AZCOM Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[megathunder]

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Sorry to hear that BB, I hope you can get off it soon. Best of luck.


I asked this elsewhere but I deleted it from there and figured I'd get a better response here. I got an invite to SOMA, since I'm accepted at AZCOM is there any point in going?

 

[seap3]

Sorry BB, I know how much you liked AZCOM. 🙁

 

[sedaniel]

Waitlisted

🙁 Not cool! Well hopefully the waitlist will move a lot like they said it did last year (like 50 people or something like that? I don't remember). Good luck at PCOM-Ga! 🙂

 

[randomusername]

Sorry to hear that BB, I hope you can get off it soon. Best of luck.


I asked this elsewhere but I deleted it from there and figured I'd get a better response here. I got an invite to SOMA, since I'm accepted at AZCOM is there any point in going?

If you're questioning the point in going, there's likely not a point in going. Assuming the interview isn't really soon and you really think you'd prefer AZCOM and don't care to check out SOMA on interview day, you'd likely be doing another applicant a big favor by dropping it and making that interview slot available.

 

[jpgoodie]

in like sin, baby! interviewed on the 24th, found out yesterday.

so stoked. this school really felt good to me. congrats to all other acceptances, and good luck for the rest of you who are waitlisted or still waiting.

still hoping for an interview at western. if not...azcom class of 2015 👍

 

[BigBoosting]

Thanks everybody. Here's hoping GA-PCOM goes better

 

[MedicalMan14]

I am really hoping that a January 14th Interview date will "NOT" drop me legitimately into lower potential for acceptance. Does anyone know the general acceptance rate come January?

 

[AutumnChild]

I am really hoping that a January 14th Interview date will drop me legitimately into lower potential for acceptance. Does anyone know the general acceptance rate come January?

I'm guessing you meant that you hope a Jan 14th interview date will NOT drop you into lower potential for acceptance, lol. I think the answer to that question depends on what your stats and ECs are. If you have a fairly good MCAT score and decent GPA and a good CV then it really shouldn't. Once you get into the March/April interviews then that's a little different. I know this from experience.

 

[wolverinepwns]

Congrats you guys! just thinking about how freaking excited you guys are makes me excited!

 

[randomusername]

I am really hoping that a January 14th Interview date will drop me legitimately into lower potential for acceptance. Does anyone know the general acceptance rate come January?

People get accepted in swarms up through about late-February, after that the school generally has to wait for people to decline acceptances and seats to open up so it becomes more of a trickle of acceptances throughout the rest of spring and summer (we have people that were taken off of the wait-list less than a month before orientation).

 

[wolverinepwns]

I am really hoping that a January 14th Interview date will drop me legitimately into lower potential for acceptance. Does anyone know the general acceptance rate come January?

why are you interviewing so late! there are no earlier dates availible?

 

[christine121]

So any reason why I shouldn't choose Modesto? Does anyone have a link to a thread that talks about how important rotation sites are?

 

[MedicalMan14]

Nope that’s the earliest interview date the website offers to me! Is there anyway I can call and ask for an earlier date -up to a month earlier- or would that be a useless exercise?

 

[BooRadley85]

Nope that’s the earliest interview date the website offers to me! Is there anyway I can call and ask for an earlier date -up to a month earlier- or would that be a useless exercise?

Calling most likely won't do a whole lot for you. they will just tell you to keep checking the site to see if earlier dates open up. I originally had an interview set up for the first week of October but kept checking and ended up interviewing on 9/17.

 

[FutureDoc1988]

Nope that’s the earliest interview date the website offers to me! Is there anyway I can call and ask for an earlier date -up to a month earlier- or would that be a useless exercise?

Just keep checking, I had 1/14 also but was able to move it up to 11/2 because someone cancelled. I just checked about 5 times a day and it worked for me. Hopefully you can move yours up.

 

[DbDan]

So any reason why I shouldn't choose Modesto? Does anyone have a link to a thread that talks about how important rotation sites are?

I don't think there is a reason not to except for the fact Modesto isn't the nicest of areas. In fact, the school is looking to start a couple of residencies up there, one being ortho surgery.

