KCOM Class of 2006

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If you're interested, there are currently two of this topic running in Pre-Osteopathic, although it will need to be relocated soon enough!
 
Thanks,
I'll just take my over-eager self right over to where I belong - the pre-osteopathic section.
🙄 Sorry to clutter your forum! DB
 
No big deal--I just wanted to help you find the p previous discussions! That will help you find your classmates and start getting to know them!
 
Hi all. Alot has been talked about on the KCOM 2006 thread. These include trivial, unimportant topics such as housing and financial aid, but nobody has posted the most important question that comes to my mind. WHO PLAYS GOLF!?
 
LOLOL

We both have clubs and bags....and we know that you are meant to hit that round thing with the long thing....but thats about it. 🙂

We have hit a couple buckets of balls and I play a mean game of mini-golf, but actual play where you hit the round thing and then chase it down? No. Not yet. LOL

Is there a place in K'ville to golf?

Wifty aka Rebecca
 
ral,

I am with Wifty in this one, although I have actually gone out and played before (don't own my own gear though). Anyway, if you wanna hit the courts and play some raquetball or basketball I am game there. Or we can get some soccer or football games going. I LOVE to play sports, just have never really had the desire to play golf, but I am open to new things.

Ben
 
There is a decent country club in town with minimal green fees. There is a driving range 7-8 miles south of town and there is another course in La Plata about 10 miles south. None are outstanding....but....it's Kirksville.
 
<img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

Bustinbooty,

Just had to say that I love your quote. 🙂 I love Scrubs...though I want them to get back to more med stuff.
Dr. Cox is the best!

Maybe we can set up our own driving range? Is there a place to play baseball/softball? Thats hubbies thing and he would love to have a group to hit balls with I am sure. 🙂

Wifty
 
there are some softball fields but no batting cages. (Which really stinks!)
 
Just bumping this up to remind people to share their thoughts.

How many people have found housing yet?

If anyone hears of a place that accepts cats, give me an email....I would hate to part with ours.

What are you all looking forward to doing in Kirksville or MO?
Hubby wants to go to some big bar-b-que fests and I want to go to the grape-squashing festival where you can hike your skirts up and squash grapes ala I Love Lucy! 🙂

You just can't get that kind of amusement here in WA!!! 🙂

Wifty
 
Hey all,
As of now I haven't found a place to live. Done a little web browsing and I figure more places will open up once May rolls around. I'm looking for a farily simple place..1-2 BD apartment or house. I'm from MO, so I'll be able to make a trip or 2 up to Kirksville to check out places. I don't know for sure, but my guess is that you (wifty and hubby) shouldn't have too much trouble finding a cat-friendly place, especially since your starting early.
As for what i plan on doing in Kirksville (when I have free time)...I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the outdoors, checking out Thousand Hills state park. I enjoy playing soccer, tennis, and softball. sorry, not big on golf. For you non-Missourians, this part of the country really is beautiful at certain times of the year (spring and fall). The summers can be a little less than desirable with the heat and humidity. although, Kirksville may not be quite as bad since it's further north and not right on the river. Oh, does anyone know if there's a bar in Kirksville that has steel tip dart boards? Beer and darts...great way to unwind. looking forward to getting to know my classmates (and families). sounds cheesy, but true.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by mmpp:
•Hey all,
I don't know for sure, but my guess is that you (wifty and hubby) shouldn't have too much trouble finding a cat-friendly place, especially since your starting early.
As for what i plan on doing in Kirksville (when I have free time)...I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the outdoors, checking out Thousand Hills state park. For you non-Missourians, this part of the country really is beautiful at certain times of the year (spring and fall). Oh, does anyone know if there's a bar in Kirksville that has steel tip dart boards? Beer and darts...great way to unwind. looking forward to getting to know my classmates (and families). sounds cheesy, but true.•••••Mmpp -

A little cheesy is ok actually and I know that both of us are really getting excited and wanting to put faces to names and get to know people. Hubby is having trouble finishing classes cuz he wants to get on to the next step. 🙂

I am looking forward to Thousand Hills too...we live by the water and being landlocked was a little daunting until I saw the park...beautiful!!

