CCOM Discussion Thread 2009-2010

[kdizzy]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

where did you all get specific info for CCOM? there website seems so general

 

[droogdoc]

where did you all get specific info for CCOM? there website seems so general

They have a student catalogue and brochure on the website in PDF, you can also request a DVD from the school on the request info page. I got the one from AZCOM and it was very general, not much info.

 

[TeamZissou]

where did you all get specific info for CCOM? there website seems so general

http://www.midwestern.edu/Programs_and_Admission/IL_Osteopathic_Medicine.html

 

[rrose9ab]

Hey guys... so this is my second time applying to CCOM... last time I made the waitlist but well with a few days to go till class it looks slim. anyway... since i have been through this here is what I know:

ACCOMAS takes 4-6 weeks to process...so get your transcripts and stuff in early
secondary is given pretty much right after that
it takes anywhere from a month or two to get interviews...
but they have not started looking at next years applications because this last years is still open until August 3rd.
After getting an interview it takes 4 weeks to hear back their answer: accepted, alternate list, denied.

I HOPE THAT HELPS... anything else just ask and I will try to get the answer back to you..😀

 

[fj4288]

Hey guys... so this is my second time applying to CCOM... last time I made the waitlist but well with a few days to go till class it looks slim. anyway... since i have been through this here is what I know:

ACCOMAS takes 4-6 weeks to process...so get your transcripts and stuff in early
secondary is given pretty much right after that
it takes anywhere from a month or two to get interviews...
but they have not started looking at next years applications because this last years is still open until August 3rd.
After getting an interview it takes 4 weeks to hear back their answer: accepted, alternate list, denied.

I HOPE THAT HELPS... anything else just ask and I will try to get the answer back to you..😀

I believe ppl still find out till the first week of classes (week of Aug. 10) so don't lose hope yet!

 

[KB24]

does anyone know if they started downloading letters from virtual evals, i submitted on the 31st and it says that my letters are missing when other schools have already received them. Funny thing is AZCOM received them the same day i submitted (this being the school that didn't even send me a secondary email letter i just logged on thinking only CCOM but then was like oh.🙂 two secondaries haha) im getting anxious and wanna call but dont wanna annoy them so ill annoy you guys haha

 

[hopslam]

Do you think I'll have a shot at CCOM? 3.61 AACOMAS cGPA, 3.9 sGPA. 31O MCAT. All A's in the prereqs (except for a few A-'s in labs.) Lots of hands on patient experience. Lots of research. All in all pretty good (I just bombed 2 years of junior college, but did a lot of repeats so I have an upward trend.) My only concern is that I'll be applying rather late (mid october at least) because I need a physician letter (I didn't know many DO schools require it 😱) The letter will be from an MD most likely.

 

[thethethe]

Do you think I'll have a shot at CCOM? 3.61 AACOMAS cGPA, 3.9 sGPA. 31O MCAT. All A's in the prereqs (except for a few A-'s in labs.) Lots of hands on patient experience. Lots of research. All in all pretty good (I just bombed 2 years of junior college, but did a lot of repeats so I have an upward trend.) My only concern is that I'll be applying rather late (mid october at least) because I need a physician letter (I didn't know many DO schools require it 😱) The letter will be from an MD most likely.

are you serious?
do you honestly think CCOM has a class full of people with stats higher than that?

 

[hopslam]

are you serious?
do you honestly think CCOM has a class full of people with stats higher than that?

Of course not. But I am going to be applying late. I'm new to this process and I'm worried that when they finally get my application it might be too late (the class would be full.) Additionally my first two years are horrible - F's and W's. Fortunately, I retook the courses and AACOMAS is great about not double counting like AMCAS does. I also did not take any science courses during my junior college days, so my sGPA is very high. I just want to know how seriously a late application can hurt me. I'm a noob to this. I like CCOM and would be interested in attending.

 

[tr8814]

Does anyone know if CCOM accepts out-of-state applicants (I'm from MI)? Also, with my stats, do you think it will be really late if I apply mid-August (which means it won't actually get verified and submitted until at least September):

MCAT: 31,O
cGPA: 3.81
sGPA: 3.75
nsGPA: 3.92

 

[Bamish]

Does anyone know if CCOM accepts out-of-state applicants (I'm from MI)? Also, with my stats, do you think it will be really late if I apply mid-August (which means it won't actually get verified and submitted until at least September):

MCAT: 31,O
cGPA: 3.81
sGPA: 3.75
nsGPA: 3.92

I'm sure CCOM accepts oos students. Your stats seem ok--you know what the result will be if you don't apply, so go ahead and apply.

Good luck 🙂

 

[TeamZissou]

Something like a 1/4 or 1/5 of our class is from MI....

