The Underdog Thread

[cliffhuxtableDO]

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i'm so happy for you guys, but this is making me ever so impatient waiting for my new mcat score. keep it up though!

 

[sedaniel]

Damn, 3 invites already. Impressive 👍👍 They say 3 is the magic number to be in a very good spot for minimum one acceptance 🙂

Although as we've already seen, all it takes is 1!

I like the sound of that, but it doesn't make me any less nervous... lol. From what I hear/read, LECOM-B is pretty relaxed so I think that will be a good interview to start off with, yay 🙂 More will come too for you, it is so incredibly early! 🙂

 

[gatewasani]

congrats guys! I would give anything to be in your position.

enjoy this upcoming year, it's nice that you guys know so early, so know you have a full year to relax with no worries.

who are the first ppl you guys told?

 

[ccc2009]

Ok I think it's official.... TOURO-NY interview invite for me. 🙂

heyy sedaniel,

i got a secondary invite too, what made u think that it is a touro ny interview invite for sure.

 

[HockeyDr09]

heyy sedaniel,

i got a secondary invite too, what made u think that it is a touro ny interview invite for sure.

I can totally be wrong on this, but when reading the email it says,

"Once you have submitted all of the required documents you will receive an interview invitation via e-mail."

Also, after reading last years thread it seems like the consensus was secondary=interview.

They also said however, that many people interview and get wait-listed. So own that interview!

 

[gatewasani]

heyy sedaniel,

i got a secondary invite too, what made u think that it is a touro ny interview invite for sure.

seems like a hot topic, I would email them and ask if I had received a secondary but since I did not, it kinda seems like it's "not my business" so i'll just wait to e-mail them, but one of u should definitely shoot them an e-mail and ask, i'm sure they won't mind, and they usually respond really really quick.

 

[sedaniel]

That line that HockeyDr09 stated, as well as what else I posted in their school thread:


I read the directions too that are in the supplementary application .doc file and they are pretty clear too, I only skimmed it at first haha:

Selected applicants are notified in writing when supporting documents are received and will be invited for a personal interview when the admission file is complete.

(It calls us "selected applicant" already previously in the instructions.)

The recommendations should be forwarded directly to the Director of Admissions prior to the interview date.

Taken all together, I say it's an interview invite. I don't think we get to pick a specific date until they notify us that our file is complete though.

 

[ccc2009]

That line that HockeyDr09 stated, as well as what else I posted in their school thread:


I read the directions too that are in the supplementary application .doc file and they are pretty clear too, I only skimmed it at first haha:

(It calls us "selected applicant" already previously in the instructions.)



Taken all together, I say it's an interview invite. I don't think we get to pick a specific date until they notify us that our file is complete though.

thanks Dr.hockey ( congrats on Lecom!) and sedaniel! yea i saw that too, but i dunno i guess i jst found it really weird, that a school has such a tough screening process. good to know, and i guess i ll look forward to that interview invite 🙂

 

[DJack]

So I will be applying to med school next year, probably as an underdog. Not huge, but similar to you guys. One BIG important thing I have learned from all this....

APPLY EARLY!!

 

[DrDre2001]

thanks Dr.hockey ( congrats on Lecom!) and sedaniel! yea i saw that too, but i dunno i guess i jst found it really weird, that a school has such a tough screening process. good to know, and i guess i ll look forward to that interview invite 🙂

Well, their application fee is higher than most schools. So, apparently this money is going towards them screening the applications much harder than most other schools.

 

[ccc2009]

Well, their application fee is higher than most schools. So, apparently this money is going towards them screening the applications much harder than most other schools.

am i reading this incorrectly.. or is their acceptance deposit due even earlier (aka 2 weeks) than LECOM.. ugh, and i think its even more expensive than LECOM too. sigh...

 

[DbDan]

am i reading this incorrectly.. or is their acceptance deposit due even earlier (aka 2 weeks) than LECOM.. ugh, and i think its even more expensive than LECOM too. sigh...

Dre was just referring to their 200 dollar secondary app fee. Not sure when their deposit is due

 

[DbDan]

Add AZCOM interview for me 😀

Underdogs seem to be doing well so far this cycle haha Even if I'm not an underdog anymore according to Dre's formula

 

[jgraha16]

My sGPA is a 3.1 now after my summer class.. so if I could get the front page updated! Thanks

Congrats to everyone with interviews and acceptances!!!! Im so excited for everyone. Let's hope more will be joining you.

 

[megathunder]

Just noticed that on the front page.

