Originally Posted by University Program Secondary

Required Essay: Greatest Challenge (3500 chars)

The admissions committee is interested in gaining more insight into you as a person. Please describe the greatest personal challenge you have faced which you feel has helped to shape you as a person. Examples may include a time when you felt you were "in over your head," or a time when you felt personally criticized. You may also discuss a moral or ethical dilemma, a situation of personal adversity, or a hurdle in your life that you worked hard to overcome. Please include how you got through the experience and what you may have learned about yourself.



Optional Scholarly Essay (3500 chars)

One of the four pillars of the Western Reserve Curriculum is Research and Scholarship. Although research is not a pre-requisite requirement for the University Track, if you have participated in research or another scholarly project please tell us about it. Describe your experience, including the question you pursued and how you approached it, your results and interpretation of the results, and most importantly, any thoughts about what this experience meant to you. Remember that research is broad-based and can include such projects as a senior capstone or a thesis and can include both medical and non-medically-related investigations.


Small Group Essay (300-1000 chars)

If you were working on a small group project and you thought that another student wasn't carrying their load, how would you handle it?

Originally Posted by College Program (CCLCM) Secondary

Research Essay:

(Required for all applicants to CCLCM) Please describe the hypothesis of your research, why the methods were selected to answer that hypothesis, your results and interpretation of your results with respect to future findings. If you have not participated in research or scholarly work, please indicate so in the text area below.

Please limit your response to 1 page (about 3,500 characters), and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

Areas of Improvement Essay:

(Required for all applicants to CCLCM) Each year our students target for themselves areas of improvement. Other than the acquisition of new knowledge, what personal area do you think you have that could use strength? Design a plan as to how you could improve it.

Please limit your response to 500-1000 characters, and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

Criticism and Feedback Essay:

(Required for all applicants to CCLCM) Tell us about a time when you received unexpected criticism or negative feedback. How did you react? What did you do?

Please limit your response to 500-1000 characters, and leave a blank line between paragraphs.

Originally Posted by Auriga

Hi guys! Welcome to Case's application thread!

Since this is early on the first page, I decided to create a FAQ to answer what we think are particularly important things that come up often in later pages. I'll update it periodically. Those with moderators' magical wands are free to edit at will.
This is NOT comprehensive. Please feel free to ask questions anytime!

(I.)There are two tracks at Case: the University Program (UP), and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM) program.

Although when people say "Case," they're frequently referring to the UP, we're one big happy family here. So when you have questions about something specific to one program or another, please specify which (UP or CCLCM). That helps keep things from becoming confusing!

(II.) Common to both programs:

(A.) PBL-style learning: Myuu gives a great explanation in a post below. Linked here:http://forums.studentdoctor.net/show...2&postcount=12

(B.) Free classes (including Masters Degrees!) at Case. Except for Law, Dental, and Nursing degrees. Small fees apply for Masters Degrees. There are quite a few students from both UP and CCLCM who choose to pursue a second degree. Common ones are listed below.
Some students try to cram it all in at once, to finish during the 4 years (5 for CCLCM). Most take an extra year to complete the requirements for the degree.
(1.) Masters of Anatomy (most do finish in the 4 years)
(2.) Masters in Public Health (MPH)
(3.) Masters in Bioethics
(4.) M.S. in whatever. vc7777 is doing this.

(III.) Specific to UP: The University Program is a 4 year program with approx. 166 students, including 8 MSTP students.
MSTP is tuition-free; the regular UP is the student's responsibility (although there are many financial aid options, scholarships, and grants offered.)
(A.) MSTP (Medical Scientists Training Program) is an 8 year program that leads to an M.D. and a Ph.D.
The first 2 pre-clinical years are spent 100% with your fellow matriculating UP class. The following ~4 years are spent completing requirements for the Ph.D. The last 2 clinical years are spent with UP and CCLCM students who will graduate the same year as you.


(IV.) Specific to CCLCM: CCLCM is a 5 year program aimed at training physician scientists. There are 32 students per class. Tuition is paid for by the program, not the student.

