AZCOM Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[Sinfest]

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Sure, no problem.

I think the main thing about calling is you need a reason to call. In your case, you can call and confirm that your LoI has arrived and on the side, ask about your position on the pre-interview hold.

I suggested many reasons to call: you completed new course work and sent in a transcript (call to confirm its arrival) or you did new volunteer work and sent in a letter documenting service (call to confirm its arrival), etc. I noted that calling for the sake of calling doesn't stick out very much and may lead to them forgetting who you are.

Again, you have a reason now to call, but try your best to have a purpose for calling before asking about your status. The only other way I know that works really well when you have nothing to submit is just to show up in person. It's really hard for them to forget you if you come down here, but obviously not everyone can do this just in hopes of getting an interview.

I'll hold off until Wednesday or Thursday then, to give the letter some time to arrive. 👍

Edit: One more question. So you've heard of people showing up to the admissions office and getting interviews after their visit? I would be willing to take a trip to MWU, I just want to make sure it's worth the 6 hour drive haha Thanks again!

 

[Flushot]

I'll hold off until Wednesday or Thursday then, to give the letter some time to arrive. 👍

Edit: One more question. So you've heard of people showing up to the admissions office and getting interviews after their visit? I would be willing to take a trip to MWU, I just want to make sure it's worth the 6 hour drive haha Thanks again!

It does happen, but then again, this is mostly anecdotal. That said, being in the SMP at MWU, we were able to just stop by admissions whenever rather than call. I really believe that stopping by in person (after scheduling a meeting of course) is a huge bonus. It really shows your interest and dedication to the school.

If you can spare the time and money, definitely make a trip if you want a fast response from the school.

 

[Sinfest]

It does happen, but then again, this is mostly anecdotal. That said, being in the SMP at MWU, we were able to just stop by admissions whenever rather than call. I really believe that stopping by in person (after scheduling a meeting of course) is a huge bonus. It really shows your interest and dedication to the school.

If you can spare the time and money, definitely make a trip if you want a fast response from the school.

Thanks Flushot, I just emailed Dr. Walter about meeting this week.

 

[seap3]

I'll hold off until Wednesday or Thursday then, to give the letter some time to arrive. 👍

Edit: One more question. So you've heard of people showing up to the admissions office and getting interviews after their visit? I would be willing to take a trip to MWU, I just want to make sure it's worth the 6 hour drive haha Thanks again!

I'm rooting for you Sinfest. I really hope they give you the interview. After reading your posts this app season, it's pretty obvious that you really want to go to AZCOM and have been persistant despite other acceptances - that should at least earn you an interview.

Although I turned down my acceptance to AZCOM (mostly for location & cost reasons), I really loved the school and still wonder if I made the right decision.

Good luck!!

 

[Sinfest]

I'm rooting for you Sinfest. I really hope they give you the interview. After reading your posts this app season, it's pretty obvious that you really want to go to AZCOM and have been persistant despite other acceptances - that should at least earn you an interview.

Although I turned down my acceptance to AZCOM (mostly for location & cost reasons), I really loved the school and still wonder if I made the right decision.

Good luck!!

Thanks seap! 😀

DMU is a great school, I'm sure you won't regret your decision!

 

[Flushot]

Thanks Flushot, I just emailed Dr. Walter about meeting this week.

Good luck on your meeting and definitely bring some general questions about the school as well. It'll sort of be like a pre-interview interview, as they say, but don't go all out with the dress code. Business casual should be fine.

 

[Sinfest]

Good luck on your meeting and definitely bring some general questions about the school as well. It'll sort of be like a pre-interview interview, as they say, but don't go all out with the dress code. Business casual should be fine.

That's the plan 🙂

If I end up getting an interview invite, I'm buying you a beer Flushot!

 

[Flushot]

That's the plan 🙂

If I end up getting an interview invite, I'm buying you a beer Flushot!

Haha, I appreciate the offer.

If you want to talk more about the school, let me know when you're in town and we can meet on campus somewhere. We have lots of time off to study for boards but I wouldn't mind meeting some SDNers to help them with the school.

Just shoot me a PM if you want to meet. I live on campus so I'm available at most times.

