AZCOM Discussion Thread 2009-2010

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What percent attrition?


I wasn't talking about their curriculum, that was relatively decent. It was the fact that they only had a small room as the lecture hall, only one year at the medical campus, and high tuition for a new school. The school had a great looking dentistry school, but the med school was lacking.

The other problem is that they modulated all of their curriculum. They seem to teach more on diagnoses. For example, headache is one module. During that time, you dissect the head/neck learn the pharmacology, etc. When I visited there in June I asked them how they integrate everything. When I got a blank stare, I explained that I had read some new research on how migraines in diabetics can be triggered by abnormally high blood sugar levels. They fumbled around and stated that they had never heard that (it was an article that had been written in January or February of this year). Almost seems like an allopathic school that is teaching OMM, in my opinion.

I don't mean to sound so negative or like I am beating up on them. Like flushot said, it would be rude awakening to show up on interview day and just first be learning this! I had issues with their admission people. A friend went to visit them and the admissions counselor asked if they could meet at Starbuck's down the road (seemed creepy to me!). When I visited the first thing the admissions director said, "Well, your not a stellar candidate in the grades department." I knew that going in (due to a bad showing in my business BS) but having over 16,000 hours of direct patient care, a good MCAT, and 2 masters degrees (with high GPAs) didn't seem to matter to them as much as my overall and science GPAs. I am going to echo flushot here: DO you research before applying to whatever school!
 
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Aww, I was in that lab when you came in! I'm sorry we seemed grumpy; we were all just stressed out about the abdomen.

Even though finals were happening, the students were all very nice and willing to answers questions for us. It is very unlike pre-meds at some schools where they will give wrong notes if you have to miss a class. AZ State was terrible about this and everything there was so cut throat. AZCOM really instills that sense of cooperation in the students and it shows in how they respond to applicants. Future patients should be happy that students are working together and will get better doctors as a result!
 
interview april 9th....does that seem late?!?!?😱

Keep checking the portal to see if anything earlier opens up. I was able to get a date only 3 weeks away when I scheduled mine in mid October because someone had just canceled theirs.
 
The other problem is that they modulated all of their curriculum. They seem to teach more on diagnoses. For example, headache is one module. During that time, you dissect the head/neck learn the pharmacology, etc. When I visited there in June I asked them how they integrate everything. When I got a blank stare, I explained that I had read some new research on how migraines in diabetics can be triggered by abnormally high blood sugar levels. They fumbled around and stated that they had never heard that (it was an article that had been written in January or February of this year). Almost seems like an allopathic school that is teaching OMM, in my opinion.

I don't mean to sound so negative or like I am beating up on them. Like flushot said, it would be rude awakening to show up on interview day and just first be learning this! I had issues with their admission people. A friend went to visit them and the admissions counselor asked if they could meet at Starbuck's down the road (seemed creepy to me!). When I visited the first thing the admissions director said, "Well, your not a stellar candidate in the grades department." I knew that going in (due to a bad showing in my business BS) but having over 16,000 hours of direct patient care, a good MCAT, and 2 masters degrees (with high GPAs) didn't seem to matter to them as much as my overall and science GPAs. I am going to echo flushot here: DO you research before applying to whatever school!

Just to state it....this is about SOMA not azcom


Also tinman when did u interview at soma and azcom?
 
The other problem is that they modulated all of their curriculum. They seem to teach more on diagnoses. For example, headache is one module. During that time, you dissect the head/neck learn the pharmacology, etc. When I visited there in June I asked them how they integrate everything. When I got a blank stare, I explained that I had read some new research on how migraines in diabetics can be triggered by abnormally high blood sugar levels. They fumbled around and stated that they had never heard that (it was an article that had been written in January or February of this year). Almost seems like an allopathic school that is teaching OMM, in my opinion.

Wow, that is definitely interesting to shape the curriculum around major diagnoses. I have never heard of a school that has tried that. I only found that they were mainly clinical based early on, but that's like going all the way.