Originally Posted by vc7777

:hello:

Hi! I'm Vc7777, I am a (soon to be) second year at CCLCM, which is also called the College program (CP) at Case. I am also a rocket scientist, just so you know. I may some day be a rocket-surgeon. Stay tuned to find out.

CCLCM is not just basic sciences. Translational, and clinical are also actively pursued. As for Public Health, you can get an MPH (masters of public health) while you are here, although it is one of the most labor intensive courses of study (based on shear number of classes). You can do public health related research as part of your program here at CCLCM.

Hope that helps.


What is CCLCM?
“The mission of the CCLCM is "to educate a limited number of highly qualified persons who seek to become physician investigators and scientists committed to the advancement of biomedical research and clinical practice."

“In 2002, the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University formed an historic partnership to establish the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of CWRU (CCLCM) – an innovative medical school program with a mission to train physician investigators. Every aspect of CCLCM is focused on achieving this goal - from admissions criteria and supportive financial aid to curriculum design and student assessment. Students develop the skills of self-directed learning critical for success as a physician and an investigator.” -CCLCM website.

Take a look at our website, and see if this interests you. We train completely separately our first two years from our UP comrades. No grades, no class ranking, and the smallest class I know of (32). We have a portfolio based system of promotion each year.

After our second year, we have the same rights and privileges as the rest of the Case students. CCLCM has an extra year, but the masters degree is free-of-charge if you want it. We are committed to training physician investigators. It is sort of a happy medium between a traditional medical school curriculum and a Mud-phud (MD/PhD) track (which by the way CWRU also has). -vc7777

Is the CCLCM program only for basic sciences? or would public health / other research focuses be considered in there too?
At CCLCM “Research” is broadly defined and can include investigations into the business of healthcare, the delivery of medicine, epidemiology, clinical, translational, or basic sciences (among many others). Public health, nutrition, biomedical engineering, and similar areas are all fair game.

You must do two summers (before your first and second years) in basic and clinical research. No getting out of that. This is to ensure everyone has exposure to both major forms of medical research before graduation.

CCLCM is very personalized after your second year, and the school they will consider any reasonable research pursuit (assuming funding, PI credentials, sound proposals, etc. etc.). The other cool thing is that you do not have to commit until nearing your research year to any given path. -vc7777

How much research do I need to be a competitive applicant to CCLCM?
CCLCM attracts a lot of the same people who apply to MD/PhD programs, including the Case MSTP. I would say that at least one year of part-time research experience is the minimum for CCLCM. The ideal would be to have 3+ years of research experience. More important than the length of time you spend doing research is your role in the research. Washing dishes and running assays without understanding what you're doing for five years isn't very valuable. You should be able to explain the rationale, hypothesis, results, interpretation of data, etc. related to your project. -CCLCMer

How many letters do I need for CCLCM?
You need at least on letter from faculty member who can attest to your performance within a research setting. This likely will be beyond you “usual” letters (or committee letter) for MD-only applications.

What’s a typical schedule like for a first year at CCLCM?
A week of Vc7777's 1st year

What’s the match list for CCLCM like?
[link to CCLCM match list]
Please keep in mind that the number of people going into a particular residency is highly variable at any school. If there are more people interested in a particular specialty, there will be more matches. I will say that our track record of alumni success should convince you that Case in general and CCLCM in particular will not limit you.

Can you apply CCLCM and UP?
You can apply to both, or just to one or the other. Please note, our admissions process is entirely separate after the secondary. If you apply to both, you will receive two independent outcomes, meaning there are four possibilities:

Accepted both
Rejected both
Accepted UP not CP
Accepted CP not UP

(Please note these are not in any particular order) -vc7777

For admissions purposes, the two programs function quasi independently, almost as if they were two separate med schools. There are two separate admissions offices and two separate adcomms. It is possible to be invited to interview by one program and not the other, and it is also possible to be accepted to one program and rejected by the other. - CCLCMer

