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

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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Hey everyone,
please bare with me and the this long post. So.....I was accepted to DMU in October and absolutely loved this school when I interviewed. However, with that being said, I also interviewed at my state school shortly after my acceptance at DMU and was waitlisted at my state school. I have spoken with people who were waitlisted at my state school during previous cycles and the majority of them were not accepted off of the waitlist until the end of June!!!

After doing some number crunching, the cost of attending my state school (tuition, fees, room/board, misc) vs DMU is a whopping 200K difference (64K vs 264K) for 4 years. Other than the cost, I rate both schools as the same in terms of curriculum/COMLEX & USMLE scores/facilities. Thus, I would PREFER to attend my state school purely because of the financial incentive.

I have logged onto pulse and looked at the financial aid information and the various forms. My question for those of you who are in a similar situation or know of anyone in a similar situation is this: should I fill out the financial aid information now with the anticipation that I will be matriculating at DMU (and borrow accordingly using those numbers), or should I wait it out until May/June until I have a decision from my state school and borrow accordingly.

I plan on contacting the financial aid office regarding this after weekend, but I was just curious as to what you guys might do if you were in my situation. Thanks for the help/input.
 
At least for the fafsa, I filled that out for both schools. I got my state school rejection shortly after that, so I didn't do anything beyond the basic fafsa for both schools, just for DMU. Beyond that, I don't think it would hurt anything to complete everything you can for both schools, in fact, it might be wise to proceed as if you're all in at DMU even if you think your odds are fairly strong for making it off the list at your state school. With that said, research before you act.
 
It is my understanding that even filling out MPN will not bind you to the school, unles you register for classes and fail to drop them according to refund rules. Which (if accepted to your state school) you should not do.

Federal regulations will not allow you to double dip into Stafford/Perkins/PLUS loans from 2 schools anyway, as it was explained to me at another school that accepted me.
 
got the email notifying me that there are 123 people on the current WL and I am ranked in the first quarter. Pretty surprising to be ranked so highly considering I didn't make any contact with them after being wait listed fairly early in the cycle. I still don't think I am getting in but guess just gotta wait and see now.
 
First quarter too. I'm happy at the school I'm accepted at but... it'd be a tough choice to be accepted here.I interviewed early and didn't really know what I was looking for in a school, nor do I remember everything perfectly.

Couple questions.
Are they going ahead with the curriculum changes? Do we know what the schedule would look like? The dean had a vague idea when I interviewed involving expanding anatomy first year (don't remember what would happen with physio), and stacking the systems in second year better.

Where are the 3rd year rotations? Hospital sizes? Residencies associated with? I know there are some in Des Moines, and then a minority (?) of students get to go to MSUCOM or OUHCOM. Are there other large hospitals that offer a variety of specialties?

Is there wiggle room in what you can do in 3rd year? It seems pretty set yet vague at the same time on what students are allowed to rotate in. For instead if I wanted to to rotate in EM and PM&R, would that be possible within the selective area?
 
angldrps said:
got the email notifying me that there are 123 people on the current WL and I am ranked in the first quarter. Pretty surprising to be ranked so highly considering I didn't make any contact with them after being wait listed fairly early in the cycle. I still don't think I am getting in but guess just gotta wait and see now.
Click to expand...

At least they gave you an idea of the # of people on the waitlist and where you stand. I have been waitlisted at another school and they have yet to tell us anything about the # of people on the waitlist & where we stand.
 
How many of you guys have filled out the financial aid already? I was reading the financial aid guide and it recommended filing taxes first and waiting for your tax return prior to filling out the fafsa.....is this what you guys have done or recommend doing.
 
IH8ColdWeath3r said:
How many of you guys have filled out the financial aid already? I was reading the financial aid guide and it recommended filing taxes first and waiting for your tax return prior to filling out the fafsa.....is this what you guys have done or recommend doing.
Click to expand...

You can fill it out before saying you intend to file (though if you haven't yet you are LATE!) and then the fafas people email you and remind you to put in the final numbers later on. I've heard sooner is better to submit fafsa
 
azide10 said:
First quarter too. I'm happy at the school I'm accepted at but... it'd be a tough choice to be accepted here.I interviewed early and didn't really know what I was looking for in a school, nor do I remember everything perfectly.

Couple questions.
Are they going ahead with the curriculum changes? Do we know what the schedule would look like? The dean had a vague idea when I interviewed involving expanding anatomy first year (don't remember what would happen with physio), and stacking the systems in second year better.

Where are the 3rd year rotations? Hospital sizes? Residencies associated with? I know there are some in Des Moines, and then a minority (?) of students get to go to MSUCOM or OUHCOM. Are there other large hospitals that offer a variety of specialties?

Is there wiggle room in what you can do in 3rd year? It seems pretty set yet vague at the same time on what students are allowed to rotate in. For instead if I wanted to to rotate in EM and PM&R, would that be possible within the selective area?
Click to expand...

From what I understand, the new changes ARE taking place this fall, after all. This includes Gross Anatomy and Physical Diagnosis being a year long.

Hospitals change. The Mercy system has a few residency programs; others probably do too but I don't remember the specifics since I will be applying for residencies back home and not in Iowa.

