2008-2009 UMass Secondary Application Thread

[virusgirl]

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Using previous years as a rough estimate, I think about nearly half come off the waitlist. They reject plenty of people, so no, they don't put almost everyone on the waitlist. They just wait until the end of the game to give out these rejections (early May.)

Half of the matriculating class comes off the wait-list? Or half of the people on the wait-list are accepted?

 

[envirodoc]

I'm in a similar situation GPA-wise, due to a bombed-out freshman year, though I certainly can't claim the other hardships you've had to go through. But I can get a feel for where you're coming from.

I wrote a letter of intent (since it's post-interview, I think you can skip the letter of interest) to umass that said, in so many words, that I really did want to have (or maybe deliver) 10,000 of their babies. I can't comment yet whether it helped me or not, but I guess the standard response is that it can't hurt. Unless your spelling is awful or something🙂.

Also - did/will you apply DO?

Thanks for the commiseration... I am in the process of writing my letter of intent...

I did not and do not plan on applying to DO school. Main reason is that I'm interested in research as well as leveraging the medical profession for social transformation (ok I'll come down from the clouds). My old roommate is in DO school and, clinically, I know there is no difference between the two initials.

However when it comes to research and reputation within society, I get the impression that MD still carries more weight to non-medical people (one audience that I plan on working with) as well as within the research community. In my research experience(emergency medicine and public health) I think I've seen 1 or 2 DOs at conferences and as manuscript authors, for example.

This is just my anecdotal impression though, I would be curious to hear what others have to think about this...😕

 

[linguini]

Half of the matriculating class comes off the wait-list? Or half of the people on the wait-list are accepted?

I believe it's the former. So I assume that means at least 60 people will get in off of the waitlist. Not sure on that but it was my impression from interview day.

 

[linguini]

Thanks for the commiseration... I am in the process of writing my letter of intent...

I did not and do not plan on applying to DO school. Main reason is that I'm interested in research as well as leveraging the medical profession for social transformation (ok I'll come down from the clouds). My old roommate is in DO school and, clinically, I know there is no difference between the two initials.

However when it comes to research and reputation within society, I get the impression that MD still carries more weight to non-medical people (one audience that I plan on working with) as well as within the research community. In my research experience(emergency medicine and public health) I think I've seen 1 or 2 DOs at conferences and as manuscript authors, for example.

This is just my anecdotal impression though, I would be curious to hear what others have to think about this...😕

In terms of reputation to non-medical people, I doubt the MD/DO disparity matters much. I assume that the majority of the patients we will work with won't even know there are 2 different types of medical school or medical degrees in this country. I didn't even know until a few months before I started the application process.

In terms of research opportunities, I have also heard that osteopathic schools do not typically have a focus on research. I'm not sure if this is due to philosophy, funding, faculty mentors, etc. However, (anecdotal evidence here) I just helped to submit a clinical research paper with the 2nd author being a DO. I know that he is involved in several other research projects in this department and others (which is more than many MDs can say). So while it may be difficult to do research while enrolled in an osteopathic school, the opportunities to do research in your future career are certainly still there if you go after them.

 

[linguini]

Me too, meech! I interviewed Sept 16th, and no word yet. Just hang in there!

What is going on is UMass is accepting the really stellar folks up front. Since they don't over-accept the way some schools do (and count on some people turning down the acceptance to go elsewhere), acceptances are given out... judiciously, especially at this point in the season. It's entirely possible that we'll be put on the wait-list, and that is not a bad thing (I think Brenda said over half the class comes from the wait-list), it just means we have to wait. I'm not sure when the wait-list forms and starts moving, but I think it's around the end of April.

Hey, I interviewed the same day as you! Considering there were only 3 girls there including myself, I bet I can figure out which one you were. Hope you get good news soon

 

[envirodoc]

In terms of reputation to non-medical people, I doubt the MD/DO disparity matters much. I assume that the majority of the patients we will work with won't even know there are 2 different types of medical school or medical degrees in this country. I didn't even know until a few months before I started the application process.

