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

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bigrv700 said:
Accepted... Interviewed 10/21 and even thought my last name starts with a S, I found out early today.
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Ugh. MedPR = rejected.

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Just got back from Des Moines. It's a fantastic school, just as everyone has stated so far. I am excited about hearing back from them. To all my interview buddies I met today, good luck! I know your all creeping on this forum.
 
felix2929 said:
actually or are you just speculating?
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Speculating. Interviewed on 9/17 and haven't heard back despite decisions already going out to 9/20 and 9/21 people.

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MedPR said:
Ugh. MedPR = rejected.

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I think I'm in the same boat, didn't feel great after my interview, so do we get rejected via email or what. But hey you only need one right! We're still gonna be docs!(just more in debt docs)
 
Congrats on all the letters of acceptance everyone! My interview is Nov 9 and I'm getting nervous, not sure I even have a chance left if the class will already be full by then.

Curious, how many people interviewed with you guys on the interviews. I know they currently have three interview days a week. How many people do you think have they gone through thus far?

Once again Congrats!
 
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HollowSuperet36 said:
Congrats on all the letters of acceptance everyone! My interview is Nov 9 and I'm getting nervous, not sure I even have a chance left if the class will already be full by then.

Curious, how many people interviewed with you guys on the interviews. I know they currently have three interview days a week. How many people do you think have they gone through thus far?

Once again Congrats!
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There are about 15 people in an interview group and they usually run interviews on Monday, Thursday, and Friday every week. Last year they interviewed applicants until the first week of March. The year before the class filled in February and I believe the year before that they interviewed people in April.
 
Shoot, got my Alternate Email today. Just curious is there a difference between alternate and waitlist?
 
MedPR said:
Speculating. Interviewed on 9/17 and haven't heard back despite decisions already going out to 9/20 and 9/21 people.

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Click to expand...

Oh ok. Well if you don't hear by next week I would call and ask. Hope it works out for you!
 
MedPR said:
Speculating. Interviewed on 9/17 and haven't heard back despite decisions already going out to 9/20 and 9/21 people.

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Click to expand...
Nevermind, not rejected. 😀


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thndrbrd said:
Wait-listed today. Everyone was nice enough but I found everything to be pretty boring including the city. My interviewer also thought that NP/PA/MD/DO all had the same abilities to run a clinic and prescribe medicine and made it a point of disagreement when one of my reasons is the ability to operate my own clinic. It's pretty lame when you don't even have an MD or DO in the room to interview you. I say good riddance. Already accepted elsewhere.

Best of luck to you others.
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That's pretty funny. I had an interview (at another school) with a PhD who was trying to tell me that an MD who runs his/her own practice cannot make their own schedule and cannot decide the number of patients they get to see. MFW I found out the interviewer was a PhD (after she told me MDs have very little freedom).

4519-uh-no.jpg
 
thndrbrd said:
Wait-listed today. Everyone was nice enough but I found everything to be pretty boring including the city. My interviewer also thought that NP/PA/MD/DO all had the same abilities to run a clinic and prescribe medicine and made it a point of disagreement when one of my reasons is the ability to operate my own clinic. It's pretty lame when you don't even have an MD or DO in the room to interview you. I say good riddance. Already accepted elsewhere.

Best of luck to you others.
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Your interviewer was kind of right. Because too many physicians are choosing to specialize (primarily because of the money) and the need for primary care providers is increasing (especially with the expansion of Medicaid eligibility under the ACA), NP and PA training levels have drastically improved to include State regulation regarding the way they practice. There has even been speculation that one day, the primary care physician may even cease to exist (although I highly doubt this!).

"...Among their varied roles, nurse practitioners take patient histories; perform physical exams; diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries; provide immunizations; manage high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic health problems; order and interpret lab tests; prescribe medication and nonpharmacological therapies; provide prenatal care and family planning services; and counsel patients on healthy lifestyles and health care options. Many nurse practitioners also work as educators and research scientists at schools of nursing, and are actively involved in legislative activities and health care policy to promote quality health care delivery for the nation.

NPs practice under the rules and regulations of the Nurse Practice Act of the state in which they work. Nurse practitioners can prescribe medication in every state and in the District of Columbia. In 21 states plus the District, NPs can practice independently without physician collaboration or supervision."
 
thndrbrd said:
Wait-listed today. Everyone was nice enough but I found everything to be pretty boring including the city. My interviewer also thought that NP/PA/MD/DO all had the same abilities to run a clinic and prescribe medicine and made it a point of disagreement when one of my reasons is the ability to operate my own clinic. It's pretty lame when you don't even have an MD or DO in the room to interview you. I say good riddance. Already accepted elsewhere.

