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AZCOM Discussion thread 2008-2009
Started by mshheaddoc
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By researched, do you mean you researched the school or did research? When I was in the hot seat, they pretty much asked about my research for 75% of the time. I guess it comes with 2 PhDs that interviewed me but each is different.
What did you guys think of the school? Has it ranked high for you?
What did you guys think of the school? Has it ranked high for you?
Interviewed Wed 2/25, on Thr 2/26 6:30pm est they called me via the number listed on my app (I gave my cellphone number as primary number...but I'm not sure if it was from my primary or secondary). I missed the non-descript voice mail and returned the call Fri 2/27 ~5:30pm est. They said they called only because they thought I was a "great applicant" (I don't know how that happened!?! Stats), but it wasn't because of a scholarship or anything. So don't freak out if you don't hear anything right away...I got the impression that it would take ~ 2 weeks for everyone. 👍
Like all interviews, as long as you are confident and not easily rattled, know your stuff about the school's program and reputation, review ~1 yrs worth of SDN questions, are committed to osteopathy (and can explain why), can give an great, comfortable answer to "Tell me about yourself"/"Why medicine?"/"Why osteopathy?"/"Why AZCOM?", and ask one or two intelligent questions other than "So where's the food at?", I think you'll get it...best of luck!
that's crazy...i don't think I've heard of anyone getting a call from AZCOM...other schools yes...but never AZCOM! You must've been pretty awesome haha. Has your status changed on the online website too?
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BOTH! I was asked about my research in the interview and i did a lot of pre-interview research. But so far this has ranked pretty high. Especially living here and my brother attending that school. Also what catches my eye with AZCOM is their continual expansion and improvement. Every year their expanding their residency positions and rotations. By the time were third years it will be just that much better. I have good trust with the school.
@Dr Frankenstein: What program/year is your brother? I only know one AZCOM grad (~ c/o 2000-2001-ish?) that did his FP residency in our area and is now doing sports medicine in San Diego. I'm pretty sure that he was an OMM fellow, too.
Yeah...if admin seems to care so much about board scores, I'm guessing that admin seems to be on the ball with rotations - I'm thinking that rotations don't have a lot of scut, etc, and are quality experiences. For my other choice...my #1 concern: they seem to be adding programs instead of maintaining their existing programs...old lecture hall, paper-based app process, Novell groupwise email 😱, etc...
For you AZ guys out there, do you see a few AZCOM grads out there? What have you heard or seen?
No, seriously, just lot's of
!!I'd have to look back and try to figure it out...I think that I proposed to my wife that day 2 years ago =)
Hmm...I don't think so? Does anyone else have the pre-accepted (supplemental, interview scheduling, applicant checklist) and post-accepted (matriculation/payment, accepted student checklist)? Nothing is accessible under post-accepted (unable to find, agreement available to accepted applicants).
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My online status didn't change until about a week after I found out about my acceptance (also via phone), so I definitely wouldn't go by that. I also got a letter in the mail back at home.
Hello everyone. Although I was impressed with AZCOM, I will likely be withdrawing my acceptance. I want to be close to my family in Cali.
@ Mahou - im quoting rkaz on this. off the top of my head theres *roughly* 350-400 acceptances, 80 WL and 500 interviews for 250 seats.
goodluck👍
@ Mahou - im quoting rkaz on this. off the top of my head theres *roughly* 350-400 acceptances, 80 WL and 500 interviews for 250 seats.
goodluck👍
@Dr Frankenstein: What program/year is your brother? I only know one AZCOM grad (~ c/o 2000-2001-ish?) that did his FP residency in our area and is now doing sports medicine in San Diego. I'm pretty sure that he was an OMM fellow, too.
Yeah...if admin seems to care so much about board scores, I'm guessing that admin seems to be on the ball with rotations - I'm thinking that rotations don't have a lot of scut, etc, and are quality experiences. For my other choice...my #1 concern: they seem to be adding programs instead of maintaining their existing programs...old lecture hall, paper-based app process, Novell groupwise email 😱, etc...
For you AZ guys out there, do you see a few AZCOM grads out there? What have you heard or seen?