Anyway, to bring it back, AZCOM does not have a curve per se, so you get what you get. Obviously, if the class bombs a test into oblivion, they'll work it out, but there is a lot of co-operation. We share notes and websites on our class websites and I'm certain yours will be set up around May-June 2014, so you all can sign up and get things set up.

Also, if any of you interview, please mention SDN or any other medical networking site to Dr. Speicher. He is very interested in more technology on campus and would love to hear about how the school is presented outside of their official websites.
 
Just to state it....this is about SOMA not azcom


Also tinman when did u interview at soma and azcom?

Hi Biology. Let me also state it again. My comments were about SOMA. I absolutely love AZCOM and their curriculum.

I did not interview at SOMA. They rejected me after submission of my secondary application. I did visit in June, 2009, with my wife. At AZCOM, I interviewed on Wed. November 11th. That visit just solidified in my mind that AZCOM was right for me hopefully, they feel the same about me!). I had also visited in June, 2009. I really like the emphasis on cooperation and the lack of competition. Plus, it helps that I live about 45 minutes from the campus!
 
Hi Biology. Let me also state it again. My comments were about SOMA. I absolutely love AZCOM and their curriculum.

I did not interview at SOMA. They rejected me after submission of my secondary application. I did visit in June, 2009, with my wife. At AZCOM, I interviewed on Wed. November 11th. That visit just solidified in my mind that AZCOM was right for me hopefully, they feel the same about me!). I had also visited in June, 2009. I really like the emphasis on cooperation and the lack of competition. Plus, it helps that I live about 45 minutes from the campus!
oh ok I was on nov 9th
 
I should also note that the administration sets up each person with a big sibling from the class above them. It's their job to meet up with you during one of the orientation days and set up a mixer before class starts. They even give a little 'welcome to med school' gift, which can vary depending on your big sib.

I thought it was nice of them to set us up with a nice connection above, although I don't really talk to mine a lot anymore.
 
Hey Everyone,

I was wondering if you could help me out. I am planning on buying a suit for my interview but I don't know what type or color. I was thinking of a gray pinstripe style since I am kind of short. Does anyone have any suggestion? I would greatly appreciate it.
 
The application question states --> (my question is bolded)

4. Upload a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, which will include, but not be limited to the following information:

• Educational History (colleges attended and degrees earned)
• Employment History
• Medically related work and volunteer experiences
• College extracurricular activities, honors and leadership responsibility
• Community activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
• Hobbies and nonacademic interests

How do they want this formatted and how detailed do they want me to be? Are they asking for me to list or write mini-essays for these bullet points? Could anyone provide me with a sample? I don't have anything to go on. The instructions above are very vague when it comes to formatting. THANK YOU. I know I'm late in this process, but I can't change that. I just need to get it in ASAP!
 
Hey Everyone,

I was wondering if you could help me out. I am planning on buying a suit for my interview but I don't know what type or color. I was thinking of a gray pinstripe style since I am kind of short. Does anyone have any suggestion? I would greatly appreciate it.


thats is what i wore
 
The application question states --> (my question is bolded)

4. Upload a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, which will include, but not be limited to the following information:

• Educational History (colleges attended and degrees earned)
• Employment History
• Medically related work and volunteer experiences
• College extracurricular activities, honors and leadership responsibility
• Community activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
• Hobbies and nonacademic interests

How do they want this formatted and how detailed do they want me to be? Are they asking for me to list or write mini-essays for these bullet points? Could anyone provide me with a sample? I don't have anything to go on. The instructions above are very vague when it comes to formatting. THANK YOU. I know I'm late in this process, but I can't change that. I just need to get it in ASAP!

Key to it all is keep it simple.
Perhaps the easiest thing may be going into Word then using the resume wizard, pick a format and create all custom headings with the things they want included. That's pretty much all I did.
 
Hey Everyone,

I was wondering if you could help me out. I am planning on buying a suit for my interview but I don't know what type or color. I was thinking of a gray pinstripe style since I am kind of short. Does anyone have any suggestion? I would greatly appreciate it.

