As a first year who just survived her first set of finals at KCOM, I just wanted to share some tidbits of my experience so far. =)
KCOM:
- The academics, I feel, are a good foundation for me as I prepare for the boards. The large volume of lecture time in class might be a drag for independent learners, but it helps me a lot because I can see/hear the material, then take it upon myself to review and master the material. Our professors have an open-door policy and are very approachable.
- I don't know if all schools have their professors hand out note packets in the beginning of class, but ours do, and it sure helps, along with my in-class notes that I take from what the professor actually says. We have a cooperative setup where we take turns recording the lectures so we have access to it online at a later date. A concern about having the lecture notes in a document format (so we can download it and manipulate it during lecture) online has been addressed by our academic dean, and as far as I know, they're working on it.
- OTM professors are ridiculously GREAT and are awesome teachers/instructors/mentors. They are always very helpful during lab and are all-around nice people. Granted, there are some weeks where it seems that we have 234,346,345,128,465 hours of OTM, but being the founding school of osteopathy, what can you expect? Even still though, I don't feel like I'm being pounded repeatedly about how great osteopathy is. I learned the methods, I've appreciated it, I know how I can use it and how, to me, it's a great tool.
- Anatomy lab facilities are, in my opinion, great. You only notice the smell during the first 10 seconds you're in the room. Our lab is on the top floor of one of our buildings and has a view of town -- it doesn't seem as spooky as dungeon/basement labs as some schools have. The lab is open everyday from 7am-midnight -- you can clean out fascia and pick fat to your heart's desire! (Hours are the same for our micro/histo lab.) Our professors, tough as they are, only want us to master the material, so they can be quite demanding at times. The fellows (older med students who are hard-core anatomy buffs) provide a lower student:instructor ratio during labs and make themselves available, similar (even moreso) to how teaching assistants are during undergrad.
- We can study on-campus 24-7 (yes, indoors, in a room). Enough said.
- The SmartBoards are just toys for now, but it helps out a lot with studying in groups and showing images/diagrams. They're quite nifty and it's great to know that we can just use them whenever we want to.
- We are taught OTM techniques pertinent to the body parts we are learning about in anatomy, so those connections happen between classes, which helps with retaining information.
- Getting clinical/patient experience within the first year...if you want to get your hands dirty already, it's here.
- Staff and faculty are sincerely here for you. One often runs into any one of our deans, professors, or every so often, our university's president, at the Commons (lunchtime, downtime, etc). Staff members in the auxillary offices (student affairs, financial aid, departmental offices, learning resources, etc) are always helpful and take initiative on making your medical education the best it can be, whether it's acadmically, financially, or physically. Coming from a huge public institution to KCOM was quite an adjustment, especially since professors know your face and name. You're not just Student X.
- The second years have been nothing but friendly and helpful. They empathized with us, encouraged us, reassured us. I have much respect for the second years at our school.
KCOM at "play":
- There are a variety of student-run clubs available, but they're definitely not like the clubs you joined during undergrad. These organizations are more laid-back, since everyone has other commitments outside of studying as well.
- The school is very family-friendly. I love seeing the kiddies visit their moms and dads during lunch. The community is also supportive by hosting "Parents' Night Out" on weekend nights so mom and dad can go out without worrying about the kids.
- Like Aaron pointed out earlier, we had the awesome dessert feast after an anatomy test, put on by staff/faculty members. During finals week, they had fruit for us out in the commons.
- The StillWell Program allows students to establish their way of maintaining balance of Mind-Body-Spirit. After all, we are our first patients. Our Counseling Office (Psych/Emotional) also puts on stress-relief activities such as 15-minute relax and meditate sessions.
- VACATIONS: We have FIVE weeks of summer break. Two weeks before OR two weeks after our summer break, we have a 2-week preceptorship. The end of July/start of August becomes the beginning of the last quarter of our first year.
Kirksville, the town:
- Everything you NEED is here, everything you WANT is online. I grew up and went to school in Southern California -- and I am content with what Kirksville has offered so far. I just need groceries, supplies, and movies every so often.
- Right, no sushi, no ethnic supermarkets, no organic food markets...but you learn to live with it. That, and you can go to Columbia and get your fix once in a while. Personally, I really haven't had the time to drive down -- I'd rather sleep. =) However, when I go home for Thanksgiving break, I'm going to throw down and get myself some sushi and dimsum and In-N-Out burger! Surprisingly, I haven't been homesick so much.
- NO TRAFFIC. Med school's stressful enough.
- Small town = No distractions = No drama
- I have appreciated what I've seen of Kirksville so far. The hokey commercials, the old men driving lawnmowers on the street outweigh the niceness of the local community.
I was at first hestitant to come to KCOM, but I really like the fact that I'm only here for two years, getting a solid education, at the same time, I'm exposed to a different lifestyle and pace of living. This experience so far has taught me what really is important to me and what I want out of myself and my future, and sometimes that can be hard if you're within your comfort zone.
Hopefully this mini-manifesto/testament helps someone out there with why KCOM was right for me, at least. Best of luck to all of the applicants out there, and don't be shy to say hi to any of us when you come out for an interview.
-Nan
