** 2008-2009 Secondary Application Thread! **

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axylotl said:
When you say "Finally got LECOM to work" does that mean your essays went through? If you don't mind me asking, how long were your essays? Thanks!


PS: Anyone receive secondaries from any of the following?
1. CCOM
2. LMU
3. NYCOM
4. PCOM
5. TOUROCOM-NY
6. TUCOM-Ca
7. WVSOM
8. Western Univeristy of Health Sciences

Just want to know if I should be getting worried.. 🙂
Click to expand...
I have received secondaries from TOUROCOM-NY and TUCOM-Ca
 
is anyone else having trouble writing the question for the VCOM secondary regarding osteopathic = allopathic and why you would be a good osteopathic physician. Isn't everyone going to have the same answer essentially. Should I be coming up with some unique answer, or should I just be conservative with this one?

Any suggestions would be great!
 
Don't think of essays by length. Think of the essays as the most reasonable amount of space you can answer the questions. If you do that, then space is never a concern. I think mine were around half to 3/4 a page...if that. I wrote them pretty fast.

If I get accepted to LECOM, we're going to have to have a chat about the system. That payment button is confusing and it bothers me that it didn't encrypt certain numbers on the receipt. Also, why would you press "cancel" to go back to the main screen after payment? Just kind of a weird interface.
 
MossPoh said:
Don't think of essays by length. Think of the essays as the most reasonable amount of space you can answer the questions. If you do that, then space is never a concern. I think mine were around half to 3/4 a page...if that. I wrote them pretty fast.

If I get accepted to LECOM, we're going to have to have a chat about the system. That payment button is confusing and it bothers me that it didn't encrypt certain numbers on the receipt. Also, why would you press "cancel" to go back to the main screen after payment? Just kind of a weird interface.
Click to expand...

definitely in agreement. wait, did you already get your receipt? b/c i didn't! i wonder if the payment did not go through.
 
axylotl said:
When you say "Finally got LECOM to work" does that mean your essays went through? If you don't mind me asking, how long were your essays? Thanks!


PS: Anyone receive secondaries from any of the following?
1. CCOM
2. LMU
3. NYCOM
4. PCOM
5. TOUROCOM-NY
6. TUCOM-Ca
7. WVSOM
8. Western Univeristy of Health Sciences

Just want to know if I should be getting worried.. 🙂
Click to expand...

Yes to #6. It came in the mail. You can complete it online, then print it and wait for notification. It's not too bad. You need the normal "in one page or less, describe the qualities/experiences that have made you a good candidate for osteopathic medicine" or something like that.
 
axylotl said:
When you say "Finally got LECOM to work" does that mean your essays went through? If you don't mind me asking, how long were your essays? Thanks!


PS: Anyone receive secondaries from any of the following?
1. CCOM
2. LMU
3. NYCOM
4. PCOM
5. TOUROCOM-NY
6. TUCOM-Ca
7. WVSOM
8. Western Univeristy of Health Sciences

Just want to know if I should be getting worried.. 🙂
Click to expand...

axyltotl, no i just meant the portal was finally allowing me to submit. i didn't have a problem with the length. like someone else mentioned, i just wrote and mine ended up being 3/4page. i think as long as you don't get repetitive, focus on the prompt, are engaging and concise, then you will be fine. hope that's helpful.

also, i think wvsom only gives secondaries out to people who are selected for an interview. same with nycom, maybe? i think i remember hearing that, but don't quote me on them. lmu-dcom's secondary is up on their website if you want to take a look at it.
 
diggintheDOs said:
definitely in agreement. wait, did you already get your receipt? b/c i didn't! i wonder if the payment did not go through.
Click to expand...

No receipt yet. Just the confirmation that it is submitted. I think they manually do it.
 
Does anybody have the essays for VCOM? I am really interested in their program and really want to start working on them.
 
Question about letters of rec

All of my letters except for one were submitted via my undergraduate institution. My DO letter was sent directly to interfolio ( he said he preffered this than sending it directly to the school via snail mail) So, he submitted it online and I guess electronically signed it. Is this bad? I mean if the schools have any questions all his information is on the letter so they can contact him. I am just worried about how they will look at this.
 
anon y mous said:
Just curious if you are retaking your MCAT. I got the same score as you but two of the numbers are reversed and I had a slightly better writing grade. My sci gpa is a 3.9. I am retaking in Sept (earliest date I could get that I'd be ready). I see you already have an invite so I'm wondering if I made a big mistake my saying I was going to retake. is this going to put me way behind? I really didn't think I could get in with a 24 though.
Click to expand...

I am not planning on retaking MCAT. I am pretty satisfied with my score. I think that with my extracurricular stuff and my score, I have fair chance to get in. Good thing about DO schools is that they look at whole application not just numbers.

