Current LECOM Students...I need help please!

[Smokey223]

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Hi there! I have been invited for an interview on Oct. 29th. I am not sure if I want to go because of other people interviewing there not being impressed. Therefore, I have some questions. What is the extent of the dress code? No scrubs in anatomy lab? And in anatomy, is it true that there are EIGHT people per cadaver? What about this attendence policy I have heard about? What would you say are the pros of your school? Any help would be greatly appreciated. And to those who already interviewed, what kind of article do they make you read? Is a science journal article? or something else? Thank you!

 

[DaNugget79]

Does LECOM look impressive? Hell no. Not by any means. Do you get to wear scrubs in lab? They say no, but people still do. But even if you can't, does it really matter? Do you really have to wear scrubs, will it make you feel that much more important? I'm not going to buy a $10-15 pair of scrubs if I can go and buy a $4 pair of sweats from Walmart. Does the dress code suck? Maybe. It's really not that big a deal, it's there, you deal with it. Don't think people iron their clothes every day to look all nice and pretty. You roll out of bed, pull on a shirt and slap on a tie. Done. Girls can wear anything and get away with it, guys wear ties. Are there eight people per cadaver? Nah...there are 12. We break off in three groups of four and take turns. Which is nice because you reap the benefits of the lab without having to actually sit there and cut out fat and do all the crap. You just go in and learn after the last group is done dissecting. Yes, there is a attendence policy. But I need someone to motivate my sorry ass or I won't go, so it's a positive for me. The article is medically related. Just read and don't blow it off, you'll be fine. It's no big deal.
Now, with all those negative things being said, what are the pros? Here are my reasons. Rotations. They are everywhere. From NYC to West Palm Beach. I read before I came here that LECOM has the 2nd most rotation sites of all DO schools. True? probably not. But I did read it somewhere, and we do have an ass load of places to go. The biggest Pro? I don't question the education I'm getting at LECOM. I am being VERY well prepared for the boards. And that's what it's all about. And the fact that cost of living here is about a quarter of everywhere else I got accepted to.

So there you go. Take it for what you will. A lot of people won't like it when they interview. That's just the way it is. LECOM isn't as bad as it sounds (or looks - but a new main building will be opening up soon, looks pretty cool, should improve the aesthetics of the school). Personally, I like here. Just feels right for me.

Nugget

 

[apple638]

DaNugget pretty much clarified everything. I also want to add that our professors are willing to work with us and we start gaining clinical experience in our second semester of our first year.

Lecom's LECOMT (Lake Erie Consortium for Osteopathic Medical Training) program is also a plus. We are affliated with several hospitals throughtout the U.S. These hospitals consider our students and any other school they are affliated with first when it comes to residency programs.

Lecom might be small but there are several opportunities for its students which makes it very powerful in my eyes.

When you come for your interview, form your own opinion because that's what counts.

I have to finish studing for a Neuroanatomy quiz on Friday but I hope this helped.

Good luck on your interview.

 

[Amra]

Bottom line: I don't understand how a dress code would detour someone from going to a particular school. Come on! You ain't (yeah I know the english) frosh no more... Medical school is professional school. By wearing a tie, people might find out that they act more professional... lo' and behold: that could be a good thing.

You can dress me up but can't take me out-
-A

 

[Smokey223]

Just to clarify, the dress code would not be something that would stop me from attending a school. I just wanted the pros and cons. Why the students chose LECOM over other schools, etc. From other posts, people were generally not impressed when they visited. I don't have a lot of money, so I can't go every interview. Thanks for the responses!

 

[jean]

We all have different opinions of each school. I know a lot of people who chose LECOM over other DO and MD schools. What are your top choices for med school? It's a good idea to visit a few schools and then decide what you like/don't like about them. You'll be a happier med student when you choose the best fit for you.

 

[Amra]

That comment was a general statement - not directly at anyone in particular. It is a fact that people act differently when they dress differently. Would you wear a clown suit to a funeral? No. Usually, its a dark suit/tie to a funeral... and medical school interviews (I'm still trying to figure out that logic 😱 )

Good points I saw at LECOM:

(1) PBL learning. This is what it is all about in medicine. And to think, a little school that not many people have been impressed with have been doing it for years. "All about in medicine" you ask? It is the new trend in medical education coming off the "big boys" (Harvard-ish), except they call it CBM (Clinical Based Medicine) or CBE (clinical based education) depending on who you talk with... Watch out.. all the prog's will start integrating it - if they haven't already...

(2) Rotations. LECOM has some damn good affiliations for rotations. Granted, I'm biased. Someone I know teaches on of the nephrology rotations for LECOM. That aside, they really have good clinical opportunites that lead to residency spots.

(3) Cost of living. Get a single apt for $300 / month. Rent a house for $550 / month. Savings of $300 per month x 4 years = $14400 (compared to big city schools). That's one year of student loan repayments.

(4) The lake is beautiful.

(5) Graduating from LECOM, you will be a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (which, unless I'm mistaken, is the point of all this).

Take everything you read on the forums with a grain of salt. People will tell you why the like/dislike a school - but that is all their preferences. Do you know how hard it is to find people that eat sushi where I live? Most people think that raw fish is disgusting. Me? I like so I'm going to eat it (until I turn into a thermometer).

Point in all this? If LECOM looks/sounds/feels right, go there. If it doesn't, don't. KIS.

-A

P.S. Then again, you can be like me and absolutely love 2 schools. If anyone has that solution, I'll give you $5 (I'm a poor grad student).

P.P.S. If you are wondering why I am not attending LECOM (I was accepted) it is simply I didn't like Erie. Not because it is a bad place - it is rather quaint. Instead, Erie IS EXACTLY LIKE THE TOWN I LIVE IN. People, demographics, , mentality, looks, the lake, everything. I don't think I could handle that for 4 more years... I need to move!

 

[Amra]

Lake Erie Consortium for Osteopathic Medical
Education Training (LECOMT), Erie, PA
Deborah Lee-Sanko
Executive Director
1858 W. Grandview Blvd.
Erie, PA 16509-1025
Phone: 814 / 866-8127
Fax: 814 / 866-8123
E-Mail: [email protected]
Partner College of Osteopathic Medicine:
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Partner Hospitals:
Wellington Regional Medical Center,
West Palm Beach, FL
Westview Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
St. Joseph Community Hospital (Ancilla Health Care)
Mishawaka, IN
Peninsula Hospital Center, Far Rockaway, NY
Saint John?s Episcopal Hospital, South Shore
Far Rockaway,NY
Clarion Hospital, Clarion, PA
Metro Health Medical ? Osteopathic Hospital, Erie, PA
Millcreek Community Hospital, Erie, PA
UPMC/Horizon, Farrell, PA
Conemaugh?s Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, PA
UPMC McKeesport, McKeesport, PA
Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, PA
Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Scranton-Temple Residency Program c/o Mercy Hospital,
Scranton, PA
Memorial Hospital, York, PA