LECOM - Bradenton Discussion thread 2007-2008

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Hey you were in my group! Congrats on getting in also!!


******

When I returned home from my trip yesterday my mommy surprized me with a congrats for getting into medical school present (since I got in right before I left), a medical book that all the docs she works with told her was a "must" and a tshirt and sweatshirt from LECOM!! She called the school while I was gone just to figure out how to get me stuff, she is so sweet 😍 Im wearing them right now!

That's adorable!

I was up in NYC taking a mini vacation after an interview when I got the e-mail to my cell phone about my acceptance to TouroCA. I called my mom (yelling on 5th avenue right by the Disney store) "I'M GOING TO BE A DOCTOR". When I came home there was a silver paperweight in the shape of a star with "I'm going to be a doctor" and a picture of a stethoscope engraved on it.

Moms are the best😍
 
That's adorable!

I was up in NYC taking a mini vacation after an interview when I got the e-mail to my cell phone about my acceptance to TouroCA. I called my mom (yelling on 5th avenue right by the Disney store) "I'M GOING TO BE A DOCTOR". When I came home there was a silver paperweight in the shape of a star with "I'm going to be a doctor" and a picture of a stethoscope engraved on it.

Moms are the best😍

awe!!! They really are!!
 
what are the hospital affiliations of LECOM-B like? Any ones in the miami/fort lauderdale area? How do all you current students like the school? I have an interview next tuesday but I'm debating on going or not....

Thanks!
 
Hello everyone, I just received an acceptance letter from LECOM-B a couple days ago. I absolutely loved my visit to the school and am very interested in attending LECOM-B, however, I still have a number of interviews to do at other schools. In the acceptance letter I received, LECOM said that I had to reply within 14 days in order to secure my seat. I don't want to give up my spot at LECOM-B since I liked it so much and have a good chance of going there even if I get accepted at other institutions, but I feel I would be shortchaning myself if I did not attend the other interviews I have already scheduled. Does anyone have any suggestions, or know if it is possible to get an extension? Thanks for the help.
 
Hello everyone, I just received an acceptance letter from LECOM-B a couple days ago. I absolutely loved my visit to the school and am very interested in attending LECOM-B, however, I still have a number of interviews to do at other schools. In the acceptance letter I received, LECOM said that I had to reply within 14 days in order to secure my seat. I don't want to give up my spot at LECOM-B since I liked it so much and have a good chance of going there even if I get accepted at other institutions, but I feel I would be shortchaning myself if I did not attend the other interviews I have already scheduled. Does anyone have any suggestions, or know if it is possible to get an extension? Thanks for the help.

You should give up your LECOM-B seat and give it to me. Kidding. (I'm waitlisted.)

OK, seriously, here's my advice.

First, I think you're correct that you'd be shortchanging yourself if you don't go to other interviews. What if you go to another interview, love another school more than LECOM-B, and get accepted? Don't miss out on that. Or, what if you go to some more interviews, DON'T love anybody more than LECOM-B, and get that strong confirmation that you're going to the right school? Worst case, you stare down multiple desirable acceptances, and that's one of the coolest problems you could ever have. Either way, the money you'll spend on these interviews is a tiny amount compared to the full cost of your medical education. Don't nickel and dime yourself.

Second, I don't recommend that you ask for an extension with your LECOM-B acceptance. You are up against HUGE numbers of other applicants (like me) who will happily, giddily take your place. We're writing letters of intent, sending flowers to Heather and Annette, washing the dean's car and mowing his lawn, just waiting for an accepted student like you to intentionally or unintentionally give up their seat. We're not underqualified losers: we have other acceptances in hand. LECOM-B is NOT under pressure to show you extra courtesy.

The worst that can happen is that you'll pay your deposit to LECOM-B, fall in love with another school, and lose your deposit. Get over it. It's a tiny amount of money, and it's good money spent to protect your interests.

Best of luck to you, and I truly, truly hope you LOVE another school. Did I mention I'm waitlisted?
 
Does anyone have any suggestions, or know if it is possible to get an extension? ...

You might get an extension for a week if you claim a hardship, but there are so many people willing to take your spot that I don't think you'd get any more than that. The best idea is usually to pay the deposit and hold a seat because you can't be sure that you'll ever get another acceptance. I paid more than one deposit and I know plenty of others who did as well. I didn't look at it as money wasted, rather as an insurance policy that I WOULD be matriculating SOMEWHERE in the fall.

Note- If you do pay the deposit and later decide to go to another school, give up that seat as soon as you make your decision. The people on the waiting list will be very thankful to you.
 
