Underdogs applying now.....

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Ok. Feeling better about this application cycle. 29/3.23, 3.28 BCPM, totally hosed by craptacular grades from 20 years ago, but started over and graduated with dual science degree. Had an interview at VCU ( 😀 !). But Drexel, Temple, Vermont, Colorado, MCW, and Albany have all been black holes of nothingness post-secondary (and all complete by 9/1). Colorado's even my state school. *sigh*

At least no MD rejections yet.
 
shoal said:
33/ 3.6 (3.2 BCPM) I totally feel like an underdog now. Complete 3 weeks, no interviews - nothing besides 2 rejections. 5 Schools left, and totally feeling like a long shot.

Heres the best to everyone. Totally no BS about completing early - really wish I would have taken that advice.
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I'd apply to more schools if I were you..
 
INTERVIEW AT WAKE FOREST BABY!!!! YESSSSSSSSSS!!!! :wow:

:clap: :hardy: :clap: :hardy: :clap: :hardy: :clap: :hardy: :clap:
 
Nakhrewali said:
bump

Do any of the underdogs here have interviews? If so, list em! (and CONGRATS!). 👍
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I am a true underdog: 24 MCAT, 3.7 GPA, non-trad
I did get an interview at Iowa and I am hoping my August MCAT scores will relieve me of my underdog status. Good luck to everyone!
 
Well, I suppose being a 44- or 45-year old applicant (when I apply in 2008-2009) with a current GPA of 3.5ish would qualify me as an underdog. I'm in an informal post-bacc now, so if I keep doing well, my GPA should improve, albeit slowly.
 
eccles1214 said:
Well, I suppose being a 44- or 45-year old applicant (when I apply in 2008-2009) with a current GPA of 3.5ish would qualify me as an underdog. I'm in an informal post-bacc now, so if I keep doing well, my GPA should improve, albeit slowly.
Click to expand...

Being older should only help you through this process - I know it's helped me. Good Luck!
 
how are my dogs doing? bumpbump
 
southpaux said:
how are my dogs doing? bumpbump
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Well, some have said I didn't belong here, but according to the original post I belong as someone with a strange set of numbers (3.2 overall, 2.88 BPCM, 36 MCAT). I got my USUHS acceptance on the phone this weekend and in the mail today. So there's hope with a low GPA!

Good luck!
 
is there hope with low mcat? heh

mcat >>> GPA
 
I think I would qualify myself as an underdog: 3.6 GPA (both overall and nonscience). My April 2005 MCAT was an 18Q, August 2005 was a 25M... I do NOT know what happened in the writing section! 😡
 
big underdog right here. i got a 27 twice. 19 the first time....

3.5 with 3.45 bcpm.

no interviews yet. im scared crapless.
 
I'm an underdog as well:
3.25 overall/ 3.3 bcpm
30M - MCAT

I was hoping to compensate for the low gpa with a higher MCAT, but oh well...here's hoping!!!
 
I ended up with a 28O on the August MCAT, which was an improvement over my 25R in April. I have a 3.89 GPA, so hopefully that gets me some brownie points.

I originally received two interviews with my April MCAT score. Now that my August scores are in and are 3 points higher, I will hopefully get some more interviews. :scared:
 
I feel like an underdog. At first glance, my stats look like they're anywhere from OK to pretty good:

MCAT: 35R
Sci GPA: 3.51
Overall GPA: 3.48

Sounds ok, right? Now consider this:
1. Limited volunteer experience (worked at hospital surgical recovery room(3 months), volunteered for maybe 10 hours at trauma center, work part time at family practice clinic for disadvantaged patients (a mere 4.5 months so far) )
2. On my academic record: 2 F's, one in accounting, one in Elementary calculus (which I later retook and got an A), several C's and D's in gen ed classes.
3. I started college in 1997! Went to school until 2001, when I dropped out for 2 years. Last 3 semester before I dropped out, I saw a gradual decline in academic performance.
4. Had 6 undergraduate majors total.
5. STILL HAVEN'T GRADUATED!!! Will graduate in Summer 06.

To brighten up this picture, I include these facts:
1. Since I came back to school in 2003, I've been on Dean's list almost every semester.
2. When I retook elem calculus, the teacher wrote me a letter of rec (hope that proves that I've come around in the BCMP area)
3. My other sciences are all A's (and a smattering of B's)

I feel like an underdog because of my wacky path through undergrad college. Seems like I had a difficult time with school, but I really didn't...I was just confused, and non-commital. That is not the case now, which I hope the MCAT and recent upward trend in GPA will show to some degree.

Hang in there everyone...not everyone with good/decent numbers are a shoe-in (as my case is probably evidence of). I can only hope that I'll make up for it during the interview.

