CCOM Discussion thread 2007-2008

[146233]

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it also seemed as though the clinical opportunities at CCOM are much better than AZCOM. Remember AZCOM is in a much smaller city...fewer hospitals and fighting for rotation space against other more established med schools.

I wouldn't say "much better". Any medical school will get you adequate clinical exposure. CCOM students have to contend with students from Loyola, Rush, Northwestern, U of I, and even U of C for spots at their non-affiliated hospitals. Each of those schools is more established than CCOM as well. This isn't the first time concerns have been raised about AZCOM's clinical years, but their students do just fine. 🙂

 

[orangr85]

I wouldn't say "much better". Any medical school will get you adequate clinical exposure. CCOM students have to contend with students from Loyola, Rush, Northwestern, U of I, and even U of C for spots at their non-affiliated hospitals. Each of those schools is more established than CCOM as well. This isn't the first time concerns have been raised about AZCOM's clinical years, but their students do just fine. 🙂

Rush is an affiliate of CCOM, so is Stroeger, St. James, Lutheran, and a few other hospitals. There are many medical schools in chicago, but there are also a wide variety of rotation sites and hospitals. CCOM students don't really have to "contend" with anyone for rotation spots - students from uic ,rush , loyola, u of c, and northwestern rotate at their own hospitals 99% of the time. And no, those schools arent more established than CCOM either. CCOM has been around since 1900 - Rush was opened a few years before, loyola a few after. I think it's pretty fair to say CCOM's clinical oppurtunities are more favorable than AZCOM's.

 

[146233]

Oh, I agree. They are more favorable. I just wouldn't go as far as saying "much better". Chicago is a hell of a place to study medicine, no doubt about it. It just wasn't the deciding factor for me, given that the core rotations at AZCOM will be more than adequate and most fourth year rotations can be set up nearly anywhere with an open spot.

 

[orangr85]

Oh, I agree. They are more favorable. I just wouldn't go as far as saying "much better". Chicago is a hell of a place to study medicine, no doubt about it. It just wasn't the deciding factor for me, given that the core rotations at AZCOM will be more than adequate and most fourth year rotations can be set up nearly anywhere with an open spot.

agreed.

 

[Syncope82]

that stinks that they are avoiding you guys like that

 

[gasapple]

Aren't you all using the Midwestern "Interact Now" system? Everything is via snail mail once youre complete according to the online system.

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

yeah, ive called about 3 times.. they dont do status checks over the phone.. so i emailed.. they woudn't do it then either.. i dont know..

 

[Beau Geste]

Oh, I agree. They are more favorable. I just wouldn't go as far as saying "much better". Chicago is a hell of a place to study medicine, no doubt about it. It just wasn't the deciding factor for me, given that the core rotations at AZCOM will be more than adequate and most fourth year rotations can be set up nearly anywhere with an open spot.

meh. forget it. that didn't come out right on my part.

 

[Kateb4]

I got the alternate list today.

it was my top choice, and i thought my interviews went well. my fall grades werent exceptionally hot either , looks like i'm screwed. 🙁

I have a feeling I'm going to be in the same boat! My DO emailed me that he is just now sending my LOR (that he said he was sending 2 months ago), and I didn't do too hot in the one class that I took this semester. Do we have to send grade updates, or do they ask for them? I was planning on re-taking the class that I did bad in over the summer.

 

[Beau Geste]

Just so you guys know, if I end up with a bona fide SIU acceptance in Feb or March, I'm going to give up my CCOM seat.

SIU is my alma mater and I'm really interested in their PBL curriculum.

Unfortunately, the AWPA list is not a guarantee, so I will not know if it's CCOM or SIU until the SIU adcom does it's second and third acceptance giveaways.

The waitlist will probably move quite a bit from Feb-May as the acceptances are shuffled around.

 

[DancerDoc777]

Aren't you all using the Midwestern "Interact Now" system? Everything is via snail mail once youre complete according to the online system.

Question about the Interact Now: As I was perousing the Midwestern website looking for answers to my status check questions (I applied to AZCOM), I came across the "interact now" link, so I clicked on it and I could've put in all of my information right then, but didn't because I haven't officially received anything in the mail/email inviting me to use it. I wasn't sure if it would even recognize me or have my file since the school hasn't invited me to set up my account yet. I figured though, that instead of bugging the school with my status check questions, I could first try to set up my "interact now" account and hopefully that would give me some answers and make sure all of my LORs are in. Or, would that just screw things up once they finally sent me something about setting up an account? Did any of you set one up without being asked? I'm hoping to just help them out a bit and jumpstart things since they seem to be moving slow...

