AZCOM Discussion Thread 2009-2010

[randomusername]

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Oh cool, I didn't realize new interview dates would come up as people cancelled. I'll keep checking for sure. Thanks for the advice. Do you guys know if it's usually full by May interviews?

If you traipse through this thread, it seems like there's still decent hope about having spots left, even in May. Also, people throughout the thread have mentioned people getting pulled in off the wait-list less than a month before orientation. So, just hold out hope and keep checking the portal for better dates (and people post that they're releasing their interviews on here sometimes too). Good luck!

 

[Flushot]

I know there's a thread to the interview questions but I can't find it anymore. Does someone have a link?? Please 🙂

There's interview feedback in the links above. There won't be any threads on this.

 

[JetFavre5]

Hey, I was recently accepted to AZCOM, like everything about the school, but my biggest question is with the third year?

You only get 4 weeks of surgery

Most school, osteopathic or allopathic give at least 8 to 12, does AZCOM discourage you from doing surgery? If I wanted to do surgery at AZCOM how do I get around this.

I'm not sure if I want to be a surgeon, but i'm not sure about primary care. I just want to keep my options open until I get clinical experience

 

[randomusername]

Hey, I was recently accepted to AZCOM, like everything about the school, but my biggest question is with the third year?

You only get 4 weeks of surgery

Most school, osteopathic or allopathic give at least 8 to 12, does AZCOM discourage you from doing surgery? If I wanted to do surgery at AZCOM how do I get around this.

I'm not sure if I want to be a surgeon, but i'm not sure about primary care. I just want to keep my options open until I get clinical experience

I have had a similar concern with this also (recently accepted here as well), as my general understanding is that you can get your first gas (something I'm considering) exposure in surgical rotations. I would guess the way to circumvent this apparent lack of surgical time would be by being heavy with surgical electives your 4th year. I would also guess that over breaks (especially summer between MSI and MSII) you could at the very least track down surgeons to shadow (better than nothing I suppose).

 

[Flushot]

Hey, I was recently accepted to AZCOM, like everything about the school, but my biggest question is with the third year?

You only get 4 weeks of surgery

Most school, osteopathic or allopathic give at least 8 to 12, does AZCOM discourage you from doing surgery? If I wanted to do surgery at AZCOM how do I get around this.

I'm not sure if I want to be a surgeon, but i'm not sure about primary care. I just want to keep my options open until I get clinical experience

There's a good chance this could change by the time you step up.

AZCOM doesn't discourage any specialty but I'll be honest: like most schools, they do want more primary care docs. If you want to do surgery, plan your 4th year around it, that is, if you want to go here.


On another note, I have started getting PMs about the SMP program at AZCOM, so I'll post the informational thread that I made a year ago here:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=601336

 

[melissaliss]

There's a good chance this could change by the time you step up.

AZCOM doesn't discourage any specialty but I'll be honest: like most schools, they do want more primary care docs. If you want to do surgery, plan your 4th year around it, that is, if you want to go here.


On another note, I have started getting PMs about the SMP program at AZCOM, so I'll post the informational thread that I made a year ago here:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=601336

Reading the thread on the SMP program has actually discouraged me from applying to the program. =( I had a pretty good undergrad GPA and I'm afraid that the program sounds difficult to do well in. Also, it is very expensive and doesn't seem like it would be viewed any more favorably than doing post-bacc classes at say, ASU, where I'd spend much less money and probably get a publication. I'm so torn though, because the classes sound so fun and interesting to me.

 

[Flushot]

Reading the thread on the SMP program has actually discouraged me from applying to the program. =( I had a pretty good undergrad GPA (3.5) and I'm afraid that the program sounds difficult to do well in. Also, it is very expensive and doesn't seem like it would be viewed any more favorably than doing post-bacc classes at say, ASU, where I'd spend much less money and probably get a publication. I'm so torn though, because the classes sound so fun and interesting to me.

