LECOM - Bradenton Discussion thread 2007-2008

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DragonWell said:
I'm almost reluctant to post these few things, since sometimes people have a tendency to latch on to negative posts and magnify them out of proportion. Lest that happen here, let me underscore that in spite of the couple issues mentioned above, it's tough for me to imagine having had a better experience than I've had here. I seem to do best when someone sets the goal, and then gives me as much freedom as possible to figure out how to get there, and PBL has really worked for me in this way. Lectures can be very useful, but as a sole learning tool, it seems very limited compared to the integration that happens through PBL. Good luck, everybody!
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Thanks DragonWell! If that's the worst I can expect, then I'm glad I'm going to such a great school!!! People would be *****s to think otherwise. Thanks for all the info. I would be lost without you guys.

Every school is going to have little things that bug you and I just wanted to get some of your opinions on what these things are a LECOM-B. My wife is a dental hygiene student and has endured FAR worse things from her program here.

Speaking of...anyone know any dentists in the area? Long shot, I know, but hey...
 
fightingirish said:
The lecturers seemed somewhat disinterested and were difficult to pay attention to, especially for 3 hours straight.
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E]

You don't get a break? In my undergrad they told us about all this research that people cant stay focused for more than an hour at a time, so in longer classes we got a 10 min break for every hour of class.
 
DragonWell said:
I'm almost reluctant to post these few things, since sometimes people have a tendency to latch on to negative posts and magnify them out of proportion. Lest that happen here, let me underscore that in spite of the couple issues mentioned above, it's tough for me to imagine having had a better experience than I've had here. I seem to do best when someone sets the goal, and then gives me as much freedom as possible to figure out how to get there, and PBL has really worked for me in this way. Lectures can be very useful, but as a sole learning tool, it seems very limited compared to the integration that happens through PBL. Good luck, everybody!
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I understand that every school has its issues but I just was curious about what some people thought LECOM's were before I get delusional about its perfection 😍 :laugh:

But I am happy about my decision to go to LECOM and I have gotten more excited recently due to all of the praise that LECOM-B students give it. 🙂
 
avalon18217 said:
E]

You don't get a break? In my undergrad they told us about all this research that people cant stay focused for more than an hour at a time, so in longer classes we got a 10 min break for every hour of class.
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Yeah, you get a 10 minute break every hour. Sorry to be confusing. Its that way with every lecture we have luckily.
 
1st year here as well.....and I think DragonWell hit on the main points. Yeah, there are little things that annoy me, but nothing that's a deal breaker.

Mini-courses: I think it's just going to be the nature of these courses to be more on the boring-why-am-I-here side.....especially since most of us don't really enjoy sitting through lectures. Ethics wasn't all that fun. Geriatrics was a little better, we especially had one female physician who I thought was great, she was a good speaker and didn't just read from the notes, which makes a HUGE difference! Plus it was more clinical and that helped some.

Water/Dress Code: Dress code doesn't really bother me at all. I'm there to learn medicine, not to exert my independence through fashion. You get used to it, and everyone does look nice all dressed up. It's sometimes weird to see each other outside of school in "civilian" clothes. The no-water thing can be annoying at times. But there's basically a water fountain around each corner so you can just slip out of class or go during a break. Or just go sit in the lounge for a few minutes to have a coffee or drink while reading.

Admin/Faculty: Overall I've found the teaching faculty to be pretty good. You'll quickly find out who's more approachable than others, what each of their strengths are, who is less interested in administration "politics" and more interested in just teaching, etc... I've gotten along pretty well with especially two of my past facilitators and they pretty much have an open door policy. It does sometimes seem like there is a little tension between the admin and students. Not sure how much that has to do the admin overall or just a few. Also keep in mind that we (and our admin here) still pretty much have to answer to the main folks up at Erie.

So nothing that's a deal breaker for me. I'm pretty easy going so I can roll with any changes or rules. I'm here to learn medicine. As long as a school has a solid curriculum, some good professors to turn to, and doesn't screw up my financial aid....then I'm good.
 
Thanks.

