Kansas City University (KCUMB-COM) Discussion Thread 2013 - 2014

[Lovealy]

Calling will be your best bet. If I remember correctly, most people were pulled off the wait list in late june/ early july. It's probably important to get those forms in (immunizations/ background check/ transcripts) so that if you are pulled off the list, you are ready to go right away.

Would an email or phone call be better? I have an offer from another school but KCUMB has been my top choice all along and I'm hoping to get off the waitlist. I heard some schools save emails and attach them to your profile when they review waitlisted people at the end of the cycle.

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[Lovealy]

Thank you Ad.


Did you receive the news recently? I bet you anything if you found out recently they'll probably send you the same email sometime later

Yes, I just received it about 5 days ago. That would make sense! Thanks!

 

[TypeFun]

Third Year KCUMB student here. I just thought I would let you all know somethings about KCUMB changing before you matriculate.

- If you do not get above a 70% on any exam, you go before an Honors council that will decided whether you get to continue your medical education. There is no rhyme or reason to the council, they simply decide whether you are out 42k in tuition. In example, we have a 15 point Pathology Picture exam over finals week. The exam is over probably 500 pictures, of which 15 will be selected. If you were to get a bad draw and miss 4 you could find yourself no longer in school.
- The new altered curriculum is not based on improving board scores, but on removing the bad one's. They have identified students how preform poorly on the Step 1 Board Exams as students that either remediate multiple sections, or barely pass sections consistently. These students are deemed STAR (Students At Risk) and are the MOST likely to get expelled if given the opportunity to go before the Honors council.
- On your third year rotations, you are required to take a Shelf Exam. The shelf exam is a practice exam that you receive no grade for, but is only used to better prepare yourself for the Step 2 Board Exam. I should say, you get a grade, but it isn't recorded in your GPA. If you fail ANY shelf exam, you must retake the ENTIRE rotation in place of one of your audition rotations. For example, you are on surgery rotation. You spend 13 hours a day at the hospital. You spend another 8 sleeping. You choose to not spend your remaining 3 studying. You do not pass the Shelf Exam, but receive high marks from your preceptors. You MUST re-take the surgery rotation, in place of a 4th year audition rotation. This is HUGE. You basically lose a job interview.
- Many of the faculty are being replaced for cheaper alternatives i.e. we receive lectures from Adjunct/Assistant Faculty members rather than full time professors. This might not seem like a big deal, but the difference in education you receive will be apparent once you get here. There are good teachers, who cost more, and bad teachers, who cost less. As time goes on, there are more bad teachers because of how inexpensive they are. Moreover, faculty members literally disappear. Our last president sent an e-mail to the student body that he resigned and had moved to Florida, before even the administration knew of it. We've had other professors/deans simply not come back from Christmas vacation. We've had faculty get fired that were so beloved that students lined the hallways in his support as he was escorted off campus. All students are also required to use the Kaplan Step 1 Board program, which close to zero students in either the 2016 or 2017 class use. You have no choice in the matter, unless you want to shell out another 1k for options.
- The new curriculum that is to be taken into effect next year has not been proven to work anywhere, but Rocky Mountain Vista, where it took a school with bad Board scores up to a school with average board scores. The curriculum we had in place had successfully provided KCUMB one of the top 3 osteopathic Board scores. Moreover, we are one of the few DO schools that has far more students go into specialized medicine (about 70%) than general/family med. You are going to be Guinea pigs for a new curriculum, when the one in place (which is effective) is being replaced.

I've loved my experience and hope you do too, but there are a number of changes that it's worth knowing about before you get here.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

- The new curriculum that is to be taken into effect next year has not been proven to work anywhere, but Rocky Mountain Vista, where it took a school with bad Board scores up to a school with average board scores. The curriculum we had in place had successfully provided KCUMB one of the top 3 osteopathic Board scores. Moreover, we are one of the few DO schools that has far more students go into specialized medicine (about 70%) than general/family med. You are going to be Guinea pigs for a new curriculum, when the one in place (which is effective) is being replaced.

I've loved my experience and hope you do too, but there are a number of changes that it's worth knowing about before you get here.

Are you talking about Rocky Vista University?

 

[Bbutterfly]

.....

 

[TypeFun]

Are you talking about Rocky Vista University?

Yes.

 

[sudo]

Hmm, it would be nice is of all of these concerns could be addressed by one of the adcoms (they surely watch this thread, right?)

Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk

 

[Shen924]

Are exams at least curved? And what was the policy on failing exams before?

