AZCOM Discussion Thread 2009-2010

[matrica]

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Thank you guys!

 

[cae2009]

Hi everyone! After reading the interview section in the CIB, I am really confused about the format of the interview. It sounds like they invite small groups to interview (I would hope so, they have interviews every day of the week!) and then interview them all together as a group? Can this be right?

 

[salazaar]

Hi everyone! After reading the interview section in the CIB, I am really confused about the format of the interview. It sounds like they invite small groups to interview (I would hope so, they have interviews every day of the week!) and then interview them all together as a group? Can this be right?

Oh, I hope not. Group interviews stress me out! I don't really want to be directly compared to other canidates like that.

 

[Flushot]

No, they interview each applicant separately. There is an interview panel of 3 people, usually 1 clinical faculty or physician, 1 basic science faculty, and 1 wild card (student, administration, etc.)

The groups you might have heard about are used for organizing interviewees into which panel they will be interviewing with. So, don't worry, you'll be on your own, but in front of 3 people.

 

[3dee]

does AZCOM have a specific focus??? for example, some schools focus on certain populations (rural, underserved, urban) or primary care?

 

[Flushot]

does AZCOM have a specific focus??? for example, some schools focus on certain populations (rural, underserved, urban) or primary care?

Not that I know of really. I think there is a required rural rotation third year but that's about it. AZCOM is very traditional and aims broadly in terms of what the students should be. I think you might be thinking that AZCOM has a 'focus' because of AT Still SOMA that is nearby, but no, it's a pretty typical setup.

 

[matrica]

School says they need the MCAT score, but I thought they got it through AACOMAS. Do I have to send them directly from AAMC?

 

[swamprat]

School says they need the MCAT score, but I thought they got it through AACOMAS. Do I have to send them directly from AAMC?

nah should show up tho eventually happened to me as well, maybe call just in case?

 

[dkrames1]

I am assuming I am supposed to fly into the phoenix airport for my interview? Somebody please confirm that with me.

 

[BassCaster]

That's the airport I'm flying into. Wasn't a far ride to AZCOM after mapquesting.

 

[ch1nchi11a]

I am assuming I am supposed to fly into the phoenix airport for my interview? Somebody please confirm that with me.

Yes, fly into Phoenix Skyharbor International Airport. If you don't want to rent a car, though it's probably less expensive, take the Super Shuttle to wherever you need to be. Getting to Midwestern is about a 25 minute drive northwest of the airport, but it's not difficult. Send me a message if you have any other questions!

 

[ch1nchi11a]

Second interview invite! Just got an invitation from AZCOM. Interviewing on September 24th!

 

[jaeyu116]

Second interview invite! Just got an invitation from AZCOM. Interviewing on September 24th!

Me too! I'm interviewing on the 24th.

 

[dkrames1]

I signed up for Oct 23rd interview congrats to all.

 

[Tizoc]

Got my invite today too. I was complete on 8/26.

 

[premed541]

Hey did anyone have a typo in their app and get an interview? I can't believe it, I put COMPLEX pass rate instead of COMLEX ... Hopefully it won't be a big deal

 

[Flushot]

Wow, congrats to all the interviews.

About the typo: I'm not sure what to say. It's variable and unfortunately, I don't think there's much you can do about it specifically at this point. Instead, just keep in touch with administration and see if you're being considered or on the backburner.

 

[PeterDO2B]

I heard AZCOM interviews 300 applicants for 250 seats in the entering class. That would mean that 8 out of 10 applicants would get in, is this true?

 

[Flushot]

I heard AZCOM interviews 300 applicants for 250 seats in the entering class. That would mean that 8 out of 10 applicants would get in, is this true?

I suspect they interview around 450. I don't know where people are getting this 300 number from, but realistically, most schools interview at least 50% more for the number of seats they have to fill, especially if it is a private school.

 

[jbru3423]

I am excited to interview at AZCOM on 10/19....anybody else interviewing this date...they had an impressive match list this past year which is really encouraging...

 

[dkrames1]

I am excited to interview at AZCOM on 10/19....anybody else interviewing this date...they had an impressive match list this past year which is really encouraging...

Do you have a link for that match list?

 

[Ki45toryu]

I suspect they interview around 450. I don't know where people are getting this 300 number from, but realistically, most schools interview at least 50% more for the number of seats they have to fill, especially if it is a private school.

true

 

[Ki45toryu]

Also, third year's just pretty much finished boards about a month or two ago...the results were pretty impressive.

You'll probably be hearing about them on your interview day.

 

[Flushot]

Do you have a link for that match list?