Yeah, I would only do the SMP if your GPA is very low and your MCAT is moderate to high. SMPs are essentially last resorts and if you just need a bump, post-bac classes and a retaking of the MCAT might be the way to go. This applies to all SMPs, not just this one.

 

[melissaliss]

Yeah, I would only do the SMP if your GPA is very low and your MCAT is moderate to high. SMPs are essentially last resorts and if you just need a bump, post-bac classes and a retaking of the MCAT might be the way to go. This applies to all SMPs, not just this one.

Thanks, that is helpful to hear. I guess I just wasn't sure what is considered a "low" GPA. I am thinking more and more that as much as I dread it, my best bet is probably to just retake the MCAT, and/or apply much earlier than I did. I'm just so afraid to do worse on the MCAT the 2nd time around!

 

[Flushot]

Thanks, that is helpful to hear. I guess I just wasn't sure what is considered a "low" GPA. I am thinking more and more that as much as I dread it, my best bet is probably to just retake the MCAT, and/or apply much earlier than I did. I'm just so afraid to do worse on the MCAT the 2nd time around!

Hmm, I had no idea about the MCAT in your situation. I also preach this on SDN a lot: be prepared to take the MCAT more than once.

Granted, treat each MCAT uniquely and study adequately, but I have no idea what makes people believe that planning for 1 MCAT is enough. If you do well, great; don't look back. But when I see people 'settling' for 24, 26, etc., I don't get why a retake is so out of the question. Some people in the MA program have great gpas, but it never occurred to them that their 24 MCAT needs fixing, not an SMP.

Maybe it's the dread of taking it again or maybe people don't have time to study for it, but honestly, it's the most clear and simple solution to many application problems. I highly suggest you take it again if you believe it is holding you back and I dare say consider the possibility of a 3rd time. Address the problem directly.

 

[7wonders]

I took the MCAT twice and got the same composite score both times. My distribution of topic scores did change. Others I know who've taken the MCAT multiple times have had similar results. I would recommend only re-testing if there is a reason your performance was hindered (illness, etc.).

 

[Flushot]

I took the MCAT twice and got the same composite score both times. My distribution of topic scores did change. Others I know who've taken the MCAT multiple times have had similar results. I would recommend only re-testing if there is a reason your performance was hindered (illness, etc.).

I have to disagree. My advice was to plan for the possibility of a retake, not plan to re-take regardless of the outcome. Treat each time very seriously and give adequate time to study for it. In most situations, I'd act like each time is the first time.

If your performance was compromised with something like an illness, I would consider voiding the test and preparing for the second run, assuming you made time for it, which you should.

This is where people make their mistake; they believe it's a one shot deal and that a re-take is either impossible or only for recovery situations (i.e., taking a year off). Everyone, no matter how awesome their diagnostics seem, should plan for the possibility of a re-take.

 

[christine121]

I managed to bump my interview from May 5th to April 15th....I applied late and so far this is my only interview, AZCOM is one of the first that I heard back from and I've only gotten a reply from LECOM otherwise. Was AZCOM one of the quicker to reply in anyone else's case? They only got back to me last weekend so I'm hoping I'll hear from more...my stats are good but I'm Canadian and I applied late so my chances might not be great. I'm getting pretty nervous for the interview though since so far it'smy only one, does anyone who got in have some advice? What was the tone of the interview? Why do you think you did well?
I appreciate any advice you can give me 🙂 Thanks !!!

 

[randomusername]

I managed to bump my interview from May 5th to April 15th....I applied late and so far this is my only interview, AZCOM is one of the first that I heard back from and I've only gotten a reply from LECOM otherwise. Was AZCOM one of the quicker to reply in anyone else's case? They only got back to me last weekend so I'm hoping I'll hear from more...my stats are good but I'm Canadian and I applied late so my chances might not be great. I'm getting pretty nervous for the interview though since so far it'smy only one, does anyone who got in have some advice? What was the tone of the interview? Why do you think you did well?
I appreciate any advice you can give me 🙂 Thanks !!!

