KCOM: the good, the bad, the ugly

[OMS1KCOM]

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Hello all! This is my first post under a new username. I deeply fear the backlash of the administration that holds my future in their hands.

I'm a first year at ATSU-KCOM. Some of you are probably looking at going to school here. If you are there are some things you should be aware of (good and bad). After nearly 2 quarters here is a summary of my experiences. I hope some other first years and second years will chime in.

The good:
You get a fantastic OTM education here (I guess this is only good if you like OTM). They hit you hard and expect a lot.

The anatomy department is superb and offers a wide range of instructors with different ways of teaching. Anytime I was having trouble with a topic I could find a professor who could show it to me in a different way. You also become very competent with an ultrasound machine. While shadowing in the ED over break I was able to outpace all of the residents. This truly puts you ahead and helps you learn the anatomy if you let it.

Most of my classmates are great people. Very few gunners and nearly all would bend over backwards to share notes and sit down and help you out. This is the way it should be. It's the students that make this school great.

The Bad
No exam reviews!!!!
I cannot emphasize what a big deal this is. We do not get to see what we get wrong on exams. This also means there is zero accountability for the professors writing good questions. They took these away from us in the middle of the quarter with no recourse and little explanation.

There isn't much correlation between classes (right now). I'm dissecting the face and studying pulmonary physiology. How does that make sense?

The UGLY:
The lack of respect from the administration and many professors is astounding. When they switched to electronic based testing and suddenly took away our exam reviews (HALF WAY THROUGH THE QUARTER) there was zero communication. Since then both the first and second years have been told that they have no say in the matter- often in condescending lectures. Despite the incredible efforts by our student government there is zero accountability to be had by the people who make the decisions that intimately affect your career.

The long and short of it: no matter what school you plan to attend looker deeper than the campus tour given by student ambassadors. Talk to the students who get As, Bs, and Cs. Talk to the students who love it at that school and those who hate it. Ask what's on the horizon. My friend's little brother asked if he should apply here. I told him no. That should tell you something.

 

[MedPR]

Hello all! This is my first post under a new username. I deeply fear the backlash of the administration that holds my future in their hands.

I'm a first year at ATSU-KCOM. Some of you are probably looking at going to school here. If you are there are some things you should be aware of (good and bad). After nearly 2 quarters here is a summary of my experiences. I hope some other first years and second years will chime in.

The good:
You get a fantastic OTM education here (I guess this is only good if you like OTM). They hit you hard and expect a lot.

The anatomy department is superb and offers a wide range of instructors with different ways of teaching. Anytime I was having trouble with a topic I could find a professor who could show it to me in a different way. You also become very competent with an ultrasound machine. While shadowing in the ED over break I was able to outpace all of the residents. This truly puts you ahead and helps you learn the anatomy if you let it.

Most of my classmates are great people. Very few gunners and nearly all would bend over backwards to share notes and sit down and help you out. This is the way it should be. It's the students that make this school great.

The Bad
No exam reviews!!!!
I cannot emphasize what a big deal this is. We do not get to see what we get wrong on exams. This also means there is zero accountability for the professors writing good questions. They took these away from us in the middle of the quarter with no recourse and little explanation.

There isn't much correlation between classes (right now). I'm dissecting the face and studying pulmonary physiology. How does that make sense?

The UGLY:
The lack of respect from the administration and many professors is astounding. When they switched to electronic based testing and suddenly took away our exam reviews (HALF WAY THROUGH THE QUARTER) there was zero communication. Since then both the first and second years have been told that they have no say in the matter- often in condescending lectures. Despite the incredible efforts by our student government there is zero accountability to be had by the people who make the decisions that intimately affect your career.

The long and short of it: no matter what school you plan to attend looker deeper than the campus tour given by student ambassadors. Talk to the students who get As, Bs, and Cs. Talk to the students who love it at that school and those who hate it. Ask what's on the horizon. My friend's little brother asked if he should apply here. I told him no. That should tell you something.

So don't go to KCOM because you don't get to see your preclinical tests. Wouldreadagain/10

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[abolt18]

I'll be attending here and I don't really feel deterred by this post in any way. While there, I stayed with friends for 5 days and met/spoke to over 20 other students (first, second, third, and fourth years) and all of them had nothing but good things to say about the school. Several noted that switching to electronic testing was annoying but nothing they couldn't handle. I'm definitely sorry you feel so "disrepsected" by the administration and I hope it improves for you.