We are more of beer and pool type people for relaxation but we both see Kirksville as a time to try and to learn new things....even darts! LOL

I know this place has pool and might have darts.
<a href="http://www.woodennickelrestaurant.com/woodys.html" target="_blank">http://www.woodennickelrestaurant.com/woodys.html</a>

So, what is everyone doing about finding insurance?

With smiles and counting down,
Wifty aka Rebecca
 
Add another point for the Wooden Nickel... They have Guinness on tap.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by deebird:
•Add another point for the Wooden Nickel... They have Guinness on tap.•••••Oh my goodness!!!! Hubby is going to go nuts!! Being scottish, he is a whiskey appreciator and thinks no beer can top Guinness poured right.
Wait til I tell him!! LOL

See? Kirksville is awesome! :wink:

Rebecca
 
I was just wondering is this the official KCOM Class of 2006 thread! I am still new to this site.
This has to be the strongest class, or they couldn't have afforded to take me....Glad I'm here! I would love to hear from oldies like me ,36 and a pt/night student.Thanks... 😀
 
This thread is on life support! 🙄
 
Hey Patch...

You're right, thread is looking pretty sad... (How do you give CPR to your computer?) 🙂 Anyways, I'm sure that it will pick up as we get closer to August. Maybe we should start advertising this link on the Pre-Osteopathic thread.

Anyways, just thought that I would say "Hi!" to some future classmates. I have to get ready for class now.

Seeya!

Duncan
KCOM 2006
 
Hey, what's up! It's good to meet you... looking forward to meeting everyone in the fall! Anyone have big plans for the summer? I'm trying to decide if I want to go on a nice vacation or just bum around in Austin. And guess what, I pulled out my old anatomy book the other day, just to look at it for fun. How scary is that!! :wink: I am way too eager to get started. Talk to you guys later!
 
Congrats to all of you soon-to-be-fellow-KCOM'rs,

Your acceptance is to be applauded as is your committment. Yes this post is a little low and slow, however, many of your compatriots are posting in the pre-osteopathic site. If you all have any questions let me know and I'll try to answer them.

By the way, put away the anatomy book and have fun. You'll get more anatomy than you thought possible soon enough. 😛

Congratulations again,

Sweaty Paul :clap:
 
Ok, maybe I am just antsy to get started on the next phase of our lives, but I was wondering about a couple things.

First off, have any of you started to recieve info from KCOM yet? I was told that we would be getting more mail then we would know what to do with, and I haven't seen any yet.

Second, what is everyone doing for insurance/healthcare? I heard that the hospital has a clinic that will see med students for like $15, but will they also see spouses do you think?

Thirdly, is everyones excitement making it harder for them to concentrate on the here and now? Or is it just us? 🙂

If anyone has any spouses/significant others that they want to throw into the fray, point them in my direction: [email protected]

With many smiles,
Wifty
 
I haven't received much of anything from them either. I was under the assumption that we would be getting a lot of info from them as well. Maybe it is still too early?? As far as the insurance thing goes, I am pretty sure that my personal health insurance will be covered by the Navy because of my HPSP scholarship, but I guess I should find out for sure, huh?

I, too, can't wait to get started, but I just keep telling myself that August will be here soon enough and then I will be so busy that I will be wishing for things to slow down!!! As far as my excitement making it hard to concentrate on the here and now, I will tell you this, my motivation at work is definitely at an all time low!!!! Take care and I look forward to meeting you and your husband in August! :clap: :clap:

Josh
 
I was talking with Nicole in the admissions office last week and she said that this week we will be getting our first 'new acceptee' mailing. I guess this could be the opening of the flood gates??

