I do know people have gotten taken off the waitlist as late as July/August in recent years. I do know that with the class increase this year there may be more waitlist movement but I suppose that depends on how many acceptances they give out and who decides to attend... Sorry but I don't have any actual numbers to contribute.... Best of luck!

Hey everyone,

I'm a current CCOM'er (class of 2012) and I've skimmed the posts here. I remember the pre-medical days quite well and the anxieties and such that go along with the whole process.

As JHild above offered, please let me know if you have any questions about the school. I can throw down some truths here based off of what I read.

1) Definitely have some warm clothes for your interview as it's getting quite chilly here.
2) CCOM does have access to great rotation sites as some of the premier hospitals around the Chicago area. If you're looking for opportunites as a specialist I'd consider this in your desicion.
3) Classes are brutal here. That's not to say they're impossible but they do demand quite a bit of time investment. That sounds like an obvious statement but you'd be surprised at some people's reaction to the work. There is an emphasis at CCOM to push the class hard with frequent testing. It's a double edged sword as it is at once nervewracking and rewarding. I feel I'm learning a vast amount in a short amount of time and credit my frequent tests for that.
4) The anatomy department faculty are, in my humble opinion, second to none. It's difficult to find a collection of extraordinarily qualified professors who are willing to go to extreme lengths to have their students become masters in their field. The faculty here are not easy--there's no handouts--and their tests are exceedingly difficult, but they do not kid around about the open door policy and are quite available for questions and instruction should students need it. Needless to say I'm very impressed with my profs :D.
5) The grounds of the school are nice. Yep, there's a baseball field and, well, lots of fields in general. It's a pretty campus in a nice part of town so there's that.
6) For brownie points, refer to it as "Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine" as it's the founding college of Midwestern University. For extra style points don't say "C-kom" but rather "c-c-oh-em". They don't like the previous for some reason.
7) Yes, both Midway and O'Hare are haggard airports. O'Hare might edge out Midway for a bigger headache in my opinion but they're almost equidistant from the campus. Note from personal experience: if you do choose to fly out of Midway, and have a GPS device, take care not to set it to 'avoid tollways' as it will invariably take you through some scary neighborhoods.
8) Use the Midwestern.edu online Interact Now site. Strangely enough we don't use it as students but I remember well using it quite often as an applicant. You can also network with current students and submit a letter of sincere interest in the school via the program (every bit helps).
9) Don't worry about timing the mail from MWU. I'm not sure how the mail leaves this place but it's never on time. There are numerous stories of letters being mailed two weeks later than they were postmarked (in my case my acceptance letter) and I'm not sure if it's the school's fault. The whole postal system around here seems a bit off.
10) If you have the opportunity to squeak in a Biochemistry course (as it's not required) I'd highly suggest doing so this upcoming spring semester. That and molecular genetics have been the two most helpful courses that I'd taken in my undergrad transitioning to medical school.


There you have it. I need to return to the Biochemistry--speaking of which we have a final tomorrow--that I'd put on hold for too long :cool:.

Let us know if you have any other questions or if I missed something. Good luck everyone.

*thumbs up*

Thanks Xamwell that was a good post and answered some pretty good questions!

So, apparently the committee will meet sometime towards the end of this week to decide our fates, good luck to everyone who interviewed in past 4 weeks.

So, apparently the committee will meet sometime towards the end of this week to decide our fates, good luck to everyone who interviewed in past 4 weeks.


yep...they said we should get a decision right around thanksgiving. Is it email or snail mail?

when did you interview brodie?
i interviewed on friday and they told us we should hear around middle of december...
as far as interview experience, mine was pretty bad
the interviewers weren't inviting and didn't ask any follow up questions to my responses
but its also impossible to judge what they thought so I guess i'll just wait it out

You can find the outcome sooner if you go on the website and try to access matriculation agreement/payment. I was able to access mine about a week and a half before I received my letter.

Good luck everyone!:thumbup:

when did you interview brodie?
i interviewed on friday and they told us we should hear around middle of december...
as far as interview experience, mine was pretty bad
the interviewers weren't inviting and didn't ask any follow up questions to my responses
but its also impossible to judge what they thought so I guess i'll just wait it out


nov 6th. Sorry to hear about your interview experience. I thought the day went quite well (except getting soaked on the campus tour!) Really liked that the interviews were conducted first thing in the morning as I am more of a morning person. I will concur though that the interviewers "kept their cards close" and did not give many hints as to what their impression of the interview was. i wouldn't necessarily interpret that as "non-inviting", just more formal.

3) Classes are brutal here. That's not to say they're impossible but they do demand quite a bit of time investment. That sounds like an obvious statement but you'd be surprised at some people's reaction to the work. There is an emphasis at CCOM to push the class hard with frequent testing. It's a double edged sword as it is at once nervewracking and rewarding. I feel I'm learning a vast amount in a short amount of time and credit my frequent tests for that.


I would much rather do tests less often than not... At both AZCOM and CCOM the test schedule really is brutal, there is at least one or two tests every week! On the one hand, it might keep me on track, so I don't procrastinate.... I am terrible at that...

Is that what it is like at other schools too? At least one test every Monday morning at 7:00?

I will concur though that the interviewers "kept their cards close" and did not give many hints as to what their impression of the interview was. i wouldn't necessarily interpret that as "non-inviting", just more formal.

It really didn't have to do with them being too formal or anything, let me explain.
They took me into the interview room, said Hi, I sat down and the first question was "tell us who you are". Well...ok...so I spoke for a couple minutes them paused expecting them to ask a follow up or another question, but I got nothing. Then I went on for a few more mins and every couple mins I'd pause to see if they were going to say anything. Then after a solid 10 mins of this, I just stopped talking. The next question they had didn't have anything to do with my reply, hey maybe my reply was just that great, but they didn't make any comments on it. They asked me a total of 4 questions, then asked me if I had any questions for them. It was the strangest interview I have ever been on.

Don't count yourself out if your interview wasn't stellar in terms of your walk-away feeling. I remember thinking the same thing and when I brought up the fact that I wished I'd taken microbiology as an undergrad, I found out soon thereafter that one of my interviewers was a microbiology professor :(.

A quick tip for those waiting for their acceptance letters, if you check in with that "InteractNow" thing it might give you a hint. In my case, I was eagerly awaiting the letter and did not see anything for several weeks. At some point I happened to check my InteractNow site and the background had changed to "Welcome to CCOM" or something like that. I too could access the matriculation paperwork but did not recieve my official letter in the mail for something like two weeks after that change.

And, as I said, the testing schedule is brutal indeed, but it's designed to rule out procrastination. If you procrastinate in the bigger classes--especially anatomy--you're set to bomb the first big test no matter how much you try to catch up with cramming. There's too much material and their questions are too detailed. You can look at it as the AA of procrastination coming through this program; hopefully they effect a cure :meanie:.

Xamwell can you comment on the frequency of tests as well as the days and times which they are usually scheduled? Thanks!

Xamwell can you comment on the frequency of tests as well as the days and times which they are usually scheduled? Thanks!

They gave us this year's schedule, and there really was at least one test every Monday morning at 7:00. About half the time there was one test, about half the time there were two tests. Like clockwork.

It seems like it's much the same at AZCOM, and my friend there said that weekends were pretty hellish.

Xamwell, can you confirm this? And as to how most people feel about this schedule? Thanks for all of the input by the way.

I'd say we had a test on 85% of the Mondays. That's concerning bigger tests. There were also weekly quizzes in Biochemistry and an assorted quiz here and there for other classes. That being said, you have the schedule for the tests far in advance so you can plan your time. I wouldn't call the weekends hellish. If you keep up with your reading and studying you'll have free time on the weekends. I'd say we jump into the city for a Friday or Saturday night every other weekend or so. Sure, if you don't keep up this won't be possible, but if you apply yourself daily to studies you'll free up a night on the weekend.

Doing so is a good thing concerning all the fun Chicago has to offer :)

Hey Bruce,

Regarding feelings towards the schedule it's a mixed bag. Everyone agrees that it's a difficult itenerary but most see it as acceptable. Some would prefer much more at-home study time/less time spent in lectures. Very few have voiced the opinion that it's unfair or impossible and if they have I'd call it a far from accurate opinon. Many aren't used to devoting this much time to class but it's not so bad once your routine sets in.

Does that get your questions?

I'd say we had a test on 85% of the Mondays. That's concerning bigger tests. There were also weekly quizzes in Biochemistry and an assorted quiz here and there for other classes. That being said, you have the schedule for the tests far in advance so you can plan your time. I wouldn't call the weekends hellish. If you keep up with your reading and studying you'll have free time on the weekends. I'd say we jump into the city for a Friday or Saturday night every other weekend or so. Sure, if you don't keep up this won't be possible, but if you apply yourself daily to studies you'll free up a night on the weekend.

Doing so is a good thing concerning all the fun Chicago has to offer :)

Thanks! Another question... Are lectures required? If not, are there note takers and are the lectures avail. online? Are there a lot of people that don't attend the lectures?

Lectures are definitely not required...and I know that there are notes available. Very helpful if you're not the lecture type and would rather learn on your own. I fit into that category myself.

Xamwell, not to bombard you with questions but at AZCOM I know the professors print off the notes and each student is provided with a copy of them in their mailbox prior to class. I think that would be pretty convenient and save some $ in printing costs. Is this the case there?

Also a note taking service was mentioned. How does this work? And are any copies of the audio or video of lectures available to students?

Thanks!

Xamwell, not to bombard you with questions...

And who is the Prime Minister of Japan and what is the square root of 475? Haha, really though, thanks for all of your help on this, Xamwell!!

I completed my application in September.... How long will this take!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????

I know how you feel g5chand. I also been complete since september and I still have not heard back from midwestern.

I know how you feel g5chand. I also been complete since september and I still have not heard back from midwestern.

I think my MCAT is borderline too... 3.71 overall, 3.61 science... 24O MCAT. I do have good ECs and good LORs though. How are you sittin' if you don't mind me asking?

I couldn't tell you what day of the week it is at this point, let alone what a square root is in general :). Seriously, I have to remember how to tie my shoes in the morning.

Lectures are "half-required". By that I mean that there are some classes that require you to be at lecture (Biochem/OMM/ICM) but others that do not (Anatomy/Histology/etc...) So there you have it. In some cases it's up to you, in others it isn't.

In some classes we're given notes and in others we buy them for the printing fee--which isn't too bad. The notes are quite comprehensive and although you'll need an anatomy atlas and perhaps a biochemistry study book, I've been getting by without buying other books and whatsuch. I check them out from the library and study on campus and haven't had much of a problem with that.

Am I forgetting something? :idea:

There's no note taking service that I know of but that's because they give you the notes ahead of lecture. Many lectures are available online and, as an aside, I don't know what sort of workshop the profs took but they're all ridiculously proficient with powerpoint. I didn't even know half the features used existed (and I don't mean that car-screechy noise when a bullet point flies across the screen).

There are multimedia what-have-yous for classes. I used the histology lectures on video extensively for practicals' studying. Um... There's also dissection videos but I haven't felt the need to check them out.

And many people attend lectures ~ 70%

I couldn't tell you what day of the week it is at this point, let alone what a square root is in general :). Seriously, I have to remember how to tie my shoes in the morning.

Lectures are "half-required". By that I mean that there are some classes that require you to be at lecture (Biochem/OMM/ICM) but others that do not (Anatomy/Histology/etc...) So there you have it. In some cases it's up to you, in others it isn't.

In some classes we're given notes and in others we buy them for the printing fee--which isn't too bad. The notes are quite comprehensive and although you'll need an anatomy atlas and perhaps a biochemistry study book, I've been getting by without buying other books and whatsuch. I check them out from the library and study on campus and haven't had much of a problem with that.

Am I forgetting something? :idea:

Thanks a ton! You have been more than helpful.

Yes thank you Xamwell! We are just craving any information!

Yes thank you Xamwell! We are just craving any information!

I just watched life aquatic last night teamzissou...one of my all time favs!!

Hahahaha yes!!!! I love Bill's dry humor in it. It's definitely not your usual comedy but I dig it. I switched my avatar so people would get where Zissou was from.

Side note... I know you interviewed at CCOM, RVU, and Western. How did you think the three compared?

Hahahaha yes!!!! I love Bill's dry humor in it. It's definitely not your usual comedy but I dig it. I switched my avatar so people would get where Zissou was from.

Side note... I know you interviewed at CCOM, RVU, and Western. How did you think the three compared?

Well, my interview at RVU is not till mid-december and i look forward to it, but I have already been to CCOM and Western.

