AVERAGE board exam scores

[InterestedInPOD]

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Most pod schools mention the percentage of their class passing the board exam, but I haven't seen the actual average/median scores. Does anyone have this info?

1. Which school?
2. Average/median board exam score
3. % passing the first time

Thanks a lot!

 

[Stafocker]

Most pod schools mention the percentage of their class passing the board exam, but I haven't seen the actual average/median scores. Does anyone have this info?

1. Which school?
2. Average/median board exam score
3. % passing the first time

Thanks a lot!

it's pass fail board exam, all of them.

 

[JEWmongous]

Last year's first time (the important number) pass rate on part 1 boards I believe were 82% for all of the pod schools.

Top 3 Aprx. class size
AZPOD: 100 % 30 students
DMU: 96% 55 students
Scholl: 89% 100 students

I believe temple had about an 85 % last year, along with NYCPM in the 80's as well.

I'm not positive of the others (OCPM, Barry, Cali) as some of the schools really don't make the numbers public to applicants. Granted, we can see that a school (or two) have under the 82% pass rate to bring the percentages down.

Be careful about information you receive from the school's themselves. I was told during my Barry interview that their first time pass rate was 95%. I cannot really imagine that to be true, especially considering their pretty lax admissions standards! Maybe they told me the pass rate when including the students who took the test a second time.

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

Last year's first time (the important number) pass rate on part 1 boards I believe were 82% for all of the pod schools.

Top 3 Aprx. class size
AZPOD: 100 % 30 students
DMU: 96% 55 students
Scholl: 89% 100 students

I believe temple had about an 85 % last year, along with NYCPM in the 80's as well.

I'm not positive of the others (OCPM, Barry, Cali) as some of the schools really don't make the numbers public to applicants. Granted, we can see that a school (or two) have under the 82% pass rate to bring the percentages down.

Be careful about information you receive from the school's themselves. I was told during my Barry interview that their first time pass rate was 95%. I cannot really imagine that to be true, especially considering their pretty lax admissions standards! Maybe they told me the pass rate when including the students who took the test a second time.

Any school that doesn't make their pass rates public I question. Also many will say the pass rate for the class, that takes into account if students pass the 1st sitting or the 5th sitting.

That is why students from the each school should post pass rates on SDN. You can compare and crunch the numbers if the national pass rate is 82%, you can see which schools maybe fibbing.

 

[Feli]

As was said, the test is pass/fail, and around 80% of takers generally pass each year. "Average" would therefore be passing.

If you fail boards, esp as national class sizes start to increase, that will really put you at a severe disadvantage in terms of clerkship and residency considerations. You really want to learn as much as you can in your courses and study hard before boards.

Board pass rates matter, but they vary every year based on the student talent. You can succeed or fail anywhere. Here's a related thread, but keep in mind that pass rates are in flux every year...
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=477899

 

[InterestedInPOD]

it's pass fail board exam, all of them.

Well, I thought that all three parts of the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (NBPME) examinations are numerically scored. Would someone clarify this?

Also I heard that Part I is taken at the end of 2nd year. How about Part II and III? Thanks!

 

[Feli]

Well, I thought that all three parts of the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (NBPME) examinations are numerically scored. Would someone clarify this?

Also I heard that Part I is taken at the end of 2nd year. How about Part II and III? Thanks!

You are able to take pt1 anytime after completion of basic science coursework. It's usually taken in the summer after 2nd year; it's offered in July and Oct annually.

Pt2 can be taken when a student has completed clinical sciences. It is typically first attempted a couple months before graduation; it is offered Mar and May.

Part 3 can really be taken at the individual's discretion; it's offered Jun and Dec. Pennsylvania residencies require you to pass pt3 before starting, so you take it right after graduation. Other places, pt3 is taken as a resident; sometimes during first year, sometimes in 2nd year, etc... depends on the program and person.

 

[MaseratiGT]

You are able to take pt1 anytime after completion of basic science coursework. It's usually taken in the summer after 2nd year; it's offered in July and Oct annually.

