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NYCOM is a good school for a lot of reasons.
NYCOM has amazing clinical affiliations. There are somewhere between 15 and 20
hospitals that NYCOM is associated with. Clinical affiliations are important for two
reasons. First, they provide a place for third and fourth year students to learn,
Second, they provide opportunities to snag that all important residency in the
future. The larger the network of affiliations your school has, the more diversified
your clinical education will be. Also, the more hospitals that know your school, the
easier it is to get that residency.
NYCOM also has a very good reputation in the New York area. NYCOM students
are known for knowing their stuff. The school is highly respected and known for
turning out quality students. If you are worried about that "osteopathic" stigma
going into the hospitals, chances are you won't encounter them at NYCOM.
Some other pros about NYCOM:
We get a whole month off after second year to study for the boards and we get
six weeks off after the end of first year. Vacations and study time become some
of the most important things you care about in med school!
Um, as far as cons go, there will always be some. It really depends on your own
personal preferences.
NYCOM implemented a new testing schedule for the first years this year. We are
basically the guinea pigs. In the past the first years, starting in October had a
test every monday morning. Basically they had one test in one subject covering
three or four weeks of material and they would just rotate the subjects being
tested, i.e Week 1 would be Anatomy, week two would be biochem, week three
would be OMM, and week four would go back to anatomy. This year, they changed
all of that. We have four to five weeks of classes and a week of tests. Monday is
the Anatomy Practical, Tuesday is free. Wednesday is the OMM practical.
Thursday and Friday are the written examinations. The reason for the change in
exam policy was basically that students were spending all week studying for the
upcoming test on monday and basically forgetting about all the other subjects.
Obviously, the old way was more condusive to cramming. The new way allows you
to spend equal time on every subject every week. However, if you tried to cram,
you wouldn't do very well. You really need to keep up with everything and not fall
behind. The good part is that you get a few relatively stress free weeks and some
free weekends, including the weekend right after exam week where there is
absolutely no new material for you to study and you can do whatever you want.
Now, whether this is a pro or con, depends on your own personal preferences and
how you like to study and budget your time.
The way the school day runs:
twice a week you will have anatomy lab from 1 till 5.
once a week you will have OMM lab which is scheduled from 1 till 5. Most of the
time you are out by 3:30.
There are classes from 9 till 12, then an hour lunch break. After lunch you either
have lab or more classes. The afternoon classes usually run till 4 or 5.
Occasionally, you'll get out by 2:30.
This is the way things are for the first year from August till Christmas. Things
change a little after the new year and the days tend to be a little shorter because
the classes and labs you take change.
NYCOM's first year starts with OMM, Physiology, Anatomy, and Biochemistry.
There is a dress code at NYCOM, but I think that is the case at most schools.
Basically you have to wear your white coat.
There is no mandatory attendance policy, except for labs.
Class size at NYCOM is rather large. I think its around 250. But I really don't think
its that much of a problem, at least it hasen't been for me. The only places where
it could potentially be a problem is in labs. In both OMM and Anatomy though, I've
never felt like I haven't gotten the attention I've needed. The Professors, Fellows,
and TAs are always around and there is always enough help for those who need it
during lab as well as outside of lab.
All the professors at NYCOM pretty much have an open door policy. The answer
questions over email as well as questions posted to our student web board.
Anatomy Fellows hold reviews for both the practical and written starting two
weeks before exams, basically every day during lunch, after school, and on
weekends. The OMM fellows hold reviews for OMM lab stuff one day every week
during lunch time and hold two two hour review sessions the weekend before the
practical. Afterwards, they are available to help you practice your techniques.
Some organizations on campus hold mock practicals also. For this testing cycle,
the professors have been holding review sessions during lunch and after school for
those student swho need things clarified.
The library is small, but you really won't be spending too much time there. There
are plenty of other study areas around that are much more condusive to studying.
There are two quiet study rooms, tons of group study rooms, and lecture halls
that can be used as study space. And you are always free to use the NYIT library
if you really need that library atmosphere.
There is a weight room at NYCOM. Its small but sufficient. Most students use a
local gym that gives a major discount to NYCOM students. The student lounge had
a ping pong table, a fuse ball table, a big screen tv hooked up to direct tv, and
some couches.
The cafeteria does not serve hot food but they are planning on putting in a
kitchen this summer to allow for that and starting an optional meal plan for next
year. Currently most students either bring their own lunch, go out for lunch, or
buy lunch from the sandwich guy.
The computer lab is also kinda small but no one has ever had any problem getting
a computer when they needed one.
The area around NYCOM does tend to be a little pricy. Most people have
roommates to off set the cost. Most people pay between $300 and $500 each for
rent. People also complain about traffic. Thats really only a problem during rush
hour and if you live close enough, like in Glen Cove or Sea Cliff, its really not a
problem. I do recommend that if you do decide to come to NYCOM that you start
looking for housing in May or June when all the second years are giving up their
apartments. It gets a little harder to find a place the later in the summer you
start. There is a housing book in the library and housing postings on th web board
that help a lot when you are looking for a place to live.
Lets see, the only other con I can think of are the geese. They are everywhere on
campus and they don't leave for the winter. There have been several campaigns
by the students to displace them, but to no avail. I guess we'll just have to live
with them and their poop.
And don't forget about all those brand new facilities at NYCOM!!
There is the brand new state of the art OMM lab with motorized OMM treatment
tables!
The auditioriums are brand new too! Every desk has the ability to hook up to the
internet and view course notes off of the academic web site, as well as IM your
buddies when things get a little boring!
Oh, and one other good thing. The Professors give out their lecture notes (free of
charge, they're photocopied by the school). Most of the notes are well written
which eliminates the need to buy a ton of expensive texts.
[This message has been edited by NYCOMScrubs (edited 12-13-2000).]
