AZCOM Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[DbDan]

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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.

Ya, I paid it. I didn't want it to constantly be in the back of my mind while I Xmas shop, etc. I don't have any more interviews or pending decisions so it seemed like it was a good time. I wouldn't attend any DO interviews other than PCOM or Touro-Ca at this point and I don't see myself getting any MD interviews so its pretty much a non-issue. Regardless, if I did get another interview the date wouldn't be until well after my deposit was due. This way its already on my CC, I have that sweet letter inviting me to orientation and I can start on my matriculation stuff.

Will you let us know what they said??

I would have called, but I slept till 5:30pm 😳 As soon as I actually wake up like a normal human being I'll call them and let everyone know what they say. This overnight work is destroying my sleep schedule haha

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 never shadowed, but I have extensive work experience in the medical field.

2) Never had any clinical volunteering but had about 100 hours of volunteering over the course of a year and a half at 3 diff places (so 100 hrs total)

3) I worked 1 year (15hrs/wk) front office/medical assistant alongside a DO, still work (1.5 years ~30hrs/wk) as an epilepsy monitoring technician and just started a couple months ago as a full time (40hrs/wk) telemetry technician. Overall, I'll have close to if not more than 6000 hours of clinical work by the time I matriculate. I think this is what made up for my lack of volunteering and shadowing. Then again, this is atypical.

 

[VillarazaM]

Well right now I do:

- shadowing a Dr
- volunteering at the hospital
- volunteering for various organizations (American Lung Assoc., etc.)
- getting my cert. in CNA so I can work in hospice or somewhere to get more clinical experience 👍

do you think that will be enough? do I need some sort of research or involvement at a pre-med club at ASU?

(I'm an undergrad at ASU )

 

[DbDan]

Pre-med clubs are overrated and a secondary EC. I didn't bother with it. Unless you are planning to be able to get to be an officer for leadership I don't think it'll make much difference.

Research is always encouraged but less "mandatory" than with MD programs. You can get away without it but its definitely something to have. Just make sure its actual research and not just cleaning lab equipment.

 

[Fun N Sun]

I called again today and no one will let on like they know what I'm asking for. My inquiry was directed to Dr. Speicher, from whom I've never had a direct reply.....

And yes I've paid the deposit already.

 

[VillarazaM]

Oh another quick question!

Some say 6 months is enough to volunteer/shadow/get clinical experience.

Some say 400 hours. Some say 600 hours (my advisor told me this)

What is the preferred before applying to med school? 😕

 

[randomusername]

Oh another quick question!

Some say 6 months is enough to volunteer/shadow/get clinical experience.

Some say 400 hours. Some say 600 hours (my advisor told me this)

What is the preferred before applying to med school? 😕

Honestly, there isn't any set in stone, tried and true formula for all of that stuff. You just kind of do what you can and the more you manage, the merrier.

 

[seap3]

I called again today and no one will let on like they know what I'm asking for. My inquiry was directed to Dr. Speicher, from whom I've never had a direct reply.....

And yes I've paid the deposit already.

Honestly, this lack of follow through and communication is a big part of the reason I declined my acceptance offer. When I turned my rotation site preference in, all I asked for was a response about when we might find out. I even explained how getting to choose now was a big plus for me because I have a family, and would very likely lead me to choose AZCOM. But I got zero response. I realize they are busy, but a quick email saying " we are busy, we should have them done in about ...".

On the other hand, my other acceptance was staying in contact with emails & letters, so I felt like they valued me more as a prospective student.

I also became worried I'd pay my $1000 and then be told I got a rotation site I REALLY didn't want.

Hope you all hear pretty soon.

 

[randomusername]

I know a lot of y'all are getting really frustrated about the lack of communication from the school, and honestly, I'm starting to find it a bit frustrating on your behalf. If nobody's heard any sort of news from the Dean's office by the time winter quarter starts up, I'll see if one of the 2014 class reps can do some probing (though I can't promise anything).

On that note, everybody have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

 

[thumbz]

Oh another quick question!

Some say 6 months is enough to volunteer/shadow/get clinical experience.

