Liberty University COM (LUCOM) Discussion Thread 2013-2014

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Here's my timeline and stats:

AACOMAS Complete 11/09/13
Secondary offered and submitted 11/11/13
II 11/21/13
Interview 12/19/13
Accepted 12/23/13

cGPA 3.21
sGPA 3.26
MCAT 26
PS 7 BS 9 V 10

Significant work experience as a paramedic and flight paramedic with international aid work, including a year overseas in Saudi Arabia setting up and aeromedical helicopter program for that country.

I echo pretty much all the positive things said about this institution. The whole institution appears committed to a non judgemental, service oriented, loving approach to the delivery of medicine. They are well funded, the faculty is highly qualified and WANTS to be there (even going so far as to leave great stable positions to come to a new school) and to say that the dean is highly involved is an understatement.

Dean Martin literally spent hours with us answering our questions fully and specifically. This is a man who is in the middle of opening a new medical school. He does not have a lot of time to spare, but he thought it important enough to commit time to us to make sure his school is getting the kind of students he feels will further their stated mission.

From top to bottom, I loved every minute of it.

Very happy for you man. It was very nice meeting you. Hope to get that call too.
 
Congrats WTEngel! I also got a call from Dean Martin about hour ago, and I AM ACCEPTED!!! 🙂 so ecstatic, very grateful, and thankful right now! I cannot wait for August!

For those who are still waiting, don't give up and have faith! I had an interview on Thursday. The mission and campus were very nice. I'm impressed by the mission the Dean had emphasized (servant's heart, integrity, and diversity.) About the interview itself, I like the open-file structure. It made me feel like the professors/doctors/interviewers know me. I was so nervous, but you can expect questions like why osteopathic medicine, why not allopathic, why do you think LUCOM is good for you, talk about current issue in medicine of the States and the world and how you will improve them, etc. I really appreciate the holistic consideration by the committee, since becoming a great physician are about the passion, the exposure of medicine, and the willing to help others without benefitting you. Thank you, LUCOM for giving me the opportunity to pursue pediatrics, THANK YOU! <3

Excited for you. Its a great campus. I cant wait to get that call too. Hopefully soon after Christmas.
 
Congrats everyone!!! Make sure to join the FB page and introduce yourselves!
 
Does any one know when are they opening again? Is it after Christmas or after new years?
 
Does any one know when are they opening again? Is it after Christmas or after new years?

Admissions committee will meet January again, not sure on the date, sorry! Call them after new years and find out. They are real pleasant and helpful.
 
Admissions committee will meet January again, not sure on the date, sorry! Call them after new years and find out. They are real pleasant and helpful.

Thanks. Yea, I loved the school. Everyone was super nice. I will definately call them after new years. You think Friday the 3rd is ok or call them Monday the 6th?
 
Thanks. Yea, I loved the school. Everyone was super nice. I will definately call them after new years. You think Friday the 3rd is ok or call them Monday the 6th?

Sure, can't hurt to call on the 3rd. Best of luck and happy holidays!
 
Has anybody who was interviewed on the 16th of December been called or accepted? I am kinda getting worried. Thanks
 
Has anybody who was interviewed on the 16th of December been called or accepted? I am kinda getting worried. Thanks

Was interviewed on 19th, nothing yet. But two people from my group have had calls.
 
Calling is all well and good, but honestly I think calling right after the holiday is a bit much. If they haven't made a decision yet, they probably won't have made one over the holidays, so there probably isn't any news to tell.

Also, in the scheme of things, this isn't that long to wait. I think calling this soon could seem overbearing. I know it is easy for me to say, having a decision already and all, but the key here is patience.

My advice would normally be to let it ride for at least two weeks, but with the holidays and all, I'd give it at least 3 and probably 4. Also, they may call you first. It could be that Dean Martin only had time to go trough half the calls before leaving for the holidays.

It's best not to speculate. Give it some time.
 
Calling is all well and good, but honestly I think calling right after the holiday is a bit much. If they haven't made a decision yet, they probably won't have made one over the holidays, so there probably isn't any news to tell.

Also, in the scheme of things, this isn't that long to wait. I think calling this soon could seem overbearing. I know it is easy for me to say, having a decision already and all, but the key here is patience.

My advice would normally be to let it ride for at least two weeks, but with the holidays and all, I'd give it at least 3 and probably 4. Also, they may call you first. It could be that Dean Martin only had time to go trough half the calls before leaving for the holidays.

It's best not to speculate. Give it some time.

