OSU-COM Discussion Thread 2011-2012

[Hopefuldoc1]

Anyone know anything about future interview dates? My stats aren't amazing but I thought for sure I would be getting an interview soon, I am in-state and already have an interview at OU. This waiting game is killing me! Congrats to everyone accepted by the way!

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[Phlame217]

Phlame, I was told on my interview day (by Dr. Stewart) that OSU got approved for the increase in class size, but that didn't mean they would fill all 115 seats.....so is it final that the class size will increase to 115??

I thought they were slowly going to increase the class size each year until it got to 115 by like 2015 or something. Or are they going to increase to 115 this class?

This incoming class will fill the 115 slots. They have full funding for all slots so it starts immediately. That was announced yesterday.

 

[Phlame217]

Anyone know anything about future interview dates? My stats aren't amazing but I thought for sure I would be getting an interview soon, I am in-state and already have an interview at OU. This waiting game is killing me! Congrats to everyone accepted by the way!

They are going to keep interviewing through March-April so there are plenty of up coming dates.

 

[rafman]

This incoming class will fill the 115 slots. They have full funding for all slots so it starts immediately. That was announced yesterday.

I guess this is both good and bad news. Good that the school is expanding and receiving additional funding. But, will OSU still have that well-renowned close, small-school feel? Also, I know they're expanding the classrooms, but what about the anatomy lab?

 

[Phlame217]

I guess this is both good and bad news. Good that the school is expanding and receiving additional funding. But, will OSU still have that well-renowned close, small-school feel? Also, I know they're expanding the classrooms, but what about the anatomy lab?

Yes, Anatomy lab is being expanded. If you've seen the school, the locker rooms in the labs are being eliminated and the lab is expanding into those spaces and they are updating a lot of the lab.

And as far as the small feel, I can't say definitely but the first year class is 102 students and they still feel the homely feel and the small school type environment. I can see the worry you have with this and I have also expressed this in various student-faculty meetings but they school says they are under a demand by the state to increase physician population but will do their best to maintain the environment.

 

[rafman]

Yes, Anatomy lab is being expanded. If you've seen the school, the locker rooms in the labs are being eliminated and the lab is expanding into those spaces and they are updating a lot of the lab.

And as far as the small feel, I can't say definitely but the first year class is 102 students and they still feel the homely feel and the small school type environment. I can see the worry you have with this and I have also expressed this in various student-faculty meetings but they school says they are under a demand by the state to increase physician population but will do their best to maintain the environment.

I'm really happy that the school is actually expanding the classrooms and labs, as well as updating the technology, to accommodate the increase in class size, unlike some of the other DO schools where they just keep shoving more and more students into their limited classrooms.

One of the reasons I've chosen OSU over some the other schools is because of the small class size. But going from 102 ( I thought it was 92, but I'm guessing this is including the Bridge students?) to 115 doesn't seem too bad. And if OSU says they'll try their best to keep the small school feeling, I trust them.

Also, does this mean that OSU (or Oklahoma, in general) might also increase their number of residency positions, especially for the primary care specialties (ie FM, IM, and Peds), to accommodate the increase in class size and growing physician shortage?

 

[2SilverShoes]

Just got an interview invite to OSU for December 1! I am so excited to learn more about this school. Anyone know if they have rolling admission through the end of the year? Or do they either reject or defer by a certain point in the interview process?
Love this school!!

 

[Phlame217]

Just got an interview invite to OSU for December 1! I am so excited to learn more about this school. Anyone know if they have rolling admission through the end of the year? Or do they either reject or defer by a certain point in the interview process?
Love this school!!

Congrats!

Rolling interviews through the end of the interview season.

 

[TitusDoc]

Just got an interview invite to OSU for December 1! I am so excited to learn more about this school. Anyone know if they have rolling admission through the end of the year? Or do they either reject or defer by a certain point in the interview process?
Love this school!!

I'll also be interviewing here December 1st. Had been waiting on pins and needles to find out when or if I would interview - so when I finally got the call this week - I was thrilled! Looking forward to meeting any other fellow SDN'ers (is that term correct?) in December!

 

[Laiba]

does this school does like silent rejections? its one of the few schools that i havent heard from at all after being complete?
have they rejected anyone yet post secondary?