Best of luck to you others.
Click to expand...

Ha. Sour grapes much? I volunteered in a clinic powered almost entirely by NPs and PAs - they did great work (including prescribing medicine). No, they would not perform surgery, but they did just about everything else. I'm sorry you're unhappy about the wait list, but there's no need to bring the rest of the thread down. This is a great school. Don't try to take away anyone's excitement about the possibilities here.
 
Birchum said:
Ha. Sour grapes much? I volunteered in a clinic powered almost entirely by NPs and PAs - they did great work (including prescribing medicine). No, they would not perform surgery, but they did just about everything else. I'm sorry you're unhappy about the wait list, but there's no need to bring the rest of the thread down. This is a great school. Don't try to take away anyone's excitement about the possibilities here.
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I couldn't agree more! For some of us, this is our top school!

Attitudes like that are why physicians have bad reputations among the other healthcare professionals. Tsk, tsk, tsk..
 
yeah,, don't you know? it's sort of blasphemous to criticize any school
 
I'll be at DMU on the 26th of October to interview! Will anyone else be there at this time?
 
zoner said:
yeah,, don't you know? it's sort of blasphemous to criticize any school
Click to expand...

Definitely! But really I agree with them in that his/her response was very much like a ....

"Oh you're breaking up with me? Well in that case I'm breaking up with YOU! I didn't like you anyway!"

... teenager relationship.
 
thndrbrd said:
I just wanted to express my annoyance with DMU's interview process. Yes, as an NP or PA you can do 'good things', which I've seen during my time volunteering and working in a hospital, but to compare their capabilities and autonomy to that of a licensed physician is incorrect.

I am aware that an NP can do a lot more than a PA, but a PA is limited to what he or she can do by the physician they work under. This is the point that my interviewer disagreed with me on, and also in a semi-confrontational tone. He would also 'zone out' when I was responding to the other interviewer's questions and then ask me the same question I was already asked. Just sloppy all-around, making for a very awkward experience.

I have attended several medical school interviews and not once have I had an interview where an actual MD or DO was not present. I see this as being a flaw in their admission's process, as a Ph.D in pharmacology does not exactly know what it's like to be a practicing physician.

DMU seems like an acceptable place to attend medical school, however I am simply not enthusiatic about it and was obviously not very happy with the interview day experience.
Click to expand...

although a Ph.D. may not exactly know what it's like to be a practicing physician, the Ph.D.s at DMU that are involved in the interview process have been around long enough to get a feel for what type of applicants fit or don't fit at DMUCOM. Although I'm sorry that you had such a horrible interview experience, I can happily say that you are one of very few.

Also, it's kind of interesting that you voiced your anger only after you found out that you were not accepted. Hmm...
 
MedPR said:
Nevermind, not rejected. 😀


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Click to expand...

So....... does that mean you were accepted?? 😀

thndrbrd said:
I just wanted to express my annoyance with DMU's interview process. Yes, as an NP or PA you can do 'good things', which I've seen during my time volunteering and working in a hospital, but to compare their capabilities and autonomy to that of a licensed physician is incorrect.

I am aware that an NP can do a lot more than a PA, but a PA is limited to what he or she can do by the physician they work under. This is the point that my interviewer disagreed with me on, and also in a semi-confrontational tone. He would also 'zone out' when I was responding to the other interviewer's questions and then ask me the same question I was already asked. Just sloppy all-around, making for a very awkward experience.

I have attended several medical school interviews and not once have I had an interview where an actual MD or DO was not present. I see this as being a flaw in their admission's process, as a Ph.D in pharmacology does not exactly know what it's like to be a practicing physician.

DMU seems like an acceptable place to attend medical school, however I am simply not enthusiatic about it and was obviously not very happy with the interview day experience.
Click to expand...

Who interviewed you?
 
thndrbrd said:
I just wanted to express my annoyance with DMU's interview process. Yes, as an NP or PA you can do 'good things', which I've seen during my time volunteering and working in a hospital, but to compare their capabilities and autonomy to that of a licensed physician is incorrect.

I am aware that an NP can do a lot more than a PA, but a PA is limited to what he or she can do by the physician they work under. This is the point that my interviewer disagreed with me on, and also in a semi-confrontational tone. He would also 'zone out' when I was responding to the other interviewer's questions and then ask me the same question I was already asked. Just sloppy all-around, making for a very awkward experience.

I have attended several medical school interviews and not once have I had an interview where an actual MD or DO was not present. I see this as being a flaw in their admission's process, as a Ph.D in pharmacology does not exactly know what it's like to be a practicing physician.