Pt2 can be taken when a student has completed clinical sciences. It is typically first attempted a couple months before graduation; it is offered Mar and May.

Part 3 can really be taken at the individual's discretion; it's offered Jun and Dec. Pennsylvania residencies require you to pass pt3 before starting, so you take it right after graduation. Other places, pt3 is taken as a resident; sometimes during first year, sometimes in 2nd year, etc... depends on the program and person.

Feli,

When do FL students/residents take part III?

 

[HenryH]

it's pass fail board exam, all of them.

So what criteria do the best residency programs use when accepting/rejecting students? Pod. school course grades?

 

[Feli]

Feli,

When do FL students/residents take part III?

I really have no idea; you'd be better off asking a Florida DPM resident or a student interested in Fla programs. I don't look into residencies here very much; that definetly makes me in the minority at Barry since most grads want to stay in the Fla area (or at least in the the south).

Of course the Barry students who match with a PA residency have to take pt3 in June right after graduation; the Kendall (southwest Miami) and Florida VetAdmin residency programs (Miami and Tampa) now state on CASPR site that they require pt3 before beginning the residency program also.

Other FL grads and residents probably take it sometime during residency. I think it's most commonly attempted after PGY-1, but I could be wrong. I'm fairly sure that passage of pt 1 and 2 is a pre-req for pt3 registration.

 

[Haffadoc]

Last year's first time (the important number) pass rate on part 1 boards I believe were 82% for all of the pod schools.

Top 3 Aprx. class size
AZPOD: 100 % 30 students
DMU: 96% 55 students
Scholl: 89% 100 students

I believe temple had about an 85 % last year, along with NYCPM in the 80's as well.

I'm not positive of the others (OCPM, Barry, Cali) as some of the schools really don't make the numbers public to applicants. Granted, we can see that a school (or two) have under the 82% pass rate to bring the percentages down.

Be careful about information you receive from the school's themselves. I was told during my Barry interview that their first time pass rate was 95%. I cannot really imagine that to be true, especially considering their pretty lax admissions standards! Maybe they told me the pass rate when including the students who took the test a second time.

I did not realize that my class had 55 students take the test. I only thought I had 47 students in my class and that only 46 of them took the test. Also, I never realized that DMU gave out the information about pass rates until after October because we have some students that wish to take the test in October. From what the Dean told us I am pretty sure we had a 100%.

Better check your stats before posting.

 

[bdaddyjolley]

Any school that doesn't make their pass rates public I question. Also many will say the pass rate for the class, that takes into account if students pass the 1st sitting or the 5th sitting.

That is why students from the each school should post pass rates on SDN. You can compare and crunch the numbers if the national pass rate is 82%, you can see which schools maybe fibbing.

Here's what my multiple sources say for first time sitting, which should be pretty reliable.

1. AZPOD- 100%
2. DMU-93%
3. Scholl-89%
4. Temple-86%
5. CSPM- 82%
6. Ohio-74%
7. NYCPM- 74%
8. Barry- No data

 

[MaseratiGT]

I really have no idea; you'd be better off asking a Florida DPM resident or a student interested in Fla programs. I don't look into residencies here very much; that definetly makes me in the minority at Barry since most grads want to stay in the Fla area (or at least in the the south).

Of course the Barry students who match with a PA residency have to take pt3 in June right after graduation; the Kendall (southwest Miami) and Florida VetAdmin residency programs (Miami and Tampa) now state on CASPR site that they require pt3 before beginning the residency program also.

Other FL grads and residents probably take it sometime during residency. I think it's most commonly attempted after PGY-1, but I could be wrong. I'm fairly sure that passage of pt 1 and 2 is a pre-req for pt3 registration.

Thanks for the info! I'll take part III on the moon the day after gradution to get back here to warm weather. 🙂

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

Here's what my multiple sources say for first time sitting, which should be pretty reliable.

1. AZPOD- 100%
2. DMU-93%
3. Scholl-89%
4. Temple-86%
5. CSPM- 82%
6. Ohio-74%
7. NYCPM- 74%
8. Barry- No data

Nice. Can we get estimated class sizes so we can figure out what Barry should have scored. This looks pretty accurate so far (DMU was 96% but that is splitting hairs). With OCPM and NYCPM at about 75% and the fact they have close to 25 to 30% of the students. I would guess that would put Barry at about 75%.