 

[PianoRock11]

I'll be living off-campus. If you're looking for a REALLY nice apartment complex, check "City View Apartments" at 2720 Highland Ave. It's about 1.2 miles from school, but it's technically in the city of Lombard.

I don't feel like throwing away $40,000 in rent just to end up with nothing, so I'll be buying a condo in conjunction with my parents. You can look at downtown Downers Grove, which is about 2.5 miles south of the school. There's a few newer condo buildings such as "Acadia on the Green" and "The Station." The town is quiet. Real close to the train station though, which goes right through the heart of the IL Medical District in Chicago.

I'll be living in Lombard (1.5 miles north of the school) at a condo building called "Fountain Square." There's a few other older condo buildings in the vicinity of Yorktown Mall (Highland Avenue/22nd Street/Butterfield Rd) as well.

Check out this map I made if you're not familiar with the area. Hope it helps!

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=e...1.822886,-87.998772&spn=0.056542,0.11673&z=13

I'm going to reply to my own post here.

A few weeks ago, there was a topic about where people are living who will be attending CCOM. I've been figuring all this out for the last few weeks, and I want to share my results with anybody who may be interested.

I'm still planning on buying a condo instead of shelling out a ton of rent money, and I've done a lot of research on condos in the area. The two best ones (by far) are Fountain Square on 22nd Street and Yorktown Place on St. Regis Drive (if you click on the map above, that street is right where it says "Highland Hills").

Fountain Square is about 80% sold out, so the prices are a little high. It's an incredibly nice building (buildings, actually), the builder has won the very prestigious Diamond Builder Award, and I would highly recommend them. I put a deposit down on one of the units, which is why I previously said I'd be living here.

However, I've been looking at Yorktown Place recently, and I like their floorplans WAAY better. Not as good of a location, not as pristine, but the floorplans kick ass and they're still doing pre-construction prices. For those who don't know, condo prices are the cheapest when they FIRST start selling, and they only go up. So it's going to end up being a much better deal to buy a condo at Yorktown Place.

I wanted to throw these two names out there for one main reason: It would be cool if a few other CCOMers who wanted to invest in a condo would buy at these places. Keep the crowd (relatively) young, have a few buddies to hang out with at night, etc. Plus they're only 1.5 miles from the school.

The housing market is a buyer's market right now, so if you plan on living there for 4 years or more, the value of your condo will most likely increase a significant amount. If you're considering doing this, it's a great time to buy. And in my opinion, scrounging around for the money and treating it as an investment is a lot better than paying rent and ending up with nothing in the end.

Hopefully there is at least ONE person out there who is interested in the things I just said 👍 Good night.

 

[gasapple]

Question about the Interact Now: As I was perousing the Midwestern website looking for answers to my status check questions (I applied to AZCOM), I came across the "interact now" link, so I clicked on it and I could've put in all of my information right then, but didn't because I haven't officially received anything in the mail/email inviting me to use it. I wasn't sure if it would even recognize me or have my file since the school hasn't invited me to set up my account yet. I figured though, that instead of bugging the school with my status check questions, I could first try to set up my "interact now" account and hopefully that would give me some answers and make sure all of my LORs are in. Or, would that just screw things up once they finally sent me something about setting up an account? Did any of you set one up without being asked? I'm hoping to just help them out a bit and jumpstart things since they seem to be moving slow...

The system is nice as a "status aid". You should sign up for it and once you do, you'll see your current status and you'll be informed that all further updates from the Midwestern schools are sent via snail mail. I don't believe there would be any detriment to your file if you sign up at this point.

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

I signed up before I was invited to do so.. when I received the letter with my student ID in it a few days later, I added it in, and was then able to view my status. you can go on, but no view status beforehand.

 

[gasapple]

I signed up before I was invited to do so.. when I received the letter with my student ID in it a few days later, I added it in, and was then able to view my status. you can go on, but no view status beforehand.

Yep, sorry, that's what happens if you do so prior. I missed that part evidently. 😀 👍

 

[DancerDoc777]

Thanks guys. I went ahead and emailed the admissions office to check my status/get the ball rolling, and ask them about Interact Now. I also set up my account on Interact Now in the meantime, but obviously without my ID. Hopefully the email might speed things up! 👍

 

[orangr85]

I've been on the alternate list post interview for a few weeks now and its really starting to bog me down. I was originally planning on forgetting about it until the spring ( when waitlist movement is supposed to start ) and just hanging out - but after speaking to a counselor i found out i can be taken off at any time...CCOM is my top choice and i think i've done everything i can to make myself stand out on the list - i sent a letter of intent, a new letter of rec, an update of activities, information on my research, etc...i even had a doctor i shadowed call into admissions, but nothing....

does anyone know anything else i can do? ive wanted to go to CCOM since i was a frosh in college and this is just a bummer :-/

 

[utailor2]

I thought they only start taking people off the waitlist at the end (late sping/early summer). Which counselor said that you can be taken off at anytime?

