The Underdog Thread

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Well I'll definitely jump on in here, because G-d knows I need the moral support.

Long story short, 3.4 nsGPS, 3.0 sGPA, 3.25 overall. Took my MCAT twice(Jan and May of this year) and scores were 24Q and 26Q, respectively. My PS and BS scores each increased by 2 points, I posted in WAMC here. I'm about to send out my app for the following schools:

Des Moines
LECOM(both)
NYCOM
NSU-COM
PCOM
Touro(all 3)
UMDNJ

If you take a look at my WAMC thread, you can see my EC's. I'm fairly confident I can land somewhere and know that I will interview very well(I have great interpersonal skills), but I just wish I had some reassurance, which brings me here. I will help root on all the "underdogs" and hope for some support in return. Any feedback on my WAMC post would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and GL to everyone!

Sam
 
GPA: 3.28 and MCAT in August. Should I complete the primaries now and would that be an advantage or it wouldn't make a difference?

and my GPA should allow me into the underdog club 🙂. Good luck everyone! Anyone else taking MCAT this late for the first time? I am really nervous about the timing of everything (scores come out September 21st; which is really late~!)
 
Mr.Patel said:
GPA: 3.28 and MCAT in August. Should I complete the primaries now and would that be an advantage or it wouldn't make a difference?

and my GPA should allow me into the underdog club 🙂. Good luck everyone! Anyone else taking MCAT this late for the first time? I am really nervous about the timing of everything (scores come out September 21st; which is really late~!)
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Complete the primary and submit it. You definitely want that to be in when your MCAT score comes in.
 
omg...**** AACOMAS

I had a transcript sent out on 6/11, and I never got a "transcript received" check mark on my application, so I called AACOMAS on the 25th. The customer rep said they have my transcript, and it should be up soon. It's now 7/06, and it still hasn't shown up as received so I called them again. They said whatever the last customer rep said was not true, and they have not received my transcript.

It's been over a month since I've submitted my application, and I'm not even close to being verified yet 😡
 
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Sinfest said:
omg...**** AACOMAS

I had a transcript sent out on 6/11, and I never got a "transcript received" check mark on my application, so I called AACOMAS on the 25th. The customer rep said they have my transcript, and it should be up soon. It's now 7/06, and it still hasn't shown up as received so I called them again. They said whatever the last customer rep said was not true, and they have not received my transcript.

It's been over a month since I've submitted my application, and I'm not even close to being verified yet 😡
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Just curious, how long(on average) does verification take?
 
SML67 said:
Just curious, how long(on average) does verification take?
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Depends on when you submit. Those who submitted early (like he did) have already been verified and sent out. Those who submitted later on and were not pre-verified have likely not been verified yet.

Last year I submitted July 27th and was not released to schools until September 24th. Basically, get your app in early, the longer you wait to submit, the longer the time it will take to verify.
 
Sinfest said:
omg...**** AACOMAS

I had a transcript sent out on 6/11, and I never got a "transcript received" check mark on my application, so I called AACOMAS on the 25th. The customer rep said they have my transcript, and it should be up soon. It's now 7/06, and it still hasn't shown up as received so I called them again. They said whatever the last customer rep said was not true, and they have not received my transcript.

It's been over a month since I've submitted my application, and I'm not even close to being verified yet 😡
Click to expand...

They did not get one of my transcripts either. I decided to just overnight it with signature confirmation and everything proceeded as normal.
 
DbDan said:
Depends on when you submit. Those who submitted early (like he did) have already been verified and sent out. Those who submitted later on and were not pre-verified have likely not been verified yet.

Last year I submitted July 27th and was not released to schools until September 24th. Basically, get your app in early, the longer you wait to submit, the longer the time it will take to verify.
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Mother ****ers...I am so pissed off right now. The ****ty thing is this transcript only has one class on it. This one class is holding up my verification 😡

azrk said:
They did not get one of my transcripts either. I decided to just overnight it with signature confirmation and everything proceeded as normal.
Click to expand...