Have you submitted your AMCAS/ AACOMAS? If not, I would advice that you should submit those at the earliest and get verified because that will take couple of weeks. It is still early in the cycle, so still have good chance.
 
Fp02c said:
Does anybody have the essays for VCOM? I am really interested in their program and really want to start working on them.
Click to expand...

Just wait till you get the secondary. It isn't that urgent. You aren't writing a thesis or a great novel here. Its just so they get the feel of what kind of person you are. I spent maybe 2 hours total on the application.
 
Fp02c said:
Question about letters of rec

All of my letters except for one were submitted via my undergraduate institution. My DO letter was sent directly to interfolio ( he said he preffered this than sending it directly to the school via snail mail) So, he submitted it online and I guess electronically signed it. Is this bad? I mean if the schools have any questions all his information is on the letter so they can contact him. I am just worried about how they will look at this.
Click to expand...

I don't see why thats bad. Thounsands of people are doing it electronically thats one of the great things about interfolio.
 
Chocolate Bear said:
Yes to #6. It came in the mail. You can complete it online, then print it and wait for notification. It's not too bad. You need the normal "in one page or less, describe the qualities/experiences that have made you a good candidate for osteopathic medicine" or something like that.
Click to expand...


Hey Chocolate Bear - when did you recieve the touro-ca application in the mail? I'm hoping I didn't miss it somehow. I got a touro-NV secondary so I'm hoping I'll get a touro-CA as well.
 
Airlife91 said:
Hey Chocolate Bear - when did you recieve the touro-ca application in the mail? I'm hoping I didn't miss it somehow. I got a touro-NV secondary so I'm hoping I'll get a touro-CA as well.
Click to expand...

7/14. It went to my permanent address, but my mom told me. Yeah I got NV via email. CA showed up a few days later. You can email Ms. Huckle at [email protected] to see if it was sent out. You can access the app here. Just don't mail it in until you know they sent it to you! It's nearly identical to NV's.
 
aacomas finally called me back. Apparently this friday the online applications will be updated to show if you're verified or not. He said I was officially verified back in June but it will not show up until this friday.
 
Airlife91 said:
aacomas finally called me back. Apparently this friday the online applications will be updated to show if you're verified or not. He said I was officially verified back in June but it will not show up until this friday.
Click to expand...

Wow that'll be nice! Way to catch up with technology, 2 months after opening!
 
Evidently I got UMDNJ secondary like a week and half ago and it was sitting in my junk mail, so make sure you check your junkmail.

I also got OUCOM today. So, I have now surpassed the amount of secondaries the normal person would want to fill out. Go me.....(note sarcasm)
 
diggintheDOs said:
definitely in agreement. wait, did you already get your receipt? b/c i didn't! i wonder if the payment did not go through.
Click to expand...

I don't know if you got the email, but they said that we just have to wait till they fix the payment system. They'll send us an email how to pay when it is fixed supposedly.
 
Got OUCOM. The contract is not nearly as scary as many make it seem. If you go into primary care and do residency at on of several locations on a list your five years are forgiven. Other specialities can go a year for a year after approval. Will be filling out. Ohio is only one state away from my motherland anyway 😉.
 
Well, I just have my mac mail program set up very strict. I got tired of all the military emails and what not. I have one of my school emails. Should've just used gmail, but oh well.

The ohio contract isn't bad at all. I don't really care that much anyway. I grew up Indiana and went to school in Pennsylvania. I think Ohio is a nice compromise. Only problem is dealing with buckeye fans. 😉
 
JWLuiza said:
Link above is broken... anyone with the correct link?
Click to expand...

Hey everyone, i just wanted to confirm that these secondaries are current, as in this application year? Thanks in advance!
 
MichiganEMTInt said:
AZCOM
Attach a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae
Why do you believe AZCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking and why should AZCOM accept you into this year's class?

CCOM
1. Attach a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, including the following information:
*Educational history (colleges attended and degrees earned)
*Work history
*College extracurricular activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
*Community activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
*Medically related work and volunteer experiences
*Hobbies and nonacademic interests
2. Attach a response to the following questions (500 words or fewer):
Why are you seeking a career in osteopathic medicine, and why do you believe CCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic education you are seeking.?

LECOM (both)
Write a personal essay describing yourself and the qualities you possess that will make you a successful osteopathic physician
Explain or describe any clinical and/or health relates experiences you have had, include extracurricular, school and community activities.

MSUCOM
Describe a personal experience or ethical challenge you have faced that has influenced the development of your character. How has this experience helped you to develop specific skills and/or abilities that are essential to practicing osteopathic medicine?

NSU-COM
Just general questions:
past employment, health-care related activities (list), which DO and MD schools you're applying to, and if you've ever matriculated into an MD or DO program.