Peace
 
bengland said:
I feel like an underdog. At first glance, my stats look like they're anywhere from OK to pretty good:

MCAT: 35R
Sci GPA: 3.51
Overall GPA: 3.48

Sounds ok, right? Now consider this:
1. Limited volunteer experience (worked at hospital surgical recovery room(3 months), volunteered for maybe 10 hours at trauma center, work part time at family practice clinic for disadvantaged patients (a mere 4.5 months so far) )
2. On my academic record: 2 F's, one in accounting, one in Elementary calculus (which I later retook and got an A), several C's and D's in gen ed classes.
3. I started college in 1997! Went to school until 2001, when I dropped out for 2 years. Last 3 semester before I dropped out, I saw a gradual decline in academic performance.
4. Had 6 undergraduate majors total.
5. STILL HAVEN'T GRADUATED!!! Will graduate in Summer 06.

To brighten up this picture, I include these facts:
1. Since I came back to school in 2003, I've been on Dean's list almost every semester.
2. When I retook elem calculus, the teacher wrote me a letter of rec (hope that proves that I've come around in the BCMP area)
3. My other sciences are all A's (and a smattering of B's)

I feel like an underdog because of my wacky path through undergrad college. Seems like I had a difficult time with school, but I really didn't...I was just confused, and non-commital. That is not the case now, which I hope the MCAT and recent upward trend in GPA will show to some degree.

Hang in there everyone...not everyone with good/decent numbers are a shoe-in (as my case is probably evidence of). I can only hope that I'll make up for it during the interview.

Peace
Click to expand...

wow, when i first started reading your post, i was getting angry because your numbers were great. but then when i talked about the Fs and the distractinos, i sympathize with you man.

what's important is that you got everything back on track. im happy for you man and good luck with apps.
 
DaMota said:
quick question - do schools give a flying f*ck if you did volunteer work at a hospital (500+ hours) if it was during high school? should it even be listed in AMCAS?
-mota
Click to expand...

I did it. However, it was to show that I used that experience as a stepping stone to joining a clinic. I think it shows that you have had a genuine interest in medicine for some time and wasnt just a career you chose a few semesters ago. Hope this helps.
 
dmtang2 said:
wow, when i first started reading your post, i was getting angry because your numbers were great. but then when i talked about the Fs and the distractinos, i sympathize with you man.

what's important is that you got everything back on track. im happy for you man and good luck with apps.
Click to expand...


Seriously, I know it's bad, but is it still surmountable? Sorry to turn this into a whiny "do I have a chance" segment of this thread, but am I screwed? I was hoping that the high MCAT/modest GPA, in concert with the positive outcome of my recent return to school (my comeback, if you will), would outweigh my less-than-savory early years. I can handle being an underdog - I couldn't stand being a "dead" dog.
 
bengland said:
Seriously, I know it's bad, but is it still surmountable? Sorry to turn this into a whiny "do I have a chance" segment of this thread, but am I screwed? I was hoping that the high MCAT/modest GPA, in concert with the positive outcome of my recent return to school (my comeback, if you will), would outweigh my less-than-savory early years. I can handle being an underdog - I couldn't stand being a "dead" dog.
Click to expand...


Who knows, this story may work to your advantage. Med schools often like to hear about "unique" stories.
 
MoosePilot said:
Well, some have said I didn't belong here, but according to the original post I belong as someone with a strange set of numbers (3.2 overall, 2.88 BPCM, 36 MCAT). I got my USUHS acceptance on the phone this weekend and in the mail today. So there's hope with a low GPA!

Good luck!
Click to expand...

oh YAY moosepilot! congrats to you! your numbers are similar to mine, so I'm hoping that means good things for me as well 🙂

keep the faith!

still crossing fingers for interviews though 🙄
 
Underdog here. I have a 3.85 GPA (BPCM: 3.87) with a 29R MCAT. I didnt have a problem with knowing the material for the MCAT, but it was just learning how to take it that I had a hard time with. Is there anything I can tell/show adcoms so it doesnt look like my GPA is inflated? I have won many scholastic awards, have sweet LORs, extensive medical ECs. Any ideas?
 