I think it was like a 3 strikes rule. For example if you fail a test in muscleskeletal thats one strike and say you fail a test in Pathology thats another strike. Something along that line, could be wrong though.

 

[LMR88]

You just brought back my anxiety. You're telling me if you don't get over a 70% on ONE test, you get expelled and your chances of becoming a doctor are forever ruined?

Hmm, it would be nice is of all of these concerns could be addressed by one of the adcoms (they surely watch this thread, right?)

Nothin like paying your 1K acceptance fee and logging in to see all of this!! Jooooooyyyyy. Lower than 70% on one test and suddenly you are eligible for expulsion?! That ish cray.

 

[Roxas]

Third Year KCUMB student here. I just thought I would let you all know somethings about KCUMB changing before you matriculate.

- If you do not get above a 70% on any exam, you go before an Honors council that will decided whether you get to continue your medical education. There is no rhyme or reason to the council, they simply decide whether you are out 42k in tuition. In example, we have a 15 point Pathology Picture exam over finals week. The exam is over probably 500 pictures, of which 15 will be selected. If you were to get a bad draw and miss 4 you could find yourself no longer in school.
- The new altered curriculum is not based on improving board scores, but on removing the bad one's. They have identified students how preform poorly on the Step 1 Board Exams as students that either remediate multiple sections, or barely pass sections consistently. These students are deemed STAR (Students At Risk) and are the MOST likely to get expelled if given the opportunity to go before the Honors council.
- On your third year rotations, you are required to take a Shelf Exam. The shelf exam is a practice exam that you receive no grade for, but is only used to better prepare yourself for the Step 2 Board Exam. I should say, you get a grade, but it isn't recorded in your GPA. If you fail ANY shelf exam, you must retake the ENTIRE rotation in place of one of your audition rotations. For example, you are on surgery rotation. You spend 13 hours a day at the hospital. You spend another 8 sleeping. You choose to not spend your remaining 3 studying. You do not pass the Shelf Exam, but receive high marks from your preceptors. You MUST re-take the surgery rotation, in place of a 4th year audition rotation. This is HUGE. You basically lose a job interview.
- Many of the faculty are being replaced for cheaper alternatives i.e. we receive lectures from Adjunct/Assistant Faculty members rather than full time professors. This might not seem like a big deal, but the difference in education you receive will be apparent once you get here. There are good teachers, who cost more, and bad teachers, who cost less. As time goes on, there are more bad teachers because of how inexpensive they are. Moreover, faculty members literally disappear. Our last president sent an e-mail to the student body that he resigned and had moved to Florida, before even the administration knew of it. We've had other professors/deans simply not come back from Christmas vacation. We've had faculty get fired that were so beloved that students lined the hallways in his support as he was escorted off campus. All students are also required to use the Kaplan Step 1 Board program, which close to zero students in either the 2016 or 2017 class use. You have no choice in the matter, unless you want to shell out another 1k for options.
- The new curriculum that is to be taken into effect next year has not been proven to work anywhere, but Rocky Mountain Vista, where it took a school with bad Board scores up to a school with average board scores. The curriculum we had in place had successfully provided KCUMB one of the top 3 osteopathic Board scores. Moreover, we are one of the few DO schools that has far more students go into specialized medicine (about 70%) than general/family med. You are going to be Guinea pigs for a new curriculum, when the one in place (which is effective) is being replaced.

I've loved my experience and hope you do too, but there are a number of changes that it's worth knowing about before you get here.

WTF!?!?! I hate to say this because I loved my interview day and thought KCUMB was an amazing program, but now I'm kind of glad I decided to go elsewhere.

Although this is the time of year that we see a lot of these kinds of posts by people who are on waitlists trying to deter other students from attending. Not saying that this is the case, but it seems to happen a lot in the springtime.

 

[DOperson1234]

I'm not comfortable discussing my specific observations about the shake-ups and changes that have taken place over the last few months, but I'm glad to see someone posting some of the info. A few good changes have been made, so don't think they are all bad. However, things are A LOT different now than a few months ago. They are going to continue to change a lot. It's probably fair to say there is a very noticeable tension among the faculty due to their frustrations with certain changes and specific admins, and students are anxious because they don't know what's going to happen from one day to the next.

 

[LMR88]

I'm not comfortable discussing my specific observations about the shake-ups and changes that have taken place over the last few months

Somebody spill the beans. Now we're anxious.

 

[DOperson1234]

What could possibly be good changes when compared to this disaster (if true)?

Campus dress code pretty much eliminated. Students no longer sequestered before/after tests. I don't know of anything else.