Avoid the gray! All the books say that black or navy blue, since this is a very professional interview. Also, I would recommend a white shirt and conservative tie. Remember, they are looking at you asking, does this person belong in the profession?

Check JCPenney's also. They have had some awesome clearance deals lately. I found a black suit for almost nothing!
 
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The application question states --> (my question is bolded)

4. Upload a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, which will include, but not be limited to the following information:

• Educational History (colleges attended and degrees earned)
• Employment History
• Medically related work and volunteer experiences
• College extracurricular activities, honors and leadership responsibility
• Community activities, honors, and leadership responsibilities
• Hobbies and nonacademic interests

How do they want this formatted and how detailed do they want me to be? Are they asking for me to list or write mini-essays for these bullet points? Could anyone provide me with a sample? I don't have anything to go on. The instructions above are very vague when it comes to formatting. THANK YOU. I know I'm late in this process, but I can't change that. I just need to get it in ASAP!


Be careful what you put on it! Anything is fair game for a question and the questions can be stumpers. I had put everything from my work history on there and drew a question that almost had me stumped. For 3 years, I worked a second job at Toys R Us during the holidays for extra money for Christmas. They asked me, "Please relate working at Toys R Us to being a doctor." I was stymied for a second, but then pulled an answer out that the interviewer actually told me that he would have never imagined the question being answered and that he could not believe that my answer sounded so good. I felt really good about it, but we will see it helped get me in or not.
 
Do any students or well-informed applicants have a rough estimate of where in the country students are from in the azcom class? lots of CA, AZ residents? lots of east coasters?
i'm looking at the residency match list and it seems very diversified across the states, and i'm wondering if that is representative of the student's wishes to practice in their home state which are all over the country or that if half the class is from CA, they couldn't all get into CA residencies.
 
Do any students or well-informed applicants have a rough estimate of where in the country students are from in the azcom class? lots of CA, AZ residents? lots of east coasters?
i'm looking at the residency match list and it seems very diversified across the states, and i'm wondering if that is representative of the student's wishes to practice in their home state which are all over the country or that if half the class is from CA, they couldn't all get into CA residencies.

From their website: "Top Home States: Arizona (30%), California, Utah"
 
I certainly saw a high distribution of west coasters at my interview

Yea, I was at the same interview. I'm also from San Francisco, CA and I remember there were at least two others from CA.

Hopefully the interview pool isn't representative of the class.

I only remember like 3 or 4 girls in a room full of like 15 dudes.

With a ratio like that, I may just go into nursing.

Oh and regarding the suit color, go with Navy Blue. Ask any store that tailors suits, or sells suits exclusively. They'll tell you your first suit should be navy blue for its business appeal and versatility. The next color could be grey, but black is the last choice. Navy and Grey = Business. Black = Attitude.

Oh, and I wore black since I already had a black suit tailored and I didnt think I should buy a whole new suit.
 
From their website: "Top Home States: Arizona (30%), California, Utah"


My interview group (9/18) had 18 people. 6 from UT, 2 from ID, 3 from CA, 1 from HI, 1 from AZ, and the rest from the midwest.

Oh, and there were 3 women and 15 men.

Loved the school. Each day it gets closer to 12/14 I'm becoming more and more set on AZCOM
 
Be careful what you put on it! Anything is fair game for a question and the questions can be stumpers. I had put everything from my work history on there and drew a question that almost had me stumped. For 3 years, I worked a second job at Toys R Us during the holidays for extra money for Christmas. They asked me, "Please relate working at Toys R Us to being a doctor." I was stymied for a second, but then pulled an answer out that the interviewer actually told me that he would have never imagined the question being answered and that he could not believe that my answer sounded so good. I felt really good about it, but we will see it helped get me in or not.

I'd have to second this, because there's a good chance your resume/CV is the only thing they will read because of lack of time or succinctness of the document. I'm glad it worked out for Tinman, but definitely use this to your advantage in putting things that you want them to ask you about, not necessarily everything you've ever done.
 