I didn't think i was an underdog until i read this thread

3.05 science
3.62 overall
31Q MCAT
getting MS Biology (so far straight A's in master's program, but won't get final grades till Dec.)
4 years volunteer as Rape crisis counselor at hospital
volunteer at community clinic
some research, no pubs
lots of EC's in college
 
bengland said:
I feel like an underdog. At first glance, my stats look like they're anywhere from OK to pretty good:

MCAT: 35R
Sci GPA: 3.51
Overall GPA: 3.48

Sounds ok, right? Now consider this:
1. Limited volunteer experience (worked at hospital surgical recovery room(3 months), volunteered for maybe 10 hours at trauma center, work part time at family practice clinic for disadvantaged patients (a mere 4.5 months so far) )
2. On my academic record: 2 F's, one in accounting, one in Elementary calculus (which I later retook and got an A), several C's and D's in gen ed classes.
3. I started college in 1997! Went to school until 2001, when I dropped out for 2 years. Last 3 semester before I dropped out, I saw a gradual decline in academic performance.
4. Had 6 undergraduate majors total.
5. STILL HAVEN'T GRADUATED!!! Will graduate in Summer 06.

To brighten up this picture, I include these facts:
1. Since I came back to school in 2003, I've been on Dean's list almost every semester.
2. When I retook elem calculus, the teacher wrote me a letter of rec (hope that proves that I've come around in the BCMP area)
3. My other sciences are all A's (and a smattering of B's)

I feel like an underdog because of my wacky path through undergrad college. Seems like I had a difficult time with school, but I really didn't...I was just confused, and non-commital. That is not the case now, which I hope the MCAT and recent upward trend in GPA will show to some degree.

Hang in there everyone...not everyone with good/decent numbers are a shoe-in (as my case is probably evidence of). I can only hope that I'll make up for it during the interview.

Peace
Click to expand...


I can top that, heh

MCAT 28M (crammed two weeks cuz I didn't know I had to take it this year in order to apply for '06 entrance, I thought I could take it next April!)
GPA 3.0? (I don't even know, I've been in 6 schools)
Just started volunteering two weeks ago
Just finished PRIMARY App. 2 weeks ago
Personal statement = joke ( wrote it in 2 hours)
The only experiences on application: Paid positions, i.e. Real Estate, Loans, etc.


What do I have to tell the admissions officers about my crappy #'s? Hardship? No. Trauma? No. Lazy, unmotivated jackass? Bingo.

Why the hell am I applying? I must be the dumbest dumba$s around.
 
I'm not an underdog, maybe just a plain old dooaaggg.
 
still an underdog. still no interviews.
-mota
 
mhosseini said:
I didn't think i was an underdog until i read this thread

3.05 science
3.62 overall
31Q MCAT
getting MS Biology (so far straight A's in master's program, but won't get final grades till Dec.)
4 years volunteer as Rape crisis counselor at hospital
volunteer at community clinic
some research, no pubs
lots of EC's in college
Click to expand...


Though I'm not applying this cycle (waiting a year to pump up my grad GPA/voluteer experience/exposure), I am right there w/ you. My GPA was reversed (higher science, 3.05 overall), and dual/double science major. About the same MCAT. I recently decided to try the medical route and am building the rest up.
Not that I know that much about applying and being accepted (yet 😀), but I had a thought. I think your info looks good, but some sort of publication would REALLY do you good. That's what I'm hoping for anyway.
In any case, this thread is really encouraging to me as I start the app process. I know it sounds hokey, but a positive attitude really does a lot for your confidence, which does a lot for communication, as well as overall presence, at interviews. Even though we're "underdogs", we've worked hard for this. I'm anxious to see how you all do this cycle.
Best of luck to you all! 👍 👍 :luck:
 
SearsTower said:
I can top that, heh

MCAT 28M (crammed two weeks cuz I didn't know I had to take it this year in order to apply for '06 entrance, I thought I could take it next April!)
GPA 3.0? (I don't even know, I've been in 6 schools)
Just started volunteering two weeks ago
Just finished PRIMARY App. 2 weeks ago
Personal statement = joke ( wrote it in 2 hours)
The only experiences on application: Paid positions, i.e. Real Estate, Loans, etc.


What do I have to tell the admissions officers about my crappy #'s? Hardship? No. Trauma? No. Lazy, unmotivated jackass? Bingo.

Why the hell am I applying? I must be the dumbest dumba$s around.
Click to expand...

Not dissimilar for me...downward turn came because I was working as a network engineer, getting paid well, but working lots of hours...school became less and less of a priority, as I became motivated to put my effort into work not into the books.

I've been told by a bio prof at my university that it's possible to sell the paid positions, assuming the following:
1. Was a "career" type job
2. Was prepared to leave job (forsake career) for a career in medicine
3. Once the lights came on (desire to be a doc), prove that you're smart enough to come to Jesus (so to speak) and follow the high road to med school.

That's exactly what I did...I left the job and thrust myself and the wife into pseudo-poverty so that nothing would interfere with my studies. This even was part of the focus of my personal statement, which is little more than a well-written apology for why I've took ONE MILLION YEARS to graduate!

Feel ya on this, though I think we can turn it around to be an advantage. After all, it takes maturity to make it in the real world and then risk it all for a chance to get into medical school...we may just see this through.

