Kansas City University (KCU-COM) Discussion Thread 2015 - 2016

[Doctoblast]

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Within 3 weeks of being complete? Like interview/ reject/ not sure if there's a third option?

This is what's in the email:

"Your application to KCU-COM is now complete and is in the review stage. Please give our office up to 3 weeks to review your application, although every effort is made to review as quickly as possible."


I interpreted it as interview, reject, or maybe even hold for future review. Although, I'm not sure if KCU does holds or not.

 

[Jobikenobi]

Hey all! So this is my first time applying to a DO school (applied to an MD program last year and didn't get in because my MCAT was too low).

Anyways, since I am new to this process, I am just wondering if the selection process is similar to rolling admission for MD programs. I am retaking the MCAT Sept. 3rd, and since that was my main application flaw (as told when going over my application with the dean of admissions for KU med), that is my primary focus right now.

If I were to send my transcripts and letters of recommendation in sometime this week and finish the rest of the application after I take the MCAT, would having everything in mid/end of September be considered late?

The admissions process is rolling and very similar to what you have dealt with for allopathic schools. Your MCAT scores will not be released until the beginning of October, and you could still get accepted when applying that late, but it is less than ideal. At this point what choice do you have anyway? Do as well as you can on that MCAT, and try not to worry. There is always next year. Best of luck!

 

[AlteredScale]

Hey all! So this is my first time applying to a DO school (applied to an MD program last year and didn't get in because my MCAT was too low).

Anyways, since I am new to this process, I am just wondering if the selection process is similar to rolling admission for MD programs. I am retaking the MCAT Sept. 3rd, and since that was my main application flaw (as told when going over my application with the dean of admissions for KU med), that is my primary focus right now.

If I were to send my transcripts and letters of recommendation in sometime this week and finish the rest of the application after I take the MCAT, would having everything in mid/end of September be considered late?

Last cycle the COM class was filled by December which was quite shocking to all of us. the admissions dean did tell us that their goal was to fill the class as fast as possible so I guess they stuck to it. If you don't get your app complete by Sep then you're probably looking at the back end of interviews, which so as long as it s before December, you should be fine.

KCU seems to be one of those schools that are competitive on their own based on location, training, and pretty solid clinical rotation sites. Also the school is expanding a TON with a new surgical sim center that both KU med and UMKC will utilize. I believe they are also looking to become an even more research intensive school with the possibility of expansion (new biomedical research buildings) on the horizon,

Good luck!

 

[j306c954]

Last cycle the COM class was filled by December which was quite shocking to all of us. the admissions dean did tell us that their goal was to fill the class as fast as possible so I guess they stuck to it. If you don't get your app complete by Sep then you're probably looking at the back end of interviews, which so as long as it s before December, you should be fine.

KCU seems to be one of those schools that are competitive on their own based on location, training, and pretty solid clinical rotation sites. Also the school is expanding a TON with a new surgical sim center that both KU med and UMKC will utilize. I believe they are also looking to become an even more research intensive school with the possibility of expansion (new biomedical research buildings) on the horizon,

Good luck!

The research thing is good to know, as that is a strong point in my application 🙂 And I will of course look into this later, but do you by chance know how similar the primary app for DO is to the primary app for MD? Because my primary app for MD is pretty much done.

 

[Doctoblast]

Just got a secondary last friday ... Is it worth submitting it or is it too late now? Read above that the class was filled by December :S

I think you still have time at this stage. Just get it in asap!

 

[NovMSScr]

How long did it take for you guys to receive a complete email? I submit my secondary on 8/4 and didn't even get the email saying they got it until the 12th

 

[Higherprimate]

Plenty early for secondary. Now if you are submitting in October you might be a bit late even then you still have a Shot.

 

[ItsAllMe]

Can anyone shed the light on how important having a DO letter? I have an MD letter sent with my school HPAC letter. Also how strict is the ad com regarding the letters being written within the last 2 years?

Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone!

 

[Jobikenobi]

How long did it take for you guys to receive a complete email? I submit my secondary on 8/4 and didn't even get the email saying they got it until the 12th

I'm wondering how long it will take for complete. Same dates as you.

 

[Michander125]

Can anyone shed the light on how important having a DO letter? I have an MD letter sent with my school HPAC letter. Also how strict is the ad com regarding the letters being written within the last 2 years?

Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone!

