Lincoln Memorial - DeBusk (LMU-DCOM) Discussion Thread 2012 - 2013

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New Year, New Thread!!! Discuss away!!!

First!

C/O 2016 here. Although I can't answer any questions pertaining to student life (yet), I'll be happy to answer any questions about the app cycle/interview.

I'd be happy to help anyone with their application for DCOM this season and hope to attend some of the pizza nights. Just send me a private message or ask here for everyone to see.

I'll also be around for any questions about the application and anything else you guys need!

Wow is it that time already? Class of 2015 here-- almost done with MS1! Happy to answer any questions, at least until the usual folks show up (Grace, Total, Orange, etc etc).

Happy to help as well! Looking forward to great discussions and welcoming new members to the DCOM family!

Hey all. If you have any questions about DCOM just med school in general I'm here.

getting ready to re-apply. sigh.

Originally Posted by physcigirl27

getting ready to re-apply. sigh.

Good luck! Do something like a medical mission trip. The more medical EC's you have on your CV the better. They will show you want to do medicine. It shows you are committed. Even if you have adequate GPA and MCAT EC's will help.

Originally Posted by doctorbeanII

Good luck! Do something like a medical mission trip. The more medical EC's you have on your CV the better. They will show you want to do medicine. It shows you are committed. Even if you have adequate GPA and MCAT EC's will help.

Thanks for the advice!
My BIGGEST red flag is my sci gpa and I was kinda surprised they offered me an interview, tbh. I don't have the money or time to do a med mission trip but I'm doing some volunteer work that's kind of unique, albeit not med related. I'm an ED scribe though (3 years now) and I'm going to attend the LMU post-bacc program so I hope that helps me get in! It'd be nice to not have to do the post-bacc and spend another year waiting anxiously, though

How is campus life/location there!?

I am a city dweller at heart, but the rural location of dcom is absolutely amazing. Great place to learn about medicine and health disparities.

Originally Posted by AgDoc84

I am a city dweller at heart, but the rural location of dcom is absolutely amazing. Great place to learn about medicine and health disparities.

any good hiking/mountain bike trails etc?

Originally Posted by torshi

any good hiking/mountain bike trails etc?

Haven't started yet but I'm fairly local. There's lots to do at DCOM in the way of recreation if you're an outdoors kind of person. Of course it's basically a stone's throw away from the National Park. Lots of wildneress up there but I've yet to hear of any single track mountain biking trails - still trying to answer that question for myself.

Creeper Trail is about 2 hours away and would make an awesome day trip post-test. It's a Rails to Trails project that converted a century old railbed into a well maintained trail. It's not single track, a little more leisurely, but it's 34 miles long and absolutely gorgeous. There's also a rails to trails one somewhere near DCOM but I understand it's only about six miles long and not well maintained.

Hiking wise... you're set. Tons of hiking trails in the national park and surrounding area. Beautiful views at the pinnacle, white rocks, and the sand cave. Good fishing too if you're into that!

Have to remember this is the area where something like 300,000 immigrants passed through on their trek west. Daniel Boone arrived there the 1770s to widen the passing through Cumberland Gap and allow greater migration westward. Due to all that history there's over a million visitors to the national park each year so they actually maintain it quite well!

If all of that sounds like it's up your alley in terms of recreation... this is the place for you. If you're a city kind of guy and need cultural activities and shopping districts it's going to be an adjustment. Knoxville is a little over an hour away though so it's within daily driving distance of a metro area.

Originally Posted by torshi

any good hiking/mountain bike trails etc?

Oh, you will be pleased, good sir!!

Originally Posted by CopToEM

Haven't started yet but I'm fairly local. There's lots to do at DCOM in the way of recreation if you're an outdoors kind of person. Of course it's basically a stone's throw away from the National Park. Lots of wildneress up there but I've yet to hear of any single track mountain biking trails - still trying to answer that question for myself.

Creeper Trail is about 2 hours away and would make an awesome day trip post-test. It's a Rails to Trails project that converted a century old railbed into a well maintained trail. It's not single track, a little more leisurely, but it's 34 miles long and absolutely gorgeous. There's also a rails to trails one somewhere near DCOM but I understand it's only about six miles long and not well maintained.

Hiking wise... you're set. Tons of hiking trails in the national park and surrounding area. Beautiful views at the pinnacle, white rocks, and the sand cave. Good fishing too if you're into that!

Have to remember this is the area where something like 300,000 immigrants passed through on their trek west. Daniel Boone arrived there the 1770s to widen the passing through Cumberland Gap and allow greater migration westward. Due to all that history there's over a million visitors to the national park each year so they actually maintain it quite well!

