AZCOM Discussion thread 2007-2008

Started by mshheaddoc
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zch76 said:
I personally feel that a large scale increase of students is a terrible idea when they are already struggling for rotation sites. Why shouldn't the administration and faculty be questioned at an interview. Interviews are not just for you to explain yourself but for the school to also explain itself to you. This class increase and lack of planning makes me worry. Are you willing to throw your 40K+ a year towards a school that can't provide you with decent clinical rotations. Does anyone know if AZCOM has officially announced it's class size for next year???
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I think they were approved. They would NOT have been approved without ways to accomodate the increase. AZCOM is not blindly adding students and they are not getting approval for something that the AOA thinks will fail. Maybe they have better answers to questions now if the increase is official? No medical school will take students, teach them the basic sciences then leave them hanging when it is time for rotations. I will go to AZCOM, I will get my rotations I need and I will get out of them what I put into them. The same thing would happen at ANY other school I would have gone to. So really, if the students that have decided to go to AZCOM are not worried, then why are students that have chosen other schools concerned? I understand if you are considering the school, but if it is not even an option because of all this, then let it go. Focus on your school of choice or the schools you are choosing between!
 
and if you are seriously considering AZCOM and this is all still a concern to you. Contact them, talk to doctors that DO rotate with the students, talk to actual students there etc... I think you will hear good things. Like I said before, more then one doctor has encouraged me to go to AZCOM because the students from there are significantly more prepared for rotations then students from other schools. These doctors are in no way affiliated with AZCOM aside from taking students from there. They did not graduate there or from CCOM. Some are MDs. They also take students from other good schools (MD and DO). So again, if you are not considering AZCOM, then leave it alone. If you are, then get both sides of things. You already have the view of the students who are not in medical school (and were possibly rejected by AZCOM?). Get the viewpoint of some of your future professors, peers and physicians you will rotate with!
 
mailed aacomas on 11/18 and still haven't received a secondary or anything from AZCOM. Should I just assume it's not coming lol?
 
Maybe I can shed some light on some of these issues. I am a first year student at AZCOM, and I have been very happy with the basic sciences so far. That said, I am in a class with 147 students and everything seems to be a good fit for our class size. Obviously, I cannot say much about what will happen when the class size increases.

Last year while I was applying, it seemed that SDN was bombarded by students with grudges and there was little from the students that are happy with their education. This seems to be an SDN-phenomenon, because the overall opinion I have gotten from talking with current students (not through SDN) is that most 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students are very happy.

3rd and 4th year rotations are really the major issue from what I have heard, and it all stems from the fact that in the past, AZCOM has been offered additional costly ward based rotation sites but has opted to go with cheaper proctor based rotations to fill the gaps. To compound this, they used to allow students to set up their own rotations and go on as many out of state 3rd year rotations as they wanted. They changed that policy as the ball got rolling on more secure instate rotations, which angered some students - especially current 2nd years who came to AZCOM after being told they would have these open rotations during their interviews.

Dean Kemper seems to be very confident about the changes being implemented and the fact that there will be enough rotations to go around.

In the past on SDN, I have said that I would worry about the rotation issue if I were an incoming student, and I still see this as a negative for the school.
But, here are some of the positives from my point of view:

1) Most of the faculty is awesome. They genuinely care about how you are doing, and try their best to help. The department chairs go above and beyond in a lot of ways (for those of you who are incoming students, you will understand exactly what I mean when you see the spiral notebooks for anatomy).

2) The note system is great, what you need to know is right on the notes that you are given every week. Some of the lectures are better written than others, but if its on there, it is fair game - so that takes away a lot of the guess work.

3) There is a great atmosphere of support among the students, both from our class and from the 2nd years. I think this is a reflection of the school and faculty as a whole. They support us, we support each other.

4) The killer board pass rate - and trust me, having exams every week will ensure that you have plenty of warning if you start to fall behind. The exams also ensure that you have a deep understanding of the material.

5) Exposure to clinical medicine in the first two years. The clinical ed professor for the first year is an AZCOM grad and extremely invested in making sure that you enjoy his class and learn what you need to be a great hands on doc. From what I have heard the 2nd year clinical med doc is great as well. During your first year you also participate in a program called TOPS which I have heard is a great experience and there are multiple standardized patient interactions, and lab sessions where you get to practice what you are learning. Next week, the first years are doing a blood draw lab - which I am stoked for.

6) Impressive residency matches.