No, seriously, just lot's of
I'd have to look back and try to figure it out...I think that I proposed to my wife that day 2 years ago =)
Hmm...I don't think so? Does anyone else have the pre-accepted (supplemental, interview scheduling, applicant checklist) and post-accepted (matriculation/payment, accepted student checklist)? Nothing is accessible under post-accepted (unable to find, agreement available to accepted applicants).
My brother will be in the upcoming class with us so he has no experience with the school. I do know someone that graduated and she is doing her residency at st johns hospital and she is specializing in gastro intestinal and speaks VERY highly of the school. Shes i think 3rd year residency right now so she started her rotations 5 years ago and she said no complaints about it. Ive spoken to a lot of dr right now both md and do in residency and practicing and they all speak highly of midwestern as a tough school, good rep, and good outcomes. I only hear complaints of tuition lol.
I've heard, from mostly MD physicians, that the level of skill of people coming out of AZCOM varies widely from person to person. This basically goes with the saying, "you get out what you put it" and seems obvious, but it is something to note. These physicians, 3 to be exact (2 PM&R and 1 ER), also spoke negatively of the high tuition and the number of seats and said that it has gone down hill since they increased.
I wish they would have asked about my research. I interviewed on the 25th with nevinleiby and they didnt ask about anything school or work related, only personal questions. I don't know how much variance there is between interview panels from day to day but was your panel researchers or physicians? I had two physicians and a med student and I enjoyed talking to them but I wonder how different it would have been with two researchers and a medical student.
Either way I loved the school, students I got to talk to and the other people interviewing. Plus I felt their presentation put to rest most of the lingering questions I had (which were both few in number and minor in substance). I would say the only downside I can see is the intense summer heat but thats something I can live with 🙂
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Eh...you probably did fine anyway 👍. Besides, osteo tends to have a clinical focus anyway. If the research is tremendously important to build your application's strength (eg, both gpa and mcat were low and few ECs or minimal clinical exp), you might be able to discretely slide it into one of your responses, but they already think that you can be successful in med school or they wouldn't have invited you. For an interview, as long as you don't start pacing the room, completely avoid all eye contact, or badmouth A.T. Still or the school, you'll do fine =)
You always wonder how it could have been different though...during an interview for one of my top choices, the 2nd (medical) interviewer was not able to attend...it was one-on-one and that one person (the senior adcom!) determined if I could get in...😱 For two weeks post-interview, I kept on second-guessing myself for every response...which was all in vain b/c it worked out =)
Hi guys!
I need an objective opinion about three schools. I have luckily been accepted to AZCOM as well as AT STill-SOMA and TCOM/UNTHSC. I have made a dozen pros and cons lists for all three but would like to see some objective outside opinions about the schools. I loved AZCOM but am still on the fence about it. This may not be the best thread for the other schools, but how do you all think AZCOM compares to the other two? Thanks!
I need an objective opinion about three schools. I have luckily been accepted to AZCOM as well as AT STill-SOMA and TCOM/UNTHSC. I have made a dozen pros and cons lists for all three but would like to see some objective outside opinions about the schools. I loved AZCOM but am still on the fence about it. This may not be the best thread for the other schools, but how do you all think AZCOM compares to the other two? Thanks!
Hey, I don't know anything about TCOM, but I def chose AZCOM over AT Still-SOMA. The program there seemed interesting, but I was concerned about being a so called "guinea-pig" class. Since the school is so new and trying newer techniques, but doesn't have any board scores do back up their info with I had to choose AZCOM. Especially since AZCOM is def in the top 8 of board scores when ranked against the rest of the DO schools. I also liked the campus feel and the fact that (unless you get sent to Ohio) you get to stay in AZ the whole time and not just for 1 year.
These are all just my opinions though, AT Still did seem like a good school, but I am more of a person that needs to see the proof to back up the talk, ya know? Good luck with your decision, choosing a med school is probably as hard as getting into 1 especially if you have multiple ones to choose from!