If I want to apply to CCLCM and Case for MD, is that same as two different applications, or is it just two different secondaries (one for CCLCM and one for Case MD)? I just want to know the answer mainly because of cost.
You must select Case on your primary. That is, there is no separate checkbox on the primary for CCLCM. However, when you receive your secondary for CWRU, you can elect to apply to CCLCM only, Case only, or both programs. There is no requirement that you must apply to the UP if you are only interested in the CP. - vc7777

There is NO added cost to applying to both, it's all one application. Also, if you do decide to apply to CCLCM, there will be more essays. More bang for your buck! - PhNerd1105

How much segregation and/or integration there is between the regular MD program, the CCLCM program, and the MSTP?
As for CCLCM, we (UP students) actually don't interact with them very much. The campuses are separate, by a 20 minute walk or 5-10 min drive, and our programs are different. It's not that there's no love, it's that we don't have much opportunity. Unless we do on our own. Which is something that the student council (which is comprised of both UP and CCLCM) is working on changing! - Auriga

Yes, we train entirely separately from the UP students. Our programs have different missions and different overall formats for the basic science years. -vc7777

After Step 1 (generally taken at the end of second year), students from both programs do rotations and research together, and the MSTP students rotate with the rest of us as well. The only differences during rotations are that CCLCM students continue to be graded P/F, and taking the shelf exams is optional for us. UP/MSTP students are required to take the shelfs, and they have an H/HP/P/F type of grading system. But students from all three programs rotate at all of the Case-affiliated hospitals, work on the same teams on the wards, attend clinical lectures together, etc. - CCLCMer

Does CCLCM pay for tuition, like MSTP?
CCLCM covers the tuition for the four years of medical school, plus the costs of (optional) masters classes at Case. In addition, a laptop, parking permits, and gym membership are provided at no cost. During your research year (either your 3rd of 4th year) you must find an independent source of funding to cover your research. Given the size and age of our program, we have had impressive success with securing named fellowships/research grants for many of our students, so this should not be a concern at time of application.

What percentage of people in the CCLCM program go for an additional degree?
The number of students who seek other degrees is highly variable. Currently about HALF of my class (!!) is enrolled in CRSP. Four others are taking MPH classes. Some of the engineers are considering the biomedical degree. But take all of this with a grain of salt - this is a personal decision. Just rest assured that CCLCM has cranked out many students with a masters degrees. -vc7777

Many start out planning to do an MS, but few actually finish. In my class, about 1/4 of us got MSes. Four or five of us did CRSP, one person did BME, one did an MPH. There may have been one or two others. -CCLCMer

What options are there for figuring out *exactly* what you want to do?
I’ll refer you to:

cclcm.ccf.org

There is a guest login option. Login as "guest" and password "guest"
on the Right hand banner is a "Master's Degree Options" this is a list of masters options currently available.

Btw, this is our educational portal. It shows students a personalized schedule (I really mean personalized...room assignments, special preceptorships, etc...). This calendar is now google linked...which is sweet b/c is work seamlessly with my android phone. -vc7777

Depends on when you mean. Once you've decided to matriculate to CCLCM, the school will ask you what areas of basic research you are interested in. You will give a few choices, and they will assign you a researcher for your first summer, which is the basic science summer. For the second (clinical research) summer, students typically choose their own mentor. Likewise for the research year.

You have a ton of exposure to potential mentors during med school. The first block of both preclinical years (first and second) is pretty much all research-oriented. During the rest of the first and second years, you have a weekly research seminar. You also can contact PIs on your own to set up research projects. In addition, you are not limited to doing research at CCF. You can do research at any of the Case-affiliated centers, including the Case med school, University Hospitals, Rainbow Babies, Metro (county hospital), and the VA. If you're interested in geriatrics, there will be plenty of opportunities for you. Likewise in onc. -CCLCMer

Is the interview format the same regardless of whether I'm applying for CP/UP? Are CP applicants interviewed at the same time as UP applicants? or do they get interviewed first?

