2019-2020 Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (Kansas City) KCU-COM

[DaftMillenialDO]

Step 1) create an account on studentaid.gov and fill out the FAFSA. You will choose “first year graduate or professional student”. You do NOT need to enter parent’s information.

Step 2) in your studentaid.gov account fill out the master promissory note and entrance counseling for direct subsidized and unsibsidized loans.

Step 3) fill out the grad plus loan application

Step 4) complete the master promissory note for grad plus loans. There may also be entrance counseling... I can’t remember.

Step 5) wait for KCU to send you your award in netpartner and accept whatever you need to live on. You can either accept the full amount and see if you have money left over and return/reduce your loan amount, or accept a conservative amount by adjusting the loan amount in net partner and possibly increase your loan amount later if you need it.

Step 6) attach your bank account information to your KCU account for direct deposit.

Step 7) financial aid does some voodoo magic and $12,500 shows up in your bank account every 6 months.

When does this need to be done? Did it have to be done immediately after I filled out my FAFSA application?

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[FutureDOctor0291727]

Just got the hand written letter from the SFM course director. Really nice touch especially since we don’t get admitted students day.

 

[indiRanger]

Just got the hand written letter from the SFM course director. Really nice touch especially since we don’t get admitted students day.

Dr. Zaidi is the nicest person in the world

 

[DOgdad23]

When does this need to be done? Did it have to be done immediately after I filled out my FAFSA application?

It doesn’t have to be done immediately afterwards. Financial aid will load your information into net partner. Once you sign in you’ll be able to see a tab called “documents needed” or something along those lines and that’s where you’ll see everything you need to fill out. They like to complete financial aid packages by the end of April, but since you just got accepted I wouldn’t worry about anything until your net partner account is up and running.

 

[itskagome]

In case anyone else has been constantly checking SDN to see if there has been any WL movement, I went back to previous threads. In previous years, May 11th seemed to be a sweet spot, didn't really see activity in April.

 

[Telomeree]

I apologize if this has already been answered, but does anyone know if the class is ranked? And if so, are you ranked in numbers or quartiles when they release that info to residencies?

 

[dohopeful13]

Dr. Zaidi is the nicest person in the world

Not to mention the best lecturer at KCU. (personal option but yes)

 

[dohopeful13]

I apologize if this has already been answered, but does anyone know if the class is ranked? And if so, are you ranked in numbers or quartiles when they release that info to residencies?

We are ranked numerically (both campuses in one cohort) and your rank is visible on your KCU 360 page.

 

[itskagome]

We are ranked numerically (both campuses in one cohort) and your rank is visible on your KCU 360 page.

Would you say this benefits your education? Energizes your competitive nature to perform better?

 

[futuredoctor123456789]

Would you say this benefits your education? Energizes your competitive nature to perform better?

And to add onto this, does this make the environment cut throat at all?

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Would you say this benefits your education? Energizes your competitive nature to perform better?

I think this probably depends on the person. Class rank doesn't matter unless you're in the top 10% or bottom 10%. Everything else is pretty meaningless. If you're the type of person that wants to be the top, I guess it would fuel you to push to do better. If you're more laid back, it doesn't have much of an impact.

And to add onto this, does this make the environment cut throat at all?

No. No one knows anyone else's class rank and it's never really discussed. And, like I said above, it doesn't really matter.

 

[captainreject]

Did everyone get a hand written letter or was I just left out

 

[futuredoctor123456789]

Did everyone get a hand written letter or was I just left out

i got mine 🤐

 

[captainreject]

i got mine 🤐

I’m Joplin matriculant 😡 wbu

 

[futuredoctor123456789]

I’m Joplin matriculant 😡 wbu

KC. maybe joplin didnt send any out yet? 😳

 

[ked1996]

Interviewed here in November, really enjoyed the school! I was put on the waitlist about a month after my interview. However, I ended up being accepted somewhere else closer to home! So, I pulled myself off of the waitlist as to not hold anyone up. Good luck to everyone still waiting! 🙂

 

[futuredoctor123456789]

Interviewed here in November, really enjoyed the school! I was put on the waitlist about a month after my interview. However, I ended up being accepted somewhere else closer to home! So, I pulled myself off of the waitlist as to not hold anyone up. Good luck to everyone still waiting! 🙂

Congrats! where are you going?

 

[ked1996]

Congrats! where are you going?

I was accepted to UNE COM. I saw the two schools as relatively equal in terms of prestige/outcome. I honestly really enjoyed my interview at KCU and I feel like I would enjoy it there if that were my only acceptance. But, I would obviously prefer a place closer to home. I am from the east coast and have never lived more than 45 minutes from the ocean. Low-key would probably get a bit claustrophobic living in the middle of the country lol, is that weird?