 

[Roxas]

I would be interested to hear some other students' perspective on this. @Jlaw @IDFsoldierboy @Mosonik @NJMedStudent83 @cwaranch what do you guys think?

 

[joyfulll]

has anyone contacted the school to ask about the changes mentioned above (by TypeFun), especially about the new curriculum? One of the main reasons I chose KCUMB is because I really liked their curriculum? I just want to know what KCUMB has to say about these changes.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Who's going to acceptance day in 2 weeks?

 

[Stagg737]

Who's going to acceptance day in 2 weeks?

I will be going, and you can bet I will be asking about some of the things TypeFun brought up. Especially the curriculum and academic policies since the curriculum was such a huge reason I'm going here...

 

[TypeFun]

has anyone contacted the school to ask about the changes mentioned above (by TypeFun), especially about the new curriculum? One of the main reasons I chose KCUMB is because I really liked their curriculum? I just want to know what KCUMB has to say about these changes.

- If you had an interview at KCUMB, then someone should have told you that the curriculum was changing. I believe I heard that everyone receiving an interview had a meeting where this was explained. The details on the change may have been light as the change in curriculum is still very hazy even to the most high up administration. The material is all still the same, but the delivery has changed. You shouldn't need to contact the administration. The rumor (THIS IS JUST A RUMOR) is that it will be section based curriculum still, but the first year will have biochem, physio, anatomy, pharm, micro, immuno, basic sciences etc...and the new second year will be section based but clinical. Like I said, the material you get is still the same, but the delivery is different and closer to what you would see at an MD school.
- For what it's worth, all the above changes are to make the school a better place. They will do that, if only by making a stressful situation more stressful, but still it will accomplish the goal. KCUMB will continue to be one of the top DO school in the nation via Board scores and residency spots and this will go a long way towards solidifying that. If you choose to go to a different university and got into KCUMB, you made a mistake. There isn't another DO school that does a better job preparing students for the Boards and Wards. You should be very grateful for admission into KCUMB. The classes get more and more competitive each year.
- Exams are still curved. Remediation exams still exists, but it is no longer an automatic decision. You have to appear before a council. While it hasn't been in play long enough for anyone to really know all the ins-and-outs, realize that you likely will not get expelled the first time you remediate. It is probably a multiple offense sort of thing. Moreover, only a VERY SMALL % of the school ever actually remediates and an even smaller % remediates multiple times.
- Lower than 70% on exam sounds easy to do now, but I promise it's harder to do than you realize. The % of ppl that get below a 70% on any exam is single digits, and often it's the same people over, and over again.
- If you got in, the school thinks you can do it and you should take them up on their offer. You have nothing to worry about, this school isn't going to break you, or kick you out if you put the work in. I just felt someone needed to explain the changes going on.
- On the plus side, the dress code was lifted, the cafeteria is getting upgraded, the campus is getting a face lift, Board scores continue to climb (I think we had a 99% COMLEX pass rate and 95% USMLE), the study hall is now 24 hours, there is no more sequestration when waiting for your OMM exam time, exams are all on iPads, the curriculum changes that have happend have all been terrific as they have cut out a majority of the unnecessary fluff, and the faculty is becoming very conducive to the upgrades in technology by making the classroom more interactive.

 

[Stagg737]

- If you had an interview at KCUMB, then someone should have told you that the curriculum was changing. I believe I heard that everyone receiving an interview had a meeting where this was explained. The details on the change may have been light as the change in curriculum is still very hazy even to the most high up administration. The material is all still the same, but the delivery has changed. You shouldn't need to contact the administration. The rumor (THIS IS JUST A RUMOR) is that it will be section based curriculum still, but the first year will have biochem, physio, anatomy, pharm, micro, immuno, basic sciences etc...and the new second year will be section based but clinical. Like I said, the material you get is still the same, but the delivery is different and closer to what you would see at an MD school.

At my interview they said there would be 'small adjustments' to the curriculum but that they would not be significantly changing anything...I think a lot of us, myself included, are wondering if it will still be systems based or if they are completely overhauling that and switching to a traditional based curriculum?

 

[TypeFun]

At my interview they said there would be 'small adjustments' to the curriculum but that they would not be significantly changing anything...I think a lot of us, myself included, are wondering if it will still be systems based or if they are completely overhauling that and switching to a traditional based curriculum?

Like I said, the rumor I heard was it was still systems based but the delivery of when you got what would be different. That is just a rumor. However, they wouldn't lie to you guys, so whatever you heard in the interview process is likely closer to the truth than the rumors floating around here.