That's what I wanted to do, but they didn't give me an option to get confirmation 🙁
 
Sinfest said:
omg...**** AACOMAS

I had a transcript sent out on 6/11, and I never got a "transcript received" check mark on my application, so I called AACOMAS on the 25th. The customer rep said they have my transcript, and it should be up soon. It's now 7/06, and it still hasn't shown up as received so I called them again. They said whatever the last customer rep said was not true, and they have not received my transcript.

It's been over a month since I've submitted my application, and I'm not even close to being verified yet 😡
Click to expand...


wow that blows. dont lose hope though you'll get through it all
 
Hey guys,

Just came across an email from AAMC about Podiatric medicine. Have any of you heard of this before??? I was looking into it and it seems like a legit back up if DO doesnt work out.
A) You are guaranteed a job
B) They make average $189,000 a year in US (and rising each yr)
C) The schools are in pretty sweet locations
D) Average gpa = 3.3 and 21 MCAT for all schools roughly
E) You are do surgeries etc

Only bad thing (IMO) --> Obviously your whole life is based off of feet lol i dunno how you feel about that, i dont think its very interesting

Just thought I would share that cuz we are the underdogs..... not everyone will make it and its good to have other plans🙂
 
Sinfest said:
omg...**** AACOMAS

I had a transcript sent out on 6/11, and I never got a "transcript received" check mark on my application, so I called AACOMAS on the 25th. The customer rep said they have my transcript, and it should be up soon. It's now 7/06, and it still hasn't shown up as received so I called them again. They said whatever the last customer rep said was not true, and they have not received my transcript.

It's been over a month since I've submitted my application, and I'm not even close to being verified yet 😡
Click to expand...

try emailing them through the website explaining what tyou have been verbally told. explain that all of you other transcripst have arrived and ask them to check other folders adjacent to yours.

this happened to me and trust me when i say i completely feel your frustration
 
Sinfest said:
omg...**** AACOMAS

I had a transcript sent out on 6/11, and I never got a "transcript received" check mark on my application, so I called AACOMAS on the 25th. The customer rep said they have my transcript, and it should be up soon. It's now 7/06, and it still hasn't shown up as received so I called them again. They said whatever the last customer rep said was not true, and they have not received my transcript.

It's been over a month since I've submitted my application, and I'm not even close to being verified yet 😡
Click to expand...

EXACT same situation! i submitted around 6/7, and sent out transcripts around the same time. I JUST got the check mark next to my "transcripts received" today (7/7). soooooo annoyed! byebye advantage of applying early. 🙁
 
Sinfest said:
I'm not, it's just bull**** because I planned ahead and applied early. Now I lost the advantage of applying early 🙁
Click to expand...

REALLY sorry to hear that dude 👎 ...if it makes you feel any better I've only got secondaries from 6 of the 15 schools I applied to. 9 of the bigger names still haven't sent them out. Just overnight things and work as fast as you can now. And call them and check on the situation daily. Hope things work out.
 
Sinfest said:
I'm not, it's just bull**** because I planned ahead and applied early. Now I lost the advantage of applying early 🙁
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That is frustrating and annoying 🙁 I got undelivered twice from AACOMAS for entering stuff in wrong. You can work on secondaries now and send them in as soon as you hear from schools? I hope they verify you soon!!:xf:
 
Sinfest said:
I'm not, it's just bull**** because I planned ahead and applied early. Now I lost the advantage of applying early 🙁
Click to expand...


That definitely sucks. I would be pissed too. Just keep playing the underdog role, remember it never works out for us initially, but we'll get there. The only school that I think has even looked at applications for interview purposes seem to be the LECOM's. Many have not even began sending secondaries out.