Yea, I was at the same interview. I'm also from San Francisco, CA and I remember there were at least two others from CA.

Hopefully the interview pool isn't representative of the class.

I only remember like 3 or 4 girls in a room full of like 15 dudes.

With a ratio like that, I may just go into nursing.

Oh and regarding the suit color, go with Navy Blue. Ask any store that tailors suits, or sells suits exclusively. They'll tell you your first suit should be navy blue for its business appeal and versatility. The next color could be grey, but black is the last choice. Navy and Grey = Business. Black = Attitude.

Oh, and I wore black since I already had a black suit tailored and I didnt think I should buy a whole new suit.

Black suits all the way. Sleek and confident. Thats all you need.
 
So after being complete at AZCOM for a couple weeks they offered me an interview, but the earliest available time wasn't until early April! How hard it will be to get accepted this late in the admissions process? And do any of you know how many interviews they typically offer and how many students they accept?

Although AZCOM is one of my top choices, travel costs will be very expensive for me and if my chances are slim to none the costs/benefits of going out there may be questionable...particularly if i am already accepted elsewhere.
 
So after being complete at AZCOM for a couple weeks they offered me an interview, but the earliest available time wasn't until early April! How hard it will be to get accepted this late in the admissions process? And do any of you know how many interviews they typically offer and how many students they accept?

Although AZCOM is one of my top choices, travel costs will be very expensive for me and if my chances are slim to none the costs/benefits of going out there may be questionable...particularly if i am already accepted elsewhere.

The admissions director said that they interivew about 600 for the 250 seats. If I remember correctly, he said that they need to accept upwards of 400 to get all the seats filled. According to him, the hard part is getting the interview offer.

If you're really interested in the school, wait to book your travel for a while and keep checking the online portal to see if you can get an eariler date. As people get other acceptances, there are likely to be cancellations.
 
So after being complete at AZCOM for a couple weeks they offered me an interview, but the earliest available time wasn't until early April! How hard it will be to get accepted this late in the admissions process? And do any of you know how many interviews they typically offer and how many students they accept?

Although AZCOM is one of my top choices, travel costs will be very expensive for me and if my chances are slim to none the costs/benefits of going out there may be questionable...particularly if i am already accepted elsewhere.

AZCOM states that they will do about 650 interviews and they have 250 seats. Keep checking to see if other people drop their slots and an earlier one opens up. One guy in my group on Nov 11th found a slot open on that Monday and another found his slot open on Tues morning. Yes, the travel costs jump at that point, but if AZCOM is one of your top choices then the cost would be worth it. However, you have to be right on it and catch the opening as they open because others are doing the same thing! Best of luck!
 
and i thought i was quick...haha

I love the feeling of cooperation among the students pursuing DO. At ASU, I had to miss class for a doctor's appt. and asked someone I though I could trust to take notes in chemistry. They altered the notes to mess me up since all of us were pre-med. Another friend has been reading this thread as he applies to the allopathic schools and he keeps asking, "Well what happens if they get in and you don't?" I told him, then the public will be getting some darned good docs who care and are willing to go the extra mile and I apply again next year.

Thanks to all of you who have been so willing to share and help others through this process! I know I made the right choice to dedicate my applications to the DO schools!
 
Congrats!!

Did you find out via MWU online or a letter? I was on the 6th and have been checking online to no avail.

Thanks 🙂

I checked on MWU portal and the accepted student checklist showed up today.

Call them maybe and see if they can give you the decision over the phone?
 
To all the recent acceptances - congrats!

I made my decision today to fork over the deposit and sign the matriculation papers. Very excited!

For those of you looking for info on 3rd and 4th year, rotations, etc., the current MS II class president posted a bunch of stuff in the Osteopathic Class Thread under "AZCOM 2014." I'd post a link, but I gotta run, you can find it 🙂
 
To all the recent acceptances - congrats!

I made my decision today to fork over the deposit and sign the matriculation papers. Very excited!