Also, another positive change: the school has adopted a number of local clinics (Sam Rogers is the one that comes to mind currently) where you can get AWESOME clinical experience following around KCUMB faculty, while serving an in-need population.

 

[Elevencents]

Lots of good info. I'm still excited to attend KCUMB but heard nothing about a curriculum change at my interview. However, I interviewed on the early side so it may not have been decided upon yet.

And the 70% thing worries me not at all. Schools are not out to fail you unless you show you consistently cannot handle yourself. It is bad for business. Those who fail out are typically the ones who did not belong there in the first place for whatever reason.

 

[Lost Vagus]

Everyone cool your jets. They aren't getting rid of the systems based curriculum. If anything, they are trying to incorporate some more board related things. COMLEX prep was never provided in the past, and the Kaplan course will be provided for free with access to an actual class prep course as well as online materia (Q bank, which is immensely helpful).

As far as the remediation thing, they aren't going to kick you out if you get below a 70% a few times. They are tired of the SAME people re mediating every single block and then not doing well on step 1. A lot of these people come from bridge programs from undergrad (there are some kind of BS linkage programs through some local schools where undergrads skip their senior year and get to do the first year of med school. These people didnt have to take the mcat, they are incredibly young and have no idea what they are doing. The people that have failed out over this past year were sent down to do the 1 year masters program. They didn't just kick them to the curve. KCUMB wants you to succeed. They don't want to weed people out.

I dont think it was the OP's intention to scare anyone or tell them that KCUMB is just going to kick you out. Policy changes are scary. Especially when a new dean and president come in and make changes immediately. Almost everyone has to remediate at some point. It's completely normal. But if you fail multiple times in a year, whether it be 3 or 4 blocks, then medical school probably isn't for you. Remember, the average is curved to an 85%!

Genesis curriculum isn't going away. Systems based is here to stay. It's just going to be presented in a little different way to prep better for board questions. The board prep course is new and free (was never provided), you aren't going to get kicked out unless you consistently remediate. There is a really sweet curve that helps so so much (also if you get below a 70% on the mid term that doesn't mean you have to retake or go in front of the board, you can just do better on the final.) The sky isn't falling people. There is new administration, and with that comes new policies and new ideas. Everyone take a nice calm deep breath and step away from the ledge

 

[deleted554870]

This is all pretty upsetting. I don't understand why a new dean comes in and makes unnecessary changes. Board scores were great, they were number one in the entire country. The curriculum was awesome and now, it seems like nobody knows what the hell is going on. This is complete bull ****.

 

[Lost Vagus]

I'd imagine worst case scenario is that you get kicked out. Can't expect to fail every block and be pushed through medical school. Who really knows. Maybe contact someone at kcumb and ask about the changes coming. I don't know much about the honors council. I think people are over reacting.

 

[Lost Vagus]

You just said people who failed out went to the masters program

That has been the case for some people so far. I can't speak for what they do in the future. Medical education isn't a gift. Most schools if you fail out, that's it. At least kcumb gives people some extra chances. I also said this happened mostly for the people that came in from an undergraduate bridge program. Read what is on the accepted student facebook page. There is a lot of good info. Nothing substantial is changing for curriculum, and what is changing is supposed to make it easier to do well on boards. Over 90% of students that start at kcumb end up graduating. It's going to be ok.

 

[DOperson1234]

Some clarifications for those unfamiliar with grades and remediation at KCUMB.

Only section grades are curved. Practical grades and osteo clinical skills tests are not curved. <70 is based on raw scores. Final section grades are curved to 85%. Remediation is not super common. Most people don't have to worry about it.

The old policy limited the number of section remediations to 2 in a year or 3 total in preclinical years. It did not limit how many lab practicals could be remediated per section, but it did limit the number of OCS tests that could be remediated to 1.

Kcumb never allowed people to fail 3-4 blocks, but there were a handful who failed several practicals throughout a year.

The only reason the new remediation policy bothers anyone is that it replaced a completely objective system that provided everyone the same number of opportunities to remediate with a subjective policy based on a recommendation made by a top secret group of students. This created an opportunity for personal biases to play a role in the process.

Some students had babies this year and struggled to pass a practical or two. Some students had to have surgery and struggled to pass a practical. Some students had other curve balls thrown at them. Although the chances the school would deny those students a chance to remediate are very slim, it now has the right to do so based on the new remediation policy.

No one knows the exact format of curriculum for next year yet, so it will be tough to get details. I don't think it is going to completely scrap the current system. I'm pretty sure KCUMB will continue to graduate students with great board scores and good residency opportunities.

 

[TypeFun]

Some clarifications for those unfamiliar with grades and remediation at KCUMB.