Agreed - patients won't matter too much ... but what about policy/decision makers? Foundations?
I can't say I know their impression of DOs, but I have a better feel for their impression of MDs... anyone else have knowledge about this?

In terms of research opportunities, I have also heard that osteopathic schools do not typically have a focus on research. I'm not sure if this is due to philosophy, funding, faculty mentors, etc. However, (anecdotal evidence here) I just helped to submit a clinical research paper with the 2nd author being a DO. I know that he is involved in several other research projects in this department and others (which is more than many MDs can say). So while it may be difficult to do research while enrolled in an osteopathic school, the opportunities to do research in your future career are certainly still there if you go after them.

True enough - lack of opportunities in school does not mean there will be a lack of opportunities afterwards...

But I still wonder if their is a success rate or difference for grant applications between the two degrees -- Maybe it depends on the specialty? I haven't seen any figures about this but I am curious. Perhaps I see less DOs in research because they are really focused on clinical care (thus self-selecting out of the sample) but I still wonder...

 

[umass_md]

any hope there are a few acceptances left over from friday to be given out?

 

[meech]

any hope there are a few acceptances left over from friday to be given out?

I believe that over the next two fridays there will be a great deal of acceptances. End of april is the waitlist, and may is when they finalize.

 

[umass_md]

I believe that over the next two fridays there will be a great deal of acceptances. End of april is the waitlist, and may is when they finalize.

aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! i hope you're right

 

[cooltime7]

Acceptances will be given out through April, at least that's what happened last year. I got in at the end of April along with a bunch of my classmates and none of us were on the waitlist.

 

[umass_md]

Acceptances will be given out through April, at least that's what happened last year. I got in at the end of April along with a bunch of my classmates and none of us were on the waitlist.

thanks for the info, cooltime!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jka]

I believe it's the former. So I assume that means at least 60 people will get in off of the waitlist. Not sure on that but it was my impression from interview day.

I think we can be fairly certain that around 40% of the class comes off the waitlist, at least this is what the directors of admissions has said in the past at interview day. As far as how many people come off the waitlist, I asked this question about this time last year and collected SDN-only data, from which around half (maybe less, maybe more - I can't quite remember) were accepted off the waitlist. This implies then that around 50 people in the class come off the waitlist, so about 100 people are originally waitlisted. But this is based on the SDN sample, which you might think may contain more acceptances off of the waitlist than the general population, making the actual waitlist larger. ????

My impression with DO school is that if you think you might specialize, then MD is better. Don't DO's do mostly primary care?

 

[linguini]

My impression with DO school is that if you think you might specialize, then MD is better. Don't DO's do mostly primary care?

DOs can be found in any specialty. For example, the one I was referring to before is a pulmonologist.

 

[rowdy411]

DOs can be found in any specialty. For example, the one I was referring to before is a pulmonologist.

Except surgery... it's hard for DOs to get into competitive surgical residencies, so most surgeons are MDs.

 

[linguini]

Except surgery... it's hard for DOs to get into competitive surgical residencies, so most surgeons are MDs.

Ok, it's hard for MDs to get into competitive surgical residencies as well. DOs can practice surgery and any other specialty. Yes, they have to do well in school (as MDs do as well) but that doesn't mean it's unattainable. If most surgeons are MDs, I don't think it's due to sheer ability to obtain a surgical residency. I think that the philosophies and attitudes taught in osteopathic school may lead more DOs to choose a general residency over a surgical one, not that they get beat out by their MD peers.

 

[rowdy411]

Ok, it's hard for MDs to get into competitive surgical residencies as well. DOs can practice surgery and any other specialty. Yes, they have to do well in school (as MDs do as well) but that doesn't mean it's unattainable. If most surgeons are MDs, I don't think it's due to sheer ability to obtain a surgical residency. I think that the philosophies and attitudes taught in osteopathic school may lead more DOs to choose a general residency over a surgical one, not that they get beat out by their MD peers.

for whatever reason, right or wrong, there is a stigma that surgeons have against DOs, and this makes it hard for DOs to get into competitive residencies. DOs are in fact partial to primary care, but that's a philosophical difference that not all of them share. The ones that do try to get into competitive residencies (i.e., dermatology) find it increasingly difficult.

