A.T. Still University Kirksville (ATSU-KCOM) Discussion Thread 2016-2017

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Hey, 4th year at KCOM here. Happy to answer questions about the school the best I can. If you have questions, go ahead and just post it here and tag me. I probably can't help much with things like chances of acceptance or admissions process.

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Hey, 4th year at KCOM here. Happy to answer questions about the school the best I can. If you have questions, go ahead and just post it here and tag me. I probably can't help much with things like chances of acceptance or admissions process.
Hey!

So I am a Mo resident with:
3.6gpa
3.61sgpa
505mcat

Non urm

Good LORs
Volunteering at hotspital
Community service
Founded student org.
Shadowing (MD and DO)

Complete on 07/07

Chances?
 
Hey!

So I am a Mo resident with:
3.6gpa
3.61sgpa
505mcat

Non urm

Good LORs
Volunteering at hotspital
Community service
Founded student org.
Shadowing (MD and DO)

Complete on 07/07

Chances?
Can't tell if you're joking or not.
 
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Hey, 4th year at KCOM here. Happy to answer questions about the school the best I can. If you have questions, go ahead and just post it here and tag me. I probably can't help much with things like chances of acceptance or admissions process.
Thanks for the opportunity! What made you choose KCOM over other schools? If you also got into SOMA, what made you decide to not go there instead?
 
Thanks for the opportunity! What made you choose KCOM over other schools? If you also got into SOMA, what made you decide to not go there instead?
Got a family, school was most family friendly. Originally from Utah, school has rotation sites in Utah (though we eventually elected not to go back to Utah for rotations). I turned down acceptances from nova southeastern, SOMA, and KCUMB. I'd say if you get accepted to a school that is significantly cheaper than KCOM, then go there and save yourself the money. Nothing wrong with the school but the education isn't worth significantly more money than the one you'll receive from a school at $30-40K a year.
 
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Got a family, school was most family friendly. Originally from Utah, school has rotation sites in Utah (though we eventually elected not to go back to Utah for rotations). I turned down acceptances from nova southeastern, SOMA, and KCUMB. I'd say if you get accepted to a school that is significantly cheaper than KCOM, then go there and save yourself the money. Nothing wrong with the school but the education isn't worth significantly more money than the one you'll receive from a school at $30-40K a year.

Thanks for doing this!
1. What specialty are you hoping to pursue?
2. How are research opportunities here?
3. How would you describe Kirksville? Would you say you and most of your classmates are happy living there?


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Thanks for doing this!
1. What specialty are you hoping to pursue?
2. How are research opportunities here?
3. How would you describe Kirksville? Would you say you and most of your classmates are happy living there?


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1. Anesthesia.
2. No idea as I didn't pursue any.
3. Kirksville was nice at first but I definitely was ready to leave by the end of 2nd year. My family and I kept busy just fine. I feel like most classmates were happy there, but happier after leaving.
 
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1. What specialty are you hoping to pursue?
2. How are research opportunities here?
3. How would you describe Kirksville? Would you say you and most of your classmates are happy living there?


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I'll answer some of these and give my 2 cents.

Research: the opportunities are there if you seek them out. The vast majority of students at KCOM don't get involved with any research at all the first two years. I did one project and it was after first year during the summer break. There is a research elective you can do after first year or second year if you want. I did it and don't have any regrets. Some specialties (especially ACGME surgical subspecialties) will essentially require research in some way. Traditionally, AOA programs are much, much less research heavy. Most people I know that matched AOA had almost zero medical school research. There are more opportunities for research during third/fourth year if you don't get the opportunity your first/second year. Basically, don't sweat it. Don't start first year trying to get your hands on a bunch of projects. Figure out your study habits and meet some people. Research will always be there.

Kirksville: I actually really liked it. I'd never live there permanently for my career, but for two years it was perfect. Cheap housing, wal mart was 5 mins. away, and it had everything I needed. Honestly, there really isn't much there but if you are OK with that then Kirksville is pretty great. I miss it sometimes.

I'm also available for questions if anyone has any. I'm a pretty big advocate for the school. It got me exactly where I wanted to be in life.
 