 

[orangr85]

I believe her name was Wendy - Wendy Kulpinksi or something close to it.

She told me that they review waitlists monthly as well as new applicants, if they see changes in the file that they like , they may opt to accept the student from the waitlist. Otherwise, it's a waiting game to fill up untaken seats - and that usually doesnt happen until late spring/early summer

 

[singinfifi]

Well, it could be worse.

You could have been rejected.



Best of luck 🙂 I really hope you get good news.

 

[G Rowell]

I'm going to reply to my own post here.

A few weeks ago, there was a topic about where people are living who will be attending CCOM. I've been figuring all this out for the last few weeks, and I want to share my results with anybody who may be interested.

I'm still planning on buying a condo instead of shelling out a ton of rent money, and I've done a lot of research on condos in the area. The two best ones (by far) are Fountain Square on 22nd Street and Yorktown Place on St. Regis Drive (if you click on the map above, that street is right where it says "Highland Hills").

Fountain Square is about 80% sold out, so the prices are a little high. It's an incredibly nice building (buildings, actually), the builder has won the very prestigious Diamond Builder Award, and I would highly recommend them. I put a deposit down on one of the units, which is why I previously said I'd be living here.

However, I've been looking at Yorktown Place recently, and I like their floorplans WAAY better. Not as good of a location, not as pristine, but the floorplans kick ass and they're still doing pre-construction prices. For those who don't know, condo prices are the cheapest when they FIRST start selling, and they only go up. So it's going to end up being a much better deal to buy a condo at Yorktown Place.

I wanted to throw these two names out there for one main reason: It would be cool if a few other CCOMers who wanted to invest in a condo would buy at these places. Keep the crowd (relatively) young, have a few buddies to hang out with at night, etc. Plus they're only 1.5 miles from the school.

The housing market is a buyer's market right now, so if you plan on living there for 4 years or more, the value of your condo will most likely increase a significant amount. If you're considering doing this, it's a great time to buy. And in my opinion, scrounging around for the money and treating it as an investment is a lot better than paying rent and ending up with nothing in the end.

Hopefully there is at least ONE person out there who is interested in the things I just said 👍 Good night.

Thanks for doing the leg work. If i'm accepted and decided to go to CCOM I would defenitly strongly consider buying a condo. I agree that is a better investment than renting. I guess it just requires more of a committment.

 

[Syncope82]

Thanks for doing the leg work. If i'm accepted and decided to go to CCOM I would defenitly strongly consider buying a condo. I agree that is a better investment than renting. I guess it just requires more of a committment.

not the way the real estate market is right now in chicago...it's pretty bad...house prices are overinflatted and there are no buyers

 

[Syncope82]

Rush is an affiliate of CCOM, so is Stroeger, St. James, Lutheran, and a few other hospitals. There are many medical schools in chicago, but there are also a wide variety of rotation sites and hospitals. CCOM students don't really have to "contend" with anyone for rotation spots - students from uic ,rush , loyola, u of c, and northwestern rotate at their own hospitals 99% of the time. And no, those schools arent more established than CCOM either. CCOM has been around since 1900 - Rush was opened a few years before, loyola a few after. I think it's pretty fair to say CCOM's clinical oppurtunities are more favorable than AZCOM's.

everyone of those medical schools has their own hospital...only CCOM Does not...rush, UIC, northwestern, Loyola all have their own hospital systems..and they also rotate through each others system....

CCOM students have traditionally always had a hardtime obtaining rotation spots at those sites...

Unfortunately, CCOM students are mostly left with the 'crud' rotation sites and end up rotating alongside with caribbean students, such as hospitals like Jackson Park, etc. They even moan about the quality of those sites.

Yes, there are abundant rotation spots in Chicago, but not all are quality reputable rotations. Quantity does not mean quality. Those get snatched easily by the U of C and NW students.

So there is a difference...and CCOM students do get the short end of the stick in chicago....however, they are very well respected because they work hard and CCOM students are known for their work ethic in chicago

I have been born and raised in chicago and have plenty of valid sources including my uncle who graduated from CCOM in the 1990's and is now an opthalmologist.

