Underdog Applicants Thread

[MDHOPE]

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For those of us who have lower MCAT Scores... or lower GPA's...but believe we can still handle med school. UNite!


28 MCAT
3.69 GPA
3.65 Science GPA
2 yr+ undergrad research experience
250+ hospital floor hours
100+ hours running hospital internship program
Club officer, tutoring, etc.

 

[Tribeca]

Add me to your list!

 

[spanamit]

For those of us who have lower MCAT Scores... or lower GPA's...but believe we can still handle med school. UNite!


28 MCAT
3.69 GPA
3.65 Science GPA
2 yr+ undergrad research experience
250+ hospital floor hours
100+ hours running hospital internship program
Club officer, tutoring, etc.

I don't know why you think you are an underdog as you have more than 250 hours of hospital experience!!!

If your personal statement was good and highlighted the lessons that you learned out of this experience motivating you to choose a career in medicine, than I think you will have a good shot at a reasonable school.

 

[whateva07]

I'm on boarddd.

 

[gro2001]

For those of us who have lower MCAT Scores... or lower GPA's...but believe we can still handle med school. UNite!


28 MCAT
3.69 GPA
3.65 Science GPA
2 yr+ undergrad research experience
250+ hospital floor hours
100+ hours running hospital internship program
Club officer, tutoring, etc.

Actually these stats dont look bad at all. Especially if you can retake the MCAT and break 30.

 

[armybound]

let's do thissss

 

[voirlesetoiles]

Count me in.

 

[MossPoh]

For those of us who have lower MCAT Scores... or lower GPA's...but believe we can still handle med school. UNite!


28 MCAT
3.69 GPA
3.65 Science GPA
2 yr+ undergrad research experience
250+ hospital floor hours
100+ hours running hospital internship program
Club officer, tutoring, etc.

I'm an underdog, but your stats are hardly underdog-ish. If you were below 3.5 gpa I'd start to consider it. You are pretty much average with stats with assloads of exposure....Don't be THAT premed. 😉

 

[jochi1543]

There is, actually, a thread like this already, that's been going strong since 2005: http://drslounge.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=219015&highlight=underdog

 

[MundaneMD]

Do I count as an underdog if I have terrible ECs? And I kinda consider my stats low (for an ORM). 😳

 

[jochi1543]

Do I count as an underdog if I have terrible ECs? And I kinda consider my stats low (for an ORM). 😳

I checked your MDapps. Get out of this thread.😡 LOL. Both your GPA and MCAT are above the admitted average. At least one must be below! *puts foot down*

 

[nsxracingy2k]

~

 

[MundaneMD]

I checked your MDapps. Get out of this thread.😡 LOL. Both your GPA and MCAT are above the admitted average. At least one must be below! *puts foot down*

Well, having no hospital volunteering and no formal shadowing is just as bad. Try explaining to adcoms that you didn't volunteer or shadow because you were too lazy. I'd rather explain a low GPA or MCAT any day.

*puts both feet down*

 

[MDHOPE]

actualy i took my mcat twice and this was the highest out of the two times. and one of my sections is a 7!

 

[emquiksilver]

Group hug.

 

[thzone1986]

🙂


Sign me up!

 

[eagles13]

deleted

 

[MDHOPE]

well at least u have a lot of state schools in Ny! 🙂


good luck!!

 

[MDHOPE]

Group hug.

You're far from an underdog with those stats! you're a shoe-in

 

[FurmanJon]

I love how every other post in this thread reprimands someone for not actually being an underdog.

Therefore, mwa ha ha, ...check this out.

2.75 overall (of course, the school to which I am applying adds 0.5 to graduates of my UG institution. Thus, in practicality, 3.25)
not much clinical experience.
run-of-the-mill extracurricular activities.
a series of failed attempts at graduate schools
awaiting 7/24 MCAT scores.

Ahhhh, and I now I'll bask in the warm bombardment of sunny rays that will be SDN elitists' comments such as "do you really think medicine is right for you?" and "you have no shot at a US medical school. Give up."

Mmmm I can't wait.

