2020-2021 Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM)

Getting into Med School is Hard? Not with BeMo.
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Just declined my acceptance offer today, hope it goes to one of yall!
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Does anyone know if their class is already filled? i know they are still interviewing but is it for the waitlist or do they still have open seats?
 
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If I got off the waitlist at another school and decide to withdraw my spot after having submitted my acceptance offer, should I call the admissions office?
 
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Does anyone know if touring the campus in person makes a difference in getting accepted off of the waitlist? Like does it show the school you are more interested or will they understand if people are not coming due to COVID? I live 11 hours away from BCOM and am debating on whether I should make the drive for the tour.
 
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medstudent112200 said:
Does anyone know if touring the campus in person makes a difference in getting accepted off of the waitlist? Like does it show the school you are more interested or will they understand if people are not coming due to COVID? I live 11 hours away from BCOM and am debating on whether I should make the drive for the tour.
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I’m also wondering the same thing, I live even further and a plane ticket is close to 400.
 
Does anyone know anything about the June 1st pay deadline for federal loans for BCOM? Does that mean we have to accept our loans and pay for tuition even we were potentially on the waitlists for other schools? If you were to withdraw after the deadline, does anyone know how this works?
 
I heard that there was a 2nd year BCOM student on reddit who said lots of bad things about BCOM. I actually just want to be amused. Anyone have the link? It was supposedly on "premeddit"- unsure if that is username or a topic on reddit though. Heard it from another chat, but no one verified its existence....
 
Helpful Doc said:
I heard that there was a 2nd year BCOM student on reddit who said lots of bad things about BCOM. I actually just want to be amused. Anyone have the link? It was supposedly on "premeddit"- unsure if that is username or a topic on reddit though. Heard it from another chat, but no one verified its existence....
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I believe that post was deleted. It was on the premed subreddit.
 
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Helpful Doc said:
I heard that there was a 2nd year BCOM student on reddit who said lots of bad things about BCOM. I actually just want to be amused. Anyone have the link? It was supposedly on "premeddit"- unsure if that is username or a topic on reddit though. Heard it from another chat, but no one verified its existence....
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I saw the post. Basically OP's complaints were:
- people being kicked out if they fail 2 classes
- the president (?) of BCOM also owning the apartment complex thats near campus, and also being invested in a Caribbean medical school as well as ICOM.
- some member of faculty apparently being unprofessional/mean to students that have failed a class.
 
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tbt23 said:
I saw the post. Basically OP's complaints were:
- people being kicked out if they fail 2 classes
- the president (?) of BCOM also owning the apartment complex thats near campus, and also being invested in a Caribbean medical school as well as ICOM.
- some member of faculty apparently being unprofessional/mean to students that have failed a class.
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Oh that's all? The only thing I would have any issue with is the 3rd one you mentioned. Other than that, the 2 classes failed thing sucks (I know it does)- but that's life. And so what if a BCOM person is making bank through investments lols. Just my 2 cents.
 
What is the threshold for failing classes at other schools? Is it comparable with BCOM?
 
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Helpful Doc said:
Oh that's all? The only thing I would have any issue with is the 3rd one you mentioned. Other than that, the 2 classes failed thing sucks (I know it does)- but that's life. And so what if a BCOM person is making bank through investments lols. Just my 2 cents.
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If I remember correctly, the post also mentioned that like 30 M2s dropped out of BCOM recently...that was the craziest part and biggest red flag
 
maabuait said:
If I remember correctly, the post also mentioned that like 30 M2s dropped out of BCOM recently...that was the craziest part and biggest red flag
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Absolutely false! Where in the world did you get that news from? My goodness!
Current M2 here
 