It is nice to see that Temple is doing better. Also, I noticed that they took down the stupid "Harvard of podiatry" line on the website.

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

I did not realize that my class had 55 students take the test. I only thought I had 47 students in my class and that only 46 of them took the test. Also, I never realized that DMU gave out the information about pass rates until after October because we have some students that wish to take the test in October. From what the Dean told us I am pretty sure we had a 100%.

Better check your stats before posting.

Yes but he was quoting the first time sitting rates which would have been 45/47 or 96%. Two people did not pass on their first sitting. The overall pass rate is 100% with those two passing and the 3rd student that did not sit the first time passing.

 

[Feli]

Nice. Can we get estimated class sizes so we can figure out what Barry should have scored. This looks pretty accurate so far (DMU was 96% but that is splitting hairs). With OCPM and NYCPM at about 75% and the fact they have close to 25 to 30% of the students. I would guess that would put Barry at about 75%.

It is nice to see that Temple is doing better. Also, I noticed that they took down the stupid "Harvard of podiatry" line on the website.

Barry was a 79% if it's tallking about July 2007 sitting. I think I posted that a few times. However, a fair amount of the students in my class didn't attempt the exam in July for whatever reason (money, scared, too busy to study with starting clinical rotations, etc), so our pass rate might have suffered from non-takers just like Haffadoc pointed out that DMU's did.

Barry never reports board scores, and they don't rank the students either. I'm not sure why that is, but it's just their policy. I believe it's to prevent excessive competition between students in regard to scholarships and the like, but I don't know for sure.

 

[bdaddyjolley]

Nice. Can we get estimated class sizes so we can figure out what Barry should have scored. This looks pretty accurate so far (DMU was 96% but that is splitting hairs). With OCPM and NYCPM at about 75% and the fact they have close to 25 to 30% of the students. I would guess that would put Barry at about 75%.

It is nice to see that Temple is doing better. Also, I noticed that they took down the stupid "Harvard of podiatry" line on the website.

Yeah, I have to admit that line was pretty stupid. I think Temple will continue to do better as they try and getter better qualified students.

I got the 93% for DMU by a report saying 44 passed and 3 failed. I divided 44/47=93%. It did say though after october that 47 passed and 0 failed. I don't know where the difference comes from when comparing to your 45/47 figure.

 

[Stafocker]

It is nice to see that Temple is doing better. Also, I noticed that they took down the stupid "Harvard of podiatry" line on the website.

lol

 

[Stafocker]

So what criteria do the best residency programs use when accepting/rejecting students? Pod. school course grades?

Great question. The boards should be scored in my opinion cause Pod School grades vary so much, and some have different grading scales.

But just like Pod School interviews, it varies with each program. Some programs may drill the heck out of you during the interview or externship, but even the best programs sometimes just rely on social abilities especially after an impressive month. (Due to privacy reasons, I cannot name any programs, this is solely my opinion).

I think Feli and some others have collected a lot of info from these forums and gathered tips on which residency programs look for what, etc.

 

[doclm]

Great question. The boards should be scored in my opinion cause Pod School grades vary so much, and some have different grading scales.

But just like Pod School interviews, it varies with each program. Some programs may drill the heck out of you during the interview or externship, but even the best programs sometimes just rely on social abilities especially after an impressive month. (Due to privacy reasons, I cannot name any programs, this is solely my opinion).

I think Feli and some others have collected a lot of info from these forums and gathered tips on which residency programs look for what, etc.

I totally agree that we should have scores instead of P/F. Also, I cannot believe how some schools have 25% of the class fail the part I boards. Its not like the boards are that difficult in the first place.

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

Yeah, I have to admit that line was pretty stupid. I think Temple will continue to do better as they try and getter better qualified students.

I got the 93% for DMU by a report saying 44 passed and 3 failed. I divided 44/47=93%. It did say though after october that 47 passed and 0 failed. I don't know where the difference comes from when comparing to your 45/47 figure.