When they say over and over that students have no say in the matter, I'd just like to ask if the student government has tried to organize the students to change the policy of not reviewing your test. If all of the students spoke out against it and petitioned and fought to have it changed, I can't imagine it NOT being changed. Student government is nothing without the students backing them in full force.

In reality, I often don't care much to see what I got wrong on a test but I do see your concern. Best of luck. Perhaps YOU can rally the forces to help change it if it's such a large problem to you. (as in, if others won't make it change, you do all YOU can to get it changed.)

 

[FrkyBgStok]

i love these posts. and by love i mean hate.

 

[MedPR]

I'll be attending here and I don't really feel deterred by this post in any way. While there, I stayed with friends for 5 days and met/spoke to over 20 other students (first, second, third, and fourth years) and all of them had nothing but good things to say about the school. Several noted that switching to electronic testing was annoying but nothing they couldn't handle. I'm definitely sorry you feel so "disrepsected" by the administration and I hope it improves for you.

When they say over and over that students have no say in the matter, I'd just like to ask if the student government has tried to organize the students to change the policy of not reviewing your test. If all of the students spoke out against it and petitioned and fought to have it changed, I can't imagine it NOT being changed. Student government is nothing without the students backing them in full force.

In reality, I often don't care much to see what I got wrong on a test but I do see your concern. Best of luck. Perhaps YOU can rally the forces to help change it if it's such a large problem to you. (as in, if others won't make it change, you do all YOU can to get it changed.)

Not being able to review what you got wrong makes all the great things about KCOM moot. You've made a bad house to go there.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[abolt18]

Not being able to review what you got wrong makes all the great things about KCOM moot. You've made a bad house to go there.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

Right? I love when people complain about a policy/situation but don't do anything about it themselves. Love it 😡👎

 

[OMS1KCOM]

Right? I love when people complain about a policy/situation but don't do anything about it themselves. Love it 😡👎

Our students and student government have been very proactive about facing this policy change and more. This has included attempts at public discussions as well as individual meetings with administration members. Their unwillingness to listen to the concerns of many students as well as the general tone of disrespect is what made many of us unhappy.

I'm glad you made an informed decision about where you'll attend school. I hope it works out for you!

P.s. don't forget your camo hat, pretty much mandatory here in k-vegas

 

[user3]

i love these posts. and by love i mean hate.

First it was LECOM, then it was Western, now KCOM. wonder what school will be smeared next...

 

[coolingglasses]

Not too shabby, imo.

 

[OMS1KCOM]

I apologize if my post came off as a smear. It's always easier to write about complaints than compliments! There are a lot of things I like about KCOM. Sadly, those are being overshadowed right now.

I almost titled this thread "things I wish I'd asked about before med school"

No school is perfect 😉

 

[CO2018]

I think a lot of your are missing the point of what the OP is trying to say- let me give you a little more insight. The student government has worked insanely hard to reverse this decision- they have the full backing of the student body- we have been dealing with this issue for many months now and have exhausted the proper protocol. We used to have test reviews, just like every other school. The decision to stop having test reviews was made without asking the student body, and for reasons we do not understand and the school will not explain.

@ Abolt18 "If all of the students spoke out against it and petitioned and fought to have it changed, I can't imagine it NOT being changed. Student government is nothing without the students backing them in full force." THIS is why we are upset- we HAVE spoken out- as a group, and today the Dean addressed us and basically said " the decision has been made for reasons we wont explain to you, we wont show you the supporting evidence and theories of which we speak, but we have been educating for longer than you and so we know best, we don't want to hear any more about it." This is where the OP feels disrespected- we are paying big bucks to attend, and our voices are not being heard. We were treated as if we are misbehaving children instead of adults who just want to see the evidence for the decisions that are being made in regard to the education that is costing us so much time and money. Even worse, is we fear our grades and board scores will be adversely affected by this decision. Let me explain why:

In order to learn, you need to know what you got wrong and why. You need to know how to fix it for next time. We no longer know which questions we missed, or why. How am I supposed to know the correct answer when a similar question appears on boards? How am I supposed to know the answer when the same info is re-tested on finals? I have no idea, I am not learning from my mistakes.

