2021-2022 Central Michigan

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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Does anyone know the appropriate clothes to wear to the Road to Matriculation events?
 
Any information on their past post-II acceptance rate?
 
Does this school and all the other schools usually interview through March/April?
 
Does CMU inform you once your application has been reviewed? Or only if you receive an invite to interview?
 
Interviewed 10/22, rejected 11/15.

Edit: The rejection email specifically said they weren't going to give individualized feedback, so I thought I'd give myself feedback and share with those prospective interviewers.

What I think led to my rejection are two things: 1) my low stats and 2) my interview.

1) From my understanding, some schools prepare a whole application profile (primary, secondary, interview evals) for a student before it's presented to the dean of admissions. Prior to that, they likely haven't seen your application. I came in knowing that my stats were abysmally low. I might've made the cut-off for the screeners but not for the final admissions committee.

2) I had a feeling that my interview didn't go well. I believe that my MMI portion went well, but I don't think my group interview went well. I psyched myself out, and I didn't want to come off as over-bearing or domineering - letting others take the lead. I also became impatient at the end because I felt like we were going in a circle of praising each others comments ("That's a good point you made." "I liked your point, too." "You made a good point about that." "I see your point, and I will make the same point.") rather than addressing the prompt as a team or having a dialogue, so I think I came off as dismissive in an attempt to move the dialogue along. CMU prioritizes teamwork, and I just might not be a match in that regard.

Overall, I fell significantly short somewhere/s to be rejected rather than placed on a waitlist.
 
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airdnaxela said:
Interviewed 10/22, rejected 11/15.

Edit: The rejection email specifically said they weren't going to give individualized feedback, so I thought I'd give myself feedback and share with those prospective interviewers.

What I think led to my rejection are two things: 1) my low stats and 2) my interview.

1) From my understanding, some schools prepare a whole application profile (primary, secondary, interview evals) for a student before it's presented to the dean of admissions. Prior to that, they likely haven't seen your application. I came in knowing that my stats were abysmally low. I might've made the cut-off for the screeners but not for the final admissions committee.

2) I had a feeling that my interview didn't go well. I believe that my MMI portion went well, but I don't think my group interview went well. I psyched myself out, and I didn't want to come off as over-bearing or domineering - letting others take the lead. I also became impatient at the end because I felt like we were going in a circle of praising each others comments ("That's a good point you made." "I liked your point, too." "You made a good point about that." "I see your point, and I will make the same point.") rather than addressing the prompt as a team or having a dialogue, so I think I came off as dismissive in an attempt to move the dialogue along. CMU prioritizes teamwork, and I just might not be a match in that regard.

Overall, I fell significantly short somewhere/s to be rejected rather than placed on a waitlist.
Click to expand...
Don't be so hard on yourself. A lot of it is yes, grades and interview performance. But if you got an interview, they're willing to consider your stats for acceptance. Obviously, doing better improves your chances, but you had something that impressed them.
I also am not a fan of the going in circles just praising comments of others and that sure happened at my interview. I think it's petty and just about anyone can fake it in that regard. That does not mean you are a team player and it definitely takes way more than that. I think a good interviewer would see through that and not give points just cause someone says "I like your point."
I also saw the domineering push in my group interview where one said "I'll take the lead" or "I'll start" and then took half the time talking, only to give others very little time to talk. On the other hand, there were others who instead said, "what do you think about..." or "would you like to start". You can imagine which type of talk would be conducive to teamwork. So we can only hope that the interviewer would be good enough to see through that domination behavior.
Given what you have noted and recognized, I actually think you have a good eye for what is real teamwork cause those are actual issues that happen. You not caving into the interview acting does not mean you're not a good match for a school that prioritizes teamwork. It means you're a great match.
But I would caution you about focusing too much on the group interview and not the MMI. The group interview is important, but I don't imagine that they would reject you because that alone. The MMI says much more about you and that's where you can always find room to improve since it's an evaluation totally dependent on you. Whereas in a group, it's an evaluation that's going to be influenced based on who is in your group and how much time you have to speak. So I would focus on improving the MMI. The biggest thing is to make it a conversation with the interviewer more than just trying to say everything you think you need to say before time is up. Give them time to talk to you and engage them based on what they ask you as you go along. That way they feel a deeper connection with you.
I say all this having been rejected here during a past cycle post interview and just got accepted at the start of this cycle. I know it's not easy, but push through and you'll find many ways you can improve. I sure was disappointed when I couldn't get feedback from them, but when you practice more you find that there is a lot you can still work on. With prayer, determination, and progress you'll get there.
 