44/46 in July; 1 student I guess did not sit b/c the idiots messed up his registration. He passed on his first sitting in October, even though they messed up again and told him that they didn't think he could take it. Technically he passed on first sitting and I wouldn't penalize him b/c of NBPME's mistake.

So that makes 45/47 passing grades on first sitting.

 

[Haffadoc]

Yeah, I have to admit that line was pretty stupid. I think Temple will continue to do better as they try and getter better qualified students.

I got the 93% for DMU by a report saying 44 passed and 3 failed. I divided 44/47=93%. It did say though after october that 47 passed and 0 failed. I don't know where the difference comes from when comparing to your 45/47 figure.

I know that you got that from our IPMSA president. However, what I am trying to say is that number is complete hearsay because the dean never comes out and says what our pass rate is until after October. What he put in their is a complete guess.It is completely based on rumor and by asking around. Honestly we may have had more students fail who were not willing to admit they did by that account

 

[HenryH]

Great question. The boards should be scored in my opinion cause Pod School grades vary so much, and some have different grading scales.

But just like Pod School interviews, it varies with each program. Some programs may drill the heck out of you during the interview or externship, but even the best programs sometimes just rely on social abilities especially after an impressive month. (Due to privacy reasons, I cannot name any programs, this is solely my opinion).

I think Feli and some others have collected a lot of info from these forums and gathered tips on which residency programs look for what, etc.

So your best bet is to impress during the externship/rotations, as well as the interview with the residency program?

 

[densmore22]

Yeah, I have to admit that line was pretty stupid. I think Temple will continue to do better as they try and getter better qualified students.

I got the 93% for DMU by a report saying 44 passed and 3 failed. I divided 44/47=93%. It did say though after october that 47 passed and 0 failed. I don't know where the difference comes from when comparing to your 45/47 figure.

What report? and when did you become an administrator at Temple to get priviledged info to the sort?

Just curious.

 

[FootFetish]

I don't think the original question has been answered yet. I think the average score is "pass".

 

[JEWmongous]

I did not realize that my class had 55 students take the test. I only thought I had 47 students in my class and that only 46 of them took the test. Also, I never realized that DMU gave out the information about pass rates until after October because we have some students that wish to take the test in October. From what the Dean told us I am pretty sure we had a 100%.

Better check your stats before posting.

45/47 is 95.7 % passing rate which to me, is pretty close to 96%. Sorry about the class size, I did say approximate though. I didn't know the exact number of students who actually sat for the test.

Doesn't DMU start out with about 55 students?

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

45/47 is 95.7 % passing rate which to me, is pretty close to 96%. Sorry about the class size, I did say approximate though. I didn't know the exact number of students who actually sat for the test.

Doesn't DMU start out with about 55 students?

What you start out with is never what you finish with. Some students leave for personal reasons or to go into another career i.e. DO program. Still others do not pass. So those that don't pass some of them may be offered to go into the directed studies (5 year program). The others are told thanks and goodbye. The school is very firm on not leading students on if they don't think that they will pass the classes.

One thing to remember is that the DPM students must keep up with the DOs. There is no separate grading scale. I'm sure the same is true at AZPOD.

 

[JEWmongous]

What you start out with is never what you finish with. Some students leave for personal reasons or to go into another career i.e. DO program. Still others do not pass. So those that don't pass some of them may be offered to go into the directed studies (5 year program). The others are told thanks and goodbye. The school is very firm on not leading students on if they don't think that they will pass the classes.

One thing to remember is that the DPM students must keep up with the DOs. There is no separate grading scale. I'm sure the same is true at AZPOD.

Right, I understand what you are saying Feelgood. To me, the thing about AZPOD that "appears" more grueling is that the pods have to take the full 2 years with the DO's, while at DMU it is the first year with DO's and then the pharm course in the second year (please correct me if I'm wrong). Also, DMU has a summer break after first year while AZPOD has summer courses (which I feel may cause burnout with the non-stop curriculum).