Though there are only ~5 of us from the West.

 

[deleted212936]

Regarding the first prompt: Why do you believe CCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking?

Should I respond the same way I would to the "Why DO?" question ?

 

[123165]

Regarding the first prompt: Why do you believe CCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking?

Should I respond the same way I would to the "Why DO?" question ?

Negative. I looked at this as "why this DO school as opposed to others".

 

[Runner69]

Hey guys,

"Why should CCOM accept you into this year's class?"

Is that supposed to be a school-specific answer, or is it more about just presenting yourself as a unique applicant to their school?

Thanks in advance for the replies!

I thought it is more speaking as to why you are a qualified candidate to be given an acceptance...


Does anybody know of any mention of community service or global medicine programs offered at CCOM? there website is rather uninformative.

 

[deleted212936]

Negative. I looked at this as "why this DO school as opposed to others".

Thanks 👍

Q: Does CCOM emphasize Problem-based Learning?

 

[droogdoc]

Thanks 👍

Q: Does CCOM emphasize Problem-based Learning?

I am sure they have some of it in the curriculum, as many med schools do now. But I havent seen anything in their catalog that says there is a reliance on it. It seems it is mostly lecture-type.

 

[dkrames1]

Does anyone know if they look at multiple test scores to see highest from each section?

 

[teachmed27]

For the physician letter, is there a form specific to CCOM or is it just a letter from a doctor? I know AT Still has their own form, I didn't know if there was one for CCOM.

 

[droogdoc]

For the physician letter, is there a form specific to CCOM or is it just a letter from a doctor? I know AT Still has their own form, I didn't know if there was one for CCOM.

No form, just a letter. My recommender only used a letter, I think the only evaluation that he used was for NSU, and even then he included the letter.

 

[raebear]

No interview invites yet? I keep holding my breath every time I check my email! I've been complete for almost a month.

 

[Grey Wind]

anyone have information on the percentage of ppl they interview who receive secondaries?

 

[swamprat]

anyone have information on the percentage of ppl they interview who receive secondaries?

idk but i would like to hear from them already ! i have been complete for over a month.

 

[TeamZissou]

anyone have information on the percentage of ppl they interview who receive secondaries?

I believe most receive secondaries.

I recently asked my dean what our applications were like for the class of 2013. These are approximate numbers because I can't remember EXACTLY.

Total apps 5,200 (slightly more than this).
Completed Secondary 3,800 (it was either this or 4,200, again can't remember).
Interviewed ~800
Accepted ~400

 

[ChaiTown786]

Hey guys,
I live in Chicago and CCOM is my top D.O school choice that hopefully I want to get into. I recieved a seconday invite on July 8, but unfortunetly due to family emergencies I was unable to fill out the app until this week. I was wondering if you guys can help me out w/ which letter of rec I should send. Since I'm turning in the app so late, should I just submit my M.D LOR packet since it's ready and set to go, or should i wait a few weeks for my D.O letter to be submitted (my doctor is dragging!) and then submit a D.O LOR packet? Do you guys know of a high acceptance/interview rate at this school for individuals who didn't have D.O recs? I heard timing is crucial for everything, so that's why I'm eager to just submit my M.D LOR instead of wait for a D.O rec to come in. Can I submit my D.O letter seperately later on?

 

[Black Adder]

Hey guys,
I live in Chicago and CCOM is my top D.O school choice that hopefully I want to get into. I recieved a seconday invite on July 8, but unfortunetly due to family emergencies I was unable to fill out the app until this week. I was wondering if you guys can help me out w/ which letter of rec I should send. Since I'm turning in the app so late, should I just submit my M.D LOR packet since it's ready and set to go, or should i wait a few weeks for my D.O letter to be submitted (my doctor is dragging!) and then submit a D.O LOR packet? Do you guys know of a high acceptance/interview rate at this school for individuals who didn't have D.O recs? I heard timing is crucial for everything, so that's why I'm eager to just submit my M.D LOR instead of wait for a D.O rec to come in. Can I submit my D.O letter seperately later on?

I'm in the exact same situation. I had my MD LOR packet done like a month ago and am just waiting for my DO letter (which should be in by monday according to the doc) to get added to the packet. I chose to wait before sending in the secondary to avoid any confusion about the LOR's, I figured it's better just to have them all in one place and send them in together.

 

[droogdoc]

I believe most receive secondaries.

I recently asked my dean what our applications were like for the class of 2013. These are approximate numbers because I can't remember EXACTLY.

Total apps 5,200 (slightly more than this).
Completed Secondary 3,800 (it was either this or 4,200, again can't remember).
Interviewed ~800
Accepted ~400

SO about 50%. I know this is a tough one. I hope they send out invites soon, the suspense is killing me!!

