Hello All! OMS1 at this school here. Ive been trying to respond to as many of your questions as I can.. one applicant reached out with a really concise list of questions that I answered to the best of my ability. They are listed below. Disclaimer: Im just one student and just one opinion 
hope everyone is staying safe and sane throughout the application process!
Is it P/F for preclinical? What about clinical?
-No and no. They have an honors, high pass, pass, no pass system which essentially equates to ABCF system. Cut offs are higher too for getting honors (93%) and high pass (85%). One of my main complaints with the school.
Are lectures mandatory in person? Or are they recorded?
-No most lectures are not mandatory in person. You have mandatory in person OMM, CMR, and anatomy lab and some rare exceptions of in person lectures at the lecture hall but majority of curriculum is either pre recorded or live zoom (which is recorded for those who dont want to attend synchronously)
Is it systems based curriculum?
-yes. two-pass systems-based. first year focuses on normal function of systems with some common diseases sprinkled in during CMR. 2nd focuses on pathology of the systems
Besides lab, is there anything mandatory in person?
-some lectures, probably 1-2 per block. You also get case discussions during the FOM blocks that are mandatory in person usually, but you also only get 1-2 per block. You also occasionally have CMR workshops with ultrasound or suturing etc
How many tests are there per block/semester? Any quizzes? Are the tests board style qs?
-no quizzes currently (at least for first year). one multiple choice didactic final per block for shorter blocks. one midterm and final for longer blocks. you also have 1-2 Sp encounters/osces, OMM practical and anatomy practical which typically occur during assessment week at the end of block. Tests are somewhat board style adjacent... but mostly based on in house lectures. Not sure how/if that changes in second year when theyre prepping you more for boards. They do try to emphasize board relevant material though throughout the curriculum.
What days are test usually given?
-varies. no hard rule on this. I mentioned most exams fall in an assessment week which is always at the end of the block. Your didactic final is always on the last day of that week (thursday typically). your other exams (OSCE, OMM/anatomy practical) are spread out throughout that week. This is tough to get used to and is honestly taxing every single time.. especially the first one. but if you stay on top of material throughout the block it makes it easier.
What is their remediation policy?
-Its great! Most exams are must pass barrier exams, however you are always given the chance to retake if you fail. If you fail the retake you have to remediate over summer. Not to sure on the details of that process. Many students fail exams, but few fail retakes and have to remediate. If you fail remediation you can repeat the year. They cannot dismiss you for failing unless youve failed two entire years (or you have professionalism issues/break code of conduct which is very rare).
Is there dedicated time to study for boards?
-yes during your second year. think its a couple months
Do u like the school? What’s ur fav and least fav part?
-love the school! most people are pretty happy with it. Fav part is probably the generous remediation policy and very flexible curriculum with only 2-3 days of mandatory in person classes.
Also the people!! Faculty are very respectful of your time and only require you to be on campus if its absolutely necessary. Least favorite would probably be the area or the grading system which i explained elsewhere..
I heard the area where the campus is isn’t so safe. How do they address that?
-Soo Pomona is def one of the more low income/slightly dangerous cities in the greater area. However campus is pretty safe. They have security in front of almost every building. They also have off duty armed police officers. There was one rare incidence of a student being assaulted on campus by a non-student. Also one student got the wheels stollen of their car in the parking lot. But these types of incidents can occur in any city nowadays tbh. Many students live at the daumier which is right on campus (literally a stones throw from our main lecture hall). Probably the safest option if you wanna live in pomona since theres security nearby 24/7 i believe. I opted not to live there since I wanted some separation from school and personal life/living situation.
The city of Pomona itself is getting kinda gentrified. Downtown is a pretty cool little historic area. Feels safe for the most part, though I would still be careful at night. Theres a couple pretty cool music venues (glass house and fox theatre). Also an arcade bar and some pretty good mexican places and a pho place.
Phillips ranch is also in pomona which is a nice little suburban area. Theres a couple other nice suburban neighborhoods where some students live. The rest of pomona though is pretty low income and I wouldnt travel there most of the time especially at night. If you follow general safety principles though youll do just fine!