Rebecca,

You and your hubby are not the only ones having difficulty concentrating. I wish I could speed time up, August is too far away.

Ben
 
😀
WhooHooo!!!

Thanks Ben!!! 🙂 I hope it does start a deluge of mail!! 🙂

Josh, you might might to check about healthcare for you thru the military scholarship. When we were looking into it, I seem to remember that there were some stipulations about when it really kicks in....though I can't remember what they were.

Anyways, I am really looking forward to meeting everyone and love that there is this forum to sort of get connected now. Everyone will seem less like strangers from the get-go and I think that will really help your class be stronger and do better.

Ok....got some mailbox watching to do. 🙂

Wifty
 
I can guarantee you all that you will be receiving a deluge of mail. At the very least, you will all get a huge packet of stuff. In this packet you will have information from all of the various clubs and organizations on campus. These won't be solicitations to join their clubs, just a little something to let you know what extra-curricular activities are available. This information is provided by the clubs and the admissions office (great people) organize it into a single large mailing and send it to you all. The financial aid stuff will start flowing soon and yes you will have lots of paper floating around only causing you more confusion.

My advice:

If the people who are doing old test-files send in a file request form you should fill it out and send it in so that your test files will be waiting for you when you arrive. Old tests can be a valuable tool in helping you to prepare for exams and to show you where to focus your energies when studying. They are seldom a source for repeat questions, however, they tend to illustrate important points that have been tested on in previous years.

Health insurance: SOMA (Student Osteopathic Medical Association)in which I am the National Liasion Officer for our chapter, has health insurance policies that are provided for our members. If you choose to join SOMA you will be eligible to become enrolled in the SOMA health insurance program. This program has (at least last year) 4 different types of policies with varying deductibles, max coverages etc. Many students use and like the coverage that they have and the amount of coverage that they recieve is quite good for the amount of money you pay. The reason for this is that all SOMA members at a national level are able to become enrolled members which helps to decrease costs. Anyway, in the info packet you will get you will find an app for the insurance as well as info about SOMA, and an information sheet on things to consider when purchasing health insurance.

There is also the resident's clinic where you spend $15.00/visit and get drugs, I think, at cost (don't quote me on this, I haven't been there yet...knock wood).

I guarantee you all that August will be here before you know it and then you'll wish it was July when you are going out of your mind the night before your first exam. You will all, I am sure, do well. In the meantime, have fun and enjoy your freedom.

If you all have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Sweaty Paul
MS-II
 
Thanks Sweaty Paul for all the info! Its nice to know what to expect and I have been concerned about the insurance stuff...but sounds like it will work out fine. 🙂

FYI: We got our first bit of info today in the mail!!! Whoohooo!!! One was about the student housing, which is really tempting but seems a bit small.

We also got the form for showing which immunizations have been taken. Duncan did go to the doctor to get the hep, a Td, and ppd....but they couldn't do any of them cuz of the shortages. So, we might take a look at the state clinic or something. Maybe now that he has a piece of paper that says it is the law that he has this before patient contact will help?

Any thoughts?

Wifty
 
One easy avenue to get your shots is the Adair County Health Dept in K'ville. They are cheap, accessible and accommodating to med student schedules.

As Paul so wisely recommended, as excited as you are about getting started, take the time to enjoy your freedom. Med school is a lot of fun, but it is also a tremendous amount of hard work. It is not the difficulty level of the material that will get you, it is the volume & pace -- an apt description: "It's like trying to sip water from an open fire hydrant".

No, neither of us are trying to scare or intimidate you, but we are trying to point out just how busy you, or your significant other, is going to be. You will have to learn to supplant quantity time with quality time.

For the first couple of quarters, EVERYONE feels like they are adrift, alone and just barely keeping their head above water. Every day, it gets better...there will be set backs, failed exams and all sorts of things to cope with. But, this will also be one of the most challenging & rewarding experiences in your life.

