2024-2025 A.T. Still University (Mesa, Arizona) ATSU-SOMA

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how do I check on the portal? I got another interview invite but it is on the same day... So I will need to change if they are at the same time
i dont think it says on the portal, you'd have to call or email to confirm your timing

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Is anyone able to answer what the interview is generally like? I know there's an NDA but I'm mainly just wondering how much of my file they'll have access to beforehand.
 
Is anyone able to answer what the interview is generally like? I know there's an NDA but I'm mainly just wondering how much of my file they'll have access to beforehand.
hello! I called the office of admissions before my interview and they provided all the details you'd need to prepare. The number I called is 480.219.6000 and this is for Mesa
 
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I am an OMS at ATSU SOMA. I wanted to post to help with transparency. The school had promise but aspects that I think are important to help guide whether its the right school for you. I think its important to know they do not have formal lectures to help teach students. Its a hefty tuition for "self-taught" medical school. They have lost a lot of sites for year 3 and 4 clinical rotations so many will be stuck in another state they don't want to be in. There has also been unethical issues at the school, so please keep that all of that in mind. Good luck everyone with the cycle.
 
Does anyone know whether they add you to an official accepted students groupchat after you pay your deposit?
 
Current third year. The school got some flak for the year the curriculum changed (My first year), but things have gotten much better since then. There was a changing of deans that year too, and the current dean is fantastic. The school has lots of resources to help you succeed. This is a great school if you want lots of clinical experience and thrive learning in small groups (your CHC cohort will be a built-in study group that is often very tight-knit and team-oriented).
Highly recommend. DM for questions.
 
For those who are from OOS, did you interview in-person or virtually?
I did virtual... feeling nervous though after learning that interviews were in-person only last year. I think it can only help/show that you are more serious about the school if you interview in-person. It's hard with the cost of flights, hotels, missing work/school though.
 
Any current students on this thread? Please share your experiences— clinicals (locations, ease of getting in), board prep, faculty/admin support (would you say they do care about their students’ success?).
I appreciate your time! Thank you!
 
Do they have any sort of accepted students day/event prior to the start of the school year?
 
Are there any current students that would be willing to comment on some of the below concerns that previous ATSU-SOMA students had. This is from 2022, but I am wondering if any of these issues have been resolved/improved since then. It's a hefty, frightening list:

 
Are there any current students that would be willing to comment on some of the below concerns that previous ATSU-SOMA students had. This is from 2022, but I am wondering if any of these issues have been resolved/improved since then. It's a hefty, frightening list:

I’m not a student here. But these are some real concerns here. Probably legit given the board pass rates are decreasing the past 2 or so years in the mid 80s when it used to be about average in the 90s.
 
Trying to choose between schools and was wondering if anyone knows the below information??? I would love to live in the Phoenix area, but I am trying to figure out if he curriculum is the best match too. Thank you!

1. How many days/hours are students on campus and for which classes? Anatomy, OMM, PBL/lectures, medical skills/OSCEs?

2. I believe classes are P/F, but still ranked? How does that shake out when applying for residencies, is is basically like a graded letter system?

3. Is there dedicated board study time for COMPLEX and USMLE?

4. How is anatomy graded? Virtual/multiple choice exams or practical style on the actual cadavers?

5. How often are exams? Is the tested material a lot of pertinent board prep/high yield or random information that the school/professors just wanted to test you on?

6. Which CHCs would you recommend/not recommend?
 
Trying to choose between schools and was wondering if anyone knows the below information??? I would love to live in the Phoenix area, but I am trying to figure out if he curriculum is the best match too. Thank you!

1. How many days/hours are students on campus and for which classes? Anatomy, OMM, PBL/lectures, medical skills/OSCEs?

2. I believe classes are P/F, but still ranked? How does that shake out when applying for residencies, is is basically like a graded letter system?

3. Is there dedicated board study time for COMPLEX and USMLE?

4. How is anatomy graded? Virtual/multiple choice exams or practical style on the actual cadavers?

5. How often are exams? Is the tested material a lot of pertinent board prep/high yield or random information that the school/professors just wanted to test you on?

6. Which CHCs would you recommend/not recommend?
Hi! I’m not a student at SOMA, but I recently spoke with several current students while making my decision, so I can share some of the information they provided.

1. Students are typically on campus from 8 AM - 12 PM most days, with a mix of small group discussions (CBI) and faculty-led workshops. Workshops are only mandatory during the first block to help students adjust, but after that, attendance is optional. Thursdays are the longest days, from 8 AM - 5 PM, due to OMM and Med Skills.

2. Classes are pass/fail, but students are still ranked. I was told that the grading scale is as follows: Pass (69.5-89.4), Honors (89.5+), and Fail (below 69.5). While rankings exist, students I spoke to said it doesn’t create a highly competitive environment.

4. All I know regarding this is that anatomy quizzes occur twice a week and are either for completion or graded with multiple retries.

5. Exams occur every four weeks (at the end of each block), and all exams for that block take place in a single week. Finals week can include up to seven exams.
 
Hi! I’m not a student at SOMA, but I recently spoke with several current students while making my decision, so I can share some of the information they provided.

1. Students are typically on campus from 8 AM - 12 PM most days, with a mix of small group discussions (CBI) and faculty-led workshops. Workshops are only mandatory during the first block to help students adjust, but after that, attendance is optional. Thursdays are the longest days, from 8 AM - 5 PM, due to OMM and Med Skills.

2. Classes are pass/fail, but students are still ranked. I was told that the grading scale is as follows: Pass (69.5-89.4), Honors (89.5+), and Fail (below 69.5). While rankings exist, students I spoke to said it doesn’t create a highly competitive environment.

4. All I know regarding this is that anatomy quizzes occur twice a week and are either for completion or graded with multiple retries.

5. Exams occur every four weeks (at the end of each block), and all exams for that block take place in a single week. Finals week can include up to seven exams.
@florida1989 very helpful. What other factors did you consider for not to attend ATSU?
 
Any word on board pass rates for class of 2027? How much dedicated board study time are you given?

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