Some say 400 hours. Some say 600 hours (my advisor told me this)

What is the preferred before applying to med school? 😕

I had ~60 hours clinical and 20 hours shadowing. So those people throwing around huge numbers are off their rockers IMHO

 

[DbDan]

I know a lot of y'all are getting really frustrated about the lack of communication from the school, and honestly, I'm starting to find it a bit frustrating on your behalf. If nobody's heard any sort of news from the Dean's office by the time winter quarter starts up, I'll see if one of the 2014 class reps can do some probing (though I can't promise anything).

On that note, everybody have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Thanks random. I tried to call yesterday to no answer but I believe that everyone is on break right now anyway so that could be part of the reason. Honestly, it really doesn't matter to me where I do my rotations. I'd love to move back to Cali but if that doesnt' happen as long as I don't wind up in rural Az or whatever the other OOS site was I'll be happy.

 

[DbDan]

I had ~60 hours clinical and 20 hours shadowing. So those people throwing around huge numbers are off their rockers IMHO

That is definitely less than average... how are your stats/other ECs?

 

[Compwarrior]

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 know a lot of people had answered, but I think I'll throw in my 2 cents.

Shadowing is shadowing; however, if you haven't spent any time with a DO, then how do you know that you want to be a DO. They'll want an answer to this when you interview. I had ~230 hours shadowing MDs and 30 shadowing DOs.

I have over three years full time clinical experience (as an M.A.). Spent three weeks in Africa on a humanitarian trip that I organized and put together. Also have hundreds of other service hours. I have 2 1/2 years research experience (two years was with a nobel laureate).

The extras are helpful, but don't let it fool you. I was brainwashed to think that all of the extras would be what get me in. Unfortunately my GPA suffered because I didn't have any time left for school. Even with a great MCAT it still took me two years to get in.

If I could do it all again I would focus on the numbers (GPA, MCAT), everything else is secondary.

 

[DbDan]

To anyone who is a current student and has some experience (obviously going to vary person to person). How accurate is their CoA estimate? Obviously you can take the max and always return but what would you say is average rent for the area?

I don't know much about Glendale so I'm not sure what apartment complexes in the surrounding areas are good and which you should avoid. How does the cost of on campus compare to those in the surrounding complexes? Does the benefit of having free internet/cable/phone(I think?) outweigh the cheaper rent elsewhere? Any insight would be awesome. I'm pretty frugal when it comes to money and debt terrifies me so I'm going to try to live as cheap as possible. Hopefully find a roommate for first year also lol

 

[randomusername]

To anyone who is a current student and has some experience (obviously going to vary person to person). How accurate is their CoA estimate? Obviously you can take the max and always return but what would you say is average rent for the area?

I don't know much about Glendale so I'm not sure what apartment complexes in the surrounding areas are good and which you should avoid. How does the cost of on campus compare to those in the surrounding complexes? Does the benefit of having free internet/cable/phone(I think?) outweigh the cheaper rent elsewhere? Any insight would be awesome. I'm pretty frugal when it comes to money and debt terrifies me so I'm going to try to live as cheap as possible. Hopefully find a roommate for first year also lol

From what I've gathered, there aren't too many crummy apartment complexes around the school. That being said, I've also not heard of anybody having rent cheaper than on-campus without having a roommate. I'm on-campus and have been quite content with it. The campus apartments also have the added benefit of hardly any driving (I just filled up my tank for only the second time since I've lived in Arizona) and water is also clumped in with the stuff you've mentioned that's already included in rent. Plus, the apartments are gated (granted, that's really not much security since people can come in behind somebody), campus security patrols the area pretty often, and you can eat lunch at home without leaving campus or remembering to pack one.

As for the COA, it's definitely padded.

 

[CWALKERRUN]

Hey guys I was informed by randonusername that some of you were concerned about not hearing back about your selected 3rd and 4th year rotation regions. After my meeting this morning with Dr. Speicher and Dean Kemper I was told that the class of 2015 will find out about their rotation regions this Friday. Usually an email is sent out via Dr. Speicher or one of his assistants. So keep your eyes open for that email and don't get discouraged if you checked it at 8am and its not in your inbox as Dr. Speicher's office usually doesn't get these out until late afternoon that day. As you have probably learned by now that you have to be patient with the whole process and don't get too up or too down (FF: this is the secret to succeeding in medical school as well!). Every school has different time lines for different things and no matter where you go you will find this to be true. So good luck to everyone still applying and good luck to the class of 2015 waiting on your rotation regions.