They are both TOP schools, probably the most impressive academic-wise that I have been to. They are both roughly the same price too, although LA might be a tad more expensive living-wise. Western flaunted their high test scores and impressive matching spots, however I didn't like the campus one bit. It used to be a strip mall that they have since converted to a medical school. It is extremely disjointed and I got the feeling that the atmosphere is a little more uptight as far as academia is concerned. Everyone seemed 'all business' that I ran into. CCOM, on the other hand was much more relaxed, their campus was beautiful, and their academics were just as respectable. At both places, much the same at most schools, you will get out of it what you put in. Both schools are located relatively the same distance from the big cities nearby..and Ive gotta tell ya, after living in LA for 3 years I would MUCH rather tough out the cold in Chicago because it seems so much better!! After just 3 days there I knew that it looked better, you could breathe cleaner air, and it is much less crowded. I would pick CCOM hands down over Western. Some people like the things I just described about western though, so it is really what is best for the applicant.

hope this gives a little insight!

ps-western also indirectly badmouthed a few of the schools that I had enjoyed very much..major turn-off

I know how you feel g5chand. I also been complete since september and I still have not heard back from midwestern.

Me too! I don't know why its taking this long!! I feel my stats are pretty strong and I have a degree from a very competitive school. I also have interviews set up at places I applied to much later. I tried to call, but alas, no status checks over the phone. I am thinking of sending an email, just to make sure they have everything....I dont know!

ccom sends you an email when your file is complete
so if you havn't received that yet, something is missing

I submitte my secondary early in september and still haven't heard anything either. Feeling ignored, boo.

ccom sends you an email when your file is complete
so if you havn't received that yet, something is missing

I received that email on September 26th. But it sounds like a lot of people are still waiting, so that makes me feel a little better. I think its so interesting (and nerve wracking) how different schools can be, or how different each person's experience at one school can be in terms of how long they wait to hear back.

Well, just called admissions. I interviewed on 10.23.08, and still no word. An admissions employee said that the committee meets this week, but that the dean has to sign off on their decisions; she suggested that information will be sent out in the first week of December.

Real quickly, can any current student explain what exactly the super high tuition is spent on?

Do you feel that the high tuition is warranted since the school is not even located in the downtown area? Seems like a downtown tuition price for a suburb school.

I've heard a lot of great things about CCOM and I have an interview there very soon. Although I'd love to come live in Chicago, I've got acceptances from other schools and CCOM's price-tag is huge. (From out of state)

Any input or influence would be appreciated. I just don't want to be scared off from a great school because of money.

So I guess they meet tomorrow to decide our fates? Will they update the status page online before sending out letters? I'm getting anxious...

Yup I was able to access the matriculation agreement page about 2 weeks before I received my letter.... But it didn't update until about a week after the adcom met because the dean has to sign off on the acceptances first.

hang in there!:thumbup:

Real quickly, can any current student explain what exactly the super high tuition is spent on?

Do you feel that the high tuition is warranted since the school is not even located in the downtown area? Seems like a downtown tuition price for a suburb school.

I've heard a lot of great things about CCOM and I have an interview there very soon. Although I'd love to come live in Chicago, I've got acceptances from other schools and CCOM's price-tag is huge. (From out of state)

Any input or influence would be appreciated. I just don't want to be scared off from a great school because of money.

jhunt11, I'm not a current student, so please ignore me if you wish.

What numbers are you looking at exactly? From what I know, CCOM's out-of-state tuition is about the same as every other school's tuition in the Chicago area (except for UIC, but that's a state funded institution). Loyola, Rosalind Franklin, UChicago, Northwestern, Rush -- all of these are in the mid $30K range or higher. CCOM is listed as being about $44K a year for an out of state student. I think its tuition falls somewhere in between all of those Chicago schools (UC & NW ~ 35K | RF~50K | RUSH~60K).

As for location, its not where the school is located that matters, you're going to be cooped up at a desk the first two years anyway. Its where the clinical rotations are done that is important. CCCOM has all of its clinical rotation sites in Chicago, meaning you will be exposed to a diverse population. In my opinion, that's going to give you some great experience.

Aside from all of that, there is one reason that comes to mind for why the tuition is high. When I interviewed there, the school's dean told us that all rotation preceptors were paid. So, unlike the physicians at academic institutions that essentially are teaching you for free, the physicians you interact with during your rotations will all have a monetary incentive to see that you receive a solid learning experience. I'm sure some of the extra tuition money goes into paying for this. I hope this gave you a bit of a different perspective.

So are we sure they are meeting today? I interviewed Nov. 6th. I hope the status page is updated before Thanksgiving break. I don't know how much longer I can wait....:scared:

So are we sure they are meeting today? I interviewed Nov. 6th. I hope the status page is updated before Thanksgiving break. I don't know how much longer I can wait....:scared:


I know what you mean. I hope they meet, but even if they do I'm afraid that we won't know anything until the beginning of December due to the week-long Thanksgiving break.

Took me about a full month before I got my acceptance because the admissions committee met the Thursday before my interview.

With regards to housing do most first years live on campus or off campus? I'll want a place by myself that's convienent for getting to class and working out but at the same time I'm hesitant about moving back into a dorm after all these years. Would any current CCOMers have any suggestions about good/decent priced housing?

With regards to housing do most first years live on campus or off campus? I'll want a place by myself that's convienent for getting to class and working out but at the same time I'm hesitant about moving back into a dorm after all these years. Would any current CCOMers have any suggestions about good/decent priced housing?


The vast majority of students are off campus. I'm on campus, and I don't regret living in the dorm my first year (it's very, very convenient and always keeps you in the mind set of school), but I'll be moving off next year.

I think the people who are happiest with their living situations right now are the ones who elected to find a nice place close to campus with roommates. It's way too early to worry about that stuff now, but come April if you're CCOM bound, you might want to poke around via here or facebook to find a roommate or two. It's the Chicago suburbs...so pricing isn't cheap, but it's not out of control.

Is it too late to apply now?

CCOM wasn't on my original list of schools because I had a guaranteed interview at AZCOM and would have preferred attending there a couple months ago, but my sig. other just found a new job in the Chicago area, which makes AZCOM very unappealing now.

And does anyone know if being enrolled in Midwestern's SMP (Glendale campus) have any bearing on interview/admissions at CCOM like it does at AZCOM?

Thank you.

I don't think its too late. Also the secondary is nearly identical to that of AZCOM's so it shouldn't take you too long.

Go for it!

Anyone interviewing on December 2nd?

Can anyone give me an idea of comparing UIC to CCOM? I've just gotten in to UIC, but I scheduled a 1/09 interview at CCOM. I didn't interview @ Chicago's campus for UIC, so I figured visiting could really help, and I'd get to see a school I've heard good things about....

Putting the DO vs. MD issue completely aside, if you're in-state for tuition and you get the Chicago campus for UIC, CCOM is a tough sell. In my humble opinion, UIC offers the best value of the Chicago med schools. One of the things that CCOM enjoys is many clinical clerkships well-established in the Chicago area and a strong reputation throughout the region. UIC has both those things at a cheaper cost, and some might argue a better location for the first two years.

If you're out of state for UIC's tuition, or end up assigned to the Rockford/Peoria campus, however, it becomes a different story...

Putting the DO vs. MD issue completely aside, if you're in-state for tuition and you get the Chicago campus for UIC, CCOM is a tough sell. In my humble opinion, UIC offers the best value of the Chicago med schools. One of the things that CCOM enjoys is many clinical clerkships well-established in the Chicago area and a strong reputation throughout the region. UIC has both those things at a cheaper cost, and some might argue a better location for the first two years.

If you're out of state for UIC's tuition, or end up assigned to the Rockford/Peoria campus, however, it becomes a different story...

Yeah, not trying to start an MD vs. DO debate. I'm going on Fit, and don't care that much about the difference... And I'm smart enough to figure it out on my own. Yeah I am OOS. I would think the 3rd and 4th years would most likely be equal given CCOM's reputation. And I'm probably able to get the Chicago campus... So it's an interesting choice. However, I am also assuming an acceptance to CCOM which is not guaranteed.

Also Kudos for taking my question seriously and in the manner in which I intended it! WooT!

I spoke to someone in admissions office today and they said that we should wait until after thanksgiving for the decisions. They committee however met on Thursday. Man, I can't wait any longer

I spoke to someone in admissions office today and they said that we should wait until after thanksgiving for the decisions. They committee however met on Thursday. Man, I can't wait any longer

boo!

boo!


Agreed...these adcom people should work straight through thanksgiving. NO turkey until i get my decision hahahahahaha

Haha yes no thanksgiving for the adcoms! Sorry you guys have to wait, the anxiety is pretty brutal sometimes. Best of luck everyone!!!!

Have any students interviewed at both AZCOM and CCOM, and can discuss how they compare? Ive been accepted at AZCOM and loved it, and have an intv at CCOM coming up. I'm leaning towards AZCOM because of the location, and it seems like more opportunites to stay on the west coast for residency placements.....

please feel free to PM me as well :)

Have any students interviewed at both AZCOM and CCOM, and can discuss how they compare? Ive been accepted at AZCOM and loved it, and have an intv at CCOM coming up. I'm leaning towards AZCOM because of the location, and it seems like more opportunites to stay on the west coast for residency placements.....

please feel free to PM me as well :)

I interviewed at both schools, one day after another.

Both impressed me, but we should look beyond the "pretty campus" factor. AZCOM has some trouble giving students good clinical rotations and it is expanding despite not being able to handle the current class size well. This is important. I also heard that AZCOM has extremely high faculty turnover rate and there are issues with how the money is spent / lack of transparency / students not coming first. Someone posted a rant on AZCOM about a month ago. You may want to do a search.

CCOM is doing far better in terms of assigning good quality rotations. The school is well established already. Its curriculum seems harsh, but so does that at AZCOM since it's modeled after CCOM.

CCOM has a nicer cafeteria (bigger, with more choices).

I have acceptances to both schools and will not go to AZCOM. Most likely will choose CCOM or possibly another place.

I spoke to someone in admissions office today and they said that we should wait until after thanksgiving for the decisions. They committee however met on Thursday. Man, I can't wait any longer

WHAT?!? That's nuts! I interviewed over a month ago! Maybe it will be up on the application site before Thanksgiving...

Anyone getting a different page when they click on Matriculation/Payment?

Something saying "we were unable to find your information."

Anyone getting a different page when they click on Matriculation/Payment?

Something saying "we were unable to find your information."

uh-oh, sounds like you're in trouble! (j/k i have no idea, mine says the same thing)

maybe they are currently updating it!?!?! crossing my fingers!!!!

uh-oh, sounds like you're in trouble! (j/k i have no idea, mine says the same thing)

maybe they are currently updating it!?!?! crossing my fingers!!!!

Yeah, any little variation piques my interest. A sign of wonderful doctor, eh? If they only knew. :laugh:

Did that page change for you as well, or had it always looked like that?

Yeah, any little variation piques my interest. A sign of wonderful doctor, eh? If they only knew. :laugh:

Did that page change for you as well, or had it always looked like that?

no its definitely different, it usually says something else...

great now im going to be compulsively clicking that link until it changes again :o this means something...im just not sure what yet..

no its definitely different, it usually says something else...

great now im going to be compulsively clicking that link until it changes again :o this means something...im just not sure what yet..

Now all I can think of is rejection. Hopefully everyone checks now so we can see if someone has definitively been accepted yet.

The matriculation agreement comes up when I click on "Matriculation/Payment" but I also haven't submitted my payment yet. Maybe it's different for those who've already accepted and paid? I plan on submitting my deposit sometime this week though so I'll let you know if that page is different once I do.

The matriculation agreement comes up when I click on "Matriculation/Payment" but I also haven't submitted my payment yet. Maybe it's different for those who've already accepted and paid? I plan on submitting my deposit sometime this week though so I'll let you know if that page is different once I do.

when did you interview?

If the matriculation agreement comes up and you have the option to pay that means you've been accepted :)

Side note, it took about 2 weeks after my matriculation agreement/payment page update for me to receive my acceptance.

I have the "can't find your info" message. Does this mean game-over? Or does it mean they updating their database or what not.

when did you interview?

That frightened me too. He's been accepted for a while. Not our group.

I have the "can't find your info" message. Does this mean game-over? Or does it mean they updating their database or what not.

That's what we're trying to figure out.

I have the same message saying can't find my info. I have not heard of anyone getting rejected post interview at CCOM, I hope they are just in the process of updating the database.

That's what we're trying to figure out.

wow...the littlest things can really make things stressful. my guess would be that they are updating things and it will be posted tomorrow :confused:

I've had the "cannot find info" thing for a while...I dunno what it means. I've been complete for two months with no word from them.

Wonder if it means rejection in the mail? That wouldn't be fun.

wow...the littlest things can really make things stressful. my guess would be that they are updating things and it will be posted tomorrow :confused:

I know. This process sucks.

Yeah I have the same thing! "We are unable to find your information". Hopefully this isn't bad news! I guess it is a good thing that no one has the matriculation payment option yet.

Hey all, I interviewed 10/20 and was supposed to hear before thanksgiving. I checked the applicant portal page earlier today and it was same as normal, but I just checked and it also said that they were unable to find my info. Good think someone posted about this or I would have freaked out...I just wanna know!

