AZCOM Discussion Thread 2010-2011

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Holy mother of god I just checked my portal and have the "Accepted Student Checklist" as well!!

I just called AZCOM to confirm and they checked and confirmed I was accepted!!! I loved the school and am SO excited!!

Good luck to everyone!!

Edit: I just wanted to add that I don't think they are going by last name b/c my last name starts with a "T" so if they were going alphabetically, than my portal should not have changed to "accepted" as early as it did.
 
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2/22

I am a little confused about those of us who were just notified of our acceptances.

I spoke with admissions yesterday afternoon and they told me the committee was meeting late today and that if we were accepted, our portal would change to "accepted student checklist", and that should be sometime either late today or tomorrow.

However when I checked my portal at 8:50 AM (AZ time), I had the accepted student checklist. I'm not sure how they accepted me or anyone else, if the committee had not met yet.

I called admissions this morning just to make sure I was indeed accepted, and when I told them that I had the "accepted student checklist", the woman in admissions said, "You must have powered through to the fast-tracK". Those were her exact words and I have absolutely no idea what it means.

Anyhow, I highly doubt they are done handing out acceptances from this last crop of applicants, so those of you still waiting-don't sweat it.

My guess is that perhaps the admissions committee met briefly late yesterday and went through a few applicants and gave some acceptances which would explain why a few of us were notified of acceptance so early. I'm guessing the committee will meet later today to go over the rest of the recently interviewed applicants.

Bear in mind this is pure speculation on my part. Those of you still waiting may want to call admissions to find out if indeed the committee will be meeting later today. Good luck!!!
 
I actually just spoke with the admissions office, and they are going to be meeting later this week as well.
 
From all of the time I've lurked on the AZCOM threads and from my own experience, 1979's post is the closest to "how it works."

Think back to when you interviewed. What did each interviewer do the entire time you interviewed? Typed up notes on a laptop in front of them or jotted down something once in awhile. Why? They're "grading" you, in a sense. This gets thrown in with all of the other factors that got you the interview and is what the committee will in turn use to help decide who gets in and who doesn't. In the year or so I've spent learning the AZCOM ways of doing admissions via word-of-mouth, the only thing that really makes sense is that they typically immediately admit the top X number of applicants from each interview session because the committee can pretty much unanimously agree to admit them without any question. This would be your "fast-tracking." The rest of the applicants are still quality applicants mind you, just the fast-tracked ones, for whatever reason, looked better on paper or perhaps completely rocked their interviews compared to everyone else. Then, after those fast-tracked applicants are dealt with, the committee considers all of the other applicants from that interview session (and other applicants that they held over without a decision from previous meetings and the committee wanted to mull them over or compare them to more recent interviewees). Ultimately, they extend offers to a number of those applicants, wait-list others, and reject others.

If you want to kill several hours of time, just go back through the '08/'09, '09/'10, and even this thread and you will see the same story again and again. "I interviewed last week but people interviewing this week are already accepted and I've had no word. Does this mean I'm rejected?" A week later: "I just got accepted! Heck yes!" I say all of this because you will only be further stressing yourself out trying to "figure out the system" because you haven't gotten any word yet when the point of the matter is, you HAVE done everything within your power at this point to "plead" your case for AZCOM to admit you and as much as it sucks, all you can do is just wait it out and hope for the best. If your portal changes, great! I hope to see you in next year's class. If you're wait-listed, it's not the end of the world because TONS of people get accepted off of the wait-list (even classmates of mine that are doing exceptionally well came off of the dreaded WL) and you can still help your cause by keeping the school notified of new grades, test scores, research, etc. If you get rejected, hopefully somebody else has admitted or will admit you in this cycle, and if not, chin-up and try again next year.

To those of you that have been accepted, again, congratulations and enjoy the time you have between now and early August as much as possible. To those of you still waiting, I truly wish you the best and I know that the "hurry up and wait" game isn't an easy situation to be sitting in and that it's a lot easier for me, as a current student, to be saying all of this, just know that this time last year most of my classmates and colleagues across the country were in your shoes and look at where we're all at now.
 
From all of the time I've lurked on the AZCOM threads and from my own experience, 1979's post is the closest to "how it works."

