AZCOM Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[DbDan]

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Still have not received my confirmation from Dr. Speicher about my rotation assignment. I called his office on Monday but never received a call back. Guess I'll be waiting until after holidays to hear back from them. I'm just going to assume for now I've got LA

 

[DbDan]

I'm officially an AZCOM student! I just paid my deposit... Ouch. So for now, It looks like I am going to AZCOM! I’m actually very excited and I feel a little relieved...

👍 Now you can join my thread of AZCOM class of 2015 in the osteo student forums 😉 haha

 

[noshie]

👍 Now you can join my thread of AZCOM class of 2015 in the osteo student forums 😉 haha

Awesome!!! Do we have a FB page yet?

 

[Compwarrior]

Awesome!!! Do we have a FB page yet?

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=158051064214073

This is the one I joined... If Mr. Walker says its the right one, that's good enough for me.

 

[noshie]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=158051064214073

This is the one I joined... If Mr. Walker says its the right one, that's good enough for me.

How odd... I already joined it I think!

 

[randomusername]

How odd... I already joined it I think!

Haha Yes, you have.


Also, as the class becomes a bit more "concrete" in the coming months there will need to be a few of y'all willing to do admin stuff for the group because it will be the most efficient means of getting word about events and whatnot to your classmates and I'll be asleep most of the summer when all of these events are needing to be made. 😉

 

[DbDan]

How odd... I already joined it I think!

You were the one who invited me to join it way back when we first were accepted.

 

[noshie]

You were the one who invited me to join it way back when we first were accepted.

Hahahaha, my life is such a blur these days... 🙄

 

[DbDan]

Hahahaha, my life is such a blur these days... 🙄

everyone's is at this point it seems. My week old iPhone just took a dive 😡 Dialing random letters/numbers without me touching the screen. Faaaantastic. Time to head back to ATT.

 

[noshie]

everyone's is at this point it seems. My week old iPhone just took a dive 😡 Dialing random letters/numbers without me touching the screen. Faaaantastic. Time to head back to ATT.

That sucks! The new 4g? You should get their new Microsoft based phone... My friend got one from ATT and it is awesome! I got the droid phone (epic) with sprint and it is probably the best thing I ever bought... The best part is the slide out keyboard, and it has this thing called "swipe" for screen texting... Yeah, swipe is amazing!

 

[BooRadley85]

does AZCOM publish a 2010 (or 2009) match results list? If so could any of you provide the link to it? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

 

[DbDan]

does AZCOM publish a 2010 (or 2009) match results list? If so could any of you provide the link to it? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Its in the thread. Someone posted a google maps with the matches.

 

[DbDan]

That sucks! The new 4g? You should get their new Microsoft based phone... My friend got one from ATT and it is awesome! I got the droid phone (epic) with sprint and it is probably the best thing I ever bought... The best part is the slide out keyboard, and it has this thing called "swipe" for screen texting... Yeah, swipe is amazing!

Ya it was the iPhone 4, its not 4G though. I took it in and they just gave me a new one, said they had never seen anything like it. My phone was possessed lol

I can't download swype on my phone, its awesome though . SO fast.

 

[randomusername]

does AZCOM publish a 2010 (or 2009) match results list? If so could any of you provide the link to it? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...100745,-88.286133&spn=11.124826,23.225098&z=6

 

[lftbndlbrnchblk]

Do we all have to get smart phones and laptops now? Any current students know if that's a recommendation or requirement?

 

[DbDan]

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116169576940585216338.00047cc35353e511098cf&ll=33.100745%2C-88.286133&spn=11.124826%2C23.225098&z=6

That'd be the one I was refering to

Do we all have to get smart phones and laptops now? Any current students know if that's a recommendation or requirement?

I don't remember seeing a requirement for anything. I went out and got a smartphone because I like having it and I *may* go buy a laptop before school hoping that it will last me 4 years. I've got one thats gonna be 2 years old and works fine, but I'd prefer not to worry about it taking a dive

 

[randomusername]

Do we all have to get smart phones and laptops now? Any current students know if that's a recommendation or requirement?

Nope to both. As far as school's concerned, there's no real need for a smart phone as a first or second year student. The laptop you can get away with not having if you really, really want to, but I honestly don't know of a single person that doesn't have at least a netbook, tablet, or laptop out of convenience (lectures sometimes get posted late so you can't print them out ahead of time, you want to study somewhere different and don't want to carry a bunch of papers with you, your printer isn't working so you need your notes with you in some format, etc.). If it's a matter of just not wanting to pay for one, I'd highly suggest you buy one anyway because the little convenience of not being tied to a desktop will likely come in very handy at some point (either for class or sanity), especially since you can get a decent one for <$500 if you do your homework and don't want something that's capable of running 800 memory-intensive programs at once.