My status page still only shows my acceptance to AZCOM, I don't know how it will display if I'm lucky enough to get accepted to CCOM. But my matriculation agreement looks different than it did previously, so I'm assuming that the unable to find information just means that they were just updating the matriculation agreement. I doubt that it means rejection. Is it possible to know if we've been accepted before Thanksgiving? I interviewed 10/31 and I'm very anxious... I hope they are updating it now or soon.

.

interesting news
atleast i dont have to think about it over thanksgiving now

Yup received the unable to find information message. I think they told us we would know by early Dec...so maybe like Dec 1.

Hey everyone,

Just cancelled my interview, it was on 12/12... so there should be an open spot if anyone is interested!

:boom:

I wonder if this is only happening to those of us waiting for a decision, or if everyone is getting that page. Is that coming up for anyone else not waiting for a decision around thanksgiving? Has this happened to others in the past? Sorry so many questions, I'm just curious as to what this means

I think it's only happening to those of you awaiting decisions. Mine works fine still.

Good luck to all of you! (I hope you have a good way of dealing with anxiety):thumbup:

My status page still only shows my acceptance to AZCOM, I don't know how it will display if I'm lucky enough to get accepted to CCOM.

You will get this:
You have been accepted to more than one program. Please use the option below to view the matriculation agreement for your desired program.

options: AZCOM, CCOM

You will get this:
You have been accepted to more than one program. Please use the option below to view the matriculation agreement for your desired program.

options: AZCOM, CCOM


Thanks Karen, hopefully I'll see it and get accepted!

.

I talked the admissions people today at CCOM. They mailed out the acceptance letters earlier today (11/25) so you all should hopefully receive them soon. My status on the page still says "We are unable to find your information" but I learned that I was accepted today!! Now the real decision comes down between CCOM and LECOM-B....Hope all of you are accepted and GOOD LUCK!! As for me, I have until December 15th, this should be a difficult next couple of weeks to decide...

I talked the admissions people today at CCOM. They mailed out the acceptance letters earlier today (11/25) so you all should hopefully receive them soon. My status on the page still says "We are unable to find your information" but I learned that I was accepted today!! Now the real decision comes down between CCOM and LECOM-B....Hope all of you are accepted and GOOD LUCK!! As for me, I have until December 15th, this should be a difficult next couple of weeks to decide...

Thanks! I think I can wait a few days to find out, no use in bothering the adcom with my questions

:xf:

good luck everyone!

I talked the admissions people today at CCOM. They mailed out the acceptance letters earlier today (11/25) so you all should hopefully receive them soon. My status on the page still says "We are unable to find your information" but I learned that I was accepted today!! Now the real decision comes down between CCOM and LECOM-B....Hope all of you are accepted and GOOD LUCK!! As for me, I have until December 15th, this should be a difficult next couple of weeks to decide...

Awesome. Thanks for the update!

I talked the admissions people today at CCOM. They mailed out the acceptance letters earlier today (11/25) so you all should hopefully receive them soon. My status on the page still says "We are unable to find your information" but I learned that I was accepted today!! Now the real decision comes down between CCOM and LECOM-B....Hope all of you are accepted and GOOD LUCK!! As for me, I have until December 15th, this should be a difficult next couple of weeks to decide...


hey sorry im new to this forum and posting stuff, but when did you interview? also how did you find out you got accpeted if your status was "we are unable to find your information." did the admissions office tell you or something?? :confused:

by the way....all this is so nerve wrecking...i constanly came on to sdn as a observer, never as a poster and finally decided to join..haha

hey sorry im new to this forum and posting stuff, but when did you interview? also how did you find out you got accpeted if your status was "we are unable to find your information." did the admissions office tell you or something?? :confused:

I interviewed on 10/31. I was getting anxious because I had a feeling that I was going to be accepted at CCOM, but had to make a choice between CCOM and LECOM-B and have my deposit in by Dec. 15. So, I called admissions today and asked them if they can tell me over the phone because I need to make this decision pretty quickly. I think my heart is leaning towards LECOM right now so my spot will more then likely be open very soon.

So I saw this question posted in another school's thread but I'm curious as to how rotations work at CCOM.

For the 3rd and year rotations, does CCOM set everything up for the students. Ie, you just show up at the hospital. Or do they give you the list of possible locations and you need to call the places to see if they will take you? I know the 4th year is probably a lot more do it yourself type of thing since you get more electives and get to choose the order in which you take them but if someone could comment on the required 3rd year rotations its much appreciated. Thanks!

So im a little confused. I received a letter in the mail about being placed on the interview waitlist. What does that mean? Has anyone else gotten this letter? I was wondering if I even have a chance of getting in!!

I couldn't take it any longer, so I called admissions too. I'm in! What a relief... now I can relax over Thanksgiving break :soexcited:

Congratulations and Happy Relaxing Thanksgiving!!!!:thumbup:

...

...

hang in there

Hey guys, here are CCOM's match lists from the last few years. I haven't seen them grouped and listed, elsewhere. Enjoy! :)

It's official. I just submitted my $1000 deposit. :eek: It should be a breeze from here on out right... :scared:

Don't ask why I was checking the applicant portal on a Friday night, but I was and I finally got the matriculation agreement! So the website is finally working! What wonderful news to start off the thanksgiving weekend! :)

Don't ask why I was checking the applicant portal on a Friday night, but I was and I finally got the matriculation agreement! So the website is finally working! What wonderful news to start off the thanksgiving weekend! :)

Yep, same here! I just checked it and it finally changed! Woohoo!!! :D

I'm in as well. I'm glad that it finally updated, now I can enjoy the weekend and give my family the good news. Congratulations to all who have been accepted.

Accepted! Not sure if i will be attending or not, but YAY!

Wooohooo! congrats all! im joining the club too!

This is something to be thankful for!!

Accepted! My first!

Accepted! My first!

congrats man! you're gonna be a doctor!!!!!

Im in!!

Accepted as well :D Now time to make decisions!

yay im in!! now I have to decide between KCOM and CCOM...loved both schools, this is gonna be tough.

yay im in!! now I have to decide between KCOM and CCOM...loved both schools, this is gonna be tough.
Haha let me know any wisdom you come across :) I think I need a spirit journey or a coin or something....

Haha let me know any wisdom you come across :) I think I need a spirit journey or a coin or something....

Davis, I see that your mdapps says that you're "reconsidering" SOMA. Can I ask why?

The reason I am asking on this forum is because SOMA and CCOM are my top choices, I just need to choose between the two. I am leaning toward SOMA, but it is hard to walk away from CCOM.

Let me know what's on your mind, because I need to make the same choice.

Davis, I see that your mdapps says that you're "reconsidering" SOMA. Can I ask why?

The reason I am asking on this forum is because SOMA and CCOM are my top choices, I just need to choose between the two. I am leaning toward SOMA, but it is hard to walk away from CCOM.

Let me know what's on your mind, because I need to make the same choice.
PM otw :) No need to spam up boards with subjectivity

Haha let me know any wisdom you come across :) I think I need a spirit journey or a coin or something....

the sad part is that it might come down to a coin toss. I think I am gonna sit on it for a week and go over the pros and cons (not that I haven't been doing that for the past month)! Good luck on your spirit journey lol and let me know what you decide!

hey hey i'm in. now to decide where to send the deposit. azcom or ccom.

azcom is less tuition and less living expenses, but ccom clearly has the better clinical rotations. any adivice from those who have been here?

good news before i head out for black friday shopping :)
I'm in! Now I have 2 weeks to decide between DMU and CCOM...this wont be easy
it'll be CCOM hands down if my chicago relatives had any say in it :-p

count me in too! So weird that I was checking my status on thanksgiving expecting it to be updated. Even weirder was that those expectations were met :Thumbs: Up for CCOM! is there a facebook group started yet for CCOM class of 2013? Who HOO!

There is!

Here is the link to the facebook group
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=42077233981&ref=mf

And here is the link to the class thread.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=577146

hey hey i'm in. now to decide where to send the deposit. azcom or ccom.

azcom is less tuition and less living expenses, but ccom clearly has the better clinical rotations. any adivice from those who have been here?

I wouldn't make the decision based on a few thousand dollars, but that's just me. Do like on The Office. Don't think, just say whatever comes to your mind...

Who's your favorite actor/actress?
Quick answer
What's your favorite color?
Quick answer
What's your favorite movie?
Quick answer
Where is the Golden Gate Bridge?
Quick answer
Where do you want to go to school?
Quick answer - the answer. It's so simple and beautiful.

But personal preference aside, I would pay 10 grand extra for better clinical rotations, if money and rotations are your only two considerations. Your rotations determine who you are as a physician.

Haha, this coming from me, who is so indecisive!

I'm also trying to decide between AZCOM and CCOM, as well as Touro NV and KCOM. Chicago seems like a solid school, and the extra expenses I believe would be worth it for the quality of the rotations. But I'm from the west and have family in Glendale. I'm not sure if that should be a major factor in deciding or not. But good luck with the decision making, I'm going through the same thing.

Ditto for me as well on AZCOM vs CCOM. At this point I'm leaning towards CCOM for those rotations ;)

Anyone catch this? I was browsing around and found this posted on their website: Midwestern University (MWU) will increase the class size for students in its Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) from 160 to 200 students beginning fall 2009. 40 students is a pretty big jump!

our tour guides actually told us about that
also: is there some resource (other than SDN) for finding roomates for 1st year?
also #2: anyone looking for a roomate for next year?

I got rejected, and not even an interview.
I've pretty much settled on where I'd like to go, but you never
know what a good interview could do to make you see things
differently. Congrat's to all who got accepted!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

By the way, Chicago is awesome.

This is a pretty random question but does salt really leave a grime on leather shoes? Should I wear tennis shoes and switch into the leather ones when I get there or should I not really worry about it?

This is a pretty random question but does salt really leave a grime on leather shoes? Should I wear tennis shoes and switch into the leather ones when I get there or should I not really worry about it?


just wipe them down before they dry. Salty water does not cause warping, its the drying of the salt that ruins your shoes. PLEASE don't wear tennis shoes, or you'll be the one everyone is snickering at. gl on the interviews, i just got an acceptance at CCOM and am very likely to attend!

About how much is a taxi from Midway to the campus? Or, is there a more efficient mode of transportation I should consider? Coming back from the interview to the airport, I hear traffic can be bad.. will I rack up a huge taxi bill ? Thanks a lot in advance.

I got rejected, and not even an interview.
I've pretty much settled on where I'd like to go, but you never
know what a good interview could do to make you see things
differently. Congrat's to all who got accepted!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

By the way, Chicago is awesome.

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted. I just got home from Thanksgiving vacation to find a rejection letter from CCOM, without an interview. I'm a bit surprised that they did not interview me- I thought my scores were pretty competitive for D.O. schools, I have had some very interesting clinical experiences and I am really committed to osteopathic education- I only applied to D.O. programs. I have 3 interviews coming up (my first three) at KCUMB, Western and NYCOM, in the next few weeks but this is the first decision I have heard and it is obviously a bit of a downer going into the interviews. I am hoping its a fluke, but my secondaries were relatively similar for all the schools, so Im wondering if there is some weakness I can think about elaborating on in my interviews. Do you think it would be wise to call CCOM and ask about weaknesses, try to surmise them or just focus on doing my best in the interviews and not think about why I might have been rejected from CCOM? PCOM is actually my first choice, and I have yet to receive an interview from them (I was complete at the beginning of October). I hope whatever kept me from getting an interview at CCOM isnt also holding me back at PCOM! Sorry for the rambling, and any thoughts are appreciated. Congrats again and good luck to those still waiting.

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted. I just got home from Thanksgiving vacation to find a rejection letter from CCOM, without an interview. I'm a bit surprised that they did not interview me- I thought my scores were pretty competitive for D.O. schools, I have had some very interesting clinical experiences and I am really committed to osteopathic education- I only applied to D.O. programs. I have 3 interviews coming up (my first three) at KCUMB, Western and NYCOM, in the next few weeks but this is the first decision I have heard and it is obviously a bit of a downer going into the interviews. I am hoping its a fluke, but my secondaries were relatively similar for all the schools, so Im wondering if there is some weakness I can think about elaborating on in my interviews. Do you think it would be wise to call CCOM and ask about weaknesses, try to surmise them or just focus on doing my best in the interviews and not think about why I might have been rejected from CCOM? PCOM is actually my first choice, and I have yet to receive an interview from them (I was complete at the beginning of October). I hope whatever kept me from getting an interview at CCOM isnt also holding me back at PCOM! Sorry for the rambling, and any thoughts are appreciated. Congrats again and good luck to those still waiting.


I'm really surpised you got rejected from CCOM. Your stats and ecs all seem great. You should call it wont hurt you to find out....but you got an interview from NYCOM and Western which are some great schools so they saw you were qualified :). I also have not received anything from PCOM so we'll have to see!

