CCOM Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[kingsman55]

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anyone who interviewed on 10/4 hear back yet? Seems like everyone else's status has changed..

Yes I interviewed on the 4th and was accepted earlier this week.

 

[oct16]

nervous for my interview tomorrow!! anyone else going to be there?

 

[JokerSeven]

Not until this Friday for me. I'm still really nervous, though. I've been preparing for weeks, but it just doesn't feel like it's enough yet.

 

[ryan2100]

Interview on the 12th also, accepted last week (found out on the portal), definitively one of my top choices, awesome school and campus.

 

[AutumnChild]

Anyone know CCOM's most recent COMLEX I and II scores as well as their first choice match percentages for Residency? I can't find ones any more recent than 2007 on the website.

 

[TeamZissou]

Anyone know CCOM's most recent COMLEX I and II scores as well as their first choice match percentages for Residency? I can't find ones any more recent than 2007 on the website.

That information isn't usually available.

The avg passing rate went down for last year, I'm not sure what the avg of those that passed was.

 

[nikster1217]

Accepted. Interviewed 10/1. Anybody else from that date get in?

Also interviewed 10/1... checked my application portal and had the accepted student checklist. Whooooooo!!!!!!

I think that our day should have a good acceptance rate. Everyone seemed well-qualified, personable, and interested in the school.

 

[MSU20]

Hey everyone. I interviewed the 10/18 and just checked portal and was accepted!! Anyone else from this interview group hear back yet.

 

[Aspiring1]

Also interviewed 10/1... checked my application portal and had the accepted student checklist. Whooooooo!!!!!!

I think that our day should have a good acceptance rate. Everyone seemed well-qualified, personable, and interested in the school.

Congrats! I agree - like that one student said, "we didn't have sticks up our butts like previous groups" Is CCOM ur first choice?

 

[NHBPFA5]

anyone who got the checklist get any notification yet? This does mean I'm in right? I'm getting scared...

 

[kingsman55]

anyone who got the checklist get any notification yet? This does mean I'm in right? I'm getting scared...

Yes I got the acceptance letter in the mail yesterday the 30th. Small envelope with two sheets of paper.

 

[nikster1217]

Congrats! I agree - like that one student said, "we didn't have sticks up our butts like previous groups" Is CCOM ur first choice?

Everyone was really awesome (I was the hotel disaster one, ps). I definitely liked the school a lot. I'm just nervous about the cost. That's the major con for me right now. I have a lot of thinking to do. How about you?

I got my letter on Friday, if anyone is wondering when theirs will arrive.

 

[Aspiring1]

I thought CCOM at $73,000 a year was typical of med schools, with cost of living taken into consideration, since DMU is about $69,000. But, I have no idea and you're right - it's so expensive, I just have to find a way to suck it up I guess. It is still my first choice because of the location/rotations/beauty of campus.

Also go the official letter of acceptance last Friday.

 

[NHBPFA5]

yeah, mine came to my house. My mom was like, "oooooh yea I think we did get something..."

thanx mahm...

Very excited about this school : D

 

[Longshanks]

Acceptance letter came today!! So the portal wasn't a cruel joke of pre-med torture! Awesome!

Interviewed 10/19

 

[mommy2three]

belated congrats to all those recently accepted 🙂

for anyone interviewing this coming monday (11/8) i will be one of your tour guides.... 😉

 

[artsydoc]

I'm so excited, this is an absolute top choice. This is my very first interview though and I am freaking out 😱 especially since it's a school I really want. I've read through the thread and have gotten an idea of a few questions that they might ask but I was wondering if anyone had any additional general advice about what to expect and how to be successful in the interview. It's next week, eek. Signed up for the first available date from the list. Thank you!

 

[MIAmedica]

Interview invite for Dec 6th 😀 Anyone know the acceptance rate from those who interviewed?

 

[artsydoc]

I was told by the interim dean that they interview about 600. Class size around 200, so interview means pretty good chance I'd say.

 

[LuckyCharmed]

I'm so excited, this is an absolute top choice. This is my very first interview though and I am freaking out 😱 especially since it's a school I really want. I've read through the thread and have gotten an idea of a few questions that they might ask but I was wondering if anyone had any additional general advice about what to expect and how to be successful in the interview. It's next week, eek. Signed up for the first available date from the list. Thank you!

Congrats to you and MIAmedica! May I ask when you guys were complete? I've been dying to hear back from them.

 

[artsydoc]

Complete on October 5

 

[obuckseyesu1]

dang, I've been complete since September 9th...3.8/28 OOS. Should I call? Does calling even help?

Nevertheless, congrats on the invites.