The CP office doesn't start reviewing applications until later, so CP-only and UP-CP applicants will interview later than people who just apply UP. In terms of actual interview days, your CP interview will be the day before your UP interview. Can't have you spending loads of cash to come here twice, after all. - Myuu

I agree with Myuu, but I suspect this to be true mainly near the beginning of the interview season. But the message should be clear: don't freak out if people who applied AFTER you are getting interview spots for UP before you. It doesn't mean you are not being considered. -vc7777

What is the CP interview format, is it separate from the UP?
If you are invited to interview by both programs, you will have two completely separate interview days. The CCLCM interview day is conducted at CCF, and the UP interview day is conducted at Case, which is about a mile away. The admissions offices will try to coordinate your interview days back-to-back so that you don't have to make two separate trips to Cleveland. Case interviews UP candidates on M-T-F, and CCLCM interviews on M-Th-F, so generally you would either do M/T or Th/F. - CCLCMer

There are three CCLCM interviews, all one-on-one. Two are with faculty and one with a student. Typically, one faculty interviewer will focus more on your research, while the other will focus more on the medicine side. -CCLCMer

I want to apply to both programs (Case and CCLCM), but in AMCAS do I select MD only or the MD/Masters when adding the school?
MD-only unless you know already that you're applying to one of your grad programs as well. - Myuu
Has there been Canadians/other international folks at CCLCM? Just curious.
We have a strong showing of international students. We’ve even accepted Canadians, too. (that’s a joke, btw) -vc7777

Yes. My class had three Canadians and three people from other countries (Japan, Ghana, and India). -CCLCMer

Do you think a phd applying would be weird or is that not uncommon?
Your app will definitely NOT be tossed if you have a PhD, and it will NOT be weird to apply if you have a PhD. There are several students with PhDs who have been accepted and matriculated--we had two people with PhDs in my class, which may not sound like many until you consider that the entire class was only 32 people! For seeing the MS options, the best thing to do is to go to the portal like vc7777 suggested above. -CCLCMer

I have a classmate with a PharmD, and I believe other PhDs were accepted but did not attend. -vc7777

What kind of research and where can you do it at CCLCM?
Sky’s the limit for your full research year. You are not limited to just our own institution, but nearly everything in and around Cleveland - (MetroHealth, Univ. Hospital, Rainbow Babies, The VA, Case proper). In addition, if you have funding and an establish program you can perform your research year at away institutions (even international) - however note Dr. Young (our Dean) has set the bar reasonably higher for conducting your research year away from Cleveland. Note that your first two summer research experiences MUST be done around Cleveland (because you also have courses to take during the summers). For the summer before your first year, a compendium is published with potential PIs and their corresponding research interests. You can indicate preferences, however the staff will assign you to one of them before you arrive. -vc7777

When do interviews start?
Interviews to my knowledge will start around beginning of September. I will confirm when the schedule is available -vc7777

Is there anything you really don't like about the CCLCM program? If you had to pick again, would you definitely stay with CCLCM? Also, do you like the more independent learning style/group work approach?
vc7777's response
CCLCMer's response

And what's the gunner population like?
vc7777's response
CCLCMer's response

Originally Posted by berriesandcream (Post 11133343)

what exactly are secondary and interviews based on? I see from the MSAR data the mean is 3.8/35, and I have nowhere near there. Totally wanna apply, but I'm trying to look at the realistic options... Completely interested and loving the school though :love:

Originally Posted by vc7777 (Post 11134486)

Apply because you love us. Tell us how you love us and how you will make our class more interesting. :D

[...]

Interesting people get into Case because they are interesting AND because we feel that they can succeed here. It is a tough question to answer - I think so many factors play into a "successful" application leading to an interview. As banal as it may sound: We have the essays on the secondary because we want to KNOW the responses. I mean, there were (are?) some schools without a secondary when I applied. These schools didn't want additional information before an interview decision was made. I mention this as proof that there is no requirement for schools to put essays on a secondary. So, our essays are there because we want to know the answers. They are important to the adcom, and I suggest you reply in a thoughtful and professional manner.