I got the pre-matriculation package yesterday. Lots, lots of forms. So, if you love to fill out forms - you are gonna be in heaven! I know I will!

One question - I understand proof of health insurance is required. Does the school help to find a good insurance? I was thinking since the school requires insurance, maybe they can arrange for special discounts with major insurance providers.

My wife and I have two kids - I am hoping the Great State of Florida will cover my two kids. And for two of us, I will have to buy some sort of insurance - to make sure the CEO of the Insurance company gets his 100 million dollar bonus on top of 17 million dollar salary. I wonder how they survive with that little money.

Take care all.. Best wishes to all. I am super excited about moving to Bradenton and meet you all.
 
One question - I understand proof of health insurance is required. Does the school help to find a good insurance? I was thinking since the school requires insurance, maybe they can arrange for special discounts with major insurance providers.
....


You only provide proof of insurance if you elect NOT to take the school's Blue Cross Blue Shield plan. It will be automatically billed with your tuition otherwise. It's a good plan. You'll have to add your wife....and the state of Florida can take care of your kids.
 
Looking through our calendar I see we have no "spring break" or break (a day or two off) for Easter.. is this usually true of medical schools?
 
Looking through our calendar I see we have no "spring break" or break (a day or two off) for Easter.. is this usually true of medical schools?

It will vary somewhat but our curriculum is "front-loaded". You finish your classes by mid April of your second year and have a required board review that lasts about a month. You have a few weeks off and you start rotations in June. Some schools have more breaks but have classes all the way until rotations begin with no time for board study. Others are somewhere between the two extremes.
 
As far as insurance goes, my understanding here is that you're only options are to take the school's insurance (through BCBS of Florida, a good plan) or show proof that you are on your spouse's insurance (or parent's insurance if that applies). You can't just go get any insurance policy, either the school's or your spouse's if they have one through work or something.

I don't have kids yet and we didn't put my wife on mine since she has hers through the state, so right now my insurance for just me comes out of my loans and I don't have to do a thing. I THINK that if you start adding family on then it's billed to you separately and can't be taken out of the loans automatically.

I'd probably recommend calling the office and talking with them about the plan and see what it would cost up front with adding your family on so you can budget for that.
 
Hi, I'm curious about the Bradenton area. What are your thoughts about the location and the city life around it?

Thanks!
 
Hi, I'm curious about the Bradenton area. What are your thoughts about the location and the city life around it?

Thanks!

The general consensus is that it's great. Just go read through this thread and you should find all of your answers!
 
Kind of depends on where you're coming from now and what you think of when you mean "city". I hardly venture into the "downtown" part of Bradenton and stay over here near I-75 and Lakewood Ranch.

So if you're coming from somewhere like New York City or Chicago then no, it's going to be VERY different. But then again, what specifically about a big city do you want? Can I walk everywhere? No. But there are decent restaurants, shops, coffee places, etc.... around. Besides, most of the time I'm studying, hanging out with my wife, or hanging out with friends while studying.
 
I sent in my deposit today, looks like I will see you all in July!
 
Ok, just got back from our trip to Florida and loved LECOM-B. I was much more impressed with Bradenton than I was with Erie. I really liked the PBL session, and am really glad that we were able to sit in on it!

We actually were in FL for a week, and visited family around the state. I was really discouraged by the areas that they lived in, and told my husband that if Bradenton was like that we would pass, but I was really happy with the town! I am from the Chicago suburbs, and I can honestly say that we would be comfortable there. Close enough to Tampa and several other cities that there is plenty to do, and there are alot of restaurants and stores right there (an outlet mall 15 min away!). I would really love to get in there, and think that Bradenton has moved up to my #1.

Now just a waiting game. Should hear something at the beginning of next week, and I just hope that I get some good news (life has been really hard lately).
 
Kate good luck!! If you get in, I'll be seeing you in the fall! 🙂 And if they told you when they made the decision, just call them a day later and get your result then you wont have to bother waiting for the mail! GOOD LUCK again!
 
Kate good luck!! If you get in, I'll be seeing you in the fall! 🙂 And if they told you when they made the decision, just call them a day later and get your result then you wont have to bother waiting for the mail! GOOD LUCK again!

Thanks! They said that they were meeting tomorrow, but I think that I am wayyy too nervous to call them. Maybe I'll build up some nerve by Wed. I don't mind the alternate list, because she said that they accepted something like 60% of their waitlist last year, but I am afraid of an outright rejection. For some reason, I was rambling in the beginning of the interview and I don't even know if what I was saying was coherent. I think that it ended well though, so I'm hopeful.
 
