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

[dudeliness]

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The shaved head look is nice and clean looking I think. As long as nobody thinks you are some sort of nazi. When I was younger I would REALLY shave it ( size 1 guard) and my friends would always tell me I looked like a german in the 1940's so I let it grow a little longer...

Shaving my head actually started two halloweens ago. Shaved it to look like a balding old man, and I was VERY convincing. I may even post a picture of it here, seeing how I share so much info on SDN anyway. I dunno maybe a bad idea. Lol
After that I had to bic it. Kept it shaved with no guard for a while, then let it grow back. The worst is in between shaved and grown back out to a decent length (7/8")
Nothing beats the feeling of the breeze across the scalp. So very nice. I'm almost convinced to shave it again. 😛

 

[dudeliness]

If only I could grow facial hair respectably. I would sport the reverse hairdo all the time.

Edit: there I go sharing personal info again. Whatevs

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Hopefully you can swing lunch etc for the 27th! I wanna meet you! I'll be the dude with a shaved head and charcoal suit...oh wait, no I won't. Charcoal suit and receding hairline (not receding actually, been like that my whole life, I swear) spiked neatly. I can totally pull off the shaved head look. In fact, I may shave it before I come out...

yep. i will be doing lunch on the 27th as well. I am going to stink. Mainly because I always do. The fact that I have anatomy lab directly before it is coincidental.

 

[NeuroLAX]

What''s all this talk about NSU in the DMU thread? GET IT OUT! DMU is the best.

Just kidding. But yeah, hope you all enjoyed your interview day! Woohoo!

Seems like for this cycle a lot of the applicants talk about other schools in a lot of the school threads. Maybe it was done in our cycle but it's just something I've noticed. At any rate, I'm glad you guys are liking DMU... it's always nice to know that you made the right choice, you know?

 

[MedPR]

The shaved head look is nice and clean looking I think. As long as nobody thinks you are some sort of nazi. When I was younger I would REALLY shave it ( size 1 guard) and my friends would always tell me I looked like a german in the 1940's so I let it grow a little longer...

Yea I'm at a 2 guard right now.

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[dudeliness]

yep. i will be doing lunch on the 27th as well. I am going to stink. Mainly because I always do. The fact that I have anatomy lab directly before it is coincidental.

Wear that stink like a badge of honor, whatever it's source. Lol

 

[abolt18]

If only I could grow facial hair respectably. I would sport the reverse hairdo all the time.

Edit: there I go sharing personal info again. Whatevs

I did this for a few days at the start of the summer (I prefer the buzz in the summer as it's significantly cooler) but my wife made me trim my beard because it was so much longer than the hair on my head (1 guard). Personally I thought I looked bomb-diggity and I got a lot of compliments on it! Too bad the what the wife says goes.

Now on the subject of DMU... I wish they'd review me NOW and send me an interview invite a week ago 😀

 

[MedPR]

I can't grow facial hair either.. sadly.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Seems like for this cycle a lot of the applicants talk about other schools in a lot of the school threads. Maybe it was done in our cycle but it's just something I've noticed. At any rate, I'm glad you guys are liking DMU... it's always nice to know that you made the right choice, you know?

Haha, I was just kidding. It's important to discuss other schools in these threads so people can compare/contrast.

I can't grow facial hair either.. sadly.

Aw man... it's a good thing you didn't see me. My amazing facial hair would've given you severe beard envy.

 

[MedPR]

Haha, I was just kidding. It's important to discuss other schools in these threads so people can compare/contrast.



Aw man... it's a good thing you didn't see me. My amazing facial hair would've given you severe beard envy.

Yea I probably would've been very jealous👍

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[maxx52188]

Please elaborate about the clinicals. Very interested.

Third Year, 50% stay in Des Moines and rotate at one of the two major hospitals.

20% go to other areas within Des Moines

30% go and rotate in the Ohio or Michigan system

The dean stressed that if you are sent to the Ohio or Michigan system, they try their absolute hardest to make certain you stay in one place for that entire year. In the event that you are asked to do a clinical in another place than your "home" location THEY WILL PAY FOR RENT AT YOUR TEMPORARY "NEW" HOME. Then, when you finish that rotation, you go back to your "home" location.

4th year has a lot of uncertainty not because you will be forced to bounce around the country, but because many students do elective rotations away in locations they are interested for residency, Combine that with the fact that DMU has fewer 4th year required classes, and more elective options than most schools, that can potentially mean someone that is shopping for residencies while getting their clinicals done could be moving around quite a bit--but all of that is voluntary.