 

[raraxavis]

The ones that do try to get into competitive residencies (i.e., dermatology) find it increasingly difficult.

I would say decreasingly difficult.

Also - I asked the original question just out of curiosity in response mainly to envirodoc's original statement (which made a big impression on me) that we all MUST remember that it is not where you go that matters, but what you ultimately do with it.

I'm applying DO and plan on going if I don't get into umass or a couple other schools I really loved, but as you may remember I'm interested mainly in primary care, so the issues discussed don't really pertain to me, and I plan on being an awesome doctor no matter where I go to school.

I want to say thanks to everyone for having a totally civilized discussion about this - I think it speaks wonders about umass's applicant pool - this couldn't happen in any old thread.

That being said, we're bound to devolve eventually into the classic "how much do the initials behind the name really matter" debate, mostly based in hear-say and personal prejudice/defensiveness. So! How bout them red sox, eh?

PS: wtf subscription to thread?? I have received one email in the last three days and therefore missed this whole awesome discussion. And yes, I do have it set to the send me an email every time someone posts (the craziest one). Back to obsessively checking the thread myself!

 

[scrubslover]

I would say decreasingly difficult.

Also - I asked the original question just out of curiosity in response mainly to envirodoc's original statement (which made a big impression on me) that we all MUST remember that it is not where you go that matters, but what you ultimately do with it.

I'm applying DO and plan on going if I don't get into umass or a couple other schools I really loved, but as you may remember I'm interested mainly in primary care, so the issues discussed don't really pertain to me, and I plan on being an awesome doctor no matter where I go to school.

I want to say thanks to everyone for having a totally civilized discussion about this - I think it speaks wonders about umass's applicant pool - this couldn't happen in any old thread.

That being said, we're bound to devolve eventually into the classic "how much do the initials behind the name really matter" debate, mostly based in hear-say and personal prejudice/defensiveness. So! How bout them red sox, eh?

PS: wtf subscription to thread?? I have received one email in the last three days and therefore missed this whole awesome discussion. And yes, I do have it set to the send me an email every time someone posts (the craziest one). Back to obsessively checking the thread myself!

Sorry, just felt the need to say: GO SOX!!!!!!

But on a more related note: the public in general is not really educated on the differences in MD/DO or even on the medical schools themselves. I am currently debating between going to UMass or Brown and all the doctors I have talked to have been encouraging me to look at both carefully, saying that they're both great schools, etc. When I mention this to ANYONE outside the medical field though, I get the response "is that even a decision?! Brown's an ivy. Is this UMass Boston or Amherst?" Honestly, people have no clue about medical education, so in terms of your patients an MD or DO makes no difference. (I'm not saying it doesn't make a difference for competitive residencies, I really know zero data on that...)

And in conclusion... less than a month until opening day!!!!!!! 😀

 

[linguini]

Sorry, just felt the need to say: GO SOX!!!!!!

But on a more related note: the public in general is not really educated on the differences in MD/DO or even on the medical schools themselves. I am currently debating between going to UMass or Brown and all the doctors I have talked to have been encouraging me to look at both carefully, saying that they're both great schools, etc. When I mention this to ANYONE outside the medical field though, I get the response "is that even a decision?! Brown's an ivy. Is this UMass Boston or Amherst?" Honestly, people have no clue about medical education, so in terms of your patients an MD or DO makes no difference. (I'm not saying it doesn't make a difference for competitive residencies, I really know zero data on that...)

And in conclusion... less than a month until opening day!!!!!!! 😀

Hahaha this is so spot-on. My parents' official ranking of schools: medical school associated with an ivy undergrad >>>>> any other medical school.