Truth. Patience is a virtue. It took 6 weeks before I heard back.
 
I wouldn't call yet. I'd call January 3rd in the evening and ask Barry(he's so helpful). I was in the Nov. 18th interview's, and since thanksgiving was inbetween the decision time, we had to wait a bit more than usual. So since there's christmas AND new years--give it time!
 
Waiting to hear back too! I really pray I get in. The people were amazing and the school should be great!
Patience is a virtue
 
Same here.....I kinda didn't feel good about the interview....they politicized the whole thing about obamacare...lol...I guess they did not like my answer....lol
 
Haha I think we had a similar discussion. I thought our group was really awesome though! I think it was about getting to know you.. I think they understand that everyone has different opinions. I really pray I get in and get to everyone there!
 
Yeap thats true.....I REALLY REALLY WANNA GET IN....I guess I this point we have to have faith and be patient.....good luck to all of us....
 
Yeap thats true.....I REALLY REALLY WANNA GET IN....I guess I this point we have to have faith and be patient.....good luck to all of us....
Same here, keepng my fingers crossed. I really had a great interview, at least that what I thought. Hope to get the dean's call soon.
 
I think we all 3 had the same interviewer (re: the Affordable Care Act topic.)

I didn't feel like it was political at all. Even though the interviewer shared some of his thoughts on the matter, and we did not see eye to eye on everything, it went more like a discussion than a disagreement.

Like summernight said, whether you agree or disagree with the interviewer, you definitely need to come to the table informed. An informed viewpoint can never really be right or wrong, it just kind of is. Most interviewers respect that I think.
 
I wasn't asked about obamacare, I stayed away from it. I was asked what the biggest problem for healthcare in the future would be, but I was sure to stay away from it(since I don't know anything about it! :O )
 
ACA is being brought up by many schools, especially lately. I would encourage all applicants to brush up on some reading on the matter. Being informed and able to carry a conversation on a subject is great in any setting - especially interviews.
 
I think we all 3 had the same interviewer (re: the Affordable Care Act topic.)

I didn't feel like it was political at all. Even though the interviewer shared some of his thoughts on the matter, and we did not see eye to eye on everything, it went more like a discussion than a disagreement.

Like summernight said, whether you agree or disagree with the interviewer, you definitely need to come to the table informed. An informed viewpoint can never really be right or wrong, it just kind of is. Most interviewers respect that I think.

I totally agree with you. But what are you supposed to think when they ask you "why do you think the government should take responsibility of the people while thats not written on the constitution? Do you come from a socialist country?" Meanwhile I come from a democratic South American country where if you go to the hospital for a emergency or non-emergency you might as well wanna call the funeral home. I was also about to ask him "where does in the constitution say that we are supposed to pay taxes or help other nations with billions of dollars so that they can be our allies. I mean, I felt I was trying to get into Law school not medical school. But at that point I just tried withholding myself from wayyyy off topic subjects. Besides that I think my interview went good.
 
Maybe the questions are designed to see how you hold a mature conversation with someone and remain respectful to opposing opinions whether you agree or not? =)
 
Maybe the questions are designed to see how you hold a mature conversation with someone and remain respectful to opposing opinions whether you agree or not? =)
YEAP YOU ARE RIGHT. I JUST FELT I WAS COUGH OFF GUARD. DESPITE THE FACT I WAS VERY WELL INFORMED ABOUT THE ACA. ANYWAYS GOOD LUCK TO US ALL.
 
Anyone interviewing on Jan. 6th? Good luck to those who are and congrats to those who have been accepted. It sounds like this school is going to great extents to ensure its first class is happy. I am eager to meet the faculty, staff and see the campus. Thanks to those who have been accepted for all your great insight.
 
Is there a thread for accepted students???? I'm so excited to meet my future classmates 😀 I had an interview December 17th and got a call from the dean just a few days before Christmas 🙂. I have a few other interviews but I don't even think I will attend them. I'm so excited about Liberty!!! Also, is anyone else out there planning to attend the ribbon cutting event? Is it open to the public? Thanks!
 
Is there a thread for accepted students???? I'm so excited to meet my future classmates 😀 I had an interview December 17th and got a call from the dean just a few days before Christmas 🙂. I have a few other interviews but I don't even think I will attend them. I'm so excited about Liberty!!! Also, is anyone else out there planning to attend the ribbon cutting event? Is it open to the public? Thanks!

Congrats... There is a Facebook group for accepted students https://www.facebook.com/groups/LUCOM2018/
 
Is there anyone who has received an acceptance here and somewhere else but is having a tough time deciding between the two?
 