^^no worries, since that was my 1st interview i was rambling a bit also, haha... and i totally thought the one guy interviewing me didn't like me.. and they outright told me to stop talking about the same thing.. but i was still accepted haha

ps. just psych yourself up to call.. its so much better than the stress of waiting!!! because the decision isn't going to change either way, you know??

I'll pray for you tonight!! (i am trying to find those luck smiles but i can't seem to find them or any smilies for that matter.. so just pretend they are here)
 
congrats to all recently accepted 🙂👍...I interviewed on 2/13 and just received the dreaded alternate letter 😡👎. I was glad to get the interview but wasn't sure I'd want to go there until visiting...then I really fell for the place only to be snubbed (typical love story). anyway, I'd love to hear from anyone who knows how the waiting list works, stats, etc. I've searched the forums but most posts I found on this subject were very old. I know they discussed this day of the interview, but I don't remember the details. Also, anyone who wants to commiserate (DrMidlife) or tell me I'm still special (Mom, if you're on SDN for some reason) that would be helpful as well.
 
congrats to all recently accepted 🙂👍...I interviewed on 2/13 and just received the dreaded alternate letter 😡👎. I was glad to get the interview but wasn't sure I'd want to go there until visiting...then I really fell for the place only to be snubbed (typical love story). anyway, I'd love to hear from anyone who knows how the waiting list works, stats, etc. I've searched the forums but most posts I found on this subject were very old. I know they discussed this day of the interview, but I don't remember the details. Also, anyone who wants to commiserate (DrMidlife) or tell me I'm still special (Mom, if you're on SDN for some reason) that would be helpful as well.

Well, waitlist is better than denial! I was just there and someone did ask that question to Annette. What she said is that their waitlist is not ranked, and they have already started pulling people. She did say that last year there were 100 people on their alternate list, and that 60 of those were given acceptances, so the waitlist isn't a bad place to be.

I am in the same boat. I wasn't originally seriously considering Bradenton, now I am in love! Anyways, hope that you get picked off the list soon! I guess I'll hear in a couple days what my status there is!
 
Hey, who should I address a letter of intent to?
 
Well, waitlist is better than denial! I was just there and someone did ask that question to Annette. What she said is that their waitlist is not ranked, and they have already started pulling people. She did say that last year there were 100 people on their alternate list, and that 60 of those were given acceptances, so the waitlist isn't a bad place to be.

I am in the same boat. I wasn't originally seriously considering Bradenton, now I am in love! Anyways, hope that you get picked off the list soon! I guess I'll hear in a couple days what my status there is!


Thanks, Kate; indeed could be much worse than waitlist...that's an encouraging stat...here's to hoping for both of us. As for the letter of intent...good Q, I would think maybe June Flaim (Director of Stduent Affairs) but probably worth getting a response from someone like scpod on that one. I'm definately thinking about drafting one of those myself. I'll think good thoughts for ya as you wait to find out!!
 
I sent my LOI to Dr. George, assuming he's never going to see it, because it will be intercepted and thrown on the LOI pile, eventually to become a checkmark on some list that the excom sees. "LOI received? yes/no"

I would imagine that Dr. George's mail interceptor has the job of scanning LOIs for any dealbreakers, such as "I dropped all my classes to go surf the Baja for the next six months instead of finishing my BS degree" or "my father was just elected grand Vizier of my hometown KKK, and his sage advice to me was..." or "to whom may I make a check payable, that I might hasten my acceptance?"

And then at each excom meeting, in a smoke-filled room, when they get to the waitlist and the two people who get to come off it, they pick up the argument where it left off last time. So for me, one of the guys who interviewed me repeats that he feels very strongly that I'm a total loser / old fart / dead weight / mercy admit, and the other guy who interviewed me repeats his view that it'll be a huge loss to not have my breadth of knowledge and experience blah blah blah, and they look to the tie breaker excom member who has no backbone and won't take a stand, so they move on to the next candidate, probably KateB4, who is loved by all. So KateB4 is in. Next they look at Schlomo Del Fatso, who has great numbers and interviewed well last week (other than that rancid cheesy smell), and they rank him against me. Since the excom is hoping to avoid the personal hygiene confrontation they'd need to have with Schlomo, and because the only thing of relevance that he mentioned in his LOI was his appreciation of Dr. George's tan, compared to my Pulitzer-worthy content-full LOI, they let me in.

Then Heather calls me at 1:15 PST, on a Tuesday, and I ask her to please cover her ears, and I scream and jump up and down and dance out of my molecular virology lecture hall, where my beloved old professor is having an MI. (Naturally I'll resuscitate him after thanking Heather.)