 

[Sinfest]

Haha, I appreciate the offer.

If you want to talk more about the school, let me know when you're in town and we can meet on campus somewhere. We have lots of time off to study for boards but I wouldn't mind meeting some SDNers to help them with the school.

Just shoot me a PM if you want to meet. I live on campus so I'm available at most times.

I received a reply from Dr. Walter today which IMO seemed as if he was trying to save me a trip to AZ. Instead of meeting in person regarding my application, he gave me my current status and their plans regarding interviews in the near future via email. I was getting excited about visiting the school, but I guess that's not necessary. Pretty nice of him 🙂

You're awesome Flushot, thanks for the offer! I'll take you up on it if I end up interviewing.

For those of you that are in my position, he said they will begin sending out invites for May interviews in the coming weeks. ~70 of the interview spots will be given to those on the wait list.

 

[christine121]

Wow they're going to interview until May and they're pulling in 70 more people for interviews? Crazy. They're doing things way differently than last year! That's awesome, I hope you get in....good luck 😀

 

[Sinfest]

Wow they're going to interview until May and they're pulling in 70 more people for interviews? Crazy. They're doing things way differently than last year! That's awesome, I hope you get in....good luck 😀

Thank you 🙂

 

[spectacularvern]

I am in the same boat as Sin. Got a pre interview hold back in Jan. I updated the school with a LOI (back in early Feb) stating some new DO shadowing I have been doing. I did not get the email that Sin got from Dr. Walters though, and it makes me worried. Maybe I am not one of the 70 ? 🙁

I have been out of school for almost 4 years so I dont have updated grades to send them. I can not think of another reason to send an email or call them besides saying "what is my status 🙂"

any thoughts will be much appreciated!

 

[Sinfest]

I am in the same boat as Sin. Got a pre interview hold back in Jan. I updated the school with a LOI (back in early Feb) stating some new DO shadowing I have been doing. I did not get the email that Sin got from Dr. Walters though, and it makes me worried. Maybe I am not one of the 70 ? 🙁

I only received that email because I contacted him first. Don't worry 🙂

 

[spectacularvern]

I only received that email because I contacted him first. Don't worry 🙂

ahh ok 🙂 thanks for the info. im thinking then, maybe i should contact him also. get my name in his head, you know?? lol

 

[bonesaw33]

@ Sinfest. That's good news! I'm stoked about AZCOM and have been waiting for an interview forever just like you. Maybe if we both cross our fingers it will work better

 

[Flushot]

I received a PM asking about how AZCOM deals with boards studying. Here's what is official:

Starting Spring quarter of your second year, you have 2 less classes and Path and Pharm are also reduced by 1 hour. The first half of the quarter will be Intro to Clinical Medicine (ICM) with two exams and that class will end. The second half will be a faculty led board review course.

Students are required to take a mock USMLE (not COMLEX) exam prior to the start of this board review course. At the end of the course, we are required to take a mock COMLEX exam in order to pass (the class is pass/fail). Failure to pass this class will prevent you from getting approved to take the COMLEX, as far as I know.

Kaplan Q bank is provided for all students, but many students have supplemented this with USMLE World and DIT.

The quarter still ends in typical fashion, so there is no "extra" vacation time per se to study for the boards. We are supposed to heavily integrate boards into our classes for the remainder of our time here.

Also, Path and Pharm have cumulative final exams from all 3 quarters, thus boards studying and reviewing all the material is kind of required in a way.

That's the official stuff. This may change when 2014 moves into position, but I do remember in the past that AZCOM did do screening tests for the COMLEX and it seems like that has not changed. There was a debate on whether or not it is a good idea, but I like it. I'd rather fail a mock exam than the real deal if it came down to that, so it is good that they do want to make sure everyone can demonstrate some ability before going in.

 

[theone1979]

Sinfest-I wish you luck in getting an interview at AZCOM. You are clearly doing everything you can, unfortunately I have learned that sometimes no matter how hard you try, a particular school will choose not to pursue you as a candidate.

The whole process is so odd. This should illustrate how unpredictable all of this is:

I was interviewed back in Nov at Touro-CA (where you were accepted) and I was high-waitlisted. Meanwhile, after receiving my application in late Sept, AZCOM almost immediately responded with a letter telling me that I had been placed on a pre-interview hold. I had totally written them off at this point.