For those of you looking for info on 3rd and 4th year, rotations, etc., the current MS II class president posted a bunch of stuff in the Osteopathic Class Thread under "AZCOM 2014." I'd post a link, but I gotta run, you can find it 🙂

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=670056&page=2
 
Got a letter in the mail today. Placed on hold. Nice way of giving me a rejection or do they actually wind up calling people off the hold list?
 
Got a letter in the mail today. Placed on hold. Nice way of giving me a rejection or do they actually wind up calling people off the hold list?

What did it say on your portal?

Were you surprised?
 
I interviewed on the same day and have no change on my portal.

Plus I was told they weren't meeting until tomorrow.

FML?

I spoke to admissions today and they verified the committee is meeting tomorrow at 2 PM. I have heard that this has happened before. Not sure why, unless that particular applicant was a unanimous choice to be accepted and the whole committee does not need to discuss that application. That's the only thing I can think of right now.
 
Got a letter in the mail today. Placed on hold. Nice way of giving me a rejection or do they actually wind up calling people off the hold list?

Is that pre-interview or post-interview? I spoke with one of the admissions counselors and she told me that normally they do contact people from the post-interview hold list because people decide to go elsewhere or their plans for whatever reason change.
 
I spoke to admissions today and they verified the committee is meeting tomorrow at 2 PM. I have heard that this has happened before. Not sure why, unless that particular applicant was a unanimous choice to be accepted and the whole committee does not need to discuss that application. That's the only thing I can think of right now.

Any point in calling tomorrow or should we just wait till Friday when my heart stops?
 
Is that pre-interview or post-interview? I spoke with one of the admissions counselors and she told me that normally they do contact people from the post-interview hold list because people decide to go elsewhere or their plans for whatever reason change.

pre-interview =(
 
DbDan, you should keep them updated with grades and other things you're working on. It will move as the season continues, so it's not over.

SF, I would wait until Friday. They'll probably receive a ton of calls tomorrow too, so if you're anxious, just check your online account.

Thanks for the link to AZCOM 2014. I'm glad that Mansoor (AZCOM's SGA president) stopped by to answer more questions about 3rd and 4th year. I was actually talking to him about it earlier, so hopefully this clears most of everything up.

EDIT - Congrats on your decision bcgans! Looking forward to seeing you around next year 🙂

By the way, did you get my PM?
 
I also had the portal change today, is this an acceptance or a cruel joke?!
 
Flushot - I did get your PM, its been a hectic week and I will get back to you soon! Thanks again!


To those of you wondering about your status:

I interviewed the first day at AZCOM (9/18). They told us the committee would meet in two weeks, and we would know by 10/1.

Later the next week (sometime around 9/25) Some people received phone calls from the dean congratulating them and their status changed. A bunch of us freaked out and called admissions as we were sure our fate was grim. Alas, admissions confirmed what we were already told - they were meeting next week and we would know by 10/1 😕:scared:! We had no idea how people who interviewed AFTER us had acceptances and our files had not even been reviewed. Even when 10/1 rolled around some people had to call admissions to find out they were accepted because their portal never changed.

If you look back through the thread, you can read the whole debacle. My point is be patient, and even if someone who interviewed after you receives an acceptance, stay calm. This is a crazy process - expect the unexpected- and prepare for one hell of a ride.

Your best bet is to 1) keep checking your status, 2) call admissions on the Friday you know the committee is meeting, 3) wait for a phone call from the dean, or 4) wait for the snail mail letter.

Just fyi: I interviewed on 9/18, my status changed on 10/1, got a phone call from the dean on 10/2, and received my snail mail letter around 10/17.


Sorry to rant, I know how obsessed I was with this whole process and if my story can help calm some nerves its worth it. Keep your heads up!
 
Flushot - I did get your PM, its been a hectic week and I will get back to you soon! Thanks again!

Just fyi: I interviewed on 9/18, my status changed on 10/1, got a phone call from the dean on 10/2, and received my snail mail letter around 10/17.


Sorry to rant, I know how obsessed I was with this whole process and if my story can help calm some nerves its worth it. Keep your heads up!