That's basically what to expect, I think.

Edit: apparently I need to make it more clear that this is satire. I spent 20 years in industry, most of it in decision-making meetings, and yes, everything in Dilbert is true.
 
There are only four actual "voters" on the commitee. Once they reach a decision, letters are written and they go to Dr. George for a final look before being sent out. IMO, it wouldn't be a bad idea to send a letter to Dr. Berezniak. He can be a really good advocate for you.
 
Dude. Your avatar makes it look like HVLA is a sexual act. I don't remember seeing that demonstration on interview day.

OMM can often lead to some interesting conversations. For instance, we're trying this new manuever where the patient is all bent out of shape and the doctor is positioned in a unique way. My partner (a female at the time) whispers, "I think I've been in this position before." I lost it :laugh:.
 
OMM can often lead to some interesting conversations. For instance, we're trying this new manuever where the patient is all bent out of shape and the doctor is positioned in a unique way. My partner (a female at the time) whispers, "I think I've been in this position before." I lost it :laugh:.

Do you really have to wear school-issued clothing in OMM lab? I've been working on my abs since I heard this, but it still smacks of rumor.
 
Do you really have to wear school-issued clothing in OMM lab? I've been working on my abs since I heard this, but it still smacks of rumor.

Yup. They aren't too bad. Its just a t-shirt and shorts with lecom bradenton written on both of them. And yes, women have to wear sports bras and men have to take off their shirt in OMM lab. Its a lot better here in Bradenton where we can actually wear our OMM clothes into the building. In Erie, you have to wear a shirt and tie into the building and change in the locker room into the OMM clothes (or so I'm told).

Also, Kateb4, it was nice to sit next to you in our PBL session (my anonymity is ruined!). Good luck with admissions, and if you have any questions, feel free to PM me! I personally know at least 6 kids in my class from the Chicago area, and they all seem to think its a pretty good fit for them down here.
 
Yup. They aren't too bad. Its just a t-shirt and shorts with lecom bradenton written on both of them. And yes, women have to wear sports bras and men have to take off their shirt in OMM lab. Its a lot better here in Bradenton where we can actually wear our OMM clothes into the building. In Erie, you have to wear a shirt and tie into the building and change in the locker room into the OMM clothes (or so I'm told).

Also, Kateb4, it was nice to sit next to you in our PBL session (my anonymity is ruined!). Good luck with admissions, and if you have any questions, feel free to PM me! I personally know at least 6 kids in my class from the Chicago area, and they all seem to think its a pretty good fit for them down here.

Yeah, when you asked me if I was on SDN I was running through a list of possible people that you could be. I was not terribly original in choosing my name on here, and my picture makes my identity a bit more obvious! Thanks for sharing your paperwork with me, I will remember Kermit next year if I get in there. Hope that you had a good weekend, I heard that a group of people were going up to St. Petersburg. Anyways, hope to see you in the fall!
 
As far as insurance goes, my understanding here is that

I'd probably recommend calling the office and talking with them about the plan and see what it would cost up front with adding your family on so you can budget for that.

Hi nlax30, thank you and others for all the info. I am gonna call the office to find out if I can add my wife to the BCBS plan and how much extra that will be. I also need to do research on whether or not state of Florida will cover my two kids' health insurance.

On a different topic, I understand the general PBL system. But when we start school in late July, are we going to have intense anatomy for 10 weeks? Can someone give some details on what our schedule is going to be in the first year?

Thanks!
 
On a different topic, I understand the general PBL system. But when we start school in late July, are we going to have intense anatomy for 10 weeks? Can someone give some details on what our schedule is going to be in the first year?

Thanks!

Answering my own question - might be helpful for other students. So, I called the office and they told me, students pay 168/month for health insurance and it is covered by loan. If you do have a spouse and would like to add, it will cost $238 more per month.

If you need to buy insurance for both yourself and spouse, I think you might be better off buying insurance independently from United healthcare or BCBS or something like that. I am planning to get one that has high deductible. I will use my in-laws as our primary care doctors.

I also called kidcare program. If you have kids, either medicaid or kidcare will cover your kids - depending on income factors.

And Anatomy lab goes for 10 weeks.

Okay..I don't wanna create boredom for all the single students out there.
 
On a different topic, I understand the general PBL system. But when we start school in late July, are we going to have intense anatomy for 10 weeks? Can someone give some details on what our schedule is going to be in the first year?

Thanks!