I would call AACOMAS and try and get them to speed up the process, after all it is their fault. (A lot of people are going to say that there is no way they are going to do anything, blah, blah. You'd be surprised what some people would do if you're nice enough to them on the phone.)
 
Interview invite from LECOM-B.... 😀 My first one! August 30. I'm so freakin' happy right now lol
 
Just submitted my AMCAS app. My final count is now 30 schools, 15 DO + 15 MD. Application season is in full swing folks!
 
My MDApps is below. I actually failed a class in college - Calc II (Passed exams, but attendance was poor and professor was a .. you get the idea.) So to the underdogs with poor gpa's - you'll get some love if the rest of your app is good.
 
mommy2three said:
try emailing them through the website explaining what tyou have been verbally told. explain that all of you other transcripst have arrived and ask them to check other folders adjacent to yours.

this happened to me and trust me when i say i completely feel your frustration
Click to expand...

Just emailed them. Thanks for the help 🙂


dre2011 said:
EXACT same situation! i submitted around 6/7, and sent out transcripts around the same time. I JUST got the check mark next to my "transcripts received" today (7/7). soooooo annoyed! byebye advantage of applying early. 🙁
Click to expand...

megathunder said:
REALLY sorry to hear that dude 👎 ...if it makes you feel any better I've only got secondaries from 6 of the 15 schools I applied to. 9 of the bigger names still haven't sent them out. Just overnight things and work as fast as you can now. And call them and check on the situation daily. Hope things work out.
Click to expand...

Mzeep said:
That is frustrating and annoying 🙁 I got undelivered twice from AACOMAS for entering stuff in wrong. You can work on secondaries now and send them in as soon as you hear from schools? I hope they verify you soon!!:xf:
Click to expand...

HockeyDr09 said:
That definitely sucks. I would be pissed too. Just keep playing the underdog role, remember it never works out for us initially, but we'll get there. The only school that I think has even looked at applications for interview purposes seem to be the LECOM's. Many have not even began sending secondaries out.

I would call AACOMAS and try and get them to speed up the process, after all it is their fault. (A lot of people are going to say that there is no way they are going to do anything, blah, blah. You'd be surprised what some people would do if you're nice enough to them on the phone.)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the good wishes everybody 😀
 
Interview invite for LECOM-B 😀
 
hey guys quick question. i honestly dont care where i get in to school as long as i do get in. that being said with my ~3.2 gpa would applying to edward via SC compared to virginia give me a better shot of getting in since its just opening. im asking since i can only choose one of the schools.
 
ScarletKnights said:
hey guys quick question. i honestly dont care where i get in to school as long as i do get in. that being said with my ~3.2 gpa would applying to edward via SC compared to virginia give me a better shot of getting in since its just opening. im asking since i can only choose one of the schools.
Click to expand...
I doubt it. They say the admissions standards will be the same at each school, which is fair because most people are probably checking the box that says they are open to consideration at either campus.
 
cliffhuxtableDO said:
I doubt it. They say the admissions standards will be the same at each school, which is fair because most people are probably checking the box that says they are open to consideration at either campus.
Click to expand...

On the secondary applications you can check a box saying you are open to admission at either school?
 
ScarletKnights said:
On the secondary applications you can check a box saying you are open to admission at either school?
Click to expand...

cliffhuxtableDO said:
I doubt it. They say the admissions standards will be the same at each school, which is fair because most people are probably checking the box that says they are open to consideration at either campus.
Click to expand...

Not on VCOMs, you still have to technically give a preference (even though you can also check that you want to be considered for the other campus if there is no availability at your preferred site).
 
thanks for basically repeating what i said.
 
