2017-2018 Liberty University (LUCOM)

[kristysmiles]

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Just wanted to tell you all the updates we were given this week. There have been 280 interviews conducted and 162 acceptances offered. These individuals have until December 14th to confirm their acceptance (I believe this is the deposit deadline). If you aren't seeing any movement that's why. Historically, a lot more spots open up. That's for a variety of reasons, especially if students get accepted to other schools which are higher on their priority list than LUCOM then they will relinquish their spots so more acceptances can be issued either from future interviews or pulled off the waitlist. Due to how the waitlist process works, students can get pulled off the waitlist up until the day before classes start, this is less likely to happen once the deposit is paid. There will be a lot of movement from December - June, so keep the faith. If you know LUCOM is the place for you, keep in contact, and continue to express interest. Look forward to seeing you all next year.

 

[Mo3]

Also, just an FYI...LUCOM typically extends around 300+ acceptances by the end of the cycle. Typically the normal number of acceptances offered by each school is from 2-2.5x the amount of seats in the class. LUCOM follows this same trend so there are still plenty of offers that will be made!

 

[757790]

Just wanted to tell you all the updates we were given this week. There have been 280 interviews conducted and 162 acceptances offered. These individuals have until December 14th to confirm their acceptance (I believe this is the deposit deadline). If you aren't seeing any movement that's why. Historically, a lot more spots open up. That's for a variety of reasons, especially if students get accepted to other schools which are higher on their priority list than LUCOM then they will relinquish their spots so more acceptances can be issued either from future interviews or pulled off the waitlist. Due to how the waitlist process works, students can get pulled off the waitlist up until the day before classes start, this is less likely to happen once the deposit is paid. There will be a lot of movement from December - June, so keep the faith. If you know LUCOM is the place for you, keep in contact, and continue to express interest. Look forward to seeing you all next year.

Has there been any word when the next adcom meeting will be? Mr. Smith never told us when I interviewed on 11/02. ): Thanks for the update!

 

[kristysmiles]

Has there been any word when the next adcom meeting will be? Mr. Smith never told us when I interviewed on 11/02. ): Thanks for the update!

We weren't told anything at Dean's hour from what I remember. I imagine if it wasn't this week it will be next week.

 

[LukeCage]

Have been under preliminary status for over 2 months now. Emailed x2, called 3x, no response. welp.

 

[penny827]

Hey guys! I got an interview and was just wondering the interview setup? Like is it one on one, two on one or a panel setting??

 

[daveed2]

Hey guys! I got an interview and was just wondering the interview setup? Like is it one on one, two on one or a panel setting??

Two 'one-on-one' interviews very relaxing and casual.
I heard that interviewers do not have your stats. They only have personal statements, extracurricular activities, LOR and secondary app essays.

 

[kristysmiles]

Have been under preliminary status for over 2 months now. Emailed x2, called 3x, no response. welp.

That's not typical. Who are you calling/emailing? And at what phase is your application (primary, secondary, post-interview?)

 

[TheSilverSurfer]

I've been complete for over a month and emailed admissions a couple of times with no response

 

[ajquin]

hey all! I have my interview in a little more than a week. I know this was mentioned earlier in the thread, but any recommendations for affordable, good hotels I should make accommodations at? would be much appreciated! 🙂

 

[757790]

We weren't told anything at Dean's hour from what I remember. I imagine if it wasn't this week it will be next week.

Alright, thanks so much!! 🙂

 

[penny827]

If there are only 2 interview times available, one being in a week and one being in a month, will it look bad to choose the one in a month? Having basically less than a week to prepare does not seem like enough to me but I do not want them to think that this interview is not a priority of mine. Anyones suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[kristysmiles]

hey all! I have my interview in a little more than a week. I know this was mentioned earlier in the thread, but any recommendations for affordable, good hotels I should make accommodations at? would be much appreciated! 🙂

Lynchburg is a really nice area, so there's not really anything I'd consider a bad hotel. I did stay at the best western once and the beds were not ideal, but chose what you can afford. There's a lot of hotels close to the school: Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn, and Springhill suites if you take the back route to the school or Fairfield Inn, Sleep Inn, Kirkley Inn, La Quinta, and Super 8 taking the route through the undergrad campus. Traffic gets bad around 7:45 taking the main route to the medical school, so just keep that in mind when planning.

 

[kristysmiles]

If there are only 2 interview times available, one being in a week and one being in a month, will it look bad to choose the one in a month? Having basically less than a week to prepare does not seem like enough to me but I do not want them to think that this interview is not a priority of mine. Anyones suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Choose what you can afford, and what works best for you. I applied in February, interviewed in March, and got accepted last year. They won't hold something like that against you.

 

[Kimochero]

Anyone interviewing tomorrow?

 

[abbsmeddoc]

hey all! I have my interview in a little more than a week. I know this was mentioned earlier in the thread, but any recommendations for affordable, good hotels I should make accommodations at? would be much appreciated! 🙂

I stayed at the La Quinta. It was $89 for me but it was totally worth the money. Super clean room and bathroom, great beds, and amazing hot and cold breakfast (totally tasted delicious- had eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, French toast sticks, and the usual cold stuff like bagel and cereal ) It was just 2 minutes drive from the campus. You can literally see the campus from the hotel. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for hotels.