As for grades and MCAT scores, I can only give you anecdotal evidence from friends and myself. Averages are the average. What neither you nor I know is the standard deviation or other statistical methods of characterizing the cohort. This isn't Lake Woebegone, that I can tell you. We are not all above the average. :)

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow22 (Post 11021664)

definitely thinking about applying here

Originally Posted by Myuu (Post 11021854)

You totally should! Anything in particular holding you back?:)

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow22 (Post 11022435)

nope nothing, I think I definitely will add it :). Any tips for someone hoping to land an interview? ( I like the large volume applicants the interview).

My stats are avg or below avg depending on how MCAT turns out and you can peek at my EC's on Mdapps

Originally Posted by Auriga (Post 11023851)

I'm a non-trad with a low-ish undergrad gpa (great post-bac GPA and MCAT make up for it to some degree). My MDApps has my stats and some advice on strengthening your app.
Stats are only one piece of the picture. If your stats are low, put extra effort into making sure the rest of your app is amazing. Case is a school that isn't only about numbers - you must have substance as well.

Originally Posted by raltima07 (Post 11024070)

I have substance and not numbers lol....

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow22 (Post 11024513)

What's the difference ( I know this question is probably asked every year) between cclm and up? And what college admits more people?

Originally Posted by Myuu

That can be very school-dependent. It doesn't seem to work well at schools that don't get behind it fully. We do a hybrid format with 6 hours lecture and 6 hours PBL for the week and the flexibility is actually quite nice. You can use your extra time to find out how you best learn material and then do that, or pursue areas you're particularly interested in in more depth, then discuss it in your PBL sessions if applicable.

The way we do it, we have PBL (which we call IQ) three times per week (MWF). On Monday, we get two clinical vignettes, which we read through and use to make learning objectives that are relevant to both the case and the block. A facilitator who may or may not be a content expert is present with the official learning objectives to make sure we don't go too far off course or drill into meaningless sublevels of detail, but otherwise does not interfere with the process. They make sure to give us plenty of online resources to start looking at, so it's not like they leave you entirely up to your own devices. We then go home (or to the library or whatever works best for you), research the objectives the group came up with, and come back to have a robust discussion of them on Wednesday and Friday. IQ works quite well in this way and should not be used as primary source of learning. Like all parts of our curriculum (lecture included), it is but one of many things that build on each other to create a richer whole. The group discussion can also be a great way of presenting alternative ways of thinking about problems that may facilitate greater understanding of the material.

In summary, I:love:PBL the way we do it.:laugh:

Originally Posted by Myuu again

Ok, there seems to be a significant difference in what people mean when they say 'PBL'. Please do correct me if I'm wrong, but it would seem like the people who've 'done' PBL and hate it are attending schools where you occasionally meet in a 'small' group (smaller than lecture, anyway), are introduced to a new problem, and are expected to solve it (investigate it?) while you're sitting there in the 2-3 hour session (or by the next time you meet, which isn't often).

While that strategy may involve a problem, it doesn't seem to involve a lot of learning.

If your school does this, your curriculum is not PBL-based. Think of it as something your school's course directors threw in to make the LCME say "ooh, how progressive" when they do the accreditation dance (or the impress-the-applicants-with-fancy-buzzwords dance). It is a terrible way for most people to learn and I'm not really sure what anyone could possibly get out of it other than a mild to moderate headache and an unhealthy dislike for your facilitator or classmates.

What is a PBL-based curriculum then?

In a PBL-based curriculum (based on my completely scientific sample of n=1, possibly 2, if you count us as two different programs), these small group learning sessions are a primary means of stimulating students to do independent learning. None of that primary information gathering and processing should occur during the discussion, unless someone's not pulling his or her weight (which will be made clear (oh, yes) in the peer feedback that closes every session).