When they finally get back to me, I'm probably going to try to take LA.

 

[RichterBelmont]

I don't think there is a reason not to except for the fact Modesto isn't the nicest of areas. In fact, the school is looking to start a couple of residencies up there, one being ortho surgery.

When they finally get back to me, I'm probably going to try to take LA.

Ditto... I'm thinking Los Angeles as well.

 

[megathunder]

I think they said you get to choose your spot after you put down the deposit or something. You guys all set on this school?

 

[wudabum]

I think they said you get to choose your spot after you put down the deposit or something. You guys all set on this school?

i'm pretty much set on this school. i'm interviewing at touro-ca in 2 weeks, but not sure if i'd go even if accepted.

 

[DbDan]

I think they said you get to choose your spot after you put down the deposit or something. You guys all set on this school?

Before you put down the deposit. They want you to be happy with your choice before you commit yourself. They said we should be getting an e-mail from the director this week, not likely unless it comes tomorrow though. Like I said before, I'm pretty set on the school barring falling in love with KCOM enough to move that far away from my family and friends or something else unexpected.

 

[christine121]

Thanks DbDan. I was thinking Modesto because it's close to my grandparents up in Eureka. I've never actually been there though and I wish I could go take a look before we had to decide! Why don't you like it?

I feel like I've put so much effort in to getting excepted that I'm still pretty cloudy on how rotations work. These questions might be stupid but is this where we'll be for practically the entire last 3rd and 4th year? If we aren't in Phoenix will we still have to commute back and forth fairly often? Is that ortho sugery residency you mentioned allopathic???

I still can't believe I'm accepted, I keep logging on just to make sure it's still there. Congratulations everyone!

 

[Hottpants89]

So any reason why I shouldn't choose Modesto? Does anyone have a link to a thread that talks about how important rotation sites are?

Why do they have you pick rotation sites before first year? Do other schools do that too?

 

[seap3]

I still can't believe I'm accepted, I keep logging on just to make sure it's still there.

I kept doing this too. I was worried the checklist was going to disappear. I feel better now that they actually called and left a message accepting me.

 

[sedaniel]

Why do they have you pick rotation sites before first year? Do other schools do that too?

I haven't heard of any other schools doing this. It is different than the way AZCOM did it last year, I'm not really sure why they changed it. I think it's odd because how are any of us supposed to know where we want to be in two years? I haven't been to any of the places that they have rotation sites at either (except for Phoenix because I flew in there for my interview, which doesn't really count imo).

 

[nardini46]

Hey guys I just wanted to chime in and say that I've been accepted to AZCOM 2015. I'm really excited about this school. The only thing scaring me about the school is the amount of debt that we will accumulate through med school. The cost of 80k per year is terrifying. Is anyone else worried???

I'd really like hear what you guys have to say. Still I am very happy to have received this acceptance. 👍

 

[Atom bum]

Hey guys I just wanted to chime in and say that I've been accepted to AZCOM 2015. I'm really excited about this school. The only thing scaring me about the school is the amount of debt that we will accumulate through med school. The cost of 80k per year is terrifying. Is anyone else worried???

I'd really like hear what you guys have to say. Still I am very happy to have received this acceptance. 👍

Is 80k per year an estimate they gave you guys? Tuition is like 46k per year, where did the other 34k come from?

 

[noshie]

Is 80k per year an estimate they gave you guys? Tuition is like 46k per year, where did the other 34k come from?

Living expenses... Also, tuition is 46K, but books are $3,500, required health insurance is $2700, school fees are $500... It ends up being more like 53k in tuition and fees when all is said and done.

Yes, it's very very scary. But it won't really matter in the end because you will be able to pay it back.

 

[randomusername]

Living expenses... Also, tuition is 46K, but books are $3,500, required health insurance is $2700, school fees are $500... It ends up being more like 53k in tuition and fees when all is said and done.

Yes, it's very very scary. But it won't really matter in the end because you will be able to pay it back.