Remediation is not super common. Most people don't have to worry about it.

Truth.

 

[v6690]

Officially withdrew my acceptance today. Will be attending elsewhere. Best of luck to those on the alternate list, hope my seat goes to one of you.

 

[sudo]

Is there a specific deadline we need to meet to get our FAFSA and financial aid info submitted to KCUMB?

 

[Mightymo15]

Is there a specific deadline we need to meet to get our FAFSA and financial aid info submitted to KCUMB?

I called financial aid, and they said the sooner you turn it in, the sooner they will give you your aid package ($60, 000 in loans was handed to me the same day I submitted the forms. Yippy!).

 

[Mightymo15]

If you fill it out, you can reject any and all aid you don't want, right? And did they give you any scholarships/grants?

I have 21 days to reject or accept the loan amounts, and you can adjust the aid to accept less than the max amount. I'm 99% sure it was all loans, but since I have three weeks to procrastinate, I didn't pay that much attention.

 

[Shen924]

So if you get nothing but loans, you could just reject them all?

If its anything like fafsa college loans then more than likely you dont have to accept them.

 

[Elevencents]

You're obviously not forced to take loans if you have other means to pay.

 

[DeFused]

For those of you planning on living at Century Towers, I noticed that leases start Aug 1st. Orientation week starts July 28th. What are you guys planning on doing for a week before you move in?

 

[Lost Vagus]

For those of you planning on living at Century Towers, I noticed that leases start Aug 1st. Orientation week starts July 28th. What are you guys planning on doing for a week before you move in?

Call CT and see if you can get an earlier move in date. Some of the second years are moving out in early july. They should be able to work with you

 

[sudo]

So who's getting BBQ tonight?

 

[BigGAC1]

Got accepted off the wait-list this morning! See y'all in a few months!

 

[Shen924]

Got accepted off the wait-list this morning! See y'all in a few months!

Nice congrats man. Did you have all your forms in?

 

[BigGAC1]

Well I mailed them off on Monday, so I don't know if they had received/processed them by today or not.

 

[890098]

Got accepted off of the wait-list as well. Can't wait.

 

[Shen924]

Well I mailed them off on Monday, so I don't know if they had received/processed them by today or not.

Fast if you live like a state away. They inform you through mail or phone?

 

[Lovealy]

Well I mailed them off on Monday, so I don't know if they had received/processed them by today or not.

May I ask when you originally heard you were waitlisted? And I'm assuming you received the "are you still interested" email but in it, did it tell you to fill out the forms? I just received that email and I wasn't told to start them and wondering if I should!

 

[Shen924]

May I ask when you originally heard you were waitlisted? And I'm assuming you received the "are you still interested" email but in it, did it tell you to fill out the forms? I just received that email and I wasn't told to start them and wondering if I should!

Start it, because if you were to be pulled you would be good to go and stress free. But don't fill out the 1k matriculation fee or pay it.

 

[BigGAC1]

I was waitlisted before Christmas, and yes I did receive the "are you still interested" email a few weeks ago. And I live in Texas, so I would be surprised if the forms were already filed by today. Also I was informed by phone.

 

[asanch]

So a friend of mine just got the results to his hep B titer, which came back unreactive... He's kinda freaking out, since getting another series will take six months. He called the office, but got no answer. Anyone know what their policy is exactly? Would they be willing to work with him on this? 6 months from now will be September, so...

 

[Mightymo15]

So a friend of mine just got the results to his hep B titer, which came back unreactive... He's kinda freaking out, since getting another series will take six months. He called the office, but got no answer. Anyone know what their policy is exactly? Would they be willing to work with him on this? 6 months from now will be September, so...

Mine came back negative, too. Definitely email the admissions office. I was told to start the new series immediately (tomorrow) and to send a copy of the negative titer with the rest of my immunization records. Also be sure to note the date when the new series is started.

I only started the series a month ago, and it seems like a negative hep b titer isn't uncommon and they will work with students!

 

[RoyalMule]

How important is it that we have the actual dates that we received the vaccinations? I came back positive for all of them, showing immunity, but I am struggling to come up with the dates I actually received them.

 

[Lost Vagus]

How important is it that we have the actual dates that we received the vaccinations? I came back positive for all of them, showing immunity, but I am struggling to come up with the dates I actually received them.

um.... probably pretty important. Do you not have shot records from your physician?

 

[Shen924]

Wheres everyone getting their titer and shots done at? The health department?

 

[Elevencents]

Wheres everyone getting their titer and shots done at? The health department?

If you're not still in school just go to a local clinic.