- Joined
- Feb 27, 2013
- Messages
- 3,469
- Reaction score
- 2,287
I ended up withdrawing for financial issues mostly - UA COMP was the only OOS school I was accepted at that did not offer aid for non-residents.
2015-2016 University of Arizona - Phoenix Application Thread
- Thread starter Ismet
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2015
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 152
The class remains full and no position is shared because we do not rank alternates.
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2015
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
One of my friends who is on the waitlist there has not heard anything from others or the school. You may get an update from the school soon hopefully...
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2015
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 152
Join us LIVE now at Twitter.com #uamedphxqa
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2015
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 152
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2016
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 61
Good afternoon Dr. Cunningham,
Will applicants who are on the alternate list for the Pathway Scholar Program also receive an update from you today?
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2016
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 61
Good afternoon Dr. Cunningham,
I just received the update - please disregard my question.
Thank you!
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2015
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 152
Dear SDN students,
I am writing to share that I have accepted a new position and will leave the College of Medicine-Phoenix in June.
A press release is forth coming from the COM-Phoenix interim dean addressing multiple, recent resignations of senior leadership and interin plans. I am grateful for an amazing team in the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, including the new director, Dr. Glen Fogerty.
While I cannot speak for my colleagues, I will say this is professional and personal decision for me; the move is not because of any concern regarding the pursuit of the final accreditation stage for this amazing medical school.
I wish each of the best and if you ever apply in Texas, perhaps I will have the pleasure of working with you all again.
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
I am writing to share that I have accepted a new position and will leave the College of Medicine-Phoenix in June.
A press release is forth coming from the COM-Phoenix interim dean addressing multiple, recent resignations of senior leadership and interin plans. I am grateful for an amazing team in the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, including the new director, Dr. Glen Fogerty.
While I cannot speak for my colleagues, I will say this is professional and personal decision for me; the move is not because of any concern regarding the pursuit of the final accreditation stage for this amazing medical school.
I wish each of the best and if you ever apply in Texas, perhaps I will have the pleasure of working with you all again.
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2012
- Messages
- 109
- Reaction score
- 92
For those of us students who have committed to COM-P and declined other offers, this is very disheartening to hear. Of particular concern to me is the reference to "multiple recent resignations of senior leadership". This is an indication of a much larger problem about the school that I wish I would have known before traffic day. With that much churns in the school's leadership, is COM-P a viable school? Would there even be an orientation for incoming students? How is the school going to address the uncertainty? What options do we have as students?
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2015
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 152
Change in leadership occurs and while we have been fortunate to have little change, it is natural and quite normal. In my 10 years, our Tucson campus has seen 5 different student affairs' leaders and despite this change, they have remains committed to students and their success.
The same goes for our campus.
Decisions come at different times and not always within timeframes that fit for others. Orientation Week will still occur (it's not MY week, but rather a campus-wide event).
I wanted to share this as it has been announced to students, and I consider you all a part of the community for which I have worked - some for many, many years.
I believe the COM-P remains a very special place and as a future student, all you need to do is to demand it remains a special place.
A townhall was held on Fri with current students and you should reach out to them with questions - they understand that the future is bright and the program remains strong. Personally, I wanted to remove myself before your arrival, allowing my replacement the privilege to build a relationship with the Class of 2020.
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
The same goes for our campus.
Decisions come at different times and not always within timeframes that fit for others. Orientation Week will still occur (it's not MY week, but rather a campus-wide event).
I wanted to share this as it has been announced to students, and I consider you all a part of the community for which I have worked - some for many, many years.
I believe the COM-P remains a very special place and as a future student, all you need to do is to demand it remains a special place.
A townhall was held on Fri with current students and you should reach out to them with questions - they understand that the future is bright and the program remains strong. Personally, I wanted to remove myself before your arrival, allowing my replacement the privilege to build a relationship with the Class of 2020.
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2012
- Messages
- 109
- Reaction score
- 92
I can't help but feel a strong sense of bait-and switch. I guess I am really angry at the fact that the school has been less than honest upfront. Throughout the cycle and in this thread, there have been several discussions about the "rumored" issues about the school, but each and every time, either Dr. Cunningham and/or the two current students came out and reassured us that everything is on firm ground, and even if Dean Flynn is leaving, everyone else is still here, the culture is strong, etc. etc. But in reality, the school is crumbling. It is rather disingenuous for Dr. Cunningham to tell the prospective students one thing when on the other hand, she was planning her own exit.