 

[deleted336217]

Congrats guys!!! Add me to the supporters list 😎

 

[lawyerdoc2b]

Well if you want maybe just a small bit of comfort then this year will be the year of the underdogs if there ever is one at all. I don't think there are going to be anywhere near as many applications as in years past and people who do apply will be applying to less schools due to Chairman Maobama ruining the healthcare system and the economy.

Don't kid yourself with wishful thinking. Applications are up double digits. PCOM GA received over 3,000 applications for 80 seats (actually 86 are accepted with the allowed 8% overage). So the raw odds are about 1 in 35.

On a positive note, VCOM SC is opening and several schools are increasing the class size.

 

[lawyerdoc2b]

I'm still not seeing the rationale for applying with a sub 25 MCAT when we are this early in the season.

Here is the rationale for applying early. 1/3 of the applicants apply early and 2/3 of the class seats are filed before Christmas. That leaves 2/3 of the applicants applying later and competing for 1/3 of the seats. Schools want to fill the classes. So, lesser stats get in early and get ignored after the new year. You can always supplement your application with a better MCAT score later in the process.

One reason for this in the D.O. world is that many M.D. applicants get no response and then gravitate toward D.O. as an alternative. I want to be a D.O. I'm not saying in any way D.O. is less than M.D. Quite the contrary, I prefer it. M.D. applicants applying later to D.O. programs may have better stats and many of them are accepted into the D.O. schools leaving "underdogs" out in the cold.

Apply early. I'm going out on a public limb. While I eventually raised my MCAT score in a retake, I was accepted early last year (I start D.O. school on August 11th) with a 21 MCAT (not a typo) and a 3.3 GPA (overall) and a science GPA of 3.6.

Otherwise, I had a stellar application and life experiences to offset the low MCAT. So there is hope.

 

[lawyerdoc2b]

ROFL ... yeah, totally.

JaggerPlate is a cynic but correct. 3,000 applications x 50 bucks = $150,000 in revenue. That makes a big dent in meeting the budget to staff the Admissions office. Sure, the schools want a large applicant pool from which to select the best and the brightest to comprise the next class. But, selectively sending secondaries is not what happens. Most schools send secondaries to everyone. They can review and reject for les than than the secondary fee.

 

[wolverinepwns]

SIGN ME UP PLEASE:

aGPA: 3.25, MCAT (taken 07-30: average AAMC tests were 31, but I felt like the PS raped me, so hoping for anything acceptable right now).

 

[DJack]

did anyone on SDN that went to the first set of interviews to LECOM get rejected?

 

[Atom bum]

did anyone on SDN that went to the first set of interviews to LECOM get rejected?

Seems like we all got in.

 

[HockeyDr09]

did anyone on SDN that went to the first set of interviews to LECOM get rejected?

Love the Avatar. . It looks like we all pulled it off. I'm curious to know how many were waitlisted. We had ~40 people there and only like 10 or 12 have shown on SDN.

 

[HockeyDr09]

SIGN ME UP PLEASE:

aGPA: 3.25, MCAT (taken 07-30: average AAMC tests were 31, but I felt like the PS raped me, so hoping for anything acceptable right now).

I'll throw you on there for now, but if you pull a 31 on the MCAT i'm going to have to give you the boot.🙂

 

[DbDan]

I'll throw you on there for now, but if you pull a 31 on the MCAT i'm going to have to give you the boot.🙂

Truth lol

As it is I'd say that there are some borderline "underdogs" in the group currently. Myself included. Dre's little formula is actually pretty good for determination sake. As my GPA creeps higher I'd get close to giving myself the boot. While I'll keep considering myself an underdog, fact of the matter is my MCAT is keeping me competitive and my GPA is slowly recovering and so far its working out for this cycle.

 

[wolverinepwns]

I'll throw you on there for now, but if you pull a 31 on the MCAT i'm going to have to give you the boot.🙂

If I get a 31, I'm pretty sure I will be the happiest person alive!

this is off topic, (and I know its apprently normal), but I'm really nervous about my score (mcat was 7-30), and all my friends keep telling me to relax, but I'm really scared, my practice tests averaged around 30-31, but I thought the actual test was hella harder (PS especially). I mean its so bad that I can't even sleep cuz when I do I have mcat dreams and I wake up!

did everyone else feel that way after their test, where you guys surprised by how you performed. should I sign up for the Sept 11 test just incase? my fellow underdogs, help me please!

