Western University - Pomona (COMP) Discussion Thread 2014 - 2015

[sassybeach14]

II after being on hold since late August!

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[DrPibble]

II after being on hold since late August!

Congrats!!! I've been hold since late Aug. or early Sept. May I ask if you contacted them or sent them any updates?

 

[sassybeach14]

Congrats!!! I've been hold since late Aug. or early Sept. May I ask if you contacted them or sent them any updates?

Thanks! Nope. Just been patiently waiting.

 

[RERSurf14]

II after being on hold as well, interviewing 10/23!

 

[PreMedMatt]

II after being on hold as well, interviewing 10/23!

See you on 10/23

 

[RERSurf14]

See you on 10/23

I'll see you there!

 

[Smeyes]

Just got rejected via email. This school was immediately my last choice after interviewing (I was very unimpressed). But I wanted to be the one to break up with them! I interviewed 10/11. Good luck to those still waiting to hear.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Just got rejected via email. This school was immediately my last choice after interviewing (I was very unimpressed). But I wanted to be the one to break up with them! I interviewed 10/11. Good luck to those still waiting to hear.

Lol same here. Apparently it came across in my interview and I got rejected.

 

[UBC2014]

Lol same here. Apparently it came across in my interview and I got rejected.

Interesting, what were ya'll thoughts on the school?

I also interviewed 10/11, but no email so hopefully that's a good sign haha. Surprised they made decisions so soon though :s

 

[psychic_hearts]

why didn't u guys like this school? just curious- its a great location

 

[keevwu]

why didn't u guys like this school? just curious- its a great location

I interviewed there on 10/11 as well. It's one of my top choices due to location, board pass rates, rotation sites near where I want to practice, and faculty/staff. My interviewer really impressed me with his love for OMT/ "the DO difference" and gave a cool demonstration. However, a lot of people didn't seem to like that half the lectures were streamed from the Lebanon campus. Also, the actual location itself (Pomona) isn't great. I hear it's a little bit dangerous, but there's usually ample security on campus in case anything happens. They also will provide escorts if you feel like you need one (especially at night). The exterior of the buildings are a bit dingy, but the lecture halls are nice.

 

[sunshinefl]

However, a lot of people didn't seem to like that half the lectures were streamed from the Lebanon campus

I'm really sad about this. I'm not applying this cycle but I did a crazy amount of research on every single med school in the country and made a list of 40. It's a mix of DO and MD and I had this school ranked as #7. I'm so sad to hear this because I absolutely hate that and I thought I had eliminated all schools/campuses that did this. I don't know how to feel now....

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

I interviewed there on 10/11 as well. It's one of my top choices due to location, board pass rates, rotation sites near where I want to practice, and faculty/staff. My interviewer really impressed me with his love for OMT/ "the DO difference" and gave a cool demonstration. However, a lot of people didn't seem to like that half the lectures were streamed from the Lebanon campus. Also, the actual location itself (Pomona) isn't great. I hear it's a little bit dangerous, but there's usually ample security on campus in case anything happens. They also will provide escorts if you feel like you need one (especially at night). The exterior of the buildings are a bit dingy, but the lecture halls are nice.

Honestly, I don't see a difference between streaming and live lectures. I don't see why people complain. If anything, med school will slowly begin to becoming streaming only as you see all lectures from your laptop.

 

[keevwu]

Honestly, I don't see a difference between streaming and live lectures. I don't see why people complain. If anything, med school will slowly begin to becoming streaming only as you see all lectures from your laptop.

I can see it taking the personal quality of a lecture out of the experience. This mostly hurts the students who ask a lot of questions before/during/after class. I tend to not ask too many questions, so I'm not complaining.

 

[sunshinefl]

Honestly, I don't see a difference between streaming and live lectures. I don't see why people complain. If anything, med school will slowly begin to becoming streaming only as you see all lectures from your laptop.

I'm an independent learner. But I still find live lectures important. Self study+presentation of material=layers of comprehension. I have never taken an online class in my life. And I absolutely can not learning from watching some 10 inch screen on my computer with poor audio and poor video quality drone on.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

I'm an independent learner. But I still find live lectures important. Self study+presentation of material=layers of comprehension. I have never taken an online class in my life. And I absolutely can not learning from watching some 10 inch screen on my computer with poor audio and poor video quality drone on.

