The facilities at NYCOM have grown considerably since I started school there three years ago. NYCOM recently opened a new building with two large lecture halls for first and second year students. When you visit NYCOM you will see that they are quite impressive. In addition the building has a brand new Osteopathic Medicine lab with brand new tables and TV sets in front of each table to allow for better visibilty of the stage where procedures are demonstrated. In the basement, there are locker rooms with lockers large enough for you place your microscope and bookbag. You also have your own mailbox. Although, the building is beautiful and quite up to date, it has its faults. Since it is close to the pond, the basement sometimes floods. But the maintance department has learned to deal with the situation effectively. NYCOM is also renovating the NYCOM II building so that there is a larger study area, cafeteria and a small gym where students can use the weights, the Nautilus and treadmills. I am not sure if that project has been completed, but I know that they are working on the construction the last time I checked.
The faculty as well as the procedures at NYCOM have changed drastically since I was a first year there. My class took exams every Monday through out the whole year. Now NYCOM has switched to a block examination system. This means that every 4 weeks or so, you have a whole week of exams. Which seems good, but you'd have to speak with a current first year to see how well it works for them.
The faculty at NYCOM has also changed considerably. There has been a siginificant change in the anatomy department. Where most of the intructors are new to NYCOM. My experience with the faculty has always been very positive. They are all willing to help you, if you are willing to help yourself. They are helpful, intelligent and knowledgeable individuals who (as far as my experience tells me) are very good at their job.
During the first year I did not have a car, so I used to have to take the bus. Fortunately my very long rides seemed very short at times because my biochemistry and physiology professor, Dr. Stepp used to take the bus with me. Every morning we would meet at the bus stop and we would have discussions about what he tought the day before or what he was going to teach that day. It gave me the chance to ask questions that I did not think of asking when I was listening to the lecture. He was always willing to answer my questions and we always had good time riding the bus together.
Just like any school, you have professors who are meant to teach and then those who should be locked in lab and never allowed to see the light of a classroom. NYCOM is not different. But you learn to deal with it. Every student who is willing to work (and I mean really work) will get through.
As far as the surrounding area goes, you can't ask for anything better. NYCOM is located on the campus of the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury. Old Westbury is a very posh and upscale neighborhood. You will not find any riff raff in this area.
One piece of advice. If you want to come to NYCOM, you will need a car. The bus frequency is not very good. In the morning the frequency is every half hour, but in the afternoon it can be every 90 minutes to 2 hours. Therefore, if you want convenient transportation from home to school, you will need a car.
I hope I answered some of your questions. If you have anymore let me know.