DbDan said:
Interview invite for LECOM-B 😀
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Sinfest said:
Congrats 👍
Click to expand...

taylormade2006 said:
Nice work DbDan!
Click to expand...

blueflower said:
Congrats!
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Mzeep said:
Yay!! Congrats! 🙂
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This is what this thread should be all about. It's awesome. I am entering my junior year, and I could very well be a part of this thread at this time next year. After my summer class, I will have around a 3.2 cGPA. I have most of my really hard classes out of the way (specifically Organic) but I still have some challenging ones. I have great EC's and have 3 jobs on campus during school, so hopefully that should help some. Hopefully I can get my GPA up next year to not be such an underdog, but as of right now I think I am!

Definitely a big supporter (and probably future member)!
 
3.37 cGPA (as of right now, probably will be more like a 3.35 when I graduate in a month)
2.9 sGPA

Since I'm doing a 2-year MPH starting this fall, my plan is to take the MCAT this coming year and apply in the Spring/early summer 2011.

So definitely an underdog here although I'm waiting to apply with the next cycle.

Y'all have my support.
 
DJack said:
This is what this thread should be all about. It's awesome. I am entering my junior year, and I could very well be a part of this thread at this time next year. After my summer class, I will have around a 3.2 cGPA. I have most of my really hard classes out of the way (specifically Organic) but I still have some challenging ones. I have great EC's and have 3 jobs on campus during school, so hopefully that should help some. Hopefully I can get my GPA up next year to not be such an underdog, but as of right now I think I am!

Definitely a big supporter (and probably future member)!
Click to expand...

That is what the thread is about. Its to give support and hope to those in similar situations. In your situation, entering your Jr year now you have the opportunity that I WISH I had. You have your sights set on med school and you have a low but manageable GPA, along with 2 more years of courses! Look at it this way, if you take equal units and get a 3.8 the rest of your time in school, you will graduate with a 3.5. Thats great. If you get a 4.0 this year alone and take 1/2 the credits you currently have taken (which would be expected) you will have a 3.47 going into next year's cycle. Rock the MCAT and focus on getting good grades. You can do it! We have faith.

Trust me, if I could go back I would have worked MUCH harder as an undergrad and not been sitting going into my junior year with 1/2 my pre-reqs done, barely a 2.0 GPA and no guidance. Luckily I found some and DO's grade retake policy has given me some forgiveness to even give me a shot.
 
DbDan said:
That is what the thread is about. Its to give support and hope to those in similar situations. In your situation, entering your Jr year now you have the opportunity that I WISH I had. You have your sights set on med school and you have a low but manageable GPA, along with 2 more years of courses! Look at it this way, if you take equal units and get a 3.8 the rest of your time in school, you will graduate with a 3.5. Thats great. If you get a 4.0 this year alone and take 1/2 the credits you currently have taken (which would be expected) you will have a 3.47 going into next year's cycle. Rock the MCAT and focus on getting good grades. You can do it! We have faith.

Trust me, if I could go back I would have worked MUCH harder as an undergrad and not been sitting going into my junior year with 1/2 my pre-reqs done, barely a 2.0 GPA and no guidance. Luckily I found some and DO's grade retake policy has given me some forgiveness to even give me a shot.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the support! I'm going to try to get a 4 point next semester (my grades have had a good upward trend), and study hard for the MCAT. I have great EC's and interview skills, and I currently work three jobs at my school. I'm not sure what MCAT I will need, but hopefully schools can see through a couple tough semesters.
 
Officially joining this club.

cGPA: 3.3 sGPA: 3.1 MCAT back August 10th, but verified today.
 
Does my mcat score make me labeled as an underdog? 😕
I have a 3.96 gpa, 3.92 sgpa, 24P MCAT (7P, 9V,8B).
Applied to 10 schools, 6 secondaries filled out so far.
I've heard nothing from LECOM-B yet, not even a secondary.
 
stucka21 said:
Does my mcat score make me labeled as an underdog? 😕
I have a 3.96 gpa, 3.92 sgpa, 24P MCAT (7P, 9V,8B).
Applied to 10 schools, 6 secondaries filled out so far.
I've heard nothing from LECOM-B yet, not even a secondary.
Click to expand...