If all of that sounds like it's up your alley in terms of recreation... this is the place for you. If you're a city kind of guy and need cultural activities and shopping districts it's going to be an adjustment. Knoxville is a little over an hour away though so it's within daily driving distance of a metro area.

Nice! sounds good man, and thanks for the info!

3.57cGPA 3.54 sGPA
Student Athlete; ER Scribe
Will take MCAT Aug 10, is that too late?

What kind of GPA and MCAT score is required for secondary applications?

Originally Posted by rgk27

What kind of GPA and MCAT score is required for secondary applications?

2011
Mean Cumulative GPA 3.29
Mean Non-Science GPA 3.40
Mean Science GPA 3.18
Mean MCAT Total 24.62

I'm sure it's higher now

Originally Posted by torshi

2011
Mean Cumulative GPA 3.29
Mean Non-Science GPA 3.40
Mean Science GPA 3.18
Mean MCAT Total 24.62

I'm sure it's higher now

I know they said when I was there that the average MCAT was well over a 25 so far for my class.

Originally Posted by DrMaximus

I know they said when I was there that the average MCAT was well over a 25 so far for my class.

I'm sure that's true, it increases every year most likely

Originally Posted by soccerkid12

3.57cGPA 3.54 sGPA
Student Athlete; ER Scribe
Will take MCAT Aug 10, is that too late?

Your gpa is similar to mine I took the mcat late august and was accepted here.

Originally Posted by soccerkid12

3.57cGPA 3.54 sGPA
Student Athlete; ER Scribe
Will take MCAT Aug 10, is that too late?

Nope, you're fine, have your app ready to roll on Sep 10 when you get your score back and send it in immediately. I took my MCAT like Aug 12, submitted around Sep 15, and was accepted the second week in October!

Originally Posted by rgk27

What kind of GPA and MCAT score is required for secondary applications?

They'll take your secondary regardless and you actually don't have to wait for the secondary invite. They've told that to many, many prior application pools. Of course, you might not want to considering if you're not competitive you may be tossing $75 out the window. Waiting for the invite insures they're interested.

Good luck guys!!!!

I just added LMU-DCOM to my list - looks like a great school in an amazing location.

I do have a few questions though
- What's the rental housing situation like around campus?
- Would you say that the school is "non-trad friendly"?
- Are lectures recorded? And is lecture attendance mandatory?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by bananaz

I just added LMU-DCOM to my list - looks like a great school in an amazing location.

I do have a few questions though
- What's the rental housing situation like around campus?
- Would you say that the school is "non-trad friendly"?
- Are lectures recorded? And is lecture attendance mandatory?

Thanks!

That it is! This is one of the most beautiful areas of the country. I'm biased because I'm from the area but I've traveled extensively and I still feel that East TN / Southwest VA / Western NC has some of the most beautiful landscape in the world.

1. It's not bad but it can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. I found my house in one visit but I'm not bringing a family. It seems like families have it harder - especially if the spouse isn't going to be working. There are no huge townhouse complexes or anything of that sort in reality. There is a small duplex/apt building complex, Ball Apartments, which is basically entirely medical students. Everything else is houses, single apartment units, small townhouse developments, etc. However, for most 2/3 BR houses you're looking at about $600-1000 a month so depending on where you're from it might be astronomically less than what you're used to. Some people live across the border in KY (5 minutes), some live in Harrogate itself, and some live in Tazewell TN (10-15 minutes). There's a pretty good market for purchasing a house as well - you can get a lot for your money because it's so rural.
2. Yes, very very much so. There are a solid number of people in classes thus far who are older, have healthcare experience (nurses, medics, etc.), have military experience, or just got a late start on pursuing medicine. Based on that it seems like they put a lot of value on real-world education but that's not to say they don't accept 22 years old straight out of undergrad. It's a healthy mix of both types of student.
3. Lectures are recorded and posted online (via MediaSite) just after they end. The only exception is that guest lectures (i.e. a lecture by a physician from the community) are not posted until Friday evening. As I understand, that's a policy in place to encourage students to attend guest lectures and show the guest respect. Attendance isn't mandatory in general but select lectures will be marked as so and guest lectures are typically mandatory attendance as well (although I don't know how strictly that's enforced from what I've gathered). It seems obvious from the first and second years talking to us in the FB group that they give everyone the flexibility to learn the way that they learn best.
   