Good luck to you and all.
B
 
DaMota said:
still an underdog. still no interviews.
-mota
Click to expand...

still an underdog (mediocre mcat, blah GPA) and i was waitlisted last year at two schools.
now i am reapplying to a bunch more, and i have two interviews, two holds, and lots of silence.
I don't know if I can take another year of waiting only to end up acceptance-less!
 
boys and girls, first MD acceptance today and i am FOR SURE an underdog! one D and 3 Cs, none retaken..click the mdapps link to see how it's all going down. there is hope!!
 
crys20 said:
boys and girls, first MD acceptance today and i am FOR SURE an underdog! one D and 3 Cs, none retaken..click the mdapps link to see how it's all going down. there is hope!!
Click to expand...
Congrats!!! i feel encouraged!!
 
I'm so damn nervous about this crap but I guess everyone else is too. Can't wait until April... Can't wait to hear from Northwestern. (Stats in signature)
 
I'm so damn nervous about this crap but I guess everyone else is too. Can't wait until April... Can't wait to hear from Northwestern. (Stats in signature)
 
I'm so damn nervous about this crap but I guess everyone else is too. Can't wait until April... Can't wait to hear from Northwestern. (Stats in signature)
 
Congrats!!! i feel encouraged!!
Click to expand...

THANK YOU! You SHOULD feel encouraged, your numbers are SO similar to mine. You don't have to be an SDN-type genuis to get even early acceptances! I know it sucks, but for sure something is gonna happen for you if you wait it out. 🙂 Good luck!

Crystal
 
thank you! 🙂 i truly have been one to really work soo hard to make this happen....honestly it's sooo true that hard work pays off and you'll eventually get rewarded...i did and i know you will too guys trust me it is stil sooo early in the process.
 
MoosePilot said:
Well, some have said I didn't belong here, but according to the original post I belong as someone with a strange set of numbers (3.2 overall, 2.88 BPCM, 36 MCAT). I got my USUHS acceptance on the phone this weekend and in the mail today. So there's hope with a low GPA!

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Congratulations Moose! :clap:
 
crys20 said:
boys and girls, first MD acceptance today and i am FOR SURE an underdog! one D and 3 Cs, none retaken..click the mdapps link to see how it's all going down. there is hope!!
Click to expand...

Congrats!!!

The dogs are barking - good to hear!! :horns:
 
AhhhhHHHH. I would just like to hear back from a few schools, one would be fine. One in a month, even if it is a rejection. Being in limbo is as bad as it gets. I feel totally like an underdog like da moto. I knew my 3 Cs in chemistry was going to hurt me during my freshman, sophmore years, which I have had As and only a few Bs since.

so frusterating
 
Would a lack of service ECs/volunteer work fall under this category? I have a decent GPA, and I'm taking my MCATs later, but I have very little medicine-related ECs and volunteer work. I'm trying to get volunteer work processed right now, but it seems more like I'll have to get my research and volunteer work done in the spring of my junior year. I wish I found this site sooner 🙁
 
I feel you guys. I have a 3.1 and a 30 mcat. Im a CS major with loads of clinical experience, but i do not think i have been considered because of my gpa. I recently decided to apply to Ross University in the Caribbean. Wish me luck...
 
Hello all, super underdawg here!!! Ive received one interview, and 2 rejections lol. But I still have a few more apps to go🙂 Good luck to you all!!
 
PreMedPeter said:
I feel you guys. I have a 3.1 and a 30 mcat. Im a CS major with loads of clinical experience, but i do not think i have been considered because of my gpa. I recently decided to apply to Ross University in the Caribbean. Wish me luck...
Click to expand...

Good Luck :luck:


Received my first (hopefully last) post-interview smackdown today! Yay me.

Yep, no love from my state school UW. Wake Forest interview in three weeks though...
 
LabMonster said:
Good Luck :luck:


Received my first (hopefully last) post-interview smackdown today! Yay me.

Yep, no love from my state school UW. Wake Forest interview in three weeks though...
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about UW. And you thought the interview went so well too. Well like you said, at least you have the Wake Forest interview coming up. As an underdog rejected from them pre-secondary, I wish you the best of luck! :luck:
 
DrPersistent said:
Hello all, super underdawg here!!! Ive received one interview, and 2 rejections lol. But I still have a few more apps to go🙂 Good luck to you all!!
Click to expand...
Me too! One interview, no rejections yet, but I still claim that they are finding the right way to word "you've got to be f**king kidding me!"
 
gd, this is too weird. I also have had only one interview, and just got my first rejection two days ago from MCW. Not one whisper from any other allo schools so far. And we're doing the same household projects. 🙂
 
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