The 2011-2012 Underdog Thread

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IamKing said:
I've been a little delayed in posting this, but I have been accepted at WesternU-Pomona!

Currently, I am trying to decide weather or not to go to Touro-Ca or WesternU. It's been a very difficult choice so far...

Also, for the person that is making the spreadsheet, Perfectcoat I think? I withdrew from my interviews at Touro-NY, Lecom-E, and KCOM. I also, was put on the alternate list at Lecom-B (but I withdrew), and I was placed on a high waitlist at Touro-NV (I will soon withdraw from here too.)

Good Luck to all of you, and if any of you have any questions about interviews at LECOM-B, NSU-COM, AZCOM, Touro-Ca, Touro-NV, WVSOM, or WesternU-Pomona please PM me!!! I am more than willing to help out however I can.
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What were ur stats?
 
koala37 said:
What were ur stats?
Click to expand...

Sci GPA: 3.16
Overall: 3.19
MCAT: 28 (10B, 10P, 8V)
EMT for over a year

I don't think my progress was totally based on my stats. I made sure that when I submitted my application I was balanced in all the areas adcoms were looking for. Having enough volunteer, clinical, shadowing, and uniqueness. I went through over 20 drafts of my personal statement. I knew I had to make up for my lower gpa, even though I had an upward trend. Hope this helps!
 
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IamKing said:
Sci GPA: 3.16
Overall: 3.19
MCAT: 28 (10B, 10P, 8V)
EMT for over a year

I don't think my progress was totally based on my stats. I made sure that when I submitted my application I was balanced in all the areas adcoms were looking for. Having enough volunteer, clinical, shadowing, and uniqueness. I went through over 20 drafts of my personal statement. I knew I had to make up for my lower gpa, even though I had an upward trend. Hope this helps!
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Congrats! You've definitely had a great run this cycle, I'm sure it's because you've got great interviewing skills as well. Any pointers in that area for all the underdogs?
 
IamKing said:
Sci GPA: 3.16
Overall: 3.19
MCAT: 28 (10B, 10P, 8V)
EMT for over a year

I don't think my progress was totally based on my stats. I made sure that when I submitted my application I was balanced in all the areas adcoms were looking for. Having enough volunteer, clinical, shadowing, and uniqueness. I went through over 20 drafts of my personal statement. I knew I had to make up for my lower gpa, even though I had an upward trend. Hope this helps!
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I agree!! The 28 MCAT is good though and the 10's definitely help because they are in the science sections which DO schools like. Asking about other's stats is really pointless because there are many factors that contribute to successful applications.
 
dbizzy said:
Congrats! You've definitely had a great run this cycle, I'm sure it's because you've got great interviewing skills as well. Any pointers in that area for all the underdogs?
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Although this might sound repetitive I think that the biggest factor to doing well at interviews is to be yourself.

Be Prepared, but do not over prepare.
There are some questions that you should be prepared to answer such as WHY DO, WHY Medicine, WHY you, etc. It should be no surprise that you will be asked these questions considering they were plastered all over your secondaries and primary application. They key to answering these questions to be concise, and consistent with what you have in your application. If they ask you why medicine, don't tell them your whole story as you did in your essays, but highlight key points. These big questions are the ONLY ones you should prepare for! You have to trust yourself to be able to answer any other questions they may ask, otherwise you can come off as fake. Prepared answers are often mechanical and can't always address completely what the interviewer is asking-- they sometimes destroy the flow of a conversation.

Don't be Intimidated.
You have been invited to an interview! Meaning that you did something right, and your acceptance is yours to lose. Don't be stressed, be confident!! Having to speak with other interviewees can be stressful too. Sometimes others seem really charismatic, or really well accomplished and this can make you doubt yourself--don't let it. Everyone feels as nervous as you do and some are just trying their best to mask their fears by being conversational or bragging. If you do find another interviewee genuinely nice talk to, and they relax you, by all means chat away! Just don't let anyone make you feel inferior-- you are as good, if not better than everyone else in the room, that is why you are there!!

Be yourself!
If you are asked a hard question or an awkward question, don't be afraid to smile a little and tell your interviewers you need sometime to think! Speak to them as if you were talking to any of your friends asking you the same questions. An interviewer might ask so "So why osteopathic medicine?" Whereas a friend might ask, "So dude, what got you interested in this DO stuff anyways?" If your friend was asking you wouldn't freeze up and tell them your not sure. Nor would you start to ramble incoherently. You would answer the question concisely and directly with smile on your face.

