AZCOM Discussion Thread 2010-2011

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
has anyone received their rotation site assignments yet? I sent mine in over a month ago, and last week Dr. Speicher told me over the phone that I'd be receiving it early this week, but nothing yet as of tonight. if i get one of the Phoenix sites, my wife and I are probably buying a house baby! finally i can get a dog haha.

i sent mine in around a month ago also, still no word.
 
Does anyone know if we have to send in our deposits before we will get a finalized rotations assignment??

not that i know of. i thought they said something along the lines of wanting us to be satisfied with our rotations before commiting the deposit
 
Does AZCOM send complete e-mails or anything? Everything is checked off in the portal, but CCOM sent me an e-mail saying I was complete, so I was just wondering if maybe something was wrong.....Also how long has it been taking to get an interview once everything is in? I am starting to get antsy!
 
Does AZCOM send complete e-mails or anything? Everything is checked off in the portal, but CCOM sent me an e-mail saying I was complete, so I was just wondering if maybe something was wrong.....Also how long has it been taking to get an interview once everything is in? I am starting to get antsy!

Nope only CCOM sends a complete email... As long as everything is checked on your checklist you are good...

It took me to weeks after having all of my stuff complete to get an interview invite
 
Just declined my acceptance offer here. Hope someone enjoys it.
 
A couple questions for all current students that I didn't see answers to yet: 1) I noticed on the tentative academic calendar for next year that "commencement" for medical students is in June, but first classes aren't until August... is that understanding correct? Are students expected to arrive 2 months early? 2) I remember hearing something about a Spanish medical terminology class... can anyone shed more light on that? 3) I'm sure it was mentioned at the interview, but I don't remember, what kind of technology is available for reviewing lectures? I.E. Are lectures audio or video recorded? Thanks for all help and answers!
 
A couple questions for all current students that I didn't see answers to yet: 1) I noticed on the tentative academic calendar for next year that "commencement" for medical students is in June, but first classes aren't until August... is that understanding correct? Are students expected to arrive 2 months early? 2) I remember hearing something about a Spanish medical terminology class... can anyone shed more light on that? 3) I'm sure it was mentioned at the interview, but I don't remember, what kind of technology is available for reviewing lectures? I.E. Are lectures audio or video recorded? Thanks for all help and answers!

Commencement is graduation. We don't have to be there until orientation.
 
Last edited:
It really is an impressive list. I would use these kinds of lists to determine how successful students were and to help choose a school to attend. The number of people going into these competitive residencies are almost similar to MD schools. Not to mention, this was probably before they increased their class size. I'm sure AZCOM graduates many more students now with diverse interests that go on to do some very incredible things. I think it'll just get better and better as time progresses.
 
2) I remember hearing something about a Spanish medical terminology class... can anyone shed more light on that? 3) I'm sure it was mentioned at the interview, but I don't remember, what kind of technology is available for reviewing lectures? I.E. Are lectures audio or video recorded? Thanks for all help and answers!


There is a medical spanish class, but I don't remember the specifics.

The student I spoke to left me with the impression that there are students (in her class) who record the lectures and are willing to share, but there isn't anything formal set up. So, that would have to be something the incoming class would have to arrange.
 
I'm sure it was mentioned at the interview, but I don't remember, what kind of technology is available for reviewing lectures? I.E. Are lectures audio or video recorded?

The school doesn't provide audio or video recordings of lectures. Students are allowed to make audio recordings for their own personal use and/or within their "study-group," once they've asked a professor for permission to record the lecture. The professors do make their lectures available online and there is a lot of old information from previous classes floating around that is handy.

I also wouldn't bet on the school changing the policy regarding official audio/video recordings anytime soon just because while most classes don't have mandatory attendance, many of the professors are concerned that if the lectures were audio/video recorded and widely-available, fewer people would show up to class.
 
What is up with this school continuing to give us the run around about rotation assignments? I am not impressed with this lack of communication.
 
Does anyone know the cost of attendance in AZCOM? The financial aid just gave me the sheet with tuition rate only (47k), but nothing about other associated fee. I am still awaiting for the response for my rotation site🙁

Thank you
 
Does anyone know the cost of attendance in AZCOM? The financial aid just gave me the sheet with tuition rate only (47k), but nothing about other associated fee. I am still awaiting for the response for my rotation site🙁

Thank you

Its on the website. CoA depends on living situation. I believe they budget 71k/yr living at home, 74k/yr living on campus and 77k/yr living off campus.
 
The rotation business likely won't improve for a bit. I think they've mostly been spending a good amount of time as of late working on helping current 1st years that didn't match into their first or second choices get into something they're wanting and not the leftovers of the leftovers (and unfortunately for y'all, current students > future students). So all I can really advise is to just sit tight a bit longer, which I know y'all have already been doing. Unfortunately, what y'all are going through is a completely new process (as they've never let incoming students choose their rotation sites before matriculating) and like most things that involve bureaucracies trying to do something new, there's a lot that has to get hammered out on the fly.