Even though this is far, far off, word to the wise, don't get the school's insurance. I have heard nothing but bad things about it (thankfully I'm under 26 and fall under my parents' plan still). I'm also predicting tuition will be more along the lines of $47/47.5k next year as it seems to go up about $1-2k/year. Also, AZCOM pads their COA estimates a bit, so you can always borrow less than the maximum allowed and you will still likely end up having a surplus left at the end of the year unless you blow through cash just because it's there.

Finally as noshie's said, don't sweat the tuition. When all is said and done, even if you're in FP or pediatrics, as soon as you're out of residency you'll be in the small minority if you're not making six-figures a year. A little smart money management and that salary will easily pay off the loans within a decade.

 

[Flushot]

I second random's recommendation not to get the school insurance, then again, like him, I am under 25 so I get insurance through my parents for my entire time here.

Also, tuition is bad, but nothing anyone can't handle. The only issue I can see is having a family or thinking about starting one in the middle of school/residency. Being a single guy and having no intention of getting married in the next 6 years or more, I can't imagine what it would be like to have others think about as I go into negative money.

That said, focus on what is important and making it through the years.

Also, sorry to hear about the waitlist BB. There's a lot you can still do to improve your situation, which I wrote about to almost no end in last year's thread, so check it out if you have time.

 

[EEL08]

I second random's recommendation not to get the school insurance, then again, like him, I am under 25 so I get insurance through my parents for my entire time here.

Also, tuition is bad, but nothing anyone can't handle. The only issue I can see is having a family or thinking about starting one in the middle of school/residency. Being a single guy and having no intention of getting married in the next 6 years or more, I can't imagine what it would be like to have others think about as I go into negative money.

That said, focus on what is important and making it through the years.

Also, sorry to hear about the waitlist BB. There's a lot you can still do to improve your situation, which I wrote about to almost no end in last year's thread, so check it out if you have time.

I have the school's insurance and it's been fine for me. Does anyone have specific complaints they've heard about the insurance so maybe I can address those? My big sib actually told me she thought it was bad because they don't pay for anything. I realized later that she was right but it was because she didn't understand that you have to hit your $500 deductible before they pay the 80%. You will get a bill from the doctor's office based on the discounted rates the insurance company has worked out with them. If you're a fairly healthy person and you only go to the doctor twice in one year, that won't likely cost $500 so yes you will pay that out of pocket. If you're on your parents insurance by all means stay on it until you're not allowed to anymore. Be careful picking an insurance plan with a really high deductible because if something catastrophic happens you could be out a lot of money. Granted you can request additional loans to cover medical expenses.

BTW, congrats to Noshie and everyone else on your acceptances! BB I'm really rooting for you here and any other schools where you'll be interviewing!

 

[noshie]

BTW, congrats to Noshie and everyone else on your acceptances! BB I'm really rooting for you here and any other schools where you'll be interviewing!

Thanks!!! 🙂

I wish I was still able to be under my parents insurance! Dang this old age...

 

[DbDan]

I haven't heard of any other schools doing this. It is different than the way AZCOM did it last year, I'm not really sure why they changed it. I think it's odd because how are any of us supposed to know where we want to be in two years? I haven't been to any of the places that they have rotation sites at either (except for Phoenix because I flew in there for my interview, which doesn't really count imo).

The reason that some students gave when I was at my interview was that some students were complaining about finding out their third year that they would have to move. Students woudl come to school and with the housing market so down would buy a house, only to have to move 2 years later. Its also difficult relocating family for rotations, etc.

By doing it this way, they give you a guaranteed position in a location you think you would want, if you don't want to move from wherever you are going to be in school you are able to do that as well. If it doesn't matter to you you are also still able to trade with another student later on if circumstances change.

 

[DbDan]

Thanks!!! 🙂

I wish I was still able to be under my parents insurance! Dang this old age...

I just got health insurance through work but I'm going to try to get back on my parents insurance even if its just a year until I'm 26. Saving the 2700 bucks or whatever it costs would be awesome considering the money that school is already going to cost.