Is there anyone who has received an acceptance here and somewhere else but is having a tough time deciding between the two?

Yeah, I've been accepted here and at William Carey so far. It was a tough decisions but I'm going with liberty.
 
So what seems to be the average GPA/MCAT? 3.2/24?

Tough to say… I heard of a few people getting in with good stats (28+ MCAT and over 3.5 gpa). Then there were others with lower stats. It's just a number game really - does not mean one person is more qualified than the next. There's so much that goes into a school's decision to accept a student than numbers 🙂 Best of luck to you and others that applied. I think it will be a great program, despite the bad rep it got from the professional SDN'ers/undergrads -_-
 
Happy new year to all. Its going to be great year. Very excited and hopefull for everyone. God bless you all.
 
Is there anyone who has received an acceptance here and somewhere else but is having a tough time deciding between the two?

Also recieved multiple acceptances but I just feel like Liberty University is best for me as a medical student. I put little stock into what people say on the various platforms on SDN about the school, as I imagine not many even interviewed here and form biased opinions off other comments they have read. I truly loved Lynchburg, the community, the faculty and the hometown feeling I felt while there. I think we have a great community of applicants thus far and look forward to meting everyone in person.
 
Anyone know how big the class size will be this year?

Anyone have a rough estimate on how many seats might still be open? I know the facebook page has 43 people that will be attending LUCOM. There are probably many more who don't even go on studentdoctor and that are accepted.
 
Anyone know how big the class size will be this year?

Anyone have a rough estimate on how many seats might still be open? I know the facebook page has 43 people that will be attending LUCOM. There are probably many more who don't even go on studentdoctor and that are accepted.

160 is the class size
 
Yeah we were told 150. And that's if they decide to fill up the spots. They said they'd go in with significantly less then 150 if they felt necessary. It's just if they find the right people to fill it up.
 
I could have sworn it was 160 but I can't find that number anywhere. 150 it is. I highly doubt they will have less than that in their first class.
 
I kept hearing 150 at the interview also. Dean Martin was adamant about the fact that they will have the right students there, whether it be 1, 15, or 150. They are under no pressure to fill all seats for the first class, and are more concerned with having the right people in those seats (is the impression I had anyway.)

Also, they are being tight lipped about how many acceptances they've currently given. Any previous official revelation of this number was by mistake and the admissions office wants to make sure that everyone that goes to interview has the same advantage that everyone before them had. So if there is 1 seat left or 150 seats left, they want all applicants to be as at ease as possible. This is also just my personal opinion based on what I heard during our interview process on 19 December.

The FB group had just under 50 in it, with a few of those being Liberty admin I think. Be advised that the FB page is not officially sanctioned so far as I know, and there is no official check of the members actual acceptance status when they join. It could be very under or over representative of actual class size this far.

As always, keep calm and carry on. There is always plenty of movement on wait lists at the end of every cycle, for basically every school, for multiple reasons. Like I said earlier, TCOM for example gives out over twice (almost three times) as many acceptances as they have seats to fill for this very reason. Not sure how Liberty will fair this cycle, but I can't imagine it will be too drastically different.
 
For all of you still waiting to hear back...chin up!! I was reading a few posts on the previous page. They only have 43 members on Facebook and at least 7 of them are admins or part of the school. That means that there are LOTS of spots to fill!! Im sure not everyone uses Facebook but I would guess that most people do. I would guess that there are at least 100 more spots to fill.

And about the ACA question...I got it too lol. I think that I answered that question pretty well...I had done some research beforehand. For those of you doing interviews in a few days or the near future, just do a little research, ask some doctors or current med student friends... I asked my family doc before I went. She was more than happy to give her opinion and I was able to use her response as a part of mine 🙂

And since the other accepted students are doing it... here are my stats 🙂

cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.3
MCAT: 23 (I panicked! lol)
bio: 8 (shoulda had a 9....bummer)
verbal: 8
phys: 7

LOTS of volunteer hours including some overseas on medical missions trips. My weakest point was DEFINITELY my MCAT I felt....I guess thats what you get when you try to take full time classes, work full time, and study for the most important test of your LIFE!! haha. Oh...and wait to take physics till after the MCAT...also very dumb. But I have been accepted! So I am VERY thankful that they review applications as a whole...otherwise I would literally be on an island right now -St. Georges University in Grenada 🙂.
 
Regarding the Facebook page, only Ben Smith is from the school. The 7 admins as well as all others are accepted students! Just a clarification 🙂
 
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