 

[MIAmedica]

Complete Oct 13th, OOS (but from the midwest)

 

[jinobi]

Interview invite! I was complete October 6th. Earliest date for me was November 9th, but there's a bunch of December dates too.

 

[MSU20]

I'm so excited, this is an absolute top choice. This is my very first interview though and I am freaking out 😱 especially since it's a school I really want. I've read through the thread and have gotten an idea of a few questions that they might ask but I was wondering if anyone had any additional general advice about what to expect and how to be successful in the interview. It's next week, eek. Signed up for the first available date from the list. Thank you!

To be completely honest with you just be yourself... They asked you to interview for a reason and as long as they see that the person in front of them is as good as the information they got from your application material than your golden. Everyone's experience is different so just enjoy yourself and I am positive you will be accepted!
I interviewed oct. 18 and was accepted the 22nd (found out from the student portal)

 

[laur10]

Hi guys!

So I'm just filling out my secondary app for CCOM, yikes! I'm from New York and CCOM looks amazing, does anyone know how difficult it is for out of state applicants to get in??

Thanks! 😀

 

[denco88]

Hi guys!

So I'm just filling out my secondary app for CCOM, yikes! I'm from New York and CCOM looks amazing, does anyone know how difficult it is for out of state applicants to get in??

Thanks! 😀

It's a private school so in state or out of state does not matter

 

[Longshanks]

Hi guys!

So I'm just filling out my secondary app for CCOM, yikes! I'm from New York and CCOM looks amazing, does anyone know how difficult it is for out of state applicants to get in??

Thanks! 😀

Anecdotal, but, being from NY didn't affect my application in a negative way. What matters are your credentials and genuine interest in CCOM and osteopathic medicine. If you express that and have everything else, you should be fine.

Good luck!

 

[TeamZissou]

Hey everyone, congrats to those who were recently accepted. I recently answered a question for someone who is attempting to choose between schools. I figure many of you will be making that decision so I'll post this on here. I just figured some may find it useful.



Sounds like you have a great decision to be making! I'll do my best to briefly answer your questions as best I can but please feel free to ask me any others you may have.

To my knowledge there is not formal board prep. Personally I found a board review course from doctorsintraining.com that I felt fit my needs and our spring schedule so that is what I'm doing. To the credit of the university they brought the company in to give a lunch presentation on campus to let us know what they were all about and that is how I found out about them. I don't see it as a negative that the school doesn't have formal board review, actually I think that what you choose to do is going to be so individualized to each student that there is no way the school could set up something formal that truly worked for everyone.

Third year rotations are determined via a lottery at this point. The lottery idea will likely continue in the future but the software they are using expires this year so they are implementing some new stuff for the future. Not a big deal though. The sites will remain the same. Basically we have our core sites and you have a lottery to first determine what track everyone has (the order you do your rotations in). Next there is a lottery for the sites that you're at during that rotation (ie: Cook County for your IM rotation). So basically the software looks at the preferences you put in and tries to maximize what everyone wants.

Core rotations are highly variable. However the one guaranteed thing is that you won't have to leave Chicago if you don't want to. It's very likely that you could stay at one hospital to do all your rotations if you really wanted to but that isn't the best way to do it. Usually hospitals will have a few things they do really well, thus you would want to do those specific rotations at that hospital and other rotations at hospitals that specialize in those areas. That's the great thing about chicago is we have so many good options for rotations here that the overall quality of rotations you get are higher (in my opinion). We also have many rotations in the Henry Ford Hospital system in and others in detroit. So if you wanted to you could probably do your rotations in that area instead of chicago.

Our role on the wards is to learn and try not to get in the way. The more you know the more you get to do. At places like Cook County the rule is basically if you know how to do something then go do it because they need all the help they can get. If you go to a place like Christ it will be a lot more formal traditional medical education structure with residents and all that.

THE TAKE HOME MESSAGE is that when you're choosing schools first choose based on quality of education. Because you're choosing among these two schools which are in my opinion both in the top 5 DO schools then you're already set. Now just look at the type of education each one has? Do you enjoy class lectures? Are you a self learner? Does the school fit that style? Do they make you buy tons of textbooks or do they supply you with notes for the class? Do they have video lecture recording? Do you have family in the area? Do you want to stay in a geographic region?

All those are factors I would look at because honestly med school is mostly just about you putting in the work to learn the material. Just choose the school that will best facilitate your efforts.

 

[PlayUltimate15]

Hey everyone, congrats to those who were recently accepted. I recently answered a question for someone who is attempting to choose between schools. I figure many of you will be making that decision so I'll post this on here. I just figured some may find it useful.



Sounds like you have a great decision to be making! I'll do my best to briefly answer your questions as best I can but please feel free to ask me any others you may have.

