AZCOM??? think again

[otisredding]

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This thread is for those of you who are still making last minute matriculation decisions about AZCOM. I recently was weighing my decision between TUCOM and AZCOM. When determining which school I wanted to attend I found it important to look at what I wanted out of medical school. My overall expectations for medical school are as follows:


1.Develop a strong science foundation.
2.Learn clinical skills during 1st and 2nd year.
3.Well prepared for boards.
4.Good Rotations.

I ended up choosing TUCOM and here is why:

Many applicants, myself included, were and may still be under the impression that AZCOMs rotation situation had been rectified (I read the news paper article). Because I felt that each of both of these schools would provide similar school experiences, I was leaning towards AZCOM (I'm from AZ). Upon further investigation I found that AZCOM still has issues with its rotations. Many are under the illusion that students will be able to rotate at hospitals in the greater phoenix area and this just isn't true. Maricopa is the only hospital thus far that has agreed to allow AZCOM students (as of 11/05). And for those who are unfamiliar with the plethera of hospitals in the Phoenix Metro area:

GoodSamaritan, Desert Samaritan, Valley/Mesa Lutheran,John C Lincoln Hospitals and Health Clinics, St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center,
Maricopa Medical Center Hospital and Specialty Burn Unit, Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix Baptist, Arrowhead Hospital and Health Clinics,
Scottsdale Healthcare (Includes Scottsdale North and Scottsdale Osborn Hospitals), Sierra Vista Hospital, Boswell Hospital, Del Webb Hospital, Maryvale Hospital, West Valley Emergency Center

Arizona seems to be well represented when it comes to hospitals and I don't see how one state university can claim all of them. Tennesse has more medical schools (4 that I can recall) than Arizona and they don't have this sort of problem.

So why the difficulty of rotating (3rd year) in the greater phoenix metro area? I don't really know. Some say that it is because the school cannot pay the hospitals the necessary costs per student (eventhough tuition increases drastically (7% or so each year) ....So where does that money go?) Others say that the lack of rotations for AZCOM students in the greater Phoenix Metro area are a result of a strong-hold that a not to be named state university has over the market. So which is it? I really don't care because it isn't my problem anymore. I realize that Midwestern has compensated for the situation by offering preceptorships (a program that enables you to rotate with doctors in their private practices throughout the valley) however, its my opinion that most clinical skills are better honed in a hospital environment.

The intent of this post is not propaganda nor slander. It is intended for those who are out there trying to still make a decision. I have enjoyed the time that I have spent during the interview as well as other visits to Midwestern and did not find the campus or faculty to be sub-par in any means. Board scores have also been high in recent years. I just felt it necessary to look at the school from all angles considering the expense of a private education and thus trying to help others if they are somewhat torn.

 

[Docgeorge]

What are you an adcom for TUCOM?

 

[novacek88]

What are you an adcom for TUCOM?

Relax, we get our fair share of positive propaganda about particular schools including AZCOM. It's only fair we hear the other side. And let's be honest, how many times have we seen posts asking people to compare schools. Why are you so suprised that someone finally decided to do just that and offer their opinion.

And I can confirm this person's statements. Although I have graduated, I have kept in touch with people at the school and I heard AZCOM got third year priviledges at Maricopa but no other hospitals as of now. And thus far, none of those hospitals have suggested they will allow third year AZCOM students to rotate in regards to 2005 or 2006. For anyone to affirmatively state that hospitals such as Good Sam are allowing third year students to currently rotate is misleading.

I'm certainly thrilled the school has taken steps to improve their situation. And I'm happy knowing AZCOM students will one day be able to rotate as third year students just like U of A students. However, that time is not now and it shouldn't conveyed as such despite all of our excitement regarding this process. In the past couple of years, the school was forced to exhaust their wait list and then some, so it wouldn't suprise me that we are desperately seeking to improve our image among applicants, especially in regards to the clinical setup since that has been the major obstacle impeding its admissions success in the past.

 

[espbeliever]

What are you an adcom for TUCOM?

obviously...

its a conspiracy!!!! aHHHHHHHHHHHHH


😀

😴

 

[lama]

Could otisredding actually be Novacek88?

Otis has one post, then Novacek magically appears immediately from his internship?... 😉

Dude, give it up. Go work on a patient or something.

You probably lurk on your high school's website trying to convince students at your alma mater that the administrators are all corrupt and the lunch ladies tried to poison you. Its called Schizo, paranoid... You should see somebody about this.