Well, I can't really comment on if any of the other D.O. schools have quick turnover for interview invites as I only applied to three programs, but AZCOM and AT Still KCOM both got back to me with interview invites within a couple of weeks of being complete.

For the interview, DEFINITELY read the interview feedback on this site. I along with several others that interviewed with me fielded many of the questions that have been posted (the dinner question was particularly popular with one of the panels of interviewers). Certainly be prepared to answer the classic "Why medicine? D.O.? AZCOM?" questions. My interviewers essentially just asked me ethics question after ethics question, but, it's kind of luck of the draw because different interviewers will focus on different kinds of questions and if any of them see something interesting in your background, they'll ask (the interview will be semi-open, essentially translating to they know everything about you but your numbers [as they're not concerned about your numbers since they were checked before you received the interview invite]). I would also suggest going over your resume, primary and secondary applications, and I opted to go through the catalog a few times. This should keep you reminded of what you talked about in your essays and the catalog may point out something you would like to ask questions about when they give you the opportunity to do so in the last five or ten minutes of the interview (or something that you like and want to mention when answering why you want to go to AZCOM).

The interview in general should be very laidback. The interviewer that met me at the Admissions lounge to take me to the interview room was very adamant about reassuring me that whatever they asked, they weren't looking for a certain answer, just at how you answered.

I think perhaps why I did well with the interview and found out that I was accepted so quickly was just because since my questions were ethics-heavy, I gave them answers that were logical and reasonable and stuck with them.

Also, if you want an earlier interview and if it's an option in terms of your schedule and travel arrangements, I would highly-suggest monitoring the portal and this thread religiously looking for new dates to show up for earlier interviews, as more should continue to open up as people with acceptances cancel interviews here.

I hope this helped. If you want to know anything else, feel free to reply or pm me, and best of luck to you on the interview!

 

[gforce32]

hi guys, this might have been answered already, but couldn't find it.

i have an interview on wed and i am getting conflicting info about the style of the interview. its it a group interview? meaning that there is a panel of interviewers and a bunch of interviewees. or is it an individual interview? meaning that its just me and the panel of interviewers?

also, this is my first (an so far, only) interview, so i'm trippin basketballs right now. so nervous.

any help is appreciated. thanks!

 

[raebear]

hi guys, this might have been answered already, but couldn't find it.

i have an interview on wed and i am getting conflicting info about the style of the interview. its it a group interview? meaning that there is a panel of interviewers and a bunch of interviewees. or is it an individual interview? meaning that its just me and the panel of interviewers?

also, this is my first (an so far, only) interview, so i'm trippin basketballs right now. so nervous.

any help is appreciated. thanks!

It's not a group interview. There will be three people (usually two faculty/professors + 1 student) interviewing only you. Just relax and be yourself. Of all the interviews I went to, this one was the most laid back-- nothing to worry about! Make sure you have solid answers for the obligatory "why a DO/why a doctor/why midwestern" and you'll be fine! Check out the interview feedback section if it'll make you feel better. Good luck!

 

[christine121]

Randomusername that was the best answer I could have asked for! Thank you for being so thourough, I'm feeling a lot better having some idea of what to expect. I've been checking the site daily and it looks like more and more slots are opening up....one just opened for february 25th, I can't pull that off but fyi if anyone else wants it. I may pm you for some more details when my time gets closer 🙂

I feel your pain gforce32, I want to get in this year sooo badly and so far this is my only interview too! I can barely afford to live for another year and spend all that money re-applying lol.

Ok thanks RUN again and good luck on your interview gforce!!

 

[Flushot]

Let me add that you should definitely be able to elaborate on your CV. It's often the only thing some interviewers will have time to read and do your best to use this to drive the conversation. Other than that, relax and enjoy your time here.

 

[Agent 0]

Long time SDN lurker here,

I have an interview on March 1 and am looking forward to it! This is the school I want to go to.