DbDan is right about the COA. So, probably tack on an extra $2-3k for your COA next year. Also, keep in mind that the school adds in some "padding" for your COA, and you don't have to and shouldn't borrow anymore than you need to (I'd suggest sitting down and figuring out a reasonable budget ahead of time either by yourself, with your parents, SO, etc.).
 
The rotation business likely won't improve for a bit. I think they've mostly been spending a good amount of time as of late working on helping current 1st years that didn't match into their first or second choices get into something they're wanting and not the leftovers of the leftovers (and unfortunately for y'all, current students > future students). So all I can really advise is to just sit tight a bit longer, which I know y'all have already been doing. Unfortunately, what y'all are going through is a completely new process (as they've never let incoming students choose their rotation sites before matriculating) and like most things that involve bureaucracies trying to do something new, there's a lot that has to get hammered out on the fly.

DbDan is right about the COA. So, probably tack on an extra $2-3k for your COA next year. Also, keep in mind that the school adds in some "padding" for your COA, and you don't have to and shouldn't borrow anymore than you need to (I'd suggest sitting down and figuring out a reasonable budget ahead of time either by yourself, with your parents, SO, etc.).

Do you know how they are matching the current students with their rotation sites...gpa, family situation or something else? Also, do you have any idea or have you heard how they are going to match the new students (us) ? And thanks for all you help random!
 
Do you know how they are matching the current students with their rotation sites...gpa, family situation or something else? Also, do you have any idea or have you heard how they are going to match the new students (us) ? And thanks for all you help random!

The current matching process is purely randomized, as for y'all, I'm not really sure how they're going about it.
 
The current matching process is purely randomized, as for y'all, I'm not really sure how they're going about it.

If they stick to what they said on interview day it was that you would find out before you put down your deposit 🙄 That didn't happen. They said they will take your requests and attempt to match you, those that were accepted earlier supposedly had a higher chance of getting their first choice since everything was open at the time of acceptance. I for one am putting down my deposit on Friday so I probably will have no idea until much after.

I just hope that they stick to their word of taking our requests into account. Seeing as how I was in the 3rd or 4th interview group and I chose LA, I'd assume there were not many ahead of me that requested it. I just hope that they give me that choice, but who knows.
 
I really wish we would hear back. Knowing the rotation site would make me feel a lot more confident about choosing AZCOM. I was probably going to put a deposit down somewhere next Friday.
 
Has anyone contacted the admission regarding to when they will let us know our rotation site? I'm so nervous in waiting the decision, but it would be fine for me if I get the second choice.
 
Has anyone contacted the admission regarding to when they will let us know our rotation site? I'm so nervous in waiting the decision, but it would be fine for me if I get the second choice.

As soon as anyone finds out anything I'm sure they will let us know here. You are free to contact them too ya know? lol

I'll probably call on Friday before I send in my 1000 dollars and see what I can find out.
 
FYI about rotations….
Clinical ed is probably pretty busy with current students and making sure 3rd and 4th years a set for their rotations before taking down the old computer system for rotations and putting up the new system (scheduled to go offline in December and the new system should be up shortly thereafter). Also, as someone previously mentioned, they have to make sure the 2nd years are ready to go, followed by the 1st years, and followed by you guys.
They have never assigned rotation sites like this in the past. Current 3rd years (2012) found out their regions less than a year ago- so since then, they have been getting 2013, 2014 and 2015 assigned all in the same time frame.
 
FYI about rotations….
Clinical ed is probably pretty busy with current students and making sure 3rd and 4th years a set for their rotations before taking down the old computer system for rotations and putting up the new system (scheduled to go offline in December and the new system should be up shortly thereafter). Also, as someone previously mentioned, they have to make sure the 2nd years are ready to go, followed by the 1st years, and followed by you guys.
They have never assigned rotation sites like this in the past. Current 3rd years (2012) found out their regions less than a year ago- so since then, they have been getting 2013, 2014 and 2015 assigned all in the same time frame.

Thanks for keeping us updated! If I get any of my top three I will be fine and I am sure I would be fine with all of them. They're all supposed to be equal in terms of opportunity so I am sure whichever one I get will be okay. Still... it would be nice to know before I send in my deposit 🙄
 
Just wanted to post for those who got accepted when I did, my packet was in my mail today! I like seeing it in writing. 🙂
 
I was complete on Thursday and I'm so anxious to hear back from them. This is by far my top choice. My stats aren't that great and being so late in the cycle, I'm worried they wont give me a chance. I'd sell my soul to get accepted. :laugh:
 
Well, I just withdrew my acceptance. I feel kind of sad about it. But I guess I can't attend 2 med schools.