My feeling is that the school will work out all of kinks with rotations before the 2012 class begins their 3rd year (an extra 100 students can pay for a lot of those expensive rotations). AZCOM also is gaining ground in the struggle with UofA for rotation sites and will hopefully secure more government support for rotations and residencies. Still, I think it is a valid concern and something that should be factored into your decision to attend.
 
The reason I'm saying all this is because I am considering AZCOM infact I'm trying to decide between AZCOM and NOVA. I'm just trying to get perspectives and see if anyone has any information to help me in this decision. I'm not just trying to attack some random school, I really liked AZCOM and the class increase is the one reason I may not attend. Other than that I loved the school, but I think part of that as being in a much smaller class size than most other schools, which is clearly not the case.
 
umean2tellme said:
mailed aacomas on 11/18 and still haven't received a secondary or anything from AZCOM. Should I just assume it's not coming lol?
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Haha I was wondering the same thing. Your aacomas was mailed a week before mine (11/25) but waiting makes me nervous. I was really hoping there would be a much quicker turn-around, but I guess that was just wishful thinking/naivete of the pre-med mind. Does anyone know how long AZCOM takes before sending you their secondary?
 
zch76 said:
The reason I'm saying all this is because I am considering AZCOM infact I'm trying to decide between AZCOM and NOVA. I'm just trying to get perspectives and see if anyone has any information to help me in this decision. I'm not just trying to attack some random school, I really liked AZCOM and the class increase is the one reason I may not attend. Other than that I loved the school, but I think part of that as being in a much smaller class size than most other schools, which is clearly not the case.
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I'm in the same boat deciding between azcom and erie, I haven't heard any complaints about erie rotations just their rules, az is a nicer location but my main concern is rotations.............
 
So, I sent in my supplementary app a couple weeks ago and still have not received any other info on how to check my status online. I wasn't sure if I should call them to check my status or what. I just looked at the email that had my secondary in it and it said I should receive something in the mail about checking my status online, but I haven't received anything. I also checked the website for an admissions number and couldn't find one. At this point, I don't want to bug them but I really should check my status and make sure that all my LORs are in (Western had a problem getting my lors on virtualevals). Do you guys think I should wait or call them or what? Has anyone else been experiencing the silent treatment post-secondary (and not received status mail)?
 
call them. I received my status check mail from ccom via snail mail.. never anything from azcom.. thankfully ccom and azcom are the same.
 
got the slow poke letter of joy today. this school is pretty sweet. but i must throw this fish back.

one more spot opening up...
 
ringtail said:
got the slow poke letter of joy today. this school is pretty sweet. but i must throw this fish back.

one more spot opening up...
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Woo hoo!! Oh wait, I mean that's too bad you won't be at AZCOM. 😉 Which school will you be attending?
 
So if the class size increase has been approved will some of the wait-listed students become accepted students? Or will we still have to wait until it is closer to school starting?

I had my interview October 23rd and was wait-listed, do you think sending in my grades from this last semester will help my case?
 
skiracr456 said:
So if the class size increase has been approved will some of the wait-listed students become accepted students? Or will we still have to wait until it is closer to school starting?

I had my interview October 23rd and was wait-listed, do you think sending in my grades from this last semester will help my case?
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I am not sure how the waitlist applies to the increased class size. However, I do recall the admissions staff telling us (at our interview) if you are on the waitlist, send any information (such as grades, new ECs, etc) to update your file as they review that and consider it.

So I would HIGHLY recommend sending in new grades or whatever else new you may have since your application. Good luck!
 
EEL08 said:
Woo hoo!! Oh wait, I mean that's too bad you won't be at AZCOM. 😉 Which school will you be attending?
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My wife and I fell in love with Vegas and all jokes about the Costco building aside, their anatomy lab and lecture hall is newer, nicer, and WiFi'd (vs. AZCOM) for your convenience. But above it all, the fact that Touro will keep you in Vegas for 4 years is a huge draw. Draggin a family around is not my idea of a good time. AZCOM appears to be getting to that, but when I interviewed they said they have spots for "most" of the students. But as many as a third will be shipped off to other locations for rotations and its all about the lottery system.

...And I have a boat and Lake Mead is 30 minutes away. Lets be honest here...
 
ringtail said:
My wife and I fell in love with Vegas and all jokes about the Costco building aside, their anatomy lab and lecture hall is newer, nicer, and WiFi'd (vs. AZCOM) for your convenience. But above it all, the fact that Touro will keep you in Vegas for 4 years is a huge draw. Draggin a family around is not my idea of a good time. AZCOM appears to be getting to that, but when I interviewed they said they have spots for "most" of the students. But as many as a third will be shipped off to other locations for rotations and its all about the lottery system.