   
   That's my take on everything you asked. Hopefully a current student will chime in and correct me on anything that's wrong and/or add their .02 as well.

Originally Posted by CopToEM

That it is! This is one of the most beautiful areas of the country. I'm biased because I'm from the area but I've traveled extensively and I still feel that East TN / Southwest VA / Western NC has some of the most beautiful landscape in the world.

1. It's not bad but it can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. I found my house in one visit but I'm not bringing a family. It seems like families have it harder - especially if the spouse isn't going to be working. There are no huge townhouse complexes or anything of that sort in reality. There is a small duplex/apt building complex, Ball Apartments, which is basically entirely medical students. Everything else is houses, single apartment units, small townhouse developments, etc. However, for most 2/3 BR houses you're looking at about $600-1000 a month so depending on where you're from it might be astronomically less than what you're used to. Some people live across the border in KY (5 minutes), some live in Harrogate itself, and some live in Tazewell TN (10-15 minutes). There's a pretty good market for purchasing a house as well - you can get a lot for your money because it's so rural.
2. Yes, very very much so. There are a solid number of people in classes thus far who are older, have healthcare experience (nurses, medics, etc.), have military experience, or just got a late start on pursuing medicine. Based on that it seems like they put a lot of value on real-world education but that's not to say they don't accept 22 years old straight out of undergrad. It's a healthy mix of both types of student.
3. Lectures are recorded and posted online (via MediaSite) just after they end. The only exception is that guest lectures (i.e. a lecture by a physician from the community) are not posted until Friday evening. As I understand, that's a policy in place to encourage students to attend guest lectures and show the guest respect. Attendance isn't mandatory in general but select lectures will be marked as so and guest lectures are typically mandatory attendance as well (although I don't know how strictly that's enforced from what I've gathered). It seems obvious from the first and second years talking to us in the FB group that they give everyone the flexibility to learn the way that they learn best.
   
   
   That's my take on everything you asked. Hopefully a current student will chime in and correct me on anything that's wrong and/or add their .02 as well.

I second everything you said! Couldn't have said it better myself. The only thing to add is that the lectures are actually video recorded (and some are podcasted) which is really nice. I know a lot of med schools just record the audio which would really discombobulate me I would think. It is nice to be able to see what slide the professor is on, and you can even see if they write on the slide (most of the time).

Originally Posted by CopToEM

That it is! This is one of the most beautiful areas of the country. I'm biased because I'm from the area but I've traveled extensively and I still feel that East TN / Southwest VA / Western NC has some of the most beautiful landscape in the world.

1. It's not bad but it can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. I found my house in one visit but I'm not bringing a family. It seems like families have it harder - especially if the spouse isn't going to be working. There are no huge townhouse complexes or anything of that sort in reality. There is a small duplex/apt building complex, Ball Apartments, which is basically entirely medical students. Everything else is houses, single apartment units, small townhouse developments, etc. However, for most 2/3 BR houses you're looking at about $600-1000 a month so depending on where you're from it might be astronomically less than what you're used to. Some people live across the border in KY (5 minutes), some live in Harrogate itself, and some live in Tazewell TN (10-15 minutes). There's a pretty good market for purchasing a house as well - you can get a lot for your money because it's so rural.
2. Yes, very very much so. There are a solid number of people in classes thus far who are older, have healthcare experience (nurses, medics, etc.), have military experience, or just got a late start on pursuing medicine. Based on that it seems like they put a lot of value on real-world education but that's not to say they don't accept 22 years old straight out of undergrad. It's a healthy mix of both types of student.
3. Lectures are recorded and posted online (via MediaSite) just after they end. The only exception is that guest lectures (i.e. a lecture by a physician from the community) are not posted until Friday evening. As I understand, that's a policy in place to encourage students to attend guest lectures and show the guest respect. Attendance isn't mandatory in general but select lectures will be marked as so and guest lectures are typically mandatory attendance as well (although I don't know how strictly that's enforced from what I've gathered). It seems obvious from the first and second years talking to us in the FB group that they give everyone the flexibility to learn the way that they learn best.
   
   
   That's my take on everything you asked. Hopefully a current student will chime in and correct me on anything that's wrong and/or add their .02 as well.

Applying at 18 hopefully med schools won't make assumptions and screen me out.

Originally Posted by torshi

Applying at 18 hopefully med schools won't make assumptions and screen me out.

Good call. There's no shame in shotgunning apps if you can afford it!