Also, didn't the dean of CCOM just become the first female president of the AOA? Or was it another organization?

 

[fattymangox03]

Has anyone heard back about interviews yet??

 

[droogdoc]

Has anyone heard back about interviews yet??

Last they told me was mid-August but the posts from last years CCOM thread has the first invite in like the last week of August. Also, as with this year, last year AZCOM sent out invites before CCOM.

 

[TeamZissou]

Also, didn't the dean of CCOM just become the first female president of the AOA? Or was it another organization?

That's correct, she is currently the president elect and will be president of the AOA next year.

 

[jbru3423]

I am complete at CCOM...how long do you think the turn around might be if I was to get an interview...a week or two weeks, more?

 

[salazaar]

What is the cost of living like in Chicago?

 

[droogdoc]

What is the cost of living like in Chicago?

I live about 20 minutes from CCOM. If you attend CCOM for at least the first 2 years I wouldnt advise living in the city, as it is not a short drive to CCOM and Chicago is expensive. But the area around the school (~15 mile radius) you can find decent apartments for under $1000/month. The last I heard I think the on-campus apartments were around $800/month without roommate (dont know how long ago this was) but that included everything but electricity and it included internet too. Current students please, correct/update this.

CCOM is in DuPage county, so if you are actually BUYING property, the property taxes are outrageous, just to let you know. Which is weird because the area is nothing that spectacular.

 

[TeamZissou]

I live about 20 minutes from CCOM. If you attend CCOM for at least the first 2 years I wouldnt advise living in the city, as it is not a short drive to CCOM and Chicago is expensive. But the area around the school (~15 mile radius) you can find decent apartments for under $1000/month. The last I heard I think the on-campus apartments were around $800/month without roommate (dont know how long ago this was) but that included everything but electricity and it included internet too. Current students please, correct/update this.

CCOM is in DuPage county, so if you are actually BUYING property, the property taxes are outrageous, just to let you know. Which is weird because the area is nothing that spectacular.

I'd echo this, there are plenty of apartments within a 10 mile radius and if you have a roommate you can easily keep your costs to about 700 a month for rent. Of the class of 2013 most of the students who didn't have prior connections in the immediate area live in apartment complexes called City View and another called Brook Hill. As far as living in the city for years 1 and 2 unless you are set on living there just so you can say you live there it is a waste. The first month of classes are substantially easier and we have plenty of time to go out on the weekends but once september gets here and we actually start the "real" schedule you probably won't have time to enjoy the bars till 4am or whatever.

I currently live in the apartments on campus and they are fine. It amounts to ~900 a month and includes cable and internet. Here is a thread discussing them further.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=278249

 

[Grey Wind]

Does the 1500 character limit on the secondary mean solely characters or characters with spaces? Anyone know for sure?

 

[p1acebo]

Does the 1500 character limit on the secondary mean solely characters or characters with spaces? Anyone know for sure?

With spaces

 

[Grey Wind]

thanks!

 

[rocketbooster]

uhh the 2 essay questions are the like asking the samething...what's the difference between the two? haha

btw, for the CV, I have one that I used for jobs but included employment and volunteering under either "Clinical Experience" or "Research Experience." what do you think...will this suffice or do you think I need to actually change the format and make actual "Volunteer Activities" and "Employment History" headings?

Thanks!

 

[p1acebo]

uhh the 2 essay questions are the like asking the samething...what's the difference between the two? haha

btw, for the CV, I have one that I used for jobs but included employment and volunteering under either "Clinical Experience" or "Research Experience." what do you think...will this suffice or do you think I need to actually change the format and make actual "Volunteer Activities" and "Employment History" headings?

Thanks!

I categorized mine as: Organizations & Volunteer work, research experience, career history, shadowing experiences, certifications, and nonacademic activities.


I didnt have clinical experience listed because i had clinical experiences in jobs, volunteer work, and research... so it was just easier to keep it that way.

 

[SFs Own Tone]

I live about 20 minutes from CCOM. If you attend CCOM for at least the first 2 years I wouldnt advise living in the city, as it is not a short drive to CCOM and Chicago is expensive. But the area around the school (~15 mile radius) you can find decent apartments for under $1000/month. The last I heard I think the on-campus apartments were around $800/month without roommate (dont know how long ago this was) but that included everything but electricity and it included internet too. Current students please, correct/update this.

CCOM is in DuPage county, so if you are actually BUYING property, the property taxes are outrageous, just to let you know. Which is weird because the area is nothing that spectacular.

This is off topic, but property taxes are often the main funding for the local schools. So the county probably has some of the best funded schools --> more desirable to home buyers and start up families. If the local public school is good, then they wont have to pay for a good private school on their own.