As I've stated before, the way we do it is 2 hours every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We get two cases in the form of clinical vignettes on Monday, which we go through (with facilitator guidance, if necessary) and determine block-related objectives based on the content of the vignettes. You are not in any way expected (or even advised) to learn or research information during this time. You then leave (if you want) and go do research on the learning objectives based on the suggested resources you've been given (a handful of topic-specific reads) and are free to pick and choose what works best for you so that you retain the information better. Again, the goal is not to force you to read things for the amusement of the faculty, as entertaining as that might be. The goal is for you to learn. By this point, the topic has either already been covered in the lectures or will be the following day (yay, double coverage!). I guess this would be a good time to point out that we have class from 8am until noon, so it's not like you sit through a zillion hours of ritualized low-temp mindnumbing, too.

Having found the information you seek and a way to internalize it that suits you, you return to the group on Wednesday (and Friday for the other case, if the topics suit a split in that manner--they usually do) for a lively discussion on what you've found out. You will find that most, if not all people have found factually accurate information that they could easily regurgitate to you, if prompted. Very rarely is that sort of thing prompted. As a matter of fact, we discourage that. Topics that everyone knows, we make sure to cover, yes, but where the beauty of the system lies in the details and nuances that, despite your academic pedigree, you found confusing. Your classmates may have also encountered difficulties in this or other areas. But, thankfully, within your group of 8-9 students, with their different personalities, different ways of learning, and different life experiences, there is (nearly) always someone (or several) who's understood the topic and can explain/illustrate how it works. The ensuing discussion is where concepts are reinforced and solidified. Sometimes, you're that person. While you might think that you'll just teach everyone, you'll find that verbalizing that information (taking it from one modality and forcing yourself to transform it to another) cements it further in your mind.

In summary: win-win.


(Also, at the university program, all students research all learning objectives. Splitting them up might seem easier, but in the end, I don't think it helps anyone, as you won't learn a topic you haven't researched if you haven't put in the work.)

Originally Posted by GoSpursGo (Post 11024906)

I see you're already spamming up a storm in here, Myuu :laugh: ;)

Originally Posted by Myuu (Post 11024926)

It's not my fault we have more SDN-active students than most anywhere. :)

Originally Posted by GoSpursGo (Post 11024937)

Actually, it probably is :meanie:

Originally Posted by vc7777 (Post 11025771)

:hello:

Hi! I'm Vc7777, I am a (soon to be) second year at CCLCM, which is also called the College program (CP) at Case.

CCLCM is not just basic sciences. Translational, and clinical are also actively pursued. As for Public Health, you can get an MPH (masters of public health) while you are here, although it is one of the most labor intensive courses of study (based on shear number of classes). You can do public health related research as part of your program here at CCLCM.

Hope that helps.

Originally Posted by Myuu (Post 11024926)

Spamming? Well, I never! I am providing application/Case-specific information to interested parties!:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

It's not my fault we have more SDN-active students than most anywhere. :)

Originally Posted by citrusguy2010 (Post 11025783)

thanks! is it kind of unheard of? i'm in the middle of my MPH program now and i am really interested in continuing research in that field and i just don't often hear of programs that have public health research programs because typically they focus on the basic sciences

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow22 (Post 11025169)

Thanks for the detailed response myuu

Does case reuse their secondary essays? I might try to get a head start

Originally Posted by vc7777 (Post 11025788)

Hmmm...I don't know...she might be spamming.

Originally Posted by Myuu (Post 11026522)

We tend to reuse themes, it would seem There are minor changes to the essays from year to year. Last year, I think, they added a new one.


There's at least one person that's far worse than me, but I can't seem to remember his username. Maybe you can help me with that...

Originally Posted by TheModFather

I suppose now would be a good time to point out that Case threads don't work like other schools' secondary threads. We are fully (voluntarily) staffed and happy to answer your questions as quickly as possible so you don't have to scroll through 50 pages of backlog. Feel free to ask anything, anytime!

Originally Posted by citrusguy2010 (Post 11025437)

is the CCLCM program only for basic sciences? or would public health be considered in there too?

Originally Posted by phnerd1105 (Post 11025919)

PS Dr. Frank is a BOSS.