Idk if class size affects things much, but now the osteopathic school at arizona increased their class size by 100 students, so theres about 280 students total in the lecture hall with you for the first 2 years (except for pod specific courses).

 

[doclm]

What you start out with is never what you finish with. Some students leave for personal reasons or to go into another career i.e. DO program. Still others do not pass. So those that don't pass some of them may be offered to go into the directed studies (5 year program). The others are told thanks and goodbye. The school is very firm on not leading students on if they don't think that they will pass the classes.

One thing to remember is that the DPM students must keep up with the DOs. There is no separate grading scale. I'm sure the same is true at AZPOD.

If the first two years of AZPOD is taking DO classes, when do they learn Podiatry? Such as, LE anatomy, General Biomechanics, Principles to Pod Med, Clinical Biomechanics/sports med, F&A radiology, ect..??

Just curious....

I know that you guys at DMU catch up with the Pod stuff towards the later half of your second year.

 

[Stafocker]

I don't think the original question has been answered yet. I think the average score is "pass".

lol

 

[Stafocker]

So your best bet is to impress during the externship/rotations, as well as the interview with the residency program?

I'd say get good grades to get in the door, then kick *** at the interviews and rotations. but this is solely my opinion and not reflected on any program or institution.

 

[HenryH]

What you start out with is never what you finish with. Some students leave for personal reasons or to go into another career i.e. DO program. Still others do not pass. So those that don't pass some of them may be offered to go into the directed studies (5 year program). The others are told thanks and goodbye. The school is very firm on not leading students on if they don't think that they will pass the classes.

One thing to remember is that the DPM students must keep up with the DOs. There is no separate grading scale. I'm sure the same is true at AZPOD.

Just out of curiosity, if you decide in the middle of the first or second year that you want to pursue another field of medicine and wish to change to the DO program, do you have to start the application process (to the DO school) all over from scratch?

 

[JEWmongous]

If the first two years of AZPOD is taking DO classes, when do they learn Podiatry? Such as, LE anatomy, General Biomechanics, Principles to Pod Med, Clinical Biomechanics/sports med, F&A radiology, ect..??

Just curious....

I know that you guys at DMU catch up with the Pod stuff towards the later half of your second year.

AZPOD is on a different semester setup so that makes it possible to fit in more courses. The first year is the trimester system. Furthermore, you have sort of a quarter system the 2nd year which begins right after first year ends (ie a summer semester). During the summer, you take biomechanics, pod med course, medical imaging, Lower extremity anatomy I, etc. In addition, they sub. pod classes for the DO specific ones during the regular year (intro to pod med for OMM, biomechanics, community podiatric medicine, etc).

All in all, I feel the AZPOD setup has you going year round to school to fufill all the pod specific and basic science courses. The DO's at AZCOM have the summer free while the pod students have a summer courseload of 17.5 credits. I'm very curious how the AZPOD students feel about this. It seems pretty grueling to have courses year round.

Scholl is actually getting rid of the normal few month long summer vacation for students between 1st and 2nd year (we will now have a 2 week vacation instead). This is what the administration decided to do in order to implement the "2+2" curriculum. I understand the class of 2012 will end workshops and rotations at the on-campus clinic during november of the 3rd year...then go off for required rotations in the chicagoland area hospitals,externships, etc.

 

[PharmD/DPM]

O.k., Here's all the info from Scholl! First, with last year's Part I board scores and our apparrent 89%, they were all "rigged." Nothing fraudulant occurred, but there was some discprepensies hapenning with the test itself. Apparently, some of the student told me that this Part II exam was Computer Adaptive on the PC (which means you may or not go back to change you answer ). That's not where the problems arise. You see, several dozen students from the school was told that if they skipped a questions during the test, then they coud just go back and fix it. NOPE, that was not the case, You could not go back to an old answers that you left blank and fill then in, You got the answer WRONG! I do't know the exacts, but I'm pretty sure 12-15 people failed.


Now let's go back to a time before all these "computer fiascos." Let's go back to July '06 when MY Scholl class'08 took Part I and scored in the mid-high 90's. Ony 1 or 2 people failled out of a class of over 90 students then, I remember it was DMU and Scholl haviing the two best Board score in the mid-high 90's that year.

