2016-2017 Central Michigan University Application Thread

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Do interview invites get sent out via email? Or just on the website?
 
I can't believe that people are still applying to this school. I am a M1 and this school has been a disaster since day 1. There is a reason that the LCME delayed accreditation and the previous dean left "to spend more time with his family." The current dean is from some middle-eastern medical school and the assistant dean/student affairs went to St. George's University School of Medicine in the West Indies. Also this school has few connections and of course no alumni that can help. They force you into family medicine since that is the only residency that you can get. They have a subpar USMLE passage rate (below the national average) because the faculty does not know how to teach and there are few opportunities to do anything of substance during your M1 summer. I guess I understand if you really like this school, but its depressing when my friends at MSUCOM have more promising prospects than we do. Its a miracle this school meets any LCME standards seeing they offer very little scholarship money and no supports for us students. The truth is CMED and California Northstate (for-profit) are destroying American medical education.
 
Hey, I wondered how long it'd take for a troll to come around. As an actual current m1, I can say I'm not aware of any Angela's in our class.

If you all actually have questions about what said troll stated, ask. I can rebuttal it all, but would rather spend my Christmas with family.

Merry Christmas to all of you, I truly hope you are having cherished time with your loved ones!
 
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I can confirm that there is no one named star.buck or Traumahawk in my M1 class.
 
I can't help it... I love my school dearly and feel a deep need to make sure no one believes any lies spoke about CMed. So, I'm brief:

https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/cmed/AboutUs/Pages/LeadershipTeam.aspx - On Dr. Kikano, our BELOVED Dean of Medicine, who is deeply involved in the wellbeing of CMed students, to the point of coming to small student group fundraisers to support a recent medical mission trip to Haiti (only one of the vast opportunities our school offers its students).

http://www.cm-life.com/article/2016/04/cmed-acred - and https://www.cmich.edu/news/article/Pages/CMED-LCME-provisional-accreditation.aspx -- On our path to accreditation, why the school has been approved every step of the way, and why we are due (on schedule) to receive full accreditation after our initial class graduates this coming spring.

The USMLE scores are on par with any other new school, improving every year. I fully believe my class will pull above average as our curriculum has been refined and improved.

There are many MANY opportunities to do research, with many very highly skilled researchers who frequently take on CMed students during the summer between M1 and M2. This research in many different fields, including cancer cure research, Zika, Malaria, and I also believe dinosaur paleontology (he's a very cool prof).

The school encourages students to pursue all their passions, whether it be in an underserved rural community, or in an urban emergency department, and everything in between. The first class graduation and match list this spring will prove this point.

I love CMed. Several of my classmates chose CMed over MSUCOM/CHM, as well as other more established schools. Come see the school, and any of us will tell you why we chose this school, why we applied here, and why we proudly don our school's colors.

That's all from me, back to the egg nog. Once again, Merry Christmas!!
 
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Really traumahawk? Its interesting to note other students are saying the same thing I am. The best you can do is try to confuse others and say I am not in the med school. Good luck with that.
 
I can't believe that people are still applying to this school. I am a M1 and this school has been a disaster since day 1. There is a reason that the LCME delayed accreditation and the previous dean left "to spend more time with his family." The current dean is from some middle-eastern medical school and the assistant dean/student affairs went to St. George's University School of Medicine in the West Indies. Also this school has few connections and of course no alumni that can help. They force you into family medicine since that is the only residency that you can get. They have a subpar USMLE passage rate (below the national average) because the faculty does not know how to teach and there are few opportunities to do anything of substance during your M1 summer. I guess I understand if you really like this school, but its depressing when my friends at MSUCOM have more promising prospects than we do. Its a miracle this school meets any LCME standards seeing they offer very little scholarship money and no supports for us students. The truth is CMED and California Northstate (for-profit) are destroying American medical education.

Hey, I wondered how long it'd take for a troll to come around. As an actual current m1, I can say I'm not aware of any Angela's in our class.

If you all actually have questions about what said troll stated, ask. I can rebuttal it all, but would rather spend my Christmas with family.

A very similar troll showed up last year around this time under the handle "fireitupchips." I can also confirm that there is no one by that name in the M1 class.