The key for any relationship to survive medical school is no different than the skill-set required to survive any other tribulations life throws at you. You must respect one another, trust one another & COMMUNICATE your fears, concerns and LOVE for one another.

One thing I strongly recommend for anyone who will bringing a spouse, family or significant other with them to medical school. Set aside one evening per week that, excepting exam weeks, belongs exclusively to your family, spouse or SO. It will ensure that you have the opportunity for quality time together and give the student some badly needed down time. My wife & I choose Friday nights as date night. Unless it was the fri preceding finals week, I stopped studying when Wendy got home -- and the rest of the evening belinged to us.

Another excellent reliever of stress and a valuable coping skill -- start working out on a regular schedule. This will be very hard to stick with in the early stages, esp until you get our wings. However, do so and you will reap the rewards. And, this also works for the family too!

So much for sage words from OMD!
 
First off, many thanks the the Great Wise Ones for the advice. Being a newby has its perils, and all help is appreciated!
Re: the KCOM housing question. As I'm entirely too obsessive-compulsive to wait until June to find housing, I went house hunting in K'ville this past week. KCOM has some listings which are not yet completed (but very helpful) and they will be sending mailings out early next month. Several landlords that I spoke to were already rented for next year (ack!) but others were still waiting to find out which of their tenants will be staying on. So, it's an odd time to search at the moment. The folks at the admissions office were wonderful, so if you have questions I'd start there! Good luck! DB
 
DB,
I am envious that you were able to go to K'ville and look for a place!! We are going to be doing the 'sight unseen' thing cuz can't there from WA to check it out.
So, I very politely (ok, I am begging) ask that if you go up or hear anything about a place that will let cats....that you let me know? Please? 🙂

This thread is still on life-support! LOL

So, any grand plans for the time before you start school? We are traveling down the CA coast (redwoods and all), then disneyland and some LA clubbing (for me at least), then over to Vegas, then up thru Yosemite for a few days. 🙂 It will be SOOO nice!!!

Rebecca
 
Thanks for all the Info., but no one has spoke of fishing! The only relaxing recreation for me!
March Madness is upon us, GO SOONERS!!!! Poor Kansas! and Mizzou a 12 seed, ouch! Let's enjoy our last easy mid-terms, have a great spring break!! :clap:
 
Rebecca/Wifty,
If you'd like to contact me off-list, I'd be happy to give you some names and numbers. Also, I posted on this topic recently on the KCOM 2006 thread in the pre-osteopathic section (just to avoid repeating myself). I'm glad to help in any way that I can. DB
 
Does any KCOM know the current status of the colleges instruction. I am refering directly to the issue that occured in 1999-2001? I refer you to:http://www.geocities.com/kcomwatch/kcom_in_crisis1.html
I am now thinking of eating the $1000 deposit for the 2006 class and going to AZCOM. Anyone have any other info on this?
 
Swaamedic,
I assure you, KCOM will deliver a top-notch education to you, as well to the other members of your class. KCOM, as does most institutions, has had it's share of problems. However, things were resolved. I love going to KCOM, and I see no remnants of whatever happened that year. To be quite honest, I don't know if anyone really knows for certain what exactly went on. There were about a million rumours....but KCOM still fills its classes with qualified students each year.

If this seriously concerns you, I would suggest contacting the school directly. It's hard to tell what you'll hear from a website!

However, from a current 1st year, my advice is to decide which school you'll attend based on what it can offer YOU...not what has happened in the past. Good luck. Feel free to email me privately if you have any other specific questions about KCOM.
 
I too would caution you when it comes to making a huge choice like that. I can tell you that I really don't know what happened last year. I tried to look into it when I was deciding on schools. I can tell you that I have seen no residual effects of whatever took place (if that makes any sense?).