 

[lawyerdoc2b]

If I get a 31, I'm pretty sure I will be the happiest person alive!

this is off topic, (and I know its apprently normal), but I'm really nervous about my score (mcat was 7-30), and all my friends keep telling me to relax, but I'm really scared, my practice tests averaged around 30-31, but I thought the actual test was hella harder (PS especially). I mean its so bad that I can't even sleep cuz when I do I have mcat dreams and I wake up!

did everyone else feel that way after their test, where you guys surprised by how you performed. should I sign up for the Sept 11 test just incase? my fellow underdogs, help me please!

Relax. I was more emotionally drained after the MCAT than I was after the two day Bar Exam to be a lawyer. I thought PS was the hardest as well. It turned our to be my lowest score.

If your practice test scores were 30 -31, I would not sign up for the September MCAT. That said, whether to do so is a personal choice. You can always register and keep studying and not take it if your scores are good. Your call.

 

[Maica]

Accepteddddddddd!1!!!!1

Alright!! our boss got in, yayayayayayayay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Maica]

Here is the rationale for applying early. 1/3 of the applicants apply early and 2/3 of the class seats are filed before Christmas. That leaves 2/3 of the applicants applying later and competing for 1/3 of the seats. Schools want to fill the classes. So, lesser stats get in early and get ignored after the new year. You can always supplement your application with a better MCAT score later in the process.

One reason for this in the D.O. world is that many M.D. applicants get no response and then gravitate toward D.O. as an alternative. I want to be a D.O. I'm not saying in any way D.O. is less than M.D. Quite the contrary, I prefer it. M.D. applicants applying later to D.O. programs may have better stats and many of them are accepted into the D.O. schools leaving "underdogs" out in the cold.

Apply early. I'm going out on a public limb. While I eventually raised my MCAT score in a retake, I was accepted early last year (I start D.O. school on August 11th) with a 21 MCAT (not a typo) and a 3.3 GPA (overall) and a science GPA of 3.6.

Otherwise, I had a stellar application and life experiences to offset the low MCAT. So there is hope.

hey, where did you apply because i have a very low mcat too =( ~20....

 

[crazynate]

If I get a 31, I'm pretty sure I will be the happiest person alive!

this is off topic, (and I know its apprently normal), but I'm really nervous about my score (mcat was 7-30), and all my friends keep telling me to relax, but I'm really scared, my practice tests averaged around 30-31, but I thought the actual test was hella harder (PS especially). I mean its so bad that I can't even sleep cuz when I do I have mcat dreams and I wake up!

did everyone else feel that way after their test, where you guys surprised by how you performed. should I sign up for the Sept 11 test just incase? my fellow underdogs, help me please!

My test scores were around 30-31 as well, but on the day of the test I thought PS was the hardest section (and my usual weakness) and it ended up being my highest score.....and my strong point verbal ended up being my lowest score 😡 .....So you never know which way the scores may go...although my score ended up being a 30

 

[wolverinepwns]

thank you for the word of encouragements, I sincerely hope so!

 

[drctother]

Wow havent been on here in a while.

Congrats to all the underdogs who got into LECOM🙂 thats amazing! Hopefully I will get an interview once all my **** is confirmed

Does anyone think being an underdog and not having my primary app sent in for next week is putting me at huge disadvantage? I have to wait for confirmation after that🙁

 

[TMan1787]

Hello Underdogs!

I would like to add myself to your group, here is my sad but true credentials...

🙁SciGPA (2.8) OverallGPA (3.18) MCAT (taking Aug. 13)🙁
Have worked as a patient transporter for a year, an orthopedic technician PRN, a nursing assistant for pre-op/post-op outpatient surgery full-time, and am currently working overnight as registration clerk for another hospital.
Am applying to Oklahoma State, A.T. Still in Kirksville, Kansas City University, and Rocky Vista University.

Taking MCAT a week from this Friday and not feeling to great about it. Good news tho, I got someone to sell me the COMPLETE, BRAND NEW set of The Berkeley Review materials, which I hear can likely get you a 30+ if you use them correctly and don't rush.

 

[painmd87]

Hello Underdogs!

I would like to add myself to your group, here is my sad but true credentials...

🙁SciGPA (2.8) OverallGPA (3.18) MCAT (taking Aug. 13)🙁
Have worked as a patient transporter for a year, an orthopedic technician PRN, a nursing assistant for pre-op/post-op outpatient surgery full-time, and am currently working overnight as registration clerk for another hospital.
Am applying to Oklahoma State, A.T. Still in Kirksville, Kansas City University, and Rocky Vista University.

Taking MCAT a week from this Friday and not feeling to great about it. Good news tho, I got someone to sell me the COMPLETE, BRAND NEW set of The Berkeley Review materials, which I hear can likely get you a 30+ if you use them correctly and don't rush.