TUCOM
Describe the personal characteristics you possess and the life experiences you have had that would contribute to your becoming an outstanding osteopathic physician. Please include information that will enable the admissions committee to understand your unique qualities.


Western U/COMP
http://www.westernu.edu/bin/admissi.../DOSUPP2010.pdf
Describe your motivation for training as an osteopathic physician. Comment specifically on your academic performance and potential for study in Osteopathic Medicine.
Describe the qualities that you possess that will make you a good osteopathic physician.
What criteria did you take into consideration in applying to WesternU/COMP?
Describe your participation in community service activities in a medically underserved or economically disadvantaged community.
Click to expand...


sorry for the previous post.. i'm new to this and misquoted..anyway, i just wanted to make sure that these secondaries are current, as in this cycle? i havent received any secondaries yet, and just wanted to get a head start on them so i can turn them over quickly once they arrive...thanks!
 
Bacchus said:
Got OUCOM. The contract is not nearly as scary as many make it seem. If you go into primary care and do residency at on of several locations on a list your five years are forgiven. Other specialities can go a year for a year after approval. Will be filling out. Ohio is only one state away from my motherland anyway 😉.
Click to expand...

What do they consider primary care? I know it's family med, pediatrics, and internal med. Is psych also considered primary care? Are all the locations in the state of Ohio or in neighboring states as well?

Sorry for all the questions. I was scared away from OUCOM because of the so-called "strict contract" so I want to hear more about it from those of you who've seen it.
 
ATSU-KCOM
Site down, right now

ATSU-SOMA
Site down, right now

AZCOM
Attach a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae
Why do you believe AZCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking and why should AZCOM accept you into this year's class?

CCOM
1. Attach a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, including the following information:
*Educational history (colleges attended and degrees earned)
*Work history
*College extracurricular activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
*Community activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
*Medically related work and volunteer experiences
*Hobbies and nonacademic interests
2. Attach a response to the following questions (500 words or fewer):
Why are you seeking a career in osteopathic medicine, and why do you believe CCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic education you are seeking.?

LECOM (both)
--Write a personal essay describing yourself and the qualities you possess that will make you a successful osteopathic physician
--Why are you interested in attending the LECOM College of Medicine to earn the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine?

MSUCOM
Describe a personal experience or ethical challenge you have faced that has influenced the development of your character. How has this experience helped you to develop specific skills and/or abilities that are essential to practicing osteopathic medicine?

NSU-COM
Just general questions:
past employment, health-care related activities (list), school and other activities, which DO and MD schools you're applying to, and if you've ever matriculated into an MD or DO program.

PCOM
http://www.pcom.edu/Admissions/PA_Supp_App.pdf

PCOM-GA
http://www.pcom.edu/Admissions/GA_Supp_App.pdf

RVUCOM
--D.O. letter required
--No character limits stated
--If you have already graduated, please describe your work experience and community service activities since you were last enrolled in school. Feel free to attach resume.
--Were you employed during the regular school year (excluding summers) while in undergraduate school? If yes, list employment.
--Why do you want to become an Osteopathic Physician?
--Why do you wish to attend Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine?
--What unique characteristics, abilities or skills will you bring to the College and to the Osteopathic Profession?

TUCOM (CA)
http://www.tu.edu/user_files/25/TUCAsupapp.htm

TUNCOM (NV)
http://www.tu.edu/user_files/55/Osteopathic_Medicine_Supplemental_Application.pdf

UMDNJ
http://som.umdnj.edu/education/admissions/documents/secondaryappl2008-09.pdf

Western U/COMP
http://www.westernu.edu/bin/admissi.../DOSUPP2010.pdf
Describe your motivation for training as an osteopathic physician. Comment specifically on your academic performance and potential for study in Osteopathic Medicine.
Describe the qualities that you possess that will make you a good osteopathic physician.
What criteria did you take into consideration in applying to WesternU/COMP?
Describe your participation in community service activities in a medically underserved or economically disadvantaged community.
 
ATSU-KCOM
--What particular qualities do you feel you can bring to KCOM? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)
--What specific experience/exposure have you had with osteopathic medicine? How has this influenced your decision to become an osteopathic physician? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)

ATSU-SOMA
--What aspects of the Osteopathic Philosophy had the greatest influence in your decision to seek a career in Osteopathic Medicine? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)
--What is your motivation for participating in the activities you have described in the clinical, volunteer and community service section? How have these experiences changed you? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)
--How does your character, qualities, and experiences distinguish your ability and resolve to serve in underprivileged communities? (Please limit your response to 500 words or less)

AZCOM
Attach a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae
Why do you believe AZCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking and why should AZCOM accept you into this year's class?