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted. I just got home from Thanksgiving vacation to find a rejection letter from CCOM, without an interview. I'm a bit surprised that they did not interview me- I thought my scores were pretty competitive for D.O. schools, I have had some very interesting clinical experiences and I am really committed to osteopathic education- I only applied to D.O. programs. I have 3 interviews coming up (my first three) at KCUMB, Western and NYCOM, in the next few weeks but this is the first decision I have heard and it is obviously a bit of a downer going into the interviews. I am hoping its a fluke, but my secondaries were relatively similar for all the schools, so Im wondering if there is some weakness I can think about elaborating on in my interviews. Do you think it would be wise to call CCOM and ask about weaknesses, try to surmise them or just focus on doing my best in the interviews and not think about why I might have been rejected from CCOM? PCOM is actually my first choice, and I have yet to receive an interview from them (I was complete at the beginning of October). I hope whatever kept me from getting an interview at CCOM isnt also holding me back at PCOM! Sorry for the rambling, and any thoughts are appreciated. Congrats again and good luck to those still waiting.

You can call them if you want, it definitely wouldn't hurt, haha. But looking at your mdapp, which is very similar to mine (I got in at CCOM) I don't think you need to worry about your future interviews. I didn't get an interview invite from NYCOM, and KCUMB sent me a preliminary rejection before the primary applications even came out. Okay that bit about KCUMB wasn't true, but the point is, this is all really random.

About how much is a taxi from Midway to the campus? Or, is there a more efficient mode of transportation I should consider? Coming back from the interview to the airport, I hear traffic can be bad.. will I rack up a huge taxi bill ? Thanks a lot in advance.

A taxi from Midway to campus will be very expensive. Personally, I took the orange line (train) from midway to the city. Then I took the metra from the city to downers grove. Granted I had a friend to visit in the city but I would imagine it ended up being a lot cheaper than a cab from Midway to campus.

A taxi from Midway to campus will be very expensive. Personally, I took the orange line (train) from midway to the city. Then I took the metra from the city to downers grove. Granted I had a friend to visit in the city but I would imagine it ended up being a lot cheaper than a cab from Midway to campus.

yea, i would look into the train systems. That got me around just fine and you can get pretty close to the hotels in downers grove so that a cab ride is only for a few miles.

does anyone have the contact info for abby from the admissinos office by any chance?
i somehow misplaced it...

About how much is a taxi from Midway to the campus? Or, is there a more efficient mode of transportation I should consider? Coming back from the interview to the airport, I hear traffic can be bad.. will I rack up a huge taxi bill ? Thanks a lot in advance.

You know I thought taking a taxi would be expensive but the companies that CCOM gives you provide a flat rate to Downers Grove at about $24 one way. I dunno if that flat rate accounts for traffic though. Anyways I thought that for $50 I could rent a car easy enough (I had a bit of a discount) but I ended up having to pay for gas, navigate the freeways that I'm unfamiliar with, pay the toll fees (ended up begging for change at the first one because I didn't know I was on a toll road). I also took a wrong turn trying to get from my hotel to the school (a 3 mile journey turned into 10) and I was a bit late to the interview which added just a BIT of stress...

Ugh long story short, if I were doing it again I would most definitely take the flat rate to my hotel. Arrange a shuttle from the hotel to the school, and then take a flat rate taxi back to the airport. This will probably relieve a lot of the stress associated with finding your way around.

Good luck with your interview and just be yourself!:thumbup:

You know I thought taking a taxi would be expensive but the companies that CCOM gives you provide a flat rate to Downers Grove at about $24 one way. I dunno if that flat rate accounts for traffic though. Anyways I thought that for $50 I could rent a car easy enough (I had a bit of a discount) but I ended up having to pay for gas, navigate the freeways that I'm unfamiliar with, pay the toll fees (ended up begging for change at the first one because I didn't know I was on a toll road). I also took a wrong turn trying to get from my hotel to the school (a 3 mile journey turned into 10) and I was a bit late to the interview which added just a BIT of stress...

Ugh long story short, if I were doing it again I would most definitely take the flat rate to my hotel. Arrange a shuttle from the hotel to the school, and then take a flat rate taxi back to the airport. This will probably relieve a lot of the stress associated with finding your way around.

Good luck with your interview and just be yourself!:thumbup:

That's exactly what I did, except the flate rate came out to be 50 dollars with tip and tolls...but the hotel I stayed at gave me some coupons for the taxis like 3 dollars off, not much but I'll take what I can get, and I used that on the way back. I had a shuttle to get the campus so that was pretty good.

Have you tried a quote from SuperShuttle? I'm not the biggest fan, but so far it's worked. If you do, make sure to google a coupon code for $3 off each way, and plan an extra 30 minutes or so from the time you land (the airport staff members take FOREVER to get the shuttle to come pick you up).

I didn't really trust SuperShuttle at the time I was interviewing at CCOM, so I used one of the limo services suggested by the interview page(it turned out to be cheaper than taxi's flat rate, and it was not shared even though I scheduled it to be).

Try Hopstop.com (http://hopstop.com/), you can compare the times and prices for several types of transport. I used it in New York, and it was awesome.

Any1 interviewing on the 8th, next monday!! Im so excited, I really want to go to medical school in chicago since thats where most of my family resides. wish me luck, and congrats to all who have already got accepted, I just wish it wasnt so expensive for out of staters!

Any1 interviewing on the 8th, next monday!! Im so excited, I really want to go to medical school in chicago since thats where most of my family resides. wish me luck, and congrats to all who have already got accepted, I just wish it wasnt so expensive for out of staters!

You get what you pay for. :meanie:

Knock 'em dead.

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted. I just got home from Thanksgiving vacation to find a rejection letter from CCOM, without an interview. I'm a bit surprised that they did not interview me- I thought my scores were pretty competitive for D.O. schools, I have had some very interesting clinical experiences and I am really committed to osteopathic education- I only applied to D.O. programs. I have 3 interviews coming up (my first three) at KCUMB, Western and NYCOM, in the next few weeks but this is the first decision I have heard and it is obviously a bit of a downer going into the interviews. I am hoping its a fluke, but my secondaries were relatively similar for all the schools, so Im wondering if there is some weakness I can think about elaborating on in my interviews. Do you think it would be wise to call CCOM and ask about weaknesses, try to surmise them or just focus on doing my best in the interviews and not think about why I might have been rejected from CCOM? PCOM is actually my first choice, and I have yet to receive an interview from them (I was complete at the beginning of October). I hope whatever kept me from getting an interview at CCOM isnt also holding me back at PCOM! Sorry for the rambling, and any thoughts are appreciated. Congrats again and good luck to those still waiting.


Denied as well... Hoping on MSU-COM and NSU...

Congrats to those who got accepted. I hope to join to the club as well. I just got complete today. It took foooooooooooever to get my D.O. rec in. Anyway, how long after you were complete did it take to get the interview?


Thanks in advance.


waitwhat

Anyway, how long after you were complete did it take to get the interview?


It took about a month for me...could be more, could be less at this point in the game. I would guess the former unless you are reallly qualified.

good luck!

Congrats to those who got accepted. I hope to join to the club as well. I just got complete today. It took foooooooooooever to get my D.O. rec in. Anyway, how long after you were complete did it take to get the interview?


Thanks in advance.


waitwhat


a week--complete 10/2 II 10/9

Hi everyone!

Could someone describe the curriculum at CCOM? I know it is not systems-based. The curriculum posted on their website only lists courses and credit hours...not very helpful.

Is it possible to get in-state tuition after the first year?

Is it possible to get in-state tuition after the first year?

95% sure this is a no. You have to be there for non-educational purposes for at least a year at public universities and I imagine MWU is no different.

I remember them saying it is 'old school' which I think means they plow through the material/courses without any systems based approach at all. you start with anatomy, biochem, omm (obviously), and a few others 1st quarter, move on to more anatomy, biochem, physiology 2nd quarter, and 3rd quarter is embryo, neuro, physiology, and so on into 2nd year. You are in class a lot...MWF is 7:30am-5pm in lecutres and labs for 1st quarter. TR is 10-4. hope this sheds a little light on things :thumbup:

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted. I just got home from Thanksgiving vacation to find a rejection letter from CCOM, without an interview. I'm a bit surprised that they did not interview me- I thought my scores were pretty competitive for D.O. schools, I have had some very interesting clinical experiences and I am really committed to osteopathic education- I only applied to D.O. programs. I have 3 interviews coming up (my first three) at KCUMB, Western and NYCOM, in the next few weeks but this is the first decision I have heard and it is obviously a bit of a downer going into the interviews. I am hoping its a fluke, but my secondaries were relatively similar for all the schools, so Im wondering if there is some weakness I can think about elaborating on in my interviews. Do you think it would be wise to call CCOM and ask about weaknesses, try to surmise them or just focus on doing my best in the interviews and not think about why I might have been rejected from CCOM? PCOM is actually my first choice, and I have yet to receive an interview from them (I was complete at the beginning of October). I hope whatever kept me from getting an interview at CCOM isnt also holding me back at PCOM! Sorry for the rambling, and any thoughts are appreciated. Congrats again and good luck to those still waiting.


I have pretty similar stats as you too and I received a letter in the mail saying that I am on the interview waitlist.....now what that is I have no idea but this seems pretty random to me as well.

Thanks DoktorB!

I just would like to ask if any current CCOM student can tell me more about your exam schedule. I know you have exams 1-2 times a week. How big are these xams? Are they small quizzes to keep you up to date or are they large (50+ Q's) exams that cover much material? What is the test format, MC, open answer, etc...?

I put down my deposit at CCOM and will go there unless my state school accepts me, but one thing I remember from my October interview at CCOM was that students really seemed stressed out. This was in contrast to folks at Western, UNECOM and KCUMB. I still decided on CCOM, but I expect its curriculum to be brutal.

I put down my deposit at CCOM and will go there unless my state school accepts me, but one thing I remember from my October interview at CCOM was that students really seemed stressed out. This was in contrast to folks at Western, UNECOM and KCUMB. I still decided on CCOM, but I expect its curriculum to be brutal.

Pimpin' ain't easy.

i just sent in my secondary, do i receive things through the mail or do i need to check my status online. What do i do to be informed about an interview?

i just sent in my secondary, do i receive things through the mail or do i need to check my status online. What do i do to be informed about an interview?


I found out about my interview by checking my status online. Goodluck!

how do you send in letters of recommendation. I have an interfolio account, do i just send it through there?

Hey all,
First I just wanted to say that when I interviewed at CCOM I was amazed at how stress-free the students seemed. Everyone said the course load was very difficult, yet they all seemed very happy to me (perhaps it was because they didn't have an exam that morning, but still!).
Also, could anyone speak to the emphasis that CCOM puts on OMM? This is something I am very excited about, but it seemed that they didn't emphasize it very much, especially after being at DMU where it seemed to be heavily emphasized. Any opinions? This is all based on observation, not personal experience.
Thanks a lot! And good luck to everyone!

how do you send in letters of recommendation. I have an interfolio account, do i just send it through there?


Yeah send the letters through Interfolio

how do you send in letters of recommendation. I have an interfolio account, do i just send it through there?

I would actually try Virtual Evals. I tried to send my LOR through interfolio but could not get CCOM to show up. That means that they will have to snail mail the letters from interfolio, and this will take longer, which will delay your application a little. If you send it through Virtual Evals, you should be able to send it to CCOM electronically. I should mention that I'm not 100% that virtual evals works for ccom. My premed advisor is said she was going to try to send my LOR through virtual evals today.

I would actually try Virtual Evals. I tried to send my LOR through interfolio but could not get CCOM to show up. That means that they will have to snail mail the letters from interfolio, and this will take longer, which will delay your application a little. If you send it through Virtual Evals, you should be able to send it to CCOM electronically. I should mention that I'm not 100% that virtual evals works for ccom. My premed advisor is said she was going to try to send my LOR through virtual evals today.

VituralEvals works for CCOM.

Hey all,
First I just wanted to say that when I interviewed at CCOM I was amazed at how stress-free the students seemed. Everyone said the course load was very difficult, yet they all seemed very happy to me (perhaps it was because they didn't have an exam that morning, but still!).
Also, could anyone speak to the emphasis that CCOM puts on OMM? This is something I am very excited about, but it seemed that they didn't emphasize it very much, especially after being at DMU where it seemed to be heavily emphasized. Any opinions? This is all based on observation, not personal experience.
Thanks a lot! And good luck to everyone!

My impression was that it was stressed more than some of the other schools I visited. From talking to my interviewers to the students that came in to talk to us while we waited to be interviewed, CCOM doesn't go through the motions just because it's a DO school. They want you to have a solid foundation in OMM. It was one of the questions that I specifically asked people because I too wanted a school with a good OMM program. Hope that helps a little.

Signing off on the CCOM forum - good luck to you all and someone can have my acceptance now!