 

[BabyDoc86]

Third Year, 50% stay in Des Moines and rotate at one of the two major hospitals.

20% go to other areas within Des Moines

30% go and rotate in the Ohio or Michigan system

The dean stressed that if you are sent to the Ohio or Michigan system, they try their absolute hardest to make certain you stay in one place for that entire year. In the event that you are asked to do a clinical in another place than your "home" location THEY WILL PAY FOR RENT AT YOUR TEMPORARY "NEW" HOME. Then, when you finish that rotation, you go back to your "home" location.

4th year has a lot of uncertainty not because you will be forced to bounce around the country, but because many students do elective rotations away in locations they are interested for residency, Combine that with the fact that DMU has fewer 4th year required classes, and more elective options than most schools, that can potentially mean someone that is shopping for residencies while getting their clinicals done could be moving around quite a bit--but all of that is voluntary.

Thank you for the info! That sounds a lot better than I thought it would be originally.

 

[virtuoso735]

Are rotations during third year ward based or preceptorships?

 

[Ost3oclast]

Are rotations during third year ward based or preceptorships?

Majority are preceptors. Thats the impression i got from the dean atleast.

 

[virtuoso735]

Majority are preceptors. Thats the impression i got from the dean atleast.

What made you think that? I asked about it at the end of my interview but I think my interviewers misunderstand the question (or perhaps tried to avoid it) by telling me that there are pros and cons of each style of rotation or something like that.

 

[dudeliness]

What made you think that? I asked about it at the end of my interview but I think my interviewers misunderstand the question (or perhaps tried to avoid it) by telling me that there are pros and cons of each style of rotation or something like that.

Sounds more like an avoidance, although it is very true that there are pros and cons either way. I'd like to be able to do both, really.

 

[dudeliness]

Third Year, 50% stay in Des Moines and rotate at one of the two major hospitals.

20% go to other areas within Des Moines

30% go and rotate in the Ohio or Michigan system

The dean stressed that if you are sent to the Ohio or Michigan system, they try their absolute hardest to make certain you stay in one place for that entire year. In the event that you are asked to do a clinical in another place than your "home" location THEY WILL PAY FOR RENT AT YOUR TEMPORARY "NEW" HOME. Then, when you finish that rotation, you go back to your "home" location.

4th year has a lot of uncertainty not because you will be forced to bounce around the country, but because many students do elective rotations away in locations they are interested for residency, Combine that with the fact that DMU has fewer 4th year required classes, and more elective options than most schools, that can potentially mean someone that is shopping for residencies while getting their clinicals done could be moving around quite a bit--but all of that is voluntary.

I appreciate that info. That actually sounds really good. My main concern is staying in one location as much as possible, but I know that just about anywhere I go there will be some moving around. Very good to know that if you have a rotation away from your main rotation location they pay for housing. That makes a HUGE difference.
DMU actually sounds pretty solid for rotations then.

 

[Ost3oclast]

What made you think that? I asked about it at the end of my interview but I think my interviewers misunderstand the question (or perhaps tried to avoid it) by telling me that there are pros and cons of each style of rotation or something like that.

He went in to pros and cons but kind of hinted more good things about preceptorships. I'm sure one of the current students will let us know. Thats the impression I got from him anyway. Its almost as if he was putting down doing a lot of ward rotations because of "availability" to do things.

 

[Badgers326]

Third Year, 50% stay in Des Moines and rotate at one of the two major hospitals.

20% go to other areas within Des Moines

30% go and rotate in the Ohio or Michigan system

The dean stressed that if you are sent to the Ohio or Michigan system, they try their absolute hardest to make certain you stay in one place for that entire year. In the event that you are asked to do a clinical in another place than your "home" location THEY WILL PAY FOR RENT AT YOUR TEMPORARY "NEW" HOME. Then, when you finish that rotation, you go back to your "home" location.

4th year has a lot of uncertainty not because you will be forced to bounce around the country, but because many students do elective rotations away in locations they are interested for residency, Combine that with the fact that DMU has fewer 4th year required classes, and more elective options than most schools, that can potentially mean someone that is shopping for residencies while getting their clinicals done could be moving around quite a bit--but all of that is voluntary.

This isn't exactly all true. First 50% of the students do not stay in Des Moines and only rotate at two hospitals. What really happens is 50% of students are put into a group called non-year long Iowa where you are based out of Des Moines and you may have rotations all around the state and sometimes out of state which happens a lot with OB-Gyn. I know for fact that they don't always provide housing. A lot of places do but not every site.

Even year long sites will require some driving. The school feels that an hour commute one way is an acceptable distance to drive to your rotation site.