 

[otisredding]

Could otisredding actually be Novacek88?

Otis has one post, then Novacek magically appears immediately from his internship?... 😉

Dude, give it up. Go work on a patient or something.

You probably lurk on your high school's website trying to convince students at you alma mater that the administrators are all corrupt and the lunch ladies tried to poison you. Its called Schizo, paranoid... You should see somebody about this.

Funny

 

[novacek88]

Could otisredding actually be Novacek88?

Otis has one post, then Novacek magically appears immediately from his internship?... 😉

Dude, give it up. Go work on a patient or something.

You probably lurk on your high school's website trying to convince students at you alma mater that the administrators are all corrupt and the lunch ladies tried to poison you. Its called Schizo, paranoid... You should see somebody about this.

Still trying to discredit me I see.... Or shall I remind everyone how your very last post just prior to the one you wrote above began with...

"There was some argument about AZCOM getting access to Phoenix hospitals on this thread not too long ago. Looks like the nay-sayers were wrong. Where's Novacek88 now?"

A few months later, your very next post is in criticism of who else..but me. 😱 (theme music to John Carpenter's "Halloween" playing)

What's next on your agenda? I suppose you will say that I'm Boomer as well.

 

[medicine1]

I am also going to start school this August at Touro University. I think AZCOM is a great school, but I think TUCOM was just a better fit for me.
I also see how there are a lot of politics involved within the Hospital rotation situation, in Arizon, and in other states as well. I think it is very sad that the local government in Arizona will not invest in AZCOM, like it should.

 

[otisredding]

I am also going to start school this August at Touro University. I think AZCOM is a great school, but I think TUCOM was just a better fit for me.
I also see how there are a lot of politics involved within the Hospital rotation situation, in Arizon, and in other states as well. I think it is very sad that the local government in Arizona will not invest in AZCOM, like it should.

I couldn't agree more. I have heard of there being a physician shortage in AZ but I guess not enough so that the state governemt will lift a finger.

 

[medicine1]

Which Touro University campus are you attending? I am attending the Nevada campus in Henderson. I have noticed that the allopathic school in Reno is becoming more and more competitive. UNLV and Touro University were making plans to open a pharmacy school, and the Medical School in Reno took political action to stop the colloboration. The Reno medical school also has plans to spend Millions of tax payer dollars to build a huge academic hospital in downtown Las Vegas. The question remains of whether or not TUCOM students will be able to do rotations there. It will be interesting to see what happens between TUCOM-Nevada and the University of Nevada-Reno.

 

[swaamedic]

It's not all that bad at AZCOM I'm an MSIV and here is where I did my HOSPITAL MS III rotations:
1. Cardiology AZ HEART Hospital
2. Pulmonology elective Banner Thunderbird Hospital
3. OB/GYN Maryvalle Hospital
4. Internal medicine Tucson Medical Center (Hospital)
5. Away Peds rotation at St. John's Hospital
6. Away Rural ED rotation GCRMC Hospital
7. 2 week rotation at the State Medical Examiner doing autopsies
8 9 10 Clinic FP rotations
11 private practice general surgery rotation
12 mix private practice and geriactric hospital psych (who cares about psych)

MS IV rotations:
1. VA in PHX dermatology hospital based
2. Away Trauma surgery at Texas Tech hospital based
3. ED at Maricopa in Phx hospital
4. Private practice pulmonology
5. Away ED at Albert Einstein Hospital based
6, 7, 8: private practice Radiology, HIV medicine, opthalmology


I did no family practice based hospital rotations but how many family practice Drs are hospital based uhmmm virtually none! My surgery rotation was not hospital based but this was the best thing for me as I saw how ****ty a private practice surgeons life really is and know it's not for me.

Yes all this required me to fill out some extra paperwork and I did not rotate at Good Sam or St. Joe's which is where UofA students are primarily. But, i did plenty of hospital based and private practice rotations in Phoenix.

 

[mr.weirdscience]

All this AZCOM bashing is really silly. I never post on these forums but after reading this one, I had to put in my 2 cents. AZCOM is an excellent school with one of the nicest campuses I have ever witnessed. Their faculty and student body is exceptional. People were very friendly there and I enjoyed my interview experience. Their match list was impressive as well. I was set on attending AZCOM this fall and I would have been happy with my decision. I recently withdrew my acceptance there because I was admitted to my state school off the waiting list. I wanted to save money and have more structure during my clinical years. It was not an easy decision and I will always think positive things about the school.