 

[nfsonpowday]

Hey guys I was informed by randonusername that some of you were concerned about not hearing back about your selected 3rd and 4th year rotation regions. After my meeting this morning with Dr. Speicher and Dean Kemper I was told that the class of 2015 will find out about their rotation regions this Friday. Usually an email is sent out via Dr. Speicher or one of his assistants. So keep your eyes open for that email and don't get discouraged if you checked it at 8am and its not in your inbox as Dr. Speicher's office usually doesn't get these out until late afternoon that day. As you have probably learned by now that you have to be patient with the whole process and don't get too up or too down (FF: this is the secret to succeeding in medical school as well!). Every school has different time lines for different things and no matter where you go you will find this to be true. So good luck to everyone still applying and good luck to the class of 2015 waiting on your rotation regions.

Thank you for that!

 

[AGLAIA]

Hey guys I was informed by randonusername that some of you were concerned about not hearing back about your selected 3rd and 4th year rotation regions. After my meeting this morning with Dr. Speicher and Dean Kemper I was told that the class of 2015 will find out about their rotation regions this Friday. Usually an email is sent out via Dr. Speicher or one of his assistants. So keep your eyes open for that email and don't get discouraged if you checked it at 8am and its not in your inbox as Dr. Speicher's office usually doesn't get these out until late afternoon that day. As you have probably learned by now that you have to be patient with the whole process and don't get too up or too down (FF: this is the secret to succeeding in medical school as well!). Every school has different time lines for different things and no matter where you go you will find this to be true. So good luck to everyone still applying and good luck to the class of 2015 waiting on your rotation regions.

Thank you for that!

Indeed, thank you!!
And thank you to Random for passing on the concerns.

 

[lftbndlbrnchblk]

Yes, thank you for that information! I already made my choice to go here but was wondering when we would finally here back regarding this. Now we know!

By the way, how do you pronounce Speicher? Speaker?

 

[DocWahwee]

"spike-er"

 

[lftbndlbrnchblk]

"spike-er"

Cool thanks, Doc!

 

[Kalu123]

I really hope we receive our rotation locations today. I have a deposit due at Touro-CA today and I'm planning on withdrawing my application from there as long as I get my choice of rotations at azcom. eek! However, I'm still leaning towards azcom over Touro-CA even if I don't get my desired rotation site. I called Dr. Speicher but it just went to voicemail. Has anyone heard anything yet?

 

[noshie]

I really hope we receive our rotation locations today. I have a deposit due at Touro-CA today and I'm planning on withdrawing my application from there as long as I get my choice of rotations at azcom. eek! However, I'm still leaning towards azcom over Touro-CA even if I don't get my desired rotation site. I called Dr. Speicher but it just went to voicemail. Has anyone heard anything yet?

I haven't heard anything. I wonder if it will be by snail mail or email. Or if it will be on our status website. If snail mail, we may not get them until next week...

 

[Kalu123]

Even if you don't get your choice today, which I'm sure you will since its only December and they can't have accepted that many students, I don't think that means you won't get it eventually. Not everyone who sent back their rotation choice is going to end up going to AZCOM. It is still December so I'm sure there are some people who might get into a school that they like better and will withdraw their app. Plus I'm sure there will be some trading down the road as we get closer to 3rd year. I know nothing about the different choices so I just picked based on location that I thought I might like now, but that doesn't mean I'll still like my choice in 2 years when I know more about the different locations.

Thank you, this is reassuring. Who knows, I might change my mind later on also. I'm sending in my official withdrawal from Touro today. It was a tough decision, but I just can't see myself going there over azcom. Yay!

 

[Asianboy]

Still hear nothing about rotation site...🙁 When do I expect to hear from AZCOM??

 

[DbDan]

Still hear nothing about rotation site...🙁 When do I expect to hear from AZCOM??

Same here, to my personal or AZCOM e-mails. Guess I'm just going to keep waiting

 

[heartofsmiles]

Same here, to my personal or AZCOM e-mails. Guess I'm just going to keep waiting

Hey everyone!