I will have to agree with Dciple. I don't know anything about TCOM but I also applied to AT Stills-SOMA and while the program sounded exciting I was nervous about being a test class. A lot of the people who interviewed at AZCOM with me felt the same. As for AZCOM, I agree with Dciple once again. Personally, I loved the campus and the students I met there (even the ones not part of the tour). I don't even think being sent to Ohio would be that bad, other than the weather if your not from around there (Michigan native) but only time will tell. A bunch of the students going to Ohio next year were pretty excited about it. For me it boils down to feel and I felt as though I fit better at AZCOM than I had anywhere else so far. In the end, lists are the way to do it, good luck to ya and I am sure you will make the right decision!
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They cant force you to do your rotations anywhere. Ohio rotations are totally optional but they do STRONGLY advise it. Dont worry about being sent there too much lol.
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In my personal opinion, TCOM is pretty comparable (or arguably better in some ways) than AZCOM, and I am assuming you are OOS for TCOM (or why wouldn't you have taken the acceptance there with the 13k tuition or however ridiculously cheap it is for in-state residents) but if I am not mistaken, TCOM's tuition is also still considerably cheaper than AZCOM even as an OOS applicant. Like you, I also had to decide between AZCOM and SOMA, and ultimately chose AZCOM. Feel free to PM me on why because I don't really want to post that publicly. Congrats on your multiple acceptances.
It seems like we would get along pretty good 😛 he he. Glad to see that I'm not crazy for thinking these things too 😀
I do not agree with this statement, the assistant dean said during the presentation that you rank your options 1-4 for your 3rd years, and some people end up getting their 4th option, yes they can not physically "force" you to go to ohio, but then you might fail.
some of the 2nd year students have said that complaints were made as a result of this "threat" because the cost of moving to Ohio would be so great (as someone who moved to AZ from OH, it is quite expensive) that they couldn't make anyone do it who didn't want to without some sort of financial help...which they won't be giving. so unless they DO offer some sort of financial help with the big move I really don't think they can force anyone to do it...or at least that is the current understanding of the 2nd year students who are currently in that position.
Ya im going by what a 2nd year told me. I asked him the question of can they force u to go to Ohio for rotation and he pretty much looked and me grinned and laugh saying they cant force u to go anywhere. They just try REALLY hard to get people to go. Plus there are a lot of spots here in AZ.
Keep in mind AT Still will also have grads looking for residencies at that point as well. I did some research a while back into the CORE program in Ohio and there are actually some really good hospitals that you could rotate through. Ones that have competitive residencies already in place. That's something to be said since we have few teaching hospitals in Phoenix....
just adding to the waitlist woes, I was waitlisted back in september. i interviewed on the first day they offered interviews. i thought the interview went well but to my disappointment, i was waitlisted. i have kept them in the loop and sent them update letters. Should i be worried that i'm on the waitlist? i called admissions and she said that the class was only half full. have other people heard the same? thanks for chiming in!
When I interviewed in January, admissions told us that the reason they're now keeping a decently large waitlist because in the past, they've blown through smaller ones and classes haven't been filled. So it sounded like there's been significant waitlist movement the last few years...so hopefully this year holds true also! Plus I got the impression that once you got an interview, your chances are good. Good luck!
I appreciate the input. I think I have ruled out AT Still as of now, even though I did like what they are doing and got a good feeling there. It's unfortunate that they are so new. I just keep going back to them thinking about the potential. A great hesitation about AZCOM is the fact that this is the first class of 250 like so many have already stated. Anyway, thanks again everyone. I'll definitely be keeping up with this thread and will possibly see some of you guys in the fall!
Won't we be the 2nd class of 250? I thought the class of 2012 was the first....?
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I was just about to say that
I think the current class is the first of 250, we would be the second and a few students I met there said that as far as the academics and closeness of the student body are concerned there is not much difference between the 150 and 250. Caveat: Opinions may vary.
I think (I may be wrong, sorry if I am) the list included Doctor's Hospital but other than that I don't remember.
FYI, Kim no longers works for the admissions department. Sucks, cause I really needed her advice on my present situation.
Well whats your present situation?