One follow up question: What do you think is the source of the "tension" between the students and the admin?

I've read they're pretty responsive to student concerns, so...what's the deal?
 
digitlnoize said:
Thanks.

One follow up question: What do you think is the source of the "tension" between the students and the admin?

I've read they're pretty responsive to student concerns, so...what's the deal?
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Not really sure. I really think it's just the impression we sometimes get from only a few of the office/admin staff. There's been one or two instances where disagreements weren't handled as professionally as it could have been, by both sides (students included), in the end it got worked out though.

Could just be the "norm" for higher academic settings, but you stick 150 type A (for the most part) stressed out students in small environment and add in a few admin types that have to listen to the complaints year after year and there is bound to be some tension.
 
Thanks nlax. Makes perfect sense to me!

To the admitted: I found out that I can get my titers and tests done at my student health for dirt cheap. You guys might want to check that out as an option...
 
digitlnoize said:
Thanks DragonWell! If that's the worst I can expect, then I'm glad I'm going to such a great school!!! People would be *****s to think otherwise. Thanks for all the info. I would be lost without you guys.

Every school is going to have little things that bug you and I just wanted to get some of your opinions on what these things are a LECOM-B. My wife is a dental hygiene student and has endured FAR worse things from her program here.

Speaking of...anyone know any dentists in the area? Long shot, I know, but hey...
Click to expand...

No problem. As with anything, your results may vary. I'm sure some people in the class have very different opinions about things than me.

I think your class actually has a big advantage in that you've all sat in on a PBL session, so hopefully, the students that matriculate will be those who have self-selected PBL. Previously, we just got a lecture about PBL, and there were definitely some people who obviously didn't pay attention to it, since they showed up at PBL expecting a two hour lecture. 🙄

digitlnoize said:
Thanks.

One follow up question: What do you think is the source of the "tension" between the students and the admin?

I've read they're pretty responsive to student concerns, so...what's the deal?
Click to expand...

Personally, I think a lot of it has to do with the rules and the manner in which they enforce them. For example, if dress code becomes an issue, someone from the administration may actually stand at the door and observe students entering the building to make sure they are dressed appropriately. I guess some students were entering the building with out their IDs, so they posted signs that if you didn't have your ID, you would have to pay a $25 replacement fee to enter the building. I already mentioned the assigned seats...

Even though I have no issue with any of the rules, having them pushed in your face like this can just seem a little strong-handed at times, IMO. I definitely don't think it helps promote warm, fuzzy feelings between students and the administration. I would say that the administration is extremely receptive to academic concerns, but as far as issues about things like the dress code or food and drink policy go, they've heard it all before and don't want to hear it again...can't say I blame them...

Bottom line, if you're here to learn medicine in a professional environment, you will have no problems whatsoever. If you treat your colleagues with respect, they will treat you likewise, and I've developed some very good relationships with members of the administration through this philosophy. If, however, you've got some kind of rebel without a cause thing going, well, you're probably going to find plenty of causes here.😀
 
DragonWell said:
....Personally, I think a lot of it has to do with the rules and the manner in which they enforce them. For example, if dress code becomes an issue, someone from the administration may actually stand at the door and observe students entering the building to make sure they are dressed appropriately....
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Yes, it happens every now and then, but to be fair it happens after students decide to start breaking the rules. When a bunch of people decide to start ignoring the rules, then they crack down for a while. It really doesn't bother me at all because I've never come to school not in dress code. It seems like you're being treated like children, but to be honest, it's kind of childish to break the rules and complain about it when you get caught.

Do you remember when we started first year? They didn't even take the roll then. Dr. K told us he didn't think there was any reason to take the roll as long as we either attended class or called in sick. They trusted us. Everything was just fine until the day after the PBL test when so many students went out and got rip-roaring drunk the night before that 25% of the class just didn't show up at 8AM the next day for Dean's Hour. The sign-in sheets started that day. Then, last semester when people were caught signing in others-- technically an honor code violation-- we were given assigned seats. Every punishment we've been given we brought on ourselves. Yes, it seems like we are treated like children sometimes, but I think we were acting like children instead of responsible adults.