Think back to when you interviewed. What did each interviewer do the entire time you interviewed? Typed up notes on a laptop in front of them or jotted down something once in awhile. Why? They're "grading" you, in a sense. This gets thrown in with all of the other factors that got you the interview and is what the committee will in turn use to help decide who gets in and who doesn't. In the year or so I've spent learning the AZCOM ways of doing admissions via word-of-mouth, the only thing that really makes sense is that they typically immediately admit the top X number of applicants from each interview session because the committee can pretty much unanimously agree to admit them without any question. This would be your "fast-tracking." The rest of the applicants are still quality applicants mind you, just the fast-tracked ones, for whatever reason, looked better on paper or perhaps completely rocked their interviews compared to everyone else. Then, after those fast-tracked applicants are dealt with, the committee considers all of the other applicants from that interview session (and other applicants that they held over without a decision from previous meetings and the committee wanted to mull them over or compare them to more recent interviewees). Ultimately, they extend offers to a number of those applicants, wait-list others, and reject others.

If you want to kill several hours of time, just go back through the '08/'09, '09/'10, and even this thread and you will see the same story again and again. "I interviewed last week but people interviewing this week are already accepted and I've had no word. Does this mean I'm rejected?" A week later: "I just got accepted! Heck yes!" I say all of this because you will only be further stressing yourself out trying to "figure out the system" because you haven't gotten any word yet when the point of the matter is, you HAVE done everything within your power at this point to "plead" your case for AZCOM to admit you and as much as it sucks, all you can do is just wait it out and hope for the best. If your portal changes, great! I hope to see you in next year's class. If you're wait-listed, it's not the end of the world because TONS of people get accepted off of the wait-list (even classmates of mine that are doing exceptionally well came off of the dreaded WL) and you can still help your cause by keeping the school notified of new grades, test scores, research, etc. If you get rejected, hopefully somebody else has admitted or will admit you in this cycle, and if not, chin-up and try again next year.

To those of you that have been accepted, again, congratulations and enjoy the time you have between now and early August as much as possible. To those of you still waiting, I truly wish you the best and I know that the "hurry up and wait" game isn't an easy situation to be sitting in and that it's a lot easier for me, as a current student, to be saying all of this, just know that this time last year most of my classmates and colleagues across the country were in your shoes and look at where we're all at now.

Thank you for your thoughtful inputs/research/advices. That makes a lot of sense.

Edit: I called in recently to ask when the Adcom is meeting, and the lady on the phone said, not yet...probably tomorrow.
 
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I just got accepted! Heck yes!


Sorry random, that was bad punt from your post.


But, YEAH!! I got in. I just checked just now at 330PM (CA-time), and the accepted student checklist showed up!!!!!! 😍😍 First acceptance woooo.
 
I'm in 😀
Got my acceptance at 5:25 AZ time. (I know this because I've been refreshing every few minutes since about 3PM today.)
Congrats Dying and good luck to everyone else! It just means that they didn't send out all of the acceptances at once!

That's my first acceptance to either MD or DO schools, so I'm extremely psyched!
I interviewed on January 18th.
My stats were a 3.96 science GPA and a 31L MCAT score.
 
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congrats Dyingduck and Arcshot!! The first acceptance definitely feels like the best thing in the world 😎 Go celebrate!
 
Accepted!!!!!!

Inteviewed 2/28

Checked my portal at 5:30 (AZ Time). Can't believe it! Midwestern is my first choice. Super excited to meet everyone!!!
 
Congrats to everyone that just received acceptances!!!

As I mentioned a few posts back, for some reason I received notification of my acceptance on Tuesday (not that I'm complaining), but I was hoping that more acceptances would come out as the week progressed. Glad to see that they are.

Congrats again!!!
 
Hey guys congrats to everyone who got an acceptance! I just checked and saw my status changed too!!! I dont want to jinx myself and say I got in, so I will be calling tomorrow to confirm. AZCOM really impressed me, hopefully I will see some of you guys next year.

Everyone else that is waiting just hang in there, hopefully you will hear back soon!
 
No status change for me yet. 🙁

They said at the interview not to expect the status to change until Friday night-- I'm a bit surprised everyone seems to be hearing so quickly. Maybe I'll just give them a call tomorrow and see what's up.

Congrats to everyone!
 
No status change for me yet. 🙁

They said at the interview not to expect the status to change until Friday night-- I'm a bit surprised everyone seems to be hearing so quickly. Maybe I'll just give them a call tomorrow and see what's up.

Congrats to everyone!

🙁🙁🙁 me neither...
 
Congrats to the accepted and fingers crossed for those who haven't heard yet...just when I had thought to give up hope, my portal changed.:luck::luck:
 
First time poster, long time lurker....congrats to all that got in! I saw the accepted student portal yesterday too myself so I'm definitely pumped...really enjoyed everything about the school during my interview visit. I interviewed 2/21. Good luck to all still waiting!
 
Accepted as well, interviewed 2/22. Congrats to everyone else!