So I'm in the masters program at Midwestern, already had my interview and was waitlisted because of my mcat. My undergrad gpa is 3.4 (3.7 last two years) and so far my gpa in the masters program through two semesters in 3.93. However, my mcat is really bad (21) and doesn't even meet the cut off of 23.
So I'm thinking maybe I should drop the program to give me the ample time to study for the MCAT. Any thoughts?
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pPKB, I am also in the one year master's. Do we know each other??
It sucks that you were WL because of the MCAT, considering how well you did the first two quarters. Also, I wasn't aware they had a "cut off" for the MCAT since I know of MD schools who've accepted lower than 23.
We are almost finished with the program and considering how well you've done so far I don't think you should drop it. Maybe just take a really, really light courseload this spring quarter (that's what I am doing but so I can work, not study for MCAT) -- I am only taking the leadership elective that is worth 3 credits and meets once a week. That leaves almost all of Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays completely free.
If you haven't already, I would also recommend getting LORs from Dr. Bell and some of our other professors in the program. I am doing the same to maybe get off the WL at another school, and I figure it might not do much but it certainly can't hurt.
Good luck.
It sucks that you were WL because of the MCAT, considering how well you did the first two quarters. Also, I wasn't aware they had a "cut off" for the MCAT since I know of MD schools who've accepted lower than 23.
We are almost finished with the program and considering how well you've done so far I don't think you should drop it. Maybe just take a really, really light courseload this spring quarter (that's what I am doing but so I can work, not study for MCAT) -- I am only taking the leadership elective that is worth 3 credits and meets once a week. That leaves almost all of Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays completely free.
If you haven't already, I would also recommend getting LORs from Dr. Bell and some of our other professors in the program. I am doing the same to maybe get off the WL at another school, and I figure it might not do much but it certainly can't hurt.
Good luck.
How did you study for the MCAT? I got a 31 and accredit that to ExamKrackers (I did take a course but it ended in April and I took the test in August and I was pacing a 25-26 at the end). I was going to retake it and go for a 36 back when I was only applying allopathic and here's how I was going to do it:
1) Use two books: ExamKrackers and Gold Standard MCAT. The EK audio osmosis is good too and sorta funny
2) Get the Gold Standard DVDs online. They are really really good with Ochem and physics. I didn't check out the gen chem or biology ones.
3) Do all practice tests and go over them. Probably do a few without time limits. When I used to study off practice tests in college I would do the problems one by one and look up how and where I went wrong on question. Try that out.
I hope that helps. It should at least get your score up with PS and BS. Verbal feels like you either got it or you don't. I got mine up a measly point from studying.
I forgot to ask...Does anyone have any info on whether or not the adcom is meeting this week? I called and was told they might be meeting Thursday and to check back on Thursday and Friday with them....
P.S. I have an interview with NYCOM next Tuesday. If you were accepted to AZCOM would you still go to it? I would much much rather live in AZ but I like the clinical curriculum (and match list) better there. 12 weeks of surgery there vs. 4 weeks at AZCOM..along with more time in IM, PEDS and less time in FM and underserved. And they have a joint DO/MBA Hold on let me copy paste:
NYCOM year three:
Family Medicine - 6 Weeks
Medicine - 12 Weeks
Ob/Gyn - 6 Weeks
Pediatrics - 6 Weeks
Psychiatry - 6 Weeks
Surgery - 12 Weeks
AZCOM year three:
CARD 1701
Cardiology (4 weeks)
4.0
CLMD 1701
Osteopathic Clinical Medicine III-CE
7.0
CLMD 1702
Osteopathic Clinical Medicine
III-PE
3.0
FMED 1701
Family Medicine (12 weeks)**
12.0
IMED 1701
Gen. Internal Medicine I (4 weeks)
4.0
OBGY 1701
Obstetrics/Gynecology (4 weeks)
4.0
PEDI 1701
Pediatrics (4 weeks)
4.0
PSYC 1701
Psychiatry (4 weeks)
4.0
SURG 1701
General Surgery (4 weeks)
4.0
FMED 1702
Rural/Underserved Medicine
(4 weeks)
4.0
ELECT
Elective (4 weeks)
4.0
Total
54.0
*This includes orientation and a holiday break/vacation.