 

[otisredding]

All this AZCOM bashing is really silly. I never post on these forums but after reading this one, I had to put in my 2 cents. AZCOM is an excellent school with one of the nicest campuses I have ever witnessed. Their faculty and student body is exceptional. People were very friendly there and I enjoyed my interview experience. Their match list was impressive as well. I was set on attending AZCOM this fall and I would have been happy with my decision. I recently withdrew my acceptance there because I was admitted to my state school off the waiting list. I wanted to save money and have more structure during my clinical years. It was not an easy decision and I will always think positive things about the school.

private school is pretty expensive

 

[1viking]

I was talking with my Dean about AZCOM and he said the situation is all about bad politics. He told me that KCOM wanted to open a school in Arizona and first asked ASU if they would be willing to work together with the clinical rotations. He told me that ASU was unwilling to offer support so ATSU built a school there that teaches everything under the sun except for the D.O. Well, I guess they worked on their communication skills because the Mesa campus will soon offer the D.O. degree. In a smooth way he told me that the AZCOM officials hadn't been so diplomatic and thus their problems.

I almost went to AZCOM, but decided not to for other reasons than the one stated above. I thought the schoold looked spectacular. My thoughts, though, were that if a school recieved x dollars in tuition compared to another school that recieved x dollars in tuition, I was going to choose the school that didn't have to pay a large sum of that money into a beautiful and new campus. Stupid; I know, but that is the truth behind my choice.

 

[fozzy40]

I believe that the VA and Phoenix Children has opened its doors to 3rd years.

 

[mr.weirdscience]

private school is pretty expensive

Yeah, pretty much all private osteopathic schools are expensive these days so you can't just criticize AZCOM for that. That was pretty much the key reason why I waited to get into my state school. I loved AZCOM but their 7% annual tuition hikes sorta forced my hand. I didn't want my tuition going toward paying for a podiatry school. Some of the MS1's I spoke to on campus mentioned they were not happy having to share class and lab space with podiatry students. In case none of you were aware of this but at AZCOM, you take classes including gross anatomy with their podiatry program. All that being said, I would have been very content attending AZCOM. I just think some of you need to let up a little in criticizing AZCOM. The school may not have completely fixed their clinicals but they are making progress.

 

[1viking]

All private med schools (allo and osteo) have large tuitions. But, people are willing to pay it, so it must not be too high. Seems like the state schools should learn a lesson or two about pricing.

 

[mr.weirdscience]

All private med schools (allo and osteo) have large tuitions. But, people are willing to pay it, so it must not be too high. Seems like the state schools should learn a lesson or two about pricing.

State schools don't rely exclusively on tuition to fund all of their programs and they receive government reimbursement as well. This is why they don't charge an arm and a leg for tuition; it's not because they don't know how to price their tuition. Just because people are willing to pay outrageous tuition, it doesn't mean that it is affordable. People are just desperate and are willing to pay whatever it takes to accomplish their dreams. And not all private schools charge the same tuition.

 

[hylacinerea]

It's simple economics: The schools will charge what the market will pay. As long as physicians make $$$ and can afford to pay back the loans, the tuition will keep going up. As soon as a large percentage of physicians start defaulting on their student loans and the finance institutions stop lending extra money readily, the schools will be forced to stop the insane tuition increases. However, I don't forsee this happening anytime in the near future.

 

[bla_3x]

There are some spots at Copa VA and PCH for a Few MSIIIs this year. And I mean a FEW.
And while I am happy that this happened, the selection of the people who get these few precious spots is FAR from fair.
Our school utilizes a lottery system for our in system rotations (and these places fall into this category). However, when the spots for Maricopa for example came up, clin ed resorted to the archaic "first come, first serve" model. Clin Ed should have placed these spots into the lottery and given everyone who needs one, a fair and random chance to obtain one. So, on paper and to a degree, there are spots open in the valley. In reality, these spots are very few and not available to everyone (just think about it, a 1st come 1st serve system in a class of 130+…that’s just stupid!).
I hope that this evolves for the future classes so that we obtain more availability. The directors of clin ed and the deans are constantly working to get more spots…they really are.

Also, its important to realized that most of the hospitals in the valley are NOT teaching hospitals. So the mention of the dozens of hospitals in the valley, etc. etc. is not accurate as far as ward based rotations are concerned.