We started out the first two weeks by having orientation in the morning, and anatomy lecture in the afternoon. Looking back at the schedule, we had about 20 hours of orientation, 13 hours of anatomy lecture, and 10 hours of anatomy lab total in the first 2 weeks. We also had an hour of OMM lecture and a couple hours of clinical exam lecture in those two weeks.

After that, things start to get a little more normal. There might be a couple more hours a week of orientation in the next few weeks, but mostly there are around 7 hours of anatomy lecture a week, 6 hours of anatomy lab, an OMM lecture (1 hour), clinical exam lecture and lab (1.5 hours/week), OMM lab (2 hours/week) and 1 PBL session per week for 2 hours. This lasts 10 weeks.

After that, you have 3 PBL sessions a week, OMM Lecture, and Clinical exam lecture. Total time spent in class per week: about 11 hours/week or so after anatomy.

Second semester, they added in mini-courses. To be honest, they are pretty useless. They're only on Tuesday and Thursday, but they add about 6 hours a week of lecture into the schedule. They are on topics such as geriatrics, spirituality and bioethics, public health, and the healthcare system.

It is pretty intense anatomy the first 10 weeks. You really don't spend much time studying anything else, including PBL. It makes sense though, because it is much easier to understand medicine having a background in anatomy first. Keep in mind that since this is a newer school, they have been changing how things have been done from year to year, so this might not be how you experience it.
 
Soooo.... I just got a call that I was accepted!!!!

Yay! I'm going to be a doctor!

Now to sell the house and graduate from my undergrad.
 
Congrats on being accepted! When was your interview day? I think I may have spoken to your group during lunch....anyways congrats!
 
I sent my LOI to blah blah blah so they move on to the next candidate, probably KateB4, who is loved by all. So KateB4 is in. blan blah blah That's basically what to expect, I think.

Did I call this or what.

Edit: Apparently I need to make it more clear that I think it's great, and it's no surprise to me, that KateB4 got accepted, because she's been nothing but a class act on these boards.
 
Soooo.... I just got a call that I was accepted!!!!

Yay! I'm going to be a doctor!

Now to sell the house and graduate from my undergrad.

CONGRATS KATEB4!!!:biglove: That's awesome, welcome to LECOM-B!

Dr. MidLife, I know what it's like to not hear anything for a long time. I wasn't accepted here until June and I know how frustrating it can be, but becoming upset when others get accepted doesn't help. A LOI and adding any updates to your application (midterm/end of semester grades, updated MCAT scores, extra LORs) definitely help and keeping in touch with the admissions staff is always a good thing. I hope you get some good news soon as well, I can only tell you what others told me last year...and that's to hang in there.
 
Hi nlax30, thank you and others for all the info. I am gonna call the office to find out if I can add my wife to the BCBS plan and how much extra that will be. I also need to do research on whether or not state of Florida will cover my two kids' health insurance.

On a different topic, I understand the general PBL system. But when we start school in late July, are we going to have intense anatomy for 10 weeks? Can someone give some details on what our schedule is going to be in the first year?

Thanks!

Fightingirish pretty much hit on everything above. But yeah, the first 10 weeks is mainly anatomy, with maybe 4-8 lectures per week and around 6 or so hours of lab a week. So that'll be the majority of your effort. BUT, you'll also have OMM lecture/lab once a week and Clinical Skills lab every other week, along with a single PBL session each week. PBL is pretty light during anatomy as there is a "learning curve" and you're mainly getting comfortable with the mechanics of it. It's 2nd semester and I'm still getting comfortable and really starting to see how I learn and make adjustments.

After anatomy is done you'll have PBL 3 days a week (Mon/Wed/Fri), Clinical Exam on tuesdays, and an OMM lecture and lab each week. Second semester is very similar, though they start adding in the mini-courses and clinical exam skills lab is each week and gets a bit harder.

I'm sure you'll be sick of anatomy by the end of the first 10 weeks but I'd recommend that you really start off well by staying on top of the work and do well in it. I know this is thinking a bit ahead, but you'll need to maintain a 3.0 to hold club offices and attend some conferences and getting an A in anatomy early on really helps as PBL and Anatomy are worth the most credit hours.
 
Did I call this or what.

Edit: Apparently I need to make it more clear that I think it's great, and it's no surprise to me, that KateB4 got accepted, because she's been nothing but a class act on these boards.

Thank you, and don't worry, I didn't take that as a negative comment at all. You were right and I'm happy about that.
 
is anyone going to bradenton to look at apartments in March or April?
 
Congrats Kate and welcome to the class of 2012!!! I think we have a really winning class here.
 
Hi everyone! Can't wait to meet u all-- I'm in baby!! 😀 :biglove::banana: 😀
 
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