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2015
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 152
I'd welcome a phone call if you would like to talk.
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
Glad that my info was accurate, and I decided not to go here..in fact, recently learned that there are some struggles going on with students' USMLE performance, which is sort of reflective of the academic training. Hope everything turns out well for you guys.
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2015
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 1
As I stated earlier, transparency has not been a priority for this institution this year mainly due to Student Affairs. However, these recent changes probably will not affect the students to the degree that everyone is thinking. Keep an open mind and consider your choices to the best of your ability.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2012
- Messages
- 109
- Reaction score
- 92
Thank you, @MedStudent567. You have been warning us about this schools since last Decemebr. And unfortunately, your thoughtful comments were met with hostile responses from the two current students (@TheLionheart and @BamaNicole). After all of the glowing sales pitch they have done on behalf of the school, they are nowhere to be found now. Interesting that Dr. Cunningham's response to you was the same as the one she had to me above (you are welcome to come to talk me if you have concerns). Well, given the credibility gap that she has demonstrated, I don't think anyone will trust what she has to say anymore.
If you don't mind, can you elaborate on the specific issues that you are seeing with Students Affairs? How do you see that they will/may impact students and our education quality?
You also mentioned about keeping an open mind and consider our choices to the best of our ability. At this point in the game since we are already committed to COM-P and declined other offers, what options/choices do we have? Is this something that we can appeal to AAMC, back out of our commitment to Phoenix, and go to the other school instead? What are our remedies since we may have been misled in this process? Any advice you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2016
- Messages
- 82
- Reaction score
- 100
I hope you all come back to this thread in a few years to see how you all sound like a bunch of babies. You are allowing SDN to exaggerate your worst fears of going to a school that could lose accreditation or prevent you from a successful career. How can you ignore the facts the the accreditation process is well on track and a great school is already in place that a few changes in staff will not significantly affect. People leave jobs for better jobs all the time, and why do they get those better jobs? Because they did a good job at their previous job. I am not a student or anything of this school btw.
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2012
- Messages
- 920
- Reaction score
- 740
@PhoenixAZ Its not like we disappeared. @TheLionheart just finished up their first year and is on break. I'm in the middle of my surgery rotation so I don't necessarily have all the time in the world.
Everything I've shared with you is based on my experience. Its not an exaggeration in the least. I've never had an issue with the school or student affairs. I'm sorry if you have felt misled but Dr. Cunningham has mentioned that you are more than welcomed to call her to discuss your concerns. I've certain not misled you. There isn't an issue with the school at all. We're still on track for everything.
Also, I want to point out that during this application season there was no way for anyone (including Dr. Cunningham) to know that this was going to happen. We didn't know that Dr. Flynn would be interviewing at another campus. What I do know that when Deans leave they sometimes take people with them to help staff their new campus. All of this seemed to have happened after the interview season and decision season was over so its not really fair to say that Dr. Cunningham had known about this exit all along. I don't think that's true at all.
If you have any concerns, please discuss it with the appropriate people. Again, you can call Dr. Cunningham or you can message me.
I love how @NoRagrets put their post. They have done an amazing job putting together this school. Our organization is in place and our accreditation process will proceed. Deans come and go. Dr. Flynn was our Dean for 10 years when a normal lifespan of a Dean on a campus is like 4-6. He was wanted by TCU because he's done a great job setting us up for success. I don't think for a second he would leave if anything was going to be left up to chance on this campus.
I applaud Dr. Cunningham for being up front with her post regarding her departure. It shows how she is dedicated to being transparent. She could have withheld that information but she chose not to do so.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2014
- Messages
- 390
- Reaction score
- 611
My lack of a reply is a 1) general inactivity on SDN since the cycle is essentially over and 2) enjoying my time with friends now that we've passed all our exams. If you think that's some sort of admission of guilt, then go for it.
As I've stated previously, we're not overly concerned about this. There's been much discussion amongst the classes about the departures, and really it comes down to Dean Flynn leaving and taking a couple of people that he had with him from the beginning--the old regime so to speak. This is what happens in the world. When a new boss appears and has a lot of holes to fill, like at a new school, some of those hires will be people he worked with previously. At the end of the day, they are administrators (whom we were all fond of and did amazing things for the school), and they'll be replaced. Our interim Dean, Dean Ramos, whom you all will meet when school starts has spoken well of the culture here and has indicated his desire to foster it.