**Family Medicine includes 8 weeks of General Family Medicine and 4 weeks of Family Medicine/OMM.
NYCOM Year 4
Year 4
Fourth year student physicians at NYCOM complete a set of clinical clerkships including :
2 Sub-Internships for 4 weeks each in Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, ObGyn, Psychiatry or Family Medicine
Emergency Medicine for 4 weeks
Radiology for 4 weeks
A Preceptorship with a Board certified DO who has completed an Osteopathic internship or an Ambulatory Medicine in a NYCOM approved clinical site in General Medicine, Pediatrics or Family Practice for 4 weeks
2 selectives of 4 weeks each at a NYCOM approved clinical site in Medicine/Pediatrics and Surgery/ObGyn.
3 electives of 4 weeks each at any NYCOM approved site in any NYCOM approved discipline
AZCOM Year 4
EMED 1801
Emergency Medicine (4 weeks)
4.0
NEUR 1801
Neurology (2 weeks)
2.0
IMED 1802
Gen. Internal Medicine II
(4 weeks)
4.0
SURG 1802
Subspecialty Surgery II (4 weeks)
4.0
CLMD 1803
Osteopathic Clinical Medicine IV
10.0
IMED 1803
Subspecialty Medicine (4 weeks)
4.0
IMED 1804
Critical Care (4 weeks)
4.0
ELECT
Electives (22weeks)
22.0
Total
54.0
Radiology is incorporated into all rotations. Anesthesiology is incorporated into all surgical rotations. Students may arrange academic breaks to attend out of area interviews and study for COMLEX Level II. Students receive one holiday break.
It seems like NYCOM's curriculum is more more along the lines of an allopathic one and AZCOM seems more towards primary care?
P.S. I have an interview with NYCOM next Tuesday. If you were accepted to AZCOM would you still go to it? I would much much rather live in AZ but I like the clinical curriculum (and match list) better there. 12 weeks of surgery there vs. 4 weeks at AZCOM..along with more time in IM, PEDS and less time in FM and underserved. And they have a joint DO/MBA Hold on let me copy paste:
NYCOM year three:
Family Medicine - 6 Weeks
Medicine - 12 Weeks
Ob/Gyn - 6 Weeks
Pediatrics - 6 Weeks
Psychiatry - 6 Weeks
Surgery - 12 Weeks
AZCOM year three:
CARD 1701
Cardiology (4 weeks)
4.0
CLMD 1701
Osteopathic Clinical Medicine III-CE
7.0
CLMD 1702
Osteopathic Clinical Medicine
III-PE
3.0
FMED 1701
Family Medicine (12 weeks)**
12.0
IMED 1701
Gen. Internal Medicine I (4 weeks)
4.0
OBGY 1701
Obstetrics/Gynecology (4 weeks)
4.0
PEDI 1701
Pediatrics (4 weeks)
4.0
PSYC 1701
Psychiatry (4 weeks)
4.0
SURG 1701
General Surgery (4 weeks)
4.0
FMED 1702
Rural/Underserved Medicine
(4 weeks)
4.0
ELECT
Elective (4 weeks)
4.0
Total
54.0
*This includes orientation and a holiday break/vacation.
**Family Medicine includes 8 weeks of General Family Medicine and 4 weeks of Family Medicine/OMM.
NYCOM Year 4
Year 4
Fourth year student physicians at NYCOM complete a set of clinical clerkships including :
2 Sub-Internships for 4 weeks each in Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, ObGyn, Psychiatry or Family Medicine
Emergency Medicine for 4 weeks
Radiology for 4 weeks
A Preceptorship with a Board certified DO who has completed an Osteopathic internship or an Ambulatory Medicine in a NYCOM approved clinical site in General Medicine, Pediatrics or Family Practice for 4 weeks
2 selectives of 4 weeks each at a NYCOM approved clinical site in Medicine/Pediatrics and Surgery/ObGyn.