In the 3rd year there are specific rotations that every student must complete. Family med, pediatrics, psych, surg, etc. I do believe that there are some electives/selectives for two months in third year, and of course 4th year is open.
 
I am going to be a first year at Des Moines University next year and I am interested in how graduates and current 3rd and 4th years feel about the clinicals that Des Moines University set up for them. I have heard a mixed bag of opinions in regards to the Des Moines rotation sites. Below are a few questions I have. If you have opinions in regards to any of them please share.

-Were you able to get the rotation sites you wanted? Which ones did you want?
-How hard is it to get your third year at Ohio, Michigan, or another teaching hospital?
-How did you feel about the structure of the rotations?
-Overall, how did you feel about your clinical rotations experience during your third year and did you feel that they adequately prepared you in comparison to students from other schools during your fourth year audition rotations?

Thanks
 
azide10 said:
.

Couple questions.
Are they going ahead with the curriculum changes? Do we know what the schedule would look like? The dean had a vague idea when I interviewed involving expanding anatomy first year (don't remember what would happen with physio), and stacking the systems in second year better.
Click to expand...







BabyDoc86 said:
From what I understand, the new changes ARE taking place this fall, after all. This includes Gross Anatomy and Physical Diagnosis being a year long.
Click to expand...

👍👍

I'm a DPM17, and on the pulse website our class schedule was posted and there is year long anatomy and clinical medicine (which I am given to understand is the new physical diagnosis). There is an asterisk on the schedule that reads, "subject to change." But as it stands, the schedule is changed



Sent from my Nexus 4 using SDN Mobile
 
coloradoguy said:
I am going to be a first year at Des Moines University next year and I am interested in how graduates and current 3rd and 4th years feel about the clinicals that Des Moines University set up for them. I have heard a mixed bag of opinions in regards to the Des Moines rotation sites. Below are a few questions I have. If you have opinions in regards to any of them please share.

-Were you able to get the rotation sites you wanted? Which ones did you want?
-How hard is it to get your third year at Ohio, Michigan, or another teaching hospital?
-How did you feel about the structure of the rotations?
-Overall, how did you feel about your clinical rotations experience during your third year and did you feel that they adequately prepared you in comparison to students from other schools during your fourth year audition rotations?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Did you read this entire thread? It has some concerning posts by 4th years.
 
Hey everyone,
quick ? about FA. So i did the entrance counseling and filled out my FAFSA. When I was filling out the FAFSA, there was a document (a chart titled 2012-2013 Federal Direct Student Loan Terms) that showed the different types of loans (3) in total, including the direct stafford subsidized loan, direct unsubsidized, and the direct grad plus loan. However, when I looked at the documents on PULSE, the 2012-2013 Federal Direct Student Loan Terms was up and the chart only showed the Direct Stafford Unsubsidized Loan and the Grad Plus Loan. My question is, can we not finance part of COA with the SUBSIDIZED loan or are we only subject to borrowing using the unsubsidized loan and direct grad plus (assuming no scholarships, etc.)

Thanks!
 
To my knowledge, subsidized federal loans are no longer available to medical students as of, iirc, July 2012. =/ We have the distinct honor and pleasure of accruing interest from day 1. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
 
That's right. Every interview I went to bolded, underlined, and asterisked the fact that federal aid available to us is only unsubsidized and gradplus in the financial aid session. You might want to consider calling the financial aid office if you have this many questions. That's what they're there for and it's better information than we can give you. They can also hook you up with ways to increase your personal COA if you have other out of the ordinary expenses so that you can receive more financial aid.
 
Also, remember that GradPlus is dependent on credit hx. So you might need a parent or someone with good credit to cosign if you've had late payments on credit cards, phone bill, etc in the past.
 
Students who begin their education this year will not be offered subsidized Stafford loans.

However, for extreme need students there are Perkin's loans (up to 8K for grad education) which are subsidized (and eligible for cancellation later under public service). However, Perkins loans have an early dead line, are limited and will consider parental income irrespective of student's status.

Basically DMU and other schools told me they are very difficult to get for an average Joe accepted to med school.
 
I withdrew my acceptance yesterday, hopefully they can redistribute the scholarship money to one of you guys. Best of luck.
 
Withdrawing my acceptance today. DMU seemed like an awesome school, but I got into my first choice (YAY!). Hopefully those of you on the waitlist will hear good news from DMU soon 🙂
 
Congrats, if you don't mind me asking where you are heading?
 
Hi Everyone. I just withdrew from DMU, so I hope my spot goes to one of you that's still on the wait list. Best of luck to everyone!
 
Wow, it seems like a good amount of acceptances being withdrawn. Congratulations, you all on your new destinations and I can't wait to see some waitlist movement! I would literally have a bowel movement in my pants right now if I were accepted. Too much?
 
razor said:
Wow, it seems like a good amount of acceptances being withdrawn. Congratulations, you all on your new destinations and I can't wait to see some waitlist movement! I would literally have a bowel movement in my pants right now if I were accepted. Too much?
Click to expand...

Make sure you wear a diaper tomorrow.
 