The bottome line is, just like you mentioned, if you're a rebel you might want to re-think Lecom-B because rebels will have a really hard time. But, if you want a good medical education, in a warm climate, surrounded by great people....then Lecom-B is a perfect choice.
 
I can't WAIT for the no food policy. In a midterm last Friday, a girl 7 seats over OPENED A PACKAGE OF CHEETOS and proceeded to RATTLE THE BAG and CRUNCH. During an exam. You bet I stopped it, but are you ****ing kidding me?

I am SO OVER the west coast. 41 years is ENOUGH.
 
DrMidlife said:
I can't WAIT for the no food policy. In a midterm last Friday, a girl 7 seats over OPENED A PACKAGE OF CHEETOS and proceeded to RATTLE THE BAG and CRUNCH. During an exam. You bet I stopped it, but are you ****ing kidding me?

I am SO OVER the west coast. 41 years is ENOUGH.
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I'm with you there. Even though I will be suffering because I always have a bottle of water or some kind of drink with me, I absolutely hate listening to people eating durring a lecture. In my anatomy class currently, there is one girl who constantly brings something crunchy to lecture. She inevitably sits behind me, and twice already has spilled her food on the floor of the lecture hall (which slopes downwards to the front, so I was stepping on her cereal one day, and I think it was trail mix the second time?
 
scpod said:
Yes, it happens every now and then, but to be fair it happens after students decide to start breaking the rules. When a bunch of people decide to start ignoring the rules, then they crack down for a while. It really doesn't bother me at all because I've never come to school not in dress code. It seems like you're being treated like children, but to be honest, it's kind of childish to break the rules and complain about it when you get caught.

Do you remember when we started first year? They didn't even take the roll then. Dr. K told us he didn't think there was any reason to take the roll as long as we either attended class or called in sick. They trusted us. Everything was just fine until the day after the PBL test when so many students went out and got rip-roaring drunk the night before that 25% of the class just didn't show up at 8AM the next day for Dean's Hour. The sign-in sheets started that day. Then, last semester when people were caught signing in others-- technically an honor code violation-- we were given assigned seats. Every punishment we've been given we brought on ourselves. Yes, it seems like we are treated like children sometimes, but I think we were acting like children instead of responsible adults.

The bottome line is, just like you mentioned, if you're a rebel you might want to re-think Lecom-B because rebels will have a really hard time. But, if you want a good medical education, in a warm climate, surrounded by great people....then Lecom-B is a perfect choice.
Click to expand...

Yeah, agreed. It all seems pretty simple to me - bring your ID, wear a tie, eat in the lounge, etc. and you have no problem. Where I think the tension arises sometimes is when the many are "punished" for the actions of the few - cracking down indiscriminately on everyone, regardless of whether they follow the rules or not isn't really positive reinforcement for doing what your supposed to...
 
DrMidlife said:
I can't WAIT for the no food policy. In a midterm last Friday, a girl 7 seats over OPENED A PACKAGE OF CHEETOS and proceeded to RATTLE THE BAG and CRUNCH. During an exam. You bet I stopped it, but are you ****ing kidding me?

I am SO OVER the west coast. 41 years is ENOUGH.
Click to expand...

Agreed! not only is it annoying it is simply unhealthy, your digestive system needs time to rest and some of these kids seem to constantly have something hanging out of their mouths, honestly I think I would puke if I was constantly eating something like I watch these people do (not to mention it is often not the best thing like chips, granola bars, huge fruit smoothies, 'protein bars' or other assorted chemical imitation food)

Ok, I'm ending rant now, this is a topic I could go off on. The water thing is really the only tough part for me, like Kate I'm attached to my water bottle, but I'll live
 
I also like to think that the no water in class policy might help prepare me for the times on rotations and residency when we have to forego things like water.
 