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Thank you both! A couple more questions I just thought of:

1. Any thoughts on the possible implications of the merger? I know it's pretty much all speculation at this point, but do you think that future DOs will struggle with specializing?
2. Does KCOM help you set up your rotations, or does that responsibility fall mostly on the students?
3. What is the general vibe of the student body? Is there a feeling of competition, or does mostly everybody seem to be friendly and willing to help one another?


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Secondary submitted!
 
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Thank you both! A couple more questions I just thought of:

1. Any thoughts on the possible implications of the merger? I know it's pretty much all speculation at this point, but do you think that future DOs will struggle with specializing?
2. Does KCOM help you set up your rotations, or does that responsibility fall mostly on the students?
3. What is the general vibe of the student body? Is there a feeling of competition, or does mostly everybody seem to be friendly and willing to help one another?


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1. There is really a LOT of ambiguity still. No one can accurately predict the future. I think your best bet is to play defensively, take the USMLE, plan on applying ACGME, and if the DO programs hold strong, we'll all be pleasantly surprised.
2. The school set up all my 3rd year rotations for me (except electives). I'm aware of a few rotation sites that required students to do a lot if legwork in their own, but I think they're the exception and not the rule.
3. I think the best thing about school has been my class. Everyone has always been exceptionally helpful to each other. Sharing study guides all the time. Helping in any way possible.
 
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So what happens if you don't remember when you took your ACT and SAT or what your scores were? Like I am in grad school now I took these a million years ago :help:
 
So what happens if you don't remember when you took your ACT and SAT or what your scores were? Like I am in grad school now I took these a million years ago :help:
I've heard it's not a big deal if you don't have the scores , they just want to see how you do on standardized testing in general, but mcat is obviously the best indicator
 
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So what happens if you don't remember when you took your ACT and SAT or what your scores were? Like I am in grad school now I took these a million years ago :help:
Definitely not a big deal. I didn't even take the SAT. I put in the ACT score and approximated the date.
 
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I've heard it's not a big deal if you don't have the scores , they just want to see how you do on standardized testing in general, but mcat is obviously the best indicator

Thanks, I just put in my GRE score and checked the 'Not Applicable' box for the other two. I told them my ACT score, but explained that I did not have my SAT results or the test dates for either. Fingers crossed that it's not really a big deal and that they just look at my MCAT. Just submitted! :clap:
 
Definitely not a big deal. I didn't even take the SAT. I put in the ACT score and approximated the date.

Random question, how many people stay at the Kirksville hospital for rotations and what is their quality?
 
Random question, how many people stay at the Kirksville hospital for rotations and what is their quality?
Something like 13-14. I can't comment on the quality because I haven't rotated there, though my classmates that are there seem to be very satisfied with their education (I haven't actually discussed it with them).
 
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So for the past two app cycles the first IIs have been given out on the 28th... Nada so far for anyone?
 
So the secondary email days my LORs need to have my AACOMAS ID on them... They do not... Anyone else submit letters without their ID? Do I really need to have my letter writers resubmit just to add my AACOMAS ID?
 
So the secondary email days my LORs need to have my AACOMAS ID on them... They do not... Anyone else submit letters without their ID? Do I really need to have my letter writers resubmit just to add my AACOMAS ID?
Did you submit through AACOMAS or interfolio? If through interfolio, there's an option to add your id # in the front page of each package when sent to the school and that should suffice. I didn't use AACOMAS but I believe you can add your id through a similar way.
 
Can someone post the link to the portal? I seem to have accidentally deleted the email with the link. Thanks!


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II just now! :) Stats 3.44 sGPA, 3.56 cGPA, 516 MCAT. Secondary received 07/06/2016, secondary completed 07/08/2016, application complete 07/11/2016.
 