Originally Posted by CopToEM

Haven't started yet but I'm fairly local. There's lots to do at DCOM in the way of recreation if you're an outdoors kind of person. Of course it's basically a stone's throw away from the National Park. Lots of wildneress up there but I've yet to hear of any single track mountain biking trails - still trying to answer that question for myself.

Creeper Trail is about 2 hours away and would make an awesome day trip post-test. It's a Rails to Trails project that converted a century old railbed into a well maintained trail. It's not single track, a little more leisurely, but it's 34 miles long and absolutely gorgeous. There's also a rails to trails one somewhere near DCOM but I understand it's only about six miles long and not well maintained.

Hiking wise... you're set. Tons of hiking trails in the national park and surrounding area. Beautiful views at the pinnacle, white rocks, and the sand cave. Good fishing too if you're into that!

Have to remember this is the area where something like 300,000 immigrants passed through on their trek west. Daniel Boone arrived there the 1770s to widen the passing through Cumberland Gap and allow greater migration westward. Due to all that history there's over a million visitors to the national park each year so they actually maintain it quite well!

If all of that sounds like it's up your alley in terms of recreation... this is the place for you. If you're a city kind of guy and need cultural activities and shopping districts it's going to be an adjustment. Knoxville is a little over an hour away though so it's within daily driving distance of a metro area.

Wow sir you just made my day! My wife and I love outdoors!

I gots a 26Q though(9ps,6vr,11bs)
Anybody in your class with a 6 in VR?

ER tech for 18 months if it balances lol

Originally Posted by torshi

2011
Mean Cumulative GPA 3.29
Mean Non-Science GPA 3.40
Mean Science GPA 3.18
Mean MCAT Total 24.62

I'm sure it's higher now

Are those the means for applicants, or matriculants?

Originally Posted by virtuoso735

Are those the means for applicants, or matriculants?

I believe it's for matriculants.

Here are the figures provided by US News & World:
Average undergraduate GPA: 3.39
MCAT: 8.4 biological
7.6 physical sciences
8.0 verbal reasoning

You'll hear many schools say that numbers aren't everything but I believe it to be especially true for LMU. Compared to the other schools I interviewed at, LMU seemed more focused on finding individuals that were well rounded. Life experiences, personality, etc seemed just as important as academic aptitude.

Originally Posted by itsokimadoctor

You'll hear many schools say that numbers aren't everything but I believe it to be especially true for LMU. Compared to the other schools I interviewed at, LMU seemed more focused on finding individuals that were well rounded. Life experiences, personality, etc seemed just as important as academic aptitude.

I agree. I believe they strive to find well rounded people who are interested in becoming practicing physicians. They seem to look for an innate empathy.

Originally Posted by aburnet2

Wow sir you just made my day! My wife and I love outdoors!

I gots a 26Q though(9ps,6vr,11bs)
Anybody in your class with a 6 in VR?

ER tech for 18 months if it balances lol

I literally had the exact same breakdown as you, except I got an 11vr, 9bs, and 6ps. I don't know if any 1 section weighs heavier than others, but obviously they do at least take people with a 6 in a section. However, it seems as thought they have increased their standards since I applied, so take that into account. I definitely think it's worth a shot though.

Hi all, I like the sound of LMU-DCOM and am adding it to my list of schools as well. If you guys have any feedback on the questions below, I'd appreciate any info.

1. I'm an out-of-state applicant and wondering, how OOS-friendly is LMU? Is there a strong preference for in-state? I glanced around the website but didn't see any stats right away.
2. Would you recommend a visit? I'm tempted to make a visit but also getting ready to apply in June. Do they take note when students visit and show an interest?
3. How are the third and fourth year clinical rotations? Are there many facilities in the area or many options on where you go and what you do for the electives?

Thanks in advance

1. There isn't a preference for in-state but I would have to say that you may have a slight advantage if you're from the Appalachian region (especially if it's a rural and underserved area). I remember reading somewhere that a large number of the students were either from TN or surrounding states but that may be because DCOM receives more applications (hence more acceptances) from such areas.

2. If it's not too much of a hassle then definitely visit. I visited a few schools (including DCOM) when I was applying and I feel it made a difference when I came back again for interviews (if I got one). The admissions staff already knew my name and that I was really interested in their school. Also, it's a good thing to bring up in interviews if you're asked why you want to attend this school.

3. I can't comment on the rotations but here is a list of current sites:
http://www.lmunet.edu/dcom/academics/sites.shtml
Also, DCOM has entered into the VSAS program so students will have an easier time finding rotation sites that are not in the DCOM network.