I will be withdrawing from DMU tomorrow, so hopefully my spot goes to one of you! I really loved the school, but was recently accepted somewhere closer to home. I had an apartment at 3000 Grand that I will also be withdrawing. I know they are filling up quickly, so I thought I would let you all know in case someone is looking!

Good luck next year!
 
I will be withdrawing from DMU. I really liked the school's program and the surrounding area, but it's a bit too far from my family. I hope one of the spot goes to one of you. Good luck!
 
Hi all. Just received the confirmation of my withdrawal from DMU today. I hope my seat goes to one of you awesome SDNers out there! 🙂
 
Has anyone here been accepted off the waitlist? If so, what quarter were you in?
 
Hey everyone, so for those of you who already filled out the MPN for next year, approximately how long did it take for you to receive the award letter?

Also, those of you who have already established housing near campus, did documents did you need bring with you for housing? I saw that some places required your award letter for next year as well as a cosigner? Can anyone shed some light on what places required these things?

Unfortunately, I am trying to procrastinate with housing for as long as I can because I am still on WL at my state school. I am thinking of coming up there on the second week of July and hopefully by then I will know the final verdict from my state school. Is this too late? Do you guys think housing will still be available then, particularly at the places close by campus. Im doing this to avoid signing a lease and having to break out of it should I have a change of plans, which I know has happened with several people who found housing earlier and signed a lease.

Oh, and lastly, does anyone know of the approximate penalty for having to break lease on one of the properties close to campus?
 
Last edited:
IH8ColdWeath3r said:
Hey everyone, so for those of you who already filled out the MPN for next year, approximately how long did it take for you to receive the award letter?
Click to expand...

Award letters for all but PA are not going out until July according to FinAid at DMU. Sadly it is the same situation for all other schools that I had acceptance to (MD and DO). So you will not be able to prove your level of income until then (they obviously will not care for your current income if you tell them you are going to DMU). So fi you want a place now -- lie. Or get a cosigner.

Also, those of you who have already established housing near campus, did documents did you need bring with you for housing? I saw that some places required your award letter for next year as well as a cosigner? Can anyone shed some light on what places required these things?
Click to expand...

I used alumni website to find housing. This required a lot less documents: I had my current landlord attest to my awesomeness and timeliness in paying rent, my DL/SSN/green card and I think that's that.

Unfortunately, I am trying to procrastinate with housing for as long as I can because I am still on WL at my state school. I am thinking of coming up there on the second week of July and hopefully by then I will know the final verdict from my state school. Is this too late? Do you guys think housing will still be available then, particularly at the places close by campus. Im doing this to avoid signing a lease and having to break out of it should I have a change of plans, which I know has happened with several people who found housing earlier and signed a lease.
Click to expand...

I do not doubt that all good places will be taken by then, this is just a nature of things. But then everyone has different preferences (maybe you want a mention or a penthaus, I am sure those will be there still). But then, find a roommate and live with him/her for a year and next spring find your own place.

Oh, and lastly, does anyone know of the approximate penalty for having to break lease on one of the properties close to campus?
Click to expand...

If you break it before move in -- you lose the deposit. If you break it after move in, condition will be spelled out in a lease. Some places will require you to pay the remaining balance (year's lease) or 2 months of rent+deposit or whatever they want. If you are really curious, read Iowa code.
 
I stand corrected: apparently award letters are available for select DO students on DMU website. (I just got email today that I am one of few "selected")
 
Last year we went to look for housing in early June and were able to stop by the school to pick up a signed form showing total loan and tuition amount. That was sufficient for all the places we looked at.
 
I got this in an email today: "we haven’t seen any movement on the list as of today." Its already late May and nobody has been pulled off the WL. My guess is there isn't going to be much WL movement this year.
 
Woland said:
I stand corrected: apparently award letters are available for select DO students on DMU website. (I just got email today that I am one of few "selected")
Click to expand...

Supposedly people who applied for Perkins loan got information today.
 
I'm waiting to get off the waitlist at another school, if that happens I will withdraw, I'm sure there are a lot of people in the same situation as me. Be patient, it will come.
 
I am withdrawing my acceptance tomorrow. Good luck guys!
 
Anyone staying at Windsor, Grand Prix, or the Imperial? Your thoughts on these places.
 
These people withdrawing don't add up. I called admissions about 5 minutes ago and they said they have only had 3 students withdraw since they completed interviews this spring.

So far at least 6 SDNers have said they've withdrawn since May.

I asked them for any indication as to WL movement because I'm finalizing my lease for a place to live at COMP-NW and I really want DMU. She said they offer seats to waitlisters the day they're withdrawn from, and it's only been 3 so far...
 
Sometimes schools overaccept though. So for a class of 220 maybe they'll accept 250, expecting some to withdraw. So even if 10 people withdraw, they're still overaccepted, so they don't pull anyone off the waitlist yet. That's just speculation though.
 
Werd.
 
Just got accepted off of the waitlist on Friday! Pretty excited, see you in the fall.
 
Accepted off the waitlist today! Super excited to go in the fall ^_^

Good luck to everyone on the waitlist; my fingers are crossed for you!
 
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