 

[ajquin]

I stayed at the La Quinta. It was $89 for me but it was totally worth the money. Super clean room and bathroom, great beds, and amazing hot and cold breakfast (totally tasted delicious- had eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, French toast sticks, and the usual cold stuff like bagel and cereal ) It was just 2 minutes drive from the campus. You can literally see the campus from the hotel. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for hotels.

I just booked a room! thanks so much for the info!

 

[dzhao]

Does anyone know when the interview usually ends in the afternoon?

 

[757790]

Does anyone know when the interview usually ends in the afternoon?

My interview day got done early at 2:45 but I've heard from everyone else expect to stay until 3.

 

[757790]

Anyone interviewing tomorrow?

Would you be willing to update us if Mr. Smith tells you when the next committee meeting is? Getting anxious. Thanks!

 

[dzhao]

My interview day got done early at 2:45 but I've heard from everyone else expect to stay until 3.

Thank you for the information!

 

[Kimochero]

Would you be willing to update us if Mr. Smith tells you when the next committee meeting is? Getting anxious. Thanks!

Next committee meeting will be Nov 29. Good luck to you all!! 😉

 

[The ED is for Me]

Interviewed 10/26, Accepted 11/7!

 

[757790]

Next committee meeting will be Nov 29. Good luck to you all!! 😉

THANK YOU. That made me much more calm now. 🙂

 

[757790]

Interviewed 10/26, Accepted 11/7!

Congratulations! Do you remember what date the committee met to review your application? I interviewed 11/02 and the committee meeting for our interview day isn't until 11/29.

 

[daveed2]

Is there any OMS-III or IV who can give me an idea of LUCOM's rotation sites?

 

[Noisewater-TDX]

Is there any OMS-III or IV who can give me an idea of LUCOM's rotation sites?

I've spoken with enough of them as an OMS1 about rotations. What questions do you have? Just sites?

 

[DocVader16]

Anyone get moved off of the Waitlist yet? I interview extremely early. To be more specific, the 2nd possible interview day (mid August). Thank you everyone.

 

[daveed2]

I've spoken with enough of them as an OMS1 about rotations. What questions do you have? Just sites?

Yes, just about their thoughts of available sites and how electives are chosen. Thanks!

 

[PastorDoc]

Anyone get moved off of the Waitlist yet? I interview extremely early. To be more specific, the 2nd possible interview day (mid August). Thank you everyone.

I believe a few have. Have you been keeping in touch with admissions?

 

[PastorDoc]

Yes, just about their thoughts of available sites and how electives are chosen. Thanks!

I’d be interested to learn about this too. Also, do the majority of OMS-3 & 4’s you know stay close to the east coast (VA area) or do they tend to scatter out across the country? Much appreciated!

 

[Noisewater-TDX]

I’d be interested to learn about this too. Also, do the majority of OMS-3 & 4’s you know stay close to the east coast (VA area) or do they tend to scatter out across the country? Much appreciated!

Yes, just about their thoughts of available sites and how electives are chosen. Thanks!

I've been looking for a breakdown that a 2nd year recently posted but could not find it!

So, from my memory, which is pretty shot these days. I think ~70 students stay within the Centra bubble. Which is the main healthcare system in area. I've been an RN there, it's a very busy ER with mostly every specialty, ~300 beds, good patient population.

There are several other places in VA were they send us. Virginia Beach, Martinsville, Galax, Danville. A few of the out of state options are in TX and IL. I think ~10 students go to each of those sites. They are also opening up a site in Hickory NC next August. I know there are more in the pipeline but i was unable to extract that intel from our clinical coordinator. 🙁



I'm much more familiar with 3rd year stuff than i am 4th. The 4th years essentially tell the school where and when they want to do stuff and the school attempts to form an agreement with the health system. There is already a very long list of well know health systems that will take LU 4th years as long as they meet board standards. For instance, by my house in NC, the hospital requires a 220+ to do tryouts. But besides that, you can go where you please I believe.

The 3rd year rotations are given out via a lottery system... but i am told some preference can be given to people with families who want to move or stay in the lynchburg area.

Check out this site for more info, the list of hospitals where our 4th years have done rotations is at the bottom in a PDF.

 

[kristysmiles]

I’d be interested to learn about this too. Also, do the majority of OMS-3 & 4’s you know stay close to the east coast (VA area) or do they tend to scatter out across the country? Much appreciated!

Agree with Nick. The 3rd year rotations are listed as "Core Rotations" and the Electives Rotations that we already have agreements with are at the end of the page he posted (for 4th year). These lists are added to throughout the year as more sites are set up, specifically for elective sites.

For 3rd year, I was told that if you have school-aged children in Lynchburg and a spouse with employment and own a house here, you will likely get to stay in Lynchburg. The rest is a lottery, followed by 2 weeks where you can trade with other students. A lot of students aren't from this area, so from what I've heard they aren't too picky about where they go. Students from Illinois and Texas will probably want those rotations. I've attached the breakdown of sites for next year.