Please feel free to ask me any questions while star.buck is on a much deserved break. 🙂


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Are you guys really that dense not to realize that someone raising legitimate concerns about the school might want to do so anonymously?? I made an account because as a concerned applicant I actually would appreciate if you guys could address the points raised by "Angela" instead of just blowing them off because, "well, I don't know anyone named Angela, MUST be a troll!" 🙄

A question I have (and I'm not trying to offend, but genuinely curious as I see it as a quality metric to evaluate schools by) - what other US MD schools did you/your classmates turn down acceptances from in order to come here, or is the school just entirely students who didn't have other options aside from DO/carib?
 
I can't help it... I love my school dearly and feel a deep need to make sure no one believes any lies spoke about CMed. So, I'm brief:

https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/cmed/AboutUs/Pages/LeadershipTeam.aspx - On Dr. Kikano, our BELOVED Dean of Medicine, who is deeply involved in the wellbeing of CMed students, to the point of coming to small student group fundraisers to support a recent medical mission trip to Haiti (only one of the vast opportunities our school offers its students).

http://www.cm-life.com/article/2016/04/cmed-acred - and https://www.cmich.edu/news/article/Pages/CMED-LCME-provisional-accreditation.aspx -- On our path to accreditation, why the school has been approved every step of the way, and why we are due (on schedule) to receive full accreditation after our initial class graduates this coming spring.

The USMLE scores are on par with any other new school, improving every year. I fully believe my class will pull above average as our curriculum has been refined and improved.

There are many MANY opportunities to do research, with many very highly skilled researchers who frequently take on CMed students during the summer between M1 and M2. This research in many different fields, including cancer cure research, Zika, Malaria, and I also believe dinosaur paleontology (he's a very cool prof).

The school encourages students to pursue all their passions, whether it be in an underserved rural community, or in an urban emergency department, and everything in between. The first class graduation and match list this spring will prove this point.

I love CMed. Several of my classmates chose CMed over MSUCOM/CHM, as well as other more established schools. Come see the school, and any of us will tell you why we chose this school, why we applied here, and why we proudly don our school's colors.

That's all from me, back to the egg nog. Once again, Merry Christmas!!

Thanks for answering my question before I even posted it, ha! I guess I am too slow at typing. Curious about the bolded though, what evidence do you have to back up that claim? I'd heard the opposite actually (albeit this is word of mouth from friends), that newer schools typically have higher pass rates/averages since they want to do everything in their power to ensure the first class has a 100% match rate.

Happy egg-nogging 🙂
 
Yes newbz sadly they are that dense. I think you answered your own question when you asked "is the school just entirely students who didn't have other options aside from DO/carib." What's even more troubling is the Step 1 average is dangerously low for CMED students who actually pass the USMLE (you need a 192 to pass). Now that I have seen their mess of a curriculum up close, I understand why. It's a shame that students think they are going to get a quality education when they enroll at this school. There are huge gaps in their curriculum that will leave you completely lost when you start prepping for the boards. Its not just about passing the USMLE, but also about scoring high enough to match with the residency of your choice. Residency programs are not impressed by medical tourism or research in dinosaur paleontology, but with high Step 1 scores. Nor are they impressed with a "belief" that USMLE scores are improving. If you are in the boat where this is the only school in the entire U.S. that offers you acceptance then I guess I understand.
 
Yes newbz sadly they are that dense. I think you answered your own question when you asked "is the school just entirely students who didn't have other options aside from DO/carib." What's even more troubling is the Step 1 average is dangerously low for CMED students who actually pass the USMLE (you need a 192 to pass). Now that I have seen their mess of a curriculum up close, I understand why. It's a shame that students think they are going to get a quality education when they enroll at this school. There are huge gaps in their curriculum that will leave you completely lost when you start prepping for the boards. Its not just about passing the USMLE, but also about scoring high enough to match with the residency of your choice. Residency programs are not impressed by medical tourism or research in dinosaur paleontology, but with high Step 1 scores. Nor are they impressed with a "belief" that USMLE scores are improving. If you are in the boat where this is the only school in the entire U.S. that offers you acceptance then I guess I understand.