 

[Lacheln]

Hahaha this is so spot-on. My parents' official ranking of schools: medical school associated with an ivy undergrad >>>>> any other medical school.

Yup! 🙂 My non-medical friends are shocked that I consider a state school one of my top two choices. 😛 They also thought DOs were naturopaths... 🙄

 

[thompa]

PS: wtf subscription to thread?? I have received one email in the last three days and therefore missed this whole awesome discussion. And yes, I do have it set to the send me an email every time someone posts (the craziest one). Back to obsessively checking the thread myself!

That's weird...I have like 40 emails over the past several days from this thread. It's great.

*twitch*

As for the MD/DO thing, I don't really have an opinion. I don't think it matters if you work hard and enjoy what you do. And for the record: Beckett is going to pitch his brains out this year. 18 win season minimum, I'm it calling right now. Has anyone seen the way he's been pitching in spring training? (And yes...I do watch the spring training games, don't judge me)

 

[raraxavis]

Hahaha this is so spot-on. My parents' official ranking of schools: medical school associated with an ivy undergrad >>>>> any other medical school.

In my day dreams that include umass accidentally sending me an acceptance and then being forced to stand by it regardless of their original intent to send me the other letter, I then turn around in my lab chair and say, beaming with passionate enthusiasm, "I'M GOING TO UMASS!!!!" and everyone says "oh, like in amherst or whatever?". But then I really get to blow them away when I say with unmistakable glee, "no... it's in WORCESTER".

 

[scrubslover]

Hahaha this is so spot-on. My parents' official ranking of schools: medical school associated with an ivy undergrad >>>>> any other medical school.

Yup! 🙂 My non-medical friends are shocked that I consider a state school one of my top two choices. 😛 They also thought DOs were naturopaths... 🙄

Glad you guys are getting the same reactions!! One of my friends thought DOs were all chiropractors...

Also, growing up with Jewish grandparents where Doctors >>>> President of the United States > lawyers >>>>>>>>>>> all other professions basically they see it as: Ivy doctor >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> POTUS. I constantly get calls from my grandma that start with: so, are you going to Brown yet?

Edit: Thompa --- Judge you for watching spring training, or propose on the spot when we get to Worcester? 😛 Yeah... I also watch spring training... and hell yeah that Beckett is going to be back to 2007 form!!!!!! Also, watch for Pedroia to improve on last year's numbers...

 

[jka]

PS: wtf subscription to thread?? I have received one email in the last three days and therefore missed this whole awesome discussion. And yes, I do have it set to the send me an email every time someone posts (the craziest one). Back to obsessively checking the thread myself!

Did you get an e-mail for this one? I was wondering about this too, since I just subscribed, and I have only gotten 2 or 3 e-mails. We seem to only get e-mails when someone responds to one of our posts on this thread.


I need to learn more about DOs. Is tuition around the same? Do DOs do residencies with MDs? Sorry about the ignorance.

 

[jka]

Did you get an e-mail for this one? I was wondering about this too, since I just subscribed, and I have only gotten 2 or 3 e-mails. We seem to only get e-mails when someone responds to one of our posts on this thread.


I need to learn more about DOs. Is tuition around the same? Do DOs do residencies with MDs? Sorry about the ignorance.

Ok there goes my theory - I just got an e-mail notification about scrubslovers post in response to Breek's. Maybe the system needs some warm up time.

I want 40 SDN e-mails too. Twitch Twitch

 

[raraxavis]

Did you get an e-mail for this one? I was wondering about this too, since I just subscribed, and I have only gotten 2 or 3 e-mails. We seem to only get e-mails when someone responds to one of our posts on this thread.


I need to learn more about DOs. Is tuition around the same? Do DOs do residencies with MDs? Sorry about the ignorance.

I figured it out! Line from the email notifications:
There may also be other replies, but you will not receive any more notifications until you visit the forum again.