 

[prionsRbad]

Yep, count me in too. I might just be the biggest underdog in this thread . . . check out my MD apps 😀

 

[Bacchus]

I feel I'm an underdog but I probably shouldn't feel that way. If you want stats PM me, I'm not giving them out until I actually take the MCAT.

 

[civilleader]

Yeah underdawg pride

 

[MDHOPE]

I love how every other post in this thread reprimands someone for not actually being an underdog.

Therefore, mwa ha ha, ...check this out.

2.75 overall (of course, the school to which I am applying adds 0.5 to graduates of my UG institution. Thus, in practicality, 3.25)
not much clinical experience.
run-of-the-mill extracurricular activities.
a series of failed attempts at graduate schools
awaiting 7/24 MCAT scores.

Ahhhh, and I now I'll bask in the warm bombardment of sunny rays that will be SDN elitists' comments such as "do you really think medicine is right for you?" and "you have no shot at a US medical school. Give up."

Mmmm I can't wait.

Dont give up! medicine is more than #'s, but rather humanistic qualities, motivation and perseverence! you can do it!

 

[FurmanJon]

oh absolutely--I totally agree. That's why I said all that at the end. If you check out my posts you'll see where I expressed my view on the subject when a fellow SDNer got blasted with some of those comments. 🙂

I'll get in--probably not this year--but I'll be a physician one of these days 🙂 good luck to everyone here.

For those reading this who really *are* underdogs with low numbers, try to smile when someone says you can't do it, and maybe remind them that if they have patients someday, they'll love that attitude from their doctor. 🙄

 

[littlealex]

Ugh, if a 3.7 with a 28 on the MCAT and 2 years of research is an "underdog", I'm never getting in.

 

[Merissa87]

Yep me too. GPA wise, I am an underdog, had a bad 1st year but real STRONG upward trend. Awaiting MCAT scores, but I have TONS of clinical experience, more than most. Been working in Hospitals since I was 14. But i have faith, I will get in somewhere, hopefully in Texas!!!

 

[OCallag]

3.4/31. Helllllllllllllllz yeah.

 

[trichomoniasis]

Ugh, if a 3.7 with a 28 on the MCAT and 2 years of research is an "underdog", I'm never getting in.

I thought you did bitchin' on the 'CAT?

 

[thzone1986]

The main "what are my chances" thread seems to be down. Could ya'll take a look at my stats and let me know how 'underdog' I am? Much appreciated! 🙂

 

[CarolinaGirl]

in. my mcat makes it offical!

 

[CarolinaGirl]

I love how every other post in this thread reprimands someone for not actually being an underdog.

Therefore, mwa ha ha, ...check this out.

2.75 overall (of course, the school to which I am applying adds 0.5 to graduates of my UG institution. Thus, in practicality, 3.25)

is this what MUSC does? wow, i knew Furman had a good rep, just did not realize it was that difficult. How did you find that out? Do they do this for any other school?

 

[littlealex]

I thought you did bitchin' on the 'CAT?

And thus I'm forced to ponder the age old question: does a good MCAT make up for a shotty GPA?

I think not. Not for a California resident.

 

[emquiksilver]

You're far from an underdog with those stats! you're a shoe-in

I beg to differ. My gpa has no upward trend. You might even argue there's a slight downward trend. I'll also have to explain 3 C's.

 

[nka1985]

I beg to differ. My gpa has no upward trend. You might even argue there's a slight downward trend. I'll also have to explain 3 C's.

I was nearly your twin for the last application cycle. 3.39, 3.49 AO and 11, 11, 11 MCAT. No C's in my case, just a lot of B's. You should be okay, especially if you're not a California resident.

 

[badasshairday]

I was nearly your twin for the last application cycle. 3.39, 3.49 AO and 11, 11, 11 MCAT. No C's in my case, just a lot of B's. You should be okay, especially if you're not a California resident.

Are the dates on your MDapps wrong? It looks wrong....

 

[nka1985]

Are the dates on your MDapps wrong? It looks wrong....

No, they're right. I was accepted off a waitlist about 1.5 weeks ago. I was a 2007 applicant, starting school in a few weeks, not a 2008 applicant.