We have also lost the ability to effectively challenge questions. How am I to challenge a question that I have no idea if I got wrong? How am I to tell if a question is simply keyed incorrectly? How are we supposed to hold our teachers accountable for misinformation on exams?

The administration has stated that exam security is not the main concern and reason for lack of test review- what other reason is good enough to take it away? Why is it such a big deal that they can't bring it back? I understand the argument that "COMLEX and Shelf exams dont let you see the answer" but we are currently in the learning process and taking our school exams is supposed to prepare us for the big ones that matter. Not being able to see my incorrect answers does not help me learn and prepare for boards and shelf exams.

I don't think anyone is trying to disuade anyone from attending KCOM- most people are really happy here. The point is simply that we have had a change in administration and subsequently a change in atmosphere. The school is not listening to what the students want, and they are not communicating their logic or reasoning to us in a way that appeases medical students. Medicine is about finding the best evidence and in this case the school has given us no evidence that taking away exam reviews helps students learn.

TL/DR: The issue is much bigger than just the lack of test reviews- the new administration is not listening to the student body and is making decisions that we feel will negatively impact our future careers. They have made multiple changes lately that were not well communicated or well received. It doesn't feel good to lose faith in your school....we are all working together to solve these issues- OP is doing something about it by bringing the issue into a public forum in hopes that KCOM will see how much they have disappointed their students 🙁

 

[Mehd School]

I mean ... come on.

At least the western student had something of interest. They had bullet holes in windows. You guys get a little bit of attitude and lack exam feedback. Every school has its negatives, and I'd feel lucky if this was as bad as it got for me.

 

[abolt18]

MedicoBoomstick, OMS1KCOM, and CO2018, thanks, and sorry to have invalidated OP's original statement. I'm really really surprised I didn't hear anything about this in all my conversations with different students there. I do see the importance of reviewing tests and being able to understand what you got wrong and why it was missed. I guess I was sort of in disbelief that the situation was a big deal because I had heard nothing about it.

Just wondering, in what way has the administration changed lately? New Dean? New President? etc etc.

 

[MedicoBoomstick]

New Dean of KCOM and new Dean of AT Still (The mother ship), plus alot of rearrangements in curriculum planning. No problems.

 

[CO2018]

New president, new Dean, and basically a change in administrative political agendas. You probably didn't hear about this when you were here because most of us have tried to keep it quiet and be respectful of the process to voice our opinions. I myself have previously given interviewing students very polite, optimistic, pc responses. However, today we were basically told that our opinions didn't matter and they would do as they pleased regardless...... so now we are publicly talking about it.

 

[DopaDO]

Ok I'll bite.

I'm also a KCOM student, and while a lot of what is being said is true, I think I can offer a little reasoning behind why this happened.

Even though the administration has denied this, my understanding on why test reviews have stopped is to cut down on cheating. Let me elaborate. Certain groups of students are known for going to test reviews, memorizing questions, writing them down, and giving them to next years class. This isn't rampant, but it does happen. So in order to cut this out, they cut out test reviews. Now they could have just had the professors write new questions each year, but the problem is that you can only write so many good/HY questions from a lecture. If they all get circulated and you have to continually write new questions, they will get progressively worse and you don't want bad questions. The administration wants to give each student a spreadsheet that tells us what kinds of questions we missed and how to better prepare next time. While certainly not a perfect system, I think it'll be fine. Some students are way too neurotic about preclinical grades. Recommending someone to not go here based on test reviews is completely asinine. I've had a great experience here and will have an even better one during 3rd and 4th year. Our rotations are definitely a strength (just thought I'd mention that with all the DO rotations discussion going on around here lately)

I would absolutely recommend all pre-med students to apply here. I'd put KCOM up against any school MD or DO.

 

[DopaDO]

Double Post 🙁

 

[Mehd School]

You are pre-med, and while I wish you luck, i'll have to take your comment with a grain of salt.

This isn't just school for us, these are our professional lives they are messing with, and we are rightfully upset about that.