3 electives of 4 weeks each at any NYCOM approved site in any NYCOM approved discipline
AZCOM Year 4
EMED 1801
Emergency Medicine (4 weeks)
4.0
NEUR 1801
Neurology (2 weeks)
2.0
IMED 1802
Gen. Internal Medicine II
(4 weeks)
4.0
SURG 1802
Subspecialty Surgery II (4 weeks)
4.0
CLMD 1803
Osteopathic Clinical Medicine IV
10.0
IMED 1803
Subspecialty Medicine (4 weeks)
4.0
IMED 1804
Critical Care (4 weeks)
4.0
ELECT
Electives (22weeks)
22.0
Total
54.0
Radiology is incorporated into all rotations. Anesthesiology is incorporated into all surgical rotations. Students may arrange academic breaks to attend out of area interviews and study for COMLEX Level II. Students receive one holiday break.
It seems like NYCOM's curriculum is more more along the lines of an allopathic one and AZCOM seems more towards primary care?
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I think you should go, but it would be pretty ridiculous to base a potential life-changing decision on what strangers post in an online forum. Of course, that's how I learned about D.O. schools in the first place, but yeah, take my opinion with a grain of salt because I never even received the secondary/invite for that school 😀
that sounds good lauren0415. i hope it works towards our favor! let me know if you hear anything else regarding the waitlist!
You should go to NYCOM because it sounds like you are interested in something outside of primary care, AZCOM had a large proportion of primary care matches from what I remember during their presentation....also this school became my top choice so far after visiting and i would have never thought that this would be before going to the interview
Hey Proteinpowda, where are you getting the AZCOM list from? I have the sheet that was given to us on interview day, and it is different. It says:
"Proposed AZCOM third and fourth year rotations for 2009-2010
Third Year
Cardiology (4 wks)
Family Medicine (8 wks)
Internal Medicine (8 wks)
Obstetrics/Gynecology (4 wks)
Pediatrics (4 wks)
Primary Care (4 wks)
Psychiatry or Neurology (4 wks)
Rural or Underserved Medicine (4 wks)
General Surgery (4 wks)
Fourth Year
Critical Care (4 wks)
Emergency Medicine (4 wks)
Subspecialty Internal Medicine (4 wks)
Subspecialty Surgery (4 wks)
Electives (32 wks)"
As far as neuro goes, at my interview day they told us that you can either take psych or neuro (during 3rd year) - however, nearly everyone does psych, and neuro is only for those who are interested in doing a residency in neurology. If you click on the neuro link on the list you provided, you will see that it lists it as a 3rd year option, and not a 4th year rotation.
"Proposed AZCOM third and fourth year rotations for 2009-2010
Third Year
Cardiology (4 wks)
Family Medicine (8 wks)
Internal Medicine (8 wks)
Obstetrics/Gynecology (4 wks)
Pediatrics (4 wks)
Primary Care (4 wks)
Psychiatry or Neurology (4 wks)
Rural or Underserved Medicine (4 wks)
General Surgery (4 wks)
Fourth Year
Critical Care (4 wks)
Emergency Medicine (4 wks)
Subspecialty Internal Medicine (4 wks)
Subspecialty Surgery (4 wks)
Electives (32 wks)"
As far as neuro goes, at my interview day they told us that you can either take psych or neuro (during 3rd year) - however, nearly everyone does psych, and neuro is only for those who are interested in doing a residency in neurology. If you click on the neuro link on the list you provided, you will see that it lists it as a 3rd year option, and not a 4th year rotation.
I got my list from midwestern.edu and went through the catalog. I should've probably gotten them from my Midwestern folder.
The only real difference is 4 weeks less FM in year 3 and 4 weeks more IM. 10 more weeks electives in year 4 too (32 vs 22). I guess that's good for those of us seeking to specialize.
Guess it's time to book a flight...
Anyone else waiting for news this friday? Cause I know I am!!
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me!! the wait is killllling me...especially because it's spring break and I have way too much free time on my hands to sit around thinking about it
Me Too! I can barely contain myself!! Are you going to call? Or just check online status?
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Call. They are very nice about it, and my online status didn't change for almost 2 weeks after my acceptance.
ya definetly call
So you are going to call tomorrow afternoon?
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