DMU-COM Discussion Thread 2008-2009

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Meganmarie, did you interview on that Friday 27th/28th?
 
meganmarie, are you goign to chose DMU over MSUCOM?
being from michigan, its probably a tough choice considering the difference in costs (i'm a michigander as well, but waiting on MSUCOM)
I went to state for my undergrad, but am looking for a chance of scenery so i'm not sure what i'd do if i was in your situation
 
rajaholick said:
meganmarie, are you goign to chose DMU over MSUCOM?
being from michigan, its probably a tough choice considering the difference in costs (i'm a michigander as well, but waiting on MSUCOM)
I went to state for my undergrad, but am looking for a chance of scenery so i'm not sure what i'd do if i was in your situation
Click to expand...

Hey raja,

I would choose DMU over MSU hands down because I personally want to get out of Michigan. I am currently at Oakland University, and am living with my parents. I chose to do this because I got great scholarships at OU, and living with parents allowed me to save money, and I knew that I wanted to go out of state for medical school. I applied to MSU as a sort of backup I guess. It is a great school, but tuition isnt really one of the top issues for me. I personally highly dislike Michigan, and my parents are even encouraging me to get out of the state while I have the opportunity because of the horrid economy. I also could not see myself at state. It is a huge undergrad campus with lots of distractions (parties, tailgates, etc.). I also would never enroll in one of their branch campuses because Macomb is right near where I currently live (want to get away!), and Detroit, well, is Detroit (no thanks). SO that being said, I could never pass up DMU for tuition reasons, because it impressed me so much. Hope that helps, and congrats on your acceptance! 👍
 
I know I have asked a lot of questions before about where to live, and I have been researching a lot on my own. It seems like every apartment complex I research gets horrible reviews. Can anyone who lives in the west des moines area give me some recommendations of good apartments that people have had decent experiences with? Thanks!
 
So it looks like you've pretty much made up your mind on DMU then? Good luck! its a great school, i loved it on my visit.
Unlike a lot of people, i really want to stay in michigan
probably because i moved around so much when i was younger, and I really like Detroit too
so my preference is to stay in the mitten state
but if I had to go out of state, DMU is pretty high on my list, I'll probably send in my $500 deposit before dec 15th, then take my time to make a decision
 
I was wondering the same thing...😕
 
ronicajay esta muerta.

jk. i feel so loved!

i was alternate listed. im a little confused, i thought my interview went pretty well. but at the same time im happy i don't have to make any big decisions at the moment.
 
Anything new about scholarships?
 
Hey guys! I got my acceptance today too, I was sitting in class and checked my email on my phone, couldn't even celebrate, lol! Congrats to everyone!
 
this is disappointing. i have a "PreInterview Hold"
way to break it to me softly, DMU. you don't know what you might be missing!!!

anyone else get this, and have something good come from it?

🙁
 
DMU. I love you. Please Interview Me.

Thanks,
gobruins2007
 
Hi guys,
I don't know what to do. I am from Michigan and have been accepted into MSUCOM. I paid them a deposit to hold my spot at the main campus and I figured I was done hearing back from schools. I was just invited to a interview at DMU. I really would like to get out of Michigan, but I can't get over the tuition difference and the fact that MSU is ranked 7 among med schools (i dont even know how much that matters- does anyone else?). I know I haven't even been accepted to DMU yet but I don't know if i should spend all of the money and miss school (the only day that was available is on the day of my undergrad graduation so I would have to miss that) to go out there for an interview - I don't even know how good my chances are because I have a 23 MCAT (much lower than the average) with a 3.76 GPA but with LOTS of community service and clinical experience. Any input?

Also, does anyone know how DMU grades thier classes the first two years (A,B,C or Pass/fail)? At MSU it's pass/fail....but I think its the only DO school that is like that?
 
blndeaj said:
Hi guys,
I don't know what to do. I am from Michigan and have been accepted into MSUCOM. I paid them a deposit to hold my spot at the main campus and I figured I was done hearing back from schools. I was just invited to a interview at DMU. I really would like to get out of Michigan, but I can't get over the tuition difference and the fact that MSU is ranked 7 among med schools (i dont even know how much that matters- does anyone else?). I know I haven't even been accepted to DMU yet but I don't know if i should spend all of the money and miss school (the only day that was available is on the day of my undergrad graduation so I would have to miss that) to go out there for an interview - I don't even know how good my chances are because I have a 23 MCAT (much lower than the average) with a 3.76 GPA but with LOTS of community service and clinical experience. Any input?