Hopefully all of this info. helps. I know that my advice may not work for all of you, but use whatever you can and dump the rest!
 
Accepted to PCOM today! I never thought I would have options🙂
 
Hi all,

I just encountered this thread, although I frequently look at many of the forums on SDN. I'm applying the second time around this cycle with a cumulative gpa of 3.23, a science gpa around 2.9, and an MCAT of 30Q. All I want to be is a doctor - I think about it every day and I can't imagine doing anything else. I've been losing a lot of hope over the last several weeks. 🙁 My application was complete at OU-HCOM on October 14. I want to be a D.O. but thought with my extremely subpar gpa I wouldn't have a chance out of state. Also, I have 9 month old twins and a husband that needs a job. Is it too late to apply to other D.O. schools or do you think my application would even get a second look there this late in the cycle? I have really good EC's, but am currently a stay at home mom. Any advice out there? My MCAT score expires this cycle, and I'm afraid I won't snag a score like that again, lol.
 
spatula27 said:
Hi all,

I just encountered this thread, although I frequently look at many of the forums on SDN. I'm applying the second time around this cycle with a cumulative gpa of 3.23, a science gpa around 2.9, and an MCAT of 30Q. All I want to be is a doctor - I think about it every day and I can't imagine doing anything else. I've been losing a lot of hope over the last several weeks. 🙁 My application was complete at OU-HCOM on October 14. I want to be a D.O. but thought with my extremely subpar gpa I wouldn't have a chance out of state. Also, I have 9 month old twins and a husband that needs a job. Is it too late to apply to other D.O. schools or do you think my application would even get a second look there this late in the cycle? I have really good EC's, but am currently a stay at home mom. Any advice out there? My MCAT score expires this cycle, and I'm afraid I won't snag a score like that again, lol.
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I would apply broadly, that MCAT score is going to do nothing but help you. Unfortunately with your sGPA, it is late to be appyling
 
spatula27 said:
Hi all,

I just encountered this thread, although I frequently look at many of the forums on SDN. I'm applying the second time around this cycle with a cumulative gpa of 3.23, a science gpa around 2.9, and an MCAT of 30Q. All I want to be is a doctor - I think about it every day and I can't imagine doing anything else. I've been losing a lot of hope over the last several weeks. 🙁 My application was complete at OU-HCOM on October 14. I want to be a D.O. but thought with my extremely subpar gpa I wouldn't have a chance out of state. Also, I have 9 month old twins and a husband that needs a job. Is it too late to apply to other D.O. schools or do you think my application would even get a second look there this late in the cycle? I have really good EC's, but am currently a stay at home mom. Any advice out there? My MCAT score expires this cycle, and I'm afraid I won't snag a score like that again, lol.
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, this is your second time applying to medical schools, and you still only applied to one school? If you would have done your research you would have seen that there have been plenty of others who have gotten in with a sub-3.0 science GPA. Heck, Dr. Wily has a 2.96 sGPA, a 3.14 cGPA, and a 28 MCAT and got accepted to AZCOM (with 5 other interviews)!
 
dannydickman said:
Just to clarify, this is your second time applying to medical schools, and you still only applied to one school? If you would have done your research you would have seen that there have been plenty of others who have gotten in with a sub-3.0 science GPA. Heck, Dr. Wily has a 2.96 sGPA, a 3.14 cGPA, and a 28 MCAT and got accepted to AZCOM (with 5 other interviews)!
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Willy rocked that mcat with a 33....

I agree though, why only apply to one school?
 
spatula27 said:
Hi all,

I just encountered this thread, although I frequently look at many of the forums on SDN. I'm applying the second time around this cycle with a cumulative gpa of 3.23, a science gpa around 2.9, and an MCAT of 30Q. All I want to be is a doctor - I think about it every day and I can't imagine doing anything else. I've been losing a lot of hope over the last several weeks. 🙁 My application was complete at OU-HCOM on October 14. I want to be a D.O. but thought with my extremely subpar gpa I wouldn't have a chance out of state. Also, I have 9 month old twins and a husband that needs a job. Is it too late to apply to other D.O. schools or do you think my application would even get a second look there this late in the cycle? I have really good EC's, but am currently a stay at home mom. Any advice out there? My MCAT score expires this cycle, and I'm afraid I won't snag a score like that again, lol.
Click to expand...