I cant shed much light but I can tell you I sent a DO letter who is an alumnus of KCU and havent heard back. Have had a couple IIs from other schools too so I'm hoping they just havent gotten to me yet. Maybe thats just hopeful thinking on my part though haha

 

[Brownman55]

I cant shed much light but I can tell you I sent a DO letter who is an alumnus of KCU and havent heard back. Have had a couple IIs from other schools too so I'm hoping they just havent gotten to me yet. Maybe thats just hopeful thinking on my part though haha

Unless it's been more than three weeks I wouldn't worry about it. If it has send an e-mail or call admissions.

 

[doobledoo]

MS1 here, I just wanted to say to some of you who are worried about timing of secondaries etc. Yes they filled the class early, but it was definitely not filled by December. There are plenty of MS1 students this year who only interviewed in January/February and there is someone in our class who literally got accepted the Friday before we started orientation, which was in mid July.

 

[AlteredScale]

MS1 here, I just wanted to say to some of you who are worried about timing of secondaries etc. Yes they filled the class early, but it was definitely not filled by December. There are plenty of MS1 students this year who only interviewed in January/February and there is someone in our class who literally got accepted the Friday before we started orientation, which was in mid July.

There was an email received by many applicants directly from KCU admissions last year around Jan/Feb that stated the class was essentially filled and that they would not be looking at applications again until the end of the cycle. Hence why there were a few new students who trickled in right before we started orientation.

Again this is not to increase the neuroticism of the applicants this year (idk if I actually could since neuroticism seems to max out every year) but to inform them that taking their time to apply to KCU (such as submitting your secondary in January) will more than likely not yield an interview (until July of course).

 

[Snoozer33]

There was an email received by many applicants directly from KCU admissions last year around Jan/Feb that stated the class was essentially filled and that they would not be looking at applications again until the end of the cycle. Hence why there were a few new students who trickled in right before we started orientation.

Again this is not to increase the neuroticism of the applicants this year (idk if I actually could since neuroticism seems to max out every year) but to inform them that taking their time to apply to KCU (such as submitting your secondary in January) will more than likely not yield an interview (until July of course).

The email came out on December 18. Trust me on this one.

 

[AlteredScale]

The email came out on December 18. Trust me on this one.

Gah sorry to hear 🙁 are you reapplying or in a MS program? Good luck this cycle though either way!

 

[Snoozer33]

.

 

[Snoozer33]

Gah sorry to hear 🙁 are you reapplying or in a MS program? Good luck this cycle though either way!

Reapplying. I have been complete here for about 2 weeks.

 

[dannybht]

II received Friday 08/14/15! Complete August 08/04. I didn't find about my II until 3 days later haha... People who have gmail make sure you look at your "promotions" section of you email. I found mine there lol.

 

[JAYPizzle]

Anyone know roughly how many interviews kcu gives vrs how many acceptances they offer?

 

[AlteredScale]

Anyone know roughly how many interviews kcu gives vrs how many acceptances they offer?

They will interview usually around twice as many spots available. So I would guess the offer interviews to around 550 to 600 applicants post-secondary.

 

[Michander125]

II this am

 

[VegasPreMed]

II just now!

 

[Doctoblast]

II!

 

[hopefulERdoc251]

when were you peeps complete!

 

[VegasPreMed]

Submitted 8/5. Complete 8/13. II 8/18.

 

[NovMSScr]

Getting frustrated... Submit 8/4, received a reminder to complete secondary on 8/10, received an email saying they have received my secondary on 8/12, still no complete email :/

 

[NovMSScr]

II! So excited to see the hype about this school.

congrats!

 

[Doctoblast]

congrats!

Thanks! I hope you get your complete email soon. It took mine a week to get marked as complete so maybe they are a little more swamped right now since it is a little later in the cycle. Good luck!

 

[NovMSScr]

Thanks! I hope you get your complete email soon. It took mine a week to get marked as complete so maybe they are a little more swamped right now since it is a little later in the cycle. Good luck!

Thanks, did you get the complete email a week after the "secondary received" email? or one week after submission?

 

[andyrayy]

Getting frustrated... Submit 8/4, received a reminder to complete secondary on 8/10, received an email saying they have received my secondary on 8/12, still no complete email :/

I also got the secondary received email on 8/12 and have not yet received the application complete email.

 

[Doctoblast]

Thanks, did you get the complete email a week after the "secondary received" email? or one week after submission?

I got the secondary received email the same day as I submitted and then the complete email came a week later.