 

[mr.weirdscience]

There are some spots at Copa VA and PCH for a Few MSIIIs this year. And I mean a FEW.
And while I am happy that this happened, the selection of the people who get these few precious spots is FAR from fair.
Our school utilizes a lottery system for our in system rotations (and these places fall into this category). However, when the spots for Maricopa for example came up, clin ed resorted to the archaic "first come, first serve" model. Clin Ed should have placed these spots into the lottery and given everyone who needs one, a fair and random chance to obtain one. So, on paper and to a degree, there are spots open in the valley. In reality, these spots are very few and not available to everyone (just think about it, a 1st come 1st serve system in a class of 130+…that’s just stupid!).
I hope that this evolves for the future classes so that we obtain more availability. The directors of clin ed and the deans are constantly working to get more spots…they really are.

Also, its important to realized that most of the hospitals in the valley are NOT teaching hospitals. So the mention of the dozens of hospitals in the valley, etc. etc. is not accurate as far as ward based rotations are concerned.

Wow, I knew they had to work out some kinks but I didn't realize the situation was this bad. At least it's good to see the school is working to get more spots.

 

[Boomer]

What's next on your agenda? I suppose you will say that I'm Boomer as well.

Aren't you?

Fuggin' graduate....you know NOTHING about the program...I read the brochure, I know everything....

Did everyone pick up the sarcasm? novacek....let everyone learn for themselves. I defended the place vehmently BEFORE I started rotations, too....

swa....part of the point to be made is that 3 of your 6 "hospital" rotations WEREN'T in Phoenix....sad to be in a city that size with that many hospitals and spend so much time away. Oh, and could you actually TOUCH a patient at Banner T-Bird? You couldn't a few years ago.....

 

[otisredding]

swa....part of the point to be made is that 3 of your 6 "hospital" rotations WEREN'T in Phoenix....sad to be in a city that size with that many hospitals and spend so much time away. Oh, and could you actually TOUCH a patient at Banner T-Bird? You couldn't a few years ago.....

That was my point Boomer. Thanks. I realize that it is possible to get a select few rotations in the valley. But the overall point of the argument was to illustrate that in a city the size of Phoenix (with so many hospitals teaching or not) one shouldn't have to fight for their rotations or try and subsidize them with preceptorships. I really just don't understand why the state university is making this such an issue. In other states with numerous medical schools I don't really hear of this problem (has anyone else?).

 

[caspofungin]

So Boomer does this mean when u started your residency u were the most behind and dumbest in your class, or was your education as good as your fellow residents?

Lets face it everyone everywere hated their medical school while they were in it, but looking back after a few years it was actually a good education. Additionally many medical schools now use the preceptor model such as UW and Wayne State...as well as your mother school Kirksville.

 

[jhug]

what a *****ic post...
i can't agree more that there is a problem with the fact that a city the size of phoenix doesn't have more opportunities for us...that is only getting better and better for third years (and isn't really an issue for fourth) so in short, it's becoming a mute point.
The preceptor idea is awesome...i'm in the middle of surgery an could NEVER have had such an amazing experience in the traditional hospital setting...i'm suturing, OPERATING, rounding alone on patients, presenting patients alone, i have to know the answers to all the docs questions alone...i either sink or swim...(and to people who are used to spoon-feeding that gets real old)
I wouldn't be that naive to say there aren't bad preceptor experiences out there...but i would venture to say as a third year there are just as many if not more pointless, scutwork-filled hospital rotations as well...

and let me get this straight...you chose touro over azcom...
i really like every student i've met from either campus...but if you chose nv, you have an admitted up-hill battle waiting for you...they are where we were 7 years ago...if you chose the deserted base...you (according to those i've met from there) are going to be having a very similar experience trying to stay in the bay area...

either way, good luck to you and be happy with your decision...you don't need to justify it by posting things you feel are wrong with a school you've never attended.

 

[dr.z]

you don't need to justify it by posting things you feel are wrong with a school you've never attended.

Yeah. Every school has and will have problems. Be happy with where you are and leave those alone that attend other schools.

 

[medtraveler]

I just felt it necessary to look at the school from all angles considering the expense of a private education and thus trying to help others if they are somewhat torn.

I'm not quite sure who you think you are that you deem it necessary to take it upon yourself to "educate" all of us as to reconsider attending AZCOM. First of all you haven't even attended AZCOM or any other medical school for that matter. I'm not sure what the intention was behind that post but it sure seems evident that you are a bit insecure in your decision and are using this forum as a medium to stroke your own ego and quiet the insecurities that you must have about your decision.

