...what I learned from DCOM was that they do not rank their wait list and they re-review everyone again in the summer and they highly stressed showing lots of interest between now and then because that plays a very large role in getting pulled off the waitlist.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely be keeping LMU updated. Them saying they re-review them in the summer worries me... I would like to know by June if I get in or not! But no matter the time, an acceptance is an acceptance. Congrats to you as well 👍

drgioiadds said:
Maybe so, but there are various factors that could make you an underdog. I feel non traditional/second career students could be underdogs. I was questioned a few times about my capabilities to do the science courses again because I have been out of classes for over 10 years and my MCAT was mediocre. Secondly, international applicants are underdogs. Several schools that accept internationals did not invite me for an interview even though my stats were on par with their matriculation averages.
Click to expand...

There are indeed various factors that can make you an underdog. However, this is purely a thread for stat-based underdogs. I unfortunately do not have time to type up a little blurb as to why each person is an underdog. Maybe that is something that they can do in future years, but keeping up with all the stats and acceptances is challenging enough (although acceptances are a good thing 🙂). I don't have the list in front of me, but I do believe one individual said he/she was a Canadian applicant and I noted that next to their name. However, this should be an easy to read stat-based reference for applicants to use. Thanks for the input though, and yes, there are many things that can make one an underdog. 👍
 
dbizzy said:
Thanks for keeping up with the updates PerfectCoat!

Just wanted to add that I received my first interview invite of the cycle at TUNCOM later this month. Thanks in advance for updating the spreadsheet and front page guys, best of luck to all.
*edit* stats 3.1 cgpa, 3.7 sgpa, 27
Click to expand...
DJack said:
Updated front page 👍
Click to expand...

Again, here are my stats. Feel free to add me anytime you wish
 
dbizzy said:
Again, here are my stats. Feel free to add me anytime you wish
Click to expand...

You're not an underdog. Your cGPA is 0.4 low, sGPA is 0.3 high and MCAT is slightly above average.
 
Still havent heard from any schools who pre-screen yet besides VCOM who asked me to fill out a secondary. Have a cGPA 3.47 and 25M lots of ECs and research such as starting an organization raising money for kids with cancer (raised over $40,000 in our second year alone) Do i have a shot at any of these schools?

VCOM
UMDNJ
PCOM
WVSOM
TOUROCOM-NY
NYCOM
LECOM-E
NSU-COM
 
Newyorkgiants27 said:
Still havent heard from any schools who pre-screen yet besides VCOM who asked me to fill out a secondary. Have a cGPA 3.47 and 25M lots of ECs and research such as starting an organization raising money for kids with cancer (raised over $40,000 in our second year alone) Do i have a shot at any of these schools?

VCOM
UMDNJ
PCOM
WVSOM
TOUROCOM-NY
NYCOM
LECOM-E
NSU-COM
Click to expand...


The MCAT score is a little low, but that's a pretty incredible EC. Congratulations on such a successful and altruistic endeavor!

I would think all of them would want to meet you for an interview, or at least a secondary. When did they receive your primary?
 
Interview invites at Touro-CA and PNWU! 😀
 
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