Then last month AZCOM contacts me for an interview invite out of the blue. I went to the interview and was "fast track accepted". Apparently AZCOM will accept some applicants almost automatically after interviewing them "fast-tracking", and for some reason they decided to place me in this category.

So Touro waitlists me, AZCOM first waitlists me (suggesting they had some interest but not a ton) and then once I interview, all of the sudden I am instantly accepted.

Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled with how it turned out, but it just shows how strange and inconsistent all of this is. Good luck man. If it doesn't work out at AZCOM, Touor-CA is a great school.

May I ask, why are you so set on AZCOM?

 

[randomusername]

Just an FYI to those of you out there interested in pediatrics and banking on having Phoenix Children's as a potential rotation site- I wouldn't bank on it too much. We've just received an email from the dean about PC focusing too much of their efforts on the U of A and Creighton students (something proselytized to force us from some sites and into others for awhile and finally coming to fruition) and us trying to establish a relationship with Cardon Children's Medical Center in Mesa to counter this.

Edit: I just want to clarify that this still IS an available rotation site but wouldn't be surprised to have it dropped or the number of students sent there restricted if the CCMC site pans out.

 

[slars96]

hey all. just put down my deposit im officially a member of the class of 2015! good luck to the rest of you!

 

[nfsonpowday]

Just an FYI to those of you out there interested in pediatrics and banking on having Phoenix Children's as a potential rotation site- I wouldn't bank on it too much. We've just received an email from the dean about PC focusing too much of their efforts on the U of A and Creighton students (something proselytized to force us from some sites and into others for awhile and finally coming to fruition) and us trying to establish a relationship with Cardon Children's Medical Center in Mesa to counter this.

Edit: I just want to clarify that this still IS an available rotation site but wouldn't be surprised to have it dropped or the number of students sent there restricted if the CCMC site pans out.

Do you happen to know which rotation site this was on (East or West valley)?

 

[randomusername]

Do you happen to know which rotation site this was on (East or West valley)?

Neither, it's a ward site. I will also point out that there is ward-peds in California and Oklahoma available also, but I know for some people interested in peds in my class, Phoenix Children's was a big draw.

 

[Dyingduck]

Does anyone know if there is an IM-ward in LA?

 

[fakeyellowlight]

Just a few questions for those in a position to answer them:

1.) With UofA-Phx making a name for itself in the valley are the ward-based rotations giving us less of their time to focus on the allopathic students?

2.) I remember from my interview that some of the lecture halls didn't have wifi because the professors said that it distracted the students but that it may change in the near future. What's the scoop here?

3.) When can we expect a final match list for the class of 2011 to be published? (The google map match list is nice but I'd like to see an actual list with additional information for this years graduates if possible.)

As always, thanks to those of you who make the time to help out your incoming classmates and point us in the right direction.

 

[Flushot]

Just a few questions for those in a position to answer them:

1.) With UofA-Phx making a name for itself in the valley are the ward-based rotations giving us less of their time to focus on the allopathic students?

2.) I remember from my interview that some of the lecture halls didn't have wifi because the professors said that it distracted the students but that it may change in the near future. What's the scoop here?

3.) When can we expect a final match list for the class of 2011 to be published? (The google map match list is nice but I'd like to see an actual list with additional information for this years graduates if possible.)

As always, thanks to those of you who make the time to help out your incoming classmates and point us in the right direction.

1. You have remember that this next year will be their first class that has rotations. Unless they are shelling out tons of money for spots, I can't see it being a problem anytime soon. Even then, there are only 45 students, so there will be room to go around. That said, I really have no idea.

2. Wifi is currently available in the main Auditoriums and from what I know has no intention of going away. If they do remove it for some infernal reason, I'm sure it will be brought up by student council from all the schools, not just AZCOM.

3. I spoke with Dr. Spiecher last week and he said it will be available roughly 2 weeks from tomorrow or possibly earlier. I do believe it will be in that Google maps format like before for those who wish to add themselves to that. They will release a PDF listing where and what as usual. When that happens, one of us can post it when we get the email.