I think if you had applied back in the summer with those stats you likely would have had multiple interviews by now (given of course you also have strong ECs). Your stats are similar to others on this thread who have had much success this season so far. It is little late in the season but I would advise applying to all schools you can see yourself attending and where you feel you are competitive at given GPA and MCAT and skip those that have hard cutoffs for GPA and skip those with strong regional preferences unless you are in one of those regions or very close by or have some tie to that region in your history.

Also, if you do not hear back from these schools by January then I would start studying for another MCAT at that point since you said yours will expire; then apply to multiple schools next cycle as soon as the cycle opens.

Good luck and I hope you find success this cycle :luck:
 
Posted my stats in last year's thread, but here is a recap:
cGPA: 3.2 (from 2002)
sGPA: 2.7
MCAT: 26
PharmD: 2010
Accepted to PCOM-GA today.
Lots of things that are unique to me, so my advice is sell yourself. Your experiences are yours. Tell YOUR story. Good luck!
 
Rxbound said:
Posted my stats in last year's thread, but here is a recap:
cGPA: 3.2 (from 2002)
sGPA: 2.7
MCAT: 26
PharmD: 2010
Accepted to PCOM-GA today.
Lots of things that are unique to me, so my advice is sell yourself. Your experiences are yours. Tell YOUR story. Good luck!
Click to expand...
PharmD is no easy task, well done good sir!
 
I am female (impossible to know from name) but thank you!
 
Is there a way to get a sooner interview date with LECOM? My interview isn't til mid-February, but I know spots open up. LECOM never replies to my e-mails though.
 
Hey guys! I am an underdog (24 MCAT) and interviewed at both pikeville and WCU COM. I got into both! Making a decision in the next week but leaning towards WCU COM (due to new facilities, personal feeling during interview, and closer to home)

So... DON'T GIVE UP!

Good luck to you all! 🙂
 
kyaggy123 said:
Hey guys! I am an underdog (24 MCAT) and interviewed at both pikeville and WCU COM. I got into both! Making a decision in the next week but leaning towards WCU COM (due to new facilities, personal feeling during interview, and closer to home)

So... DON'T GIVE UP!

Good luck to you all! 🙂
Click to expand...

nice and good luck to everyone👍
 
Thanks for starting the new thread Djack!

Let's hope by this time next year we'll have at least one acceptance
jh2.jpg

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spatula27 said:
Hi all,

I just encountered this thread, although I frequently look at many of the forums on SDN. I'm applying the second time around this cycle with a cumulative gpa of 3.23, a science gpa around 2.9, and an MCAT of 30Q. All I want to be is a doctor - I think about it every day and I can't imagine doing anything else. I've been losing a lot of hope over the last several weeks. 🙁 My application was complete at OU-HCOM on October 14. I want to be a D.O. but thought with my extremely subpar gpa I wouldn't have a chance out of state. Also, I have 9 month old twins and a husband that needs a job. Is it too late to apply to other D.O. schools or do you think my application would even get a second look there this late in the cycle? I have really good EC's, but am currently a stay at home mom. Any advice out there? My MCAT score expires this cycle, and I'm afraid I won't snag a score like that again, lol.
Click to expand...






I received 3 interviews after applying late in the cycle last year. I did not even apply to my top choice until after I had received last falls grades. I got in there with 29. So it is late but not too late!!

Also, there are several ladies in both the 1st and 2nd year classes that were stay at home moms before going to med school. I hope this helps.
 
yellowone said:
Got an interview at WCU-COM!!!!!

Stats:
3.32 sgpa, 3.41 cgpa, MCAT 25 (best score after 5 times)

I called into the admissions office today and they said my interview email was sent to the wrong address. It was sent out two weeks ago.

Don't hesitant to call the admissions office!!!!!
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Congrats to both you and GetOutofGrenada. I hope to meet you both at lunch during your interviews. Come prepared to ask us questions as that is why we are there.
 
happy thanksgiving everyone!

3.2/2.9/25Q
tons of leadership, tons of community outreach

Interviewed @ ATSU-KCOM (decision deferred until January)
Interviews lined up: ATSU-SOMA and WVSOM

so blessed. if i get in, my dream to become a doctor will be well on its way.

if i am lucky enough to get accepted somewhere, first round is on me!
 
