DMU-COM Discussion Thread 2011-2012

[Iliketoytles]

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So would monthly updates concerning my new activities (medically related) help my chances? I really like DMU and this school is my top choice!

Yes that sounds good. Do you have an idea what areas of your application was lacking? If it was EC-related, give them an update (also include non-medically related stuff).

Good luck!

 

[j10c]

Got acceptance letter today, interviewed on Jan 5th. See you guys on August. I am also looking for apartment in Des Moines, any advice will be appreciated.

 

[CDK2544]

CDK, when did you interview? And BIG congrats! Great school, great people.

Thank you! Really looking forward to August! I interviewed on January 6th 🙂

 

[futbolprincess]

Just interviewed last week...DMU is unbelievable. The facilities and people blow most other schools out of the water. I couldn't get over the difference between this school and others I have visited. HUGE difference. Even if the poor outside workers at the airport are dressed like they're working at Antartica because of the cold...it is still worth attending. And the other applicants being interviewed were also very nice. Nicer than other places. That will end up being very important too, eh?

What day did you interview? Have you heard any news yet? And just out of curiosity, what do you think were the biggest differences for you between DMU and other schools you have visited? DMU is the only school I have seen, so I'm just curious as to what you think are the "huge differences"! thanks!

 

[michow87]

Yes that sounds good. Do you have an idea what areas of your application was lacking? If it was EC-related, give them an update (also include non-medically related stuff).

Good luck!

I know that my biggest issue was my GPA. I have a 3.2 cGPA/ 3.1sGPA. They asked me a question about that and I thought I addressed the issue fairly well. My mcat is pretty solid (32Q) and my extracurricular activities are very diverse and there are many. I'm starting to looking into post-bac programs if I don't get in anywhere this time around.

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

I interviewed on Friday the 13th (no murderous hockey goalies were present though). No news yet. If you were there that day, I was the one who looked a little like Brad Pitt and a whole lot like Chris Farley. (that is material adapted from Zach Galifianakis)

I am not an expert in comparing medical schools but I have interviewed at 2 MD and 2 DO schools this cycle, and a hundred years ago I interviewed at 3 MD schools. One of the MD schools I interviewed at left a very positive impression - but honestly, DMU beat them out in most areas.

I felt very welcome and I was impressed by the amount of time and effort they expended over the course of the day. I appreciated their candor when discussing test scores too. Their scores are very good, and the students who chose to take the USMLE also did very well. They could've left it at that but it was even pointed out that the students who chose to take the USMLE were a self-selected group, meaning that if everyone took it the scores would've been lower. I think it is cool they pointed that out when many wouldn't have noticed.

The facilities are better than ANY medical school I have been to. If I get into a state MD school, I would go to the MD school because of the tuition. Tuition being equal, I think if I were to get into DMU and an MD school, I now lean toward DMU.

Fantastic facilities, friendly people, great test scores, OMM is not just paid lip service, and they act like they want us to come there. That is my 2 cents.

 

[stateU20x]

I went to 5 interviews, 4 DO, 1 MD, and DMU had the nicest facilities of any of them. The surgical skills lab and the L&D lab were unique to DMU, it was just snazzy. The staff and students were really nice, and Des Moines seems like a nice place. I opted for KCOM instead of DMU, but some of that was for the small town, some of that was just a gut feeling about KCOM. Had I not gone to KCOM I would have picked DMU for sure, I recommend DMU without reservation, and now that I turned down my seat, there's one more! Good luck y'all

 

[Runner313]

Found out I was accepted here yesterday 🙂)

 

[GottaTroop3]

Interview invite out of the blue yesterday... yes!
February 9th

 

[Med16]

Found out I was accepted here yesterday 🙂)

Congrats! 🙂 When did you interview??

 

[Iliketoytles]

Found out I was accepted here yesterday 🙂)

Congrats!! Are you accepting the offer? If you are, don't forget to join our wonderful and growing facebook group!

Interview invite out of the blue yesterday... yes!
February 9th

Congrats to you as well! Good luck at your interview. 👍

 

[Runner313]

I interviewed 1/5, and I really love DMU but I still have a few more interviews so I'm not 100% sure yet. I'm definitely comparing every other school to DMU now though, it's a pretty amazing place.

 

[tkhaja]

@ CDK2544:

you don't mind, when was your interview??

 

[CDK2544]

I interviewed on January 6th.

