My name is *****, and I'm from *****. I recently received my interview confirmation at WVSOM, and was wondering if you could give me some insight about the school from a students perspective. I really want to attend this university and am looking for all the information I can get. First off, what do you like about the school? What was your schedule like during your first year? How many times a week do you have OMM lecture and lab? What are the semesters like? Are they split into blocks? How was your experience with your clinical rotations in your third and fourth years? Which hospitals did you rotate at, and what did you like about them? Is there an open-door policy with professors? Also, do you know anyone that is going the military route? If you do, would you mind giving me their contact information? I'm really considering the air force and any information regarding this would be very helpful. I'm sorry this is such a long message, but I hope you have the time in answering these questions. My interview date is on ***. If there is any information that you would like to add, or anyone that you think I should talk to, please let me know. I appreciate your help.
Thanks a lot,
***** ******
Received this PM last week. Doing my ICU intern month so been very busy with 30 hour q4 in house call.
Let me try to answer some of these questions for everyone.
What I liked about the school was how most of the faculty reached out to me and made me feel at home. If you put forth effort, they really do become like a second family to you.
My schedule? I was PBL so not fair to answer for most people, but I put in 30-40 hours a week studying/preparing for groups my first year. During exam times I studied in 12 hour blocks. In lecture based, I'm sure people studied around the clock during block week...though I heard through the grapevine that block week no longer exists. One of the newer MS1's will need to expound on that. don't know if things are still split into blocks.
OMM was once a week for a loooooong two and a half hours. The lecture part is dry and I almost never went to it. The hands on part is awesome and where you will receive the bulk of your instruction. Dont freak out about the cranial stuff. Learn what works and what doesn't for yourself. Instructors are for the most part, awesome and very interested in teaching you. Still got through all 2 years with a B in OMM.
Did my 3rd year roations in Princeton, WV. Very good experience at Princeton Community hospital. General Surgery, got to participate to the extent of what i was comfortable with and good teaching surgeons. Medicine was awesome, have to read alot though. You get out of your rotations what you put into them. Saw some people just skate through. Others really did well and read. Do the latter.
4th year spent some at Princeton and others on away rotations in urology/surgery. CAMC was a mixed bag, some good, some horrible. I have friends who are of high caliber in the family medicine and ER programs there. New Hanover regional in Wilmington, NC was an awesome experience in my hometown. You have the ability to go places in 4th year, go do so and get the heck out of West Virginia for a bit.
Lots of opportunity there so schedule your away rotations early.
Military route? I know some people who did and were happy with their choice. Single people did better with it, some of the married people got shipped off and weren't happy with it. Depends on your mindset but military does give you a stipend through school and pays for your education. Not a bad deal if you don't mind government dictating where you go. Definitely not for everyone though.
Hope this answers some of your questions and hope you don't mind me posting your PM, I purposely starred out your name and details.
talk to Angie and Annette in admissions, they are good people and great resources.