Thanks for your comments, but I wonder why you chose CMU?
1. How many schools did you reject to go to CMU?
2. Have you ever thought of dropping CMU ?
3. If you knew that CMU strives to train students for primary care, what specialty did you intend to go for and in spite of knowing, what persuaded you to choose this school?

Thanks in advance,
Any comments would be appreciated!
 
I was one of a few students who was actually admitted to another medical school. Needless to say I regret not going there. The only people who should seriously consider cmed are those students who are choosing between Ross or SGU and this school. To answer your question, cmed was really sold to me by the faculty, administration, and current students, especially during the second look day. They assured me that cmed's facilities and curriculum were comparable and even superior to other reputable allopathic schools. Unfortunately, I took the bait. As of now I am seriously considering dropping out of cmed. But I feel morally compelled to prevent others from making the same mistake I did. I don't want other students to ruin their lives. At first I wanted to do primary care, but ever since I found another specialty I love the faculty and administration have been very unsupportive and downright condescending. (I can't say what specialty I was considering, since it might be used to identify me. Then the student reps and "beloved" dean might try and silence me.)
 
I was one of a few students who was actually admitted to another medical school. Needless to say I regret not going there. The only people who should seriously consider cmed are those students who are choosing between Ross or SGU and this school. To answer your question, cmed was really sold to me by the faculty, administration, and current students, especially during the second look day. They assured me that cmed's facilities and curriculum were comparable and even superior to other reputable allopathic schools. Unfortunately, I took the bait. As of now I am seriously considering dropping out of cmed. But I feel morally compelled to prevent others from making the same mistake I did. I don't want other students to ruin their lives. At first I wanted to do primary care, but ever since I found another specialty I love the faculty and administration have been very unsupportive and downright condescending. (I can't say what specialty I was considering, since it might be used to identify me. Then the student reps and "beloved" dean might try and silence me.)
I for one, think you are a legit student. What other reason could someone have to come disparage a school they have no attachments to?

However, I'm still confused on the point of why almost anyone who received admission to another school would come here as it is a new school and untested. Was it an MD/DO thing? In state tuition? Were you picking between a similarly untested school?
 
In response to the question of why choose CMED... I think CMED is a great school. Everyone seemed so open-minded and willing to help, and it really does seem like they have tons of opportunities to get involved in service/other activities. I know people who go there and they love it.
 
I think it is very telling that some on this forum, instead of allowing me to speak, have opted to surreptitiously report me to the sites moderator. I am not hear to offend anyone. I am simply trying to properly inform others of the truth.
 
I was one of a few students who was actually admitted to another medical school. Needless to say I regret not going there. The only people who should seriously consider cmed are those students who are choosing between Ross or SGU and this school. To answer your question, cmed was really sold to me by the faculty, administration, and current students, especially during the second look day. They assured me that cmed's facilities and curriculum were comparable and even superior to other reputable allopathic schools. Unfortunately, I took the bait. As of now I am seriously considering dropping out of cmed. But I feel morally compelled to prevent others from making the same mistake I did. I don't want other students to ruin their lives. At first I wanted to do primary care, but ever since I found another specialty I love the faculty and administration have been very unsupportive and downright condescending. (I can't say what specialty I was considering, since it might be used to identify me. Then the student reps and "beloved" dean might try and silence me.)

Thanks for your response. Do you mind letting us know which schools you were debating ?

Also, do you think that you would rate CMU the same as top Caribbean School? ( i.e. SGU ) ??
 
I just would like to add that no matter where you go there will be someone who doesn't like the school. Think of an undergrad class you had where everyone online was like this professor was so unfair and blah blah blah, but you thought it was the best class ever. You can't make everyone happy, and that's why I think med schools try to find people who will be a good fit for their school. From what I see CMED is very transparent about who they are and what they want to be, and it's your fault if you choose to attend an institution where you will be unhappy. At the same time, you can get what you put into your experience, if you say you are miserable there then it will become self fulfilling. Aside from this between people online, and current students, people seem to have nothing but good to say about this institution and what it will become. There are far more good stories about this place than this lone one. Also, this school received 5000 applications last year why would it receive so many if it was trash? Aside from this to compare it to a Caribbean is insulting. American schools have much stricter accreditation, and there is a forum on the osteopathic thread where moderators are advising people to pick CMED over an osteopathic acceptance (which they advise to choose over any Caribbean and not to bash DO). All I'm saying is thank you everyone for sharing and please do weigh the pros and cons, but at the end of the day it's up to you and where you will be happy, if you will not be happy there, then I know someone else would take that spot in a heartbeat, and make the most of it. With all this said, it will be interesting to see he match list come march!
 