NYCOM has amazing clinical affiliations. There are somewhere between 15 and 20
hospitals that NYCOM is associated with. Clinical affiliations are important for two
reasons. First, they provide a place for third and fourth year students to learn,
Second, they provide opportunities to snag that all important residency in the
future. The larger the network of affiliations your school has, the more diversified
your clinical education will be. Also, the more hospitals that know your school, the
easier it is to get that residency.
NYCOM also has a very good reputation in the New York area. NYCOM students
are known for knowing their stuff. The school is highly respected and known for
turning out quality students. If you are worried about that "osteopathic" stigma
going into the hospitals, chances are you won't encounter them at NYCOM.
Some other pros about NYCOM:
We get a whole month off after second year to study for the boards and we get
six weeks off after the end of first year. Vacations and study time become some
of the most important things you care about in med school!
Um, as far as cons go, there will always be some. It really depends on your own
personal preferences.
NYCOM implemented a new testing schedule for the first years this year. We are
basically the guinea pigs. In the past the first years, starting in October had a
test every monday morning. Basically they had one test in one subject covering
three or four weeks of material and they would just rotate the subjects being
tested, i.e Week 1 would be Anatomy, week two would be biochem, week three
would be OMM, and week four would go back to anatomy. This year, they changed
all of that. We have four to five weeks of classes and a week of tests. Monday is
the Anatomy Practical, Tuesday is free. Wednesday is the OMM practical.
Thursday and Friday are the written examinations. The reason for the change in
exam policy was basically that students were spending all week studying for the
upcoming test on monday and basically forgetting about all the other subjects.
Obviously, the old way was more condusive to cramming. The new way allows you
to spend equal time on every subject every week. However, if you tried to cram,
you wouldn't do very well. You really need to keep up with everything and not fall
behind. The good part is that you get a few relatively stress free weeks and some
free weekends, including the weekend right after exam week where there is
absolutely no new material for you to study and you can do whatever you want.
Now, whether this is a pro or con, depends on your own personal preferences and
how you like to study and budget your time.
The way the school day runs:
twice a week you will have anatomy lab from 1 till 5.
once a week you will have OMM lab which is scheduled from 1 till 5. Most of the
time you are out by 3:30.
There are classes from 9 till 12, then an hour lunch break. After lunch you either
have lab or more classes. The afternoon classes usually run till 4 or 5.
Occasionally, you'll get out by 2:30.
This is the way things are for the first year from August till Christmas. Things
change a little after the new year and the days tend to be a little shorter because
the classes and labs you take change.
NYCOM's first year starts with OMM, Physiology, Anatomy, and Biochemistry.
There is a dress code at NYCOM, but I think that is the case at most schools.
Basically you have to wear your white coat.
There is no mandatory attendance policy, except for labs.
Class size at NYCOM is rather large. I think its around 250. But I really don't think
its that much of a problem, at least it hasen't been for me. The only places where
it could potentially be a problem is in labs. In both OMM and Anatomy though, I've
never felt like I haven't gotten the attention I've needed. The Professors, Fellows,
and TAs are always around and there is always enough help for those who need it
during lab as well as outside of lab.
All the professors at NYCOM pretty much have an open door policy. The answer
questions over email as well as questions posted to our student web board.
Anatomy Fellows hold reviews for both the practical and written starting two
weeks before exams, basically every day during lunch, after school, and on
weekends. The OMM fellows hold reviews for OMM lab stuff one day every week
during lunch time and hold two two hour review sessions the weekend before the
practical. Afterwards, they are available to help you practice your techniques.
Some organizations on campus hold mock practicals also. For this testing cycle,
the professors have been holding review sessions during lunch and after school for
those student swho need things clarified.
The library is small, but you really won't be spending too much time there. There
are plenty of other study areas around that are much more condusive to studying.
There are two quiet study rooms, tons of group study rooms, and lecture halls
that can be used as study space. And you are always free to use the NYIT library
if you really need that library atmosphere.
There is a weight room at NYCOM. Its small but sufficient. Most students use a
local gym that gives a major discount to NYCOM students. The student lounge had
a ping pong table, a fuse ball table, a big screen tv hooked up to direct tv, and
some couches.
The cafeteria does not serve hot food but they are planning on putting in a
kitchen this summer to allow for that and starting an optional meal plan for next
year. Currently most students either bring their own lunch, go out for lunch, or
buy lunch from the sandwich guy.
The computer lab is also kinda small but no one has ever had any problem getting
a computer when they needed one.
The area around NYCOM does tend to be a little pricy. Most people have
roommates to off set the cost. Most people pay between $300 and $500 each for
rent. People also complain about traffic. Thats really only a problem during rush
hour and if you live close enough, like in Glen Cove or Sea Cliff, its really not a
problem. I do recommend that if you do decide to come to NYCOM that you start
looking for housing in May or June when all the second years are giving up their
apartments. It gets a little harder to find a place the later in the summer you
start. There is a housing book in the library and housing postings on th web board
that help a lot when you are looking for a place to live.
Lets see, the only other con I can think of are the geese. They are everywhere on
campus and they don't leave for the winter. There have been several campaigns
by the students to displace them, but to no avail. I guess we'll just have to live
with them and their poop.
And don't forget about all those brand new facilities at NYCOM!!
There is the brand new state of the art OMM lab with motorized OMM treatment
tables!
The auditioriums are brand new too! Every desk has the ability to hook up to the
internet and view course notes off of the academic web site, as well as IM your
buddies when things get a little boring!
Oh, and one other good thing. The Professors give out their lecture notes (free of
charge, they're photocopied by the school). Most of the notes are well written
which eliminates the need to buy a ton of expensive texts.
[This message has been edited by NYCOMScrubs (edited 12-13-2000).]