DMU seems like an acceptable place to attend medical school, however I am simply not enthusiatic about it and was obviously not very happy with the interview day experience.
Click to expand...

With that attitude, you're going to have interesting rotations!
 
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thndrbrd said:
I just wanted to express my annoyance with DMU's interview process. Yes, as an NP or PA you can do 'good things', which I've seen during my time volunteering and working in a hospital, but to compare their capabilities and autonomy to that of a licensed physician is incorrect.

I am aware that an NP can do a lot more than a PA, but a PA is limited to what he or she can do by the physician they work under. This is the point that my interviewer disagreed with me on, and also in a semi-confrontational tone. He would also 'zone out' when I was responding to the other interviewer's questions and then ask me the same question I was already asked. Just sloppy all-around, making for a very awkward experience.

I have attended several medical school interviews and not once have I had an interview where an actual MD or DO was not present. I see this as being a flaw in their admission's process, as a Ph.D in pharmacology does not exactly know what it's like to be a practicing physician.

DMU seems like an acceptable place to attend medical school, however I am simply not enthusiatic about it and was obviously not very happy with the interview day experience.
Click to expand...

Did you Dr. Spreadsbury (or something like that)? He asked me the same questions as my other interviewer too... like immediately after I just got done anwering them.
 
Hey thndrbrd, I'm sorry you had a bad interview experience, but congrats on your other acceptance!
 
thndrbrd said:
I just wanted to express my annoyance with DMU's interview process. Yes, as an NP or PA you can do 'good things', which I've seen during my time volunteering and working in a hospital, but to compare their capabilities and autonomy to that of a licensed physician is incorrect.

I am aware that an NP can do a lot more than a PA, but a PA is limited to what he or she can do by the physician they work under. This is the point that my interviewer disagreed with me on, and also in a semi-confrontational tone. He would also 'zone out' when I was responding to the other interviewer's questions and then ask me the same question I was already asked. Just sloppy all-around, making for a very awkward experience.

I have attended several medical school interviews and not once have I had an interview where an actual MD or DO was not present. I see this as being a flaw in their admission's process, as a Ph.D in pharmacology does not exactly know what it's like to be a practicing physician.

DMU seems like an acceptable place to attend medical school, however I am simply not enthusiatic about it and was obviously not very happy with the interview day experience.
Click to expand...

I had an interview last year at the University of Washington and none of my interviewers were doctors. (PA, nurse, and med student). However, I don't think this has any real change on the interview process - you still have to present yourself professionally and personally. With regard to their disagreement, it may have been them interested to hear your reason for why not PA other than running a clinic (desire for wider scope of practice and more extensive training?). But who knows - this also could have had little impact on their decision. Best of luck.
 
Rejected pre-interview 🙄 Not too disappointed. It wasn't one of my top choices, and I personally think it's emotionally easier to get rejected pre-interview than to get rejected post-interview. Thought I'd post this anyways in case anyone still waiting for an ii is interested in seeing my stats to try to guess their chances (check my MDApps). Good luck to everybody who's hoping to get in to this school!
 
I had Dr. Spreadbury when I interviewed on Oct. 1st, but I never had any problems with him repeating others' questions. I would say, however, that he was probably the toughest interviewer and the one I'm most worried about. Oh well, it's out of my hands now!

Also, just because I really appreciated people posting their questions, here were mine:

Why DMU?
Why Osteopathy?
When did this whole idea of becoming a doctor begin?
What other schools have you applied to?
What do you like to do in your free time?
All the rest were either follow-up Q's or came straight from my application... Why did you decide to do: (item from application).

Overall the interview process was quite laid back, especially once my nerves settled. I forgot to check my watch when I got called in, but it was probably ~45 min long. If I had to give anyone advice, it really would just be the same advice everyone else has been giving: Relax, breath, and just be yourself. I got the feeling that my interviewers were mostly just trying to get a feel for what kind of person I was and whether or not I would be a good fit personality-wise for the school.

Personally, DMU is even more my top choice now than it was before the interview. The feel of the school is just awesome. I definitely got the impression, as many others have before me, that this school genuinely wants every one of their students to excel there. The changes they are making to the curriculum for 1st years makes a lot of sense from a student's point of view, in my opinion, and shows that they are continuing to improve their program. The next few weeks are going to be pretty excruciating waiting for a decision, I want to get in so badly.
 
Kyrao said:
I had Dr. Spreadbury when I interviewed on Oct. 1st, but I never had any problems with him repeating others' questions. I would say, however, that he was probably the toughest interviewer and the one I'm most worried about. Oh well, it's out of my hands now!