 

[saylorsdad]

Silent rejections is a funny thing to call it. Lots of stress now in your and everyone else's life. Don't think you won't get a chance. Remember OSU does rolling admissions and the admissions year is less than half way through. If you have the stats relax you did your job. The school has to decide from the many applicants who they want to live with for four years. There are a lot of acceptances still out there hang in there. If you want it bad enough it will happen.

 

[Drsport85]

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[runlong]

Thought it was time for another post to be submitted (over a week has passed since the last one). I interviewed on Nov 18 and am anxiously awaiting a reply. It seems like I check my phone every half hour during the afternoons at work. Anyone else in the same boat?

 

[TitusDoc]

For those that have interviewed... what time do applicants need to arrive for the interview - and where should applicants meet first?

 

[Drsport85]

Thought it was time for another post to be submitted (over a week has passed since the last one). I interviewed on Nov 18 and am anxiously awaiting a reply. It seems like I check my phone every half hour during the afternoons at work. Anyone else in the same boat?

I was in the same boat a couple of weeks ago haha. It took me almost 3 weeks to get a reply. It'll be worth it when you hopefully get a call though! Good luck!

 

[Drsport85]

For those that have interviewed... what time do applicants need to arrive for the interview - and where should applicants meet first?

I got there at 7:50. I guess that depends on where you park. But it doesn't matter just get to the building and there are student ambassadors there to take you to the room you're meeting at. Good luck!

 

[runlong]

Received the much anticipated call yesterday. Accepted!!!
29Q 3.71gpa 4.0science gpa Interviewed on Nov 19.

I think that more important than statistics to being accepted is you show your interest in 1. rural medicine 2. primary care 3. staying in Oklahoma. At the end of the interview, my interviewer stated that the founding and funding of the school is to produce primary care docs who want to work in rural Oklahoma. This is the type of student the school is looking for. At this point I took a sigh of relief, because that's what I told them I would find as an enjoyable career. Obviously, they ask you for your plans/desires before they show their cards. But if you're reading this and have an upcoming interview, you now know the hand they've been dealt!

Hope this helps.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Received the much anticipated call yesterday. Accepted!!!
29Q 3.71gpa 4.0science gpa Interviewed on Nov 19.

I think that more important than statistics to being accepted is you show your interest in 1. rural medicine 2. primary care 3. staying in Oklahoma. At the end of the interview, my interviewer stated that the founding and funding of the school is to produce primary care docs who want to work in rural Oklahoma. This is the type of student the school is looking for. At this point I took a sigh of relief, because that's what I told them I would find as an enjoyable career. Obviously, they ask you for your plans/desires before they show their cards. But if you're reading this and have an upcoming interview, you now know the hand they've been dealt!

Hope this helps.

This emphasis on Oklahoma and primary medicine continues throughout the school. This is important for incoming students to know and use in making their choices. If considering primary medicine is anathema to you, then faking it on the interview and coming to OSU would be a mistake for you. You're going to be forced to at least consider it. In the lectures they hound about it. The clubs that push it are free to join. The rotations are arranged to make you see it. The local residencies, which you have the best chance for, are heavily weighted that direction.

 

[rafman]

This emphasis on Oklahoma and primary medicine continues throughout the school. This is important for incoming students to know and use in making their choices. If considering primary medicine is anathema to you, then faking it on the interview and coming to OSU would be a mistake for you. You're going to be forced to at least consider it. In the lectures they hound about it. The clubs that push it are free to join. The rotations are arranged to make you see it. The local residencies, which you have the best chance for, are heavily weighted that direction.

This

I remember they asked me during my interview if I planned to live in OK after med school/during residency and why I would want to (I'm an OOS from Texas).

Although they push PC, do they at least support students who decide to specialize? I would like to go into Peds, but I'm not even an MS1 yet and saying which specialty I want to go into seems premature. So, even if I do seriously consider PC, but at the end choose to go into a different specialty, like psych, will it hurt me to attend OSU (ie should I have gone to a different school)?

PS, I would really like to do my res in OK, as well as practice in the Sooner state.

 

[Phlame217]

This

I remember they asked me during my interview if I planned to live in OK after med school/during residency and why I would want to (I'm an OOS from Texas).

