Des Moines University (DMU-COM) Discussion Thread 2012 - 2013

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I am just now getting started on DO applications. Questions: If we have significant work experience, do they not want a LOR from a supervisor? I see they only want a physician letter and 2 sciences. I see on the LOR page for recommenders to submit, that they do have an option for those who are not physicians or professors. I just don't want to piss them off by submitting my supervisor letter. Although, my supervisor did teach me 2 prereqs.
 
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aspiringdoc09 said:
I am just now getting started on DO applications. Questions: If we have significant work experience, do they not want a LOR from a supervisor? I see they only want a physician letter and 2 sciences. I see on the LOR page for recommenders to submit, that they do have an option for those who are not physicians or professors. I just don't want to piss them off by submitting my supervisor letter. Although, my supervisor did teach me 2 prereqs.
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Sending in the letters of recommendation that are required will suffice. Personally, all of my letters were from volunteering experiences, shadowing experiences, or from professors.
 
michow87 said:
Sending in the letters of recommendation that are required will suffice. Personally, all of my letters were from volunteering experiences, shadowing experiences, or from professors.
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Thanks for the quick response.
 
Yeah when talking with their admissions people during my interview day I asked them about the letters of recommendation (obviously it doesn't apply to me now) but they stated that you can send in any letters you wish and that even if you send them more than the required ones they will keep them with the file. This is a good thing considering their interviews are open application.

I would send all the letters you have. Although with this being stated, you should keep it minimal at best, in order to not look to tacky.
 
I've been complete since 9/19. Worth calling or emailing them for a status update? Looks like people were given ii that were complete after me...I'm guess that means a rejection!
 
MChem said:
I've been complete since 9/19. Worth calling or emailing them for a status update? Looks like people were given ii that were complete after me...I'm guess that means a rejection!
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I am approaching the 60 days mark
 
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MChem said:
I've been complete since 9/19. Worth calling or emailing them for a status update? Looks like people were given ii that were complete after me...I'm guess that means a rejection!
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I wouldn't worry about it. The email saying you were complete should say you will hear within 60 days and from what I can tell they follow that strictly. Some people have gotten ii's on day 59. Just give it time. I'be been complete about 50 days so it'll Be any day now for me.
 
Oh ok good I'm not alone. I saw someone get an ii and was completed in October so I freaked a smidgen
 
abolt18 said:
I wouldn't worry about it. The email saying you were complete should say you will hear within 60 days and from what I can tell they follow that strictly. Some people have gotten ii's on day 59. Just give it time. I'be been complete about 50 days so it'll Be any day now for me.
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Depending on which complete email I go by (yes I got two of them, within 4 days of each other), I am on either day 59 or day 55.
 
MChem said:
Oh ok good I'm not alone. I saw someone get an ii and was completed in October so I freaked a smidgen
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Pretty sure the system they use pulls people with high stats to the front of the pile. Once you are over the 60 day mark, feel free to contact them.
 
Badgers326 said:
Pretty sure the system they use pulls people with high stats to the front of the pile. Once you are over the 60 day mark, feel free to contact them.
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That makes more sense than by the complete date. And since I suck I will sit here in shame and silence haha
 
For those who have already heard back post-interview, what has been the turn around time for admissions decisions? Is it really 2 weeks?
 
angldrps said:
For those who have already heard back post-interview, what has been the turn around time for admissions decisions? Is it really 2 weeks?
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I think mine was only 1 week. It all depends on when the admissions committee meets though.
 
angldrps said:
For those who have already heard back post-interview, what has been the turn around time for admissions decisions? Is it really 2 weeks?
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I heard back in just over a week. I think 2-3 weeks is the standard (and you shouldn't call before 3 weeks) but lots of people are definitely hearing back earlier than that.
 
6 days as well...time frames seem to depend on when the committee meets relative to your interview day. I interviewed on a Friday and received a decision email the following Thursday.
 
angldrps said:
My interview day experience:
The school itself is truly as amazing as everyone says it is. I found it to be very similar to KCUMB in a lot of ways and I fell in love with that school so there is no surprise that I feel really happy with DMU as well. One thing I wish they had was system based curriculum starting from Year 1. They did mention that they are trying to sync up anatomy with some of the other courses for first years so I think they are definitely leaning towards it. I am not sure how I feel about the frequent testing because I feel like this approach is very binge and purge type of thing. The surgical lab and the kaplan course definitely moves DMU up my list. The campus itself was beautiful, loved the comfy seats around campus, the lunch was the absolute best, the students and faculty were amazing, and the wellness center was definitely top notch. While I was waiting for my shuttle to arrive, Dr. Mueller even came up to me and chatted for a bit.
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u can't just say something as powerful as that phrase and not elaborate 😡
 
wooki said:
u can't just say something as powerful as that phrase and not elaborate 😡
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haha, my bad! well I guess in comparison to other schools I have interviewed at where I was served just pizza or wraps, DMU was relatively much better. You are taken to their school cafeteria and pretty much allowed to get anything you want and as much you want. They have a huge variety of selection to choose from and its all delicious!
 
FutureDO132169 said:
Just got my complete email.. Here's to a long 60 day wait ugh
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No I don't think so. I submitted my secondary on October 18th(last Thursday) and received a decision this morning. I'm not sure why I had a 5 day turnaround till an ii. but yeah that's what happened. I don't know what there system is.... lol
 
angldrps said:
haha, my bad! well I guess in comparison to other schools I have interviewed at where I was served just pizza or wraps, DMU was relatively much better. You are taken to their school cafeteria and pretty much allowed to get anything you want and as much you want. They have a huge variety of selection to choose from and its all delicious!
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I agree. Thinking back, if I wasn't so nervous I would have definitely grabbed more. Also, I was surprised at the variety of foods being served: burgers, Tex-Mex, fresh salads and soup, Subway-styled sandwiches, and more.
 