Hi everyone,

just got back from vacation for a week (yeah I'm tan amongst all this snow, great!), nice to see people have been active on the forum. Regarding rules, I think most people forgot that medical school is a career choice, more like a job, as opposed to undergraduate school, where you practically can show up for class in under garments. After working for almost three years in a real job, no one at my work complains about carrying ID badges or not eating food while working, so why should we? Are we supposed to be doctors, not whiny kids? I can't imagine myself getting all drunk the Sunday night before work, even if there's a football game on. This is when I think it's good for most people to have some kind of real world experience before entering medical school, because in the real world, no one cares if you whine because you are hung over.

Sorry to be mean about it, but come on, how old are we? Many of us will be more than 23 to 26 years old coming school time, not 18 anymore...
 
LauraDO said:
I loved it, I posted details in the LauraDO rally thread. But I absolutely loved the school, loved PBL, loved the whole experience. I could see myself there, and I pray that they could see me there too. I think the interview went well-so fingers crossed. They said that there are only thirty seats left. The adcom is meeting on Thursday the 20th. I have an interview scheduled at WVSOM on the 28th which I will cancel if I am accepted.

I have written a LOI which they will receive on Mon
Click to expand...

Holy Snikes!! any sense of how many interviews left, acceptance offers outstanding, how many will come off the waitlist (yes, this is what I really care about).

congrats on the interview, sounds like a success!
 
marathondude said:
Holy Snikes!! any sense of how many interviews left, acceptance offers outstanding, how many will come off the waitlist (yes, this is what I really care about).

congrats on the interview, sounds like a success!
Click to expand...

Have you not done your yoga Marathon? You don't seem very 'in the flow'. Let us stop and take a big ohmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm moment

Ohmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

ahh, much better...ok all I Know is that there are 30 seats left and on avg about 40 people are taken off the waitlist, so best case scenario about 70 seats left (this is how Ms. Flaim put it)
 
LauraDO said:
ahh, much better...ok all I Know is that there are 30 seats left and on avg about 40 people are taken off the waitlist, so best case scenario about 70 seats left (this is how Ms. Flaim put it)
Click to expand...

60 people came off a waitlist of 100 last year. Not that I've been paying attention.
 
LauraDO said:
Have you not done your yoga Marathon? You don't seem very 'in the flow'. Let us stop and take a big ohmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm moment

Ohmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

ahh, much better...ok all I Know is that there are 30 seats left and on avg about 40 people are taken off the waitlist, so best case scenario about 70 seats left (this is how Ms. Flaim put it)
Click to expand...

aah, thanks that's much better. I've assumed the triangle pose, which was helpful. However, I may need something stronger, so gonna have to head out for a few beers with some friends here in Va. I'll raise a glass for ya! and two glasses for me and Dr. Midlife to ease our suffering. Happy St. Pat's to all...
 
marathondude said:
aah, thanks that's much better. I've assumed the triangle pose, which was helpful. However, I may need something stronger, so gonna have to head out for a few beers with some friends here in Va. I'll raise a glass for ya! and two glasses for me and Dr. Midlife to ease our suffering. Happy St. Pat's to all...
Click to expand...

Make mine green tea. Ommmmm to all my fellow waiterheads.
 
digitlnoize said:
Thanks DragonWell! If that's the worst I can expect, then I'm glad I'm going to such a great school!!! People would be *****s to think otherwise. Thanks for all the info. I would be lost without you guys.

Every school is going to have little things that bug you and I just wanted to get some of your opinions on what these things are a LECOM-B. My wife is a dental hygiene student and has endured FAR worse things from her program here.

Speaking of...anyone know any dentists in the area? Long shot, I know, but hey...
Click to expand...

I wanted to put my two cents on PBL. I did express my skepticism loud and clear at the time of my interview - I just felt that I should 'be myself'. Besides, didn't Descartes say skepticism is good?

Recently, I have talked to two friends of mine. One of them went to UNC med school and she is a 4.0 type of student. She just finished her residency. When I mentioned about LECOM's PBL system - she said she went thru sort of the opposite system - all lectures. And she said in retrospect, she wished they had more PBL than lectures. She commented how PBL type of stuff people remember the most.

Talked to one of my neighbors - a neurologist..she graduated from Penn State where they had some PBL. She commented that she remembers PBL stuff the most - not the lecture materials.