To my knowledge there is not formal board prep. Personally I found a board review course from doctorsintraining.com that I felt fit my needs and our spring schedule so that is what I'm doing. To the credit of the university they brought the company in to give a lunch presentation on campus to let us know what they were all about and that is how I found out about them. I don't see it as a negative that the school doesn't have formal board review, actually I think that what you choose to do is going to be so individualized to each student that there is no way the school could set up something formal that truly worked for everyone.

Third year rotations are determined via a lottery at this point. The lottery idea will likely continue in the future but the software they are using expires this year so they are implementing some new stuff for the future. Not a big deal though. The sites will remain the same. Basically we have our core sites and you have a lottery to first determine what track everyone has (the order you do your rotations in). Next there is a lottery for the sites that you're at during that rotation (ie: Cook County for your IM rotation). So basically the software looks at the preferences you put in and tries to maximize what everyone wants.

Core rotations are highly variable. However the one guaranteed thing is that you won't have to leave Chicago if you don't want to. It's very likely that you could stay at one hospital to do all your rotations if you really wanted to but that isn't the best way to do it. Usually hospitals will have a few things they do really well, thus you would want to do those specific rotations at that hospital and other rotations at hospitals that specialize in those areas. That's the great thing about chicago is we have so many good options for rotations here that the overall quality of rotations you get are higher (in my opinion). We also have many rotations in the Henry Ford Hospital system in and others in detroit. So if you wanted to you could probably do your rotations in that area instead of chicago.

Our role on the wards is to learn and try not to get in the way. The more you know the more you get to do. At places like Cook County the rule is basically if you know how to do something then go do it because they need all the help they can get. If you go to a place like Christ it will be a lot more formal traditional medical education structure with residents and all that.

THE TAKE HOME MESSAGE is that when you're choosing schools first choose based on quality of education. Because you're choosing among these two schools which are in my opinion both in the top 5 DO schools then you're already set. Now just look at the type of education each one has? Do you enjoy class lectures? Are you a self learner? Does the school fit that style? Do they make you buy tons of textbooks or do they supply you with notes for the class? Do they have video lecture recording? Do you have family in the area? Do you want to stay in a geographic region?

All those are factors I would look at because honestly med school is mostly just about you putting in the work to learn the material. Just choose the school that will best facilitate your efforts.

I thought your reply was so helpful that I was planning to copy it from my inbox and post it here. You beat me to it! Thanks again for your input.

 

[Longshanks]

Hey everyone, congrats to those who were recently accepted. I recently answered a question for someone who is attempting to choose between schools. I figure many of you will be making that decision so I'll post this on here. I just figured some may find it useful.

Thanks, Zissou. Great post!

 

[DrHeather]

So why do people like ccom so much, besides the location? The website isn't too developed, so I am trying to figure out why pick CCOM as oppose to PCOM, also with a city setting.

 

[JokerSeven]

So why do people like ccom so much, besides the location? The website isn't too developed, so I am trying to figure out why pick CCOM as oppose to PCOM, also with a city setting.

Quality of education, prestige, excellent rotations. Pretty much both ccom and pcom have this, so at the end of the day, it's just a personal preference. I'd personally prefer to live in chicago over philadlephia.

 

[foundmypassion]

I'm about to go jump in my car and head down. Anyone else interviewing tomorrow?

 

[laur10]

Hi everyone,

congrats to all who have been accepted so far!

i just sent in my secondary application but I was wondering how long it took to hear back about interviews

thanks!!

 

[Longshanks]

Hi everyone,

congrats to all who have been accepted so far!

i just sent in my secondary application but I was wondering how long it took to hear back about interviews

thanks!!

It was early in the cycle but I received my invite one day after being marked complete, however I sent my secondary in two weeks or so before that.. my committee letter arrived a few days before the invite.

 

[foundmypassion]

Hi everyone,

congrats to all who have been accepted so far!

i just sent in my secondary application but I was wondering how long it took to hear back about interviews

thanks!!

I was complete mid-October, and heard back first week of November. Good luck!!

 

[EspIsMe]

So, I'm really starting to worry I've been complete since July 8th and haven't heard ANYTHING. Should I call or e-mail or something? I've gotten in elsewhere and need to make my deposit soon but I really want to know if CCOM is a possibility for me....

 

[FearAndInsomnia]

I was complete mid-October, and heard back first week of November. Good luck!!

dang you're making me nervous. I was complete 10/18 and haven't heard anything back yet. OOS (not from midwest) GPAc 3.51, GPAs 3.65, 29

I interviewed at AZCOM and was really impressed and definitely want to check out the main school.

 

[VPP]

Hello Friends,

Do you know what day of the week interview invitations are extended?