 

[bla_3x]

Yeah, AZCOM must be horrible.
I mean we have had such a terrible board pass rate, get such bad reviews from PDs about our grads, and nobody gets their 1st choice for residency 🙄

* in case you are really out of it...the above statement is the EXACT opposite of what really happens at AZCOM 😉

 

[novacek88]

The preceptor idea is awesome...i'm in the middle of surgery an could NEVER have had such an amazing experience in the traditional hospital setting...i'm suturing, OPERATING, rounding alone on patients, presenting patients alone, i have to know the answers to all the docs questions alone...i either sink or swim...(and to people who are used to spoon-feeding that gets real old)

Preceptorships are hit or miss. Some people, like yourself, had an amazing experience with surgery. I know several others whose surgery preceptorship was a joke and a relative breeze when compared to a traditional hospital based setting. I certainly wasn't "spoon-fed" in my surgery rotation. Getting up at 4 AM to pre-round and being berated by residents and attending for missing pimp questions or failing to have perfect sutures isn't what I would call being spoon fed. It was quite an experience to do a traditional surgery rotation and I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.

I should add the hit or miss factor of preceptorships is what causes many allopathic programs to cast major doubts on the clinical training of many osteopathic students. I know that if you want to pursue any surgical related field at an allopathic program, you better have done your rotation in a traditional hospital based setting, and this applies to many osteopathic affiliated programs too.

You may get more hands on experience following a preceptor. You may get to do things you would never have the opportunity to do in a traditional setting. I agree in that the preceptorship offers advantages and this is one of them. But the fact of the matter is you will do your residency in a traditional setting and not a preceptor based model. The traditional hospital based setting prepares you for what it's like to work in a hospital setting with residents, attendings and a ton of colleagues at your present level of training. You have to learn how to work in a team setting. You have to learn to be pimped with your colleauges standing next to you, and feeling that embarrassment when you fail to answer something correctly. You have to learn what it is like to work with several attendings and residents at once. Nor, will a preceptorship provide you with the added luxury of working in different aspects of surgery. During my surgery rotations, I did two weeks of just trauma which is something one would never experience following a physician around in a preceptorship.

 

[jhug]

my bad...i first assist with the doc...so he is there while i'm suturing etc...

as for the rounding/pimping...i'm all on my lonesome...i have no one there to answer for me...and your right, i'm the only one available to make me look stupid (which i might add, happens too much for my liking🙂)
i never said it was harder...i just said it was better.


(ps. Novacek...your second post 😀 is very well put)

 

[Sugar72]

I'm an MS4 at AZCOM and it is nice to read this spirited debate. I really enjoyed the first 2 years at AZCOM - but I hated Phoenix and thank god I could get out of Phoenix starting with rotation number one. I have had a lot of great rotations and a lot of really easy rotations. I have been able to move my family back to New Orleans and become involved with the local medical community. Since I want to stay here for residency - i think it has been good to meet and rotate with community doctors here.

Since I didn't stay in Phoenix, I am not really up to date on all of the rotations and political stuff - but the flexibility is really, really fantastic. I just wanted to throw out the idea that hospital based rotations in phoenix are not necessarily the most desirable thing in clinical education.

I have done well on my exams and I perform at the same level as students from other schools in my university hospital rotations. I didn't experience any kind of culture shock in my first rotation at a traditional hospital residency program setting like some other posters have implied. I just haven't had to do nearly as many in-house call nights during these two years.

Since I am in the middle of the clincal years and my experience is a little different that the previous posters - I thought I would share my opinion. Hope it helps anyone considering AZCOM and worrying about clinical education.

 

[jgrady]

Wow this topic comes up a lot. Anyway, I'm only an MSII at AZCOM but we've been told as fact the following:

1) AZCOM has always been able to get into all rotations, including teaching hospitals if a) you have 8 wks ward-based rotations completed and b) there are spots open (not taken by UofA; likely in the req'd rotations).

2) Currently Maricopa is open to giving open spots to AZCOM students up to 50% (it's still an Allo hospital). St. Joe's and Good Sam's are no longer restricted from giving open to AZCOM (or any other school) students by UofA contracts. And these schools have an incentive to interest more AZCOM students to be residents there (in addition to grads already doing great jobs at both), so it is likely just a matter of time.

3) St Joe's and Good Sam's are really the only ward-based rotations we still have a hard time getting into and only if you don't have 8wks ward-based rotation under your belt (from out-of-state, Maricopa, Yuma, Kingman, etc.).