Originally Posted by DrT 2013

Hi all, I like the sound of LMU-DCOM and am adding it to my list of schools as well. If you guys have any feedback on the questions below, I'd appreciate any info.

1. I'm an out-of-state applicant and wondering, how OOS-friendly is LMU? Is there a strong preference for in-state? I glanced around the website but didn't see any stats right away.
2. Would you recommend a visit? I'm tempted to make a visit but also getting ready to apply in June. Do they take note when students visit and show an interest?
3. How are the third and fourth year clinical rotations? Are there many facilities in the area or many options on where you go and what you do for the electives?

Thanks in advance

Great, thanks for the helpful info.

Originally Posted by CopToEM

I'd be happy to help anyone with their application for DCOM this season and hope to attend some of the pizza nights. Just send me a private message or ask here for everyone to see.

Ohhh.....I never really considered the fact that it might be us doing Pizza night this year.....Although I was told the location is probably going to change so that we can keep the location in Harrogate this year.

Looking forward to it.....

Originally Posted by corpsman33

Ohhh.....I never really considered the fact that it might be us doing Pizza night this year.....Although I was told the location is probably going to change so that we can keep the location in Harrogate this year.

Looking forward to it.....

I'm stoked about it, man! It is weird to think, though...

I interviewed and was accepted but declined for in-state school (less tuition). Let me say it was really hard to let LMU-DCOM go. I loved it so much when I visited there. Facilities will blow you away. And the atmosphere and nature scence over there is just amazing. I guess that's the reason why I tend to check LMU-DCOM forum in additon to my school forum. Good luck to all DCOM applicants for 2013 entrance.

Pizza nights are awesome. You should attend - words of advice from Non-DCOMer

Originally Posted by fiznat

Wow is it that time already? Class of 2015 here-- almost done with MS1! Happy to answer any questions, at least until the usual folks show up (Grace, Total, Orange, etc etc).

Wow...I feel so special to have a built up grand entrance....or, well, you know....have my fake name mentioned at least

Originally Posted by Total180

I second everything you said! Couldn't have said it better myself. The only thing to add is that the lectures are actually video recorded (and some are podcasted) which is really nice. I know a lot of med schools just record the audio which would really discombobulate me I would think. It is nice to be able to see what slide the professor is on, and you can even see if they write on the slide (most of the time).

And with your first post in the new thread, you're gonna come up in here and use a word like discombobulate?! How am I supposed to compete with that??

Anywho, class of 2014 here, happy to help in any way. I am eyebrow deep in board study, so I may not be of much use until after June 25th or so, but I'll do my best. Send me a PM on here or check out the blog in the signature and post a comment there. I tend to check that thing more often than SDN these days.

Good luck everyone!!!!

I just applied!!!! I'm a Non-Traditional, Tennessee mom of 2 :-)

25Q - 11V 8 BS 6 PS

Brooke

Just kind of curious, what are all the options for rotations? Also, does the school give you housing or is that for you to find on your own?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by fiznat

Wow is it that time already? Class of 2015 here-- almost done with MS1! Happy to answer any questions, at least until the usual folks show up (Grace, Total, Orange, etc etc).

D'awww! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Dave Grohl

Just kind of curious, what are all the options for rotations? Also, does the school give you housing or is that for you to find on your own?

Thanks!

Here's a link for the rotations: http://www.lmunet.edu/dcom/academics/sites.shtml.
I have heard that the Welmont rotations in Norton, VA offer free housing. As for the others, I have no clue.

Originally Posted by OrangeRoost

D'awww! Thanks!



Here's a link for the rotations: http://www.lmunet.edu/dcom/academics/sites.shtml.
I have heard that the Welmont rotations in Norton, VA offer free housing. As for the others, I have no clue.

Norton (Mountain View Regional) does have dormitory style housing in a renovated nunnery. It's like 60 yards from the hospital's front door so not a bad option at all.

Hey guys I'm super excited to be applying here, I'm a rock climber and love the mountains so this seems like the perfect spot for me. I'm a non trad student, I have low cumulative gpas(3.2/3.0s) bc I didn't take undergrad very seriously, plus my bs is in physics... But I have a master's in modern languages (gpa 3.65), taught at Florida State for 3 years, lived abroad 3 years, 23 post grad science course work (3.85), over 400 volunteer hours and a 34M mcat (14b, 12p, 8v).. So I hope they look past my overall gpa.

Good luck to everyone!

Just submitted! Fingers crossed!

just (re)applied! Hoping for better luck this time!

Does anyone have info on the secondary prompts for DeBusk? Thanks