The lectures are live even when they are streaming. Only difference is you have to use the microphone to communicate.

 

[Mika252]

I interviewed there on 10/11 as well. It's one of my top choices due to location, board pass rates, rotation sites near where I want to practice, and faculty/staff. My interviewer really impressed me with his love for OMT/ "the DO difference" and gave a cool demonstration. However, a lot of people didn't seem to like that half the lectures were streamed from the Lebanon campus. Also, the actual location itself (Pomona) isn't great. I hear it's a little bit dangerous, but there's usually ample security on campus in case anything happens. They also will provide escorts if you feel like you need one (especially at night). The exterior of the buildings are a bit dingy, but the lecture halls are nice.

I'm also pretty sure during my interview day they said about 30%, not half. It's Lebanon that gets the bulk of the streaming.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

I dont want to post about Western on this thread. PM me for more info. @UBC2014

 

[HappyFeet14]

Just received an II invitation!! Planning on Nov. 15th date. SOOO EXCITED!!!! In-State 3.55c/3.81s/29

 

[Godhelpmeplz]

Received invite today! Withdrew so I hope it goes to anyone else on here waiting. Good luck!

 

[GreatApalachee]

Just received an II invitation!! Planning on Nov. 15th date. SOOO EXCITED!!!! In-State 3.55c/3.81s/29

Hey congrats! When were you complete?

 

[HappyFeet14]

Hey congrats! When were you complete?

I was complete on 9/25

 

[mang0pudd1ng]

just got place on hold. was ready for review on 10/6....sad. hoping I get pulled off the hold list sometime in the future

 

[calirunner]

Received an acceptance phone call today. CA resident

 

[keevwu]

Received an acceptance phone call today. CA resident

when did you interview? I didn't realize they gave phone calls

 

[Geniuskuest]

Does anyone know if the panel interview is open or close file?

 

[UBC2014]

Received an acceptance phone call today. CA resident

Since when did they start doing acceptance phone calls? They told us at interview day (Oct 11) that they do it all by mail?
When did you interview btw

 

[UBC2014]

Does anyone know if the panel interview is open or close file?

It was somewhat open, my interviewer just had the 1st page of my aacomas file. I just had 1 interviewer, but some had 2-3.

 

[Lemon Lime]

It was somewhat open, my interviewer just had the 1st page of my aacomas file. I just had 1 interviewer, but some had 2-3.

How long was the interview?

 

[keevwu]

How long was the interview?

about half an hour. there are also 2 MMI's.

 

[beebee1191]

Are the MMIs scenario-based or role-play?

 

[Allium cepa]

Does anyone know if they have a revisit day for accepted students?

 

[calirunner]

Since when did they start doing acceptance phone calls? They told us at interview day (Oct 11) that they do it all by mail?
When did you interview btw

I was surprised as well when I got a call because I interviewed on the same day as you and heard the same thing. But, I am glad they didn't make me wait to receive it in the mail although they said I should expect to receive a letter in a few days

 

[UBC2014]

I was surprised as well when I got a call because I interviewed on the same day as you and heard the same thing. But, I am glad they didn't make me wait to receive it in the mail although they said I should expect to receive a letter in a few days

Congratulations calirunner!!! You must have been an exceptional applicant to receive the call! Hopefully it is a trend to call everyone haha, would make it easier for us OOS who have to wait for the letter.

It seems to me that people nearby the school should be receiving letters in the next few days perhaps, if not early next week. Us OOS people will have to hold tight

 

[keevwu]

Congratulations calirunner!!! You must have been an exceptional applicant to receive the call! Hopefully it is a trend to call everyone haha, would make it easier for us OOS who have to wait for the letter.

It seems to me that people nearby the school should be receiving letters in the next few days perhaps, if not early next week. Us OOS people will have to hold tight

hopefully no call doesn't mean waitlist/rejection...

 

[Love_Cats_without_the_M]

So who interviewing tomorrow is staying at the comfort inn thats about a mile from campus?