I think the numbers for Ohio and Michigan are off percentage wise. I also want to stress that these sites are not guaranteed for you by the time you enter rotations. For example, the class of 2013 had a site in Wyoming, but that site was not available for the class of 2014. My class won't have an official listing of sites for a few more months.

 

[MedPR]

This isn't exactly all true. First 50% of the students do not stay in Des Moines and only rotate at two hospitals. What really happens is 50% of students are put into a group called non-year long Iowa where you are based out of Des Moines and you may have rotations all around the state and sometimes out of state which happens a lot with OB-Gyn. I know for fact that they don't always provide housing. A lot of places do but not every site.

Even year long sites will require some driving. The school feels that an hour commute one way is an acceptable distance to drive to your rotation site.

I think the numbers for Ohio and Michigan are off percentage wise. I also want to stress that these sites are not guaranteed for you by the time you enter rotations. For example, the class of 2013 had a site in Wyoming, but that site was not available for the class of 2014. My class won't have an official listing of sites for a few more months.

Ugh. Even the "best" DO schools have awful rotation setups. I really hope I don't have to deal with that type of bs.

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[virtuoso735]

Are the rotations in Ohio with Ohio University and Michigan (I'm guessing those are with Michigan State) ward-based, since they are public schools with their own hospitals (I think)? I don't think I would mind moving to Ohio or Michigan for rotations as long as I am able to stay put there for a year.

 

[Badgers326]

Ugh. Even the "best" DO schools have awful rotation setups. I really hope I don't have to deal with that type of bs.

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It really isn't that big of deal. I know when I was applying I thought it was the worst, but it works for the most part. The school is working hard to make more year long sites and the focus is on setting them up in Iowa to minimize the moving around.

 

[Badgers326]

Are the rotations in Ohio with Ohio University and Michigan (I'm guessing those are with Michigan State) ward-based, since they are public schools with their own hospitals (I think)? I don't think I would mind moving to Ohio or Michigan for rotations as long as I am able to stay put there for a year.

I believe some are which is one of the reasons we might end up losing those sites in the future because those schools keep expanding and they need more sites for their students.

 

[MedPR]

It really isn't that big of deal. I know when I was applying I thought it was the worst, but it works for the most part. The school is working hard to make more year long sites and the focus is on setting them up in Iowa to minimize the moving around.

Leaving my home at 4am to be at the hospital for a 5am-5pm surgery rotation sounds pretty awful to me.

🙁
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[FrkyBgStok]

DMU's rotations are fantastic. Maybe I am biased, but being in central Iowa requires you to travel a tad. Is it a big deal? No. And it lets you see much more. Secondly, the michigan and ohio rotations are in areas with tons of residency programs. How awesome is that? Plus a lot of free time to schedule audition rotations in the fourth year. Is it a university allopathic setup? No, but this is undoubtedly the next best thing. I don't get it.

 

[toxicwombat]

Ugh. Even the "best" DO schools have awful rotation setups. I really hope I don't have to deal with that type of bs.

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Ehhh. Yes and no. I think if you stick to core rotations you'll be okay. From what I've read, it seems like the away and elective rotations are the issues at DO schools. But I dunno... This stuff is so subjective it's impossible to rationally analyze.

 

[MedPR]

Ehhh. Yes and no. I think if you stick to core rotations you'll be okay. From what I've read, it seems like the away and elective rotations are the issues at DO schools. But I dunno... This stuff is so subjective it's impossible to rationally analyze.

I think im spoiled because my gf is an M3 at an allopathic school with its own hospital. I want to be able to live in the same place and have less than a 10 min commute for the first 3 years.

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[dgsilvervid]

Leaving my home at 4am to be at the hospital for a 5am-5pm surgery rotation sounds pretty awful to me.

🙁
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I agree. The rotation thing is a mess. Saying you have to drive an hour is no big deal... cant agree with that. Because that is two hours out of your already busy day. I drove quite a bit for my job and it certainly gets annoying yes you get used to it, but do you really want to deal with that on top of medical school? I really think this is a weakness of the program and I didn't realize it was this way for quite a few osteopathic schools :/ this saddens me greatly.

 

[dgsilvervid]

For some of the people who have interviewed and stated WOW DMU is awesome #1. Why do you think so?

 

[angldrps]

I agree. The rotation thing is a mess. Saying you have to drive an hour is no big deal... cant agree with that. Because that is two hours out of your already busy day. I drove quite a bit for my job and it certainly gets annoying yes you get used to it, but do you really want to deal with that on top of medical school? I really think this is a weakness of the program and I didn't realize it was this way for quite a few osteopathic schools :/ this saddens me greatly.