But, don't worry folks, we take Part II in 3 weeks (March 5th) and are getting ready for. Hope all is good and well for eveyone!

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

O.k., Here's all the info from Scholl! First, with last year's Part I board scores and our apparrent 89%, they were all "rigged." Nothing fraudulant occurred, but there was some discprepensies hapenning with the test itself. Apparently, some of the student told me that this Part II exam was Computer Adaptive on the PC (which means you may or not go back to change you answer ). That's not where the problems arise. You see, several dozen students from the school was told that if they skipped a questions during the test, then they coud just go back and fix it. NOPE, that was not the case, You could not go back to an old answers that you left blank and fill then in, You got the answer WRONG! I do't know the exacts, but I'm pretty sure 12-15 people failed.


Now let's go back to a time before all these "computer fiascos." Let's go back to July '06 when MY Scholl class'08 took Part I and scored in the mid-high 90's. Ony 1 or 2 people failled out of a class of over 90 students then, I remember it was DMU and Scholl haviing the two best Board score in the mid-high 90's that year.

But, don't worry folks, we take Part II in 3 weeks (March 5th) and are getting ready for. Hope all is good and well for eveyone!

Michal Piszczuk, MS4, PharmD, RPh
Scholl College 2008

Without trying to undermine those problems, they were present at DMU also. There was confusion about being able to go back on the test. I believe one student had problems logging and and did get to start the test for about an hour. Another (as I mentioned before) did get to take it at all. One student was forced to go to SF to take the test. So there were big problems across the board.

 

[dpmgrad]

Well, I thought that all three parts of the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (NBPME) examinations are numerically scored. Would someone clarify this?

Thanks!

The scores for NBPME Part I and II exams are pass/fail only.
The scores of NBPME Part III (or formerly known as PMLexis) are scored numerically. It is up to the individual state to report the score to the candidates. Some states will only report pass / fail to candidates. Other states will report the score.

 

[Cheetos]

AZPOD is on a different semester setup so that makes it possible to fit in more courses. The first year is the trimester system. Furthermore, you have sort of a quarter system the 2nd year which begins right after first year ends (ie a summer semester). During the summer, you take biomechanics, pod med course, medical imaging, Lower extremity anatomy I, etc. In addition, they sub. pod classes for the DO specific ones during the regular year (intro to pod med for OMM, biomechanics, community podiatric medicine, etc).

All in all, I feel the AZPOD setup has you going year round to school to fufill all the pod specific and basic science courses. The DO's at AZCOM have the summer free while the pod students have a summer courseload of 17.5 credits. I'm very curious how the AZPOD students feel about this. It seems pretty grueling to have courses year round

It is grueeeelliinnngg, I'm so tired and am constantly living in the library 😴😀 While I do admit our program is challenging with no summer and constant match up to the DOs, it's been worth it so far. (Perhaps I won't be saying this when summer comes) I've learned so much since coming here and it has forced everyone to keep up. Although I've heard that 2nd yr is a killer when we take Pathology. Also note that we started with 35 ppl at the beginning of Fall Quarter, we're down to 23 ppl. Below is our curriculum outline. And yes we're on the quarter system.

http://mwunet.midwestern.edu/administrative/Registrar/documents/0708_Curriculums/PMS_class2011.doc

 

[cool_vkb]

It is grueeeelliinnngg, I'm so tired and am constantly living in the library 😴😀 While I do admit our program is challenging with no summer and constant match up to the DOs, it's been worth it so far. (Perhaps I won't be saying this when summer comes) I've learned so much since coming here and it has forced everyone to keep up. Although I've heard that 2nd yr is a killer when we take Pathology. Also note that we started with 35 ppl at the beginning of Fall Quarter, we're down to 23 ppl. Below is our curriculum outline. And yes we're on the quarter system.

http://mwunet.midwestern.edu/administrative/Registrar/documents/0708_Curriculums/PMS_class2011.doc

ha ha ha, 23 people classs. reminds me of my undergrad junior yr classes.