 

[Guek]

so I finished my secondary application to AZCOM about 2 months ago and haven't received any word back from them. considering so many people have already gotten accepted, some seemingly getting responses for their secondaries much sooner than I have, is it safe to assume that I've likely been passed over?

I should at least receive a rejection notice, right? Or does this just mean they haven't made a definite decision about my application yet?

 

[randomusername]

so I finished my secondary application to AZCOM about 2 months ago and haven't received any word back from them. considering so many people have already gotten accepted, some seemingly getting responses for their secondaries much sooner than I have, is it safe to assume that I've likely been passed over?

I should at least receive a rejection notice, right? Or does this just mean they haven't made a definite decision about my application yet?

You should probably call to check on your status. Today (Tuesday) will very likely be your last chance to get in touch with anybody from Admissions until after January 3rd, so I'd suggest doing so if you get the chance. As far as a rejection notice or an "on-hold" notification, you're correct in that the school would mail out those if they weren't going to extend an interview offer with your application as-is.
*Also, just to make sure (as not everybody realizes this so better safe than sorry), if you get invited for an interview it will show up on the online portal as the system does not consistently email notifications of interview invites.

 

[Compwarrior]

Also, as the class becomes a bit more "concrete" in the coming months there will need to be a few of y'all willing to do admin stuff for the group because it will be the most efficient means of getting word about events and whatnot to your classmates and I'll be asleep most of the summer when all of these events are needing to be made. 😉

I wouldn't mind helping out a bit. I've been what is known as "one of those guys who sits on the back row", but I'm trying to change my ways and become more actively involved.

 

[randomusername]

I wouldn't mind helping out a bit. I've been what is known as "one of those guys who sits on the back row", but I'm trying to change my ways and become more actively involved.

Alright, you should be set up for it now.

 

[Compwarrior]

Alright, you should be set up for it now.

Thanks!

 

[lftbndlbrnchblk]

What do most students do over the summer, randomusername? Work? Research? Relax? All three if that's possible?

 

[randomusername]

What do most students do over the summer, randomusername? Work? Research? Relax? All three if that's possible?

For the most part, it seems like people going into MS1 do a whole lot of nothing if at all possible (other than stress out about what they've gotten themselves into), or work if it isn't. What I've gathered from the MS2s I know, during summer between MS1/MS2, most people go back home or laze around Arizona during the summer, though a number of people also work, do research, do work doing research, do more volunteer work, or shadow docs. All relish in not studying for weekly exams though. I think it mostly just depends on how ambitious you are, whether or not you actually enjoy research, and whether you'd rather live off of loan money, parental money, or summer job money for a couple of months.

 

[lftbndlbrnchblk]

For the most part, it seems like people going into MS1 do a whole lot of nothing if at all possible (other than stress out about what they've gotten themselves into), or work if it isn't. What I've gathered from the MS2s I know, during summer between MS1/MS2, most people go back home or laze around Arizona during the summer, though a number of people also work, do research, do work doing research, do more volunteer work, or shadow docs. All relish in not studying for weekly exams though. I think it mostly just depends on how ambitious you are, whether or not you actually enjoy research, and whether you'd rather live off of loan money, parental money, or summer job money for a couple of months.

Okay, I gotcha. I suppose that summer between MS1 and MS2 is too soon to start thinking about making yourself stand out for residencies and things by doing research? Is it crazy to think that far ahead? I just don't want a situation where I kick myself for not treating this like a full-time job all-year 'round when everyone told me to...

I'd love to relax but I hate regretting not doing things when the timing was perfect. I.E. looking back on those relaxing summers as a 4th year applying to a competitive residency. I know I probably sound really gunner-ish and I hate that, too, lol! I just really want to make the most of this.

 

[Umm]

What do most students do over the summer, randomusername? Work? Research? Relax? All three if that's possible?

Definitely, definitely, definitely relax. Enjoy your time off! You may not think it helps but first quarter is a bit longer than usual since they try and ease you into the grind of med school. I know being able to do whatever before I started helped me stay sane during the long haul.

 

[randomusername]

Okay, I gotcha. I suppose that summer between MS1 and MS2 is too soon to start thinking about making yourself stand out for residencies and things by doing research? Is it crazy to think that far ahead? I just don't want a situation where I kick myself for not treating this like a full-time job all-year 'round when everyone told me to...