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Congrats you guys on your interviews! The DO I shadowed attended AT Still Kirksville and he loved it. Id love to get an interview here :)


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Congrats you guys on your interviews! The DO I shadowed attended AT Still Kirksville and he loved it. Id love to get an interview here :)


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Yes the DO I shadowed is also an alum (now infectious disease specialist) he said that kirksville is lame no getting around that, but it's a good place to really learn your stuff (because there is not much else to do). The fact that he is now an ID doc shows that no doors are sealed for DOs with enough hard work. He did his fellowship at washU. His is a very inspiring story.
 
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Hey, 4th year at KCOM here. Happy to answer questions about the school the best I can. If you have questions, go ahead and just post it here and tag me. I probably can't help much with things like chances of acceptance or admissions process.

Thank you so much! Out of curiosity, what is the public transport situation like in Kirksville? I just booked my interview, and I'm wondering if I have to rent a car. I'm also planning on taking the Cape Air flight from St. Louis to Kirksville. Have you heard anything negative/positive about it?
 
Thank you so much! Out of curiosity, what is the public transport situation like in Kirksville? I just booked my interview, and I'm wondering if I have to rent a car. I'm also planning on taking the Cape Air flight from St. Louis to Kirksville. Have you heard anything negative/positive about it?
Sorry I honestly couldn't tell you much about that. I rented a car and drove from KC when I interviewed. Their public transportation is likely going to leave you wanting.
 
Thank you both! A couple more questions I just thought of:

1. Any thoughts on the possible implications of the merger? I know it's pretty much all speculation at this point, but do you think that future DOs will struggle with specializing?
2. Does KCOM help you set up your rotations, or does that responsibility fall mostly on the students?
3. What is the general vibe of the student body? Is there a feeling of competition, or does mostly everybody seem to be friendly and willing to help one another?


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1. as was mentioned above, all of this stuff is speculation right now. we really don't know much about what is going to happen. anyone that tells you otherwise is guessing. we can't predict the future. just set yourself up to keep as many doors open as possible. even if you think you want to family med in bfe, missouri, people change their minds. don't close any doors. when i applied to kcom, i was planning on doing aoa general surgery. let's just say that's not what i'm doing. i don't think there are going to be any major issues with specializing.

2. i was at one of the michigan sites for 2 years. 3rd year was entirely set up for me. i set up all of 4th year, but that included all of my auditions plus i went home for a month by choice. you are entirely welcome to stay at your base site all of 4th year, but i wanted to do things a little differently. i did a few core 4th year rotations at my base site (ICU, family med, pediatrics, ortho), but 60% of my 4th year was outside of my base site. again, that was my decision. i could have stayed there if i wanted and they would have set it up for me.

3. there's always gonna be outliers, but as a general rule, i don't remember any feelings of competition at all. as a matter of fact, if there is one piece of advice i can give you about first year, it's: don't care about what anyone else is doing. you are going to see people studying all the time and do poorly and others that barely study and do well. stick to what works for you. everyone has there own study technique. some people like flash cards, some people like reading text books, and some people just go to class and it just sticks. find your own method and stick to it.
 
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Where are KCOM's main rotation sites?


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the main sites are michigan, arizona and missouri. i'd say 70%+ of the class is at these places. there are quite a few others, but they only take a few people. other places are new jersey, illinois, ohio, pennsylvania. kcom is always adding and subtracting places so you just have to go with it.
 
Sorry I honestly couldn't tell you much about that. I rented a car and drove from KC when I interviewed. Their public transportation is likely going to leave you wanting.
No worries! I'll probably end up renting a car just for peace of mind. Thank you so much!
 
I don't seem to be using the full 500 word limit - only about half. Anyone think this would be a problem? I believe I'm articulating my responses clearly I'm just worried because they're short.
 
I don't seem to be using the full 500 word limit - only about half. Anyone think this would be a problem? I believe I'm articulating my responses clearly I'm just worried because they're short.
That's fine. I did the same on multiple questions.
 
Last year the second batch of IIs went out on the first Tuesday of August.... just so everyone is more psycho about checking your emails than normal lol
 
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II this morning by email! I'm OOS with Lizzy M ~75. My secondary application was complete July 7th.

The first interview date available was Sept 30 and there are a few dates open in Oct. You can choose between AM and PM interview slots.
 
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