As to your questions - Tuition is about the same as private MD schools, DOs can be and are in many residencies with MDs, though some choose osteopathic residencies. Many DO students take the USMLE as well to aid their acceptance into more competitive programs, and end up doing the exact same things.

The difference is in a "whole person" approach to medicine which does put a much greater emphasis on primary and preventative care.

 

[raraxavis]

Ok there goes my theory - I just got an e-mail notification about scrubslovers post in response to Breek's. Maybe the system needs some warm up time.

I want 40 SDN e-mails too. Twitch Twitch

As long as you're currently on the thread or keep checking back, it seems like they'll keep updating you... otherwise they assume you don't care if you don't go look after the first notification. Kind of a weird system.

We can all get 40 emails, just like thompa! Hooray! Sanity for everyone.

 

[jka]

As long as you're currently on the thread or keep checking back, it seems like they'll keep updating you... otherwise they assume you don't care if you don't go look after the first notification. Kind of a weird system.

We can all get 40 emails, just like thompa! Hooray! Sanity for everyone.

you're a genius. Thank you!

 

[virusgirl]

I need to learn more about DOs. Is tuition around the same? Do DOs do residencies with MDs? Sorry about the ignorance.

The pre-osteo threads have a lot of good information, but to answer your points:

- Tuition is variable, just like with allopathic schools. Some schools, like LECOM-Erie, are very cheap. Others, like UNECOM (where I until recently was planning to go) are horribly, soul-crunchingly expensive.
- DOs can apply to allopathic residencies along with MDs (depending upon the program, they may or may not need to take the USMLE as well as the osteopathic COMLEX licensing exam). There are also osteopathic-only residencies in all specialties except pathology (I think).

Linguini -- you aren't kidding, there were a lot of dudes at our interview... anyway, hopefully I'll see you come fall!

 

[thompa]

Edit: Thompa --- Judge you for watching spring training, or propose on the spot when we get to Worcester? 😛 Yeah... I also watch spring training... and hell yeah that Beckett is going to be back to 2007 form!!!!!! Also, watch for Pedroia to improve on last year's numbers...

I do. Ahh SDN, a more fertile grounds for romance I have never beheld. Pedroia is going to rock out with his socks out, and I think Ortiz is going to have a monster year too. He finally looks comfortable at the plate.

I am also glad you all have figured out the email system. Welcome to my world . Muah ha. The best is when someone posts at like 1 AM right when you're falling asleep...and you have to check, because: hey, that's a reasonable hour for UMass to send out acceptances right?

Also, I sent my first letter of intent out last night/this morning both by email and snail mail. It was about 2 pages, single spaced. I talked mostly about how awesome I thought UMass was, and why it was my first choice and why I thought I'd be a good fit there. There will be more if they don't accept me.

 

[envirodoc]

Yup! 🙂 My non-medical friends are shocked that I consider a state school one of my top two choices. 😛 They also thought DOs were naturopaths... 🙄

Mandatory Red Sox comment: Let's see, I was a die-hard sox fan (think Mo Vaughn days, as well as Zolak/Bledsoe era pats, bruins, celtics) throughout the 90's but have since about 2000 not really paid any attention to these sports... and it seems that the teams do really well when I don't watch, but whenever I do watch they revert to their 90's era levels... so I tend to avoid watching...

Anyway, what breeak said above is more more along the lines of my question. I understand that when you have a patient, they mostly don't care if you are DO or MD. I understand that some residencies in some areas maybe with some particular individuals have an issue with MD/DO but that training and otherwise they are pretty much equivalent, though opportunities may vary slightly (probably similar to ivy vs. non-ivy)

I am not convinced things are equivalent in terms of research... but again, individuals can buck any trends etc etc

But, the societal-cache - I still get the impression there is a difference there. Now, let me be clear, I still think it matters more who you are than where you go... what I'm trying to get it is that if you hold a position in the public service, non-profit world, or government, i still think the degree MD gives you latitude in terms of career that is in some ways much greater than that afforded to a DO.