 

[droogdoc]

This is off topic, but property taxes are often the main funding for the local schools. So the county probably has some of the best funded schools --> more desirable to home buyers and start up families. If the local public school is good, then they wont have to pay for a good private school on their own.

Considering my experience with the public school system in this area, as I grew up here, and the belief that all public schools need is more money to get better (not saying you believe this, but many do), I really wouldnt know where to begin. But I will say this...the property taxes in DuPage county put a heavy strain on people when compared to the average resident's income level here.

 

[rocketbooster]

This is off topic, but property taxes are often the main funding for the local schools. So the county probably has some of the best funded schools --> more desirable to home buyers and start up families. If the local public school is good, then they wont have to pay for a good private school on their own.

does that mean Oklahoma State (yes a DO school) has poor funding? Oklahoma, as a state, does not have property tax....

 

[droogdoc]

does that mean Oklahoma State (yes a DO school) has poor funding? Oklahoma, as a state, does not have property tax....

Dont know how it works in other states, but public schools, especially K-12, are funded in Illinois through property taxes levied by the county. Yes, they are too high here when compared to people's income, especially when people moved when it was afforable a while ago and the city hikes the tax immensely but people arent making much more money, and the area hasn't improved much either.

When a school here wants more money (higher property taxes) & gives the impression it goes for education & then builds a field house that costs a few hundred thousand dollars I tend to mistrust them. Also, why does a superintendent of a school district with only two high schools make $200,000 a year and is provided a car? That is around what the head of the FBI makes.

Sorry, guess really did get off topic! This is a big issue here though.

 

[SFs Own Tone]

Dont know how it works in other states, but public schools, especially K-12, are funded in Illinois through property taxes levied by the county. Yes, they are too high here when compared to people's income, especially when people moved when it was afforable a while ago and the city hikes the tax immensely but people arent making much more money, and the area hasn't improved much either.

When a school here wants more money (higher property taxes) & gives the impression it goes for education & then builds a field house that costs a few hundred thousand dollars I tend to mistrust them. Also, why does a superintendent of a school district with only two high schools make $200,000 a year and is provided a car? That is around what the head of the FBI makes.

Sorry, guess really did get off topic! This is a big issue here though.

Sounds like the system isnt working the way it was intended. And even then, it was pretty flawed cuz the expensive and nice neighborhoods get the good schools and the poorer neighborhoods get poorly funded schools. Anyways, back on topic....

 

[SFs Own Tone]

Did you guys put considerable time into these secondaries (ie personal statement type preparation) or was it more important to get it back to them ASAP?

 

[swamprat]

Did you guys put considerable time into these secondaries (ie personal statement type preparation) or was it more important to get it back to them ASAP?

Well early is early no one has even gotten an interview invite yet however I personally put a lot of time and effort into this secondary because it is one of my top choices... but to say personal statement effort, that no. My personal statement was a work in progress for 3-4 months.

 

[123165]

Well early is early no one has even gotten an interview invite yet however I personally put a lot of time and effort into this secondary because it is one of my top choices... but to say personal statement effort, that no. My personal statement was a work in progress for 3-4 months.

I agree. I was working on possible secondaries before-hand. WHen they arrived, I put considerable effort into them, and still did them quickly. My PS was also a work in progress for months, and I did not use any variation of it in secondaries.

 

[csmittyB]

I noticed that the LORs are supposed to include your full name and AACOMAS ID!? My letters are already with the letter service...does anyone know how strict CCOM is about this? I've looked at instructions for other schools and they did not have this requirement. Most of my letters were written before I even planned to apply to CCOM/AZCOM and I never thought to have my letter writers include my AACOMAS ID. Thanks.

 

[p1acebo]

I noticed that the LORs are supposed to include your full name and AACOMAS ID!? My letters are already with the letter service...does anyone know how strict CCOM is about this? I've looked at instructions for other schools and they did not have this requirement. Most of my letters were written before I even planned to apply to CCOM/AZCOM and I never thought to have my letter writers include my AACOMAS ID. Thanks.

I am not sure how strict they are to tell you the truth, but if you are going through interfolio then you have the option of attaching your AACOMAS ID to the letters. I would just call CCOM and notify them, see what they say about it. I am sure once you speak to them it won't be a big deal.

 

[Ibn Rushd]

Though there are only ~5 of us from the West.

Woah. I was under the impression that there'd be more. Now I'm wondering whether or not CCOM is friendly to OOS applicants, especially CA people. I did a search, but couldn't really find anything substantial. Can you maybe tell me more more about the statistical likelihood of CA residents getting into CCOM?