 

[trichomoniasis]

And thus I'm forced to ponder the age old question: does a good MCAT make up for a shotty GPA?

I think not. Not for a California resident.

3.5ao/3.4bcpm 35R worked for me, none of that messy waitlist stuff either.

course if you're after a UC it's more of a timing issue than a qualifications issue (read: early!)

 

[MedStudentWanna]

2.75 overall (of course, the school to which I am applying adds 0.5 to graduates of my UG institution. Thus, in practicality, 3.25)

I've never heard of a school that does anything like that. Are you sure someone isn't telling you a giant fib to up your spirits?

 

[FurmanJon]

good old SDN. Yes, they do it. It is absolutely correct and common knowledge around here, without even having it confirmed by the school, which I have. Probably the only school that does such a thing, and as far as I know, they only do it for two schools (well why wouldn't they do it for jhu or harvard or something like that, you ask? They barely take any OOS at all, and I'm assuming that's the reason).

 

[Sondra]

I am a cheerleader for all underdogs!!!


24M MCAT (9V, 8B, 7P)
3.86 GPA
3.84 BCPM

2 yr+ undergrad ecology research
4 yrs/30hrs/week hospital employee while in undergrad
several clubs w/two officer positions
10 Ws on transcript

Attending University of Mississippi School of Medicine

 

[artaxerxes]

I am a cheerleader for all underdogs!!!


24M MCAT (9V, 8B, 7P)
3.86 GPA
3.84 BCPM

2 yr+ undergrad ecology research
4 yrs/30hrs/week hospital employee while in undergrad
several clubs w/two officer positions
10 Ws on transcript

Attending University of Mississippi School of Medicine

thats some intense volunteering.... 500+ hrs?
10Ws? was there some sort of special circumstance or did you withdraw from every class you didn't get an A in😀

 

[artaxerxes]

Well, having no hospital volunteering and no formal shadowing is just as bad. Try explaining to adcoms that you didn't volunteer or shadow because you were too lazy. I'd rather explain a low GPA or MCAT any day.

*puts both feet down*

completely agree with you on this, which is especially true at interviews.
Bad GPA/MCAT can always be explained away, whereas lack of ECs can't, and during an interview you'll be staring at the adcom with nothing to talk about excpect how your good at taking tests.

on the same note, I'd consider myself an EC underdog.
http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=8592

 

[Funky]

Lets go!
Underdogs!

 

[Funky]

Speed of lightning, roar of thunder,
Fighting all who rob or plunder
Underdog, Underdog.

 

[Surf Rx]

on the same note, I'd consider myself an EC underdog.
http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=8592

Yeah, I don't think you'll get in anywhere with those stats and ECs.

 

[EyeballLove]

thats some intense volunteering.... 500+ hrs?
10Ws? was there some sort of special circumstance or did you withdraw from every class you didn't get an A in😀

500+ hours is possible. I have 700+hours alone at a hospital plus other stuff...but even those hours won't salvage my GPA...sigh.... ::cries::

 

[artaxerxes]

500+ hours is possible. I have 700+hours alone at a hospital plus other stuff...but even those hours won't salvage my GPA...sigh.... ::cries::

here's the thing though, did you think your GPA suffered from that much volunteering?

I mean at even 30/wk as the other person posted, thats basically a full time job if you count the commute to and from. Add to that, social activities, research (I did about 20-25 hrs of research/wk in undergrad, but part of it was for credit), eating, sleeping, clubs/leadership, I don't see how someones academics doesn't suffer.

 

[artaxerxes]

Yeah, I don't think you'll get in anywhere with those stats and ECs.

man, my ECs suck.....
and the thing I don't think a lot of people get is that once your at the interview stage, grades and mcat doesn't really matter. What you talk about, which is going to come from your EC are going to be what matters.

 

[87138]

man, my ECs suck.....
and the thing I don't think a lot of people get is that once your at the interview stage, grades and mcat doesn't really matter. What you talk about, which is going to come from your EC are going to be what matters.

You and I/most of the pre-med community have a discrepancy between what is considered "good ECs" and what is not.