Needless to say, I got more encouragement from talking to these two friends of mine. I am absolutely looking forward to July. I am real real non-trad.

Sorry don't know any dentists. I would imagine job market for a dental hygienist would be very good though.
 
2DEG said:
I am real real non-trad.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah? How non-trad? I'm 41 and there's a 50yo interviewing this week. So am I real real real non-trad and sherruns is real real real real non-trad?
 
So, Bradenton must love me.... I just got two identical matriculation packets in the mail! I figure either they really love me, or they really want to make sure that I get the paperwork done.

LauraDO... when you find out that you are accepted and want to go here, I can send you my second packet so you can get started on the medical stuff and background check (everything is due May 16th and it took them a few weeks to get me my packet).
 
Kateb4 said:
So, Bradenton must love me.... I just got two identical matriculation packets in the mail! I figure either they really love me, or they really want to make sure that I get the paperwork done.

LauraDO... when you find out that you are accepted and want to go here, I can send you my second packet so you can get started on the medical stuff and background check (everything is due May 16th and it took them a few weeks to get me my packet).
Click to expand...

😀 Big smile, I love you right now Kate, absolutely love you! Everyone needs to concentrate their best LECOM vibes onto Thursday, which I like to call L-Day (LauraDO is accepted to medical school and won't have to go through this whole tedious, expensive product next year, plus she will be able to more to florida and bask in the sun as she should)

ohmmm...
 
If I keep not getting any love around here, I'm SO not making you guys homemade dark chocolate ice cream.
 
DrMidlife said:
If I keep not getting any love around here, I'm SO not making you guys homemade dark chocolate ice cream.
Click to expand...

You know how it goes, throw the elders off the cliff first 😛
 
LauraDO You KNOW I'm always rootin' for ya! The candles are lit and the chanting has begun.

>>>>>>LAURADOLECOMBRADENTON2012<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
 
DrMidlife said:
If I keep not getting any love around here, I'm SO not making you guys homemade dark chocolate ice cream.
Click to expand...

Dr Midlife, you know I am one of your biggest fans! Partially because if you get in I won't be the oldest one for sure, lol! I have no doubt that you'll be getting that call off the waitlist any day now. I don't know how they review them, but you're right... they did say at my interview that they invited 60/100from the waitlist last year. So, you have a very good chance. I bet that you and Laura will get your letters at the same time. I figure that they are saving the best for last!
 
Kateb4 said:
Dr Midlife, you know I am one of your biggest fans! Partially because if you get in I won't be the oldest one for sure, lol! I have no doubt that you'll be getting that call off the waitlist any day now. I don't know how they review them, but you're right... they did say at my interview that they invited 60/100from the waitlist last year. So, you have a very good chance. I bet that you and Laura will get your letters at the same time. I figure that they are saving the best for last!
Click to expand...

So, I'm 34 in June. I feel so progressive being called non-traditional. I always thought us geezers were the most likely to be "traditional". o.k. just had a few st. paddy's beers and came home and drunk dialed studentdoctor.net...So ashamed
 
marathondude said:
So, I'm 34 in June. I feel so progressive being called non-traditional. I always thought us geezers were the most likely to be "traditional". o.k. just had a few st. paddy's beers and came home and drunk dialed studentdoctor.net...So ashamed
Click to expand...

Agreed! When I say I'm non-traditional I feel like I'm living an 'alternative lifestyle' or something modern
 
Listen, because this is from experience here: If they are willing to take an old, crotchety, overweight, balding sob like me, you hot chicks in your 20's, 30's, and 40's have it made 🙂.
 
Hey Dr. Midlife,

Just wanted to give you some hope. Alot of the class spots are currently being held by people that are waiting on MD acceptances. It sucks, but that's what they're doing. I myself am 99.9% committed to LECOM, but if my state school in the city I live in now comes through, I MAY take it...mostly just so I don't have to sell my house, and my daughter can stay at her school.

Please note: This is a BIG maybe for me. I really, really, really, like LECOM-B and the area and will mostly likely just bite the bullet and move there no matter what happens. I really like our potential class too.