I am definitely going to AZCOM next year.
 
No status change for me yet. 🙁

They said at the interview not to expect the status to change until Friday night-- I'm a bit surprised everyone seems to be hearing so quickly. Maybe I'll just give them a call tomorrow and see what's up.

Congrats to everyone!

Don't be sad, the same thing happened to me... A few people from my interview date got accepted almost a week before I did. They just have a weird way of picking who gets accepted at certain times. I am sure you will see something soon!
 
Hey guys,

I just had a question about rotations.

So I was accepted to AZCOM a few days ago and have paid my deposit. I was curious when I should expect to receive the questionnaire that asks me to list my top choices for rotations.

Will I not get this email until they receive my transcripts, or will they send it out before my transcripts are received.

I also am a bit concerned about what rotations spots will be left at this point. Obviously we are getting fairly late into the season so I have to imagine that the most desirable rotations are filling up pretty rapidly.

Anyone have any info on this process? Thanks
 
Hey guys,

I just had a question about rotations.

So I was accepted to AZCOM a few days ago and have paid my deposit. I was curious when I should expect to receive the questionnaire that asks me to list my top choices for rotations.

Will I not get this email until they receive my transcripts, or will they send it out before my transcripts are received.

I also am a bit concerned about what rotations spots will be left at this point. Obviously we are getting fairly late into the season so I have to imagine that the most desirable rotations are filling up pretty rapidly.

Anyone have any info on this process? Thanks

I had to wait a little over a week to receive my acceptance packet along with letter to pick rotation site. However, I picked mine shortly after my portal changed by emailing dr Spiecher (sp?) right away instead of waiting for the letter to come.
About the availability, I got my top choice and I was among the acceptance batch just before you guys (early Feb).
 
Hey guys,

I just had a question about rotations.

So I was accepted to AZCOM a few days ago and have paid my deposit. I was curious when I should expect to receive the questionnaire that asks me to list my top choices for rotations.

Will I not get this email until they receive my transcripts, or will they send it out before my transcripts are received.

I also am a bit concerned about what rotations spots will be left at this point. Obviously we are getting fairly late into the season so I have to imagine that the most desirable rotations are filling up pretty rapidly.

Anyone have any info on this process? Thanks

I wish I could tell you about how they're doing rotations this year, but it seems like this is the first time it'll be done. They changed things for 2013 and 2014 as well, so every year since the class of 2011 has been different.

That said, we're doing our rotation locations now so when it's all settled, I can let you know more. Just know that on the first page of this thread, I posted a list of the rotation regions and hospitals.

Since receiving my rotation schedule, know that there is a very good chance you will not stay in that region all year. For example, due to scheduling, I am doing a FMED rotation out in Oracle, AZ (about 45 min north of Tucson) and my PSY in Glendale (which they provide housing for). For the most part, I am in Tucson.

Another thing to note is that you can treat your rural like an elective; it can be in any specialty/field you want. Furthermore, you are not limited to the rural locations specified on that first post in this thread. For example, West Valley has the rural location Kingman but I was able to freely schedule my rural rotation there despite being assigned to Tucson.

The same goes for your PC rotation; you are free to go anywhere that is available at that time. Just make sure to set up an appointment and check your online.midwestern.edu account often, although you should get an email if something falls through.

I also want to remind everyone that the Chicago region has been raised from the dead and will actually be in Chicago, not Champagne/Urbana. I don't know if it was also available to 2014 but it should be and also 2015.
 
Thanks for the info.

I was also hoping you or someone else might be able to discuss the ward vs. preceptor situation, the pros and cons of these 2 choices, and which is generally considered more desirable. Thanks.
 
A quick note about preceptor vs. ward based (I got your PM, theone; I'm heading off soon so I'll IM you later):

There is 1 required ward based IM rotation. As far as other specialties go, you'll have to apply for them. They have ward based FMED, PSY, and PEDS. There are limited spots and some locations will take you to Tulsa, OK for that rotation (housing provided), but I bet it is worth it.

Not everyone will be able to get ward based beyond what is required and to a certain degree, this will hurt you depending on what you are going for.

I recall several posts talking about how the mentality and environment is different and you will be asked about it during interviews, but again, this is also what you are going for. If you want surgery or IM, yes, you should do as many ward based as you can, but for EM, like what I'm going for, it is different.

Again, I'm far from applying or even a rotation, so this is my best guess. There's not much I can tell you beyond what I have said on the first page and here, but I'll try to help as much as I can.
 