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tbt23 said:
I saw the post. Basically OP's complaints were:
- people being kicked out if they fail 2 classes
- the president (?) of BCOM also owning the apartment complex thats near campus, and also being invested in a Caribbean medical school as well as ICOM.
- some member of faculty apparently being unprofessional/mean to students that have failed a class.
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I'd like to also address some of these ^^^ (some of which are true and some false). People are not being kicked out after failing 2 classes. This is absolutely false! When a student fails 1 block of a semester, you are given the opportunity to remediate that course at the end of the semester. The student also has the option of dropping the semester and restarting the year over. If the so-called student decides to remain in the program after failing 1 block, educational specialists and a committee called SPARK, all provided by the college, provide assistance, guidance, study strategies and whatever the student needs in order to be successful going forward. Additionally, the preclinical department also monitors "at-risk" students even before they fail and offer the above-mentioned assistance to them. Before a student is dropped out of the program, all options must have been exhausted and the only course of action is for the student to drop out before that happens. The school values each and every student's success! The student catalog is available to the public on the website for anyone to view if you have any doubts on this. I personally with a group of students was involved in the revision of the latest catalog.

Point #2 - yes the president of the college owns the apartment complex near campus, which I happen to live in, however I have never heard or encountered any involvement of the president in the affairs of the Burrell students or any person who resides there. There have been reports of students who partied/congregated/hung out, whatever you choose to call it, during the lockdown and somehow the school was notified. All of these complaints were submitted by a Burrell student to the student affairs and not the apartment complex informing the school or president. Unfortunately the president of the college will hear of these complaints (the guy owns the place duh) but he has not one time intervened personally in these affairs. I am not aware of him investing in other medical schools home or abroad and can't speak to that. Smart man if he is!

Point #3 - Without proof, this is a "hear-say". No personal experience with this nor have I heard anyone mention this.

I really hope this has cleared a lot of confusion (if any).
 
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jaggabrotha said:
I'd like to also address some of these ^^^ (some of which are true and some false). People are not being kicked out after failing 2 classes. This is absolutely false! When a student fails 1 block of a semester, you are given the opportunity to remediate that course at the end of the semester. The student also has the option of dropping the semester and restarting the year over. If the so-called student decides to remain in the program after failing 1 block, educational specialists and a committee called SPARK, all provided by the college, provide assistance, guidance, study strategies and whatever the student needs in order to be successful going forward. Additionally, the preclinical department also monitors "at-risk" students even before they fail and offer the above-mentioned assistance to them. Before a student is dropped out of the program, all options must have been exhausted and the only course of action is for the student to drop out before that happens. The school values each and every student's success! The student catalog is available to the public on the website for anyone to view if you have any doubts on this. I personally with a group of students was involved in the revision of the latest catalog.

Point #2 - yes the president of the college owns the apartment complex near campus, which I happen to live in, however I have never heard or encountered any involvement of the president in the affairs of the Burrell students or any person who resides there. There have been reports of students who partied/congregated/hung out, whatever you choose to call it, during the lockdown and somehow the school was notified. All of these complaints were submitted by a Burrell student to the student affairs and not the apartment complex informing the school or president. Unfortunately the president of the college will hear of these complaints (the guy owns the place duh) but he has not one time intervened personally in these affairs. I am not aware of him investing in other medical schools home or abroad and can't speak to that. Smart man if he is!

Point #3 - Without proof, this is a "hear-say". No personal experience with this nor have I heard anyone mention this.

I really hope this has cleared a lot of confusion (if any).
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yep, my bad, I am a first year and I failed to understand the first point and correct that. @jaggabrotha is totally right about the first point. And I agree overall.
 
Hello,
Has anyone heard about the waitlist?
 
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Was pulled off the waitlist and accepted on Thursday! My first A!! Super excited to be apart of the incoming class!
 
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Texas17 said:
Was pulled off the waitlist and accepted on Thursday! My first A!! Super excited to be apart of the incoming class!
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Congrats!!! :) Did you do anything scene being waitlisted and Accepted? (like LOI or anything) TY in advanced
 
Caffeinated Premed said:
Congrats!!! :) Did you do anything scene being waitlisted and Accepted? (like LOI or anything) TY in advanced
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I sent an update letter about a week after my waitlist decision, which was around 3/1 I think.
 