needthemd said:
Don't be so hard on yourself. A lot of it is yes, grades and interview performance. But if you got an interview, they're willing to consider your stats for acceptance. Obviously, doing better improves your chances, but you had something that impressed them.
I also am not a fan of the going in circles just praising comments of others and that sure happened at my interview. I think it's petty and just about anyone can fake it in that regard. That does not mean you are a team player and it definitely takes way more than that. I think a good interviewer would see through that and not give points just cause someone says "I like your point."
I also saw the domineering push in my group interview where one said "I'll take the lead" or "I'll start" and then took half the time talking, only to give others very little time to talk. On the other hand, there were others who instead said, "what do you think about..." or "would you like to start". You can imagine which type of talk would be conducive to teamwork. So we can only hope that the interviewer would be good enough to see through that domination behavior.
Given what you have noted and recognized, I actually think you have a good eye for what is real teamwork cause those are actual issues that happen. You not caving into the interview acting does not mean you're not a good match for a school that prioritizes teamwork. It means you're a great match.
But I would caution you about focusing too much on the group interview and not the MMI. The group interview is important, but I don't imagine that they would reject you because that alone. The MMI says much more about you and that's where you can always find room to improve since it's an evaluation totally dependent on you. Whereas in a group, it's an evaluation that's going to be influenced based on who is in your group and how much time you have to speak. So I would focus on improving the MMI. The biggest thing is to make it a conversation with the interviewer more than just trying to say everything you think you need to say before time is up. Give them time to talk to you and engage them based on what they ask you as you go along. That way they feel a deeper connection with you.
I say all this having been rejected here during a past cycle post interview and just got accepted at the start of this cycle. I know it's not easy, but push through and you'll find many ways you can improve. I sure was disappointed when I couldn't get feedback from them, but when you practice more you find that there is a lot you can still work on. With prayer, determination, and progress you'll get there.
Click to expand...
Wow…this has to be the best response to a thread that I’ve read on SDN. Well said
 
They said that they have 8 interview days and have scheduled interviews for 5 of them in the interview today
 
BrontoPronto said:
As in only 8 more? And then they're done? 🙁
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i interviewed at central a couple cycles back (took some time off for grad school) and I got the II in January for a February interview. Don’t lose hope! There’s still plenty of time, even though I know it doesn’t feel like it 😅
 
Hello friends!
I was hoping to get some input from current students.

1) With no major hospitals near Mount Pleasant, do you feel like your medical education has been negatively affected or hindered? Wouldn’t you say this is kind of like the Caribbean experience but in the states? I am just comparing the school to Wayne, for example, that is submerged in hospitals around it.

2) I learned that for your rotations, there are two lottery systems in place that decide where you’ll do your rotation; one for your longitudinal family med and one for the other core rotations. This would mean that you potentially would have to relocate up to 3 times during your 4 year MD. I’ve learned that the school doesn’t help much with arranging for housing. How do you feel about this?

3) I’m assuming many would want to do their rotations in the Detroit area, how likely is this?

Thanks!
 