 

[futuredrrapp]

I was waitlisted last week and plan on writing a letter of interest (LOI). Should I include in the LOI the fact that my fiancee lives and works here in Phoenix? Will it help my case? Any other pointers for the LOI? Thanks for the help.

 

[7wonders]

Futuredrrapp,

Regarding your LOI, I wouldn't mention your fiancee's circumstances in your LOI. AZCOM is huge on the reasons you want to come to this school but "I want to go there because of the location" won't be a convincing reason for them to accept you. (Sorry if that sounds cold but it's true.)🙁

For you and the others who've been waitlisted, heres a little encouragement... I interviewed in April, got waitlisted, got in off the waitlist at the end of June and recieved my White Coat in the AZCOM 2014 class yesterday.

I sent in an LOI, an updated LOR, papers and abstracts that got published after my file was reviewed, and a gold star performance evaluation from my job. Make sure to send documents that are relavant to why you deserve acceptance. Bear in mind that others will be doing this too.

I wish you all the best of luck! Don't give up. Waiting is the hardest part but med school is worth everything that you're going through🙂

 

[Flushot]

I was waitlisted last week and plan on writing a letter of interest (LOI). Should I include in the LOI the fact that my fiancee lives and works here in Phoenix? Will it help my case? Any other pointers for the LOI? Thanks for the help.

I second what 7wonders said. I believe I botched an interview mainly because I said because of location and schools generally do not want to hear this, no matter how good the reason may be.

Another thing about LoIs is that they tend to be hit or miss, mostly miss. You can send it, but honestly this is something you do way down the line, when you're running low on options.

If you read last year's thread, there was a lot of talk on it and someday, I might find this massive post on what I recommended for waitlisters. The key point is keeping in contact with them on a reasonable basis with phone calls (at this stage, once every two weeks or so) and find ways to update your status.

Milk every opportunity to call and try to have a reason. For example, in sending an LoI, call them and ask them about how they process LoIs and if it will help. After sending an LoI, call them again to confirmed that they have received it. That's 2 calls per material you send. Try really hard not to call just to see what's up.

A 1st year right now told me that Jim Walters (Dean of Admissions I believe) has a secretary that has to screen the waitlist can call eligible people when the time is right. She talked to that 1st year and told him that the key to selection is name recognition. She openly told him she avoids picking by random, so she goes through the list by mere recognition first, once she gets approval to pull people off the list.

I don't know if this is entirely true, as I believe AZCOM ranks their waitlist, but take it for what it is worth. Make yourself known, but don't overextend and annoy the staff. It's a difficult situation and nothing is guaranteed, but it has worked for many people in the past and it can work for you.

 

[Umm]

I asked this elsewhere but I deleted it from there and figured I'd get a better response here. I got an invite to SOMA, since I'm accepted at AZCOM is there any point in going?

I was always a lurker before this, but this question made me register to give my .02.

I was accepted into SOMA and I wasn't really thinking about going anywhere else. My AZCOM interview was after I had found out about my acceptance and I originally was going to cancel. I ended up going to the interview, if anything for the experience, and I loved it; now here I am. Although, I am very happy with my decision, I would suggest (financial and schedule considerations aside) that you take that interview if by chance you do like SOMA better.

 

[wolverinepwns]

If you have your heart set TOTALLY on AZCOM, then don't bother going. But if in the future you might look back and regret not having gone then I think you should go to the interview.

 

[Flushot]

I have the school's insurance and it's been fine for me. Does anyone have specific complaints they've heard about the insurance so maybe I can address those? My big sib actually told me she thought it was bad because they don't pay for anything. I realized later that she was right but it was because she didn't understand that you have to hit your $500 deductible before they pay the 80%. You will get a bill from the doctor's office based on the discounted rates the insurance company has worked out with them. If you're a fairly healthy person and you only go to the doctor twice in one year, that won't likely cost $500 so yes you will pay that out of pocket. If you're on your parents insurance by all means stay on it until you're not allowed to anymore. Be careful picking an insurance plan with a really high deductible because if something catastrophic happens you could be out a lot of money. Granted you can request additional loans to cover medical expenses.