In that sense, I see an MD in many ways like an MBA, in that it opens up many doors beyond the field it trains you in (biz/med). Whereas a DO is more like an MS in Finance - you will likely stay within the clinical health arena if you are a DO. If you make that choice and that is what you want to do, then that is fine and DO's serve a great purpose in that way. Just like an MS in Finance means you'll likely stay within that arena, whereas an MBA can work for all types of organizations (you won't see a CLS Lab Manager position offered to an MS Finance, but you can get that job with an MBA).

But one of the things that attracts me to being an MD is that latitude. I am more interested in leveraging societal attitudes to make a positive difference, and having an MD can allow me to make that difference reaching out as a health professional to non-health aligned fields. In other words, I could care less that people think an MD is a big deal initials, but am more than willing to use their reverence for it in order to drive positive social change.

Here is a poor example: I would see myself giving comments on a proposed development of a strip mall at a town hall meeting where I practice. If I were an MD, I may command more attention when I point to the obesity implications, the water quality degradation and the mental health impacts of such a development. People would think "oh he's a doctor", but if I were a DO, I feel like people would think "a D what?"...maybe I'm wrong and I don't mean offense, this is just the impression I get.

Here is a much better example of one physician that has leveraged his position to drive change (on climate change)
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1733748_1733754_1736213,00.html

With that being said, do people think that type of opportunity/leverage is available to you as a DO? Because if you can point me to examples, I will take a much harder look.

Note: that doesn't mean I am not interested in being a clinician, I most certainly am, but I know I have the desire to make a difference in the cheeziest sense, and having an MD - I believe - gives me the latitude/opportunities to do so….

 

[thompa]

I agree with you that there is a societal bias. I don't think it's intentional, but I think it still exists. I for one didn't even know there was anything called a "DO" until some of my friends went through this process. Judging by the stories so far on the board today, this is not an uncommon perception. The societal viewpoint is : "MD = Doctor, Doctor = important". Right or wrong, this is the very boiled down version that many people in this country hold. They see "DO" as different than MD, thus different than Doctor (with a capital D). But it does insulate you from those wackos who think doctors are the scum of the earth. "DO? What's that? At least you're not one of those blasted doctors, I hate doctors."

Seriously though, these types of misconceptions are most likely born of ignorance of the medical field, but that doesn't make them any less real. There is power in these kinds of perceptions, and if you think you're going to need to leverage that kind of power to give you a better chance of attaining your goals/dreams, then focus on that.

 

[linguini]

If there is a societal bias, of which I'm not aware, then I think it is certainly diminishing as awareness of osteopathic medicine grows in the US.

Envirodoc, I understand your concern of societal biases, right or wrong in nature. After all, you are going to spending a lot of time and money getting that degree and you want to be revered by those in the medical and non-medical communities. I get that. However, not trying to call you out here, but didn't you mention a few posts back that you would consider going to the Caribbean for an MD as a backup plan? From what I've heard from several residents, a US DO degree holds more prestige than a Caribbean MD degree (with St. George possibly being an exception). People who get their MDs in the Caribbean often have difficulty obtaining a US residency whereas I've never heard of DOs trained in the US having that problem. Just something to consider if social perception of your degree is an important factor in your opinion.

 

[envirodoc]

If there is a societal bias, of which I'm not aware, then I think it is certainly diminishing as awareness of osteopathic medicine grows in the US.

Envirodoc, I understand your concern of societal biases, right or wrong in nature. After all, you are going to spending a lot of time and money getting that degree and you want to be revered by those in the medical and non-medical communities. I get that. However, not trying to call you out here, but didn't you mention a few posts back that you would consider going to the Caribbean for an MD as a backup plan? From what I've heard from several residents, a US DO degree holds more prestige than a Caribbean MD degree (with St. George possibly being an exception). People who get their MDs in the Caribbean often have difficulty obtaining a US residency whereas I've never heard of DOs trained in the US having that problem. Just something to consider if social perception of your degree is an important factor in your opinion.