Majority of 3rd year is in Virgina (most likely). 4th year, from what I understand you get some say in depending on where you chose to do your electives. If you looks at the list, it's definitely all over the country.

 

[PastorDoc]

@NickMT-RN @kristysmiles Thank you both for the info and thorough answers! Very helpful to know.

 

[Trollest]

I like the school and like the fact that they have rotations in Texas, but i am not comfortable with the fact that everyone seems to lax (at least at interview) day about Step 1 especially with the merger coming soon. @NickMT-RN Do third and fourth year student share the same sentiment or do they see a need to ace the Step 1 along with COMLEX

 

[Noisewater-TDX]

I like the school and like the fact that they have rotations in Texas, but i am not comfortable with the fact that everyone seems to lax (at least at interview) day about Step 1 especially with the merger coming soon. @NickMT-RN Do third and fourth year student share the same sentiment or do they see a need to ace the Step 1 along with COMLEX

We are told we need to do well on both. Period.

I'm sure some people will only take the COMLEX because of the merger and if they're going into primary care, the COMLEX should cover FM and Peds.

But boards are mentioned often and there importance is pounded into our heads.

 

[Trollest]

We are told we need to do well on both. Period.

I'm sure some people will only take the COMLEX because of the merger and if they're going into primary care, the COMLEX should cover FM and Peds.

But boards are mentioned often and there importance is pounded into our heads.

Thanks a lot for clarifying that think i may have had the wrong impression while interviewing. This school is indeed one i would like to attend.

 

[Mo3]

Thanks a lot for clarifying that think i may have had the wrong impression while interviewing. This school is indeed one i would like to attend.

I agree with Nick. Boards get mentioned all the time. I’d say probably in every lecture the professor will explain to us how boards will ask us about a particular topic that they are going over. Or throw in “this isn’t particularly common but boards will ask you about it so here’s what you need to know about it.”

Some people obviously take board prep more serious than others and that is reflected in the score spread (just like at every school). However, LUCOM has done great on boards in these first two years as a new school.

Also board success is attributed more to the individual than any other factor. We had 3 students score in the 99th percentile from this last round (one got an 802!!!) and one scored in the 99th percentile the year before (in the first year). Overall, this last year there were 11 students who scored over 90th percentile. And then mixed in were a few students who didn’t pass yet obviously received the same instruction as did the top scorers.

Again, boards are a great equalizer because it is such an individual endeavor and the school you attend can have little to do with how well you do. Is it possible to come to LUCOM and crush boards? Absolutely. Is it possible to go to John’s Hopkins and blow it? Absolutely. Do you hear about boards as a student here? Every day. Will you do well on boards if you come here? Maybe, depending on if YOU hold YOURSELF accountable to your preparation.

Sorry for the long post.

Tl;dr - yes we hear about boards daily and the minds behind our curriculum structure our thinking around how the boards will test us. Yes, you can come here and kill your boards. Also, remember that the school you go to won’t be taking the boards for you.

 

[nvrgivup]

ACCEPTED!!!!!

 

[Trollest]

ACCEPTED!!!!!

When did you interview?? I emailed Mr. Ousley to update my file this week and he specfically told me the next review wouldnt be until after Thanksgiving

 

[nvrgivup]

When did you interview?? I emailed Mr. Ousley to update my file this week and he specfically told me the next review wouldnt be until after Thanksgiving

I interviewed 9/29. I was on the waitlist.

 

[Trollest]

I interviewed 9/29. I was on the waitlist.

oh ok and you got your response today? or yesterday?

 

[nvrgivup]

oh ok and you got your response today? or yesterday?

Today

 

[Trollest]

Today

Call from Dr. patton? Nice dude, on a saturday as well. Now, you MUST attend church tomorrow

 

[PastorDoc]

ACCEPTED!!!!!

You did it my friend!!! Congrats

 

[Trench Foot]

I submitted my secondary yesterday. I'm still waiting on my DO LOR. Do I need it in order to get a II or am I good as long as I have it before the interview? Thanks

 

[PastorDoc]

I submitted my secondary yesterday. I'm still waiting on my DO LOR. Do I need it in order to get a II or am I good as long as I have it before the interview? Thanks

The website says it’s required to complete the secondary. It wouldn’t hurt to reach out to admissions and let them know it’s on the way. Best of luck!

 

[The ED is for Me]

Congratulations! Do you remember what date the committee met to review your application? I interviewed 11/02 and the committee meeting for our interview day isn't until 11/29.

No I have no idea when the committee met. I don't think they share that info.

 

[ryanrtexas]

Anyone else interviewing on 12/14? This is my first interview and am equally excited and nervous!

 

[757790]

No I have no idea when the committee met. I don't think they share that info.

From what I heard from previous interviewees, Mr. Smith told everyone the exact date of when the committee would meet to discuss their interview day. But I think November was an abnormal interview month because their committee was delayed over 3 weeks of when they were supposed to originally meet (for our day at least on 11/02). However I did hear they will be meeting on 11/29, only a few days away! Hopefully we all hear back soon after. Been praying so hard for acceptance!