Thanks for your response. Do you mind letting us know which schools you were debating ?

Also, do you think that you would rate CMU the same as top Caribbean School? ( i.e. SGU ) ??
It has to be a joke to think any Caribbean school could in any way be even remotely close to being the same as any accredited US MD school
 
Thanks for your response. Do you mind letting us know which schools you were debating ?

Also, do you think that you would rate CMU the same as top Caribbean School? ( i.e. SGU ) ??


I think in reality the quality of education is probably the same at a top caribbean school. (Some of the faculty and administrators at cmed are graduates of top carib and foreign schools, so sometimes it feels we are getting an education based on the caribbean model.) That being said in no way am I recommending that someone choose the carib over cmed. There are many factors to consider as some have pointed out. However, if I could go back I don't think I would choose cmed over a top DO school or another U.S. allopathic school.
 
I think in reality the quality of education is probably the same at a top caribbean school. (Some of the faculty and administrators at cmed are graduates of top carib and foreign schools, so sometimes it feels we are getting an education based on the caribbean model.) That being said in no way am I recommending that someone choose the carib over cmed. There are many factors to consider as some have pointed out. However, if I could go back I don't think I would choose cmed over a top DO school or another U.S. allopathic school.

"The current dean is from some middle-eastern medical school and the assistant dean/student affairs went to St. George's University School of Medicine in the West Indies."

If you were really an M1 at CMED, how come you don't know that there is not currently an Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and the St. George graduate you refer to is no longer in that position and they are currently conducting a search for an Associate Dean of Student Affairs. You would think any current student would know the make up of the student affairs office. Also, the current Dean you refer to as from "some middel-eastern medical school", he most recently came from Case Western where he spent the last 20 years.
 
With the comments AngelaMD has made about the faculty, especially regarding fear of being silenced and the inability to pursue anything but general practice/internal medicine... I wonder what on earth this student could have done to receive such a wrathful perspective of the faculty, the same faculty that have been nothing but encouraging and supportive to me and every other student on campus?!

I am no where near the most active, most outspoken, most successful, or most involved... and the faculty I have interacted with have spent time above and beyond what they could have as a faculty "requirement". The chair of our Foundations program encouraged me to be an infectious disease specialist, my facilitator told me I'd be great in oncology, and would be happy to connect me with some docs he knows in the area specializing in that field. Other classmates are seriously considering cardiology, one of our top students is likely going to be an AMAZING trauma surgeon, I know students in the near graduating class, M3, and M2 with connections and interests in many other non-general fields.

I am actually a little heart-ached that a student could feel so ostracized in this class and school... as any complaints are readily addressed by faculty and staff, they often do everything within their means to address the problem. These problems might have been something as simple as our water fountain breaking down, knowing where to get what in Mt. Pleasant, or needing a source of endless mints from endless coffee breath. There were more serious issues addressed, from potential adjustments in our curriculum, to wanting changes in our clinical skills program. Some things they could do for us, some they couldn't. Yet, all problems were addressed.

Example: some in the my M1 class struggled with the cardio/pulm introduction this past semester, a whole bunch of people petitioned the prof through an anonymous "complaint" system available to everyone at CMed to change his style of teaching... not only did he adjust his style, he offered 2 different overview sessions that were well over 3 hours of combined review time, that took up his own personal time.
Another example: The prof who taught the renal system gave a review before our renal exam, on her own time. As did the immunology/microbiology prof.
Another example: the chair of our "Foundations" course (that first semester to get everyone on the same science page) was available nearly every weekend, evenings, and over email within minutes to review our old tests, to sit down and help us with any questions, or to just give encouragement. I spent hours sitting with him going over concepts I missed in my old exams.
Final example: I personally requested a change to our clinical skills program, and took the time to talk to the chair of that program, explain why I desired the changes I did and how it would help future classes. As I understand, the changes are being implemented as of next semester.