 

[Beau Geste]

CCOM uses Olympia Fields hospital.

 

[Syncope82]

CCOM uses Olympia Fields hospital.

true..but it's an affiliation...they do not own the hospital

 

[Beau Geste]

true..but it's an affiliation...they do not own the hospital

No, but they are pretty exclusive to CCOM students.

 

[Syncope82]

No, but they are pretty exclusive to CCOM students.

only because it is an osteopathic hospital 😉

I must admit that CCOM students are seen in a better light than the chicago finch students

 

[Beau Geste]

only because it is an osteopathic hospital 😉

I must admit that CCOM students are seen in a better light than the chicago finch students

I find that pretty appropriate for the situation.

 

[mdille2]

everyone of those medical schools has their own hospital...only CCOM Does not...rush, UIC, northwestern, Loyola all have their own hospital systems..and they also rotate through each others system....

CCOM students have traditionally always had a hardtime obtaining rotation spots at those sites...

Unfortunately, CCOM students are mostly left with the 'crud' rotation sites and end up rotating alongside with caribbean students, such as hospitals like Jackson Park, etc. They even moan about the quality of those sites.

Yes, there are abundant rotation spots in Chicago, but not all are quality reputable rotations. Quantity does not mean quality. Those get snatched easily by the U of C and NW students.

So there is a difference...and CCOM students do get the short end of the stick in chicago....however, they are very well respected because they work hard and CCOM students are known for their work ethic in chicago

I have been born and raised in chicago and have plenty of valid sources including my uncle who graduated from CCOM in the 1990's and is now an opthalmologist.

WE do not complain about our rotation sites. Have you done rotations through CCOM? Alongside the cab students OMG, where do you get your info? WE have great rotations at CCOM
Marcia

 

[Syncope82]

WE do not complain about our rotation sites. Have you done rotations through CCOM? Alongside the cab students OMG, where do you get your info? WE have great rotations at CCOM
Marcia

I know quite a few people in the class of 2008 and 2009 and for some rotations, including CORES, you do rotate alongside caribbean students

I don't know why you are saying WE do not complain...while many students complain all the time b/c they are stuck in crap rotation...especially the caribbean students who are whiners

 

[orangr85]

I know quite a few people in the class of 2008 and 2009 and for some rotations, including CORES, you do rotate alongside caribbean students

I don't know why you are saying WE do not complain...while many students complain all the time b/c they are stuck in crap rotation...especially the caribbean students who are whiners

UIC and cms students often end up rotating with carrib kids at places like Mercy, etc very often..so what's the big deal?

yes, i know uic and other places have their own hospitals- but midwestern has a STRONG affiliation with olympia fields - and yes, it's an osteopathic hospital, but ccom is an osteopathic medical school. i think there are complainers in every school - any way i look at it, ccom's rotations are pretty darn good.

 

[Porco Rosso]

especially the caribbean students who are whiners

why are they whiners? is it a common perception?

 

[Syncope82]

UIC and cms students often end up rotating with carrib kids at places like Mercy, etc very often..so what's the big deal?

yes, i know uic and other places have their own hospitals- but midwestern has a STRONG affiliation with olympia fields - and yes, it's an osteopathic hospital, but ccom is an osteopathic medical school. i think there are complainers in every school - any way i look at it, ccom's rotations are pretty darn good.

i never said there is anything wrong with rotating alongside caribbean students.....i was just refuting the post made by mdille2 that ccom students do not rotate along with caribbean students

 

[mdille2]

i never said there is anything wrong with rotating alongside caribbean students.....i was just refuting the post made by mdille2 that ccom students do not rotate along with caribbean students

I did not say we do not rotate alongside carib students...I was scoffing at your insinuation that we only have crap rotations that are only "fit" for carib students. You did make it sound like rotations with carib students is a bad thing ...not me.
And as I asked earlier....what are the rotations at your school like? Do all students love them? Oh wait you can't answer that can you?
Marcia

 

[Syncope82]

Alongside the cab students OMG, where do you get your info?
Marcia

you just said it right there ^^^^

 

[LikesScience]

CCOM is affiliated with about 30 hospitals, rotations are a strong point of the program. Chicago is a big city, and there is plenty to go around.

 

[mdille2]

Syncope,
I was responding to your "knowledge" about CCOM, which is not first hand. CCOM is an old well established school and one of the strengths of my school, is it has great rotations. WE as a whole are well respected at the hospitals around the Chicagoland area. Are there some sites that are not great...maybe. but you made it sound as if all of our rotations suck. and that is just plain not true. I truly do not know who you are talking to to get your info, but it is not accurate.