If it were up to me, I'd banish you from this thread with your ridiculous GPA.

A 24 is 2 points below average. A 3.96 is almost .5 points above average.

And you don't have any 6's in the MCAT, so it is fairly balanced and you are good to go.
 
stucka21 said:
Does my mcat score make me labeled as an underdog? 😕
I have a 3.96 gpa, 3.92 sgpa, 24P MCAT (7P, 9V,8B).
Applied to 10 schools, 6 secondaries filled out so far.
I've heard nothing from LECOM-B yet, not even a secondary.
Click to expand...

I definitely would not count you as an underdog. I have a friend w/ near identical stats who is a 2nd year now at AZCOM, she applied to 4 schools late (like Feb/March) and was accepted to 3.

Your GPA makes up for it, if you've got good ECs you should be fine.
 
stucka21 said:
Does my mcat score make me labeled as an underdog? 😕
I have a 3.96 gpa, 3.92 sgpa, 24P MCAT (7P, 9V,8B).
Applied to 10 schools, 6 secondaries filled out so far.
I've heard nothing from LECOM-B yet, not even a secondary.
Click to expand...

Why don't you retake the MCAT and aim for MD? Your GPA is too good to settle! Plus, MCAT is def easier to improve than GPA.
 
Man its annoying when people come in here with 3.9 GPAs and ask if they're underdogs. For crying out loud, what do you think?
 
pennstate4life said:
Why don't you retake the MCAT and aim for MD? Your GPA is too good to settle! Plus, MCAT is def easier to improve than GPA.
Click to expand...

What if he wants to be a DO.... I am starting to see how you've been put on probationary status
 
DbDan said:
What if he wants to be a DO.... I am starting to see how you've been put on probationary status
Click to expand...

I joke around too much 🙁 But my previous comment was a legitimate concern. Let him answer for himself please.
 
pennstate4life said:
I joke around too much 🙁 But my previous comment was a legitimate concern. Let him answer for himself please.
Click to expand...

For one thing, I am a girl, not a him 😛 Just giving you a rough time 🙂
But yes, DbDan is correct. I am far more interested in becoming an osteopathic physician. It has been my focus for over 3 years now. I actually am completing my undergrad in 3 years, so waiting out a year definately wouldn't kill me. I have plans to take the mcat in the spring if this application cycle doesn't go well. But I was offered a 20hr/week research position in addition to my 25 hr/week job, and I figured it would be best to get research experience in cancer prevention than spend time studying for the mcat again when I potentially have a chance.

I don't consider myself an underdog, but with so many people telling my I won't get into a DO school with a 24, I started to get discouraged. My advice for everyone is to just show who you are. Scores aren't everything, and I think everyone in this forum has a great chance if we keep confident 🙂
 
stucka21 said:
For one thing, I am a girl, not a him 😛 Just giving you a rough time 🙂
But yes, DbDan is correct. I am far more interested in becoming an osteopathic physician. It has been my focus for over 3 years now. I actually am completing my undergrad in 3 years, so waiting out a year definately wouldn't kill me. I have plans to take the mcat in the spring if this application cycle doesn't go well. But I was offered a 20hr/week research position in addition to my 25 hr/week job, and I figured it would be best to get research experience in cancer prevention than spend time studying for the mcat again when I potentially have a chance.

I don't consider myself an underdog, but with so many people telling my I won't get into a DO school with a 24, I started to get discouraged. My advice for everyone is to just show who you are. Scores aren't everything, and I think everyone in this forum has a great chance if we keep confident 🙂
Click to expand...

Hello if you like research that gives you another reason to retake and go MD. How long did you study for it?
 
Chevy Chase Fan said:
Man its annoying when people come in here with 3.9 GPAs and ask if they're underdogs. For crying out loud, what do you think?
Click to expand...

Agreed...
When I see folks with a 3.96 calling themselves underdogs it's a bit discouraging.
 
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