Does WICHE really help??

[Virgie]

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I'm planning on applying to DO schools including AZCOM here in Phoenix. Since AZ doesn't have a public DO school does WICHE really help? Or does it hurt? Has anyone had experience with WICHE?

 

[San_Juan_Sun]

WICHE sure will help me pay the bills. I doubt it had anything to do with my acceptance at AZCOM, as AZCOM has yet to receive the certified list of WICHE students (coming from my state at leats).

 

[Azmedstudent]

Wiche is wonderful if you actually get the funding. I signed up for it plenty in advance but because our stupid state budget is so messed up they dont have tons of money for these kinds of programs so I didnt get funding. The other thing is that they have no way of telling you if you have a good chance of getting it until they actually tell you yes or no. I am from arizona, it may be different in NM where San Juan Sun is from, they probably have a better govenor.

 

[jhug]

utah does not recognize DO schools as wiche approved (whatever that means). In short, they will not help pay for a DO program even though there is no DO school in the state (but there is an allopathic).

 

[AZDOC]

I am a fourth year at AZCOM and have happily received funds from WICHE all four years of school. I was the first class that was cleared to receive WICHE funds at AZCOM. This year WICHE pays about $15,600.00. The amount has increased about $600.00 every year and will continue to increase. Our tuition this year is around $32,000.00, so you do the math. The only deal is that I have to practice medicine in Arizona for 4 years in repayment of the WICHE. But, I can go into any field that I please. Additionally, if I decide to take a job in another state I only have to pay half of the WICHE funds back. WICHE is really a great option. However, being accepted to WICHE doesn't mean you will get into an osteopathic school. I applied really early, but had to wait until the State passed the budget. Every year it takes awhile for the State to pass the budget, but WICHE is approved and the amount of funds is increased. I hope this helps.

 

[Virgie]

It seems like a great program, I haven't met many people who have utilized WICHE. I'm planning to practice in AZ (South Phoenix) when I'm done anyway but I like the fact that you don't have to limit yourself to a certain profession. I have Questions for you ok?
Question 1:
Do you guys feel that being a WICHE applicant helped to get you accepted?

Question 2:
Although you get WICHE funding, are you still able to get loans for tuition, living expenses etc? Is WICHE like a scholarship?

Thanks!

 

[San_Juan_Sun]

Originally posted by Virgie
Question 1: Do you guys feel that being a WICHE applicant helped to get you accepted?

No. The school won't even know who is a WICHE recipient until a few weeks before school starts.

[/B][/QUOTE] Question 2: Although you get WICHE funding, are you still able to get loans for tuition, living expenses etc? Is WICHE like a scholarship? [/B][/QUOTE]

Absolutely. In my case, they'll simply deduct the amount awarded by WICHE ($15,700 this year) from the amount I'll receive from my Stafford loans. There are no limitations on those loans (which will be the bulk of what you borrow for the next 4 years) in regards to WICHE.

If you're going to practice in Arizona anyways, WICHE is a great deal, basically a subsidy to ensure more doctors in Arizona. In that sense, WICHE is a subsidy similar to in-state tuition at your state MD school.

 

[jhug]

so, in the case of arizona, for example....do you have to be a resident of arizona to qualify? When i talked to the utah rep, she didn't give me the time of day.
If i become a resident of az after this year, would i have a shot at wiche from the az side o the border?

 

[kumar28]

could someone please explain what wiche is and how you go about applying for it? Excuse me for my ignorance but I am canadian.

Thanks

 

[jpwa1988]

Here's a link to the WICHE website:

WICHE Website

 

[star22]

What is involved in becoming a certified WICHE resident? I saw that we have to email the certifying officier, is there anything else?