Honestly, I think for the most part the people that will be doing research are those that will only be satisfied with something super-competitive, those that would consider doing something super-competitive if they found they liked it and just want to keep their options as open as possible, or those that just enjoy research on its own. All of that being said, the summer between MS1/2 is likely your best opportunity to get in research (you won't have any other time as a medical student in which you have a couple of months to dedicate to nothing but research if you choose to do so) and wouldn't be jumping the gun if that's what you decide to do.

If you're curious about how important research, ECs, volunteering, etc. are, here's a link to a PD survey that compiled data regarding how important certain factors were in extending interview offers and whatnot.
http://www.nrmp.org/data/programresultsbyspecialty.pdf

 

[mauve]

hey guys, i have an interview coming up here and after scouring the thread, i found a only few feedbacks (btw thanks noshie for your list! It'll be a great introspective exercise 🙂) I know there's the interview feedback forum and I tried to print out info about azcom (I didn't find much though ...)
what else can I do/should do? how else did you prepare?

also if you explored around arizona, any suggestions for must-see places? i won't have a car there (and I'm < 25 so I can't use the rentals either) so i'll be limited to either public transport or walking distance 🙁

 

[Compwarrior]

hey guys, i have an interview coming up here and after scouring the thread, i found a only few feedbacks (btw thanks noshie for your list! It'll be a great introspective exercise 🙂) I know there's the interview feedback forum and I tried to print out info about azcom (I didn't find much though ...)
what else can I do/should do? how else did you prepare?

also if you explored around arizona, any suggestions for must-see places? i won't have a car there (and I'm < 25 so I can't use the rentals either) so i'll be limited to either public transport or walking distance 🙁

I really don't have any great advice... I'm pretty sure I am terrible at interviewing. I would suggesting knowing the school and why specifically you want to go to the school. If your answer could be copied-and-pasted to any other school interview, then don't use it. That's what I did for a while and it really didn't work well for me.

Anyway, the real reason why I wanted to post was to let you know you can rent a car < 25. As long as you are between 21 and 25 most rental companies just add on $20-25 a day. If you can Priceline a car for ~$20/day then you're looking at a total of $50-60/day total. I don't know about you, but it was worth it for me to have the freedom to move about as I wish.

 

[randomusername]

hey guys, i have an interview coming up here and after scouring the thread, i found a only few feedbacks (btw thanks noshie for your list! It'll be a great introspective exercise 🙂) I know there's the interview feedback forum and I tried to print out info about azcom (I didn't find much though ...)
what else can I do/should do? how else did you prepare?

also if you explored around arizona, any suggestions for must-see places? i won't have a car there (and I'm < 25 so I can't use the rentals either) so i'll be limited to either public transport or walking distance 🙁

You should already have answers for (because you're guaranteed to get them): Why medicine? Why DO? Why Midwestern/AZCOM?

QUESTIONS THEY'VE ASKED OTHERS A LOT

****What would I do if I was not doing well in my first semester of medical school?
Is it ever okay to cry in front of or with a patient?
What is the single greatest act of kindness in my life?
Have I ever broken a rule in my life?
****What is the greatest thing you can do for another human being as a doctor?
****If you caught a fellow student cheating, what would you do?
Research versus patient care. Which would you choose and why?
What are some problems with healthcare today? Followed by: How would YOU fix them?
If you were chosen to administer the death penalty to a prisoner, what would you do?
****Why Medicine/Midwestern/DO?
If you got into your top DO and top MD school, how do you choose?
Tell us an ethical situation you have faced and what you learned from it
What challenges will you face as a DO?
If Pres. Obama were to call you and ask you about your opinions on the current healthcare debate, what would you say?
How do you think you will do in first year at med school?
What will you do if you fail your first exam?
Do you think we should increase taxes to cover everyone healthcare wise?
What makes you different than the rest of our applicants?
Do you think everyone should have healthcare?
What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
What really shaped your life and lead you to want to become a DO?
What do you feel should changed about healthcare today and why?
What makes a successful person?
If you weren't about to go into medicine right now, what would you be doing with your life?
What is a difficulty you have faced in the past and how did you overcome it?
****If you could have three people to dinner, who would you bring and what would you make?