...And I have a boat and Lake Mead is 30 minutes away. Lets be honest here...
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the orthopedic matched student that spoke with us didn't hurt either.
 
ringtail said:
My wife and I fell in love with Vegas and all jokes about the Costco building aside, their anatomy lab and lecture hall is newer, nicer, and WiFi'd (vs. AZCOM) for your convenience. But above it all, the fact that Touro will keep you in Vegas for 4 years is a huge draw. Draggin a family around is not my idea of a good time. AZCOM appears to be getting to that, but when I interviewed they said they have spots for "most" of the students. But as many as a third will be shipped off to other locations for rotations and its all about the lottery system.

...And I have a boat and Lake Mead is 30 minutes away. Lets be honest here...
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fyi... Midwestern will be fully Wifi by next year. Additionally, the only students who will get rotations out of the area are those who apply for them, I am told that normally the issue is more students want to do rotations elsewhere than they will let... ie those of us not origionally from phoenix...
 
skiracr456 said:
So if the class size increase has been approved will some of the wait-listed students become accepted students? Or will we still have to wait until it is closer to school starting?

I had my interview October 23rd and was wait-listed, do you think sending in my grades from this last semester will help my case?
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This year they are reviewing all waitlisted applicants each time the admission board meets. SEND YOUR GRADES IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY!
 
I'm interviewing Friday, Feb. 29 and staying the night on Thurs, Feb. 28.

Anybody up for sharing a room/cab/car rental if you are also interviewing? I am a 23 y/o female (I'm not a creep, I promise). PM me if you or others you know may be interested.
 
Got an interview for Feb 26. It is so late! I will try to reschedule it when there is a space. The admission people mentioned they only interview five times per month. I wonder if it were true and what is the acceptance ratio and how many spots are being filled at this stage?

thank you
 
StriveToBeDr said:
Got an interview for Feb 26. It is so late! I will try to reschedule it when there is a space. The admission people mentioned they only interview five times per month. I wonder if it were true and what is the acceptance ratio and how many spots are being filled at this stage?

thank you
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umm, if "5 times" means 5 days, then it can't be true. I've seen a month where interviews can be scheduled across 2 whole weeks. 😎

btw - how do u see new spots that open up? if i can get in earlier, i will, too. is it on their e-scheduler? late feb = march = waitlist city
 
Hi everyone...I recently got accepted to AZCOM in November. I interviewed on the 2nd day back in October. Does anyone, AZCOM students, have syllabi from their med school classes?
 
DdrumbumD said:
Hi everyone...I recently got accepted to AZCOM in November. I interviewed on the 2nd day back in October. Does anyone, AZCOM students, have syllabi from their med school classes?
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Are you looking for a specific class? They are pretty much your run of the mill syllabi.
 
I noticed a strange statistic on the AZCOM website regarding student population, it was mentioned that for the 2011 year 67% are males and only 33% females. While I realize this could just be coincidence isn't thought that a diverse student body is necessary to promote learning? Do other years also follow this trend?
 
I'd say sticking your face in an anatomy books for hours on end would create the best learning environment.
 
Nitty452 said:
I noticed a strange statistic on the AZCOM website regarding student population, it was mentioned that for the 2011 year 67% are males and only 33% females. While I realize this could just be coincidence isn't thought that a diverse student body is necessary to promote learning? Do other years also follow this trend?
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I am surprised by that. It does not seem like a male dominated class to me and it certainly isn't a male dominated environment. To me our class is still very diverse.
 
superfan56 said:
doesn anyone know of a cheap hotel around the area? i just landed a spot for Feb 1. I have friends in scottsdale, but wanted to stay closer to the school and prep the night before.
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Wow you got February 1? I'm jealous!
 
An MS-I here...

I like the school. The majority of the teaching staff is awesome...as most of you will hopefully see.

The campus is going to be ridiculous by Fall semester.

Arizona is in the bottom 10 states in the nation for doctors/capita....and although ATSU-Mesa is our competitor in many ways(including rotations), having an overwhelming DO presence in the state only helps us in terms of making change.

Good luck to everyone in getting into your school of choice, even if it isnt AZCOM.
 