 

[fakeyellowlight]

Flushot, thanks for your reply. However UofA-Phx will be graduating their first class in May so that means they've had students rotating for 2 years. But the simple fact that you haven't heard of any problems bodes well for those of us who will be matriculating this year. Again, thanks!

 

[supermang]

So how soon after submitting your choices for rotation locations did you guys receive confirmation of your site? I started emailing two or three weeks ago with my selections (before I got the official paperwork), and then just last week faxed in the official selection form with the same information I was including in my emails. No responses from anything yet. I've been meaning to pay my matriculation deposit, but would really like confirmation of my site in writing first.

 

[Dyingduck]

So how soon after submitting your choices for rotation locations did you guys receive confirmation of your site? I started emailing two or three weeks ago with my selections (before I got the official paperwork), and then just last week faxed in the official selection form with the same information I was including in my emails. No responses from anything yet. I've been meaning to pay my matriculation deposit, but would really like confirmation of my site in writing first.

That's strange. For me, it took 4 days. I was accepted, I think, on Wednesday (3/3), then I sent an email to Dr. Speicher on Sunday, then received a reply back from his secretary confirming my rotation choice the following Thursday.

 

[randomusername]

Best suggestion is to just call Speicher's office and confirm receipt of your choices because his office has had issues with overlooking submissions at times when they're receiving a lot of them in a variety of formats and when other stuff on-campus involving current students is going on.

Edit: I had no clue the track spins were going on presently, as Flushot suggests below, wait awhile before trying to contact his office.

 

[Flushot]

Flushot, thanks for your reply. However UofA-Phx will be graduating their first class in May so that means they've had students rotating for 2 years. But the simple fact that you haven't heard of any problems bodes well for those of us who will be matriculating this year. Again, thanks!

Huh, for some reason, I believed that 2013 was their first class. Oh well, not sure why I believed this.

I don't know how complicated the WV or EV situation is since I am in Tucson for the next year and also the Phoenix Children's email didn't get sent to 2013 since most of the people who wanted to go there are already set to go. Like I said earlier, things change all the time, especially by year. 2014 will have new problems and opportunities that we won't have. It's just how things go.

So, yeah, UoA-Phx could becoming important in taking spots, but again, who knows what each year brings.

I would also like to note that 3rd years are still currently doing their spins for 4th year tracks and Dr. Spiecher also has to collect the match results and data to present to the classes. They're flooded right now, so it might be best to hold off on contacting them specifically.

 

[nfsonpowday]

Neither, it's a ward site. I will also point out that there is ward-peds in California and Oklahoma available also, but I know for some people interested in peds in my class, Phoenix Children's was a big draw.

I might be the only one who doesn't understand this but does that mean it would have been availible only for elective rotation?

 

[Sinfest]

ahh ok 🙂 thanks for the info. im thinking then, maybe i should contact him also. get my name in his head, you know?? lol

No Problem. Good luck!

@ Sinfest. That's good news! I'm stoked about AZCOM and have been waiting for an interview forever just like you. Maybe if we both cross our fingers it will work better

Let's hope so! 🙂

Sinfest-I wish you luck in getting an interview at AZCOM. You are clearly doing everything you can, unfortunately I have learned that sometimes no matter how hard you try, a particular school will choose not to pursue you as a candidate.

The whole process is so odd.
...
...
...
May I ask, why are you so set on AZCOM?

Thanks theone! Where do you plan on attending?

I completely agree. The app process involves a bit of random luck...

I think I explained why I'm so set on AZCOM earlier in this thread. It basically has to do with their solid curriculum (and board scores which show this), great clinical rotation spots (including spots in CA!), modern and nice facilities, relatively close proximity to family, friends that are attending MWU, the fact that it's not located in a crime-ridden city (Vallejo), etc.

 

[randomusername]

I might be the only one who doesn't understand this but does that mean it would have been availible only for elective rotation?

The established ward rotations AZCOM has are the ones you apply for through department chairs (aside from IM, everybody does ward-IM) in order to rotate there instead of with a preceptor.

 

[ajs121]

Hi all!
I'm new to this thread, but I have been browsing this forum off and on during these past couple of weeks and found it informative. I've been super busy with school and work so I didn't get an opportunity to come on earlier.