The remainder of the students live in the surrounding communities (like claremont and chino hills). These areas are def nicer/higher income and safer overall. Also more expensive.
Hope this helps some of you!
hope everyone is staying safe and sane throughout the application process!Is it P/F for preclinical? What about clinical?
-No and no. They have an honors, high pass, pass, no pass system which essentially equates to ABCF system. Cut offs are higher too for getting honors (93%) and high pass (85%). One of my main complaints with the school.
Are lectures mandatory in person? Or are they recorded?
-No most lectures are not mandatory in person. You have mandatory in person OMM, CMR, and anatomy lab and some rare exceptions of in person lectures at the lecture hall but majority of curriculum is either pre recorded or live zoom (which is recorded for those who dont want to attend synchronously)
Is it systems based curriculum?
-yes. two-pass systems-based. first year focuses on normal function of systems with some common diseases sprinkled in during CMR. 2nd focuses on pathology of the systems
Besides lab, is there anything mandatory in person?
-some lectures, probably 1-2 per block. You also get case discussions during the FOM blocks that are mandatory in person usually, but you also only get 1-2 per block. You also occasionally have CMR workshops with ultrasound or suturing etc
How many tests are there per block/semester? Any quizzes? Are the tests board style qs?
-no quizzes currently (at least for first year). one multiple choice didactic final per block for shorter blocks. one midterm and final for longer blocks. you also have 1-2 Sp encounters/osces, OMM practical and anatomy practical which typically occur during assessment week at the end of block. Tests are somewhat board style adjacent... but mostly based on in house lectures. Not sure how/if that changes in second year when theyre prepping you more for boards. They do try to emphasize board relevant material though throughout the curriculum.
What days are test usually given?
-varies. no hard rule on this. I mentioned most exams fall in an assessment week which is always at the end of the block. Your didactic final is always on the last day of that week (thursday typically). your other exams (OSCE, OMM/anatomy practical) are spread out throughout that week. This is tough to get used to and is honestly taxing every single time.. especially the first one. but if you stay on top of material throughout the block it makes it easier.
What is their remediation policy?
-Its great! Most exams are must pass barrier exams, however you are always given the chance to retake if you fail. If you fail the retake you have to remediate over summer. Not to sure on the details of that process. Many students fail exams, but few fail retakes and have to remediate. If you fail remediation you can repeat the year. They cannot dismiss you for failing unless youve failed two entire years (or you have professionalism issues/break code of conduct which is very rare).
Is there dedicated time to study for boards?
-yes during your second year. think its a couple months
Do u like the school? What’s ur fav and least fav part?
-love the school! most people are pretty happy with it. Fav part is probably the generous remediation policy and very flexible curriculum with only 2-3 days of mandatory in person classes.
Also the people!! Faculty are very respectful of your time and only require you to be on campus if its absolutely necessary. Least favorite would probably be the area or the grading system which i explained elsewhere..
I heard the area where the campus is isn’t so safe. How do they address that?
-Soo Pomona is def one of the more low income/slightly dangerous cities in the greater area. However campus is pretty safe. They have security in front of almost every building. They also have off duty armed police officers. There was one rare incidence of a student being assaulted on campus by a non-student. Also one student got the wheels stollen of their car in the parking lot. But these types of incidents can occur in any city nowadays tbh. Many students live at the daumier which is right on campus (literally a stones throw from our main lecture hall). Probably the safest option if you wanna live in pomona since theres security nearby 24/7 i believe. I opted not to live there since I wanted some separation from school and personal life/living situation.
The city of Pomona itself is getting kinda gentrified. Downtown is a pretty cool little historic area. Feels safe for the most part, though I would still be careful at night. Theres a couple pretty cool music venues (glass house and fox theatre). Also an arcade bar and some pretty good mexican places and a pho place.
Phillips ranch is also in pomona which is a nice little suburban area. Theres a couple other nice suburban neighborhoods where some students live. The rest of pomona though is pretty low income and I wouldnt travel there most of the time especially at night. If you follow general safety principles though youll do just fine!
The remainder of the students live in the surrounding communities (like claremont and chino hills). These areas are def nicer/higher income and safer overall. Also more expensive.
Hope this helps some of you!