Although they push PC, do they at least support students who decide to specialize? I would like to go into Peds, but I'm not even an MS1 yet and saying which specialty I want to go into seems premature. So, even if I do seriously consider PC, but at the end choose to go into a different specialty, like psych, will it hurt me to attend OSU (ie should I have gone to a different school)?

PS, I would really like to do my res in OK, as well as practice in the Sooner state.

Yes, there is plenty of opportunity for residencies outside of the PC field.

We match into various surgical residencies at a high rate every year along with Derm, Rads, etc. Peds is actually one of the larger fields at the school too.

 

[EdLongshanks]

This

I remember they asked me during my interview if I planned to live in OK after med school/during residency and why I would want to (I'm an OOS from Texas).

Although they push PC, do they at least support students who decide to specialize? I would like to go into Peds, but I'm not even an MS1 yet and saying which specialty I want to go into seems premature. So, even if I do seriously consider PC, but at the end choose to go into a different specialty, like psych, will it hurt me to attend OSU (ie should I have gone to a different school)?

PS, I would really like to do my res in OK, as well as practice in the Sooner state.

In my mind peds, is one type of primary care. But a lot of students go into other specialties. You don't have to do primary care if you go to OSU. Several of my classmates intend to do other specialties. There are opportunities to do so. The school just makes primary care convenient, makes you do rotations, and tries to talk you into it, as well as recruit people who are interested in it. Meanwhile, they are proud of their graduates who go into other highly-competitive specialties.

I think that there is one exception to this. If you wanted to become an OMM specialist, I think that they would look favorably upon it. Some of the OMM teachers are... (what's the word Phlame? interested, dedicated, passionate, fanatical?) about it. Some of them are leaders in the field.

 

[DrMom]

As Phlame and Ed have said, while the school encourages interest and provides a lot of exposure to primary care there is no true pressure to go into primary care. At OSU they want you to be willing to consider and explore primary care and/or rural medicine, but they know that a lot of the grads are going to do other specialties. If you choose a non-primary care specialty you will not be at a disadvantage coming from OSU.

BTW: the standard primary care specialties are family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. OB/GYN is often included, too. In Oklahoma, emergency medicine has also been considered primary care (for Physician Manpower, etc), but that is not normally considered a primary care specialty.

 

[EdLongshanks]

BTW: the standard primary care specialties are ... internal medicine,

Note: however, that internal medicine is the gateway to several nice specialties. There are many internal medicine residencies that OSU grads have a good chance of receiving - so if you decide, later, to specialize into the big money - OSU gives you a good leg up for that.

 

[Oilsooner]

I've really enjoyed reading this thread!

Good luck to everyone applying this year! I will be applying next year, and will only be applying to OSU Tulsa.

I'm a non traditional student (with a family), and have no desire to leave the Tulsa area. Makes for good motivation to get good grades and study harder for the MCAT!

 

[Oilsooner]

Note: however, that internal medicine is the gateway to several nice specialties. There are many internal medicine residencies that OSU grads have a good chance of receiving - so if you decide, later, to specialize into the big money - OSU gives you a good leg up for that.

Could you give a few examples? Also, how are the opportunities for Obstetrics? Would this be considered primary care by the ADCOM? Thank you.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

 

[EdLongshanks]

Could you give a few examples? Also, how are the opportunities for Obstetrics? Would this be considered primary care by the ADCOM? Thank you.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

According to Dr. Mom, above, Ob/Gyn is considered primary care. I see many students in the class who expressed a desire for Ob/Gyn before they were accepted.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Could you give a few examples? Also, how are the opportunities for Obstetrics? Would this be considered primary care by the ADCOM? Thank you.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

I don't know a lot about fellowships. I'm probably going internal medicine because I like broad and deep knowledge, I want to see what ultimately happens with my patients, and I like flexibility. These are the points that the internal medicine people at the school openly use as selling points. They also mention that you can then go on to specialize in several interesting and highly lucrative sub-specialties - nephrology, critical care, rheumatology, etc. I am way, way, way short of having to consider these things. Right now, I just care about passing anatomy.

 

[rafman]

I don't know a lot about fellowships. I'm probably going internal medicine because I like broad and deep knowledge, I want to see what ultimately happens with my patients, and I like flexibility. These are the points that the internal medicine people at the school openly use as selling points. They also mention that you can then go on to specialize in several interesting and highly lucrative sub-specialties - nephrology, critical care, rheumatology, etc. I am way, way, way short of having to consider these things. Right now, I just care about passing anatomy.