 

[Bennyboy1585]

I interviewed here on Jan 20th and was super impressed with the school. I had heard from other students it was a top notch institution but I guess I had to see it to believe it. I hope I hear good news but the 2-3 week wait is going to seem like an eternity!

 

[lousantiagojr]

hey everyone! I joined over the summer but new to posting... I've been reading your posts for the past few months and man I'm pumped about DMU... I'm submitting my early acceptance application this coming Tuesday... Should I get an interview in April, I look forward to meeting some of you if that's cool with you...

 

[Iliketoytles]

I look forward to meeting some of you if that's cool with you...

Absolutely not... I hate meeting people.

Just kidding! Good luck with your hopefully upcoming interview.

 

[amazer88]

Accepted. 🙂. Grateful for the first one.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Accepted. 🙂. Grateful for the first one.

Congrats!

 

[Laiba]

i was placed on hold here for an interview longgg time back...
has anybody who has been placed on hold been offered an interview yet?
i mean i know its a very competitive school especially with my stats but just wondering...

 

[lousantiagojr]

Absolutely not... I hate meeting people.

Just kidding! Good luck with your hopefully upcoming interview.

hahaha, thanks toytle!

 

[lousantiagojr]

Accepted. 🙂. Grateful for the first one.

Congratulations! Where else did you apply?

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

Accepted. 🙂. Grateful for the first one.

Big congrats! When did you interview?

 

[Iliketoytles]

Does anyone know if DMU students normally take electives their first semester? I have a few that I'm interested in taking... but I'm not sure how to go about signing up for them, or if it's even worth doing it the first semester.

 

[WusUpDoc]

Has anyone received their portal information yet?

 

[Iliketoytles]

Has anyone received their portal information yet?

Nope. 🙁

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Nope. 🙁

Me neither. If it comes in the mail, I will likely be the first to get it (Des Moines to Des Moines is usually a one day ship) and I keep checking the mailbox like crazy, but nothing. Sad panda.

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

Today is two weeks from my interview...oh please let me hear good news...please....

The wait may be shorter than other schools but it is still going by S L O W L Y.

 

[Badgers326]

Does anyone know if DMU students normally take electives their first semester? I have a few that I'm interested in taking... but I'm not sure how to go about signing up for them, or if it's even worth doing it the first semester.

First semester you are only allowed to take PBL biochemistry and the rural medicine one if you are the rural med pathway thingy. Don't worry about the sign up until school starts. They will explain it all.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

First semester you are only allowed to take PBL biochemistry and the rural medicine one if you are the rural med pathway thingy. Don't worry about the sign up until school starts. They will explain it all.

god this post gets me super excited to start. way looking forward to the hell that will ensue.

 

[Iliketoytles]

god this post gets me super excited to start. way looking forward to the hell that will ensue.

Indeed! I can't wait to get all my portal information! I want to start forwarding things to my new email (I'm an email junkie... as strange as that sounds).

I'm thinking about taking the PBL biochem since that's the only one that's offered. I love biochem, and I heard it's basically like small group discussions and graded on a pass/fail?

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Indeed! I can't wait to get all my portal information! I want to start forwarding things to my new email (I'm an email junkie... as strange as that sounds).

I'm thinking about taking the PBL biochem since that's the only one that's offered. I love biochem, and I heard it's basically like small group discussions and graded on a pass/fail?

agreed. maybe I am being naive, but the more i can do, the better. when i interviewed, there was a guy I went to high school with (weird) who said the PBL biochem was actually pretty cool.

 

[Nicole313]

Does anyone know when we will get access to the portal?

 

[Badgers326]

Does anyone know when we will get access to the portal?

I think I got mine in February last year. It might be delayed this year since we just switched systems and they are still working out all the kinks.

 

[amazer88]

Big congrats! When did you interview?

Interviewed 1/5. DMU was great. I just have to wait for responses from other schools.

 

[futbolprincess]

I interviewed on Friday the 13th (no murderous hockey goalies were present though). No news yet. If you were there that day, I was the one who looked a little like Brad Pitt and a whole lot like Chris Farley. (that is material adapted from Zach Galifianakis)

I am not an expert in comparing medical schools but I have interviewed at 2 MD and 2 DO schools this cycle, and a hundred years ago I interviewed at 3 MD schools. One of the MD schools I interviewed at left a very positive impression - but honestly, DMU beat them out in most areas.