Same here. I knew that some low tier schools would have such issues but didn't know a school like DMU would be one of them. Sigh...at this point, I would just be grateful for an acceptance and just deal with 3rd-4th year problems, when the time comes.

 

[MedPR]

For some of the people who have interviewed and stated WOW DMU is awesome #1. Why do you think so?

I'll tell you on Monday night after my interview.

 

[azide10]

Ugh. Even the "best" DO schools have awful rotation setups. I really hope I don't have to deal with that type of bs.

I agree. The rotation thing is a mess. Saying you have to drive an hour is no big deal... cant agree with that. Because that is two hours out of your already busy day. I drove quite a bit for my job and it certainly gets annoying yes you get used to it, but do you really want to deal with that on top of medical school? I really think this is a weakness of the program and I didn't realize it was this way for quite a few osteopathic schools :/ this saddens me greatly.

Same here. I knew that some low tier schools would have such issues but didn't know a school like DMU would be one of them. Sigh...at this point, I would just be grateful for an acceptance and just deal with 3rd-4th year problems, when the time comes.

This is the reality of medical school. This is not just osteopathic schools but goes all the way to many of the mid teir MD schools. Even if a school has it's own hospital that DOES NOT mean you do all your rotations there. You are going to have to travel unless you are lucky. If it is such a burden to you then you should have busted your butts to get a top teir MD school where that isn't the case. I can also say from witnessing it that in many cases community sites will do a better job of teaching/training students, and in many cases they will not. Gotta hope your school did a good job selecting their sites and I think you can bet that most of DMUs sites are going to be good. And yeah sites are going to change but at least for this class we should still have those michigan and ohio sites because those schools are expanding either the next class or the class after that. I bet DMU will be prepared if they lose those sites as well.

At least have a realistic perspective...

 

[MedPR]

This is the reality of medical school. This is not just osteopathic schools but goes all the way to many of the mid teir MD schools. Even if a school has it's own hospital that DOES NOT mean you do all your rotations there. You are going to have to travel unless you are lucky. If it is such a burden to you then you should have busted your butts to get a top teir MD school where that isn't the case. I can also say from witnessing it that in many cases community sites will do a better job of teaching/training students, and in many cases they will not. Gotta hope your school did a good job selecting their sites and I think you can bet that most of DMUs sites are going to be good. And yeah sites are going to change but at least for this class we should still have those michigan and ohio sites because those schools are expanding either the next class or the class after that. I bet DMU will be prepared if they lose those sites as well.

At least have a realistic perspective...

Both of the medical schools here and three other MD schools that I have friends at do not make their students travel to different sites for every rotation. They might have to travel for a week during a specific rotation, but it isn't >30 minutes.

Perhaps the ones you know of make them travel, but I know of a handful that do not.. and I'm sure there are more than just that handful. Only one of these schools is a top school. The rest are right in the middle.

Edit: And none of the MD schools I know of make some students travel out of state for M3 clerkships.

 

[Badgers326]

Both of the medical schools here and three other MD schools that I have friends at do not make their students travel to different sites for every rotation. They might have to travel for a week during a specific rotation, but it isn't >30 minutes.

Perhaps the ones you know of make them travel, but I know of a handful that do not.. and I'm sure there are more than just that handful. Only one of these schools is a top school. The rest are right in the middle.

Edit: And none of the MD schools I know of make some students travel out of state for M3 clerkships.

DMU doesn't make you travel out of state for fourth year. That is your choice.

I'm here to give you the truth not to sell the school to you. If you don't think DMU is the right fit I understand. There are plenty of applicants that would love to have that seat.

 

[Ost3oclast]

For some of the people who have interviewed and stated WOW DMU is awesome #1. Why do you think so?

For me: team building atmosphere, professors who stay late to help students the night before exams, great family atmosphere around town, state of the art facilities, usmle and comlex pass rates for first time test takers are both around 95%, plus school reputation.

 

[MedPR]

Both of the medical schools here and three other MD schools that I have friends at do not make their students travel to different sites for every rotation. They might have to travel for a week during a specific rotation, but it isn't >30 minutes.

Perhaps the ones you know of make them travel, but I know of a handful that do not.. and I'm sure there are more than just that handful. Only one of these schools is a top school. The rest are right in the middle.

Edit: And none of the MD schools I know of make some students travel out of state for M3 clerkships.

DMU doesn't make you travel out of state for fourth year. That is your choice.