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Hey y’all I’m kinda nervous on my upcoming interview ... any last minute tips? It’s probably my last opportunity to get to med school this cycle 🥺 much appreciated
 
Texas17 said:
I sent an update letter about a week after my waitlist decision, which was around 3/1 I think.
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How long was your letter of intent? I want to sent one but I sent an update before I got my interview and don't want to keep sending them stuff
 
Sloth97 said:
Hey y’all I’m kinda nervous on my upcoming interview ... any last minute tips? It’s probably my last opportunity to get to med school this cycle 🥺 much appreciated
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Hi,
I don't know about everyone else's interview but mine was pretty relaxed. They were super nice. Just be yourself and be honest. You got this!
 
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Sloth97 said:
Hey y’all I’m kinda nervous on my upcoming interview ... any last minute tips? It’s probably my last opportunity to get to med school this cycle 🥺 much appreciated
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They may pull a bad cop/uninterested cop scenario on you for the whole interview lols. That is what I got. Know your app! Know why doctor instead of other professions, your PS, what you bring experience-wise as a future doctor, try not to lie- but if it helps to lie- feel free to do so. Know how you interact with difficult coworkers or people. And have some patient encounter stories in your back pocket ready to pull out. And know what you could do to help the people of Las Cruces if they ask (it is kinda rural in some areas).
 
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Helpful Doc said:
They may pull a bad cop/uninterested cop scenario on you for the whole interview lols. That is what I got. Know your app! Know why doctor instead of other professions, your PS, what you bring experience-wise as a future doctor, try not to lie- but if it helps to lie- feel free to do so. Know how you interact with difficult coworkers or people. And have some patient encounter stories in your back pocket ready to pull out. And know what you could do to help the people of Las Cruces if they ask (it is kinda rural in some areas).
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Thank youuu really appreciate the assistance
 
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Texas17 said:
I sent an update letter about a week after my interview date, which was 2/8.
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dim10 said:
How long was your letter of intent? I want to sent one but I sent an update before I got my interview and don't want to keep sending them stuff
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I didn’t send a letter of intent but my update letter was about a page. I think if you have new stuff to say I would definitely send a new one!
 
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Interview invite today. Kinda shocked since it’s so late in the year :oops:
 
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Anyone aware if post interview updates are welcomed?
 
subliminalstatus said:
Yeah they should be! When did you interview and have you already heard back?
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I interviewed on 04/16, but I had a weird interview where we didn’t speak about any traditional questions so I wasn’t able to really speak on any of my new volunteering. It was a positive interview just not really a traditional one.
 
As an OMS1 we just finished an exam this morning in neuro. Taking the time to create an account bc this has been bugging me immensely. It's simple: you're getting a very very lopsided view from about 2-3 students here at BCOM esp from Jaggabrother. Whoever you are I completely respect your opinion and your + experience here, but its been frustrating watching you and a few others paint a rosy picture of this school. I'm not going to go on a huge rant like that med student did on reddit. I'll keep it simple. IMO: there are way more negatives than positives, and we did lose a **** ton of students in both years. If you want a true realistic viewpoint, please get off SDN. Grab 5 students attending the school, REALLY talk to them, ask them every + and - they experienced over phone, FB, whatever. As for me, I regret not attending another school but remain grateful I still got a seat. Thats all I have to say. I hope you listen to my words carefully, and make a VERY informed choice. And since I find SDN to be toxic I wont be replying to messages (we have a very busy next few weeks) but again. I hope you all speak to current students, and yes at least 4-5, dont go based off of SDN and reddit only. Best of luck.
 
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One more thing non school related: be especially aware of your mental and emotional health during medical school wherever you go. It can and will break you down, find a strong group of friends and support systems. It creeps on you slowly and hits people hard.
 