Oh, absolutely something to consider. Which is why I'm not thrilled at the Caribbean MD prospect and I've only applied to St. George's, and considering Ross.

Interesting to hear the difference between DO and IMG MD within the medical field in terms of residencies... still, does that bleed out into that whole societal perception? (which I think Thompa summarized nicely)

 

[raraxavis]

Also, I sent my first letter of intent out last night/this morning both by email and snail mail. It was about 2 pages, single spaced. I talked mostly about how awesome I thought UMass was, and why it was my first choice and why I thought I'd be a good fit there. There will be more if they don't accept me.

Two pages?? Hezus, man. I think mine was "I like you, for this and this and this reason. PS I like you."

Maybe you'll set the new standard in letter-of-intent writing. But I agree, I will also gush extra in case of a waitlist scenario.

 

[raraxavis]

Oh, absolutely something to consider. Which is why I'm not thrilled at the Caribbean MD prospect and I've only applied to St. George's, and considering Ross.

Interesting to hear the difference between DO and IMG MD within the medical field in terms of residencies... still, does that bleed out into that whole societal perception? (which I think Thompa summarized nicely)

Societal perception... I think it's a bit difficult for any of us to really get a handle on this due to our shared obsession with the medical profession. From what I've heard from DOs and MDs out there, the difference in perception is mostly a premed phenomenon. One DO I know is a VP at a health insurance company using his Doctor-with-a-capital-D influence to change worker's comp laws. Another is my best friend's family physician.

I think thompa is correct in saying it depends more on the person than the school - and physicians have told me time and again (yes, MDs and DOs) that by the time you get out of residencies, fellowships, etc. nobody even cares where you went to school. It's mostly a matter of whether you think you'll be able to learn well at whatever institution you end up at, and what you're driven to do with your time as a physician.

In terms of the USMLE, here's the data: http://www.usmle.org/Scores_Transcripts/performance/2007.html.
Here are a couple muddying factors to consider:
-DOs are being taught to a different exam, the COMLEX
-Non-US schools are not necessarily being taught to the USMLE at all either (these include more than just caribbean schools)
-You decide how well you're going to do on the USMLE, but being at a school that can prepare you well for Step One is always a plus.

As for research, when I visited UNECOM I was lucky enough to get a tour of the neuroscience labs; students and faculty were conducting research there and being published and all that. But, it certainly wasn't the focus of the school, and the idea behind the school is definitely not to produce physician-researchers in the traditional sense. Still, I did not get the impression it would be some sort of research black hole where you'd never see a western blot again.

 

[thompa]

Maybe you'll set the new standard in letter-of-intent writing.

That was more or less my goal...I didn't mess around with it. I even threatened them with another letter at the end of my first one. Whatever they say about me in that committee, it won't be "Well we just don't know how badly he wants this."

 

[rowdy411]

That was more or less my goal...I didn't mess around with it. I even threatened them with another letter at the end of my first one. Whatever they say about me in that committee, it won't be "Well we just don't know how badly he wants this."

A two-page letter of intent is pretty long, but I hope it helps man!

 

[jka]

That was more or less my goal...I didn't mess around with it. I even threatened them with another letter at the end of my first one. Whatever they say about me in that committee, it won't be "Well we just don't know how badly he wants this."

Me too! Last year, mine was 3 pages. This year it was 1.5. After all is said and done, you are right, at least they can't wonder how much we want it.

I didn't think to threaten with another letter, though. That's pretty good.

 

[jka]

I am not generally superstitious, but I just realized we have ANOTHER Friday the 13th coming up.

 

[rowdy411]

I am not generally superstitious, but I just realized we have ANOTHER Friday the 13th coming up.

get out your machetes and take caffeine pills folks!

 

[linguini]

I am not generally superstitious, but I just realized we have ANOTHER Friday the 13th coming up.