Good luck to everyone attending next year or waiting for an acceptance.
 
Well, I just withdrew my acceptance. I feel kind of sad about it. But I guess I can't attend 2 med schools.

Good luck to everyone attending next year or waiting for an acceptance.

Well guess I won't be seeing you on campus next year. Good luck 👍
 
Has anyone gotten an interview after being placed on hold?

I've been calling every other week to show interest, but I guess I should write a letter of interest.
 
Well, I just withdrew my acceptance. I feel kind of sad about it. But I guess I can't attend 2 med schools.

Good luck to everyone attending next year or waiting for an acceptance.

I withdrew mine as well... I get what you mean by being kind of sad
 
I will be withdrawing sometime tonight or tomorrow...
 
I know this has been posted about ad nauseam, but has anyone gotten any indication of when the rotation assignments are to be announced? Thanks.
 
I know this has been posted about ad nauseam, but has anyone gotten any indication of when the rotation assignments are to be announced? Thanks.

No idea but seeing as how I submitted my 1000 dollars this afternoon I'll be calling as soon as I wake up to find out what I can about it. I feel that having committed to the school should make me privy to such information. Especially considering they said they were going to let us know on acceptance 🙄
 
No idea but seeing as how I submitted my 1000 dollars this afternoon I'll be calling as soon as I wake up to find out what I can about it. I feel that having committed to the school should make me privy to such information. Especially considering they said they were going to let us know on acceptance 🙄

Eeeekk! You paid the $1000 already! I feel like I am dragging this out... Especially since I am pretty sure I will be forking over the deposit at the rate my stuff is going right now at the other schools I interviewed with. Still, I am waiting until December 14th... Hehe.
 
No idea but seeing as how I submitted my 1000 dollars this afternoon I'll be calling as soon as I wake up to find out what I can about it. I feel that having committed to the school should make me privy to such information. Especially considering they said they were going to let us know on acceptance 🙄

Will you let us know what they said??
 
1) Is it fine to shadow an MD or is it preferable to shadow a DO?

2) Also what volunteer, clinical experience did you guys do?

3) Did you guys work as anything in the field beforehand (technician, CNA, etc?)
 
1) Is it fine to shadow an MD or is it preferable to shadow a DO?

2) Also what volunteer, clinical experience did you guys do?

3) Did you guys work as anything in the field beforehand (technician, CNA, etc?)

1) I shadowed many MD's -I turned that around in my application in what I thought was my favor by saying that overall the holistic approach was missing.

2) I did a lot of volunteer work through both clubs that I had leadership positions in (kill two-birds with one stone type of thing). Also I have volunteer in the area that I am specifically passionate about (snowboarding/skiing).

3)I attained my EMT-basic and tried to find work but I couldn't (hospitals in this area were in a hiring freeze and all volunteer positions were filled everywhere else) however I wrote about he clinical experiences I had while training for it. I got a job in research instead.

Hope this helps!
 
1) Is it fine to shadow an MD or is it preferable to shadow a DO?

2) Also what volunteer, clinical experience did you guys do?

3) Did you guys work as anything in the field beforehand (technician, CNA, etc?)

1. I think shadowing with both would be a good bet.. But if you have to choose one, You need to shadow a DO and get a letter of rec...

2. I have a bunch of different types, just do what you love and get in some varied experiences. Both clinical and non clinical will show that you are well rounded. Try hospital volunteering, working at a food bank, mentoring...etc.

3. I have a lot of experience in the medical field... Again, just do what you love... If you think it would be cool to become a CNA then go for it. Generally I would say that you would be better off staying away from the normal stuff, becoming a tech or EMT. It's not bad, but most of the interviewers I have had have told me that they are more impressed by seeing other experiences rather than the normal things that premeds do.

Good luck! :luck:
 
1) Is it fine to shadow an MD or is it preferable to shadow a DO?

2) Also what volunteer, clinical experience did you guys do?

3) Did you guys work as anything in the field beforehand (technician, CNA, etc?)


I think I am a little but on an outlier in terms of experience.
I only shadowed MDs.
I have done 3 years volunteering in a women's health clinic as well as international mission work. I also am volunteering as a research assistant; this started 11 months ago.
I have 6+ years employed medical experience as a CNA and HUC.
 
1. I shadowed a DO very briefly (and it can only help your application to have experience shadowing DOs). That being said, a number of people in my class were admitted without DO shadowing experience.

2-3. I didn't volunteer at all but I had a summer job as a retractor holder in the OR through high school and college that gave a lot of great experience.
 
1. I only shadowed an MD, but I had a letter from a DO I got to know very well because he was our team doc

2. I did a lot of volunteer stuff with the athletics program at my school and a lot of volunteer and work experience with kids.

3. I did not work in the medical field... I am graduating in June of this year
 
Top