Sorry I didn't notice this.

If you ask around, I'm sure there are people who have specific complaints. Most of the ones I hear are like the one example you gave, so I guess it's nothing new.

Since I don't use it, I can't really say much so maybe I shouldn't have suggested anything It is a pain to search for an independent insurance plan, so I guess it wouldn't be so bad to consider it if you're not under your parent's plan.

 

[futuredrrapp]

A 1st year right now told me that Jim Walters (Dean of Admissions I believe) has a secretary that has to screen the waitlist can call eligible people when the time is right. She talked to that 1st year and told him that the key to selection is name recognition. She openly told him she avoids picking by random, so she goes through the list by mere recognition first, once she gets approval to pull people off the list.

I don't know if this is entirely true, as I believe AZCOM ranks their waitlist, but take it for what it is worth. Make yourself known, but don't overextend and annoy the staff. It's a difficult situation and nothing is guaranteed, but it has worked for many people in the past and it can work for you.

So to speak with the secretary, you ask for the Dean of Admissions office? AZCOM doesn't rank the waitlist so I have no idea where I stand. 🙁
I also got two letters telling me I was waitlisted; anyone else experience that as well?

 

[Lukat]

So to speak with the secretary, you ask for the Dean of Admissions office? AZCOM doesn't rank the waitlist so I have no idea where I stand. 🙁
I also got two letters telling me I was waitlisted; anyone else experience that as well?

I got one waitlisted letter in the mail so far... 🙁🙁

 

[noshie]

I still have not received the acceptance email about picking rotation sites... Anyone get this email yet??

 

[wudabum]

I still have not received the acceptance email about picking rotation sites... Anyone get this email yet??

i havent received anything either. when are we supposed to be receiving it?

 

[DbDan]

I still have not received the acceptance email about picking rotation sites... Anyone get this email yet??

Same. I haven't received my acceptance letter yet either. I'm probably going to call tomorrow on my lunch break and see if I can get an update.

 

[randomusername]

Same. I haven't received my acceptance letter yet either. I'm probably going to call tomorrow on my lunch break and see if I can get an update.

Don't sweat the letter. They will take "forever" to get it to you. I was accepted for at least a month before I received mine. In the mean time, just check that "accepted" status on the portal once in awhile and relish it. 👍

 

[RichterBelmont]

I have not received any e-mail re: picking rotation sites, either.

 

[Flushot]

So to speak with the secretary, you ask for the Dean of Admissions office? AZCOM doesn't rank the waitlist so I have no idea where I stand. 🙁
I also got two letters telling me I was waitlisted; anyone else experience that as well?

From what I remember, there's a number for the general admissions office and a number for AZCOM itself. Jim Walters is from general admissions, while I believe Dr. Speicher is for AZCOM. No harm in calling both places.

 

[DbDan]

Don't sweat the letter. They will take "forever" to get it to you. I was accepted for at least a month before I received mine. In the mean time, just check that "accepted" status on the portal once in awhile and relish it. 👍

I kinda expected that. i have a voicemail they left me on Thursday also that I listen to when I convince myself it was all a dream

I'm more waiting on that e-mail for rotation sites. I like the idea of knowing for sure where i'm goin 3rd year.

 

[noshie]

I kinda expected that. i have a voicemail they left me on Thursday also that I listen to when I convince myself it was all a dream

They never called me and left a message! But I do log onto the online portal almost daily to make sure they don't suddenly revoke my acceptance... That would suck since I already cancelled my other 3 interviews...

 

[randomusername]

They never called me and left a message! But I do log onto the online portal almost daily to make sure they don't suddenly revoke my acceptance... That would suck since I already cancelled my other 3 interviews...

This is why I tell people to NOT expect anything but a portal change when they receive an interview or are accepted (I'm writing this mostly for the benefit of any lurkers) because the school is highly-inconsistent with how they handle notifying people about both. It seems like the earlier on in the cycle the more likely people are to receive notification in multiple ways, but by this point it seems like it quickly dwindles down to mostly just the portal.