Bcgans, any idea why it seems that some statuses change on the day before the admissions committee meets? Seems a little odd, although I am happy for those to whom it has happened!
 
Tinman -

I wish I knew. Let me tell you, I wanted to call them and say "Listen....I was in the first interview group.....why have some peoples statuses changed? And why are people getting calls from the dean??? AND WHY IS IT I WAS FIRST AND HAVENT BEEN F%*#ING REVIEWED YET>!>!>!>!>??"

Of course I didn't.

You can call tomorrow if you want to, but you'll probably get a more helpful response on Friday (if thats when you were told the committee would meet). It sucks how vague everything is and how one or two SDN posts can really set you off and put your nerves to the test.

PM me if you want some more help, I'd be happy to assist as best I can.
 
Flushot - I did get your PM, its been a hectic week and I will get back to you soon! Thanks again!


To those of you wondering about your status:

I interviewed the first day at AZCOM (9/18). They told us the committee would meet in two weeks, and we would know by 10/1.

Later the next week (sometime around 9/25) Some people received phone calls from the dean congratulating them and their status changed. A bunch of us freaked out and called admissions as we were sure our fate was grim. Alas, admissions confirmed what we were already told - they were meeting next week and we would know by 10/1 😕:scared:! We had no idea how people who interviewed AFTER us had acceptances and our files had not even been reviewed. Even when 10/1 rolled around some people had to call admissions to find out they were accepted because their portal never changed.

If you look back through the thread, you can read the whole debacle. My point is be patient, and even if someone who interviewed after you receives an acceptance, stay calm. This is a crazy process - expect the unexpected- and prepare for one hell of a ride.

Your best bet is to 1) keep checking your status, 2) call admissions on the Friday you know the committee is meeting, 3) wait for a phone call from the dean, or 4) wait for the snail mail letter.

Just fyi: I interviewed on 9/18, my status changed on 10/1, got a phone call from the dean on 10/2, and received my snail mail letter around 10/17.


Sorry to rant, I know how obsessed I was with this whole process and if my story can help calm some nerves its worth it. Keep your heads up!

This was my experience as well... although I interviewed on 9/28, so I didn't have as long to wait. But I thought my rejection was on its way when I heard people had already gotten accepted! The day the admissions committee was meeting I must have re-loaded my MNUNET homepage about 20,000 times. I had just about given up around 7 pm (5 pm in arizona) when it FINALLY changed to the accepted student checklist and I just about jumped through the ceiling with joy! But then I heard that many people's statuses didn't change and they found out the next day they had been accepted. So long-story short, don't assume not hearing anything means you are rejected...keep the hope alive! Good luck! :luck:
 
Flushot - I did get your PM, its been a hectic week and I will get back to you soon! Thanks again!


To those of you wondering about your status:

I interviewed the first day at AZCOM (9/18). They told us the committee would meet in two weeks, and we would know by 10/1.

Later the next week (sometime around 9/25) Some people received phone calls from the dean congratulating them and their status changed. A bunch of us freaked out and called admissions as we were sure our fate was grim. Alas, admissions confirmed what we were already told - they were meeting next week and we would know by 10/1 😕:scared:! We had no idea how people who interviewed AFTER us had acceptances and our files had not even been reviewed. Even when 10/1 rolled around some people had to call admissions to find out they were accepted because their portal never changed.

If you look back through the thread, you can read the whole debacle. My point is be patient, and even if someone who interviewed after you receives an acceptance, stay calm. This is a crazy process - expect the unexpected- and prepare for one hell of a ride.

Your best bet is to 1) keep checking your status, 2) call admissions on the Friday you know the committee is meeting, 3) wait for a phone call from the dean, or 4) wait for the snail mail letter.

Just fyi: I interviewed on 9/18, my status changed on 10/1, got a phone call from the dean on 10/2, and received my snail mail letter around 10/17.


Sorry to rant, I know how obsessed I was with this whole process and if my story can help calm some nerves its worth it. Keep your heads up!

No this rant was helpful.
 
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