Yeah "I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious"

 

[envirodoc]

I am not generally superstitious, but I just realized we have ANOTHER Friday the 13th coming up.

The second of THREE this year. I am giving a presentation this Friday at work too... makes for an easy theme to the powerpoint!

As far as 'stitiousness goes... check this out, from BMJ:

Is Friday the 13th bad for your health?

T J Scanlon, R N Luben, F L Scanlon, N Singleton

Department of Public Health, Mid Downs Health Authority, Haywards Health, West Sussex.
OBJECTIVE--To examine the relation between health, behaviour, and superstition surrounding Friday 13th in the United Kingdom. DESIGN--Retrospective study of paired data comparing driving and shopping patterns and accidents. SUBJECTS--Drivers, shoppers, and residents. SETTING--South West Thames region. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Numbers of vehicles on motorways; numbers of shoppers in supermarkets; and hospital admissions due to accidents. RESULTS--There were consistently and significantly fewer vehicles on the southern section of the M25 on Friday the 13th compared with Friday the 6th. The numbers of shoppers were not significantly different on the two days. Admissions due to transport accidents were significantly increased on Friday 13th (total 65 v 45; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS--Friday 13th is unlucky for some. The risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52%. Staying at home is recommended.
​

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/307/6919/1584

 

[jka]

Yeah "I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious"

I guess considering the situation, I am kindastitious.

 

[jka]

The second of THREE this year. I am giving a presentation this Friday at work too... makes for an easy theme to the powerpoint!

As far as 'stitiousness goes... check this out, from BMJ:

Is Friday the 13th bad for your health?

T J Scanlon, R N Luben, F L Scanlon, N Singleton

Department of Public Health, Mid Downs Health Authority, Haywards Health, West Sussex.
OBJECTIVE--To examine the relation between health, behaviour, and superstition surrounding Friday 13th in the United Kingdom. DESIGN--Retrospective study of paired data comparing driving and shopping patterns and accidents. SUBJECTS--Drivers, shoppers, and residents. SETTING--South West Thames region. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Numbers of vehicles on motorways; numbers of shoppers in supermarkets; and hospital admissions due to accidents. RESULTS--There were consistently and significantly fewer vehicles on the southern section of the M25 on Friday the 13th compared with Friday the 6th. The numbers of shoppers were not significantly different on the two days. Admissions due to transport accidents were significantly increased on Friday 13th (total 65 v 45; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS--Friday 13th is unlucky for some. The risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52%. Staying at home is recommended.
​

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/307/6919/1584

HeeHee. I also read about this in one of those pre-interview doctoring books. You gotta love "Staying home is recommended."

So, even though there were fewer vehicles on the road, there were more transport accidents? I wonder how many of them involved drugs or alcohol?

 

[virusgirl]

I guess considering the situation, I am kindastitious.

I am SUBstitious! (I think hypostitious sounds even better though?) My Tulane acceptance letter was dated Friday the 13th, so apparently that day works for me 🙂

This is our Friday peeps! Everyone think positive thoughts!

 

[scrubslover]

I took my MCAT on Friday the 13th.... I thought it could only help 😛

But seriously guys, "stay indoors" Friday and don't hurt yourselves when you get that status change! Which, I'm calling now, you WILL get!

 

[Lacheln]

I took my MCAT on Friday the 13th.... I thought it could only help 😛

But seriously guys, "stay indoors" Friday and don't hurt yourselves when you get that status change! Which, I'm calling now, you WILL get!

I second this! I sorta like friday the 13th, and I have a feeling this one is going to be a big one for peeps who are still waiting. 🙂👍

 

[umass_md]

I second this! I sorta like friday the 13th, and I have a feeling this one is going to be a big one for peeps who are still waiting. 🙂👍

i hope you guys are right!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BassPlease]

Just checking in... I actually started this thread way back when. I interviewed on 10/15 and am still waiting. Totally in love with UMass like many others here. My fingers are sustaining permanent damage from being constantly crossed.