Yeah yeah, it's an easy way out. Fact of the matter is that problems will find you anywhere you go. I'd much rather take my tests on my laptop than get my car stolen or have my dean arrested for DWI making the entire school look like crap. I feel you're being a little dramatic claiming what KCOM is doing in this instance is messing with your professional life. This seems like an annoyance and an insult to the student body more than anything. If board averages drop over the next couple years I'll show a bit more empathy.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

the thing to get from threads like these is that every school has its problems. no matter where you go, nothing is going to be perfect. however the biggest problem is that most of the students have absolutely no real world experience and they think that for $40k-ish everything should be perfect. so they bitch about it and complain to each other to try to get enough students to create an uproar. the problem they forget (and this is where the real world experience comes in) is that the administration doesn't have to do anything to appease the students. it is their job to run the school and our job to learn medicine. that is all. sometimes it is hard to see the forest through the trees however just remember that every school has its problems in some way and the administration isn't going to tank the school's reputation because it would be much worse for them in the long run.

just go where you are the most happy and make the best of it. enjoy the things you like, deal with the things you don't, learn medicine, and be a kickass doctor. and leave it at that. you are going to school to be a doctor and these people are trained in school administration. so unless you have a previous background in med school administration, your opinion on what is best for the school is probably incorrect.

 

[MedPR]

the thing to get from threads like these is that every school has its problems. no matter where you go, nothing is going to be perfect. however the biggest problem is that most of the students have absolutely no real world experience and they think that for $40k-ish everything should be perfect. so they bitch about it and complain to each other to try to get enough students to create an uproar. the problem they forget (and this is where the real world experience comes in) is that the administration doesn't have to do anything to appease the students. it is their job to run the school and our job to learn medicine. that is all. sometimes it is hard to see the forest through the trees however just remember that every school has its problems in some way and the administration isn't going to tank the school's reputation because it would be much worse for them in the long run.

just go where you are the most happy and make the best of it. enjoy the things you like, deal with the things you don't, learn medicine, and be a kickass doctor. and leave it at that.

Auto paste on all of these threads from now on.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[Back 5]

My entire professional education was CBT exams. We had to use our student ID to check into the testing center and each exam was timed. Even our quizzes were CBT and timed. We never had post-exam reviews, you got your score and that was that. Even getting feedback of topics you need to brush up on would have been nice back then 😀

Anyway, I have a DO LOR from KCOM and I still plan on applying here in the cycle. Hopefully I can get in 👍

 

[WildEMDoc]

Ok I'll bite.

I'm also a KCOM student, and while a lot of what is being said is true, I think I can offer a little reasoning behind why this happened.

Even though the administration has denied this, my understanding on why test reviews have stopped is to cut down on cheating. Let me elaborate. Certain groups of students are known for going to test reviews, memorizing questions, writing them down, and giving them to next years class. This isn't rampant, but it does happen. So in order to cut this out, they cut out test reviews. Now they could have just had the professors write new questions each year, but the problem is that you can only write so many good/HY questions from a lecture. If they all get circulated and you have to continually write new questions, they will get progressively worse and you don't want bad questions. The administration wants to give each student a spreadsheet that tells us what kinds of questions we missed and how to better prepare next time. While certainly not a perfect system, I think it'll be fine. Some students are way too neurotic about preclinical grades. Recommending someone to not go here based on test reviews is completely asinine. I've had a great experience here and will have an even better one during 3rd and 4th year. Our rotations are definitely a strength (just thought I'd mention that with all the DO rotations discussion going on around here lately)

I would absolutely recommend all pre-med students to apply here. I'd put KCOM up against any school MD or DO.

👍 Thanks for your post DopaDO sounds like a solution is already in the works!

This thread has done nothing to deter me from KCOM at all.

 

[MedPR]

If you current KCOMers were as smart as the incoming class of SDNers you would be 100%s on everything and not have to worry about a review 😉

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[abolt18]

👍 Thanks for your post DopaDO sounds like a solution is already in the works!

This thread has done nothing to deter me from KCOM at all.

Agreed. I can totally understand this, as I've seen a LOT of people do exactly that (referring to memorizing questions and writing them down for other classmates OR for future students taking that class). As long as I'm given the subject matter that I need to work on after the tests I can live with that happily.