Got my first interview for TOURO-NY today! Interviewing 12/6! Anyone have any tips? Should i bring anything with my like a portfolio to take any notes?
 
Newyorkgiants27 said:
Got my first interview for TOURO-NY today! Interviewing 12/6! Anyone have any tips? Should i bring anything with my like a portfolio to take any notes?
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Congrats and good luck!! I was invited to interview there a week ago and it was for February so you are definitely lucky to get an early date 🙂

I brought a portfolio to my first interview and my arms were tired of dragging it around the tour and I did not use it at all; so on my next interviews I did not bring anything and that went much better since it is less to drag around that day.
 
iamunderdog said:
happy thanksgiving everyone!

3.2/2.9/25Q
tons of leadership, tons of community outreach

Interviewed @ ATSU-KCOM (decision deferred until January)
Interviews lined up: ATSU-SOMA and WVSOM

so blessed. if i get in, my dream to become a doctor will be well on its way.

if i am lucky enough to get accepted somewhere, first round is on me!
Click to expand...

Good luck man! I hope you somehow manage to go to DMU! I also have tons of leadership and community outreach experience... I think we'd have some good conversations! 🙂

Best of luck in your upcoming interviews.
 
Just accepted to UNECOM. My only interview was at UNECOM, and so I'm excited I don't have to interview again.
 
I have come out of my long hibernation consisting of studying and updated the front page. Looks good!

Personal update: No new news from any schools really, although I did just receive a secondary from Pikeville, which I just filled out and sent in the other day. My family is from around there, so my fingers are crossed for an interview. There are still a couple of other schools that are waiting on my fall grades so hopefully after the semester is over I will get some more news.

Great job everyone! Keep up the great work.
 
I just wanted to quickly pop in and give you guys some encouragement! It's nearly the holidays and I'm sure most of you wanted to be holding acceptances by now. If you're not there yet know that we all support you and definitely hang in there.

Anything is possible... I'm just some dumb former cop from the South looking to make my way through life. Never would have believed I'd be on the road to becoming a doctor 10 years ago... hell, even three years ago.

Anything worth having is worth working for! :luck: 👍
 
Agree with the above poster. It's still early in the admissions cycle. I just got into SGU for January and admissions office said I can easily defer for August with my stats. Just got confirmation of all my materials in for PCOM (PA and GA), NYCOM, and UMDNJ. Waiting on interviews from them, and scheduled w/ LECOM in Feb. When I started this entire process I doubted I could even get into St. George's. Always keep your chins up!
 
I am another underdog lucky enough to be accepted to his #1 choice school!

My stats are - MCAT 26, cGPA 3.75, sGPA around 3.6. I have research, leadership, volunteer, and healthcare experience. I also have two misdemeanors on my record for marijuana, which is a huge red flag and was even the reason some schools wouldn't send me a secondary.

Those of you who are doubtful of a future as a physician - remember that there are many of us who break the mold! Good luck to all of you waiting for an acceptance!
 
Well, I guess I could update everyone on where I'm at. I was waitlisted at Touro-CA and put on a hold pending fall grades at PNWU.

All aboard the waitlist train! The other schools who I haven't heard back from yet I don't have very high hopes for, since they're out of league. Finals here I come!



Edit: yes, I changed my username (for privacy reasons).
 
ManBroDude said:
Well, I guess I could update everyone on where I'm at. I was waitlisted at Touro-CA and put on a hold pending fall grades at PNWU.

All aboard the waitlist train! The other schools who I haven't heard back from yet I don't have very high hopes for, since they're out of league. Finals here I come!



Edit: yes, I changed my username (for privacy reasons).
Click to expand...

How do you change your username??
 
I had to put in a service ticket. It wouldn't have been a big deal except I became a gold donor earlier this year, and I didn't want to waste it. It took 6 weeks (6 weeks!) for someone to change 8 characters. Unbelievable.

Anyways, same ol' me, different username.
 
I used to love reading this thread...now it is so slowwwww in here...not much going on. Maybe it is because of the holidays or because so many of you amazing underdogs have already gotten your acceptances 🙂

Now for a question...has anyone started to turn in letters of interest. I told myself I would come December at a few schools but I still haven't yet. Is it worthwhile doing this if you have been "under review" at a school since August 😱 or is this a silent rejection?
 