If AngelaMD is a CMed student, she is experiencing a completely different school from myself, and from most of my other classmates. I would strongly recommend she seek out Charmica in the Office of Student Affairs to address these problems and perhaps make some changes that will be beneficial for future classes, as I have done, and as many students have done. For better or for worse, this is now her school. Instead of venting anonymously on a forum, please seek some way to make the school better for yourself so the next 3 1/2 years won't continue in the same way.

All that said, I will admit this last semester was incredibly hard for me. I don't have a strong science background. I spent a lot of time in faculty offices, studying with fellow students, and attending review sessions. I spent nearly every waking hour just keeping up. I cried from frustration and determination, then cried my eyes out for getting through successfully. But then I'll cry in the beginning of the movie UP, and the end of Marley and Me... so take that or leave it. I will say the struggle made me a better student and future doctor, and it also made me more determined, and I appreciate CMed even more than if I had just breezed through and not needed help. I had choices of other US MD schools, and I chose CMed because of the staff and faculty, because of the warmth of the students, because of the endless resources available to me, as well as many other reasons which I'm happy to elaborate on if asked. A new school gives you the opportunity to be involved in the development of something incredible: the future of medical education. If you don't want to deal with the hiccoughs of a new school, which all new schools have, I'd recommend a different institution.

As for me... I am a very happy CMed student.
 
With the comments AngelaMD has made about the faculty, especially regarding fear of being silenced and the inability to pursue anything but general practice/internal medicine... I wonder what on earth this student could have done to receive such a wrathful perspective of the faculty, the same faculty that have been nothing but encouraging and supportive to me and every other student on campus?!

I am no where near the most active, most outspoken, most successful, or most involved... and the faculty I have interacted with have spent time above and beyond what they could have as a faculty "requirement". The chair of our Foundations program encouraged me to be an infectious disease specialist, my facilitator told me I'd be great in oncology, and would be happy to connect me with some docs he knows in the area specializing in that field. Other classmates are seriously considering cardiology, one of our top students is likely going to be an AMAZING trauma surgeon, I know students in the near graduating class, M3, and M2 with connections and interests in many other non-general fields.

I am actually a little heart-ached that a student could feel so ostracized in this class and school... as any complaints are readily addressed by faculty and staff, they often do everything within their means to address the problem. These problems might have been something as simple as our water fountain breaking down, knowing where to get what in Mt. Pleasant, or needing a source of endless mints from endless coffee breath. There were more serious issues addressed, from potential adjustments in our curriculum, to wanting changes in our clinical skills program. Some things they could do for us, some they couldn't. Yet, all problems were addressed.

Example: some in the my M1 class struggled with the cardio/pulm introduction this past semester, a whole bunch of people petitioned the prof through an anonymous "complaint" system available to everyone at CMed to change his style of teaching... not only did he adjust his style, he offered 2 different overview sessions that were well over 3 hours of combined review time, that took up his own personal time.
Another example: The prof who taught the renal system gave a review before our renal exam, on her own time. As did the immunology/microbiology prof.
Another example: the chair of our "Foundations" course (that first semester to get everyone on the same science page) was available nearly every weekend, evenings, and over email within minutes to review our old tests, to sit down and help us with any questions, or to just give encouragement. I spent hours sitting with him going over concepts I missed in my old exams.
Final example: I personally requested a change to our clinical skills program, and took the time to talk to the chair of that program, explain why I desired the changes I did and how it would help future classes. As I understand, the changes are being implemented as of next semester.

If AngelaMD is a CMed student, she is experiencing a completely different school from myself, and from most of my other classmates. I would strongly recommend she seek out Charmica in the Office of Student Affairs to address these problems and perhaps make some changes that will be beneficial for future classes, as I have done, and as many students have done. For better or for worse, this is now her school. Instead of venting anonymously on a forum, please seek some way to make the school better for yourself so the next 3 1/2 years won't continue in the same way.