You can find them at the AZCOM 2008-2009 attachment list (the little paperclip to the right of the thread) but seeing as how those threads may be archived soon, I've gone ahead and uploaded all of those files here.

 

[HaveHope]

Why can't I figure out how to upload my resume?? I see the browse button, find it, and enter it, but I don't see an upload button anywhere. Am I missing something?

 

[premed541]

Why can't I figure out how to upload my resume?? I see the browse button, find it, and enter it, but I don't see an upload button anywhere. Am I missing something?

I thought the same thing at first! Just click save your application at the bottom and it should save it. Then it will show up as CV document to the right of where you upload and you can click it to view it.

 

[HaveHope]

I thought the same thing at first! Just click save your application at the bottom and it should save it. Then it will show up as CV document to the right of where you upload and you can click it to view it.

Haha. Thanks! I was also having an additional problem, which I realized was caused by the fact that the website did not accept the resume saved in Word 2007. I saved it as a Word 97 document and then it worked. phew!

 

[Flushot]

Yeah, I think when you browse and select the resume, it automatically uploads, but you have to save it. It's good that you got it working.

 

[golfin87]

interview invite! ill be there on 9-28.....timeline: i submitted my secondary on 8-20 and I got my letters in on 9-2 & 9-3; got the invite on 9-4...i was surprised how quick the turnaround was... good luck everyone

 

[jesscsanchez]

what is a good airline/airport to fly into for azcom? i was thinking southwest and phoenix ?

I'm flying from South Florida and it seems the cheapest for me is Northwest Airlines. I'm planning on going to the Phoenix airport too. Check the airline sites directly, they're always much cheaper than travel sites like Expedia, Travelocity, etc.

Anyone else apply to ATSU as well? I've got my AZCOM interview but I'm waiting for ATSU just in case, so I don't make the same trip out twice. 🙂

 

[Flushot]

Definitely check both (direct and 3rd party sources like Priceline). I think Southwest gets really good deals through 3rd party sites. Most of the people are coming in from around here so I guess it would be a bit different on the east coast.

 

[DocMcCoy]

Hey everybody! Is anyone interviewing Sept 28th? Looking to split a hotel room to save some money. Don't want to be hanging out by myself in Arizona.

 

[bellakk]

I'm flying from South Florida and it seems the cheapest for me is Northwest Airlines. I'm planning on going to the Phoenix airport too. Check the airline sites directly, they're always much cheaper than travel sites like Expedia, Travelocity, etc.

Anyone else apply to ATSU as well? I've got my AZCOM interview but I'm waiting for ATSU just in case, so I don't make the same trip out twice. 🙂

I would call SOMA and let them know you'll be interviewing in the area on ___ date, I think it'll help.

 

[jesscsanchez]

I would call SOMA and let them know you'll be interviewing in the area on ___ date, I think it'll help.

Thanks for the advice! I hope they can accommodate me 🙂

 

[ch1nchi11a]

Midwestern (both AZCOM and CCOM) has a new policy that they are implementing this year that any applicant who is not a resident of the U.S. must submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores to complete their application. This includes any individual from English-speaking countries like England, Australia, and Canada, even if English is their first language.
I was born in Canada and did my biology degree in the U.S. English is my first language. Now I have to shell out $245 ($35 late fee because I'm taking the test tomorrow) before either school will consider my application to be "complete." Tomorrow I get to test my ability to listen, read, speak, and write in English. I'm so stoked. 😡

 

[BrokenDisco]

I recd a "hold for interview" email. does this mean that I'm put on hold or that I'm getting an interview? my stats are pretty good...30 and 3.5

 

[premed541]

Just got my interview invite today! I'm really looking forward to visiting.

Does anyone know if they let us know about acceptance about 2 weeks after interviewing like a lot of other places?

 

[PeterDO2B]

I recd a "hold for interview" email. does this mean that I'm put on hold or that I'm getting an interview? my stats are pretty good...30 and 3.5

That means you have not been selected for an interview but they are still considering your application, that happened to me at another school. You could have great numbers and still be turned away.

 

[Dciple]

Just got my interview invite today! I'm really looking forward to visiting.

Does anyone know if they let us know about acceptance about 2 weeks after interviewing like a lot of other places?

Ya, it should be about 2 weeks. If you have waited that for 2 weeks and don't see an update on the online portal, just call the admissions office and ask if there is any update on your status. If they ask you for your Social Security #, then that means they are about to tell you "accepted" or "on hold". The online portal takes some time to get udated, it was about a week after I got my acceptance via phone.