As someone else with a 2.8 sGPA, I offer this advice: cast a wider net. You have significant patient care experience, it seems, but you have no idea who's going to screen your GPA and who won't, yet will like the HCE.

And crush the MCAT.

 

[TMan1787]

I am more than likely gonna have to retake the MCAT, knowing my abilities. My plan is to at least get a score on file so Rocky Vista and KCUMB will send my supplemental info, if I don't bomb the MCAT. I graduate in December, so I plan on spending the following semester using my Berkeley Review materials and COMPLETELY OBLITERATE the MCAT either April or May 2011. I know its probably not a good sign shooting myself down before I even take the exam for the first time, but at least I know where I need to go next, if needs be🙂.

Does anyone have any insider info on school criteria, in regards to GPAs, HCE, etc.?

 

[painmd87]

Does anyone have any insider info on school criteria, in regards to GPAs, HCE, etc.?

Not necessarily insider, but the following is apparent to me from personal experience and contact with schools (this is highly relevant information for this underdog thread as well):

DMU screens < 3.0 sGPA (form their Web site)
VCOM, WVSOM, TU-COM all screened me out for < 3.0 sGPA (3.4 for VCOM)
NSU-COM's Web site says they take > 3.0 sGPA BUT make exceptions.
NYCOM allegedly screens out below 3.0, but no official word.

I had a neat little spreadsheet with GPA and MCAT cutoffs along with "Do they accept AP credit for pre-reqs?" but Google Docs decided to delete it for me one morning. (Ex: MSU-COM does not accept BIO AP credit but does accept CHEM AP credit. KCUMB accepts no AP credit for pre-reqs)

(For anyone applying MD, EVMS and VCU screened < 3.0 sGPA as well)

DO schools highly value experience, or at least this is how I feel about it. Compared to research-oriented state MD schools, DO schools prefer exposure to clinical medicine. Some MD schools are in love with recission rates and don't want super intelligent kids with 42/3.9 who get to clinicals and say "screw this, I hate patients," and quit. Because most osteopathic schools are private, they lack the significant funding necessary for research and instead focus on patient care. There's a good write up in Gevitz's The DOs about this.

 

[TMan1787]

With my GPAs, I pretty saw my ship to OU (Oklahoma), and initial dreams of M.D., go bye bye🙁 I did make it apparent to follow a physician (M.D.), who works at the hospital I work at. Their group travels to rural towns in Oklahoma and holds clinics. I, of course, figured OKState would greatly value my experiences there, so I follow there when I can, and made sure in my personal statement to express my goals of osteopathic medicine. I also plan to follow a physician at the V.A. hospital in OKC, which I was told would be highly beneficial as well.

 

[sedaniel]

Not necessarily insider, but the following is apparent to me from personal experience and contact with schools (this is highly relevant information for this underdog thread as well):

DMU screens < 3.0 sGPA (form their Web site)
VCOM, WVSOM, TU-COM all screened me out for < 3.0 sGPA (3.4 for VCOM)
NSU-COM's Web site says they take > 3.0 sGPA BUT make exceptions.
NYCOM allegedly screens out below 3.0, but no official word.

I had a neat little spreadsheet with GPA and MCAT cutoffs along with "Do they accept AP credit for pre-reqs?" but Google Docs decided to delete it for me one morning. (Ex: MSU-COM does not accept BIO AP credit but does accept CHEM AP credit. KCUMB accepts no AP credit for pre-reqs)

(For anyone applying MD, EVMS and VCU screened < 3.0 sGPA as well)

DO schools highly value experience, or at least this is how I feel about it. Compared to research-oriented state MD schools, DO schools prefer exposure to clinical medicine. Some MD schools are in love with recission rates and don't want super intelligent kids with 42/3.9 who get to clinicals and say "screw this, I hate patients," and quit. Because most osteopathic schools are private, they lack the significant funding necessary for research and instead focus on patient care. There's a good write up in Gevitz's The DOs about this.

I'm not sure about this, because AMCAS has my undergrad sGPA listed as 2.96 and I got secondaries at both EVMS and VCU. (Although, I do have a 3.93 sGPA for grad work so perhaps they did take this into consideration, even though so many SDNers warned me MD schools would not 😀 )

 

[painmd87]

I'm not sure about this, because AMCAS has my undergrad sGPA listed as 2.96 and I got secondaries at both EVMS and VCU. (Although, I do have a 3.93 sGPA for grad work so perhaps they did take this into consideration, even though so many SDNers warned me MD schools would not 😀 )

the rejection notices specifically mentioned my sGPA being below 3.0. Again, I posted what I have gleaned from personal experience, so enjoy the caveat.