I think OSU has a nephrology and cardiology fellowship. So going to OSU will def give us a heads up (although I know performance and grades are more important)

 

[Phlame217]

Nephrology, Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, and Gastroenterology.

 

[rafman]

For those who already sent in the deposit, did you guys receive a conformation email? Or should I just call Sarah and ask if she received it?

 

[runlong]

I've really enjoyed reading this thread!

Good luck to everyone applying this year! I will be applying next year, and will only be applying to OSU Tulsa.

I'm a non traditional student (with a family), and have no desire to leave the Tulsa area. Makes for good motivation to get good grades and study harder for the MCAT!

I'm also a non-traditional student ("married with children" as the sitcom goes). There are many non-traditional students that I've met at OSU. Definitely a larger proportion at OSU than at other schools I've visited. I also think that it would be a hassle to move the family to attend school. The interviewers asked why OSU and one of my responses was because it was located in Tulsa and this is where my family would like to live for the next 4+ years. I think the interviewers appreciated the honesty. One of them later on explained how he had a family and had lived in Tulsa for 8 years before beginning at OSU-COM.

 

[Nado11]

I sent mine in and haven't received any confirmation yet either

 

[Phlame217]

I dont recall getting a confirmation buts its been a while for me, never hesitate to call though.

 

[Oilsooner]

I'm also a non-traditional student ("married with children" as the sitcom goes). There are many non-traditional students that I've met at OSU. Definitely a larger proportion at OSU than at other schools I've visited. I also think that it would be a hassle to move the family to attend school. The interviewers asked why OSU and one of my responses was because it was located in Tulsa and this is where my family would like to live for the next 4+ years. I think the interviewers appreciated the honesty. One of them later on explained how he had a family and had lived in Tulsa for 8 years before beginning at OSU-COM.

That's great to hear, and thanks for the reply. I will be understandably nervous, applying to just one school. But, if a goal of Oklahoma funded medical schools is to educate physicians that will practice in Oklahoma, the ADCOM can rest assured that I will defer to working in Tulsa, in most situations. I dont have the luxury of applying to places all around the country, but I do intend to be as competitive as possible in my application to OSU! All you can do is get the best scores possible, show the ADCOM how serious you are about med school and OSU, and then hope for the best! Thanks again for the reply!

 

[bretski47]

Does anyone know when the next interview dates are? Probably Jan?

 

[Phlame217]

Yep, January. No interviews during finals.

 

[DrMom]

I know someone who got an interview on Jan 20, FWIW.

 

[Hopefuldoc1]

I was called today and I was asked to choose from January 18, 19, and 20. Really excited to interview, just wish I didn't have to wait a month!

 

[TitusDoc]

Does anyone know when the committee meets/met for the Dec. 1st interview?

 

[bretski47]

Does anyone know when the committee meets/met for the Dec. 1st interview?

Did they tell you how long they thought it would take to get back to you?

From what I understand OSU is historically known with getting back to you very quick, usually the week after your interview, even though they say it will be 2 weeks. However when I interviewed Oct. 27 they told us 3 weeks and... it was 3 weeks. lol.

So if they told you 2 weeks I think that there is a possibility they met this week and will notify you tomorrow via phone call or letter in the mail.

All this is hearsay though. I know finals week is either this week or the next so they could be busy with that and as a result meet after that is all done before they make any decisions and/or notifications.

I know this waiting game is a killer but hang in there!

 

[rafman]

Quick question about the curriculum, I know OSU uses the traditional method, but do they somehow incorporate systems based learning somewhere in the curriculum? Sorry if that sounded confusing, for example I know at Nova Southeastern, first year is traditional while second year they shift to a systems based module.

 

[Phlame217]

Quick question about the curriculum, I know OSU uses the traditional method, but do they somehow incorporate systems based learning somewhere in the curriculum? Sorry if that sounded confusing, for example I know at Nova Southeastern, first year is traditional while second year they shift to a systems based module.

OSU is currently similar to Nova then

1st year is core sciences with a bit of systems based units within each class, however each class runs at its own pace.

2nd year is systems based, but pathology leads the way and the other classes follow suit. However, Pharm is on its own (currently).

I don't know anymore, but supposedly starting in 2014 (class of 2018) they are going full systems with block testing and all.