MD2B2026 said:
1) With no major hospitals near Mount Pleasant, do you feel like your medical education has been negatively affected or hindered? Wouldn’t you say this is kind of like the Caribbean experience but in the states? I am just comparing the school to Wayne, for example, that is submerged in hospitals around it.
Click to expand...
CMED is very transparent about their two-campus model and its highly focused mission, and people who choose to attend CMED want that experience. "CMU College of Medicine recruits and admits students from Michigan to care for Michigan - especially those who are committed to pursue a career in primary care and serve the medically underserved." CMED is focused on ALL of Michigan, not just the big cities. How do we serve the medically underserved and rural populations if we don't send students there to experience it? If you compare CMED's mission statement to Wayne state, then you will see why Wayne is based in a city surrounded by large hospitals. I don't know enough about the Caribbean model to really compare it to CMED in detail, but from what I've seen/heard the CMED model is still different and offers advantages those students don't have, like the CCC program that pairs students with physicians for one-on-one experience (where they do not compete with other students for attention).

It's Ok if you want a different experience! It may just mean that CMED is not for you. A medical education is not being negatively affected or hindered by an experience designed to suit a specific population of future physicians.
MD2B2026 said:
2) I learned that for your rotations, there are two lottery systems in place that decide where you’ll do your rotation; one for your longitudinal family med and one for the other core rotations. This would mean that you potentially would have to relocate up to 3 times during your 4 year MD. I’ve learned that the school doesn’t help much with arranging for housing. How do you feel about this?
Click to expand...
I'd like to clarify what CCC is first: it's not necessarily just a family med placement. It is a primary care placement. Students can be assigned to EITHER a family med or internal med physician for one-on-one experiences that include both acute and chronic conditions across medical and surgical specialty experiences, including pediatrics, obstetrics, and emergency medicine.

There are two phases to the lottery system that determines where you'll be going for CCC and core rotations. This MAY involve relocations, but that depends on which locations you choose. The core rotations are at 4 core hospitals, with the majority on the campus in Saginaw (which is easily within driving distance). Most people who want to go to Detroit have family in the area. Students are allowed to trade locations after the lottery, too. When I interviewed, I remember being told that >90% or so of students get their top choice location with most if not all getting their Top 3. But I have not been through the placement process yet personally, so I can't vouch for that.

As for housing, students often work together to arrange housing. For example, a student who has CCC in first half of the year may get an apt with a student who has the same assignment in the second half of the year. Each student has a "Big" upperclassman who has already been through the experience and can also help them navigate it.


Edit: I just want to reiterate that it's good you're considering these aspects early. Just don't get lost in the details! It's important to choose a place you will be happy at, which is different for everyone.
 
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lunchsparkly said:
their classes are ~300 people/class whereas CMED is ~100 people/class
Click to expand...

The smaller class size is SO underrated, and it's probably one of my favorite aspects. Professors and admin actually remember your name and who you are. You can realistically get to know the majority of classmates (if you want to). You aren't competing for attention.
 
katchline said:
CMED is very transparent about their two-campus model and its highly focused mission, and people who choose to attend CMED want that experience. "CMU College of Medicine recruits and admits students from Michigan to care for Michigan - especially those who are committed to pursue a career in primary care and serve the medically underserved." CMED is focused on ALL of Michigan, not just the big cities. How do we serve the medically underserved and rural populations if we don't send students there to experience it? If you compare CMED's mission statement to Wayne state, then you will see why Wayne is based in a city surrounded by large hospitals. I don't know enough about the Caribbean model to really compare it to CMED in detail, but from what I've seen/heard the CMED model is still different and offers advantages those students don't have, like the CCC program that pairs students with physicians for one-on-one experience (where they do not compete with other students for attention).

It's Ok if you want a different experience! It may just mean that CMED is not for you. A medical education is not being negatively affected or hindered by an experience designed to suit a specific population of future physicians.

I'd like to clarify what CCC is first: it's not necessarily just a family med placement. It is a primary care placement. Students can be assigned to EITHER a family med or internal med physician for one-on-one experiences that include both acute and chronic conditions across medical and surgical specialty experiences, including pediatrics, obstetrics, and emergency medicine.