Signing off on the CCOM forum - good luck to you all and someone can have my acceptance now!
I'd take it except I don't poop money.

Yaaay! :clap: Just got my invite (1/8, morning)! I visited last weekend. Beautiful place, can't wait to go back!

So I still have not received my acceptance letter, but saw the matriculation deposit site exactly one week ago. How long did it take you guys?


Does it say anything important in your letters...like any instructions?

When is the deadline for you guys? Mine says Dec. 19th...thats soo sooon

My impression was that it was stressed more than some of the other schools I visited. From talking to my interviewers to the students that came in to talk to us while we waited to be interviewed, CCOM doesn't go through the motions just because it's a DO school. They want you to have a solid foundation in OMM. It was one of the questions that I specifically asked people because I too wanted a school with a good OMM program. Hope that helps a little.

that is helpful, thanks!

So I still have not received my acceptance letter, but saw the matriculation deposit site exactly one week ago. How long did it take you guys?


Does it say anything important in your letters...like any instructions?

When is the deadline for you guys? Mine says Dec. 19th...thats soo sooon

I got my letter the next day (11/28)! It has some instructions..they actually reiterate them twice just so people dont forget anything I think :D. It basically says to turn in your deposit/agreement online and make sure to complete all of the requirements on the checklist. I can PM the specifics to you if you don't get your letter soon.

Hey guys,

I have an interview coming up in 5 weeks.

Any interviewing tips specific to CCOM?

PMs would be much appreciated as well.

Thanks.

Hey guys,

I have an interview coming up in 5 weeks.

Any interviewing tips specific to CCOM?

PMs would be much appreciated as well.

Thanks.

Its gonna be collllld!

and...as told best by ollie the weatherman..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxpqFuNy7fY

english is not my first language, is snail mail just regular us post mail?

english is not my first language, is snail mail just regular us post mail?

You got it:thumbup:

Its gonna be collllld!

and...as told best by ollie the weatherman..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxpqFuNy7fY

Hahahahaha...I'm well aware. And it may snow.

I'm from the area so I know all about the weather.

Hahahahaha...I'm well aware. And it may snow.

I'm from the area so I know all about the weather.

haha, anyways id say it depends on the interviewers. my interview was very dry, the lady interviewing me only smiled like twice and the other guy was a really old MD who complimented me on every word that came out of my mouth :laugh:. It is basically a get to know you session with the usual questions thrown in, interview feedback has some sample questions. You'll do fine, just be yourself!

Hey guys...signing off the CCOM thread as I just got accepted to my top choice! Few things about CCOM, though. First, probably the best facilities that i have seen at the osteopathic schools I interviewed at. Second, amazing clinicals...which lead to third--top notch residency placement. Any body would be well served attending CCOM. Thanks for the love CCOM!

anyone know when classes start at CCOM?
i'm looking at last year's schedule from the registrar's site online (http://mwunet.midwestern.edu/administrative/Registrar/regIL.htm)
fall 2008 quarter for MS1 starts in september according to that
but the sheet given to us on interview day it says august 11th
which is correct?

actually now that i'm looking through the packet given during orientation, that same sheet from that link is in here

Right now the calandar has us with orientation August 3rd and classes starting on the 10th

http://www.midwestern.edu/ILAcadCalendar0910.pdf

http://www.midwestern.edu/academic/

right, thats what the academic calendar says
but the fall quarter schedule has the dates listed as 9/08/08 to 11/21/08

Ya that was last year though. I just added links for our class to my other post...

I'm looking at the academic calendar and the fall quarter schedule from last year
and those dates conflict
the academic calendar 2008 says august 11th, but the fall quarter schedule for last year starts on september 8th
academic calendar 2009(the link that you posted) says august 9th, dont have the fall quarter schedule for next year yet, but im guessing it'll also have sometime in sept as the start date

Don't forget about the "transition" period. I remember them talking about 4 weeks of a lighter load of classes (anatomy and histology?) before the actual quarter starts. Anyone else remember them talking about that or was that just my imagination?

Don't forget about the "transition" period. I remember them talking about 4 weeks of a lighter load of classes (anatomy and histology?) before the actual quarter starts. Anyone else remember them talking about that or was that just my imagination?

We had a transition period this past year which, I might say, was a great way to get introduced to the regiment. For it, we showed up 4 weeks earlier than the MS-II's and were given a lighter load of classes. That is to say we took fewer classes, but they used the first four weeks to get us started on anatomy, biochemistry, and histology. It was a nice way to spread out the dense material so that when classes officially started the transition wasn't too bad. I imagine they're doing this again for the next upcoming class. And, yes, according to the academic calendar classes start Aug. 10th.

Hope that helps.

i'm sending my deposit in bump

Is CCOM PBL? I received and email from them stating that they were, however it does not state this anywhere on their website.

Just rescheduled my Jan interview to Feb. If anyone wants an earlier interview, check it out. Now Mon I am doing CCOM then Tue RFU.

Is CCOM PBL? I received and email from them stating that they were, however it does not state this anywhere on their website.

nope, traditional lecture based

Declining my acceptance today- loved the facilities, faculty, and students, but my husband has the ability to transfer positions in another location...

Best of luck to everyone! :luck:

for those of you who have submitted their secondary recently, how long did it take to receive an interview invite?

i'm new to this network.
i was wondering what is a PBL?

i'm new to this network.
i was wondering what is a PBL?

problem based learning (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem-based_learning). Its a case study approach to learning fundamental principles. Gets you to problem solve and apply the material to 'real life' situations. Some schools use it, some just give you the material straight up.

Thanks for the clarification in the email that was sent to me heres what it stated:

Academics
A challenging, problem-based didactic curriculum taught by dedicated faculty members and early clinical exposure prepares you for the rigorous clinical rotations at highly regarded clinical sites throughout the Chicagoland area.

Man, the posts in this CCOM thread are lame. Bring it up a notch! Who's going there in the fall? Show yourself dammit!

I will be attending CCOM in the Fall!!! Wooohooooo!1 ;)

I will be attending CCOM in the Fall!!! Wooohooooo!1 ;)

Cool. So how's living in Chicago?

Cool. So how's living in Chicago?

Well, I'm from the southwest suburbs about 30 minutes from Chicago and 15 minutes from CCOM. But, I have to say Chicago is an amazing city just really expensive but also realllly fun. I've been here my entire life so I'm used to the cold winters and humidity filled Summers, but if you're not from the Midwest, it might take some time to get used to! Can't wait until the fall, but I'm sure my social life can!!

Chicago is rad.

Man, the posts in this CCOM thread are lame. Bring it up a notch! Who's going there in the fall? Show yourself dammit!


I'm going to Chicago!! Can't Wait!!

I'm going to Chicago!! Can't Wait!!

Me neither. It's hard to process that this is really happening.

I'm just worried about those geese. I hear they don't mess around come nesting season - and I don't want to be THAT guy who gets run up on by a stupid goose. :laugh:

for those of you who have submitted their secondary recently, how long did it take to receive an interview invite?

About 6 weeks.. compete 10/24, II 12/4, I 1/8. But now I don't know if I want to go. :( I really like the school and the campus, but if I got accepted it would come down to MD vs DO, a tough choice. If offered an MD/PhD at MSU (probable) I don't know if turning it down would be a viable option for me. Also, I'm in love with MSU. Thoughts anyone? Should I go?

About 6 weeks.. compete 10/24, II 12/4, I 1/8. But now I don't know if I want to go. :( I really like the school and the campus, but if I got accepted it would come down to MD vs DO, a tough choice. If offered an MD/PhD at MSU (probable) I don't know if turning it down would be a viable option for me. Also, I'm in love with MSU. Thoughts anyone? Should I go?

Do you like geese?

Do you like geese?

I'd say I have a pretty average affinity for geese. I enjoy watching them fly in formation, but dislike getting pooped on from above.

geese poop = processed grass

no big deal

Edit: getting pooped on from above = not so good, I know

Yea.. ok.. geese aside, any advice?

Looks like you expect to be choosing between two different programs -- both excellent, but different. Do you really think others can help you decide? Look within...

... Well, anyways, decision made. It was a really tough choice, but I have relinquished my interview and will now be signing off the CCOM thread. Best of luck everyone!! :luck:

Still on the infamous "interview Waitlist" ... hmm :xf:

I read over a lot of posts on this thread; many are in this position as well.
I didn't know there was such a thing as a waitlist to get interviewed!
Hopefully that means I'll receive one so I can dip out of some second semester courses and spend a weekend in Chicago

Just sent in my deposit and I am an offical CCOMer!! I was wondering if you guys know of additional deposit dates? I know some other schools have it so that you have to send in additional deposits throughout the year in order to secure your seat. Thanks and hope to meet most of you in the fall!

another $1000 by March 15

Edit: Based on the responses below, this isn't true. I must have confused CCOM with another school. Sorry and thank you for correcting my mistake.

...

..... (Nevermind)

Just sent in my deposit and I am an offical CCOMer!! I was wondering if you guys know of additional deposit dates? I know some other schools have it so that you have to send in additional deposits throughout the year in order to secure your seat. Thanks and hope to meet most of you in the fall!

another $1000 by March 15

Uhhh... Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that the deposit at CCOM is a one time deal. In my interview they told us there would be a $1000 deposit needed to secure our spot. I had also heard of other schools that snuck in another deposit at a later date so I specifically asked them if there were any other deposits and they told me no, just one.

If I am misinformed on this issue I would really like to know. Anyone else willing to wiegh in??

To my knowledge CCOM requires one deposit of $1000 which will be applied toward your first semester tuition.

I just put down my deposit and will likely be attending CCOM in the fall. :D I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and those still in the application process I wish you the best of luck!:thumbup:

Hi CCOMers,

For those of you who have decided to attend, or if there are any current CCOM students here, how difficult do you think it would be to live in Chicago and commute to campus?

The only time I did the drive it was about an hour (ugh) leaving the city at 6:45am.

I have a great living situation in downtown Chicago where I will be able to spend very little on housing. And I really do not want to take out any extra loans to live in Downer's Grove. I realize that this could very well make my life harder, but if I get on the right schedule it could work.

Is anyone else considering living in Chicago (close to 290)/already doing this commute?

Thanks for any input!

Hi CCOMers,

For those of you who have decided to attend, or if there are any current CCOM students here, how difficult do you think it would be to live in Chicago and commute to campus?

The only time I did the drive it was about an hour (ugh) leaving the city at 6:45am.

I have a great living situation in downtown Chicago where I will be able to spend very little on housing. And I really do not want to take out any extra loans to live in Downer's Grove. I realize that this could very well make my life harder, but if I get on the right schedule it could work.

Is anyone else considering living in Chicago (close to 290)/already doing this commute?

Thanks for any input!

Along those lines, is there any good public transport from the Downer's Grove area to downtown Chicago?

Along those lines, is there any good public transport from the Downer's Grove area to downtown Chicago?

The Metra commuter train runs from the loop (downtown Chicago) to Downer's Grove. I don't know how much it costs though.

Along those lines, is there any good public transport from the Downer's Grove area to downtown Chicago?

yes!!! look into the trains. there is a train that runs from downer's grove to union station downtown. I rode it when I was there. You might have to take a cab to the train stop but its pretty cheap. this (http://metrarail.com/Sched/bn/main.shtml) is the station you'll want to go to. hope this helps!

yes!!! look into the trains. there is a train that runs from downer's grove to union station downtown. I rode it when I was there. You might have to take a cab to the train stop but its pretty cheap. this (http://metrarail.com/Sched/bn/main.shtml) is the station you'll want to go to. hope this helps!

Nice. How long does it take?

Nice. How long does it take?

I think the train from oakbrook takes about 30 min, so I am assuming that from Downers grove its about the same

i also live in the city and would like to commute. maybe some people interested in this would want to set up a carpool.

is there any type of shuttle from the metra station to campus? there don't appear to be any pace buses that go past campus.

i also live in the city and would like to commute. maybe some people interested in this would want to set up a carpool.

is there any type of shuttle from the metra station to campus? there don't appear to be any pace buses that go past campus.

I don't think there is a shuttle, I remember people taking cabs to the station after our interview. I could be wrong though.

I would be interested in carpooling if people have the same idea of how long we want to stay on campus to study after class or for extracurriculars, that sort of thing.

I think staying closer to the school 10-15 mins would be more advantageous. CCOM has exams every monday/friday so you'll be looking for the library or a good study spot nearly every day of the week. Also, after 8 hour class day i dont know whether I would want to spend time in the chicago traffic to get back home...

Hi CCOMers,

For those of you who have decided to attend, or if there are any current CCOM students here, how difficult do you think it would be to live in Chicago and commute to campus?

The only time I did the drive it was about an hour (ugh) leaving the city at 6:45am.

I have a great living situation in downtown Chicago where I will be able to spend very little on housing. And I really do not want to take out any extra loans to live in Downer's Grove. I realize that this could very well make my life harder, but if I get on the right schedule it could work.