Last year at this time I was faced with the same decision as you were, AZCOM or KCOM. I am now very satisfied with the choice I made (more happy then I was when I had to make the choice last year). There are numerous reasons why I chose this school over AZCOM. I had to sit down and do a pro/con for each school (no kidding). I suggest doing the same. If you still see this issue from the past as the deciding factor - then find out more about it.

Good luck, and let us know if there is something we can do to help you out with your decision.
 
Making a decision like choosing a medical school should not be taken lightly. Please consider the institutions you are looking at from all angles. Trusting one website can be dangerous, especially one that you have no idea who really wrote. If you hear something you don't like, contact the school directly... They are the best source of information concerning their current state.

Personally, I haven't seen anything that happened previously that has affected our class in any negative way.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by swaamedic:
•Does any KCOM know the current status of the colleges instruction. I am refering directly to the issue that occured in 1999-2001? I refer you to:http://www.geocities.com/kcomwatch/kcom_in_crisis1.html
I am now thinking of eating the $1000 deposit for the 2006 class and going to AZCOM. Anyone have any other info on this?•••••Ultimately, you have to go where you feel comfortable. I am assuming that that was originally KCOM otherwise you would be going to Azcom.
I read the link. My opinion? It would have more validity if the person who posted everything was not anonymous. If what is stated is the complete truth, then there is no threat of libel. If however the truth is embellished, then that would be reason to not stand behind your words.
However, I know that there is some truth to the words but what I see is that although there were some upsets with curriculum and the dean, those things were straightened out. They got a new dean and the current students seem to be happy with the curriculum.

Med school is a business run by people who ultimately want to do well as a business. This means that sometimes changes are tried in the hopes of making more money and still covering the requirements of those involved. Sometimes, this works to everyones advantage, sometimes not.
What I read indicates to me that that is what went on. Also, as in business (and church splits), not everyone gets to have all their needs met and often the person who is pouting because people didn't see how 'right' they were, use tactics to undermine the others involved.
That is also what I see in those articles.

Anyways, after looking at the University of WA (consistently one of the top schools in the country) and KCOM....hubby only wanted to apply and get into KCOM because of the strength of its curriculum and instructors. I used to work with the resident doctors of the University of WA (family practice residency program), and trust me, KCOM will graduate people that are at least as well prepared, if not better. However, no school thats been around over a hundred years (or business or church) is going to get by without the occasional hiccup. The fact that they take care of the hiccups is what counts...

Just my 2 cents plus tax. 🙂
Wifty
 
I totally concur with KCOM2005 and Asclepian. I spent many hours last spring trying to decide between KCOM and AZCOM. It's not an easy decision.

Yes, there have been changes between past and current curriculums, and the transition wasn't as smooth as it could have been. But transitions are rough at any instiution, not just KCOM.

Although it's tempting to get lost in the rumor mill, your focus in your decision process needs to be on you and your needs to best suceed.

Ask yourself if you felt like you fit better with one program over another. How do their academic and rotation programs differ? Does one have a stronger program in the field you would ultimately like to practice in? What about the students there? Or the community around the school? Is geography important to you?

These are the key things to consider, not an anonymous website, or the tired grumblings that we sometimes post here...
 
swaamedic,

DO NOT PANIC...KCOM is alive and well. Remember, don't believe everything you read.

As for the information posted on KCOM Watch, Wifty is right, it all seems a bit convenient to have it be anonymous doesn't it. There is more to the creation of that website and all the alleged problems that occured that than you can possibly imagine, and trying to simplify it to a SDN post would be impossible. I am currently a second year student and my class came to KCOM during the closure of the debate. I am here to say that the class of 2003, who were on site and in the middle of their first year when most of the change happened, did extraordinarily well on their boards. Their education in the classroom and the clinics hasn't suffered. Further, on a personal note, the class of 2004, though having a slightly higher than avg. attrition rate, has fared well (we have yet to meet the boards), however, none of my class feels as if we have suffered or that we have gaping holes in our academics. Instead, we think we are in class too much!! The majority of the clinical faculty who left returned, and, more important, KCOM has aquired a number of other clinicians to further augment our education.