Just want to say I appreciate all the info. and help this thread and the interview feedback page has offered.

 

[gforce32]

christine that slot that opened up was my friend's! he's a jerk and i told him he should've done this a long time ago since he got accepted elsewhere months ago. i hope you get in. i cant imagine waiting another year. its a tough economy. i'm living with my mom right now and i cant get a job because this economy sucks. she'd be pissed if i had to do this all over. anyways, gl to ya!

thanks for the feedback everyone. i really appreciate it! i'm nervous, but i'm gonna go in and handle that interview come wed!😎

 

[lhamblin12]

I just got accepted to AZCOM! I interviewed on 2/19 and heard back today. Did anyone else that interviewed that day get in?

 

[Phoenixwillrise]

I interviewed 2/19 also I have yet to hear anything. How did you hear so soon? I think I know who you are so PM me 🙂 Did you accepted student checklist show up? Newho, Congrats to you!

 

[lhamblin12]

Yeah the accepted student checklist showed up with everything that I need to do.

 

[Kosar19]

Hey so I got invited to interview at AZCOM a couple days ago. It's my only interview so far (even though the times won't work for me 😡), but I'm really hoping to go to CCOM - has anyone been invited to interview at both, and if so did AZCOM offer you one earlier than CCOM?

 

[SmokeyGray]

Hey so I got invited to interview at AZCOM a couple days ago. It's my only interview so far (even though the times won't work for me 😡), but I'm really hoping to go to CCOM - has anyone been invited to interview at both, and if so did AZCOM offer you one earlier than CCOM?

I interviewed at both schools. I am an Arizona resident, but I received an invitation from CCOM a few days prior to receiving one from AZCOM. My AZCOM interview was almost 2 months after my CCOM interview for some reason.

 

[christine121]

AZCOM offered me an interview really quickly and I called CCOM yesterday and they still haven't reviewed my secondaries. So I guess it depends how busy they were when they got your apps maybe???? (I completed about mid Jan)

 

[Kosar19]

AZCOM offered me an interview really quickly and I called CCOM yesterday and they still haven't reviewed my secondaries. So I guess it depends how busy they were when they got your apps maybe???? (I completed about mid Jan)

Alright thanks. I completed mine about the same time but it took a little while after for my letters to get there so I'm hopefully in about the same position

 

[raebear]

AZCOM offered me an interview really quickly and I called CCOM yesterday and they still haven't reviewed my secondaries. So I guess it depends how busy they were when they got your apps maybe???? (I completed about mid Jan)

Other than sharing the name "Midwestern," AZCOM and CCOM have nothing to do with one another. They are completely separate schools with completely seperate admissions offices.

 

[gforce32]

i interviewed today. i think it went well. hope i get in!

 

[Flushot]

Hey so I got invited to interview at AZCOM a couple days ago. It's my only interview so far (even though the times won't work for me 😡), but I'm really hoping to go to CCOM - has anyone been invited to interview at both, and if so did AZCOM offer you one earlier than CCOM?

Other than sharing the name "Midwestern," AZCOM and CCOM have nothing to do with one another. They are completely separate schools with completely seperate admissions offices.

Exactly; I would treat them as two separate entities, just like you would with the Touros. I didn't hear anything at all from CCOM throughout the entire process, but then again, I only called them maybe twice. It just proves again that keeping in touch with schools can make things happen, good or bad.

i interviewed today. i think it went well. hope i get in!

I hope it went well. If you didn't see anyone on campus, it's finals week for us. Two more to go

 

[randomusername]

Good luck on the last two Flushot!

 

[BNHopeful]

Does anyone know how well Tmobile's reception is in Arizona? Specifically on campus? My contract is soon ending and I am debating on whether to switch providers or not...

 

[Asianjock903]

I don't know about T-mobile...but my Verizon phone worked perfectly fine.

 

[raebear]

I second Asianjock... I have Verizon and it was great when I was out there, but don't know anything about t-mobile.

