The 2012-2013 Underdog Thread
Started by TriagePreMed
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3.34 cGPA, 3.28 sGPA, MCAT TBD 05/15/2012. Best of luck to all!
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An MD underdog, maybe not DO.
3.22 cgpa, 3.4sgpa, mcat TBD 5/31.
1st year of classes holding me down (1.65 gpa!) since then 4 years with cgpa of 3.6. How many DO schools are all of you applying to? My MD gpa would be closer to 3.0 🙁 so Im only applying to in-state school which is VERY regional biased (south dakota) and to north dakota. So Im wondering how many DO schools I should shoot for. Thanks!
1st year of classes holding me down (1.65 gpa!) since then 4 years with cgpa of 3.6. How many DO schools are all of you applying to? My MD gpa would be closer to 3.0 🙁 so Im only applying to in-state school which is VERY regional biased (south dakota) and to north dakota. So Im wondering how many DO schools I should shoot for. Thanks!
I sure feel like one: 8 years out of college, CA resident who had to use 7 grade replacements over the last two years... I guess I can post in the success stories if I get in this cycle. =)
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im sure youll get into one DO school at least; my gpas are even lower than yours ;p.I pray that my mcat is at least a 31 like yours though.
All my grades are final now, got a 4.0 this semester. Pumped.
Now I'm going to throw those at the AACOMAS and hope the numbers match what I told the OP.
Nicely done 🙂
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deleted455728
2.4 cGpa
2.7 sGPa
35 mcat
I'd say I am an underdog lol 🙁
2.7 sGPa
35 mcat
I'd say I am an underdog lol 🙁
wow, GREAT job with the MCAT! may i ask, what happened with the GPA?
I'm rooting for you underdogs! Especially you junkfoosow, those gpas are underdoggish if ever there were some but way to hit it out of the park on the MCAT! When you get your acceptance it'll give a lot of hope to the rest!
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what did you use to study for the mcat? Damn man, lol.
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deleted357625
idk if ima underdog or not, but 18 years old, no committee letter, average ECs/Work during school,small scholarships etc all the norm, and 3.8cGPA, 3.62 sGPA. MCAT in July and no idea what I'ma get, but hopefully trying to break any score to at least matriculate for Gods sake
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Even with that rockin' MCAT you will get screened out due to both of your GPAs... You need to take some time to retake those classes, I would advise against applying this cycle.
Tis true. Most schools have a 2.75 minimum.
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deleted455728
Just a lazy idiot during my first 3.5 years of college. Got caught up in the partying lifestyle
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deleted455728
I appreciate your optimism! Hopefully it is a matter of when I get my acceptance like you said, not IF 🙁
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deleted455728
I used Kaplan materials from a friend who had taken the class previously. I truly devoted myself to 2+ months of studying like it was a job
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deleted455728
I really don't want to get behind/get more in debt. I'd rather start medical school ASAP so I am seriously considering applying to Caribbeans even though I keep hearing its a bad idea
You'll be more in debt when you can't find a job.
My sentiment exactly. Honestly as pre-meds we really don't know what area we will end up specializing in, so taking the opportunity of attending a US DO program far outweighs going Caribbean imo.
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deleted455728
Why does anyone go to the Caribbean then? And what about all the Carib schools that boast about their high residency placement rates?
Because a lot of people are misinformed or truly desperate gambling it. Both seem to be reasons driving you to consider it. Just like a politician, don't trust them based on talk. Trust based on evidence. 50% don't make it past MS2. About 25% of the original class of Caribbean students match each year, near exclusively at primary care because the specialty door is closed to them. Please research this thoroughly before accepting a Caribbean degree. If by then end you still feel it's right for you, I hope it works out for you.
Because they are stupid.
I disagree. I know many people who went to Ross/StG, some are Family Practice, some are ER doc's and one is Anestetiologist. The problem is that people who are not cut out for medical school, will go to caribbean and expect an easy way to become a doctor. The truth is, there isn't an easy way to become a doctor. I think if you go to the caribbean, but you are an overall a good candidate but you have one thing lacking, like an MCAT score. You can be very successful. Ross/StG constantly release stats on residency matchings, there are people who get radiology, derm, ER, and other competitive residencies. I dont know about you guys, but I cannot see my self doing anything besides medicine. If it came down to it, you have to do whatever is necessary to achieve your dreams. If you want it bad enough, you will get it done however its necessary.
cGPA: 3.65, sGPA: 3.45, publications, research, medical mission to central america, volunteering, shadowing, MCAT:TBD, but practices were 21-26.
They had 1 derm in Canada in a period of like 20 years, so that's pretty bad to say the least. Sure, some people do well from the Caribbean, but that doesn't mean the majority do. This idea that it's the lazies that fail is prevailing, but the fact is that having 75% of your class not making it through or getting residency is failure beyond the individual. And what the hell is an Aneteliologist?
