A.T. Still University- MESA

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It is a lot of money investing in medical school and it has worried me from time to time. However, we'll be so busy studying and then eventually working as doctors, that we won't have time to spend money even if we had it. Besides, a quick glance at some income stats can put it in a diff. perspective. Only 7% of the people in the U.S. make over $100,000*. 71% make less than $50,000* a year. So even if a large percentage of your check is going towards loans, you're still make out like a bandit.
(* These were wikipedia stats , so they may be off.)

Cheers!

See you guys on the 1st. Anyone else flying in the day before?
 
cool. where are you staying at? maybe we can split a shuttle.
 
I'm staying at a hotel in Mesa and decided to rent a car so that I could check out phoenix as well and see my uncle. - I'll email you my info. Carpooling would be great.
 
Anyone else interviewing on Feb 8th?
 
I am scheduled to interview on the 8th.
 
so myself, inthe415, jazzadi, and rarekare? interviewing on the 8th.
 
Anyone able to find out if any of the CHC's are filled yet?
 
dseattle said:
so myself, inthe415, jazzadi, and rarekare? interviewing on the 8th.
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For all those interviewing on Febuary 8th... Where are you guys coming from? I've found that knowing a bit about eachother before the interview definately has a calming effect on a day filled with a lot of anxiety!
 
wow, the interviews seem to be pouring out of Mesa now..ball is offically rolling..😀
 
I got an invite too.... decicing which date to take.....:idea:
 
Is anyone else interviewing on Feb 15? If so, would you be up for carpooling w/ a rental car? Any suggestions on a good, cheap hotel? I heard the one Spanish springs is pretty good. Also, if anyone who's been accepted, what were your stats? A personal question I know, I'm just interested in comparing myself to what they're looking for.
 
I would recommend renting a car only if you have time to drive around and see the area. Otherwise, its probably less of hassle and more cost effective to use a taxi. I drove around Tempe and Mesa just to get a feel for the place. Tempe has a nice main street with retaurants and eclectic shops. Mesa was a little scetchy and I would not recommend the hotel I was in. The area where the campus is is fine. Most applicants stayed near the airport.

The interview Thursday was actually quite enjoyable. I no longer have doubts about the school. I like the idea of student centered learning in an underserved community. I think students will get alot of support here since much of the learning is done in small groups. The integrated curriclum is more appealing to me than the traditional rote memory.

Shout out to Monsoon338 and the rest of the 9 am crew!
 
Thet said that for the entering class of 2006 the mean gpa should be around 3.5 and the average mcat should be around 27.
 
27 MCAT this late in the cycle? So, basically, they are scooping up all the allo rejects that suddenly had a change of heart (just in the knick of time) and applied to osteo schools. What a fun entering class that will be. :meanie:
 
conniehaley said:
27 MCAT this late in the cycle? So, basically, they are scooping up all the allo rejects that suddenly had a change of heart (just in the knick of time) and applied to osteo schools. What a fun entering class that will be. :meanie:
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Despite their claim that it will be a 27 average, I have a hard time imagining that will actually happen. That school has a LOT to prove - I think they are just trying to match AZCOM's stats.
 
I see your point about scooping people up near the end of the admissions schedule. This is inevitable for any new school, especially for one with a more progressive education model; however, many of the applicants including myself had interviewed at a number of other osteopathic schools. So it least some people will have potentially gotten in at other schools as well.

I think they are most interested in students who are engaging and commited to their style of education and commited to three years at a remote CHC. They have so much enthusiasm for their education model, that they have little doubt that someone with lower undergraduate grades and a lower MCAT can succeed given the right amount of drive and determination. The support structures are built into the program.

Will the class not be as smart other medical school? Maybe on paper... But I was impressed with the applicants I met at the interview last Thursday. It is definately worth going to an interview if you get one. I got the feeling that most people after the interview knew right away whether or not this was a good fit for them.

I think it will be a very challenging program, because you will not be able to skip classes and spend your whole time cramming for exams. The instructors will know you by name and challenge you personally every step of the way. It will be interesting to see how many people pass the boards.

I sound like I'm trying to sell the school. Sorry. I'm just excited about the prospect of going to any medical school.
 