All that said, I will admit this last semester was incredibly hard for me. I don't have a strong science background. I spent a lot of time in faculty offices, studying with fellow students, and attending review sessions. I spent nearly every waking hour just keeping up. I cried from frustration and determination, then cried my eyes out for getting through successfully. But then I'll cry in the beginning of the movie UP, and the end of Marley and Me... so take that or leave it. I will say the struggle made me a better student and future doctor, and it also made me more determined, and I appreciate CMed even more than if I had just breezed through and not needed help. I had choices of other US MD schools, and I chose CMed because of the staff and faculty, because of the warmth of the students, because of the endless resources available to me, as well as many other reasons which I'm happy to elaborate on if asked. A new school gives you the opportunity to be involved in the development of something incredible: the future of medical education. If you don't want to deal with the hiccoughs of a new school, which all new schools have, I'd recommend a different institution.

As for me... I am a very happy CMed student.

Well elaborated! you could not have said it better!! I am already in love with CMU!
 
I can't believe that people are still applying to this school. I am a M1 and this school has been a disaster since day 1. There is a reason that the LCME delayed accreditation and the previous dean left "to spend more time with his family." The current dean is from some middle-eastern medical school and the assistant dean/student affairs went to St. George's University School of Medicine in the West Indies. Also this school has few connections and of course no alumni that can help. They force you into family medicine since that is the only residency that you can get. They have a subpar USMLE passage rate (below the national average) because the faculty does not know how to teach and there are few opportunities to do anything of substance during your M1 summer. I guess I understand if you really like this school, but its depressing when my friends at MSUCOM have more promising prospects than we do. Its a miracle this school meets any LCME standards seeing they offer very little scholarship money and no supports for us students. The truth is CMED and California Northstate (for-profit) are destroying American medical education.

I came to this thread just to see why it was so high up and lol. Why does everyone try to bring CNU into everything 🙄 All the students I know are happy there and have extremely high stats 🙄🙄🙄 Looks like a disgruntled applicant (R/W/H) more than a disgruntled student imho
 
I think in reality the quality of education is probably the same at a top caribbean school. (Some of the faculty and administrators at cmed are graduates of top carib and foreign schools, so sometimes it feels we are getting an education based on the caribbean model.) That being said in no way am I recommending that someone choose the carib over cmed. There are many factors to consider as some have pointed out. However, if I could go back I don't think I would choose cmed over a top DO school or another U.S. allopathic school.
According to what I have heard from other students, I wish you gave me your spot!!!
 
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How long did it take everyone to receive their welcome packet in the mail after getting the acceptance email?
 
How long did it take everyone to receive their welcome packet in the mail after getting the acceptance email?
Still haven't received it was accepted 11/8 on the Facebook group they said they were sending them out soon so I'm assuming it shouldn't be much longer! 🙂
 
Did anyone come from the Northeast for their interview? I'm having some serious issues finding a route lol.
 
Didn't read the walls of text, but I just wanted to chime in as a current student. I love it here at CMED, and the students/faculty are nothing but supportive...almost too supportive. I feel like we're really spoiled and have our hands held through every step of the way on this journey through medicine. Sure, the school encourages primary care...that's our mission after all. But there are ppl in our class shooting for derm, plastics, ophtho, cardiothiracic surg, etc. and I could honestly see these nerds killing their boards and matching successfully. As long as you work hard, make connections, and graduate with that yung MD (or DO), you can do anything you want. The only person stopping you is you. I think the students who don't like cmed are the ppl who hate the mandatory bs that all med schools have. For us, it's Pbl/Tbl, which is awesome at cmed imo. But that's pretty much it. Everything else is essentially independent study. Anyway, congrats to all the acceptances. For those on hold/waitlist, keep ya head up and try to be patient. Applying was, by far, the hardest part of med school.
 
Are first semester transcripts required? Or do they only require transcripts after we graduate?
 
My Application Review is Complete and now I am waiting to see if I will be invited for an interview. I am a Canadian student here, so what are your guys opinion on me securing an interview? Thank you
 
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