mmpp, you wrote the following questions for us KCOM students to answer.
"1. I'm sure it varies, but what is the typical amount of time spent in class each day? How many hours do you think the average KCOM student spends studying? How do you feel about AFFOM?
2. About how many tests/quizes are there per week?
3. Which classes do you think students favor most? Which classes do you think students dislike most?
4. From what I've read and seen, it seems like the KCOM student body is pretty diverse (where they're from, age, ethnicity, experiences and such). Do you agree that most students are diverse in what they like to do during their free time in Kirksville? Do you think most students are able to maintain a balance between work and play?
5. How do you feel about AFFOM?
6. Is it is necessary or beneficial to have a laptop?"
Answers:
1. Each student has their own kind and pattern of studying. I probably spent more time studying first year than BustinBooty, however, I learn best by going over material several times rapidly. I also like to read something and let it "settle." I probably average 4 hrs/night. That also includes studying time on Saturdays and Sundays. At KCOM your first year you have quite a lot of lab hours in addition to your lecture hours, however, there is to be a 10% decrease in the number of lecture hours, so you will be in class/lab 25 hrs. a week. This doesn't mean that the content for which you are responsible will be less, only that you won't have it all presented to you in a lecture form. AAFOM for our class was significantly different from what 2005 has. However, AAFOM, like any curricular piece, is always under scrutiny for improvement. It changed for our class from the class ahead of us, just as it changed for 2005. AAFOM, isn't really a reason to worry about attending this school, it is only one part of a lot of curriculum. Ultimately, the question you need to ask is "how well prepared for the boards will I be at the end of my second year?" The answer is very well and you can find that out by getting the board pass rates and how, as a school, we fared in the various disciplines that were tested.
2. Like BustinBooty said, we are heavy and light. Some weeks nothing, others lots. This is one of the problems, and the faculty and medical education are aware. Subsequently, they are trying to find ways to decrease some of the high test weeks. Currently, there are to be no more than 3 exams/week unless it is finals. That said, last quarter, the last 3 weeks for the class of 2004, were very long, having 9 exams and 5 quizzes in 15 days. This isn't the rule, however, it sometimes happens, but no matter how much you don't think you'll make it you do.
3. Students always favor the easy classes. Just kidding. I think students prefer those courses that are well thought and taught. That said in your first year, though you will complain, anatomy is good (very hard), biochem (very hard), physiology. Second year so far Principles of Medicine has been phenomenal, Surgery is great, and even pathology has been good. That said, it ain't all roses. Histology in the first year isn't great, though, it is getting somewhat better. Second year you will neuroscience, a new course that started with our class combining Neuro-anatomy, physiology, and neurology. It was hard, though it had some bumps lots was learned. I, however, am of the opinion that you should hear about what to expect more than what you will like or dislike, that way you don't go into something biased.
4. One of the great things about KCOM is the fact that the classes are so diverse. I don't think we get to play enough, however, that is likely because I really do like my class and the people in it. You will learn to relax and play when you can, sometimes it is on a Tues or Wed. rather than the more traditional Thurs, Fri, Sat. Yes, K'ville is small, however, Thousand Hills lake isn't far, Columbia is only an hour and a half away, and KC and STL only 3 hrs. More important, the students like one another and tend to socialize, and party together. Atlas has a huge Halloween party, there are Formals, chili cookoffs, skit night, trips to conventions for different campus organizations, Theta Psi parties, club parties, etc. There is also a lot of studying, which makes K'ville nice and not too tempting.
5. Laptops aren't necessary, although I am using mine now to scribe this missive. They are handy and fun but definitely not required. If you have a computer at home, or are content to use the libraries' computers you will be fine.
I hope that this answers some of your questions. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Sweaty