I felt very welcome and I was impressed by the amount of time and effort they expended over the course of the day. I appreciated their candor when discussing test scores too. Their scores are very good, and the students who chose to take the USMLE also did very well. They could've left it at that but it was even pointed out that the students who chose to take the USMLE were a self-selected group, meaning that if everyone took it the scores would've been lower. I think it is cool they pointed that out when many wouldn't have noticed.

The facilities are better than ANY medical school I have been to. If I get into a state MD school, I would go to the MD school because of the tuition. Tuition being equal, I think if I were to get into DMU and an MD school, I now lean toward DMU.

Fantastic facilities, friendly people, great test scores, OMM is not just paid lip service, and they act like they want us to come there. That is my 2 cents.

Thank you! I interviewed on the 12th... and still haven't heard, but this "third week" is going so slowly, it's giving me a bad feeling 🙁 guess we'll see soon enough...

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

Got acceptance letter today, interviewed on Jan 5th. See you guys on August. I am also looking for apartment in Des Moines, any advice will be appreciated.

A, congrats! B, I would advise you to get some real hot babes as roommates.

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

Futbolprincess, you and me both...much shorter waits than some schools, but doesn't feel any better. I think it's because I left my heart there. I didn't plan on falling in love in ice cold Iowa! I got rejected by my state school today and it's a little bit of a bummer, but I liked DMU better. I was wondering what I would do if I got into both - low tuition vs dreamy school. I hope for some good news tomorrow, for all of us! Do they respond by email only?

 

[Badgers326]

Futbolprincess, you and me both...much shorter waits than some schools, but doesn't feel any better. I think it's because I left my heart there. I didn't plan on falling in love in ice cold Iowa! I got rejected by my state school today and it's a little bit of a bummer, but I liked DMU better. I was wondering what I would do if I got into both - low tuition vs dreamy school. I hope for some good news tomorrow, for all of us! Do they respond by email only?

Ice cold? It was 65 today. People wore shorts.

They make decisions on everyone that interviewed on the same day at the same time. So no need to worry about not hearing back yet. It has no correlation to your acceptance or rejection status.

Good luck

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

65 sounds good to me! They must've set the thermostat extra low on my interview day to test my fortitude...

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

Anyone get get good news today? Any news today??

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

I must've checked my email one hundred times today...nobody else was losing their marbles today? Ugh.

 

[CDK2544]

Hang in there! Hope you get good news tomorrow! If it makes you feel any better....I checked my e-mail an embarrassing number of times waiting to hear too

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

Thank you for the encouragement and reassurance. I appreciate it. Good to know I'm not insane - or if I am, at least I'm not alone. Btw, do they tell you within the few week window if you are accepted or wait-listed, or do they only tell you if you're accepted, and if you're wait-listed do you have to wait months? Thanks

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Bummer. I was way hoping to see some good news today. Oh well. Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[Badgers326]

Thank you for the encouragement and reassurance. I appreciate it. Good to know I'm not insane - or if I am, at least I'm not alone. Btw, do they tell you within the few week window if you are accepted or wait-listed, or do they only tell you if you're accepted, and if you're wait-listed do you have to wait months? Thanks

They had out all the decisions at the same time (accepted, wait-listed, rejected)

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

Thanks, Badger. Fingers are crossed for today.

 

[futbolprincess]

65 sounds good to me! They must've set the thermostat extra low on my interview day to test my fortitude...

It went from 50s to teens and snowing the day before my interview, and the day of was the first real day of snow in Iowa (or the midwest in general for that matter)! It was cold!

Ice cold? It was 65 today. People wore shorts.

They make decisions on everyone that interviewed on the same day at the same time. So no need to worry about not hearing back yet. It has no correlation to your acceptance or rejection status.

Good luck

Thanks, tomorrow will be 3 weeks, and I know in the fall people were hearing within 2 or even 1 week, so I'm just nervous!

I must've checked my email one hundred times today...nobody else was losing their marbles today? Ugh.

yes, yes I was also. don't worry.

Bummer. I was way hoping to see some good news today. Oh well. Hopefully tomorrow.

Hopefully today! Three weeks is here and I'm anxious!

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

Me too, on the anxious part FBP...oh please...please...in theory I try to live by my higher power's will...in reality, I am failing miserably at that! Maybe they're taking their time with us because they're trying to figure out how to divide all the scholarship money between both of us...

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

Maybe I'll be neighborly and send them an email that I don't feel right getting all of it, and they should give you a 1/4 of it. No, you don't need to thank me, I'm just that kind of guy.