Marcia

 

[G Rowell]

not the way the real estate market is right now in chicago...it's pretty bad...house prices are overinflatted and there are no buyers

That sounds good from a buyers perspective. The markert should correct and prices would go down. No buyers means more leverage in negotiations for those that are buying.

 

[Kateb4]

That sounds good from a buyers perspective. The markert should correct and prices would go down. No buyers means more leverage in negotiations for those that are buying.

Definately a buyers market here now, as long as you don't have a contingency. House prices are down significantly from 2-3 years ago, and now the interest rates are going down again. It's a good time to find a bargain on a house and get a good interest rate!

Unfortunately, for people like me, I am now limited to one school because it's not really reasonable to move. I love CCOM, so it's not a bad option, but if I don't get in there, I will probably be waiting and applying again for next year. We just can't take a huge loss on this house, and even selling it in a reasonable amount of time is not likely.

 

[MikeMD]

so I got rejection letter in the mail today from CCOM because my science gpa is 2.741 and min. science gpa is 2.75 (didn't realize). I think that the rest of my application makes up for this, along with my upward trend. Any chance they'll reconsider if I shoot the adcom an email or am I wasting time? really wanted to go med school in chicago 🙁

thanks

 

[hollaATCHAdoc]

so I got rejection letter in the mail today from CCOM because my science gpa is 2.741 and min. science gpa is 2.75 (didn't realize). I think that the rest of my application makes up for this, along with my upward trend. Any chance they'll reconsider if I shoot the adcom an email or am I wasting time? really wanted to go med school in chicago 🙁

thanks

I personally think it would be a waste of time. I've been on the pre-interview waitlist at CCOM since mid-October. I have well above average stats and have been accepted to ALL six DO schools that I've applied to, the only exception is CCOM. I've sent numerous letters of intent, letters of update, etc. They are always rude and short when I call. That could just be my experience. I think I am going to withdraw my application....

 

[Patel1268]

For those who have been accepted to CCOM, how long after the interview were you notified that you were accepted?

I just got word that I have an interview mid-Feb and I want to make sure they'll let me know if I've been accepted or not before the March 15 deadline for most schools to pay the matriculation fee. I've been accepted to another school and want to make sure I don't lose money in that fee if I decide to go to CCOM instead.

 

[Capthomer7]

I personally think it would be a waste of time. I've been on the pre-interview waitlist at CCOM since mid-October. I have well above average stats and have been accepted to ALL six DO schools that I've applied to, the only exception is CCOM. I've sent numerous letters of intent, letters of update, etc. They are always rude and short when I call. That could just be my experience. I think I am going to withdraw my application....

I did the same. I just said screw it, it's not worth it, the time or worry.

 

[surferdoc]

I interviewed in the beginning of november and i found out a little after thanksgiving. I guess like 3 weeks or so maybe a month. But also there was thanksgiving break so maybe thats why it took that long.

 

[Patel1268]

So most likely I'll know the decision before march 15th if I interview say...Feb 18th? Good bet?

 

[surferdoc]

probably...not really that sure..but from my experience and from what they told us at the interview (they'd try to get back to us before thanksgiving..although it was actually after) I think you should probably hear back before/around that time. Hopefully. Waiting suckssssss!!!!

 

[ellinopedo182]

probably...not really that sure..but from my experience and from what they told us at the interview (they'd try to get back to us before thanksgiving..although it was actually after) I think you should probably hear back before/around that time. Hopefully. Waiting suckssssss!!!!

I've been on a preinterview waitlist for quite some time. I also have not been rejected from RUSH either so im still excited.

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

if you are on a pre-interview waitlist, do they tell you?? Ive been complete since 11.06, but haven't heard anything.

 

[EEL08]

if you are on a pre-interview waitlist, do they tell you?? Ive been complete since 11.06, but haven't heard anything.

They should send you a letter in the mail if you're on the preinterview waitlist. I got one from AZCOM so I'm assuming CCOM would do the same although I'm on "qualified status" at KCUMB and the only reason I know is because I called them. My husband hasn't heard anything from CCOM and he's been complete since the third week of October.

 

[ellinopedo182]

They should send you a letter in the mail if you're on the preinterview waitlist. I got one from AZCOM so I'm assuming CCOM would do the same although I'm on "qualified status" at KCUMB and the only reason I know is because I called them. My husband hasn't heard anything from CCOM and he's been complete since the third week of October.

ive been complete since september with CCOM, i got a letter telling me im on a pre-interview waitlist. I sent them a LOI but they were kinda rude. I want go to CCOM because I live so close to them.