But for other people, I know many are holding out for waitlist acceptances and once May 15th comes and everyone chooses their schools, you will see ALOT of WL movement. I am sure you will get in. You seem like the type of student that they like, and I am very surprised they didn't take you flat out.

Anyways, I don't want anyone to think that I'm hanging onto a spot that I don't want and that Dr. Midlife should have. I am talking to realtors in both cities now, in fact. I LOVE Lecom-B. I just want you to know the thought process that many people are going through now, and how it can impact your getting in.

I know you're going to say that everyone else is going to love LECOM-B too, but the reality is that most people (do pre-meds count as people?) I've talked to think I'm crazy if I choose a DO school over an MD, but they can bite me.

Anyways, this is long enough, but you have a great chance left...don't give up hope.
 
DrMidlife said:
Oh yeah? How non-trad? I'm 41 and there's a 50yo interviewing this week. So am I real real real non-trad and sherruns is real real real real non-trad?
Click to expand...

To define non-trad, age is just one of the factors - not the sole determining factor. I am in my mid-30's but the reason I am a very non-trad is what two of my college friends said once - 'funny foreigner' - except another word was used that also starts with the same letter. No, no..I didn't mind at all - they didn't mean anything bad at all.

So, there you go! Good luck to all who are waiting to hear from LECOM. LauraDO ..I am definitely looking forward to the L-Day. Laura, D.O has a nice ring to it.
 
In other news...

I just saw something interesting while surfing and wanted to ask:

Do any of you LECOM students have problems with your water pressure at home? Just curious. I read there was a problem in LWR, although it's being looked at. This is in no way a deal breaker, lol, but I hate weak showers. Then again, I could always bathe in my pool...ewwww...
 
ThisIsYourLife said:
LWR?? what does that mean?
Click to expand...

Heh. Sorry. I figured the people who live there would know, but forgot about the rest of you...

LWR = Lakewood Ranch, the neighborhood that LECOM-B is in. Pretty houses. Good schools...including LECOM!

I guess it should just be LR, but I've got LWR stuck in my mind. I just get sick of typing it so much. I'm kinda lazy that way. Or maybe it's my old arthritic fingers...
 
digitlnoize said:
...Do any of you LECOM students have problems with your water pressure at home? Just curious. I read there was a problem in LWR,...
Click to expand...

I like in LWR (Yes, this is the commonly accepted abbreviation 🙂) about 4 miles from school and I've never had a problem with the water pressure. I've also been hit in the face a couple of times while running at night when the sprinklers came on suddenly-- no lack of water pressure there either. But, the sprinkler water is king of nasty 😡.
 
scpod said:
I like in LWR (Yes, this is the commonly accepted abbreviation 🙂) about 4 miles from school and I've never had a problem with the water pressure. I've also been hit in the face a couple of times while running at night when the sprinklers came on suddenly-- no lack of water pressure there either. But, the sprinkler water is king of nasty 😡.
Click to expand...

:laugh: That is awesome. I can picture it now...lol. Sorry. There was a thing on the LWR (thanks) website that said someone was looking into the water pressure problem...Just thought I'd ask. We have one of those awesome showerhead thingys anyways...It can turn a stream into a flood!

Sorry to be so nitpicky. I was just curious after I saw that little blurb today.
 
digitlnoize said:
:laugh: That is awesome. I can picture it now...lol. Sorry. There was a thing on the LWR (thanks) website that said someone was looking into the water pressure problem...Just thought I'd ask. We have one of those awesome showerhead thingys anyways...It can turn a stream into a flood!

Sorry to be so nitpicky. I was just curious after I saw that little blurb today.
Click to expand...

I'm technically not in LWR, but a couple miles down 70 and I haven't had any issues.

If you do though you could always get one of those black-market high flow shower heads like on Seinfeld...... HAHA...great episode...
 
Hey guys, I will be applying to Lecom-B this cycle but I live in LWR when not away at school and I went to high school at Lakewood Ranch HS (which borders Lecom) so if anyone has any questions about the area feel free to ask.
 
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