Another thing to note is that you can treat your rural like an elective; it can be in any specialty/field you want. Furthermore, you are not limited to the rural locations specified on that first post in this thread. For example, West Valley has the rural location Kingman but I was able to freely schedule my rural rotation there despite being assigned to Tucson.

For the california rotation sites, the paper listed 2 locations for the rural one in Sierra vista and one somewhere else, can't remember currently. I believe that it fulfilled both your IM ward (?) and Rural giving you an extra elective to be used as you want.
 
For the california rotation sites, the paper listed 2 locations for the rural one in Sierra vista and one somewhere else, can't remember currently. I believe that it fulfilled both your IM ward (?) and Rural giving you an extra elective to be used as you want.

Correct. California/LA gets another elective due to this. I don't know if LA can move to any region for rural like I stated above however; Sierra Vista just counts as ward based IM because it has a residency. It would be best to meet with your clinical coordinator as soon as you get here and nail it down in person.

Also, I got a PM about some of the rotations and I thought I should clarify some things.

1. The new rotations site (not sure what it is on) should have reviews for each preceptor to each region. I don't know if LA has many reviews or any reviews at all, and of course Chicago has none, so you may only be able to view AZ and Ohio. As for which region pros/cons, I can't really tell you. Do this based mainly on where you want to live for the majority of 3rd year.

2. Ward vs. preceptor - what is the difference? Ward based is in a large hospital setting with a residency. Here you will work with residents and interns on their schedule. Preceptor is just that: you work with usually 1 physician each day and do more outpatient care.

There is 1 required IM ward based. There are others you can compete for, and of course, for rural and primary care, you can go anywhere, even out of network. You'll have to do a crap ton of paper work but if you wish to do more ward based, that would be a way to do it for 3rd year. Talk to your specific advisor about doing this.


I want to emphasize again that this is my limited understanding of this being still in my 2nd year. When I get into the thick of things, I'll tell more but until then, take this for what it is worth and make the best decision you can.
 
Can someone who has already received detailed descriptions of the rotation locations pretty please send them to me? I'd like to get my selections made asap and despite being accepted earlier this week, have still not received any paperwork from the school. PM me pls, and good karma will be on it's way!!
 
Can someone who has already received detailed descriptions of the rotation locations pretty please send them to me? I'd like to get my selections made asap and despite being accepted earlier this week, have still not received any paperwork from the school. PM me pls, and good karma will be on it's way!!

Same. 😍😍
 
Hi guys,
Got my MCAT score updated (19-->27) but was wondering if it is still possible to get an interview if I update them? If I get an interview at this late stage in the game, will I likely be put on waitlist?

What percent of the class is full, if anyone knows?

Congrats to those accepted!
 
Can someone who has already received detailed descriptions of the rotation locations pretty please send them to me? I'd like to get my selections made asap and despite being accepted earlier this week, have still not received any paperwork from the school. PM me pls, and good karma will be on it's way!!

The detailed description of rotation sites you are requesting is essentially just a list of affiliated hospitals that "may" be available by the time we are 3rd years. The best idea would likely be to find the google map that lists all of the affiliated hospitals that was posted somewhere early in this thread (somewhere in the first 10 pages)
 
Hi guys,
Got my MCAT score updated (19-->27) but was wondering if it is still possible to get an interview if I update them? If I get an interview at this late stage in the game, will I likely be put on waitlist?

What percent of the class is full, if anyone knows?

Congrats to those accepted!

First, congrats on your improvement on the MCAT. Thats a huge jump, good job.

As far as getting an interview, its possible if you haven't been rejected and your stats are otherwise good. Something like that and a letter of intent would likely be qualification enough to get you out of a hold status as well. As far as getting an interview now, there is likely still spots available. As seen by the recent influx of acceptances in the thread last week. I have a friend who interviewed around this time a couple years back who is now in her 2nd year. As far as % full, I don't think many people could tell you but it's definitely got to be getting up there. Good luck!!
 
I called them - rejected following 2/28 interview. Oh well, guess it will be someplace else next year. Best of luck to everyone, and enjoy that beautiful campus!
 
those of you accepted....do you guys mind sharing your stats? My gpa is a 3.7, 3.71 science, but I only got a 24O on the mcat (10 PS, 8 BS, 6 VR). I have good ec's and am published for research
 
First, congrats on your improvement on the MCAT. Thats a huge jump, good job.

As far as getting an interview, its possible if you haven't been rejected and your stats are otherwise good. Something like that and a letter of intent would likely be qualification enough to get you out of a hold status as well. As far as getting an interview now, there is likely still spots available. As seen by the recent influx of acceptances in the thread last week. I have a friend who interviewed around this time a couple years back who is now in her 2nd year. As far as % full, I don't think many people could tell you but it's definitely got to be getting up there. Good luck!!