I won't comment too much on the academic issues that one poster brought up regarding board scores. I'll say that, since I actually know many students who just took step 1, a lot of people were very pleased with their score. Exceedingly pleased. I will also say that, at the end of first year, I can safely say I'm probably more capable in a patient encounter than many medical students across the country, and that goes for my classmates as well. In general, we're pleased with our curriculum and the education we've received so far.
You will all start class in a few weeks, begin learning an incredible amount of information, and a year from now you'll look back on this and likely have many of the same thoughts I detailed above. Administrative changes are happening, yes. But our curriculum will still be the same. Your curriculum will be modified based on the feedback our class provided to constantly make improvements.
Enjoy your last month of pure, unfettered freedom while it lasts. I'm not too active on here cause I'm busy with research, enjoying our vacation, etc., but if you have specific questions feel free to message me and I'll get an email notification about it.
As I've stated previously, we're not overly concerned about this. There's been much discussion amongst the classes about the departures, and really it comes down to Dean Flynn leaving and taking a couple of people that he had with him from the beginning--the old regime so to speak. This is what happens in the world. When a new boss appears and has a lot of holes to fill, like at a new school, some of those hires will be people he worked with previously. At the end of the day, they are administrators (whom we were all fond of and did amazing things for the school), and they'll be replaced. Our interim Dean, Dean Ramos, whom you all will meet when school starts has spoken well of the culture here and has indicated his desire to foster it.
I won't comment too much on the academic issues that one poster brought up regarding board scores. I'll say that, since I actually know many students who just took step 1, a lot of people were very pleased with their score. Exceedingly pleased. I will also say that, at the end of first year, I can safely say I'm probably more capable in a patient encounter than many medical students across the country, and that goes for my classmates as well. In general, we're pleased with our curriculum and the education we've received so far.
You will all start class in a few weeks, begin learning an incredible amount of information, and a year from now you'll look back on this and likely have many of the same thoughts I detailed above. Administrative changes are happening, yes. But our curriculum will still be the same. Your curriculum will be modified based on the feedback our class provided to constantly make improvements.
Enjoy your last month of pure, unfettered freedom while it lasts. I'm not too active on here cause I'm busy with research, enjoying our vacation, etc., but if you have specific questions feel free to message me and I'll get an email notification about it.
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2012
- Messages
- 226
- Reaction score
- 101
Nothing quite grinds my gears as much as misinformation and unwarranted overreaction, especially when it's on a public forum for future applicants. Consider these general points:
1. As a current MS3, I wasn't aware that we had any special "struggles" with step 1. In fact, I challenge you to find a school that doesn't have a few students who struggle with the USMLE. Exact numbers are not publicized for a reason, because individual performances are nobody else's business except for the student and the dean of students. As long as a vast majority (>~90%) are passing just fine, and probably doing well enough to match, you shouldn't have any concerns about a school's "academic training". Which brings me to my next point...
2. Please find me anyone who does well on Step 1 that attributes a majority of their success to a school's curriculum. Every MD curriculum is standardized and will teach the same material. Real success on Step 1 comes with proper preparation with outside resources (e.g. FA, UWorld, pathoma) and your own volition. This will become incredibly apparent when you actually start studying for Step 1. I personally think UA Phoenix did just fine introducing us to the material and many of my friends did average to incredibly well on Step 1. If you need to evaluate a school's academic training, look and inquire about years 3 and 4. This is where you may see a potential for high variability. Almost no program directors will weigh preclinical years more than the clinical years. Hence why most schools opt for the pass/fail preclinical grading, but retain high pass and honors for the clinical years.
3. Yes, the recent turnover has been a bit concerning and it's hard to see big changes in the face of the leadership. Does it point to underlying political and administrative turmoil, like last year's Banner/UA merger? Maybe. Does it have anything to do with our accreditation and prevent you from earning your MD? No. Our clinical training is unchanged and our match rate is 100% so far in all classes (yes, that does include people who had to SOAP). In my opinion, there are really only a few situations where you should *actually* be concerned about attending a school: (a) if >10% of the class fails to match consistently, (b) questionable or unknown clinical training sites, or (c) if there are currently enrolled or recently graduated students who come out consistently onto these forums to express concerns about the school, NOT a bunch of premeds or incoming MS1s speculating about something they barely understand.
Feel free to message me if anyone has questions. The bottom line is, every school have their own issues, publicized or not. Don't let excess noise cloud your judgment and prevent you from choosing a school that is the best fit and will provide excellent clinical training, whether that's UA Phoenix for you or not.