Originally Posted by MilkIsGood (Post 11026371)

how much research experience do you need to be considered a strong candidate for cclcm

Originally Posted by CCLCMer (Post 11026816)

If you're talking about our dean, it's Franco, not Frank. ;)

Originally Posted by vc7777 (Post 11026713)

CCLCMer? Auriga? sounds right... Auriga...:shifty:

Originally Posted by phnerd1105 (Post 11025919)

PS Dr. Frank is a BOSS.

Originally Posted by Auriga (Post 11027927)

QFT (Quoted For Truth)
Actually, I met with Dr. Frank and the rest of the Block 1 faculty team this afternoon. This is a perfect opportunity to talk about one of the many reasons why Case rox.

I'm one of the SCME Reps from my class (class of 2014). The Student Committee on Medical Education is one of several venues in which Case gives students the opportunity to have a direct impact on refining and revising the curriculum. I take feedback from my classmates and present it to the curriculum leaders, and represent my class in meetings.

My input on Block 1 (the first 5 weeks of medical school) is helping shape the first block for this year's incoming class. Other changes have been made in "real time," so to speak, for my own class - they've changed aspects of how things were structured, based upon our feedback, within as little as a week of our discussions. The faculty is genuinely invested in ensuring that our education is the most effective for us as possible. They have open feedback sessions frequently, and make tangible changes based upon what you say.

Originally Posted by CCLCMer (Post 11026816)

Hi all, I don't know how much I'm going to be around after this month, but I'm a CCLCM grad (c/o 2011) and can answer questions about third year rotations for either program (we do rotations together with the UP students), research year, applying for residency, etc.

Originally Posted by vc7777 (Post 11026713)

Good point...should be restated at the top of each new page...
Speaking of top posts...
Will you explain that?

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow22 (Post 11028345)

Does this mean we have to have 3-5 letters in addition to a committee letter? I think I'm reading it wrong but just want to clarify because I'm using my committee letter and will only have 2 maybe 3 letters in addition to the committee letter

Originally Posted by Auriga (Post 11027994)

Remember, mandatory pic. And padding is for the lose. Yeah, I'm looking at you.

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow22 (Post 11028345)

question concerning LOR's--this is what is says straight from the site
"Letters of recommendation are considered critical to the decision-making process. We require three to five letters of recommendation from individuals who know the candidate well and who are in a capacity to judge the applicant's performance objectively (no family members or friends of family). At least two letters should be from research or science advisors/professors. A letter from a research advisor is required for the College Program and recommended for the University Program if applicable. A premedical committee evaluation will be considered in lieu of the three to five required letters with the addition of a letter from a research advisor for the College Program. Confidential letters and a specific statement that a student is in good standing are preferred. Commentary on any institutional action taken is desirable, when applicable."


Does this mean we have to have 3-5 letters in addition to a committee letter? I think I'm reading it wrong but just want to clarify because I'm using my committee letter and will only have 2 maybe 3 letters in addition to the committee letter

Originally Posted by Myuu (Post 11029004)

So, I asked for you! If you have a committee letter that's fine. If you don't have a committee letter, send us 3-5 letters. But note, as vc777777777 said, for the CP you still need that one extra letter.:luck::xf:

Originally Posted by vc7777 (Post 11029600)

No problem. Please keep in min that the number of people going into neurosurgery is highly variable at any school. If there are more people interested in a particular specialty, there will be more matches. Perhaps more so with this specialty because it is a very demanding lifestyle. I will say that our success should convince you that Case will not limit you if that is what you desire. :)

Originally Posted by vc7777 (Post 11029600)

No problem. Please keep in mind that the number of people going into neurosurgery is highly variable at any school. If there are more people interested in a particular specialty, there will be more matches. Perhaps more so with this specialty because it is a very demanding lifestyle. I will say that our success should convince you that Case will not limit you if that is what you desire. :)

Originally Posted by Myuu (Post 11029627)

It's important to note that the match is more applicant-dependent than school dependent. Even so, 7 in neurosurg is pretty cool! :D