SHOWED UP A FEW TIMES&#8230;
What is your position on stem cell research?
How do you see yourself interacting with the class?
What is going to make me remember you after interviewing 60 people?
What is an ethical dillema that you have faced and how did you deal with it?
Tell me the difference between DO and MD without using the term "holistic"
Choose 1 ethics topic you would like to discuss.
What do you do when a patient refuses to follow your advice?
Why medicine?
What positive attributes will make you a good doc?
Weakness that could affect your career? How you have improved on this area?
Tell me advantages and disadvantages of the US healthcare system
What do you do to relieve stress?
What makes you sad?
The President has just elected you to identify a major problem in healthcare and come up with a solution. What do you propose?
What are the 3 most important characteristics of choosing a medical school?
What was one thing that really worked to your advantage in your undergrad, and how could it work here? And what is one thing that was a disadvantage in your undergrad and apply that here as well.



As far as transportation goes, as already mentioned you can rent a car <25. Look into Enterprise, MWU has a corporate account with them to give you a slight discount (ID: COR2043). I want to believe somebody had previously told me it waived the <25 fee, but don't quote me on it.
*If you manage to rent a car and will be around for a few days there's plenty of stuff to do in the Phoenix area (art museum, science museum, musical instrument museum, zoo, aquarium, ~10 or so restaurants from "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" on Food Network, hiking opportunities, desert botanical gardens; if you'll be in town on Friday there's the First Friday Art-Walk in Phoenix which I've not been to but hear is fun; for people coming during late-February/April, Arizona is kind of a big deal when it comes to MLB spring training as tons of teams play in the Cactus League, etc.).

 

[DbDan]

I really don't have any great advice... I'm pretty sure I am terrible at interviewing. I would suggesting knowing the school and why specifically you want to go to the school. If your answer could be copied-and-pasted to any other school interview, then don't use it. That's what I did for a while and it really didn't work well for me.

Anyway, the real reason why I wanted to post was to let you know you can rent a car < 25. As long as you are between 21 and 25 most rental companies just add on $20-25 a day. If you can Priceline a car for ~$20/day then you're looking at a total of $50-60/day total. I don't know about you, but it was worth it for me to have the freedom to move about as I wish.

In addition, check with your insurance company and see if they have deals setup with any particular rental company. I'm <25 but USAA has deals with Hertz and they waived the extra fee in addition to getting me a discount. I paid about ~30/day at the interviews I couldn't drive my own car to.

 

[lftbndlbrnchblk]

Mauve,

Having gotten in, I'd still say that you should prepare yourself to answer any or all of those questions randomusername put there. However, I myself had to answer very few of those and other questions that we'd all deem "typical" for interviews. My questions ranged from a few of those above to anything like what kind of superpower would I like to have, what kitchen utensil would I be and why, what was the last book I read and explain what it was about, describe a certain family member in one word, etc etc.

 

[DbDan]

Mauve,

Having gotten in, I'd still say that you should prepare yourself to answer any or all of those questions randomusername put there. However, I myself had to answer very few of those and other questions that we'd all deem "typical" for interviews. My questions ranged from a few of those above to anything like what kind of superpower would I like to have, what kitchen utensil would I be and why, what was the last book I read and explain what it was about, describe a certain family member in one word, etc etc.

I got this one too. When I gave the title of the book one of my interviewers said "stop, I just started that one" and didn't let me give the storyline

 

[sradoctora]

I have random, hypothetical question for all first years. My oldest friend is getting married next year and I am in the wedding. She Is trying to pick a date and is settling on Dec 3. I was just wondering what this time of year looked like for you guys... Is this a hectic stressful time or would I be ok to basically take a weekend "off" in comparison to normal? I know this isn't a finals time- but what do you think? Thanks so much

 

[CWALKERRUN]

I have random, hypothetical question for all first years. My oldest friend is getting married next year and I am in the wedding. She Is trying to pick a date and is settling on Dec 3. I was just wondering what this time of year looked like for you guys... Is this a hectic stressful time or would I be ok to basically take a weekend "off" in comparison to normal? I know this isn't a finals time- but what do you think? Thanks so much

That's actually a perfect time. That is the start of the winter quarter (Dec. 1 technically) and so you won't have an exam until the third week (ours was on the 13th). Those dates may change but nevertheless you will be fine.

 

[sradoctora]

That's actually a perfect time. That is the start of the winter quarter (Dec. 1 technically) and so you won't have an exam until the third week (ours was on the 13th). Those dates may change but nevertheless you will be fine.

That is great! Thank you so much for your quick response.

 

[supermang]

hey guys if anyone needs some info about glendale & arrowhead ranch, feel free to PM me, Ive lived here, 5 minutes from campus, for 13+ yrs. I can also refer you to a good realtor who can hook it up with a fatty discount for fellow SDNers

 

[DocDJ]

Just withdrew my app and canceled my interview...hopefully that helps one of you...good luck!!!