 

[PreMedMatt]

So who interviewing tomorrow is staying at the comfort inn thats about a mile from campus?

I'll be there tomorrow, but I won't be staying at the comfort inn.

See you there! Good luck!

 

[Postictal Raiden]

I'm also pretty sure during my interview day they said about 30%, not half. It's Lebanon that gets the bulk of the streaming.

I'd say about 80% of the lectures are taking place in Pomona, or at least this is the case for anatomy. I'm not sure how other courses will be though. Regardless, I couldn't care less. I only attend lectures when I am expected to participate in activities or when I need to turn in something, and for the most part I watch the lectures on my laptop on my own pace.

 

[Back 5]

Ya'll better eat the food and drink the coffee in the break room otherwise it will quickly disappear when we have a mass exodus from lecture in 15 minutes.

 

[bknight]

I thought my interview was kinda hard.

 

[PreMedMatt]

I thought my interview was kinda hard.

Agreed.

We'll see in two weeks. :-/

 

[yanks26dmb]

So im on the alternate list and I want to show western they're my number one and I'm still working on my application. How often do you think I should update them with my hours and ecs? I'm adding couple more ecs and have done a bunch more hours since I submitted my secondary. Any ideas the best way to stay engaged to maximize my chance to get off the waitlist?

 

[s5260205]

Just filling out my secondary. I don't have a specific shadowing experience but have worked with doctors through being a clinical research assistant and a volunteer. Can I put down these experiences as shadowing?

 

[UBC2014]

Just filling out my secondary. I don't have a specific shadowing experience but have worked with doctors through being a clinical research assistant and a volunteer. Can I put down these experiences as shadowing?

Its worth a shot, but don't be surprised if they grill you on it. Western is one of those schools that wants to know you aren't using DO as a back up and have shadowing done.

 

[s5260205]

Its worth a shot, but don't be surprised if they grill you on it. Western is one of those schools that wants to know you aren't using DO as a back up and have shadowing done.

Kind of crap shot at this school then. Even the essay specifically asks about osteopathic physician shadowing.

 

[Mika252]

So im on the alternate list and I want to show western they're my number one and I'm still working on my application. How often do you think I should update them with my hours and ecs? I'm adding couple more ecs and have done a bunch more hours since I submitted my secondary. Any ideas the best way to stay engaged to maximize my chance to get off the waitlist?

How about an updated CV and just a thank you note again for the interview?

 

[UBC2014]

Kind of crap shot at this school then. Even the essay specifically asks about osteopathic physician shadowing.

I think i read in your other post you had a 37 mcat? I would definitely still submit. Even without the shadowing, you might get an interview. But yeah, their essay specifically asks for DO shadowing and exposure. WIthout that it will be a hard sell.

 

[keevwu]

Kind of crap shot at this school then. Even the essay specifically asks about osteopathic physician shadowing.

I didn't shadow any DO and was offered a II. If I am waitlisted, one of the updates I will probably work on is getting more DO experience and updating my file with that. My interviewer was one of those physicians that only applied to DO schools, despite having high GPA and MCAT, so it seemed really important to him that we aren't just applying to DO as backups.

 

[Inygma]

I didn't shadow any DO and was offered a II. But my interviewer did grill me a little on not having shadowed a DO. If I am waitlisted, one of the updates I will probably work on is getting more DO experience and updating my file with that. My interviewer was one of those physicians that only applied to DO schools, despite having high GPA and MCAT, so it seemed really important to him that we aren't just applying to DO as backups.

I didn't shadow a DO and I was accepted. But I had experience with them in the ER

 

[s5260205]

I didn't shadow any DO and was offered a II. But my interviewer did grill me a little on not having shadowed a DO. If I am waitlisted, one of the updates I will probably work on is getting more DO experience and updating my file with that. My interviewer was one of those physicians that only applied to DO schools, despite having high GPA and MCAT, so it seemed really important to him that we aren't just applying to DO as backups.

How did you explain that you didn't have any DO shadowing? I feel any reason I come up with sounds like an excuse (almost no DO in Canada, school/work/volunteer/finance doesn't allow me to cross border for DO shadowing).