 

[futurepedsdoc123]

do we need to buy books for first year? i feel like i remember reading or hearing that there was a flash drive passed around with pdf versions of the books (or something like that), but i cannot remember if it was this school or not

 

[fldoctorgirl]

do we need to buy books for first year? i feel like i remember reading or hearing that there was a flash drive passed around with pdf versions of the books (or something like that), but i cannot remember if it was this school or not

No, don't buy anything unless you like having a hard copy.

 

[Booksandshoes]

Interviewed here in November, really enjoyed the school! I was put on the waitlist about a month after my interview. However, I ended up being accepted somewhere else closer to home! So, I pulled myself off of the waitlist as to not hold anyone up. Good luck to everyone still waiting! 🙂

Good luck at UNECOM! 🙂

 

[futuredoctor123456789]

I was accepted to UNE COM. I saw the two schools as relatively equal in terms of prestige/outcome. I honestly really enjoyed my interview at KCU and I feel like I would enjoy it there if that were my only acceptance. But, I would obviously prefer a place closer to home. I am from the east coast and have never lived more than 45 minutes from the ocean. Low-key would probably get a bit claustrophobic living in the middle of the country lol, is that weird?

nah i definitely feel that!! Hahaha, congrats!

 

[captainreject]

Never mind I got it, it’s really nice of them tbh

 

[Stressmed]

Never mind I got it, it’s really nice of them tbh

Still haven't gotten mine lol.

 

[captainreject]

Still haven't gotten mine lol.

I really appreciate the gesture but tbh, my writer had a doctor’s handwriting and I had a tough time reading lol

 

[medstudent_2024]

I’m Joplin matriculant 😡 wbu

I think it may be our advisors who sent it? But I can’t confirm that. I’m a Joplin student and I got a welcome letter like a week or so ago.

 

[BlueBerriess]

I really appreciate the gesture but tbh, my writer had a doctor’s handwriting and I had a tough time reading lol

That's a good sign, means you're extra special.

 

[Telomeree]

I apologize if this is an odd question, but I was wondering how do students match into competitive specialties if there isn’t time for research / there are limited research opportunities? Any advice on how I could get research here if this is absolutely necessary? 🙂

 

[dohopeful13]

Would you say this benefits your education? Energizes your competitive nature to perform better?

I personally treat med school as a pass/fail endeavor and as such I have a very average class rank haha.

Not a cutthroat environment at all though. Most students realize we're all in this together.

There was some pointless KC vs Joplin drama amongst first years to start the year, but thankfully that ended after everyone got smacked around enough by the curriculum to realize campus doesn't matter.

 

[BlueBerriess]

I personally treat med school as a pass/fail endeavor and as such I have a very average class rank haha.

Not a cutthroat environment at all though. Most students realize we're all in this together.

There was some pointless KC vs Joplin drama amongst first years to start the year, but thankfully that ended after everyone got smacked around enough by the curriculum to realize campus doesn't matter.

KC: "My campus is bigger than yours"

Joplin: "It's not the size that matters, but how you use it"

 

[CaptainZeki]

Incoming OMS I here.
I tend to be a late night eater and was wondering what are some late night eateries in KC? (Do not tell me Taco Bell...tired of it lol)

 

[DaftMillenialDO]

Question for current Joplin students: I did a quick search on Google Maps and found that Joplin has none of the familiar banks (e.g., Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America). How do students who bank with these places deal especially when they need to cash out money? I know this wouldn't need to be often but I also wouldn't wanna accrue any ATM fees.

 

[mitochondriapowerhouse]

Question for current Joplin students: I did a quick search on Google Maps and found that Joplin has none of the familiar banks (e.g., Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America). How do students who bank with these places deal especially when they need to cash out money? I know this wouldn't need to be often but I also wouldn't wanna accrue any ATM fees.

I don’t go to Joplin but on Apple Maps, there’s seems to be a lot of atms for familiar banks!

edit: I looked more closely and I guess there’s only chase and US Bank thats familiar to me sorry !

 

[futuredoctor123456789]

I apologize if this is an odd question, but I was wondering how do students match into competitive specialties if there isn’t time for research / there are limited research opportunities? Any advice on how I could get research here if this is absolutely necessary? 🙂

+1

 

[BellaWriterChic]

Question for current Joplin students: I did a quick search on Google Maps and found that Joplin has none of the familiar banks (e.g., Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America). How do students who bank with these places deal especially when they need to cash out money? I know this wouldn't need to be often but I also wouldn't wanna accrue any ATM fees.

I use my debit card at walmart and get cash back. I have a regional bank so I knew there wasnt a branch here. And if I get a check, mobile deposit.

Sent from my SM-G970U using SDN mobile

 

[Randolf123]

+1

I am not a medical student, but I have asked program directors about this. Every speciality emphasizes research differently. The emergency medicine director told me they really do not care about research. They heavily are concerned with your clinical and SLOES. Also how well you mesh with the residents and faculty. I have a few friends at KCU and many use the summers to do some clinical research or those fellowships they offer that adds a year. Also, i'm sure those who got into competitive specialities at great programs probably had somewhat of a respectable step score, especially since historically KCU does exceptionally well on them. I don't know what that means for us tbh since USMLE could be potentially pass/fail by the time we take it. My friends told me that those who really needed/wanted research found time to do it, but it was not easy to balance.