I just got word of my rotation site this past 15 minutes, SO EXPECT IT! I interviewed awhile back, not sure what the date was (not home). But yeahh!

Sent through email

 

[wudabum]

hey everyone, i received my rotation assignment about 45 minutes ago and was given my first choice. speicher sent it to my personal email address, not the school email

 

[JP1285]

Just withdrew from my Jan 20th interview. Good luck to everyone!

 

[Kalu123]

hey everyone, i received my rotation assignment about 45 minutes ago and was given my first choice. speicher sent it to my personal email address, not the school email

Me too! woohoo!

 

[lftbndlbrnchblk]

Got my first choice as well! 😀 Got it using the AZCOM email.

 

[wudabum]

hey everyone, i also noticed that the on campus housing application is available now.

 

[noshie]

For those of you that got your rotation site choices, did you already pay the deposit? I didn't get anything yet, but I am thinking it's because I haven't paid and made it all final yet... I also can't use the AZCOM email until I pay...

 

[Asianboy]

No, you don't have to pay deposit before getting rotation site. I did not pay mine and just received it this evening. Plan to pay it tonight or tomorrow. I also get my first choice and hope it will be best for me.

For those of you that got your rotation site choices, did you already pay the deposit? I didn't get anything yet, but I am thinking it's because I haven't paid and made it all final yet... I also can't use the AZCOM email until I pay...

 

[DbDan]

I still did not receive mine. Considering I have already paid my deposit I'm pretty upset that some people have already heard, especially those who have not already committed to the school. Looks like I'll be calling and leaving Dr. Speicher a voicemail on Monday as well as e-mailing him this weekend.

 

[Asianboy]

Oh, I'm sorry Dan. Hope you will hear from him soon. Good luck.

I still did not receive mine. Considering I have already paid my deposit I'm pretty upset that some people have already heard, especially those who have not already committed to the school. Looks like I'll be calling and leaving Dr. Speicher a voicemail on Monday as well as e-mailing him this weekend.

 

[DbDan]

Oh, I'm sorry Dan. Hope you will hear from him soon. Good luck.

I just sent him an e-mail from my AZCOM e-mail address so hopefully he will get that one. I just wanted to send one to follow up with him and make sure he got my choices. I want LA >.< haha I don't want it to fill. Considering I was accepted before 90% of people will be interviewed I'd hope that my first choice is still open

 

[nfsonpowday]

I still did not receive mine. Considering I have already paid my deposit I'm pretty upset that some people have already heard, especially those who have not already committed to the school. Looks like I'll be calling and leaving Dr. Speicher a voicemail on Monday as well as e-mailing him this weekend.

I would have thought everyone who has sent in their rotation preferences would have received a response today -I received mine but am surprised to hear that some haven't.

 

[DbDan]

I would have thought everyone who has sent in their rotation preferences would have received a response today -I received mine but am surprised to hear that some haven't.

Ya, I sent mine on 10/08, a long time ago and before alot of people even interviewed. We'll see what Dr. Speicher says if he even responds to my e-mail.

 

[sradoctora]

Ya, I sent mine on 10/08, a long time ago and before alot of people even interviewed. We'll see what Dr. Speicher says if he even responds to my e-mail.

I have also paid my deposit and interviewed early with Dan. I'm pretty disappointed I haven't received my rotation location when I've actually committed to the school, I guess I will hope for Monday?

 

[DbDan]

I have also paid my deposit and interviewed early with Dan. I'm pretty disappointed I haven't received my rotation location when I've actually committed to the school, I guess I will hope for Monday?

Are we facebook friends? I'm never sure who people are on SDN I know there were 2 people at our interview from Washington and I'm only friends w/ one. Sorry you didn't hear either. If I miraculously hear over the weekend from Dr. Speicher I'll let you know what he says.

For those of you that have heard... how many people e-mailed him vs. sent in the paper. I'm wondering if they are going through one pile before the other or if his e-mail is listed wrong online 😕 who knows.