CCOM
1. Attach a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, including the following information:
*Educational history (colleges attended and degrees earned)
*Work history
*College extracurricular activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
*Community activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
*Medically related work and volunteer experiences
*Hobbies and nonacademic interests
2. Attach a response to the following questions (500 words or fewer):
Why are you seeking a career in osteopathic medicine, and why do you believe CCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic education you are seeking.?

LECOM (both)
--Write a personal essay describing yourself and the qualities you possess that will make you a successful osteopathic physician
--Why are you interested in attending the LECOM College of Medicine to earn the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine?

MSUCOM
Describe a personal experience or ethical challenge you have faced that has influenced the development of your character. How has this experience helped you to develop specific skills and/or abilities that are essential to practicing osteopathic medicine?

NSU-COM
Just general questions:
past employment, health-care related activities (list), school and other activities, which DO and MD schools you're applying to, and if you've ever matriculated into an MD or DO program.

PCOM
http://www.pcom.edu/Admissions/PA_Supp_App.pdf

PCOM-GA
http://www.pcom.edu/Admissions/GA_Supp_App.pdf

RVUCOM
--D.O. letter required
--No character limits stated
--If you have already graduated, please describe your work experience and community service activities since you were last enrolled in school. Feel free to attach resume.
--Were you employed during the regular school year (excluding summers) while in undergraduate school? If yes, list employment.
--Why do you want to become an Osteopathic Physician?
--Why do you wish to attend Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine?
--What unique characteristics, abilities or skills will you bring to the College and to the Osteopathic Profession?

TUCOM (CA)
http://www.tu.edu/user_files/25/TUCAsupapp.htm

TUNCOM (NV)
http://www.tu.edu/user_files/55/Osteopathic_Medicine_Supplemental_Application.pdf

UMDNJ
http://som.umdnj.edu/education/admissions/documents/secondaryappl2008-09.pdf

Western U/COMP
http://www.westernu.edu/bin/admissi.../DOSUPP2010.pdf
Describe your motivation for training as an osteopathic physician. Comment specifically on your academic performance and potential for study in Osteopathic Medicine.
Describe the qualities that you possess that will make you a good osteopathic physician.
What criteria did you take into consideration in applying to WesternU/COMP?
Describe your participation in community service activities in a medically underserved or economically disadvantaged community.
 
Last edited:
For PCOM's secondary(http://www.pcom.edu/Admissions/PA_Supp_App.pdf) is it wanting an essay for each:
1) "why do you want to attend PCOM?"
2) "why do you want to become an osteopathic physician?"
3) "what helath care related experiences have you had?"
​
or does it want an all encompassing essay? Or does it want #3 to just be a list? What length are you guys thinking?

Thanks!
 
davis749 said:
For PCOM's secondary(http://www.pcom.edu/Admissions/PA_Supp_App.pdf) is it wanting an essay for each:
1) "why do you want to attend PCOM?"
2) "why do you want to become an osteopathic physician?"
3) "what helath care related experiences have you had?"
​
or does it want an all encompassing essay? Or does it want #3 to just be a list? What length are you guys thinking?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'd go with a list for #3. #1 and #2 seem sufficiently different so as to warrant separate essays. If you can weave them into one, nicely, then go for it. I'd imagine it might be easier to separate the responses, though.

It says "brief statement." I'd keep it under 3/4 page for each of #1 and #2 (1.5 page total, max). Mine probably won't exceed a page, total.

Just my opinions.
 
That's actually exactly what I was thinking... I'll probably end up doing 1/2pg-1pg for each essay
 
Anyone using interfolio for their LOR's?

For some reason I am having trouble selecting UNECOM, wondering if anyone else experienced this??
 
Mr Stark said:
I am not planning on retaking MCAT. I am pretty satisfied with my score. I think that with my extracurricular stuff and my score, I have fair chance to get in. Good thing about DO schools is that they look at whole application not just numbers.

Have you submitted your AMCAS/ AACOMAS? If not, I would advice that you should submit those at the earliest and get verified because that will take couple of weeks. It is still early in the cycle, so still have good chance.
Click to expand...
.
 
Last edited:
Airlife91 said:
aacomas finally called me back. Apparently this friday the online applications will be updated to show if you're verified or not. He said I was officially verified back in June but it will not show up until this friday.
Click to expand...

well mine still does not say verified. When did you send yours in?
 
anon y mous said:
well mine still does not say verified. When did you send yours in?
Click to expand...


Mine doesn't either. They told me that it would by today, but apparently they still don't have it put together. Very frustrating. I can't get my committee letter sent to schools until it says verified. Even though i'm done with a few secondaries I'll have to wait. What a pain.
 
Airlife91 said:
Mine doesn't either. They told me that it would by today, but apparently they still don't have it put together. Very frustrating. I can't get my committee letter sent to schools until it says verified. Even though i'm done with a few secondaries I'll have to wait. What a pain.
Click to expand...
What day did you send all your stuff into AACOMAS?
 
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