 

[Mehd School]

the thing to get from threads like these is that every school has its problems. no matter where you go, nothing is going to be perfect. however the biggest problem is that most of the students have absolutely no real world experience and they think that for $40k-ish everything should be perfect. so they bitch about it and complain to each other to try to get enough students to create an uproar. the problem they forget (and this is where the real world experience comes in) is that the administration doesn't have to do anything to appease the students. it is their job to run the school and our job to learn medicine. that is all. sometimes it is hard to see the forest through the trees however just remember that every school has its problems in some way and the administration isn't going to tank the school's reputation because it would be much worse for them in the long run.

just go where you are the most happy and make the best of it. enjoy the things you like, deal with the things you don't, learn medicine, and be a kickass doctor. and leave it at that. you are going to school to be a doctor and these people are trained in school administration. so unless you have a previous background in med school administration, your opinion on what is best for the school is probably incorrect.

It can't be said better than this. 👍

Friends over at the local COM feel like the administration owes them something. I don't get it.

 

[SLC]

By the way, the new ATSU president is an awesome guy, and extremely student friendly. If this was anything worth getting fussed over he'd be on it believe me.

He was a founding Vice President at SOMA and I've had many opportunities to speak with him, he even had me and my family over for dinner during my first year. Very very good guy!

If Dr. Phelps isn't helping the students fight this, it's probably because it's not worth fighting. I will second FrkyBgStok in saying that medical students are world class whiners when it comes to their education. Don't worry, I'm one of them and I can at least recognize that.

There's something about the unnatural amount of stress you're constantly under that must make it tough to be even keeled about some things.

 

[Mosonik]

It can't be said better than this. 👍

Friends over at the local COM feel like the administration owes them something. I don't get it.

Exactly! I don't know where people automatically assume the administration has the worst intention for everyone. Accountability in the system is necessary but that doesn't mean schools are run in some sort of purely democratic system.

Having been both part of organizations from the top and the bottom it's important for all of us as students to understand the necessity of trusting leadership to do what they are put in place to do. That doesn't mean never questioning or being involved however.
When we matriculate to a school, we are signing on not only to the program as a whole but also the structure, leadership and admin that run it. If you are uncomfortable with doing this, find one you are comfortable with!

 

[Mehd School]

Exactly! I don't know where people automatically assume the administration has the worst intention for everyone. Accountability in the system is necessary but that doesn't mean schools are run in some sort of purely democratic system.

Having been both part of organizations from the top and the bottom it's important for all of us as students to understand the necessity of trusting leadership to do what they are put in place to do. That doesn't mean never questioning or being involved however.
When we matriculate to a school, we are signing on not only to the program as a whole but also the structure, leadership and admin that run it. If you are uncomfortable with doing this, find one you are comfortable with!

Well, I mean, we're pre-meds so we can't understand this for a few more years.

 

[NurWollen]

Harvard Medical School sucks. They don't even teach OMM...

 

[Ravizzle]

Harvard Medical School sucks. They don't even teach OMM...

Actually they do offer a CME OMM course....

Sent from my Galaxy S2

 

[karate134]

Lets be honest. This is finals time at KCOM=stress
Anywhere you go you will get tired and cranky med students that will find problems with their school. Its bound to happen.
Its kinda like being with your gf/wife 24/7... you'll find flaws.
Is what it is.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using SDN Mobile

 

[NurWollen]

The funny thing about this and the other anti-KCOM thread is that just a couple of nights ago, I had a dream that I was accepted last minute to KCOM and was debating going there over AZCOM. In real life I was rejected pre-interview the day after I got accepted to AZCOM.

Would have been a tough choice.

I find it amusing that these threads almost always contain some kind of indictment of a new dean. They always blame the new dean and describe him/her as if they spend all day trying to invent new ways to make students miserable. Just seems to be a common thread (pun intended.). This happened at my undergrad too. People just like to have someone to blame for their woes.

 

[UintasEM]

As a fellow OMS-1, albeit at a different school, I understand what the OP is saying. When we interviewed , and up to the start of school, we were told that we'd be on the block exam system, and that's what we mentally prepared for. However, when we started school, they told us that we'd be switching to a combined unit exam system. Having to change your thinking, as well as adjusting to a more rigorous and frequent testing system was a major stress, especially on top of everything else that comes with starting med school--it's nothing like what you might have prepared for. We're lucky, though, compared to KCOM. Our administration has been willing to work with us, and while things still aren't perfect, they're improving. If they hadn't been willing to take our feedback and integrate it to create a testing experience that will help us to succeed, I know that we'd be in the exact same place as the students at KCOM.