 

[azstdnt]

The schedule AZPOD schedule is not as grueling as one might think. If people wanted to get rid of the first summer you could jam it all into other quarters and take the same courseload as the DOs, plus maybe a little more in order to make up the extra podiatry classes. For me, the summer was less intense academically and served as a break....not sure what everyone else thinks, but most quarters the pod students have less class hours than DOs allowing for more time to study for big three...path, pharm and micro (2nd year). Burnout only seems to happen at the end of the quarter.....I'm just waiting for my air conditioned golf cart to take me to classes in the summer!

 

[165007]

hmmm, azpod students only get 3 externships?

 

[InterestedInPOD]

It is grueeeelliinnngg, I'm so tired and am constantly living in the library 😴😀 While I do admit our program is challenging with no summer and constant match up to the DOs, it's been worth it so far. (Perhaps I won't be saying this when summer comes) I've learned so much since coming here and it has forced everyone to keep up. Although I've heard that 2nd yr is a killer when we take Pathology. Also note that we started with 35 ppl at the beginning of Fall Quarter, we're down to 23 ppl. Below is our curriculum outline. And yes we're on the quarter system.

http://mwunet.midwestern.edu/administrative/Registrar/documents/0708_Curriculums/PMS_class2011.doc

Why did the school lose 1/3 of its student body? 😕

 

[azstdnt]

The school is actually doing a lot of the students a favor by making it challenging. You could either drag some below average students through school for 2 years let them take boards and fail, or let them fail a course. Saves them a bunch of money then they are only out one quarter of tuition. Remember people leave for a variety of reasons not just academic, but a couple more don't hang here. IMO the school is doing these people and our profession a favor. Also, I think as the administration does more interviews they will know what students can hang here and will improve in the future. BTW azpod is able to do this because we are affiliated with a large institution....

Far as I know on externships you have 4 in your fourth year ~ 9 months, with an optional 5th.

 

[JEWmongous]

The school is actually doing a lot of the students a favor by making it challenging. You could either drag some below average students through school for 2 years let them take boards and fail, or let them fail a course. Saves them a bunch of money then they are only out one quarter of tuition. Remember people leave for a variety of reasons not just academic, but a couple more don't hang here. IMO the school is doing these people and our profession a favor. Also, I think as the administration does more interviews they will know what students can hang here and will improve in the future. BTW azpod is able to do this because we are affiliated with a large institution....

Far as I know on externships you have 4 in your fourth year ~ 9 months, with an optional 5th.

My interviewers told me the whole 4th year is open.
I was like, "Tthis school is pretty similar to DMU's setup"
One interviewer: "But our curriculum is much harder"

 

[TheBee]

I also interviewed at AZPod, and while they didn't have any students around for me to meet with, I did happen into a few of them during lunch. Their reviews of the school were mixed, some liked the curriculum and others didn't, but they didn't have the same enthusiasm as students I met at other schools. When discussing the curriculum I saw eyes rolling and heard a few sighs. Granted my interview was around the holidays, but so were my interviews at three other schools.

During my interview I asked several times about the attrition rate, as I had heard rumors about it on SDN and from others. The faculty weren't shy about discussing it, but they chalked it up to mostly the student's fault. Maybe they were the ones to choose to leave AzPod, but I'm not so sure I'd go so far as to insinuate it's their "fault". I have a feeling many factors contributed to such a life-changing decision, some of which were certainly because of the school iteslf.

As for Scholl taking away the summer break to go to the 2+2, I feel bitter sweet about the change. On the one hand, a long break might allow me to get out of the routine of studying and allow my brain to turn to goo. Very bad. But on the other hand, crap! No summer break? Boo.

We'll just have to party it up anyway JewMongous!

 

[JEWmongous]

I also interviewed at AZPod, and while they didn't have any students around for me to meet with, I did happen into a few of them during lunch. Their reviews of the school were mixed, some liked the curriculum and others didn't, but they didn't have the same enthusiasm as students I met at other schools. When discussing the curriculum I saw eyes rolling and heard a few sighs. Granted my interview was around the holidays, but so were my interviews at three other schools.