GlimmerGlass said:
I used to love reading this thread...now it is so slowwwww in here...not much going on. Maybe it is because of the holidays or because so many of you amazing underdogs have already gotten your acceptances 🙂

Now for a question...has anyone started to turn in letters of interest. I told myself I would come December at a few schools but I still haven't yet. Is it worthwhile doing this if you have been "under review" at a school since August 😱 or is this a silent rejection?
Click to expand...

the reason this thread is so slow is because it is somewhat late in the applicant season now.
It couldnt hurt to turn in LOI but i havent applied yet so i wouldnt know for sure.
 
I'm sending out updates in a few weeks with my new fall semester grades to the rest of my schools. I just got home from taking my cumulative biochem final and I BARELY squeaked by the course with an A.

Like, by one question, that's how close. What a relief!
 
Interviews in the same week of January for WVSOM and LMU-DCOM! 🙂
 
Well my fellow underdogs, here's an update on my season:
Interviewed at LECOM-E, TOURO-NV,TOURO-CA, TOURO-NY, and Western-COMP.

First interview was at LECOM and I was put on the alternate list.
Second interview at TOURO-NV and rejected
Third interview at TOURO-CA and put on the high alternate list.

At this point I was feeling pretty discouraged, but I then I went to my interview at TOURO-NY (my second coice). In less than a week, I received my acceptance. Amazing feeling getting that first acceptance. Felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.
Then, I had my interview at Western. This school is by far my first and top choice. And I found out I was accepted today. Both acceptances within a week. This is so surreal to me right now. Can't believe I have multiple acceptances and to my first and second choice of all places. Truly feeling blessed right now. Never give up hope guys. I never thought things could work out so perfectly for me. I wish everyone good luck the rest of the season and I know the underdogs will have amazing results this year.
👍
My updated stats for anyone wondering: 3.33cpga, 3.15sgpa, 30 MCAT.
 
ManBroDude said:
Have you had any other interviews?

Also, just got an interview invite to Touro-NYC this morning! 👍
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Congrats! 🙂

No, I haven't had any more interviews, just those 2 that are scheduled for January. I wasn't complete at most school until mid October, and the schools I've called to check up on said I should hear before Christmas either way. Hopefully it is good news though!
 
Bird Lady said:
Congrats! 🙂

No, I haven't had any more interviews, just those 2 that are scheduled for January. I wasn't complete at most school until mid October, and the schools I've called to check up on said I should hear before Christmas either way. Hopefully it is good news though!
Click to expand...

Same here, I think we were both in very similar situations. I'll be hearing back from 5 schools by New Year's. I just found out I got a 4.0 this semester, bringing my postbacc to 4.0 after 34 credit hours. The transcripts will be sent out with a nice update letter as soon as grades are official, and then the real wait begins.
 
ManBroDude said:
Same here, I think we were both in very similar situations. I'll be hearing back from 5 schools by New Year's. I just found out I got a 4.0 this semester, bringing my postbacc to 4.0 after 34 credit hours. The transcripts will be sent out with a nice update letter as soon as grades are official, and then the real wait begins.
Click to expand...

good luck man
 
OK.....as a fellow underdog not accepted anywhere yet I need some advice:
I'm current deferred at WVSOM
KYCOM said they need my fall grades because I don't have enough upper level biology credits to receive a secondary...and once they receive them I will receive a secondary
LMU- said I'm on hold and will be reviewed later
A.T Still, PCOM, MSU, NSU,OUCOM and UMDNJ I'm still waiting to hear on
I just sent in my secondary to PNWU because im out of the region
The question is I will receive my fall grades and I will have an A in a one credit 300 level biology course....but in genetics I will either have a B- or C...my first C ever....considering I will be getting all A's in the rest of my courses (which are non science)
Should I update AACOMAS with a B- or C in genetics....my first upper level biology course?
Would it be easier just to send KYCOM my transcript to get the secondary?
With a B- or C my science GPA would drop to a 3.36 or something like that from a 3.4?
Thoughts? Am I screwed if I don't send in my fall grades?
Am I screwed if I do because they will see a poor grade in my first upper level biology course?
Advice is highly appreciated.
Thanks
 
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