Thanks,

VPP

 

[selfhealer]

I was in the same position last year. Some people just get lost in CCOM's applicant pile. I was, for all intensive purposes, ready to go to another school last year then received a last minute interview and subsequent acceptance from CCOM.

You may just have to bite the bullet on the deposit and try to hold out for CCOM. You absolutely can call and inquire about your status, but a better way to show your interest would be to send them updates on what you're currently doing to improve your application and a letter of interest toward the school itself.

Regarding the bolded words, I just thought I would point out that the expression is "all intents and purposes", not "intensive purposes".

I honestly am not trying to mock/nit-pick, I just figured you would rather be corrected anonymously on an online forum then one day where it really matters. 🙂

 

[gnh]

I'm interviewing here on Dec 13th. The school is about 24 miles from either airport, which is going to be an expensive taxi ride. Anybody want to share a taxi with me?

Or does anyone know a cheaper mode of transportation. Thanks in advance.

 

[Longshanks]

I'm interviewing here on Dec 13th. The school is about 24 miles from either airport, which is going to be an expensive taxi ride. Anybody want to share a taxi with me?

Or does anyone know a cheaper mode of transportation. Thanks in advance.

I'd recommend using the taxi service that is suggested in the interview e-mail. They were half the price than the city taxi service, but just be aware there are imitators for the company, but if you call them they will pull up with a LED sign in the window with your name. It was $32 compared to the $60+ the city taxi said it would take.

 

[Lukat]

I'm interviewing here on Dec 13th. The school is about 24 miles from either airport, which is going to be an expensive taxi ride. Anybody want to share a taxi with me?

Or does anyone know a cheaper mode of transportation. Thanks in advance.

I will assume you're flying into O'Hare. If you fly into Midway, this doesn't apply.

Taxi is really expensive. I learned it the hard way. I used the city cab which will charge more to go to sub-urban areas. From O'Hare to the hotel (Comfort Inn) was $68 😱😱. If you can find someone to share cab with, that'll be great.

I recommend using the public transportation in Chicago. I did it on the way back to the airport and it's so much cheaper. You need to do a little research to see the schedule of the train though. So from the airport, you can take the blue line train to downtown Chicago (30 minutes). From there, walk like 3 block to the train station that will take you to Downers Grove (45mins to an hour). I think the hotel can pick you up from the train station in Downers Grove once you're there. Call them and check in advance. This way takes longer but I only paid like $7 total for the train tickets.

Hope this helps.

 

[Longshanks]

I will assume you're flying into O'Hare. If you fly into Midway, this doesn't apply.

Taxi is really expensive. I learned it the hard way. I used the city cab which will charge more to go to sub-urban areas. From O'Hare to the hotel (Comfort Inn) was $68 😱😱. If you can find someone to share cab with, that'll be great.

I recommend using the public transportation in Chicago. I did it on the way back to the airport and it's so much cheaper. You need to do a little research to see the schedule of the train though. So from the airport, you can take the blue line train to downtown Chicago (30 minutes). From there, walk like 3 block to the train station that will take you to Downers Grove (45mins to an hour). I think the hotel can pick you up from the train station in Downers Grove once you're there. Call them and check in advance. This way takes longer but I only paid like $7 total for the train tickets.

Hope this helps.

Seriously, guys, use the information CCOM gives you, as I said above. Call American taxi, its $30-34 depending where your hotel is. If you split that with someone on here or from your interview day, you will save a lot of time and stress. I stayed at the comfort inn, and the taxi was $32. I met someone who was also on my flight going back home at the interview, and we were going to split a cab but a current student offered to drop us off. Call American taxi or try making friends on your interview day.

 

[Hottpants89]

Just canceled an interview on 12/3 if anyone wants it.

 

[Penguin51]

Does anyone have an idea of how much wieght an interview has ?

 

[MedicineMike]

What are my odds of getting an interview? Ive debated on submitting the secondary for sometime now due to money...3.0cgpa, 3.75sciGPA (4.0 post-bacc), 23Q mcat.

 

[selfhealer]

What are my odds of getting an interview? Ive debated on submitting the secondary for sometime now due to money...3.0cgpa, 3.75sciGPA (4.0 post-bacc), 23Q mcat.

I don't mean to be a downer, but I would think your chances are pretty bad considering how late it is and your MCAT score. Have you received any interview invites or acceptances?

I applied here back in mid-sept. and still have not heard anything back
3.5 cumm
3.77 sci
27Q

Good luck.

 

[MedicineMike]

I don't mean to be a downer, but I would think your chances are pretty bad considering how late it is and your MCAT score. Have you received any interview invites or acceptances?

I applied here back in mid-sept. and still have not heard anything back
3.5 cumm
3.77 sci
27Q

Good luck.

not a downer at all! i like honesty! When did you submit your secondary?