Also, does anyone know how DMU grades thier classes the first two years (A,B,C or Pass/fail)? At MSU it's pass/fail....but I think its the only DO school that is like that?
Click to expand...


To be honest, I would interview, otherwise you will never know if another school could give you a better education or be a better fit for you. If you got an interview, you have a nice chance of gaining acceptance. As far as cost, if you can't afford it, then obviously don't go (a hint to save money though is to fly into omaha, and then drive the 2 hours into des moines) As far as MSUCOM ranking, I am pretty sure they are ranked based on being a very strong in PRIMARY CARE, at least thats the ranking I have seen. I know that DMU has great facilities, including a surgical skills laboratory that interests a lot of students who want to specialize in surgery. I feel you, I am from Michigan, and I HAVE to get out! Good Luck! :luck:


I am pretty sure DMU does a graded system, but it is non-competitive and friendly, with no OPEN rankings like some other schools. You can go to the dean and request to find out your ranking, but other than that they do not openly rank.
 
DMU is pass/fail (70% cutoff i think)
what rankings are you using there? sounds like the med school primary ranking list from US News college report
which is based on % of doctors that go into primary care, so those #s are skewed
but i'm sure someone on this site knows a lot more about those rankings than I do
 
I drove from detroit to des moines to save money (about 10 hours)
stopped over at my cousin's in chicago for the night on the way there and back though
 
rajaholick said:
I drove from detroit to des moines to save money (about 10 hours)
stopped over at my cousin's in chicago for the night on the way there and back though
Click to expand...

Doing the same on 12/11 from Toledo. Anything worth stopping for? I am doing the whole way non-stop....starting to charge the ipod...now
 
blndeaj said:
Hi guys,
I don't know what to do. I am from Michigan and have been accepted into MSUCOM. I paid them a deposit to hold my spot at the main campus and I figured I was done hearing back from schools. I was just invited to a interview at DMU. I really would like to get out of Michigan, but I can't get over the tuition difference and the fact that MSU is ranked 7 among med schools (i dont even know how much that matters- does anyone else?). I know I haven't even been accepted to DMU yet but I don't know if i should spend all of the money and miss school (the only day that was available is on the day of my undergrad graduation so I would have to miss that) to go out there for an interview - I don't even know how good my chances are because I have a 23 MCAT (much lower than the average) with a 3.76 GPA but with LOTS of community service and clinical experience. Any input?

Also, does anyone know how DMU grades thier classes the first two years (A,B,C or Pass/fail)? At MSU it's pass/fail....but I think its the only DO school that is like that?
Click to expand...

First off, congrast on the MSU acceptance! You are in a position that many people would kill for! Quick comment rearding the "ranked 7" thing that I'm not sure you realized.......they were ranked 7 in primary care. It doesnt mean they are the 7th best med school in the country, although its still an accomplishmen worth noting (in no way am i trying to talk down about MSU). The value of the us news rankings is very debatable but i feel that a general consensus is that you shouldnt pay much attention to them b/c they dont really mean anything.

You are in a tough decision, missing your graduation and all...you might try calling them and asking if you can have it on any other date. At this point in the game a lot of people are cancelling interviews. If you let them konw your situation, i'm sure they can squeeze you in somewhere.

I dont know much about MSU, but I do know a bit about DMU as I visited in september. It is a fantastic program with very impressive facilties (some of the best in the country I am sure) and a warm and welcoming student body. The students seemd happy and you will definitely get a good edcuation. Depending what specialty yout hink you might be interested in, DMU offers a surgical skill course during 2nd year which i havent seen offered at many other schools. Its an all aroudn good school.

I wouldnt worry too much about your MCAT. I mean yes, it is low, but if they cared that much they would have rejected you already, right? They are giving you the chance, despite your MCAT, to prove to them why you should be accepted to their school. I think if you go tehre and you rock your interview then you should be fine. Prove to them why your 23 shouldnt be a factor.

DMU grades on a %...i dont think they give letter grades but you know your % for the courses you take and you know your overall % in all the courses you have taken so far. They rank you based on student %, so if you never missed a question on any test and you have a 100% you are gonna be ranked number 1 in your class.

Hopefully that helped. Good luck with the decision.