I am staying at one of the Motel 6's close by. When I looked at many of the other places, they were booked for Spring Training like it indicated on the AZCOM information sheet.
 
Ki45toryu said:
An MS-I here...

I like the school. The majority of the teaching staff is awesome...as most of you will hopefully see.

The campus is going to be ridiculous by Fall semester.

Arizona is in the bottom 10 states in the nation for doctors/capita....and although ATSU-Mesa is our competitor in many ways(including rotations), having an overwhelming DO presence in the state only helps us in terms of making change.

Good luck to everyone in getting into your school of choice, even if it isnt AZCOM.
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How is ATSU-Mesa your competitor for rotations when they send their students out to various community health centers (CHC's) around the country for years 2-4 so only a small fraction stay in Phoenix? And those that stay in Phoenix probably spend most of their time in a CHC. It seems that ATSU-KCOM who sends students to rotate in AZ is more of a competitor. Also, do you know if there is much overlap in rotation sites between students from all the schools that have students rotating in AZ?
 
After I scheduled an interview I never got an information sheet with hotels or anything.. can someone PM it to me?
 
So I have been looking at the AZCOM website and I came across the "official" announcement that class size will increase to 250 students beginning fall 2008.

I have heard rumors about this here on SDN but no one seemed to know for sure when this would take place.

They make it sound as if the class beginning on August of this year will contain 250 students.

Does anyone have any clarification on this? Is this the class size they will have this year or do they mean that they will be increasing class sizes this year with the eventual goal of reaching 250 students?
 
slim78 said:
So I have been looking at the AZCOM website and I came across the "official" announcement that class size will increase to 250 students beginning fall 2008.

I have heard rumors about this here on SDN but no one seemed to know for sure when this would take place.

They make it sound as if the class beginning on August of this year will contain 250 students.

Does anyone have any clarification on this? Is this the class size they will have this year or do they mean that they will be increasing class sizes this year with the eventual goal of reaching 250 students?
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Never mind. I just emailed the person whose contact info was attached to the announcement and they confirmed that the class size entering fall 2008 WILL be 250. I guess that means more room for me!
 
Where are you staying? Anyone staying at the Ramada Limited in the Arrowhead Mall?

Feel free to PM.
 
Wow... I just got an interview invitation by email today! I was complete a very long time ago (back in September)... and was put on a waitlist by October.

Of course, I'm a bit suprised that the earliest interview I could get was in April! Wondering if I should even go... The class has to be getting full, not to mention I've been accepted at Tourocom-NY and my wife needs to start searching for a decent job soon in the city we're going to move to...

Of course Arizona does sound happy and warm 🙂
 
Stormcrow501 said:
Wow... I just got an interview invitation by email today! I was complete a very long time ago (back in September)... and was put on a waitlist by October.

Of course, I'm a bit suprised that the earliest interview I could get was in April! Wondering if I should even go... The class has to be getting full, not to mention I've been accepted at Tourocom-NY and my wife needs to start searching for a decent job soon in the city we're going to move to...

Of course Arizona does sound happy and warm 🙂
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Congrats! I received an interview invite in December and the earliest date I could get was the last week of February but as far as I know they don't interview all week every week in Jan/Feb. In March there is only one interview date. Jim Walter says they try not to do many interviews in March because of spring training. If you decide you do want to interview you could always schedule April and then call ahead and find out if any earlier interview spots have opened up. :luck:
 
Hi everyone. I am a current first year at AZCOM and as of Thursday I was told by someone in admissions there have only been about 300 people interviewed and 120 deposits placed for class seats. There is still plenty of room!

The school did not receive their class size approval until recently so they will be stepping up the interviews significantly.
 
DocBR said:
Hi everyone. I am a current first year at AZCOM and as of Thursday I was told by someone in admissions there have only been about 300 people interviewed and 120 deposits placed for class seats. There is still plenty of room!

The school did not receive their class size approval until recently so they will be stepping up the interviews significantly.
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Wow that is great news! I interview there on Tuesday (1/29) and this is my wife's first choice (my second) so I will probably end up going here if accepted. Nothing would make medical school more difficult than having an angry wife at home.
 
okokokokok so how about anyone interviewing on feb 4th? yes and takers? I was debating whether to fly or drive to azcom. Does anyone know the driving time from the airport to the school in real time at around 4pm or so? In LA google will say it takes 20 minutes to get to downtown, but we all know we have to multiply that but a factor of 2 or 3 or more during peak hours.
 
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