Is anyone else considering living in Chicago (close to 290)/already doing this commute?

Thanks for any input!

Hey.. im a first year at ccom. should be studying but i randomly strolled on here. I would say commuting from downtown is doable but def going to add stress to ur life. I know ppl who commute and its a min of 1 hr on a regular day. Throw in some snow or rain and those ppl get to class 1hr and half late. Now add an exam day which class starts at 7:30 and ur looking at getting up around 4:30 to be safe! i dont know anyone who uses trains.. and i imagine that to be a huge pain in the ***** so its a hard choice. Id love to live in the city but im going to save it for 3rd year.

I just would like to ask if any current CCOM student can tell me more about your exam schedule. I know you have exams 1-2 times a week. How big are these xams? Are they small quizzes to keep you up to date or are they large (50+ Q's) exams that cover much material? What is the test format, MC, open answer, etc...?

All the exams are big... 50+ almost all multiple choice. Failing one wont kill u but it will put u at risk of failing the class AKA u get kicked out or held back. and yes the cover a huge amount of material. :)

For any current CCOM students, how do they decide where you go for your 3rd year rotations, is their some sort of a lottery for the different sites, or can you pretty much go to any of their affiliates? Also, do you stay at one location for all your core rotations or do you have to move around?

I don't think there is a shuttle, I remember people taking cabs to the station after our interview. I could be wrong though.

I would be interested in carpooling if people have the same idea of how long we want to stay on campus to study after class or for extracurriculars, that sort of thing.


Just to chime in all several of these posts...

I visited CCOM and Chicago again this weekend with my boyfriend to scope out possibilities for living situations. I definitely believe it when current students say it would be very stressful to commute from the city to school. I had an hour + commute from my sisters in Uptown/Lincoln Square to CCOM on my interview day and this last weekend was a solid 30 mins to downtown on a Saturday afternoon. We are not really considering any Northside neighborhoods due to the horrible commutes, but are considering Oak Park, Lombard, Napersville and of course Downers Grove.

The metra from Downers Grove to Union Station (downtown) takes 27 mins if it is an express train, but more like 55 minutes otherwise. I think a one-way ticket is like $4.30 from DG to Union Station, and a monthly pass is $116. Going from downtown to Downers Grove would necessitate getting to Union Station for a 7:20 train to arrive at 8:45 in DG, then somehow going 3 miles to school (10-15 minute bike ride I imagine). For 7:30 am tests however, you would need to leave Union on the 6:32 am train. So if you are living in a Northside neighborhood, you would then have to wake up more than an hour earlier to do the normal commute downtown. Or you would just drive 2-3 hours total each day. But if someone is living in DG and commuting downtown to work (as my boyfriend will be) it is actually not bad at all.

Anyway, I would also be up for joining a carpool of people who live in the city. If I lived in Oak Park I would drive on my own or join a carpool. If a carpool from a northside neighborhood was somehow feasible, I would consider doing that as well.

Also, hello to all my future CCOM 2013ers, I am definitely part of the class....

I just paid my deposit today! I am still looking into other schools so that I have more room for comparison, but CCOM is definitely my top choice! Anyhow, assuming I go to CCOM, I plan to live in the Forest Park, Oak Park area. You can get from there to campus without getting on the highway. I have just looked on google maps and such but have never tried to drive that way early in the morning. It's right on the edge of the blue line so it still has access to the city, but it's a lot closer to Midwestern. Does anyone have experience commuting from there? Any words of wisdom?

Also, does CCOM offer any scholarships?

Thanks! Congrats to all who are accepted, and good luck to those of you waiting!

I am freaking out, I need to decide on a school by Friday. I noticed that CCOM only allows 4 elective rotations 2 max in same specialty, and the other DO school I'm deciding on only allows 5 and 2 respectively. However, the MD school I'm looking at allows 8 electives and requires 5 in the same field. Why is their this difference. I'm interested in Ortho and am worried I won't be able to match if I can only do 2 audition/electives in that field. Is this a problem or do people usually get what they want regardless of this. Please provide some insight I'm desperate.:scared:

Anyone know if Michael Laken (director of admissions) is a phd/do/md/what?
I need to email him regarding my deposit and have no idea how to adress him...

I've been complete at CCOM since mid-November. I really hope I hear something soon!

Anyone know if Michael Laken (director of admissions) is a phd/do/md/what?
I need to email him regarding my deposit and have no idea how to adress him...

No doctorate (http://www.aacom.org/people/councils/Pages/COMAO.aspx) . Im not sure what his credentials are, I might say in your letter "to whom it may conern"

I am freaking out, I need to decide on a school by Friday. I noticed that CCOM only allows 4 elective rotations 2 max in same specialty, and the other DO school I'm deciding on only allows 5 and 2 respectively. However, the MD school I'm looking at allows 8 electives and requires 5 in the same field. Why is their this difference. I'm interested in Ortho and am worried I won't be able to match if I can only do 2 audition/electives in that field. Is this a problem or do people usually get what they want regardless of this. Please provide some insight I'm desperate.:scared:

There are a total of five elective rotations at CCOM--one required during year III and four required during year IV. That being said, you are technically allowed to have six elective rotations at CCOM, but the 6th can be used as vacation. In addition, there are two surgery selective block rotations--one each during years III and IV. I imagine, although I am not certain, that the maximum of two elective rotations pertains only to the electives, so maybe you could also do ortho selectives?

That is how I understand everything at least...I could be wrong though!

No doctorate (http://www.aacom.org/people/councils/Pages/COMAO.aspx) . Im not sure what his credentials are, I might say in your letter "to whom it may conern"

thanks drB!

My secondary was complete on October 9th and not a word from CCOM. When I called, admissions said a generic line about my application being reviewed at some point. It's just weird to me that some people get an interview after being complete for three weeks and I've been waiting almost three months. I'd rather just get a reject than have to endure more waiting...

...It's my top choice too. Sigh.

There are a total of five elective rotations at CCOM--one required during year III and four required during year IV. That being said, you are technically allowed to have six elective rotations at CCOM, but the 6th can be used as vacation. In addition, there are two surgery selective block rotations--one each during years III and IV. I imagine, although I am not certain, that the maximum of two elective rotations pertains only to the electives, so maybe you could also do ortho selectives?

That is how I understand everything at least...I could be wrong though!

I called yesterday and spoke with the Dean's office. Apparently their is no way around the max of two electives in one specialty, and the surgical selective cannot be in the same field as any previous elective. Maybe she was wrong, but she sounded confident. She said they want you to be more well rounded, and see other things, in case you are set on one thing, and then are stuck with it b/c its all you rotated in, and you end up hating it. However, she said students typically have no problem matching what they want with the 2 max in one field, and that everyone is typically happy with this curriculum. The conversation was somewhat comforting, but I'm still skeptical that I won't be able to match ortho, and thats what I'm set on as of right now.

You know that is somewhat concerning to me as well. However I've been doing some research and even in a specialty as competitive as plastics most people (attendings and other residents), don't think it wise to do any more than 3 rotations MAX in that specialty. So with that in mind the advice that followed echoed what you heard from the Dean's office to become well rounded. So my guess is that two in one subspecialty would be plenty. After all, if your set on ortho I'm sure that you could get some exposure to that doing rotations in other surgical specialties.

Also for ortho in particular take a glance at the 2007 match list. They had 8 students match into ortho. That is quite a bit for a class of 160 people. So I wouldn't worry about not being able to get it. CCOM seems to provide ample opportunity for people to match where they want to as long as they have the stats.

Congrats and good luck!

Hey all,

This is my first post here. I've been reading these posts since last night, and man am I getting nervous now..I'm just starting to recieve supplementals and I have recieved one from CCOM. I remember reading somewhere in this thread about that email "why consider CCOM?" I haven't received it, so I was wondering if someone could forward it to me since I'm working on my supplemental now. I hope i'm not really late cuz some people on here are already discussing their rotations...lol..btw this is a great network, and congrats to the ppl who are already in. Hope to get some help soon..:xf:

Hey all,

This is my first post here. I've been reading these posts since last night, and man am I getting nervous now..I'm just starting to recieve supplementals and I have recieved one from CCOM. I remember reading somewhere in this thread about that email "why consider CCOM?" I haven't received it, so I was wondering if someone could forward it to me since I'm working on my supplemental now. I hope i'm not really late cuz some people on here are already discussing their rotations...lol..btw this is a great network, and congrats to the ppl who are already in. Hope to get some help soon..:xf:

Don't get nervous. Just work hard on the essay, send it in quick and show your personality at the interview. I remember reading about how other applicants recieved the "why ccom" email. I never did. I just filled out the secondary (with its essays) and got an interview invite about 3 weeks later. I am not sure why I never got the email, but it didn't affect my chances because I was offered an acceptance. Good luck!

Don't get nervous. Just work hard on the essay, send it in quick and show your personality at the interview. I remember reading about how other applicants recieved the "why ccom" email. I never did. I just filled out the secondary (with its essays) and got an interview invite about 3 weeks later. I am not sure why I never got the email, but it didn't affect my chances because I was offered an acceptance. Good luck!


Thanks for you advise...I'm just really confused because there's so much info that i have read on here and some on CCOM web, but i'm not sure what i should include in the essays. Can you give me some guidelines as to what to include in the two essay questions? Also, when did u complete secondary?

You know that is somewhat concerning to me as well. However I've been doing some research and even in a specialty as competitive as plastics most people (attendings and other residents), don't think it wise to do any more than 3 rotations MAX in that specialty. So with that in mind the advice that followed echoed what you heard from the Dean's office to become well rounded. So my guess is that two in one subspecialty would be plenty. After all, if your set on ortho I'm sure that you could get some exposure to that doing rotations in other surgical specialties.

Also for ortho in particular take a glance at the 2007 match list. They had 8 students match into ortho. That is quite a bit for a class of 160 people. So I wouldn't worry about not being able to get it. CCOM seems to provide ample opportunity for people to match where they want to as long as they have the stats.

Congrats and good luck!

I've never heard that about the 3 rotation max thing. That actually made me feel a lot better, I hope it is true, not that I don't trust you. I see that they do have a far # of ortho's, but I was just concerned b/c as of right now its my top choice and I want it bad, so hopefully I can make it happen with the allowed electives. Thanks for giving me some peace of mind:thumbup:

just withdrew from CCOM, was tough to do
hopefully my spot goes to a fellow SDNer

I've never heard that about the 3 rotation max thing. That actually made me feel a lot better, I hope it is true, not that I don't trust you. I see that they do have a far # of ortho's, but I was just concerned b/c as of right now its my top choice and I want it bad, so hopefully I can make it happen with the allowed electives. Thanks for giving me some peace of mind:thumbup:

Hey no worries! I tried to find the thread I read it in but couldn't. I think it was actually a student who wanted to go into ENT but more of the same... Perhaps if any current students or other people further along the road could weigh in that would put some perspective on things!:)

Sorry to hear that raja, but best of luck to you and congrats on your IS acceptance!

Hi CCOMers,

For those of you who have decided to attend, or if there are any current CCOM students here, how difficult do you think it would be to live in Chicago and commute to campus?

The only time I did the drive it was about an hour (ugh) leaving the city at 6:45am.

I have a great living situation in downtown Chicago where I will be able to spend very little on housing. And I really do not want to take out any extra loans to live in Downer's Grove. I realize that this could very well make my life harder, but if I get on the right schedule it could work.

Is anyone else considering living in Chicago (close to 290)/already doing this commute?

Thanks for any input!


Hello. I am a second year and I commute from Indiana, but that is a different story. I have several friends who live in Chicago and several who live in Oak Park and all have been commuting since first year. They love living where they live. At least one person takes the train from downtown to Downers Grove. He actually leaves his car at the Downers Grove train station so he can then drive to campus. From Oak Park, the drive is not bad usually. You can get there on the 290 or Roosevelt if you want to avoid more traffic.
So, while this may add extra time, commuting for a better living situation is often worth it.
I own my home, so the drive is definitely worth it.
Good luck to everyone and let me know if you have more questions.

Hello. I am a second year and I commute from Indiana, but that is a different story. I have several friends who live in Chicago and several who live in Oak Park and all have been commuting since first year. They love living where they live. At least one person takes the train from downtown to Downers Grove. He actually leaves his car at the Downers Grove train station so he can then drive to campus. From Oak Park, the drive is not bad usually. You can get there on the 290 or Roosevelt if you want to avoid more traffic.
So, while this may add extra time, commuting for a better living situation is often worth it.
I own my home, so the drive is definitely worth it.
Good luck to everyone and let me know if you have more questions.