EDIT: I'm not sure where the pass/fail thing came from that rajaholick is talkin about. My student host never mentioned that at all. He mentioned % and rankings. So, you might wanna call DMU and ask them how they grade? I dunno.

ronicajay said:
ronicajay esta muerta.

jk. i feel so loved!

i was alternate listed. im a little confused, i thought my interview went pretty well. but at the same time im happy i don't have to make any big decisions at the moment.
Click to expand...

awwww ronica thats lame! At least you werent rejected, and you still have Western which is a great school!!!!! If you reall liked the school, I'd say write them a letter of intent.
 
I was told by student ambassadors giving the tour, and i brought it up during my interview.
I asked the interviewers "what do you think about the 70% for pass system, how does it affect the way students prepare for exams?"
So I'm pretty sure thats how it works there, any current students want to comment?


Sorry about the waitlist ronicajay, to echo what ryserr21 said, writer them a letter of intent if you really liked it. Good Luck!
 
rajaholick said:
I was told by student ambassadors giving the tour, and i brought it up during my interview.
I asked the interviewers "what do you think about the 70% for pass system, how does it affect the way students prepare for exams?"
So I'm pretty sure thats how it works there, any current students want to comment?


Sorry about the waitlist ronicajay, to echo what ryserr21 said, writer them a letter of intent if you really liked it. Good Luck!
Click to expand...

Hmmm, thats interesting. The 2nd year I had a convo with was talking about how they were graded on % and that his ranking dropped a lot when his overall % only went down by like .3 or something. Maybe I misunderstood something or he didnt expalin it all correctly or i dunno. I dont doubt what you heard, raja.

Agreed that a current student needs to chime in. Where is toohot?
 
Right, they are graded and ranked by %, but if they get lower than 70% in a class then they failed that class. They (interviewers) said the averages on exams were in the mid to high 80s usually.
 
SB25 said:
I'm in, I'm in, I'm in!!!!!! Can I get a woop, woop!?! I can't believe I can finally actually truly say I'M GOING TO BE A DOCTOR!!!! 😍

To IamAriDO: I did the FasTrack app, and it totally worked out for me!!! Anytime you’re granted an interview it’s AMAZING news!!! Good luck!!! :luck:
Click to expand...

What is this FasTrack app?
 
This is straight from the DMU student handbook:

Students receive a numerical or letter grade for
each course, system or clinical rotation. A grade of 70
percent or higher is needed to pass while scores below
70 percent result in a failing grade. In courses using
letter grades, (P) designates pass and (F) denotes
fail.

Hope this helps clarify, and this goes along with what raja is saying. 👍


Ryserr, I was told at interviews, especially in the tour, that students were not openly ranked and that they only knew their ranking if they went to the deans office and requested their rank....is this not what you were told??

I personally hate open rankings 👎​
 
right, they are ranked, but dont know what their ranks are
until the end of the year or something maybe, not sure how that works
 
The FasTrack app is sent to you by admissions before your secondary application materials are technically complete. I had sent my secondary app in, but none of my LORs were in yet. The only stipulation (as far as I know) is that you have all your materials in before your interview date.
 
Grading = % based (>70% to pass)
Class Rank = recalculated after each semester, available upon request (which everyone does)

Scholarships = don't count on it. The top two (maybe three) matriculants will get one. You're more likely to get one after your first year (based on med school academic achievement).
 
IamAriDO said:
Doing the same on 12/11 from Toledo. Anything worth stopping for? I am doing the whole way non-stop....starting to charge the ipod...now
Click to expand...

not really...world's largest truck stop interest you?
 
Boner said:
Scholarships = don't count on it. The top two (maybe three) matriculants will get one. You're more likely to get one after your first year (based on med school academic achievement).
Click to expand...

Really?? I heard it was more than 2 or 3! If that's true, that's really disappointing! 🙁
 
Anyone know what the acceptance rate is at DMU after an interview?
 
At my interview day the dean told us around 65% of those who interview are accepted. From other posts on this thread I've heard it's as high as 80%.
 
SB25 said:
At my interview day the dean told us around 65% of those who interview are accepted. From other posts on this thread I've heard it's as high as 80%.
Click to expand...

65%, That does seem a little low compared to some other information out there. In previous cycles I thought it was closer to 75-80% as well.