Also, just because I really appreciated people posting their questions, here were mine:

Why DMU?
Why Osteopathy?
When did this whole idea of becoming a doctor begin?
What other schools have you applied to?
What do you like to do in your free time?
All the rest were either follow-up Q's or came straight from my application... Why did you decide to do: (item from application).

Overall the interview process was quite laid back, especially once my nerves settled. I forgot to check my watch when I got called in, but it was probably ~45 min long. If I had to give anyone advice, it really would just be the same advice everyone else has been giving: Relax, breath, and just be yourself. I got the feeling that my interviewers were mostly just trying to get a feel for what kind of person I was and whether or not I would be a good fit personality-wise for the school.

Personally, DMU is even more my top choice now than it was before the interview. The feel of the school is just awesome. I definitely got the impression, as many others have before me, that this school genuinely wants every one of their students to excel there. The changes they are making to the curriculum for 1st years makes a lot of sense from a student's point of view, in my opinion, and shows that they are continuing to improve their program. The next few weeks are going to be pretty excruciating waiting for a decision, I want to get in so badly.
Click to expand...

What changes? Do you have a reference? I would like to read up on it before my interview. Anything you think now that you should have done?

Your guidance is much appreciated.

Thanks!
 
HollowSuperet36 said:
What changes? Do you have a reference? I would like to read up on it before my interview. Anything you think now that you should have done?

Your guidance is much appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The changes to the curriculum are minor and the Dean explains them when he reviews the curriculum. It is not something you will be questioned on or expected to know about in advance.
 
HollowSuperet36 said:
What changes? Do you have a reference? I would like to read up on it before my interview. Anything you think now that you should have done?

Your guidance is much appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You'll hear about the changes during one of the presentations on your interview day. Basically they are moving to somewhat integrate Anatomy and Physical Diagnosis to run almost in parallel, so if you are working on one area of the body in Anatomy, you will likely be covering that same area in PD either at the same time, or shortly after. This makes a lot of sense as opposed to having all your anatomy during fall semester and all your PD during the spring (at which point anatomy won't be fresh in your mind). This makes it so that you are able to make the necessary connections between structure and function (which is part of the DO philosophy) to really gain that deeper understanding that will really stick.

The only things I think I would have done differently would be things like spend less time stressing and more time sleeping the night before, don't wait for follow up questions to hit the points you want to make (many times the follow ups you are expecting don't come), and last but not least: relax during the interview. As soon as you walk into that interview, you are as prepared as you're ever going to get, so just relax and be yourself.

Good Luck!
 
HollowSuperet36 said:
What changes? Do you have a reference? I would like to read up on it before my interview. Anything you think now that you should have done?

Your guidance is much appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I asked about these proposed changes in my interview, and I was told that they don't expect to implement them until at least Fall 2014 at the earliest, so I'm not worried about it for next fall. The Dean will tell you a bit about why they're looking into integrating the classes when he gives his talk that day.
 
Dr. Spreadbury was my interviewer 9/20....he was really nice and asked the same questions...suggest going in with confidence but no arrogance...and be very conversational, elaborating on what really directed you to medicine...

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Dedicate16 said:
Dr. Spreadbury was my interviewer 9/20....he was really nice and asked the same questions...suggest going in with confidence but no arrogance...and be very conversational, elaborating on what really directed you to medicine...

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Click to expand...

Did you also have Dr. O'Connell and Joan Magalang (student) in your interview? I wonder if they stay on the same interview team...
 
Kyrao said:
Did you also have Dr. O'Connell and Joan Magalang (student) in your interview? I wonder if they stay on the same interview team...
Click to expand...

No it was Spreadbury, Katie Eggerman[student], and Dr. Schmidt

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Getting nervous. You guys think the class is already full? Kind of feeling like Im interviewing for the wait list...
 
HollowSuperet36 said:
Getting nervous. You guys think the class is already full? Kind of feeling like Im interviewing for the wait list...
Click to expand...


I don't think they have even interviewed enough applicants to fill their class yet. Let alone a bunch of people have been waitlisted and rejected (you just hear fom this group less, we aren't celebrating 🙁). There are plenty of spots still.
 
HollowSuperet36 said:
Getting nervous. You guys think the class is already full? Kind of feeling like Im interviewing for the wait list...
Click to expand...

They accept close to 400 students so theres a good chance for acceptances...only 220 matriculate

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I'm one of the student tour guides/ students you eat lunch with tomorrow.
Good luck to all the interviewees and relax, the interviews are not bad at all.
 
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