Hearing this excites me, although I still have tons of questions as far as how difficult this makes medical school. I'm trying not to be naive as far as how much time I will actually have to do things in the neighborhood where I live, but I do have a boyfriend who will need to commute downtown and I am the kind of person who just likes to live in the city. I was looking at how long it would take to take a train from the north side down to downtown, then most likely walk between the Ogilvie and Union stations, then take a train out to DG. I hadn't thought of leaving a car at the DG train station, which I am assuming would require buying a monthly spot, but that helps things out a tad.

Anyway, Micah, do you have a sense of how much those who have longer commutes tend to miss/skip lectures? I know you can't miss labs or OMM, but do these people tend to be more of self-learners? I never miss lectures in undergrad, but then again I always really learn it on my own anyway. I think I really just go to lectures to gain that sense of security that I know what's going on and am not missing anything. Maybe if I take classes next semester I will try to see how I do without attending lectures...just to see if I can pull that off.

OK sorry, I sound like a rambling crazy person. I'm just excited to hear that people make longer commutes work....

hi, i am new to this forum. i am currently filling out secondary application for ccom. kind of late. I have 31 in mcat, and 3.47 gpa. what did you guys say about "why ccom should accept you?". Another problem, ccom is asking letters from docters and professors in their letter head. I do have a LOR from a MD, but i am wondering if it was written in his letterhead because he asked me to type that up myself. He submitted the LOR to my prehealth advisory committee of my school with the recomendation request form filled for my school. Hope everything is fine.

Hearing this excites me, although I still have tons of questions as far as how difficult this makes medical school. I'm trying not to be naive as far as how much time I will actually have to do things in the neighborhood where I live, but I do have a boyfriend who will need to commute downtown and I am the kind of person who just likes to live in the city. I was looking at how long it would take to take a train from the north side down to downtown, then most likely walk between the Ogilvie and Union stations, then take a train out to DG. I hadn't thought of leaving a car at the DG train station, which I am assuming would require buying a monthly spot, but that helps things out a tad.

Anyway, Micah, do you have a sense of how much those who have longer commutes tend to miss/skip lectures? I know you can't miss labs or OMM, but do these people tend to be more of self-learners? I never miss lectures in undergrad, but then again I always really learn it on my own anyway. I think I really just go to lectures to gain that sense of security that I know what's going on and am not missing anything. Maybe if I take classes next semester I will try to see how I do without attending lectures...just to see if I can pull that off.

OK sorry, I sound like a rambling crazy person. I'm just excited to hear that people make longer commutes work....

Hey.. I had the same thoughts before i started. Unfortunately... midwestern likes the students to attend class. And they make sure u do! haha.. there is some form of attendence checking in almost all classes so u cant miss them and all exams are at 730am. And the classes that dont have atttendence have a "random in class assignment" worth a lot of points so if u coicidently miss that day ur screwed. And the classes u can miss are like one hr long at 1pm. Sooo missing them wont get u much. hope that helps :)

Hey.. I had the same thoughts before i started. Unfortunately... midwestern likes the students to attend class. And they make sure u do! haha.. there is some form of attendence checking in almost all classes so u cant miss them and all exams are at 730am. And the classes that dont have atttendence have a "random in class assignment" worth a lot of points so if u coicidently miss that day ur screwed. And the classes u can miss are like one hr long at 1pm. Sooo missing them wont get u much. hope that helps :)

Where are you getting this? I've never heard another CCOM student say this.

Hey everyone,

I interviewed in December and called CCOM today and they said they sent out the letters late last week....So, I have a question for everyone:

If I cannot see the "Welcome to CCOM" message when I login to the online portal and check the matriculation agreement....what does this mean????? Does it mean that I did not get accepted? Because they already sent the letters out?

Please someone help me I am freaking out here!!!!

Thanks,

Nick

Hey everyone,

I interviewed in December and called CCOM today and they said they sent out the letters late last week....So, I have a question for everyone:

If I cannot see the "Welcome to CCOM" message when I login to the online portal and check the matriculation agreement....what does this mean????? Does it mean that I did not get accepted? Because they already sent the letters out?

Please someone help me I am freaking out here!!!!

Thanks,

Nick

Hmmm, I was accepted to AZCOM before CCOM, so I'm not totally for sure, because I knew I was accepted to CCOM when I clicked the matriculation agreement tab and it said I had been accepted to multiple programs and had a drop down menu to select which one I wanted to complete. That was on a Friday and then I got my official letter the next monday. When I was accepted to AZCOM, I had clicked the mat. agreement tab and it said it was only available to accepted students. Then I did the same thing about two hours later, and the matriculation agreement showed up, so I knew I'd been accepted. Maybe your status is currently being updated. I don't know why else you wouldn't see the welcome CCOM message.

Where are you getting this? I've never heard another CCOM student say this.


I go there

I go there

Presumably all the others who post do as well. Maybe they've done the math and it pays to not go, even in spite of some in-class assignment? Would you agree?

Presumably all the others who post do as well. Maybe they've done the math and it pays to not go, even in spite of some in-class assignment? Would you agree?

If your the type who prefers not going to class by all means you can miss a plenty without penalty. Anatomy, physio, histo. But.. as far as coming later in the AM.. the morning classes are generally the ones you cant miss. Biochem is the one with random assignmnets. And pretty much eveeryone attends. You can do the math and no its not worth losing points im pretty sure everyone would agree with me. Keep in mind thats new for our class and in all honesty we choose the what percentage those in class asignments would be and we made them worth a lot. So no im not saying you must attend all classes. but if u miss a few, consider it an extended lunch.

If your the type who prefers not going to class by all means you can miss a plenty without penalty. Anatomy, physio, histo. But.. as far as coming later in the AM.. the morning classes are generally the ones you cant miss. Biochem is the one with random assignmnets. And pretty much eveeryone attends. You can do the math and no its not worth losing points im pretty sure everyone would agree with me. Keep in mind thats new for our class and in all honesty we choose the what percentage those in class asignments would be and we made them worth a lot. So no im not saying you must attend all classes. but if u miss a few, consider it an extended lunch.

Meh. Whatever. Two years of my life. It'll be hell no matter what.

I just got an interview invite today from CCOM. (I've been complete since about October 20th.) I went on the scheduling website, and the only day available was Tuesday, the 3rd of February. I've been accepted further up my list, and withdrew my application today. Whoever gets that interview slot, I wish you well!

Also for ortho in particular take a glance at the 2007 match list. They had 8 students match into ortho. That is quite a bit for a class of 160 people. So I wouldn't worry about not being able to get it. CCOM seems to provide ample opportunity for people to match where they want to as long as they have the stats.

I read through a little of the thread and hit this... I wish I could link to Midwestern University's residency page, but can't, so go to the CCOM section of their website and select "postdoctoral education" on the left hand side. Midwestern has a bunch of their own residency programs, including Ortho, general vascular surgery, invasive cardiology, and neurosurgery! I'd guess CCOM and AZCOM graduates have a pretty good shot at these, so specialization is definitely an option to you if you go to either place.

Anyway, best of luck to everyone!

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to update everyone. I interviewed in December like I said and this morning I checked and I can access the matriculation agreement. So, I got it!!!!!! I am so excited!

Anyway, so if you interviewed in December and cannot wait to get the letter, check the online portal and see what it says.

Good luck to everyone and hopefully I will meet some of you guys next year!

Thanks,

Nick

Hey congrats to everyone who was recently accepted! Enjoy your early Christmas present! ;)

Here is the link to the facebook group
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/g...7233981&ref=mf (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=42077233981&ref=mf)

And here is the link to the class thread.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=577146

Just got my secondary application, I am trying to fill it out as quick as I can so hopefully it won't be too late! I read earlier that some people got an email about "Why CCOM?" I was wondering if that had any helpful information to complete the secondary essays and if so could someone PM it to me? Thanks!

When I go to the CCOM webpage to check my status, it says that it can't find my information. Anyone have similar experiences?

When I go to the CCOM webpage to check my status, it says that it can't find my information. Anyone have similar experiences?

When did you interview? I was getting that page yesterday, but this morning my page changed to show the matriculation agreement. I interview December 12th.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Nick

no, I'm not lucky enough to have interviewed yet...I'm waiting for the invite.

no, I'm not lucky enough to have interviewed yet...I'm waiting for the invite.

Hey Brian,

If you have not interviewed then I'm pretty sure it will say that. You have to interview and get accepted in order for it to change.

Good luck with getting an interview.

Nick

Could a current student provide a little bit of information on the Pines Apartments on campus? Also what off campus apartments do most students live at? Thanks!!

I was just thinking about the Pines apartments, too!

I would also like some opinions/options as far as off campus apartments go. Could any current students provide some common apartment complexes around the downers grove area.

Thanks,

Nick

Where are most the ppl from ccom from? It seems like a lot of ppl were around the neighboring states when I interviewed...is that the case with the actual class?

Placed on interview wait list. Anyone know how long it will take to be picked for an interview?

rejection by snail mail today...dang!

Where are most the ppl from ccom from? It seems like a lot of ppl were around the neighboring states when I interviewed...is that the case with the actual class?

I'm from Connecticut so about 1000 miles away.

I asked my interviewers about geographical origins of most students at CCOM and was told that majority of them comes from the Chicago area.

Where are most the ppl from ccom from? It seems like a lot of ppl were around the neighboring states when I interviewed...is that the case with the actual class?

I'm from Connecticut so about 1000 miles away.

I asked my interviewers about geographical origins of most students at CCOM and was told that majority of them comes from the Chicago area.


I had a similar experience with my interview. Almost everyone was from the Chicago area, or at least were attending schools in the Chicago area. But, I am from Salt Lake City and I got accepted and it seems that quite a few people who have been accepted into our class are from varying parts of the country so I think there should be a healthy mix.

I was interviewing at AZCOM the day before my interview at CCOM and it seemed as though everybody THERE was from Salt Lake City or somewhere in California.

bump

I'm from Arizona!:thumbup:

Come on, people, contribute to the thread, please.

no, I'm not lucky enough to have interviewed yet...I'm waiting for the invite.

Hey brianjg, just curious, when were you complete? i was complete at 12/13 and haven't heard yet.. im bracing myself for any news... thanks!

CCOM conducts 75% of their interviews before the holidays...

Got accepted just before Christmas!! Really excited to go here:)

Got accepted just before Christmas!! Really excited to go here:)


congrats! good to know that there will be at least one other badger attending with me!

I'm anxiously waiting to hear something from CCOM. Been complete since mid-November.

I submitted my application in early September and waited 6 weeks to get invited to interview. If there are more applications now, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a little longer to be reviewed at this point. Good luck.

Also make sure to check your status online -- click on the "interview scheduling" link or something like that.

I scheduled my interview online when an invitation became available, but I don't recall ever getting an email from the school. I got a confirmation email after scheduling my interview, but that was it.

Hi guys. I'll put off a little anatomy studying here...

Could a current student provide a little bit of information on the Pines Apartments on campus? Also what off campus apartments do most students live at? Thanks!!


The Pines apartments are on campus, nestled back in the area with fields and the wellness center. I haven't been on the inside of them or heard any reviews about them. I believe it's probably possible to get them as a first year, but you'd have to get that housing application (don't freak out, it'll come later...) in early.

That said, I don't know if they're worth squabbling over--cost-wise, the pines are about as good as you'd get in apartments around campus. I think you even have to set up your own cable etc. Same with the refurbished dorms (Redwood)--they cost almost as much as an apartment would. I'm biased because I live in the traditionals, but if you're going to live in a dorm, you should do it to save money and for convenience.

On the convenience front, I can sleep in later than 90% of off campus classmates, I can run back to my room if I forgot something, I can sneak in a nap during lunch on a particularly long day. You get the idea.

On the cost front, the traditionals run ~$565 a month. That includes cable (with lots of good channels--6 HBO channels, NFL network etc etc etc) and internet. You can set up your own wireless (it is, unfortunately, not provided in the traditionals yet). The traditionals are also not air conditioned (which mattered all of 4-5 weeks). Most dorms are decently sized singles connected to bathrooms connected to another single...it's admittedly less cool to live in the dorms as a 24 year old than an apartment.

As far as where people live off campus, you can do your own research when you get into town--Yorktown Apts, Cityview Apts, Versailles, and others around downtown Downers are what people seem most happy with. Cost can be pretty high--just slightly lower than a lot of areas of Chicago. I think the people who seem happiest with their living situation are those that chose a complex near campus and picked up roommates (via SDN, facebook, etc--it has worked out with all but one that I know...do a little personality research before you room with each other.)

Edit: There are those who brave living in the city. They haven't backed down on their decision like I thought they would. However, there are definitely sacrifices involved--longer time behind the wheel, more money spent on gas, sleeping with friends in the area the night before early tests to avoid missing a test due to traffic/weather etc...usually people have a reason they ended up in the city--they had already been living there, they have significant others or family there...and so on.

Where are most the ppl from ccom from? It seems like a lot of ppl were around the neighboring states when I interviewed...is that the case with the actual class?


Based solely on visually seeing people raise their hands during orientation type stuff, I'd say about 50% of the class is from Illinois (~80% of that from Chicagoland) and 50% from all over the place--California, Utah, Massachusetts, New York, Michigan off the top of my head.