 

[doclahoma]

I was called today and I was asked to choose from January 18, 19, and 20. Really excited to interview, just wish I didn't have to wait a month!

When did you turn in your supplemental? I turned mine in early November and have been waiting for a call for an interview.

 

[TitusDoc]

Did they tell you how long they thought it would take to get back to you?

From what I understand OSU is historically known with getting back to you very quick, usually the week after your interview, even though they say it will be 2 weeks. However when I interviewed Oct. 27 they told us 3 weeks and... it was 3 weeks. lol.

So if they told you 2 weeks I think that there is a possibility they met this week and will notify you tomorrow via phone call or letter in the mail.

All this is hearsay though. I know finals week is either this week or the next so they could be busy with that and as a result meet after that is all done before they make any decisions and/or notifications.

I know this waiting game is a killer but hang in there!

Looks like you were exactly right.... they said two weeks and sure enough, I got the call today! (1 week, 1 day later) So thrilled to be accepted to my NUMBER ONE choice!

 

[2SilverShoes]

I got the call today too! SO EXCITING! I believe OSU is the best fit for me. I feel totally blessed.

 

[bcarr5]

Does anyone know if they reviewed the December 1st and 2nd interview dates together? I was in the Friday (December 2nd) interview and have not received a call. Thanks!

 

[Phlame217]

Sorry to say but they were most likely reviewed together which a no call tends to mean wait list. Still a chance for calls to go out before schools out though.

 

[bretski47]

Does anyone know OSU's reasoning for wait-listing so many of it's applicants that they eventually accept (they told us ~50% of current students were on the waitlist at some point)?

I was pretty excited about interviewing in Oct. but now I wish I had interviewed later on knowing I was just going to be put on the wait-list and still be on it two months later.

 

[rafman]

How many students do their core in OKC? How many in OSUMC? And how many in Durant and Enid? The students who end up in Durant or Enid, do they go there by choice or because there were no more space in either OKC or Tulsa (ie via the lottery)?

Would it be a safe bet to assume that if I wanted to do my core in Tulsa, I'll be able to get it? Although I would like to do some electives in those other sites, I want to stay in Tulsa and do most of my cores.

BTW, good luck Bretski and others on the waitlist! I've got my fingers crossed for you guys!

 

[Phlame217]

Does anyone know OSU's reasoning for wait-listing so many of it's applicants that they eventually accept (they told us ~50% of current students were on the waitlist at some point)?

I was pretty excited about interviewing in Oct. but now I wish I had interviewed later on knowing I was just going to be put on the wait-list and still be on it two months later.

I know its tough, but the wait list is not a bad place to be. Typically OSU will not interview anyone they don't intend to accept barring anything that may come to light at the interview. OSU takes a small percentage of people to fill a small amount of seats at each cycle, but usually quite a few seats (no idea, but a lot) are left open a the end of interviews. My interpretation of this is OSU wants to look at the whole pool and then pick the majority of applicants.

Also, OSU sees a lot of movement, some in December and most in May as deposits are due and people shuffle around. I have a good friend who interviewed in January and was pulled off wait list in June.

Just have faith and stay positive. Also, your file is always open while on the wait list so as you complete this semesters grades, send OSU new transcripts and if you do any ECs or shadowing, keep them updated. Write a letter of intent or interest and send it. I'd also recommend calling Sara and see whats holding you up. She can tell you if their waiting on semester grades, certain pre-req classes to be done, or whatever.

How many students do their core in OKC? How many in OSUMC? And how many in Durant and Enid? The students who end up in Durant or Enid, do they go there by choice or because there were no more space in either OKC or Tulsa (ie via the lottery)?

Would it be a safe bet to assume that if I wanted to do my core in Tulsa, I'll be able to get it? Although I would like to do some electives in those other sites, I want to stay in Tulsa and do most of my cores.

BTW, good luck Bretski and others on the waitlist! I've got my fingers crossed for you guys!

No idea on numbers, but I have never heard of someone wanting to do a urban core (Tulsa/OKC) end up a rural core (i.e. Durant). However, rural cores have limited slot and the reverse does happen occasionally. OKC has limited slots so it is a luck of the draw thing, but Tulsa generally is never an issue. I am staying local since my first child will be born this May/June and I want to be home as much as possible.