 

[sedaniel]

the rejection notices specifically mentioned my sGPA being below 3.0. Again, I posted what I have gleaned from personal experience, so enjoy the caveat.

Hm, that is weird, this process seems so random to me lol

 

[jpgoodie]

hey fellow underdogs. i'm a lowly pre-med student from byu. stats are 3.26 cgpa, 3.2 sgpa, 29Q on MCAT last summer. i applied to all DO schools (crazy & expensive, I know). actually got an interview invite last week to Midwestern in AZ. So stoked! But still hoping for more. Has anyone gotten other interview invites to other DO schools?

btw, I'm way new to this SDN thing. but it's been a good experience so far. i'm appreciating everyone's advice/input/positivity.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Here is the rationale for applying early. 1/3 of the applicants apply early and 2/3 of the class seats are filed before Christmas. That leaves 2/3 of the applicants applying later and competing for 1/3 of the seats. Schools want to fill the classes. So, lesser stats get in early and get ignored after the new year. You can always supplement your application with a better MCAT score later in the process.

One reason for this in the D.O. world is that many M.D. applicants get no response and then gravitate toward D.O. as an alternative. I want to be a D.O. I'm not saying in any way D.O. is less than M.D. Quite the contrary, I prefer it. M.D. applicants applying later to D.O. programs may have better stats and many of them are accepted into the D.O. schools leaving "underdogs" out in the cold.

Apply early. I'm going out on a public limb. While I eventually raised my MCAT score in a retake, I was accepted early last year (I start D.O. school on August 11th) with a 21 MCAT (not a typo) and a 3.3 GPA (overall) and a science GPA of 3.6.

Otherwise, I had a stellar application and life experiences to offset the low MCAT. So there is hope.

What is this babble about before Christmas? The quote you took from me was on June 10th...at this point retaking the MCAT may not be the best option 60 days ago I would have argued otherwise.

 

[JamesLMT]

Hey guys got an update from Tourocom NY

Complete email stating.

"Please be advised that we received your supplemental application and fee.
After a thorough review of your file you will be notified via email for an invite to interview if your file is complete.
You will also get notified if your file is incomplete and what is missing.

Note: we are not open for interviews yet."

Fun stuff eh Hockey?

 

[DJack]

So if you underdogs were to apply to some MD schools (I know some of you have), where do you think you would apply? Where do you think you might get in?

 

[sshehateme]

So if you underdogs were to apply to some MD schools (I know some of you have), where do you think you would apply? Where do you think you might get in?

I applied to all MD schools in my state

 

[sedaniel]

Hey guys got an update from Tourocom NY

Complete email stating.

"Please be advised that we received your supplemental application and fee.
After a thorough review of your file you will be notified via email for an invite to interview if your file is complete.
You will also get notified if your file is incomplete and what is missing.

Note: we are not open for interviews yet."

Fun stuff eh Hockey?

Nice! What day did you mail in your app? I'm in MI and I mailed mine on 7/30... I thought it should have gotten there by now lol

And omg I only have 5 secondaries left to do!! And that's only because I added PCOM-Ga today 😀

 

[ScarletKnights]

Hey to anyone who applied to NYCOM, did you guys get a confirmation email? Im just wondering if I didnt get one cause I dont have a MCAT on file. I know everyone gets the secondary on the schools website.

 

[Razmatazz]

I havent received VCOM's secondary YET, they said my file is under review but havent sent anything my way. They could be waiting on the physics course im taking now or maybe my masters courses next semester.

~3.05 sgpa
~3.2 cgpa

 

[sedaniel]

I havent received VCOM's secondary YET, they said my file is under review but havent sent anything my way. They could be waiting on the physics course im taking now or maybe my masters courses next semester.

~3.05 sgpa
~3.2 cgpa

Apparently if you have a misdemeanor or felony they will hold your primary for review before sending a secondary. Weird IMO; only school that has done that that I know of...

 

[JamesLMT]

Nice! What day did you mail in your app? I'm in MI and I mailed mine on 7/30... I thought it should have gotten there by now lol

And omg I only have 5 secondaries left to do!! And that's only because I added PCOM-Ga today 😀

I mailed mine out on 7/29 from arizona. With the amount of secondaries they receive I am sure you will be getting yours soon! Mail sucks, I know this becuase I had to wait two weeks for one of my reference letters to get from a recommender to my VE service ON THE SAME CAMPUS! ha ha