CCOM conducts 75% of their interviews before the holidays...


Sounds about what most med schools do...

No worries. I applied late (primary Nov, secondary late Dec, interviewed March) and was accepted. I also got the sense that there was quite a bit of waitlist movement between March and June.

I'm in the same boat as you. I was complete on 11-23, but no word yet.

I was complete 12/3, and still waiting to hear something...

I got an interview about 3-4 weeks after I was complete, but I was complete on 10/6 so you guys might have a bit of a wait ahead of you... Best of luck!!

Can anyone comment on what kind of clinical exposure students get in their first two years? From my understanding, it is mostly volunteer based, meaning you can choose to volunteer at the clinic and get some exposure. Is that how it works? Or is there something more organized directly through the school, or as a part of the curriculum?
Thanks!

Hi, just wanted to chime in regarding interviews. i have heard that if you receive an interview early (meaning by end of december) your chances of getting in are pretty high.:)

On a side note- I am excited about starting but dreading how tough it is (have friends that go there and are stressing out).:scared:

Seems like I'm in the same boat as a few people. Been complete since 12/1 and haven't heard a word.

Lame.

Entire school was on break from 12/19 to 1/5 guys. Chill out.

Hi, just wanted to chime in regarding interviews. i have heard that if you receive an interview early (meaning by end of december) your chances of getting in are pretty high.:)

On a side note- I am excited about starting but dreading how tough it is (have friends that go there and are stressing out).:scared:

I wonder if CCOM is tougher than other schools. That's the impression I got based on what the dean said ("it's extremely challenging curriculum....") and how tensed the students seemed.

I know no medical school is supposed to be easy, but judging from how students seemed at KCUMB and Western, it seemed as though things were easier there...


I know that sometimes you can actually learn just as much or even more in a low stress environment. Stress level doesn't have to be at all time high for students to succeed. I worry a little that CCOM is an old school, with old school attitude, "it was done to us, it will be done to them."

I wonder if CCOM is tougher than other schools. That's the impression I got based on what the dean said ("it's extremely challenging curriculum....") and how tensed the students seemed.

I know no medical school is supposed to be easy, but judging from how students seemed at KCUMB and Western, it seemed as though things were easier there...


I know that sometimes you can actually learn just as much or even more in a low stress environment. Stress level doesn't have to be at all time high for students to succeed. I worry a little that CCOM is an old school, with old school attitude, "it was done to us, it will be done to them."


I'd be curious to hear how current CCOMers feel about these concerns...any thoughts??

I'd be curious to hear how current CCOMers feel about these concerns...any thoughts??

It's a tough question to answer because I haven't gone to other medical schools--I only have friends at others. The answer for any given school, really, is that it's personal.

I have a friend from Indiana University who thought the first semester there was absolutely awful (to be fair, it was pretty bad on paper--they took something like anatomy, histo, biochem, and micro all at the same time). Another friend at IU, albeit at a different campus, who still took the same courses thought it was fine--and was most upset that he couldn't go out on weekdays anymore. Same curriculum, two different reactions to it.

I think the same is true for CCOM. A lot of variables come into play. Did you come straight from college or work in the real world awhile after graduation? For some, learning to study again after working for years might be a challenge...for others having been used to a "college schedule" and adjusting to getting up early everyday and doing schoolwork every night is difficult.

I hesitate to say this because it's not like I've finished my first year yet--but personally it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Anatomy is definitely the most difficult class I've ever taken, but once (after the first test...) you figured out how important it is to keep up with it and put in the time with it it's doable. And that's a theme--with the CCOM curriculum you're always having stuff thrown at you but it's always doable. So it's a volume and endurance challenge rather than that the material is impossible to comprehend.

I've told people the hardest part of med school is getting out of Anatomy lab at 5pm (having been there since 2pm after class since 8 or 9), taking a nap from 5-6 (or working out or watchign tv or whatever you choose to do), eating dinner....and then summoning the energy to study--you're exhausted, you've been working all day, but you need to pull it together and get yourself rolling again.

So that was kind of a mix of "CCOM's curriculum" and "med school adjustment" in general. How people are on your interview day really depends on when you catch us--if you interviewed in late november (the 2 weeks before thanksgiving), yeah you would have found everybody a little tense as any students at any school would be during their finals. You'll usually have 1-2 tests a week, and at least 2 quizzes a week--so you're constantly working--but I do believe that that has its payoffs in helping you learn the information better (at least for midterm, final etc) and it's good to remember that everybody goes through it together--so we can all support one another when times get tough (as they will be for the next 7 weeks or so). Hope that helps...feel free to follow up with questions and I'll try to check back...

I know that sometimes you can actually learn just as much or even more in a low stress environment. Stress level doesn't have to be at all time high for students to succeed.

I think stress in med school is unavoidable, and to a certain extent, that's the way it should be because the job itself will be stressful no matter what specialty you end up in (obviously some more than others).


I worry a little that CCOM is an old school, with old school attitude, "it was done to us, it will be done to them."


That's not true. We're mostly taught by PhD's anyway (don't read that as a bad thing. PhD's are professional educators. DO's are sometimes-academic physicians. We have DO's for our clinical medicine and OMM classes. I'll give you one guess which professors are better...)

Thanks for contributing, Bond. I really appreciate your comments. I interviewed in the first half of October. Overall, I had a very positive feeling about the school despite being exhausted after another interview and a long, delayed, overnight flight right before coming to CCOM. I had a very positive impression the moment I set my foot on campus and while I realize that sometimes first impressions may be misleading, I also know that oftentimes they can be quite reliable. Part of me enjoys my currently lighter schedule and another part of me cannot wait for medical school to begin. Sure, there is the stress of finding a place to live, moving 1000 miles, getting to know a completely new area, but I am very excited at the prospect! I am looking forward to joining CCOM!

I didn't find CCOM students to be any more stressed than the other places I interviewed at. Granted, this was in September so maybe things hadn't hit the crunch yet, but I met several students who seemed quite relaxed.

The one thing that I do worry about is that I heard a few students from various schools say that they study 4-6 hours per day. For schools where you end your day at 2 or 3, this seems realistic. But with CCOM's schedule often taking us to 5pm, I worry that I will have absolutely no time during the week to do some of the small things...like eat, work out and sleep.

I tend to be the type of person who only learns from reading and studying on my own. I like lectures and they probably add to my ability to see some of the big picture and better organize info, but I don't retain much from lectures. So I'm just hoping that I'll be able to find enough hours in the week to study as much as I need.

What happens during Biochemistry Workshops at CCOM?

They seem to consume a lot of time every week.

Cosmonaut:
I think that with enough self discipline and proper time management, everyone will be fine. You know, (4-6 hours of study for some students) = (3 hours of study + a workout+sleep for others) in terms of efficiency. Exercise helps with concentration and absorption of knowledge!

What happens during Biochemistry Workshops at CCOM?

They seem to consume a lot of time every week.


Obviously a current student will have a much better answer, but from what I was told, the Biochemistry workshops are (the only) problem-based/case-based elements of the curriculum. The class is split up into several groups, so I imagine it is interactive like true PBL sessions(?). I'm excited for this, because when I interviewed at LECOM, the PBL session was SUPER fun and interesting, and it seemed to be based mostly of biochem-type stuff (looking at ion gaps to help make a diagnosis, understanding how competitive inhibition is the basis for treating patients with alcohol poisoning, etc.). But I wouldn't want my entire education to be PBL....

me neither!

Replying to my previous post..I don't want scare anyone that CCOM is really tough..I've just heard that CCOM has the toughest curriculum for medical school compared to the other medical schools in IL (another reason why they start CCOM in August now instead of Sept)..that being said..Bond is right..Anatomy is the class that everyone says is the toughest ..I'm guessing b/c OMM goes hand in hand with it..it's definitely doable though..just like previous posts and what one of my friends (who goes there) said that as long as you study everyday and not wait till the weekend you would be fine..plus the curriculum is structured such a way that you don't fall behind that's why I believe the 1~2 tests + ~1~2 quizes/wk are given. Since Anatomy is the class that everyone says is the hardest I kind of started studying for the class on my own since I didn't get into it at my previous university. Then again that's my own personal preference. I remember one of the MS during mini-med school giving us advice..he said "If there is any advice I can give you..start studying for the COMLEX/USMLE from day one b/c you don't get too much time studying for them when boards come around" He suggested First Aid and/or BRS books for review. Then again if you're studying hard everyday you wouldn't need to study as hard for the boards b/c you already know most of material. I still took his advice into consideration and prob. will start studying from those books too b/c any help is better than no help...:)..

Can't wait to start! :eek:

I want to start too, but I'm trying not to get too crazy with my excitement. Probably soon after we begin, we'll be looking forward to a break!

I've been out of school for over a year now and really miss active, structured learning.

Stats from 2003

(Applications In State/OOS; Interviewed In State/OOS; Accepted In State/OOS; Enrolled In State/OOS)

School
PCOM - 553/3272; 309/259; 237/177; 161/105
UNECOM - 52/2396; 37/269; 33/188; 28/93
CCOM - 239/1406; 154/365; 115/267; 71/103
NJCOM - 373/2028; 115/170; 78/112; 100/0
NYCOM - 660/2637; 367/353; 286/254; 198/112
DMU COM - 160/2227; 111/468; 93/353; 59/156
LECOM - PA - 469/3782; 297/888; 174/345; 123/266

thanks! this is great info... even if from 2003, it gives an idea of how good my odds are if i get that interview.....

thanks! this is great info... even if from 2003, it gives an idea of how good my odds are if i get that interview.....

Where did those numbers come from. I was under the impression CCOM got close to 5000 applications every year, this shows much less.

Perhaps the 5000 refers to # of AACOMAS applications received. I presume some fail to submit secondaries.

Perhaps the 5000 refers to # of AACOMAS applications received. I presume some fail to submit secondaries.

So your telling me PCOM got 3825 secondaries, and CCOM only got 1645? I'd be very surprised and disappointed if that were true.

So your telling me PCOM got 3825 secondaries, and CCOM only got 1645? I'd be very surprised and disappointed if that were true.


I think that your suspicion might be right. I would expect similar numbers for these two schools. On the other hand, I think that people applying to DO schools as back up may be more likely to apply to PCOM (if they could only choose one, let's say), thus contributing to the larger number. Some think that PCOM is the best DO school in the nation. Of course, I am guessing here, but PCOM is often the #1 choice DO program, especially for folks with borderline stats -- possibly good enough for some MD schools and for highly competitive DO schools, too.
Also, it's been a while since I applied to both PCOM and CCOM, but I think that PCOM has a slightly shorter secondary application. CCOM requires a resume which may turn some applicants away.

I think that your suspicion might be right. I would expect similar numbers for these two schools. On the other hand, I think that people applying to DO schools as back up may be more likely to apply to PCOM (if they could only choose one, let's say), thus contributing to the larger number. Some think that PCOM is the best DO school in the nation. Of course, I am guessing here, but PCOM is often the #1 choice DO program, especially for folks with borderline stats -- possibly good enough for some MD schools and for highly competitive DO schools, too.
Also, it's been a while since I applied to both PCOM and CCOM, but I think that PCOM has a slightly shorter secondary application. CCOM requires a resume which may turn some applicants away.

You guys are wrong. CCOM had 5000 secondaries last year. CCOM also has higher stats than PCOM.

I think that your suspicion might be right. I would expect similar numbers for these two schools. On the other hand, I think that people applying to DO schools as back up may be more likely to apply to PCOM (if they could only choose one, let's say), thus contributing to the larger number. Some think that PCOM is the best DO school in the nation. Of course, I am guessing here, but PCOM is often the #1 choice DO program, especially for folks with borderline stats -- possibly good enough for some MD schools and for highly competitive DO schools, too.
Also, it's been a while since I applied to both PCOM and CCOM, but I think that PCOM has a slightly shorter secondary application. CCOM requires a resume which may turn some applicants away.

Your right that CCOM's secondary is lengthier than PCOM's but I still have a hard time believing that PCOM got that many more secondaries than CCOM. I think if you ask anyone, they would say PCOM and CCOM are on the same level. I say that b/c everyone at my CCOM interview had only applied to CCOM for DO, and the rest they applied to were MD. I just think these #'s are off, or maybe the numbers reported for every other school were primaries and CCOM were secondaries. Again I would be very dissapointed if CCOM only got 1645 primaries and the rest of the schools got that many primaries or secondaries, this meaning I wouldn't consider it a major accomplishment getting into CCOM b/c it is not near as competitive as I thought it was.

You guys are wrong. CCOM had 5000 secondaries last year. CCOM also has higher stats than PCOM.

Thank you, I now feel like I've accomplished something again. :)

Thank you, I now feel like I've accomplished something again. :)

Oh, you did. CCOM is one of the best. No one denies this.