I'm here to give you the truth not to sell the school to you. If you don't think DMU is the right fit I understand. There are plenty of applicants that would love to have that seat.

I don't have a problem with DMU rotations, I'm just saying that it would suck to have to travel and do M3 at several different sites.

 

[BabyDoc86]

For some of the people who have interviewed and stated WOW DMU is awesome #1. Why do you think so?

This:

For me: team building atmosphere, professors who stay late to help students the night before exams, great family atmosphere around town, state of the art facilities, usmle and comlex pass rates for first time test takers are both around 95%, plus school reputation.

And: outstanding global health opportunities, broad list of electives to personalize my education, and bioethics training. Perhaps the biggest selling factor for me personally is how freaking happy everyone is to be there. That in itself says multitudes about the school.

 

[dudeliness]

I don't have a problem with DMU rotations, I'm just saying that it would suck to have to travel.

While agree that it would suck, or rather will suck, I realize that the reality is that I will have to choose between LECOM, DMU, AZCOM, NSU, ATSU SOMA, and western Lebanon, assuming I get into more than just LECOM. Lol
My point is, that for me, and for most of us, going to a school that keeps you in one place, or even within 30 mins, for all three years is pretty much non-existent. It's also true what was said about some of your rotations at small clinics sucking and some being great. For me, it comes down to mostly how I feel at the school, if I like the curriculum (although I think most all are pretty good overall), and the area that my wife and daughter will be living in while I'm in those first few years. Clinical rotations is a mixed bag just about EVERYWHERE.
My opinion

 

[ModernAlchemist]

This:



And: outstanding global health opportunities, broad list of electives to personalize my education, and bioethics training. Perhaps the biggest selling factor for me personally is how freaking happy everyone is to be there. That in itself says multitudes about the school.

These two factors are HUGE for me. I am really looking forward to this interview!

 

[MedPR]

I know I'm just fighting having to face the possibility of traveling all throughout M3, but I'm not ready to accept it yet.

 

[BabyDoc86]

These two factors are HUGE for me. I am really looking forward to this interview!

Good luck! I went in with high hopes for DMU & was not disappointed on my interview day!

 

[MedPR]

It's no secret that I'm not really interested in rural, but DMU's RMEP does make it pretty appealing. Half or full-tuition scholarship would be nice.

 

[dudeliness]

I know I'm just fighting having to face the possibility of traveling all throughout M3, but I'm not ready to accept it yet.

I totally feel you there bro. I had this idea of what rotations could be like, but I'm realizing that, as I've had to adapt before in order to accomplish my dreams, I may have to put up with less than ideal areas/situations in order to become a doctor. In reality, a couple of crappy months (or worst case scenario, years, *shudder*) of rotations won't stop me from being a doctor, and a darn good one too 😛

 

[dudeliness]

It's no secret that I'm not really interested in rural, but DMU's RMEP does make it pretty appealing. Half or full-tuition scholarship would be nice.

Is that offered all four years? I know some schools do an OPP fellowship for a year between 2nd and 3rd years and they pay for the fellowship and your last two years.

 

[MedPR]

I totally feel you there bro. I had this idea of what rotations could be like, but I'm realizing that, as I've had to adapt before in order to accomplish my dreams, I may have to put up with less than ideal areas/situations in order to become a doctor. In reality, a couple of crappy months (or worst case scenario, years, *shudder*) of rotations won't stop me from being a doctor, and a darn good one too 😛

Yea I understand. It's especially hard for me because I've seen how my girlfriend's school does things and I have created this idea that most/all schools are just like her's and I don't want to do things differently.

 

[MedPR]

I hope I like DMU (and they like me) tomorrow!

Edit: I mean, tomorrow.

 

[deleted236787]

I hope I like DMU (and they like me) tomorrow!

Edit: I mean, tomorrow.

Good luck!

 

[michow87]

DMU doesn't make you travel out of state for fourth year. That is your choice.

I'm here to give you the truth not to sell the school to you. If you don't think DMU is the right fit I understand. There are plenty of applicants that would love to have that seat.

THIS! The crying in this thread has become comical

 

[MedPR]

THIS! The crying in this thread has become comical

Since when does preferring one thing (which actually does exist) to another equate to crying?

 

[michow87]

Since when does preferring one thing (which actually does exist) to another equate to crying?

it's not about the substance, but the tone that qualifies it as "crying" in my eyes.

anyways, that's just my opinion. My approach to med school was simply to get into the best one I could get into. If I have to travel during the second two years, then so be it. I knew the path of becoming a physician would require many sacrifices and I consider "moving" an inconvenience rather than a sacrifice.