During my interview I asked several times about the attrition rate, as I had heard rumors about it on SDN and from others. The faculty weren't shy about discussing it, but they chalked it up to mostly the student's fault. Maybe they were the ones to choose to leave AzPod, but I'm not so sure I'd go so far as to insinuate it's their "fault". I have a feeling many factors contributed to such a life-changing decision, some of which were certainly because of the school iteslf.

As for Scholl taking away the summer break to go to the 2+2, I feel bitter sweet about the change. On the one hand, a long break might allow me to get out of the routine of studying and allow my brain to turn to goo. Very bad. But on the other hand, crap! No summer break? Boo.

We'll just have to party it up anyway JewMongous!

I hear ya about AZPOD. For scholl, even with the new schedule,I think we have a pretty light summer schedule (people can still do the paid research) after the first year so I've been thinking....hit up the "beach!" Sounds good to me. Furthermore, our summer break is 2 weeks.

 

[Dr. Gangrene]

I also interviewed at AZPod, and while they didn't have any students around for me to meet with, I did happen into a few of them during lunch. Their reviews of the school were mixed, some liked the curriculum and others didn't, but they didn't have the same enthusiasm as students I met at other schools. When discussing the curriculum I saw eyes rolling and heard a few sighs. Granted my interview was around the holidays, but so were my interviews at three other schools.

During my interview I asked several times about the attrition rate, as I had heard rumors about it on SDN and from others. The faculty weren't shy about discussing it, but they chalked it up to mostly the student's fault. Maybe they were the ones to choose to leave AzPod, but I'm not so sure I'd go so far as to insinuate it's their "fault". I have a feeling many factors contributed to such a life-changing decision, some of which were certainly because of the school iteslf.

As for Scholl taking away the summer break to go to the 2+2, I feel bitter sweet about the change. On the one hand, a long break might allow me to get out of the routine of studying and allow my brain to turn to goo. Very bad. But on the other hand, crap! No summer break? Boo.

We'll just have to party it up anyway JewMongous!

You're right, their are always 2 sides to a coin. However, I am in the class of 2011 Azpod, and 75% of the students who started with us and are no longer here could not handle the amount of material we get. Whether it was lack of intelligence (I don't think so) or poor study habits (bingo), they are no longer here.
There are pros and cons to every school, but feedback we are getting about our 4th year class (1st one) is they know more and are more competent at some skills than first year residents at some of the programs. I am not saying we are better than anyone else, but if you keep up with the load, you definetly know your stuff after attending azpod.

 

[Cheetos]

You're right, their are always 2 sides to a coin. However, I am in the class of 2011 Azpod, and 75% of the students who started with us and are no longer here could not handle the amount of material we get. Whether it was lack of intelligence (I don't think so) or poor study habits (bingo), they are no longer here.
There are pros and cons to every school, but feedback we are getting about our 4th year class (1st one) is they know more and are more competent at some skills than first year residents at some of the programs. I am not saying we are better than anyone else, but if you keep up with the load, you definetly know your stuff after attending azpod.

I ran into a 4th yr at Scholl through a friend and he was telling me that he met a few AZPODers. He was saying that AZPOD kids know so much of their stuff 👍

And it is true, the moment classes start here, you hit the ground running. With exams hitting the 3rd week after orientation and every Monday after that, some ppl just weren't simply adjusted to that yet and ended up falling behind and more behind as the quarter progressed. AZPOD does have the policy where if you fail 2 classes, you're out, and yes below 70% is automatic F (no curve) but I think this is true for most schools. We get hit with so much amount of material but it is medical school so what can you expect. We are treated with the same high expectations as the DOs here. It is a good challenge and will make you into a really good clinician. You do get used to it. But if you're not up to it and think you can take it slow the first few weeks of classes like back in undergrad, then don't come here.

 

[jonwill]

My interviewers told me the whole 4th year is open.
I was like, "Tthis school is pretty similar to DMU's setup"
One interviewer: "But our curriculum is much harder"