Good luck and congrats to everyone who has interviewed/got an invite 🙂

 

[Black Adder]

Does anyone know whether or not there is a time limit for scheduling an interview before they get rid of your application? I received my invite 3-4 weeks ago but I wanted to wait before scheduling this interview. The only dates that they are offering are in october and I wanted to wait till the november dates started showing up.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

Does anyone know whether or not there is a time limit for scheduling an interview before they get rid of your application? I received my invite 3-4 weeks ago but I wanted to wait before scheduling this interview. The only dates that they are offering are in october and I wanted to wait till the november dates started showing up.

I believe that at AZCOM you can just wait until more dates open up, but I'm not sure how long that goes on for. I'd call and ask to make sure, but I think you should be ok.

 

[fattymangox03]

I recd a "hold for interview" email. does this mean that I'm put on hold or that I'm getting an interview? my stats are pretty good...30 and 3.5

Seriously? I have 25R and 3.5. I'm interviewing Oct 26. I would think that you would be offered an interview... 😕

 

[Flushot]

I recd a "hold for interview" email. does this mean that I'm put on hold or that I'm getting an interview? my stats are pretty good...30 and 3.5

This happened to a few people in our postbac actually. Just continue to call them and let them know you're interested. I remember VCOM did this to me, basically because I was so far off from the region and they wanted to see if I was interested. After hearing from several places, I put them on the backburner and it turned out as predicted.

I wouldn't worry and just show your interest to break out of the limbo.

 

[supras2kracer]

Hey did anyone have a typo in their app and get an interview? I can't believe it, I put COMPLEX pass rate instead of COMLEX ... Hopefully it won't be a big deal

I did the same thing. You can send an email to the AACOMAS people and ask them to change it. They helped me when I explained what I did.

I'm not sure if it's too late for you though. Mine wasn't verified (still isn't) when I did that.

 

[CardioPlus]

Hey, I got my interview invite today and scheduled my interview for Friday November 6th. The site suggested renting a car and driving to Glendale. I was just wondering if anyone had experience with convenient hotels in the area? any with shuttle services from the airport or to the campus? Also, does anyone know how old you have to be to rent a car in Arizona? I know in NY it's 25, so if that's the case in AZ, i'll be limited to buses or shuttles. lol Thanks!

 

[Flushot]

I don't know about independent shuttles, but you might be able to get a taxi or a shuttle to campus from any of the nearby hotels. Check Priceline or whatever for hotels and look them up individually. I also believe that it is 25 to rent a car here, so you'll have to make due.

Also, you could try getting a student host. I'd volunteer but I don't have a car right now so I wouldn't be the best host for this until I get one 😳

 

[premed541]

I did the same thing. You can send an email to the AACOMAS people and ask them to change it. They helped me when I explained what I did.

I'm not sure if it's too late for you though. Mine wasn't verified (still isn't) when I did that.

It was on my secondary and I called AZCOM and they said I could attach an addendum to my application, but I felt an entire additional sheet of paper would just draw more attention to it. I got an interview with AZCOM anyway so that was a good sign.

 

[premed541]

Hey, I got my interview invite today and scheduled my interview for Friday November 6th. The site suggested renting a car and driving to Glendale. I was just wondering if anyone had experience with convenient hotels in the area? any with shuttle services from the airport or to the campus? Also, does anyone know how old you have to be to rent a car in Arizona? I know in NY it's 25, so if that's the case in AZ, i'll be limited to buses or shuttles. lol Thanks!

My interview is in October and I've arranged to rent a car with enterprise under Midwestern's discount rate and then its an additional $10 since I'm under 25. So I think the total for a day was $60. And for the hotel, I just went to priceline and searched for hotels by distance from AZCOM by typing in their address.

 

[CardioPlus]

I don't know about independent shuttles, but you might be able to get a taxi or a shuttle to campus from any of the nearby hotels. Check Priceline or whatever for hotels and look them up individually. I also believe that it is 25 to rent a car here, so you'll have to make due.

Also, you could try getting a student host. I'd volunteer but I don't have a car right now so I wouldn't be the best host for this until I get one 😳

I just got the interview confirmation that they sent with the list of local hotels. A few of them offer shuttles so that's good. Thanks for the advice tho!

 

[CardioPlus]

My interview is in October and I've arranged to rent a car with enterprise under Midwestern's discount rate and then its an additional $10 since I'm under 25. So I think the total for a day was $60. And for the hotel, I just went to priceline and searched for hotels by distance from AZCOM by typing in their address.

Oh cool, That would be a lot more convenient to just rent a car. I'm 21 so I'll gladly just pay the surcharge so I don't have to taxi it up! I just looked up the sites, I think I may go with the Comfort Inn. I'll give it a few more days to look it over though.. thanks for help 👍