 

[NovMSScr]

I got the secondary received email the same day as I submitted and then the complete email came a week later.

gotcha, I'm sure you're probably right about them having to handle more applications, it's just frustrating to see those who submit after you get a II when you're not even complete ha

 

[Sai111394]

Should I bother applying here if I ultimately want to do residency/practice in CA?? I did apply to western comp but I didn't get the greatest feel from it to be honest, so I'm kinda worried

 

[cjfarrell21]

Just got an II! Super stoked as this is one of my top choices 🙂
Anyone going 9/15?

 

[Eggertdj22]

Just got my interview set up for 9/10!!! This is my top school choice!

 

[bshap000]

Post secondary rejection 🙁
OOS(NY) 3.36/3.21, 33(9,10,14) good ECs, research, LORs, etc
First real movement from any school, this really shot what little confidence I had

 

[imagine1392]

That's really surprising with your mcat, I'm sorry 🙁

 

[bshap000]

That's really surprising with your mcat, I'm sorry 🙁

Thanks, yeah it kinda threw me, but I get the impression that KCUMB is not forgiving when it comes to GPA 🙁
I don't think there's anything lethal in my app though since I made it through VCU's heavy holistic screen (only <30% get secondaries there). But who knows.

 

[AlteredScale]

Should I bother applying here if I ultimately want to do residency/practice in CA?? I did apply to western comp but I didn't get the greatest feel from it to be honest, so I'm kinda worried

You'll be able to practice in CA. Doing residency isn't as certain though I've seen a few land residency at Kaiser-LA and UCLA (harbor not ronald reagan).

If staying in CA trumps everything, go to western-COMP.

 

[Stagg737]

I see there's quite a few M1s on here answering questions, but if anyone has questions about the curriculum or specifics about the school I'm an M2 here, so feel free to ask or PM me.

 

[Sai111394]

You'll be able to practice in CA. Doing residency isn't as certain though I've seen a few land residency at Kaiser-LA and UCLA (harbor not ronald reagan).

If staying in CA trumps everything, go to western-COMP.

Do you think it was because (along with good scores and letters) they did rotations there during fourth year? I know western would be a good decision but i didn't get a great vibe and idk if I would be happy there.

 

[AlteredScale]

Do you think it was because (along with good scores and letters) they did rotations there during fourth year? I know western would be a good decision but i didn't get a great vibe and idk if I would be happy there.

Probably. Staggs737 might have more info on that so I'd PM him for further discussion on this, but I'd assume doing electives or audition rotations in CA helps.

 

[JAYPizzle]

Interview invite today!

 

[YCSD]

Will KCU go through your AACOMAS application and pull the required DO and faculty letters of rec automatically? Just got the secondary received email today and I was wondering if I needed to email them stating which letters to pull from AACOMAS. Thanks!

 

[scm70]

Will KCU go through your AACOMAS application and pull the required DO and faculty letters of rec automatically? Just got the secondary received email today and I was wondering if I needed to email them stating which letters to pull from AACOMAS. Thanks!

I'm in the same boat. I got a secondary received emailed 8/12 and I'm still not complete even though I sent my letters through AACOMAS. I emailed admissions yesterday and still haven't heard anything back.

 

[scm70]

Will KCU go through your AACOMAS application and pull the required DO and faculty letters of rec automatically? Just got the secondary received email today and I was wondering if I needed to email them stating which letters to pull from AACOMAS. Thanks!

I just called admissions because I was getting impatient and they will pull your letters from AACOMAS. The person that does that sort of processing just got back from a few days of leave so they may be slightly behind.

 

[golfman7]

Interview invite as well! Glad I checked my spam folder.

 

[I-said-doctor]

Post secondary rejection 🙁
OOS(NY) 3.36/3.21, 33(9,10,14) good ECs, research, LORs, etc
First real movement from any school, this really shot what little confidence I had

If you are really interested in going here, I would suggest to call and discuss your app (and rejection) to see if they'll give you a second look. I think the GPA cut-off is 3.25 (correct me if I am wrong!) and you are very close to it so who knows... worth a try anyway! Best of luck 🙂

 

[Doctoblast]

Just got an II! Super stoked as this is one of my top choices 🙂
Anyone going 9/15?

I am!

 

[bshap000]

If you are really interested in going here, I would suggest to call and discuss your app (and rejection) to see if they'll give you a second look. I think the GPA cut-off is 3.25 (correct me if I am wrong!) and you are very close to it so who knows... worth a try anyway! Best of luck 🙂

I did call, but they weren't exactly interested in giving me a second look, especially cause they don't count my clinical research as being medical experience for some reason. Anyway, hopefully I'll have better luck elsewhere!