 

[wudabum]

For those of you that have heard... how many people e-mailed him vs. sent in the paper. I'm wondering if they are going through one pile before the other or if his e-mail is listed wrong online 😕 who knows.

i emailed him my preferences on oct 11

 

[DbDan]

i emailed him my preferences on oct 11

Damn well there goes that theory 🙁 lol Maybe they just hate me

 

[lftbndlbrnchblk]

First of all, good luck to those that have still not heard and hang in there, hopefully they come in soon.

But for people who know, is this only for 3rd year? Is obtaining 4th year rotation sites a different process? And what exactly are the ward-based rotations again? I recall that being explained on interview day but my memory is kind of fuzzy. The packet says these are decided by Department Chairs based on student interest, availability and 'other criteria'. It sounds like everyone should have to go through FM, OB/GYN, Peds and General Surg...

 

[sradoctora]

Are we facebook friends? I'm never sure who people are on SDN I know there were 2 people at our interview from Washington and I'm only friends w/ one. Sorry you didn't hear either. If I miraculously hear over the weekend from Dr. Speicher I'll let you know what he says.

For those of you that have heard... how many people e-mailed him vs. sent in the paper. I'm wondering if they are going through one pile before the other or if his e-mail is listed wrong online 😕 who knows.

Haha yes we are facenook friends, you have discovered my secret identity. 😉 and thanks, I'd love to hear what he says when you talk.

 

[randomusername]

But for people who know, is this only for 3rd year? Is obtaining 4th year rotation sites a different process? And what exactly are the ward-based rotations again? I recall that being explained on interview day but my memory is kind of fuzzy. The packet says these are decided by Department Chairs based on student interest, availability and 'other criteria'. It sounds like everyone should have to go through FM, OB/GYN, Peds and General Surg...

My understanding is that it's for all of 3rd year and the core rotations that occur during 4th year. All of your electives for 4th year can occur wherever you please assuming you get the site and the school to agree to let you rotate there (basically, if the site agrees and the school can get the insurance to cover you there, you'll be rotating there).
I don't remember all of the ward-rotations for certain but there are FP, general surgery, pediatrics, IM (everybody will do an IM-ward), and ob/gyn ward-rotations which students can apply to through the department chairs. So while everybody will be rotating through these fields, many won't have an interest in doing the ward-rotations for them and they'll just do the standard preceptorship rotation in them.

 

[Kalu123]

For those of you that have heard... how many people e-mailed him vs. sent in the paper. I'm wondering if they are going through one pile before the other or if his e-mail is listed wrong online 😕 who knows.

I e-mailed him a scanned copy of the form that came in the acceptance packet. It looks like he's only done a small portion of the rotation assignments. l do agree that the order is strange. You should have received yours, but I'm sure you'll still get your top choice. It looks like so far everyone has received their preferred location.

 

[nfsonpowday]

For those of you that have heard... how many people e-mailed him vs. sent in the paper. I'm wondering if they are going through one pile before the other or if his e-mail is listed wrong online 😕 who knows.[/QUOTE]

I scanned my paper and sent it to him in an email with LA as my top choice then I emailed just in a regular email about a week later with east valley as my new top choice (LA in 3rd) and I got my assignment with east vally yesterday. So, I do not think it matters how you send it to him.

 

[dreams09]

For those of you that have heard... how many people e-mailed him vs. sent in the paper. I'm wondering if they are going through one pile before the other or if his e-mail is listed wrong online 😕 who knows.

I scanned my paper and sent it to him in an email with LA as my top choice then I emailed just in a regular email about a week later with east valley as my new top choice (LA in 3rd) and I got my assignment with east vally yesterday. So, I do not think it matters how you send it to him.[/QUOTE]

I didn't get my top choice of Urbana-Champaign, IL. I got my 2nd: East Valley. 😕 I faxed mine.

 

[thewall]

For those of you that have heard... how many people e-mailed him vs. sent in the paper. I'm wondering if they are going through one pile before the other or if his e-mail is listed wrong online 😕 who knows.

I faxed him a copy of my preferences two weeks ago, and also emailed him. I got my top choice of Tucson.

 

[sradoctora]

I faxed him a copy of my preferences two weeks ago, and also emailed him. I got my top choice of Tucson.

Well since it's not based on the method or when you requested, maybe it's by interview date? Did everyone who heard interview on the first or second interview date?