Today is day 60ish for me. I called the admissions office and they said I would find out my status within the next week or so about an II...ugh.
 
dmarie91 said:
No I don't think so. I submitted my secondary on October 18th(last Thursday) and received a decision this morning. I'm not sure why I had a 5 day turnaround till an ii. but yeah that's what happened. I don't know what there system is.... lol
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Wow. I was complete on Sept 27th and still no word. I guess they just need some more time to marvel at my credentials before they summon up the courage to send me an II :laugh:
 
Accepted! (interviewed 10/18)

I have only two qualms (that I can think of right now) with this school, and I'm wondering what the rest of you think.

First, they do (or are switching to) a letter grading system: A, B, C, Fail. I much prefer an honors/pass/fail system. I voiced my concern about this in the interview but mentioned it's definitely not a deal-breaker. They said they give you a GPA, and everyone has a ranking. There is someone who finishes med school with the lowest GPA in the class. This was a bit confusing to me, as I hadn't heard of this before. Is this common? When I google "med school gpa," I get a bunch of hits on undergraduate GPA's for getting into med school--nothing about the stats on actual GPA's during med school.

Second, in the third year, you might have to move out of state for clinical rotations. There is a lottery, and I think they said about half the class gets to stay in Des Moines (if I recall correctly). The other half must go somewhere else. This also isn't a deal-breaker for me, but I am concerned that if my wife gets into nursing school in Des Moines while I am in med school, it could present a bit of a challenge if I need to do my rotations out of state. So, since some of you may feel similarly, I'm wondering what pushed you toward DMU. I really love the location, and it seems to be a great school with excellent facilities, so please talk me up! 🙂
 
Genzai said:
Accepted! (interviewed 10/18)

I have only two qualms (that I can think of right now) with this school, and I'm wondering what the rest of you think.

First, they do (or are switching to) a letter grading system: A, B, C, Fail. I much prefer an honors/pass/fail system. I voiced my concern about this in the interview but mentioned it's definitely not a deal-breaker. They said they give you a GPA, and everyone has a ranking. There is someone who finishes med school with the lowest GPA in the class. This was a bit confusing to me, as I hadn't heard of this before. Is this common? When I google "med school gpa," I get a bunch of hits on undergraduate GPA's for getting into med school--nothing about the stats on actual GPA's during med school.
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We are now on a letter grade system and as of this morning they have no intention to switching to any sort of honors/pass/fail system. There are pros and cons to both systems. As for GPA and class rank, what do you call the person that graduates last in your class? A doctor. That's what they are getting at. If you have passed all of your course work and COMLEX I and II then you will be a doctor.

Genzai said:
Second, in the third year, you might have to move out of state for clinical rotations. There is a lottery, and I think they said about half the class gets to stay in Des Moines (if I recall correctly). The other half must go somewhere else. This also isn't a deal-breaker for me, but I am concerned that if my wife gets into nursing school in Des Moines while I am in med school, it could present a bit of a challenge if I need to do my rotations out of state. So, since some of you may feel similarly, I'm wondering what pushed you toward DMU. I really love the location, and it seems to be a great school with excellent facilities, so please talk me up! 🙂
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Let me refer you to this post

EDIT: I realize that the post might be missing the information that though you might not be guaranteed a year-long site in Des Moines, it is fairly easy to get a non year-long Iowa and you will probably have a good portion of your rotations in the great Des Moines area
 
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Badgers326 said:
We are now on a letter grade system and as of this morning they have no intention to switching to any sort of honors/pass/fail system. There are pros and cons to both systems. As for GPA and class rank, what do you call the person that graduates last in your class? A doctor. That's what they are getting at. If you have passed all of your course work and COMLEX I and II then you will be a doctor.



Let me refer you to this post

EDIT: I realize that the post might be missing the information that though you might not be guaranteed a year-long site in Des Moines, it is fairly easy to get a non year-long Iowa and you will probably have a good portion of your rotations in the great Des Moines area
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That is actually very, very good news, Badger! Thanks 🙂

And as for the ranking thing, it's not a huge deal. I would just really like to move away from the undergrad style of grading. More of a minor annoyance that I can definitely live with. Thanks again, for getting back to me!!! Much appreciated 🙂
 
ACCEPTED!!!! Interviewed 10/19

Five day turn around.

DMU here I come. Class of 2017!

Good luck you guys, stay positive!
 
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Just got an ii! So excited. I believe I was complete about 2 weeks ago. 3.42cgpa/3.3 scpa/32Q.

Good luck to those waiting to hear back and congrats to those accepted!!
 
Accepted! Interviewed 10/22. 2 day turn around, really wasn't expecting that!
 
II today! I was complete on 10/10 and will be interviewing in about 2.5 weeks! 😀
 
dbs1 said:
II today! I was complete on 10/10 and will be interviewing in about 2.5 weeks! 😀
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i think you took my spot! I got a phone call yesterday asking to come on Friday instead!
 
NekoBeats said:
I have another 2 weeks or so until I hit the 60 day mark..but I'm not too hopeful right now 🙁
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I was a few days away from the 60 day mark before I received my II. I was also not hopeful. Now I'm sitting on an offer of admission. Maybe you will be in my shoes soon...
 
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