That's just my 2 cents. If someone else wants to add on to this please do.

 

[futuredoctor123456789]

I am not a medical student, but I have asked program directors about this. Every speciality emphasizes research differently. The emergency medicine director told me they really do not care about research. They heavily are concerned with your clinical and SLOES. Also how well you mesh with the residents and faculty. I have a few friends at KCU and many use the summers to do some clinical research or those fellowships they offer that adds a year. Also, i'm sure those who got into competitive specialities at great programs probably had somewhat of a respectable step score, especially since historically KCU does exceptionally well on them. I don't know what that means for us tbh since USMLE could be potentially pass/fail by the time we take it. My friends told me that those who really needed/wanted research found time to do it, but it was not easy to balance.

That's just my 2 cents. If someone else wants to add on to this please do.

thanks! yeah i wasn't planning on doing it during the school year - wanted to focus more on my school work / volunteer, but definitely utilizing that summer in between 1st and 2nd year to do some sort of research.

 

[doc_T_]

Question for current Joplin students: I did a quick search on Google Maps and found that Joplin has none of the familiar banks (e.g., Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America). How do students who bank with these places deal especially when they need to cash out money? I know this wouldn't need to be often but I also wouldn't wanna accrue any ATM fees.

I live in a town 2.5 hours from my credit union back home and getting money out has never been an issue. With a credit union, you have access to national co-op ATMS free of charge. Long story short, open a credit union account instead of a big bank account. https://www.co-opfs.org/Shared-Branches-ATMs

 

[RabW4]

also, just a reminder -- med school will be an investment and that also means losing money sometimes (sadly).. i already lost 1k by putting a deposit down for another school before hearing back from KCU back in December/january just to be safe but hey it'll all work out in the end.

I completely agree with that. I also lost 1k but it had to be done. My 1st choice is kcu but I already had an acceptance so I just sucked it up and paid the money and then found out after a month that I got in. But the peace of mind was completely worth it.

Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it! I will be securing my spot at Touro. Should I even bother sending an email to the admissions committee giving an update that I've been accepted somewhere else. I don't want to potentially hurt my chances by saying I've been accepted somewhere else so they can pass over me. OR should I send an email asking for information on waitlist movement?

 

[juggernautalpha]

Do any current students have recommendations for a med kit?

 

[DKDOC1997]

Can first years get by without buying a med kit or is it an absolute necessity?

 

[CaptainZeki]

Adding onto the questions above about med kits, how much are they normally priced?
What is considered to be a good deal if I buy it off of someone?

 

[futuredoctor123456789]

Do any current students have recommendations for a med kit?

+1

 

[futuredoctor123456789]

Do any current students have recommendations for a med kit?

also should we wait til we're on campus to buy this or should we buy it beforehand? this and our stethoscope, and the rest of the equipment.

 

[futuredoctor123456789]

Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it! I will be securing my spot at Touro. Should I even bother sending an email to the admissions committee giving an update that I've been accepted somewhere else. I don't want to potentially hurt my chances by saying I've been accepted somewhere else so they can pass over me. OR should I send an email asking for information on waitlist movement?

if you were to email them i wouldnt tell them you got any acceptances yet. just inquire about WL movement.

 

[BobbyKoch]

I bought the cheapest med kit equivalents I could find on amazon and it has worked fine so far. granted, my ophthalmoscope sucks and I haven't really had to use it much (for Score 1), but for first year purposes it has been fine.

 

[indiRanger]

KCU Med Kit

I found this on last year's thread when I was looking for a med kit and bought everything from here. It turned about to be abou 400-500 bucks if i remember correctly which is about half the cost if you buy it from the school

 

[Schwifty]

KCU Med Kit

I found this on last year's thread when I was looking for a med kit and bought everything from here. It turned about to be abou 400-500 bucks if i remember correctly which is about half the cost if you buy it from the school

I bought all my stuff using that link, or went on eBay to find other stuff cheaper like the Ophthalmoscope

 

[ozarkanerd]

Lots students make a DIY med kit off amazon saving them lots of money. I bought mine from another student for around $500. The school sells the entire kit for about ~$900 including stethoscope (~$700 w/o stethoscope). You don't need the kit until about 2nd week of school.

Everyone typically has their own med kit, unless you have a really really good friend who is willing to share theirs with yours. It might be sometimes hard sharing because we are all split into groups throughout the day. You would have to find a time to meet up and switch. Some people view it as an investment for your career, bc you can use these kit later.

I recommend getting your own because everyone has their own and we have Clinical Medicine labs weekly. These labs is where you learn to perform physical, neuro exams, and etc.

 

[dohopeful13]

I personally only bought a stethoscope, a tuning fork, and eye chart, but I am a bum with generous friends who lend me their BP cuffs and ophthalmoscopes.