 

[nfsonpowday]

I was wondering if anyone has done a thorough comparison of AZCOM and TUCOM-CA. I have an interview in January for TUCOM-CA and I have already been accepted to AZCOM.

-From what I understand so far, AZCOM's rotations might be better?
-Does anyone have insight as to major differences between TUCOM-CA's curiculum, board pass rates (COMLEX and/or USMLE), or TUCOM-CA's attitude toward students taking USMLE's?

Any info would be super helpful!

 

[Guek]

well i called up AZCOM and learned I was on the waitlist...for the interview 🙁

i guess at least it's not an outright rejection...yet

 

[randomusername]

well i called up AZCOM and learned I was on the waitlist...for the interview 🙁

i guess at least it's not an outright rejection...yet

Update them with grades, activities, and whatnot when you can and you just might get an invite as the cycle progresses. 👍

 

[randomusername]

I was wondering if anyone has done a thorough comparison of AZCOM and TUCOM-CA. I have an interview in January for TUCOM-CA and I have already been accepted to AZCOM.

-From what I understand so far, AZCOM's rotations might be better?
-Does anyone have insight as to major differences between TUCOM-CA's curiculum, board pass rates (COMLEX and/or USMLE), or TUCOM-CA's attitude toward students taking USMLE's?

Any info would be super helpful!

Just skimming through TUCOM's course descriptions, it appears that they're more of a systems-based curriculum while AZCOM is more of a classic curriculum. They also have a primary care orientation in their statement while AZCOM just wants to make docs. Hopefully somebody over in the TUCOM board could help you out better with their stuff. The most "personal" knowledge I have of TUCOM-CA is that my cousin's husband graduated from there, is now doing an allo rads residency and he's never complained about the education he received.

 

[nfsonpowday]

Just skimming through TUCOM's course descriptions, it appears that they're more of a systems-based curriculum while AZCOM is more of a classic curriculum. They also have a primary care orientation in their statement while AZCOM just wants to make docs. Hopefully somebody over in the TUCOM board could help you out better with their stuff. The most "personal" knowledge I have of TUCOM-CA is that my cousin's husband graduated from there, is now doing an allo rads residency and he's never complained about the education he received.

Great-thanks! 👍

 

[powersr8810]

Just got an interview invite and I am scheduled for feb 28th. I am slightly worried that this is awfully late in the cycle and I would be interviewing for a very limited number of seats, is this a valid concern?

 

[randomusername]

Just got an interview invite and I am scheduled for feb 28th. I am slightly worried that this is awfully late in the cycle and I would be interviewing for a very limited number of seats, is this a valid concern?

Yes and no. Certainly it's harder to get an acceptance in late-February than late-October but they still accept a number of people around then without placing them on the wait-list. You can either keep checking the portal for earlier dates (people will cancel their interviews between now and then) or use the next month to brush up on your interview skills to help ensure you have as great of an interview as possible. Good luck. 👍

 

[lftbndlbrnchblk]

Just got an interview invite and I am scheduled for feb 28th. I am slightly worried that this is awfully late in the cycle and I would be interviewing for a very limited number of seats, is this a valid concern?

Don't think about stuff like that. All you have to be concerned with is nailing the interview. Also, consider that plenty of people have been waitlisted and remain on the waitlist. The fact that they looked past all of them to offer you a chance to interview is not them being charitable - they want to see who else is out there beyond those they've already come to know. So, they are very much interested in you despite it being late in the cycle.

 

[dexs]

Just got an interview invite and I am scheduled for feb 28th. I am slightly worried that this is awfully late in the cycle and I would be interviewing for a very limited number of seats, is this a valid concern?

When were you complete?

 

[powersr8810]

Ok, thanks for the quick responses. I think I will just try to find some earlier dates that may open up, it is always nice to know sooner than later.

I was complete sometime around August and was put on hold late September.

 

[Compwarrior]

Just got an interview invite and I am scheduled for feb 28th. I am slightly worried that this is awfully late in the cycle and I would be interviewing for a very limited number of seats, is this a valid concern?

These are rough numbers, so bear with me. I interviewed in the middle of April last year, from what I was able to gather, of that group about a third were accepted, and a third were wait-listed (including myself). I don't need to tell you what happened to the other third.

Hope is not lost. Personally, I don't think a Feb. interview is bad at all.

 

[fiznat]

Interview invite!!! Woooo so excited!!! I think it's going to be Feb 28th, although I'm not quite sure yet (gotta compare flight costs). 😀😀😀😀😀🙂😛😀