There are two phases to the lottery system that determines where you'll be going for CCC and core rotations. This MAY involve relocations, but that depends on which locations you choose. The core rotations are at 4 core hospitals, with the majority on the campus in Saginaw (which is easily within driving distance). Most people who want to go to Detroit have family in the area. Students are allowed to trade locations after the lottery, too. When I interviewed, I remember being told that >90% or so of students get their top choice location with most if not all getting their Top 3. But I have not been through the placement process yet personally, so I can't vouch for that.

As for housing, students often work together to arrange housing. For example, a student who has CCC in first half of the year may get an apt with a student who has the same assignment in the second half of the year. Each student has a "Big" upperclassman who has already been through the experience and can also help them navigate it.


Edit: I just want to reiterate that it's good you're considering these aspects early. Just don't get lost in the details! It's important to choose a place you will be happy at, which is different for everyone.
Click to expand...
You are awesome! 😀

Really appreciate the detailed input. I actually want to serve underserved populations, so CMED would be a perfect match. My concern was the fact that clinic sites aren't too close around, so wanted to hear from current students how they feel about that. I appreciate the input about Wayne!

If you don't mind me asking follow up questions:
1) Do you know of students who have done international elective rotations?
2) During pre-clerkship, do you find there are enough opportunities to medically serve the community? (i.e. free clinics and street medicine)
3) Are there research opportunities available for med students?
4) What is life like in Mount Pleasant and Saginaw?
5) Do you know where I can find the CMED match list? I see the match list on the program overview pdf, but it doesn't mention the locations.
 
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lunchsparkly said:
I can speak to the majority of your points as a current student.

1 - being in a medically underserved area is by no means analogous to being in the Caribbean. The majority of medical schools still stick to the traditional 2 year didactic, 2 year clinical curriculum, so it doesn’t really matter where you spend your didactic years. Cmed’s mission is very largely based on providing medical care to rural and underserved areas. As a previous person stated, Wayne’s mission is entirely different. That being said, the experience you get at a school like Wayne vs CMED is determined by a lot more than the city. Wayne’s curriculum isn’t organs-based, whereas CMED and most other schools are, and their classes are ~300 people/class whereas CMED is ~100 people/class. Also Wayne has had a lot of instability with their clinical sites in the last few years, so being closer to hospitals doesn’t always mean students will have access to them.

2 - the school does provide resources to help connect you with students who are also looking for housing. Having to move for clinical years is also common for most schools, so you’re going to face this adjustment almost anywhere. The majority of people do the bulk of their rotations in Saginaw and their CCC in another location, so you’re not really moving that much. 4th year you get the option to do away rotations just like any other program.

3 - the majority of students actually don’t want the Detroit site. CMED students are the only medical students that rotate through Covenant in Saginaw whereas the Detroit site serves multiple medical schools. For that reason most people prefer to rotate in Saginaw. CMED is constantly acquiring new contracts, however, so chances are that by the time you get to being in the hospital, there will likely be more clinical sites.

CMED is a new program but it’s picking up a lot of momentum and making a great name for itself. The admissions office is a great resource to connect you with admin or current students if you ever want to know more about the curriculum and lifestyle as a med student here.
Click to expand...
I really love the input you guys have been providing. I love the sense of community at CMED! Thank you!

If you don't mind, I have a couple follow up questions:
1) Do you feel like your training is impacted in any way because you are serving underserved populations? Or do you, on the contrary, feel that the fact that you are serving such communities (across Michigan) is providing you rather a more holistic exposure and training?

2) I was thinking that the fact that you are moving a few times actually can be beneficial as it provides you exposure to different communities and health systems? What are your thoughts?

3) Regarding away rotations, do you know of students who have done international rotations?

4) Are there research opportunities available for med students?

5) What is life like in Mount Pleasant and Saginaw?
 
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