4) Fourth year rotations this situation is a non-issue since AZCOM students have the required prereqs.

Please correct me if I'm wrong on this. But assuming these "facts" are correct, rotations is a non-issue for students unless you absolutely don't want to travel outside Phoenix for your TWO ward-based rotations in MSIII and absolutely must have add'l Phoenix teaching rotations.

I plan on specializing and would probably return to the NW regardless so I'm perfectly happy with doing some traveling. I looked at Touro seriously myself, but trailblazing in NV or dealing with CA cost-of-living and a Navy Base weren't my ticket. I also believe AZCOM is simply a better diadactics school. I know for a fact we are pushed harder with our weekly testing schedule vs. a midterm/finals semester program after talking with a couple Touro students. I hate having no weekends , but great Board scores and Match results make up for it.

Best of luck to everyone in their respective schools...

 

[VentdependenT]

YOu'll get the hang of running floors, fetching labs, getting scutted out for everything under the sun, sitting up at 3 am doing H&P's, etc after just a couple of teaching hospital rotations. There just isn't much to learning the basics how to effectively run a service/get crap done after that point.

The poop will hit the fan when you start internship, bottom line. Then you're calling shots to a certain degree. There is usually competent back up available and eventually you just figure it out.

As for the hit or miss aspect of preceptor based rotations I don't believe its that much different in a traditional setting. You can get shafted with a stinky attending, a jaded (or even worse a lazy/incompetent) resident, or just a crappy service. Its totally hit or miss. No one is really looking out for you except you. Thats the bottom line folks.

Choose your rotations wisely and start thinking about the path you want to take as early as possible. Get proactive about your education. This website is great place to start and kudos for those of you who have already stumbled upon it.

Boomer is the man. All he needs is a good propofol infusion and some pressure support and he's in heaven.

 

[Boomer]

YOu'll get the hang of running floors, fetching labs, getting scutted out for everything under the sun, sitting up at 3 am doing H&P's, etc after just a couple of teaching hospital rotations. There just isn't much to learning the basics how to effectively run a service/get crap done after that point.

The poop will hit the fan when you start internship, bottom line. Then you're calling shots to a certain degree. There is usually competent back up available and eventually you just figure it out.

As for the hit or miss aspect of preceptor based rotations I don't believe its that much different in a traditional setting. You can get shafted with a stinky attending, a jaded (or even worse a lazy/incompetent) resident, or just a crappy service. Its totally hit or miss. No one is really looking out for you except you. Thats the bottom line folks.

Choose your rotations wisely and start thinking about the path you want to take as early as possible. Get proactive about your education. This website is great place to start and kudos for those of you who have already stumbled upon it.

Boomer is the man. All he needs is a good propofol infusion and some pressure support and he's in heaven.

Ay Bastard, whaddya think of my internship classmate?

 

[jhug]

As for the hit or miss aspect of preceptor based rotations I don't believe its that much different in a traditional setting. You can get shafted with a stinky attending, a jaded (or even worse a lazy/incompetent) resident, or just a crappy service. Its totally hit or miss. No one is really looking out for you except you. Thats the bottom line folks.

very well put!!!

 

[otisredding]

I'm not quite sure who you think you are that you deem it necessary to take it upon yourself to "educate" all of us as to reconsider attending AZCOM. First of all you haven't even attended AZCOM or any other medical school for that matter. I'm not sure what the intention was behind that post but it sure seems evident that you are a bit insecure in your decision and are using this forum as a medium to stroke your own ego and quiet the insecurities that you must have about your decision.

I was not at all attempting to bash the school. In my post I was attempting to inform those future applicants who weren't aware of a glitch in the rotations at the school. I had commented on the other strengths of the program (campus, boards, and faculty). Your also right about me never attending AZCOM. But my cousin did graduate from AZCOM this year. With her and a few other students I had discussed this matter at great lengths. She even set me up with a prof. go over my questions I had about the program (this was obviously out of courtesy to her). In addition to cautioning me about eating fast food, he pretty much just laid out the pros (board scores, campus, research opps etc) and cons (private=$$$, lack of rotations) of AZCOM (as every school has theirs).

I apologize if I have offended any past, present, and future alum. This certainly wasn't my intention. Also if the topic has been discussed to the point of exhaustion then I also apologize for any redundancies.

 

[medtraveler]

I apologize if I have offended any past, present, and future alum. This certainly wasn't my intention. Also if the topic has been discussed to the point of exhaustion then I also apologize for any redundancies.

...no worries