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OMS1Struggles10 said:
As an OMS1 we just finished an exam this morning in neuro. Taking the time to create an account bc this has been bugging me immensely. It's simple: you're getting a very very lopsided view from about 2-3 students here at BCOM esp from Jaggabrother. Whoever you are I completely respect your opinion and your + experience here, but its been frustrating watching you and a few others paint a rosy picture of this school. I'm not going to go on a huge rant like that med student did on reddit. I'll keep it simple. IMO: there are way more negatives than positives, and we did lose a **** ton of students in both years. If you want a true realistic viewpoint, please get off SDN. Grab 5 students attending the school, REALLY talk to them, ask them every + and - they experienced over phone, FB, whatever. As for me, I regret not attending another school but remain grateful I still got a seat. Thats all I have to say. I hope you listen to my words carefully, and make a VERY informed choice. And since I find SDN to be toxic I wont be replying to messages (we have a very busy next few weeks) but again. I hope you all speak to current students, and yes at least 4-5, dont go based off of SDN and reddit only. Best of luck.
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I am an OMS-1 as well. I took the same exam and it was hell and too much material tbh. I got a BAD grade. I might even fail out this year lols. I know that my fellow student here is not directly targeting anyone (except maybe jaggabrotha" with an 'a' at the end") lols. But honestly, I like this person's style and honesty haha, you could literally be one of my friends but I would never know! I feel that the posts from the 2-3 students here were positive bec literally no one asked us our negative opinions! We don't say the cons here unless someone asks specific questions- bec medical school sucks in general- in fact, this is likely the most stressful and worst year of my life- you gotta ask us specific questions people! I have had 3-7 people DM me on SDN and I spill beans like crazy about what they ask, but still very few of them ask for the really bad stuff that sucks here or more in-depth experiences we get as a current med student. So feel free to DM me as well. Again, I will likely fail out and have to repeat the year after the 3rd Neuro exam 2 weeks from now, so I could answer your questions by then if I'm out haha.

And tbh, I grateful for this op OMS-1 for saying this- but also kinda disappointed that they did not say anything specific and left it to other students to clear up stuff. Perhaps this person is passing Neuro :) and don't wanna lose their winning streak.

"we did lose a **** ton of students in both years" - Not sure about OMS2's atm, but they said the one who ranted on reddit exaggerated the number to 30+. No clue what true number is, I only asked 2 OMS2's that I knew. As for OMS1's, we lost 15-22 so far and the number may rise after Neuro block ends. That's life atm at BCOM- it really sucks- but just try harder imo. I too wish I got another school, but this was in my top 5 out of state and I am grateful to be here even if I repeat a year. DM me if ya feel like it, I am pretty active here.
 
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OMS1Struggles10 said:
One more thing non school related: be especially aware of your mental and emotional health during medical school wherever you go. It can and will break you down, find a strong group of friends and support systems. It creeps on you slowly and hits people hard.
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It did hurt me a bit. I lost a majority of my original "friend" (I did not make any friends lol) group and people I was talking to and liked as acquaintances (never got farther than that). Even so, I felt worse about them leaving than myself possibly leaving tbh. It did creep on me slowly and hurt in Spring semester (when most of the people I was closer to left) after feeling emotionally secure for the Fall semester. Hearing people leave is always discouraging.
 
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Helpful Doc said:
It did hurt me a bit. I lost a majority of my original "friend" (I did not make any friends lol) group and people I was talking to and liked as acquaintances (never got farther than that). Even so, I felt worse about them leaving than myself possibly leaving tbh. It did creep on me slowly and hurt in Spring semester (when most of the people I was closer to left) after feeling emotionally invincible for Fall semester. Hearing people leave is always discouraging.
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That many failed/dropped out. Wow. What is happening? Is it because BCOM is not providing a good education? Is it because students are unprepared for the rigors of med school? Is the support for at-risk students (that Jaggabrotha outlined in his post) not happening or is it not sufficient?

You said no one asks what the really bad stuff is there...so what is the really bad stuff?
 
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Socalgal1 said:
That many failed/dropped out. Wow. What is happening? Is it because BCOM is not providing a good education? Is it because students are unprepared for the rigors of med school? Is the support for at-risk students (that Jaggabrotha outlined in his post) not happening or is it not sufficient?