 

[fratelli]

I have Verizon but I know a couple people here with TMobile. They both work great. It's actually the kids with the iphones that seem to have problems...

 

[Flushot]

AT&T as a whole seems to be patchy around campus. My roommate who is with them (no iPhone) loses signal constantly in our on campus housing.

I haven't seen any major problems with other providers.

 

[herky010]

I interviewed here on Friday. What a nice campus! I was really impressed with their COMLEX and USMLE pass rates. If I'm lucky enough to get accepted, AZCOM is making my decision process very difficult 🙂

 

[medicus914]

Anyone from the 2/22 interview heard back from the school yet?

 

[peeberbot]

Gave up my seat today after having been accepted at CCOM. Someone put it to use! 👍

 

[gforce32]

anyone heard back from 2/24 interview? when does the committee usually meet?

 

[herky010]

anyone heard back from 2/24 interview? when does the committee usually meet?

They told us at the end of our interview day (2/26) that the committee will be meeting at the end of this week. I haven't heard any news and my portal access hasn't changed at all either.

 

[medicus914]

Interviewed 2/22 accepted 3/04. No email notice as of yet, but I just checked my acceptance status, and everything is there! If you interviewed 2/22 check online!

 

[biotennis]

Does than mean anyone who interviewed in Feb would hear today, or do they do it one interview day at a time

 

[Phoenixwillrise]

They said the admissions committee meets today and that they are reviewing all of the applicants. I interview 2/19 and haven't heard anything. Only one person from my interview group has heard and has been accepted about a week or so ago. I getting worried and on the verge of tears because I want to get in so badly. When did you interview?

Does than mean anyone who interviewed in Feb would hear today, or do they do it one interview day at a time

 

[Dom027]

Congrats to all those accepted as well as those invited to interview.. Just curious, if anyone that was placed on the waitlist for an interview actually recently been invited?? Thanks! <~~~ still hoping and waiting for an interview chance ...

 

[Musketeer]

Someone closely involved with admissions told me today that they'll be meeting within the next few days (excluding the weekend probably) again, as they have applications to review from several interview dates since their last committee meeting. So if ya'll didn't get accepted today, keep your head up... you're definitely not out of it yet.

 

[randomusername]

They said the admissions committee meets today and that they are reviewing all of the applicants. I interview 2/19 and haven't heard anything. Only one person from my interview group has heard and has been accepted about a week or so ago. I getting worried and on the verge of tears because I want to get in so badly. When did you interview?

Don't stress it too much right now. I was accepted within three days of interviewing, before the committee was supposed to even meet. Within a week of the committee meeting when we were told they would meet, several people who interviewed before me, with me, and after me had acceptances. Plus, if you traipse through this thread, this has happened with virtually every interview round. So, point being, hang in there and hopefully good news is headed your way within the next week. :0)

 

[immaKuma]

Where my people from friday's (26th) interview at...just got the news and it's not bad...good luck to the rest of ya

 

[bcgans]

Don't stress it too much right now. I was accepted within three days of interviewing, before the committee was supposed to even meet. Within a week of the committee meeting when we were told they would meet, several people who interviewed before me, with me, and after me had acceptances. Plus, if you traipse through this thread, this has happened with virtually every interview round. So, point being, hang in there and hopefully good news is headed your way within the next week. :0)

I want to second what randomusername said.

I was in the very first interview group on the first interview day back in September. Someone who interviewed almost a week after me received their decision 5 days before I heard back. A lot of us were freaking out, as the committee was not supposed to have even met yet.

Just relax and take it one day at a time. You will hear back. Congrats to all those who have been accepted!

 

[herky010]

Where my people from friday's (26th) interview at...just got the news and it's not bad...good luck to the rest of ya

I'm from Friday too, and I also got accepted! 👍
Now I've got to make a decision before the 18th when our deposits are due...

 

[gforce32]

i'm in the same boat....interviewed 2/24 and just checked the portal. nothing there still. worried. guess i just gotta hang tight.