However, I am going to be interviewing next month! I am super excited since I absolutely love the school and the location. 😍 I'm originally from SoCal, but we used to be frequent visitors to the area.

Was wondering, I think I had read a while back that there was the option to stay with a current student if you need a place to do so overnight, does that still exist? If not, how is the Ramada in Glendale, I heard they give students discounts.

I'm most likely going to be flying into Phoenix...have most of you taken a cab to the school? The interview starts at 07:45, so I want to be there pretty early.

To all those waiting, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you

Wishing you all good luck!

 

[Colbare]

I received a reply from Dr. Walter today which IMO seemed as if he was trying to save me a trip to AZ. Instead of meeting in person regarding my application, he gave me my current status and their plans regarding interviews in the near future via email. I was getting excited about visiting the school, but I guess that's not necessary. Pretty nice of him 🙂

You're awesome Flushot, thanks for the offer! I'll take you up on it if I end up interviewing.

For those of you that are in my position, he said they will begin sending out invites for May interviews in the coming weeks. ~70 of the interview spots will be given to those on the wait list.

Yeah I think visiting a school pre-interview would generally have little weight unless you get real lucky and happen to make the right impression on the right person. Even then that one person still has to go out of his/her way to push your app and convince the committee why they're doing so. There are just too many applicants.

That's awesome to hear about May interviews! For some reason I was convinced interviews for OOS D.O. schools always ended by April 1st. I've been on pre-interview hold since January and had kind of given up. Maybe we'll hear something soon!

 

[Dyingduck]

I was wondering what the car situation is like for AZCOM/Glendale (for 1st/2nd year). Like, is having a car absolutely required?

Are the on campus housing still available (this late)? Are apartments close-by? Is there a grocery store nearby or on campus meal plans? Near-by food chains?

Thank you very much.

 

[theone1979]

I was wondering what the car situation is like for AZCOM/Glendale (for 1st/2nd year). Like, is having a car absolutely required?

Are the on campus housing still available (this late)? Are apartments close-by? Is there a grocery store nearby or on campus meal plans? Near-by food chains?

Thank you very much.

From all I have read/heard, you really need a car. Obviously it's possible to survive anywhere without a car, but Phoenix isn't one of those cities like NY where you can easily get by without one.

 

[nfsonpowday]

The established ward rotations AZCOM has are the ones you apply for through department chairs (aside from IM, everybody does ward-IM) in order to rotate there instead of with a preceptor.

Oh Okay! So this means that we would jsut lose it as a ward based option -Thanks!

 

[randomusername]

I was wondering what the car situation is like for AZCOM/Glendale (for 1st/2nd year). Like, is having a car absolutely required?

Are the on campus housing still available (this late)? Are apartments close-by? Is there a grocery store nearby or on campus meal plans? Near-by food chains?

Thank you very much.

You can "manage" without a car if you have to, but you'll be at the mercy of the study schedules of anybody you need to get a ride from.

Technically, the housing application is closed and assignments have gone out (at least for current students), but one of my friends was admitted mid-summer and managed to acquire an apartment on-campus before the school year started. I think it just requires a bit more leg-work on your part now (you'll have to handle it through the apartment manager instead of the portal I'm guessing) and if there is availability, your pickings will be slimmer.

Yes, there are nice apartments just across the street and several complexes within a few miles of campus.

There are two grocery stores (across the street from one another) <.5 miles from campus, there are no meal plans (the cafeteria isn't much like a college cafeteria aside from the fact that there's food and it's on campus) but you can keep up to $2000 on your ID that can be used in the cafeteria for breakfast, lunch, snacks, etc. and I suppose functions in substitute of a meal plan if you just really want to eat there and don't want to carry cash or a card around.

There are places to eat within walking distance of campus also, but there are even more within 5 minutes of campus (driving) along Bell Road.

 

[drgioiadds]

Is AZCOM still interviewing?