You said no one asks what the really bad stuff is there...so what is the really bad stuff?
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I'm nervous that I even applied here now lol
 
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ecuacor said:
I'm nervous that I even applied here now lol
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Dang, my bad. Don't be nervous about applying here. If you will notice- I did not say there were more negatives than positives. The OP above me posted that- plus, that was simply their opinion. I also have opinions but they have to do with PERSONAL med school issues that you will find as a med student in general at any med school. I have very few negative things to say about BCOM and really only have negative things to complain about personally in my life as a med student. Things we all expected, but some did not understand the reality of. (I understood that reality fyi haha)
 
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Socalgal1 said:
That many failed/dropped out. Wow. What is happening? Is it because BCOM is not providing a good education? Is it because students are unprepared for the rigors of med school? Is the support for at-risk students (that Jaggabrotha outlined in his post) not happening or is it not sufficient?

You said no one asks what the really bad stuff is there...so what is the really bad stuff?
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I could feel the anxiety dripping from your post lols. I like to think that we control our destiny through our choices. You fail if you can't catch up or if you can't handle it or your personal circumstances were too difficult to overcome- among so many other reasons to list. And yes, some were not ready for the rigors of med school or the constant stress. We started school online in a pandemic and some people had trouble adjusting- factor that in. I would say BCOM is doing good at teaching material- most professors are great- a few kinda ramble, a couple we can't seem to figure out just yet bec they are new to us. Not sure about how 2nd years feel. What @jaggabrotha (who seems to be a 2nd year) posts at any given time- I always agree with almost all of it! I experienced all of that stuff bec I struggled. But at the end I am coming up short due to my own failures as a student- not anyone's fault but mine. It is frustrating, but I don't blame BCOM for my bad grades- some people here get A's and B's consistently and others like me do not- that's life and I applaud those students' efforts. Just do your best when you get to med school.

"Really bad stuff" (poor choice of words on my part) that happens here will seem almost trivial imo- it is just how I rank stuff in my brain. The worst I can think of is disagreement with BCOM admin/higherups and their ideas or policy or stuff they tell us- for which we have SGA to mediate such situations for us and it works often and gets fixed most of the time (to our liking). But it does cause us undue stress/confusion at times while it is being worked out- but they listen and our SGA is nice and active. But hey, all of it is perception- some see nice things, and some like the OP who posted before me saw WAY more negative things than I did I guess. So I do agree with getting multiple opinions.
 
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Helpful Doc said:
I could feel the anxiety dripping from your post lols. I like to think that we control our destiny through our choices. You fail if you can't catch up or if you can't handle it or your personal circumstances were too difficult to overcome- among so many other reasons to list. And yes, some were not ready for the rigors of med school or the constant stress. We started school online in a pandemic and some people had trouble adjusting- factor that in. I would say BCOM is doing good at teaching material- most professors are great- a few kinda ramble, a couple we can't seem to figure out just yet bec they are new to us. Not sure about how 2nd years feel. What @jaggabrotha (who seems to be a 2nd year) posts at any given time- I always agree with almost all of it! I experienced all of that stuff bec I struggled. But at the end I am coming up short due to my own failures as a student- not anyone's fault but mine. It is frustrating, but I don't blame BCOM for my bad grades- some people here get A's and B's consistently and others like me do not- that's life and I applaud those students' efforts. Just do your best when you get to med school.

"Really bad stuff" (poor choice of words on my part) that happens here will seem almost trivial imo- it is just how I rank stuff in my brain. The worst I can think of is disagreement with BCOM admin/higherups and their ideas or policy or stuff they tell us- for which we have SGA to mediate such situations for us and it works often and gets fixed most of the time (to our liking). But it does cause us undue stress/confusion at times while it is being worked out- but they listen and our SGA is nice and active. But hey, all of it is perception- some see nice things, and some like the OP who posted before me saw WAY more negative things than I did I guess. So I do agree with getting multiple opinions.
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Thank you for clarifying and explaining. I don’t entirely understand why the original poster isn’t willing to further comment or answer messages. If there are unique red flags, share them. I know all schools, especially newer schools, have a higher attrition than established schools. I’m sure there is blame to go around.

I hope you end up passing...you seem like a genuinely nice person and we certainly need more doctors like you.
 
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