As to the exam reviews, they're a major asset. Having a report of what type of questions that you are missing can be helpful, but that only helps when you have problems with certain types of questions. It doesn't help when your problem more comes from personal error--I know that I've had to work through trusting my instincts when it comes to answering questions, and I wouldn't be able to know that if we didn't have the chance to review exams. Additionally, we have gotten points back with challenging questions--and that benefits everyone. Professors work to make their exams fair, but they aren't superhuman, and can't catch everything. And the thing about "memorizing" questions is that the questions are already out there. If you go to class, most profs will tell you what types of things that you need to know.

 

[pre med 2014]

I was under the impression that medical students are to keep their mouth shut and not question authority. Those who choose to speak freely are disciplined.

 

[Mehd School]

I was under the impression that medical students are to keep their mouth shut and not question authority. Those who choose to speak freely are disciplined.

What about these threads has changed your mind? The posters are doing so anonymously, and have stated their reason as fearing confrontation with the administration.

 

[MedPR]

As a fellow OMS-1, albeit at a different school, I understand what the OP is saying. When we interviewed , and up to the start of school, we were told that we'd be on the block exam system, and that's what we mentally prepared for. However, when we started school, they told us that we'd be switching to a combined unit exam system. Having to change your thinking, as well as adjusting to a more rigorous and frequent testing system was a major stress, especially on top of everything else that comes with starting med school--it's nothing like what you might have prepared for.

lol what. First you say you mentally prepared for block exams, but then hard a hard time because the school changed things up before you even started. Then you say that medical school is like nothing like what you might have prepared for. Med students always tell pre-meds that med school isn't going to be what they expect. So why does it matter that you prepared for one thing as a pre-med, then experienced something completely different as a med student if you have no idea what you're getting yourself into anyway?

 

[themailman]

.

 

[OMS1KCOM]

Poor trolling effort. Care to give it another shot?

lol what. First you say you mentally prepared for block exams, but then hard a hard time because the school changed things up before you even started. Then you say that medical school is like nothing like what you might have prepared for. Med students always tell pre-meds that med school isn't going to be what they expect. So why does it matter that you prepared for one thing as a pre-med, then experienced something completely different as a med student if you have no idea what you're getting yourself into anyway?

 

[MedPR]

Poor trolling effort. Care to give it another shot?

Not trying to troll. The guy is complaining just to complain. His reasoning is completely backwards. He's saying he prepared to eat a chocolate cake but got given a chocolate brownie instead and had to completely readjust his plan just to choke it down.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[OMS1KCOM]

Yes, I believe the exam reviews and the administrations lack of respect are a big enough deal to warrant a non recommendation for this school. The administration has yet to give a reason for taking away the exam reviews. If its good learning science then show us a study or consensus paper. If its cheating then punish those students and come out and say its because of cheating. Everyone who has asked about the change has been blown off. There is currently a witch hunt going on for those of use who started these threads. Hell, post something negative on Facebook and you'll get called in to the dean's office. Not much a professional student oriented learning environment is it?

Not sure which class you're in but don't you find it distrubing that we're being taught lectures by faculty that don't have a science phd and have no experience with the subject (Sexton's MI lecture for the first years last quarter)? Or that we have faculty that don't really publish anything and haven't changed their notes or exams in a decade?

When you have an overwhelming majority of your students are in favor of a learning modality that will help them not only learn the material but help them do better on boards why on earth would you take it away? Even worse, why wouldn't you show the students WHY you took it away when they ask over and over again. Those that have made a big deal out of it have been called in to th dean's office and reprimanded...

Smells blatantly of disrespect and shear laziness.

 

[OMS1KCOM]

Because a lot of us had the luxury of choosing a school based out of many options. One of the criteria I weighted heavily was a testing and learning structure that I know I do well in. To change it once they know you have no choice but to stay at that school is unfair.

Luckily this person's school sounds willing to work with their student body. Precisely the opposite of KCOM.

I wonder if their administration has asked student ambassadors to get on here and post positive things or argue with those of us who don't? Our administration went as far as giving student ambassadors talking points...