I thought those stats were pritty ridiculous expectations for an inaugural class, especially since there hasn't been all that much interest in it compared to the other schools opening this cycle. By the way, If you don't hear back by email the next day after your interview I believe that means you are either waitlisted or rejected.
 
I will see a bunch of you on the 8th... I was going to cancel my interview and just focus on my AZCOM one on Friday, the 9th, but I think I am going to go interview. Who knows if I will change my mind again... I still am having trouble swallowing the fact that if I chose this program I am locking myself into a specific kind of medical career and I dont know if I am quite ready for that yet...😕😕😕😕

Side note... I was put on an interview hold for the school originally with an MCAT score of 27... so maybe they started out by trying to get the smartest class possible and now are lowering their standards... but that is not to knock anyone else... just a theory.
 
so... now that i have eaten dinner... i dunno if i am gonna go to the interview...
 
do you know when mesa was open to receive primaries? i still haven't gotten an acceptance from the schools i applied to, but i mainly concentrated on east coast schools. do you think it's too late to send in a primary to mesa if they just started interviewing in dec? thanks guys.
 
lala83 said:
do you know when mesa was open to receive primaries? i still haven't gotten an acceptance from the schools i applied to, but i mainly concentrated on east coast schools. do you think it's too late to send in a primary to mesa if they just started interviewing in dec? thanks guys.
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I think their cut-off for primaries is 4/1, so why not.
 
hello everyone,

I am interviewing there the 22nd, and I am interested in seeing what kind of questions they asked during the interview, where there any of the standard why do you want to be a DO type of thing, ethical, etc? I went to the interview feedback but they only have responses for KCOM not Mesa. Anybody care to share

Thanks🙂
 
Was your interview the same as the others had expressed here, or were you asked different questions, and do you mind sharing those if they were different? I have an interview soon and I want to be prepared!
Thanks 😀
 
rarekare said:
For all those interviewing on Febuary 8th... Where are you guys coming from? I've found that knowing a bit about eachother before the interview definately has a calming effect on a day filled with a lot of anxiety!
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im coming from...seattle. grew up in spokane, washington, and went to the university of washington. i did some chc work (int'l community health services), and social services work connected to the chc.

has anyone tried doing that "hometown applicant" thing. i stumbled over it the other day and it looks like a cool voucher thing to give the extra leg up, but at the same time i looks like you have to have some sort of committment to that chc forever. either way.
 
The director of a CHC wrote a "hometown applicant" letter on my behalf. They mentioned it in the interview so it might have helped. Any connection to a CHC is a plus since we will be spending three years working/learning at one. Any experience working with an underserved population- migrant workers, homeless, uninsured, etc. can only help.
 
medicalkiss said:
so... now that i have eaten dinner... i dunno if i am gonna go to the interview...
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You should go...but on that morning, try not to eat breakfast, because you might change your mind. 😉
 
Does anyone know if Mesa is interviewing in March?
 
monsoon338 said:
Does anyone know if Mesa is interviewing in March?
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Yes, they are interviewing in March.
I was given the choice of Feb 15, 22, or March 1, all of which are Thursdays. (They only interview on Thursdays, and the presentation/interview takes the whole day.)

I will be interviewing on Feb 22. Some feedback from people who have interviewed would be appreciated!
 
i think joyce said they are interviewing through until april. i just got my acceptance letter today, after interviewing yesterday! *so turn in your chc sites asap* i've been applying for two years now, so its mos def a relief. classes start july 30th. i just hope i get seattle even though a lot of folks were interested in this site. they give you 14 days to decide, i think for the first 1G deposit. thanks bro/mletter/doc and others folks for the help. the school is really progressive, with its teaching and the semi-clinical 2nd year should be dope. and for folks worried about the new school issues, a good argument they made was that they grew out of the oldest osteopathic school, and improving all the methods that exist today would be the best model. plus the dean is the former aoa prez.

good luck to everyone, and safe travelling.
 