Swaamedic, I actually envy you. You are going to be coming to KCOM at a time of truly dynamic change. We have a new Dean of Academics who is bringing with him a vision of the future for KCOM that will only improve the school and your educational experience. The Dean for years 1 and 2 and the Dean for years 3 and 4 are aggressive, pro-student, and share Dean Osborn's vision for KCOM. We are building a new Library, we have the only two NIH grants ever given to study the efficacy of Osteopathic Manipulation, an outstanding basic science faculty, great clinicians, our OPTIK sites continue to grow, and we have residents in virtually every area of medicine all over the country. KCOM is far from dying, instead we are in the midst of exciting change.

With all this good, however, you'll find problems once you get here, because no place is perfect. And when you do find a problem; I challenge to try to change it for the better with professionalism, courtesy, and help from your new colleagues.

Swaamedic, I have no regrets in my decision to attend KCOM and I can hope that you too have no regrets. If you have any questions please feel free to let me know either here on this post or send me another post privately.

Sincerely,

Sweaty Paul
MS-II KCOM
 
Hello KCOMers! I interviewed there a week ago and really enjoyed my time! I was very, very impressed with everything. I haven't heard back yet, but I'm really struggling to decide where to go to school (I've been accepted also to PCOM). Can someone doing their rotations in AZ or CO give some info. on what it's like moving away after two years to start somewhere else? How are the rotations? Any info. would be helpful. Someone also mentioned on this site that there is a new library being built. Is this true? Where will it be built and when will it be completed? Just curious...Thanks
 
mbb,

Indeed they are getting ready to build a new library. The good news is that it will be ready to for use about the time you will be leaving for your clinical rotations, so the classes behind you will have wonderful study spaces. Seriously, I know it kind of sucks that you will miss the library, however, it will only add to your education later as KCOM remains strong and with it your reputation as a graduate of the institution. Remember, we still have a library, it is incredibly functional, all the info (journals and books) and computers you could ever need, however, it's a bit small.

As for rotations. I am the Co-chair of the KCOM rotations committee and indeed can answer some of your questions concerning AZ and CO rotations.

Those two states, plus our rotations in Utah are preceptor-based programs. AZ is a bit modified as you are assigned to a base hospital, but, the bulk of your rotations are following individual preceptors. What this means is you go where your preceptor goes. If he/she are in the hospital so are you, clinic you are in the clinic, O.R. you get the point. Those who are at those sites really seem to love them. Course we have rotations in Ohio, Mich., New Jersey, Fla., and of Course Missouri. If you have any questions that you would like answered specifically let me know.

Sweaty Paul
KCOM MS-II
 
Wiffy,
DO NOT RENT A PLACE SIGN-UNSEEN!!!!. It is a dangerous thing to do in Kirksville. I know coming out here is expensive if not impossible. If you can't get out here find someone who can see the places for you or take pictures or something.
just my 2 cents.
 
I am mildly surprised to not see others posting here about our first of eight mailings. I am looking forward even more to the beginning of orientation, especially now that I can put an exact date on it. Of course, it was not as though I needed more excuses to not concentrate on work and dream about K'ville in the fall.

Well, I just thought that I would add yet another expression of my enthusiasm for KCOM. In fact, I was chatting with my uncle (who is a grad of DMU) and he mentioned that KCOM is accredited to give both the Osteopathic and Allopathic degrees. If any current students can confirm this, I would appreciate it because that would certainly be a resounding argument to cease the debate amongst us Pre-meds about which is superior (allo or osteo).

Anyway, I hope that all is going well for you out there and that you are also welcoming the warming weather that brings spring, summer and Orientation :clap: :clap: :clap:

I wish you all a great day and look forward to frying my brain with you this fall.