Thanks for the info! My stats are just so so at the time when I had applied. I was around a 3.4UGPA/3.2 Science GPA, no publication, plenty of EC's and clinical exposure. I will just go ahead and e-mail them a letter of intent though.

How did you guys prepare for the interview? Stupid question, I know, but I haven't interviewed in ages and I want to be able to make a good impression especially since it is closed file (?).
 
Just got an interview date set for April 5th 😀.
Really excited. Could anyone tell me if the interview invites are automatic or if they are selective? I'm just curious if every IS applicant who finishes an application for AZCOM gets one.
yes..thanks you.me too..😎
 
I called them - rejected following 2/28 interview. Oh well, guess it will be someplace else next year. Best of luck to everyone, and enjoy that beautiful campus!

sorry to hear that!! when did you call??
 
Interviewed 2-18 -- not sure when I got accepted because I hadn't been paying attention, but I noticed the portal had changed last night, which immediately filled my heads with horrible thoughts of an office worker accidentally pressing the wrong button and accepting me when they meant to reject me. Now it's Saturday and I can't confirm until Monday... Agony.

Also, the checklist say I'm missing my Bachelor's degree and transcripts? What does that mean. They should have that already.
 
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Interviewed 2-18 -- not sure when I got accepted because I hadn't been paying attention, but I noticed the portal had changed last night, which immediately filled my heads with horrible thoughts of an office worker accidentally pressing the wrong button and accepting me when they meant to reject me. Now it's Saturday and I can't confirm until Monday... Agony.

Also, the checklist say I'm missing my Bachelor's degree and transcripts? What does that mean. They should have that already.

You have to send official transcripts to the school once they accept you. What you sent to AACOMAS does not count.
 
OMG! I'm so frightened by the tuition! I really like the school, but why is it so expensive compared to other schools like LECOM? I believe I read somewhere that they aren't making genuine efforts to make good rotation sites available either (long time ago-sorry if its not the case now)?

How are the financial aid packages, if anyone knows?

Also, assuming I can get an interview, once scheduled, is there a way to find out if earlier spots become available? Meaning if someone has decided to withdraw or cancel the interview?

Thanks in advance! 🙂
 
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OMG! I'm so frightened by the tuition! I really like the school, but why is it so expensive compared to other schools like LECOM? I believe I read somewhere that they aren't making genuine efforts to make good rotation sites available either (long time ago-sorry if its not the case now)?

How are the financial aid packages, if anyone knows?

Also, assuming I can get an interview, once scheduled, is there a way to find out if earlier spots become available? Meaning if someone has decided to withdraw or cancel the interview?

Thanks in advance! 🙂

Tuition is expensive but LECOM is not the norm for schools. It is by far the cheapest option as far as tuition outside of an in-state school like TCOM, OUCOM, OSUCOM, etc. That said, yes AZCOM is on the high side but so is Western and other schools, and cost of living is cheaper in AZ.

As far as Financial Aid, I haven't gotten mine yet because I've yet to find time to sit down and file my FAFSA due to ridicuous work hours. General consensus is that you will get enough loan money through Stafford/Grad Plus to fund your education. Don't expect grants or scholarships though.

Assuming you get an interview, you have to keep checking the portal for a new date to open up. There is no notification system. I'd just check twice a day and monitor this thread in case anyone mentions dropping their interview.
 
Thank you. I am not from around AZ, but are there any significant differences between East and West Pheonix? (Red/Blue)

If you look in the Osteo (not pre-osteo) AZCOM class of 2015 thread there is a bit of discussion there. Generally its older vs. younger population. I can't remember the specifics. I think West Phoenix is older population and East is the ASU/younger crowd... I may have that backwards though. There is alot of overlap between the two
 
Could a current AZCOM student please share their experience with the WICHE scholarship? How many at your school received it and what advice can you give to WICHE scholarship hopefuls? I received word that I'd be receiving it as long as the state had money *gulp*. Any info or personal experience would be greatly appreciated.
 
Yeah, I can't help you there. This is the first time I've even heard about that. There aren't many frequent posters from AZCOM on SDN so you'll probably have to go to the source.
 
Yeah, I can't help you there. This is the first time I've even heard about that. There aren't many frequent posters from AZCOM on SDN so you'll probably have to go to the source.

Well, I've learned about as much from "the source" as I can. I've also done research elsewhere including old SDN threads but was just wanting someone to share their experience. At any rate, thanks for your response!
 
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