Soccergrl03 said:
Was your interview the same as the others had expressed here, or were you asked different questions, and do you mind sharing those if they were different? I have an interview soon and I want to be prepared!
Thanks 😀
Click to expand...

i had the same questions, and the same exact ethical question. see bro's thread from ealier. one other question though was "we believe in life-long learning, what does it mean to you, how will you incorporate it" something like that. a big tip though is to keep your guard up because you dont know who is watching, and who is going to be in on the committee.
 
dseattle said:
i just got my acceptance letter today, after interviewing yesterday!
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Congratulations!!!!!😀




dseattle said:
i had the same questions, and the same exact ethical question. see bro's thread from ealier. one other question though was "we believe in life-long learning, what does it mean to you, how will you incorporate it" something like that. a big tip though is to keep your guard up because you dont know who is watching, and who is going to be in on the committee.
Click to expand...

I COMPLETELY agree. The entire day is surrounded by people who may potentially be a decision maker on the adcom. It really says a lot about their desire to really know the applicants, and as they say "shape the physicians of tomorrow"
 
dseattle said:
i think joyce said they are interviewing through until april. i just got my acceptance letter today, after interviewing yesterday! *so turn in your chc sites asap* i've been applying for two years now, so its mos def a relief. classes start july 30th. i just hope i get seattle even though a lot of folks were interested in this site. they give you 14 days to decide, i think for the first 1G deposit. thanks bro/mletter/doc and others folks for the help. the school is really progressive, with its teaching and the semi-clinical 2nd year should be dope. and for folks worried about the new school issues, a good argument they made was that they grew out of the oldest osteopathic school, and improving all the methods that exist today would be the best model. plus the dean is the former aoa prez.

good luck to everyone, and safe travelling.
Click to expand...

Wow, How did you get an acceptance letter so quick. Are They making their decisions about students BEFORE the interview? Also, where abouts are your stats? Are you gonna take the acceptance? Just curious. 😀
 
So, are you told which CHC you will be at when they accept you? I thought this was the case, and i have a specific one in mind, so any input would be appreciated.
 
MD/DO ALMOST said:
So, are you told which CHC you will be at when they accept you? I thought this was the case, and i have a specific one in mind, so any input would be appreciated.
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The immediate acceptance is via email, about 2-3 weeks later you receive a packet that has your CHC assignment.
 
Thank you- that makes sense now.... So, if you just pick one place, and you are accepted, that would mean you are going there right? I guess???
 
MD/DO ALMOST said:
Thank you- that makes sense now.... So, if you just pick one place, and you are accepted, that would mean you are going there right? I guess???
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I guess that would be the case. However, how dedicated can you look to the adcom if you only rate one of the 11 CHCs?
 
VERY to that one, but I do see your point. It just so happens to be exactly where I want to live and the type of medicine I long to practice- long term case management of a local pop.... anyhow, I also have family in this rather 'isolated' CHC area, but none at the others. I am interested in this program even though I am already accepted at other medical institutions both allo and osteo, so I am genuinely 'dedicated'.




bro5137
"However, how dedicated can you look to the adcom if you only rate one of the 11 CHCs?"
 
I just recieved acceptance yesterday as well. They tell you the CHC you will be at upon acceptance. My CHC designated was the Tucson campus.
 
Congrats to everyone accepted..does anyone know which CHC sites are filled allready?
 
Hey guys! Got the acceptance email on friday, after interviewing on thursday! Just wanted to see if any of you guys were the really nice people at the Febuary 8th interview, if you got in, and if you intend to go....
 
MD/DO ALMOST said:
VERY to that one, but I do see your point. It just so happens to be exactly where I want to live and the type of medicine I long to practice- long term case management of a local pop.... anyhow, I also have family in this rather 'isolated' CHC area, but none at the others. I am interested in this program even though I am already accepted at other medical institutions both allo and osteo, so I am genuinely 'dedicated'.
QUOTE]



That makes a lot of sense. I hope you get the CHC that you want 🙂
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drjohnny said:
I'm interested in primary care also (IM or FP) -- which is why its DO all the way for me. The thing I had to consider at the end of the evening after the interviews were:

1. How will I stack up against other DO's and MD's?
2. I know that the COM-Mesa curriculum will make me a compassionate physician, but will it make me a COMPETENT SCIENTIST?