 

[SLC]

I wonder if their administration has asked student ambassadors to get on here and post positive things or argue with those of us who don't? Our administration went as far as giving student ambassadors talking points...

I'm at the other ATSU campus, and am an ambassador. Our school has gone as far as instructing us not to pitch the school too heavily, we're supposed to be even handed and truthful with our answers. They have made it very clear that they want us sharing our true opinions of the school; and they have never said anything about what we should say to people apart from them not wanting us to sound like "Pitch-men".

So I very much doubt that KCOM has asked the Ambassadors to say anything at all, much less anything in particular. The only talking I do officially as ambassador is with students that are referred to me by the admissions office for location specific questions.

I've never been asked to get on here and say anything at all.

 

[MedPR]

Yes, I believe the exam reviews and the administrations lack of respect are a big enough deal to warrant a non recommendation for this school. The administration has yet to give a reason for taking away the exam reviews. If its good learning science then show us a study or consensus paper. If its cheating then punish those students and come out and say its because of cheating. Everyone who has asked about the change has been blown off. There is currently a witch hunt going on for those of use who started these threads. Hell, post something negative on Facebook and you'll get called in to the dean's office. Not much a professional student oriented learning environment is it?

Not sure which class you're in but don't you find it distrubing that we're being taught lectures by faculty that don't have a science phd and have no experience with the subject (Sexton's MI lecture for the first years last quarter)? Or that we have faculty that don't really publish anything and haven't changed their notes or exams in a decade?

When you have an overwhelming majority of your students are in favor of a learning modality that will help them not only learn the material but help them do better on boards why on earth would you take it away? Even worse, why wouldn't you show the students WHY you took it away when they ask over and over again. Those that have made a big deal out of it have been called in to th dean's office and reprimanded...

Smells blatantly of disrespect and shear laziness.

That's your problem. You think you deserve explanations. You're a student; you don't deserve anything but an education.

You aren't a share holder, you don't have anything invested into the ATSU brand. You paid them to let you go to their med school. They can educate you anyway they deem beneficial so long as it meets accreditation standards.

Suck it up, finish your time there, and move on.

 

[113]

That's your problem. You think you deserve explanations. You're a student; you don't deserve anything but an education.

You aren't a share holder, you don't have anything invested into the ATSU brand. You paid them to let you go to their med school. They can educate you anyway they deem beneficial so long as it meets accreditation standards.

Suck it up, finish your time there, and move on.

Cool down.

 

[MedPR]

Cool down.

It's one thing to answer questions honestly in the school-specific, but to create a new account and thread just to slander a reputable school is ridic.

 

[113]

.

 

[Siggy]

That's your problem. You think you deserve explanations. You're a student; you don't deserve anything but an education.

You aren't a share holder, you don't have anything invested into the ATSU brand. You paid them to let you go to their med school. They can educate you anyway they deem beneficial so long as it meets accreditation standards.

Suck it up, finish your time there, and move on.

Depending on the change, it could be argued to be a form of bait and switch, which gives standing for civil action.

 

[Siggy]

I'm at the other ATSU campus, and am an ambassador.

I believe the term you're looking for here is "selection bias."

 

[SLC]

I believe the term you're looking for here is "selection bias."

Ha ha, yeah maybe. All I know is that the admissions department actually asked us to tell it like it is. They have never told us what to say, or pressured us to "sell" the program in any way shape or form. And so based on that, I doubt that the ambassadors at KCOM have experienced much different.

Either way, I know what it's like to be a medical student. When you're stressed and burnt out, all it takes is a shift in the wind to make you think the world is after your life. Based on previous experience, I'd be willing to bet that this turns into a non-issue before the class of 2017 even matriculates.

 

[cowspot83]

I'm at the other ATSU campus, and am an ambassador. Our school has gone as far as instructing us not to pitch the school too heavily, we're supposed to be even handed and truthful with our answers. They have made it very clear that they want us sharing our true opinions of the school; and they have never said anything about what we should say to people apart from them not wanting us to sound like "Pitch-men".

So I very much doubt that KCOM has asked the Ambassadors to say anything at all, much less anything in particular. The only talking I do officially as ambassador is with students that are referred to me by the admissions office for location specific questions.

I've never been asked to get on here and say anything at all.

Does SOMA currently allow students to review their exams and challenge questions? Just curious.