 

[doctor mom]

I interviewed back in December. I have heard nothing since. I guess I should have been calling or something, but I kinda thought they would tell me when they were ready. I interviewed in Phoenix as well as Tucson and Phoenix already had their day when we all knew one way or the other (I was rejected) but why hasn't Tucson sent anything at all? Is there still a chance? Does anyone know anything helpful? Should I call or send an email or letter- to who?😕

 

[fakeyellowlight]

I interviewed back in December. I have heard nothing since. I guess I should have been calling or something, but I kinda thought they would tell me when they were ready. I interviewed in Phoenix as well as Tucson and Phoenix already had their day when we all knew one way or the other (I was rejected) but why hasn't Tucson sent anything at all? Is there still a chance? Does anyone know anything helpful? Should I call or send an email or letter- to who?😕

I can only imagine that you meant to post this in the University of Arizona thread but to answer you question, UofA Tucson will send out their rejection/waitlist letters the first week of April.

 

[doctor mom]

You're right. I have no idea what I'm doing here. I say AZ and automatically thought U of A.
Sorry! But thanks for the info.

 

[randomusername]

Is AZCOM still interviewing?

All the way through early-May I believe.

 

[Dyingduck]

You can "manage" without a car if you have to, but you'll be at the mercy of the study schedules of anybody you need to get a ride from.

Technically, the housing application is closed and assignments have gone out (at least for current students), but one of my friends was admitted mid-summer and managed to acquire an apartment on-campus before the school year started. I think it just requires a bit more leg-work on your part now (you'll have to handle it through the apartment manager instead of the portal I'm guessing) and if there is availability, your pickings will be slimmer.

Yes, there are nice apartments just across the street and several complexes within a few miles of campus.

There are two grocery stores (across the street from one another) <.5 miles from campus, there are no meal plans (the cafeteria isn't much like a college cafeteria aside from the fact that there's food and it's on campus) but you can keep up to $2000 on your ID that can be used in the cafeteria for breakfast, lunch, snacks, etc. and I suppose functions in substitute of a meal plan if you just really want to eat there and don't want to carry cash or a card around.

There are places to eat within walking distance of campus also, but there are even more within 5 minutes of campus (driving) along Bell Road.

Thank you for your input. I will give on-campus housing a call to see the situation.

Also, how much does a one-bedroom off-campus apartment cost in Glendale on average? (perferably closest to campus). Also, how's parking on campus or off campus in the apartment?

 

[randomusername]

Thank you for your input. I will give on-campus housing a call to see the situation.

Also, how much does a one-bedroom off-campus apartment cost in Glendale on average? (perferably closest to campus). Also, how's parking on campus or off campus in the apartment?

Eh, I'm not horribly sure as to how much a one-bedroom off-campus costs anymore, but it seems like when I was looking into them around this time last year, most of them were ~$700-800. The two apartment complexes closest to campus are called San Prado and San Lagos if you want to look into them.

Parking for on-campus residents is a non-issue. You park your car in the housing complex portion of campus and you're good to go. Off-campus resident parking is a non-issue as far as capacity goes, granted, there are plenty of people vying to get into parking spots on-campus so it might take you awhile to get to one at times but you'll find one.

 

[Dyingduck]

Eh, I'm not horribly sure as to how much a one-bedroom off-campus costs anymore, but it seems like when I was looking into them around this time last year, most of them were ~$700-800. The two apartment complexes closest to campus are called San Prado and San Lagos if you want to look into them.

Parking for on-campus residents is a non-issue. You park your car in the housing complex portion of campus and you're good to go. Off-campus resident parking is a non-issue as far as capacity goes, granted, there are plenty of people vying to get into parking spots on-campus so it might take you awhile to get to one at times but you'll find one.

Thank you. I will look into them.

Just a quick question, is AZCOM on Spring Break at the moment?

 

[randomusername]

Thank you. I will look into them.

Just a quick question, is AZCOM on Spring Break at the moment?

Nope, ours was a few weeks ago.

 

[Dyingduck]

Nope, ours was a few weeks ago.

Awesome, thank you for being helpful throughout. I've decided to matriculated here over Western (after some heavy debates) - time to get out of the CA bubble 🙂

 

[theone1979]

Does anyone know it the health insurance provided by AZCOM covers dental?

 

[Umm]

Does anyone know it the health insurance provided by AZCOM covers dental?

You have the option of picking up additional dental coverage.