Ben
 
That is, indeed, true that KCOM's original charter was to grant the MD degree, since no other state-approved physician-level degree existed at the time of the school's founding; however, Still declined the charter and founded the Diplomate of Osteopathy degree, which evolved into today's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Since the original charter was never revoked, KCOM still retains that status granted by the State of Missouri, but the Board of Trustees has said they will never grant an MD degree, regardless. This school was founded as an Osteopathic institution, and, as Dr. Still requested, they intend to keep it pure.
 
John,

Thanks for the history review. I am glad that they are only giving the DO, that is what I want. That is the type of education that I personally feel will help ME to be the best physician I can be. Thank you again.

Ben
 
What about financing, NHSC or IHS? If I borrow for everything,its 200K easy! This is a difficult decision and I wonder what advise my fellow KCOMers have. Now tuition is 26,450! Whats a Family Practitioner to do! 🙄 Oh well, glad to be here! <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" /> GOOOOO SOOOOOOOONERS!!!!
 
Patch,

Here is what I am doing. I am applying for the NHSC and committing to the ARNG. The way I figure it, I should be covered even though the ARNG does not pay in advance for med school. Being a FP, which is one of their critical need specialties, you will get something like an extra $1000 to $1500 a month while in residency. Plus the $30,000 sign on bonus and $50,000 loan payoff. Additionally, the extra $1000 to $1500 per month continues during the length of your time in service.

I don't know if you have had your fill with the military, but it is a way. Also, the NHSC makes provisions for part-timers. You MAY need to extend beyond the initial four years and cannot work as the sole PC provider in case of deployment. As you know, you are free to change states when you want, just need to drop some paperwork. Oh, you may need to talk with your commander and get a memo stating that you will fill your NHSC commitment first (i.e. wont go on any extended deployments in first four years.)

I also heard a rumor that they were gonna start giving the ARNG med students a stipend in addition to all the other benefits. That is from a recruiter, so take it for what it is worth.

Anyway, good luck figuring it all out. Take care, I look forward to seeing you in the fall.

Ben
 
FYI - if you are interested in the NHSC scholarship, keep in mind that the deadline to apply is March 29th!
 
Thanks for the info., I am appling to both and looking at the Guard for a loan repayment after internship. I wonder if most students just get loans rather than scholarship, in general I mean. I have an MD family Pracice friend, 😛 out only 3 years, making 300K, says I shouldn't worry so much! But I do! See Ya!
 
Patch-

Some things to consider...

1) NHSC will cover tuition, equipment expenses and a living stipend. However with taxes taken out the living stipend may not be enough for you to survive on. Some people wind up taking out small loans to cover the difference.

2) If you are going for NHSC funding make sure primary care is absolutely for you. Should you change your mind the pay back rate is nasty! Sooo, some people prefer to go the loan repayment route instead of scholarship. It gives you more time to be absolutely certain this is what you want to do. And by all means make sure you're going into this because you want to work in underserved communities and not because you wanting funding for school.

3) If you don't get an interview or the scholarship this year, keep applying. They actually favor 2nd, 3rd and 4th years applying for the scholarhsips.

4) There are other ways to fund your education. If you're committed to family practice in a particular community you can always approach the community and promise so many years of service in return for putting you through school (that's actually how NHSC evolved and some communities still do it). And there a numerous small grants and scholarships out there.

Although the tuition for your friend was probably somewhat less that what we face now, they're right. In the end it will all work out.

There are a great number of people at KCOM with some sort of outside funding/scholarship, but there are also a great many who just took straight financial aid. My advice is to take the financial aid, if you wind up with a scholarship it's easy to cancel your loans (not so easy to go the other way).

Good luck!
 
Great advice, I do want to serve under priv. and practice Family Medicine. I think I will reapply next year if not accepted this year. Thanks! Can anyone stop those Sooners! Final Four!!!!Women and Men BBall!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:
 
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