Dr. Wood talked about Evidence-Based Medical Education (EBME) in creating the curriculum but with no grads of COM-Mesa to talk to, it's hard to gauge how one will do in the real world. All of the new DO schools have a traditional curriculum. Without concrete answers during the Q&A session of interview day, I kept having this nagging feeling that I will probably be behind (compared to other medical doctors) when it comes to knowledge of the hard basic sciences.

Dr. Wood told a story during his presentation that when he was in med school, he was forced to learn about every single detail of the hand's anatomy. He continued to say "we won't do that here at COM-Mesa. It's not practical." Although I agreed with him wholeheartedly, it kinda gave me a red flag ---- wouldn't a good med student want to be taught every little detail, regardless of whether you'll ever use that information? Too much info is probably better than too little.
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Hey everyone,

First of all congrats to all you pre-DO's on any interviews and acceptances you have. And for everyone else, hang in there! I'm currently an M1 at NSU and thought I'd chime in on this thread since i've been reading SDN (prolly a little too much) over the last few years and want to give you something to think about. All I know about this new school is from what I've read here and on their website, and the curriculum sounds interesting. So here's a few things to think about:

First and foremost the curriculum. Many schools are going toward a clinical-oriented model. LECOM-B for example is very very heavy in PBL (they only take a couple traditional classes like Anatomy). Other schools like NSU have a program where everyother week we go for a half-day to a primary care docs office and observe/shadow/do H&Ps and whatever else. I think its a good component. However, I think all future physicians should have a pretty solid pre-clinical science background. The poster I quoted said that at ATSU, they're not gonna teach you every little detail about the hand for example. I'm curious as to how much they are going to omit.

A major difference between MD/DO's and mid-level practicioners such as PA's and Nurse Practicioners is the depth of knowledge we learn. Midlevels learn when a patient presents with A, look for B and C. Order Test #1 and #2, and if the results come back in a certain way, prescribe ____. The depth of understanding they recieve is no where near close as to what physicians do. Physicians learn the biochemical pathways behind the processes, the physiology of it, the pathology, genetics involoved, down to the cellular level. This is the reason why I think you have to be critical about any MEDICAL school that says "we don't think its practical for you to learn all that stuff. we want you to jump into evaluation and treatment sooner." When you are in rotations or in residency you will get pimped... a lot. The questions you get pimped on by your superiors will often be some of this minute detail which they may say is not "practical". Some of the more elite IM residencies even have a 30 minute pimping session in resident interviews! You don't want to show up with a gun half-loaded.

Another thing, how extensive are any hospital rotations? How diverse is the pathology seen at these hospitals? Do they offer in-patient based internal medicine and surgical rotations? I've done work in plenty of work in both hospitals and health clinic settings and I can tell you that one cannot subsitute the hospital learning experience completely by health clinics. And at that... many hospital rotations provide a sub-par learning experience when compared to other certain hospitals. You are going to want spend at least a couple rotations in clinical sites that offer diverse pathology, procedures, and preferably tertiary care services.

I must say, if you want to practice in an underserved rural setting, the curriculum does sound good. However, I can tell you from all the medical students, residents, and practicing doctors I've come into contact with... they all say one thing in common. Keep an open mind your first couple years as what field you want to go into. A very good amount of time, what you THINK your heart is set on when you start med school will the opposite of what you find you want to do when graduating med school. So my point is, some of you only wanting to do primary care may change your mind when exposed to rads, anethesia, neurology, surgery, IM-subspecialites, etc. Unless you're 100% you will go into primary care, you may want to think about how the medical school you choose will prepare you to go into other fields of medicine.

Also, how will this new curriculum effect your preparation for the boards? Some DO schools have struggled with their board pass rates in the past. For example, I've been told by students there that LECOM-B isn't very happy with their pass rates for the first group of students to take them last year. They still need to tinker with their PBL-only curriculum.

Sorry for the lengthy post. I'm not ripping on ATSU by any means, I just wanted to give everyone a few things to think about. Every school paints a pretty picture for you when you interview. know that once you're in med school you'll gain perspective on things that you never thought about as a pre-med. Good luck!
 
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