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Doesn't qualify for underdog unless you score a 23 or below.
Is this a new rule? Lol, The success stories on the first few pages had people with upper 20's.
Thats Canada, from what I read, it is MUCH more competitive to get into a Med School in Canada then in the States. The problem is, the caribbean will accept almost anyone, most people are not smart or motivated enough to do it. The end result is the drop out/unsuccessful rate. Person with a high gpa, driven, motivated but has a bad MCAT score can be successful. I think its what you make of it, its not easy, you have to jump through more hoops. However, if you want it bad enough and are prepared for the hard work, you will be fine. Its the LAST, LAST case scenario.
Yes, but you have both a cGPA and an sGPA above the average of D.O. matriculation. I would suggest next time you ask why someone has that opinion instead of putting forth an attitude of "you're wrong."
Sure, it is harder to get into Canada. I don't see what point you're trying to make. It has nothing to do with the only match that has existed in 20 years for both US and Canada.
Fine, believe as you wish about the Caribbean. In fact, please go there. Many of us here in the forums have seen the actual data and discussed it ad nauseam, so we know the difference between your opinion and the facts. Believe it or not, St. George's actually has some pretty decent GPA/MCAT averages.
Would you mind sharing the data/previous threads? I would love to read more info and people's stories. I never claim to know everything, just saying what I heard from people that went through out and came out successful.
You can pretty much find all of it here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=813819 I think the spreadsheets are magnificent to say the least.
I hear ya, no one wants to wait to get into school but you have to replace those classes. No question. Like others have said, don't go carrib, heres a little reading for you if you are thinking about the carrib, sad story:
http://2medschool.blogspot.com/
http://4medschool.blogspot.com/
http://6medschool.blogspot.com/
I was at SGU for a year doing an MPH, I was supposed to start their MD program this past January but I left (hints my name on here). I retook the MCAT and re-applied to DO schools and thank the good lord above got in. It wasn't for me and wasn't that great but I believe it isnt as bad as some people make it out to be. SGU has produced many successful doctors they just do things differently. If anyone is serious about applying feel free to PM.
that's a really helpful post, thanx
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Campell according to their website has a bit of a bias towards in state residents as well as southern states. Some people claim marian has a bias but when I talked to those in admissions they said someone from florida would have an equal shot as someone from their home state. Alabama supposedly, again this is hearsay, prefers alabama residents. However, I think they'll end up having a lot of OOS people.
I wasn't taking any slams at SGU, but the carrib in general. The thing is most pre-med students don't realize the Mt. Everest of a mountain that some carib med students will face... Sure there are some that end up going good places, but in general it is a bad situation. Anyways, back to underdogs..
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deleted455728
Yikes I feel like Caribbean is my only option though. I don't want to go there because I think it will be easier, I want to go there because they might give me a shot at my dream to become a physician. Hell I'd go to med school in Iraq if that's what it takes! Being a poor student most of my college career put me in this position but I have changed my study habits as evidenced by my pretty good MCAT. All I need is a chance ya know?
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thats the general consensus of the underdogs man, we all want just one chance. Whatever you decide to do, do your research before you make any hasty choices and make sure you're willing to do what it takes. People succeed from the carribean it's not as bad as some people say but it's still pretty challenging. I can safely say DO is probably a better option. maybe you could hook up with a DO post bacc program if all else fails?
We hear ya man! No one is doubting any of your passion towards medicine, we are just trying to help you get there. I understand having to worry about finances on getting to your goal, but applying to medical school isn't a cheap process either.
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deleted455728
Are DO post bacc's generally easier to get into? Do you know which programs would accept my stats? This seems like a legitimate option. Also, does successfully completing the program give you a seat in the DO school?
sorry for the noob questions 🙂
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Well for you, you can do an informal post bacc and retake a ton of classes but im not sure how many credits you have so that may end up taking you a year or more. It will prob cost less than a DO smp but chances are if you do well in a DO smp youll get in somewhere. Leecom offers guaranteed linkage and all you have to do is maintain a 3.0 with a 23 mcat in their program. LMU pretty much takes most of their post bacs from what ive heard and they even count the anatomy credit you do in their SMP so you wouldnt have to do it in med school. There are a ton of others.
I think even though your gpa is pretty low with that 35 mcat youd still get into an SMP but im not sure honestly. Youd have to email the schools and ask them.
Doing an informal post bacc could be good too but theres less guarantee, and it could translate to more time.
In theory both have their advantages/disadvantages.
I think even though your gpa is pretty low with that 35 mcat youd still get into an SMP but im not sure honestly. Youd have to email the schools and ask them.
Doing an informal post bacc could be good too but theres less guarantee, and it could translate to more time.
In theory both have their advantages/disadvantages.