Anyone out there have a link to the interview/acceptance stats for DMU.
 
i feel your pain gobruins... i just got a preinterview hold as well. my stats are right in line with people getting intevriews/acceptances there too! oh well, lets just hope they come back around in a few more weeks and reconsider... i'd love to have a chance at dmu from everything i have heard about the school.
 
meganmarie said:
This is straight from the DMU student handbook:

Students receive a numerical or letter grade for
each course, system or clinical rotation. A grade of 70
percent or higher is needed to pass while scores below
70 percent result in a failing grade. In courses using
letter grades, (P) designates pass and (F) denotes
fail.​


Hope this helps clarify, and this goes along with what raja is saying. 👍​


Ryserr, I was told at interviews, especially in the tour, that students were not openly ranked and that they only knew their ranking if they went to the deans office and requested their rank....is this not what you were told??​

I personally hate open rankings 👎​
Click to expand...


my host never mentioned whether the rankigns were open or not. He just told me that he knew what his was and he knew when it dropped. So i guess he just didnt mention that he had to actually seek out his ranking. So either he did a poor job explaining or i did a poor job listening, but I think Boner cleared up the grading confusion.
 
Thanks guys...you have all been so helpful 🙂

I am going to go on the interview- I'm very nervous but I'll let you know how everything turns out!
 
If I have the money to put down, I am thinking of buying a house in des moines. There are some nice small homes in des moines for very cheap. I am thinking that even if I am going to move away for rotations, I could rent the house out while I am gone. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I hate throwing away money on rent.
 
mabish71DO said:
If I have the money to put down, I am thinking of buying a house in des moines. There are some nice small homes in des moines for very cheap. I am thinking that even if I am going to move away for rotations, I could rent the house out while I am gone. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I hate throwing away money on rent.
Click to expand...


My wife and I own a loft downtown which we are currently renting out. The housing market in DSM is currently great for buyers. (If you can get financing.) Otherwise, the rent market is always good in the downtown area because of jobs and workers wanting less of a commute. I think you could easily find someone to rent when you leave for rotations or residency. The local craig's list is a great way to find housing/appartments.
 
meganmarie said:
This is straight from the DMU student handbook:

Students receive a numerical or letter grade for
each course, system or clinical rotation. A grade of 70
percent or higher is needed to pass while scores below
70 percent result in a failing grade. In courses using
letter grades, (P) designates pass and (F) denotes
fail.

Hope this helps clarify, and this goes along with what raja is saying. 👍


Ryserr, I was told at interviews, especially in the tour, that students were not openly ranked and that they only knew their ranking if they went to the deans office and requested their rank....is this not what you were told??

I personally hate open rankings 👎​
Click to expand...

We use % NOT Pass/Fail

You need 70% or better to pass a class. Simple. No letter grades, just percentage. And your class rank is based upon your overall percentage from all the classes. Hope this helps. Good luck everyone and let me know if you have any questions. In my humble/unbiased opinion 3 years into it...DMU kicks *****. Have a good one. :horns:
J
 
jbone said:
We use % NOT Pass/Fail

You need 70% or better to pass a class. Simple. No letter grades, just percentage. And your class rank is based upon your overall percentage from all the classes. Hope this helps. Good luck everyone and let me know if you have any questions. In my humble/unbiased opinion 3 years into it...DMU kicks *****. Have a good one. :horns:
J
Click to expand...

Just to add on: an email is sent when class rank is calculated and you have the option of replying to the email and getting yours. The first two years count towards this ranking. The next two years are on a system of P, F and honors (HP).
 
Francon said:
Really?? I heard it was more than 2 or 3! If that's true, that's really disappointing! 🙁
Click to expand...

If you are talking about a full ride, maybe. However, scholarships are offered after your first year that take more than just class rank into account. I actually recieved two scholarships from DMU; one was a service based one.
 
rajaholick said:
How does T-Mobile service work in the Des Moines area?
Click to expand...

T-mobile works pretty well. I know I had a hard time getting reception at the actual school when I had Verizon but no such problems with T-mobile.
 
Jamers said:
If you are talking about a full ride, maybe. However, scholarships are offered after your first year that take more than just class rank into account. I actually recieved two scholarships from DMU; one was a service based one.
Click to expand...

That's good to hear! When do you usually find out about receiving scholarships?
 
Jamers said:
T-mobile works pretty well. I know I had a hard time getting reception at the actual school when I had Verizon but no such problems with T-mobile.
Click to expand...

sweet, thanks for the info

also about scholarships, i think they said those will be announced in march or so
 
Will DMU email us our status even if we are rejected? My 30 days-period is up next week and I haven't heard anything from them.
 
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