Liberty University COM (LUCOM) Discussion Thread 2013-2014

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Did anyone give the school a call today? I know some were talking about it in earlier posts. I just wanna know if the school was open today to check up on the secondary.
 
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 🙂

I got the ACA question as well. I agree that it's a fantastic idea to talk to physicians or medical students that you know personally, and to do research. However, I would advise you to be honest (WITH EVERYTHING. Don't lie. EVER.) if you legitimately don't know anything about the ACA or if it's hard for you to comprehend. I have a hard time understanding politics, especially with the different ways things are presented by the media (biased and all), but I was honest about this. I explained what I do understand but I was clear that I'm no expert and I didn't feel confident enough to form an opinion about it. I explained my personal beliefs about providing care to those who need it, and I mentioned that it's important to me that my education encompasses not only the medical aspects of this profession, but that it addresses things like understanding legislature/politics/whatever so that we are prepared enough to adjust when things change.
 
I got the ACA question as well. I agree that it's a fantastic idea to talk to physicians or medical students that you know personally, and to do research. However, I would advise you to be honest (WITH EVERYTHING. Don't lie. EVER.) if you legitimately don't know anything about the ACA or if it's hard for you to comprehend. I have a hard time understanding politics, especially with the different ways things are presented by the media (biased and all), but I was honest about this. I explained what I do understand but I was clear that I'm no expert and I didn't feel confident enough to form an opinion about it. I explained my personal beliefs about providing care to those who need it, and I mentioned that it's important to me that my education encompasses not only the medical aspects of this profession, but that it addresses things like understanding legislature/politics/whatever so that we are prepared enough to adjust when things change.
greed!! Don't lie!!

Here's how I understood it: I have a background in insurance so that was helpful. Michigan is a state that requires everyone to have auto insurance, it's the law. So more people are put in this pool where premium is drawn. When there is a loss, money is taken from the collected premium. To make up for the loss, everyone's rates go up. With aca, people who couldn't afford healthcare before (and statistically are less healthy due to access to care/health education) are now invited into this pool. Great for them, no one should be denied care because of money/insurance. However, as Dave Ramsey would say, you can't ignore the math. Multiple sicknesses lead to multiple "losses" which deflates the pool of premium. Rates will skyrocket to compensate, but poor people are still poor so middle and upper class people will pick up the slack. Also, the physician shortage is being ignored. Twice as many patients + same # doctors = you'd better be able to wait 6 months for an appointment. That's what's happening in Canada. They're coming here for the healthcare! The doc shortage must be corrected. This 17% GDP on healthcare (and with nothing to show for it!!) is being wasted. The system needs to be revamped. Scholarships should be designed for med students so that we aren't a quarter million dollars in debt when we graduate. More residency positions should open to allow the influx of students to be placed. It's a multi tiered problem with the focus being placed solely on access to care (money/insurance). What about quality of care? And are we really improving access to care if you have to wait 6 months to see a doc? What about people with chronic conditions? What if you can't pay for the insurance or the fine? How do we know you aren't just saying you can't like so many others working the system? What about the lifestyle of doctors? Twice the # of patients in the same amount of time, less pay because of the deflated premium pool...is it better healthcare if we have half the time with each patient? What happens to the D.O philosophy of patient centered care? How can we treat them holistically in less than 10 minutes? I am an optimistic person, and I truly hope aca works out for the people. That's also why I strongly support new schools like LUCOM that are specifically here to fight the deficit. This will be a long, painful process of trial and error that I think will take several decades to smooth out *IF* we have the right people in place that can foresee these problems and fix them as they arise.
 
Question for the accepted people:
Is this the link you guys used to pay? https://www.liberty.edu/libertyu/index.cfm?PID=19108&studenttype=lucom
And is the initial deposit due 30 days after your acceptance? And the total due later?
Thanks for anyone who can answer my stupid questions!
They're not stupid! The first deposit is due 30 days after you get the email. Another 1500 is due 30 days after the first 30 day deadline. As far as the link goes, I don't know because I haven't paid yet 🙂
 
Congrats to everyone who was accepted so far. I look forward to meeting everyone and to those who haven't been accepted or are still in the process, Good Luck.
 
Can anyone tell me if they are still inviting people for interviews?
 
Can anyone tell me if they are still inviting people for interviews?
They are. Lots of interviews have been scheduled for January. I assume they still have close to 100 seats left to fill. Good luck!!
 
Interview invite this morning!! Anyone else interviewing January 21?
 
Just filled out the FAFSA application…..feels real now lol

Did you include parent info? Not sure if Liberty requires it or not. I didn't include it for undergrad but I believe med schools need the info? Someone correct me if I am wrong, thanks!
 
Did you include parent info? Not sure if Liberty requires it or not. I didn't include it for undergrad but I believe med schools need the info? Someone correct me if I am wrong, thanks!

I did not include it, as an older student I am not sure what that would add or take away from the process.
 
Anybody know if class is required here? Also, anybody have details on the laptop given out to matriculated students?

Thanks!
 
Anybody know if class is required here? Also, anybody have details on the laptop given out to matriculated students?

Thanks!
No details on the laptop--- but class will be required I believe. There will be "clicker questions" (where there will be a random question in between lectures that you answer for points)
 
No details on the laptop--- but class will be required I believe. There will be "clicker questions" (where there will be a random question in between lectures that you answer for points)
The laptop is a PC. It will be used to take exams. That is all I know 🙂
 
How did it go? Ive never had to fill one out, so I am somewhat dreading it. And you dont need any parent info for sure? Thanks!

It is pretty basic and easy to fill out and I used it as undergrad so only small changes. As someone in their 30s, I never put my parents info when I did it then so assume I will not now since I am an older independent individual. If they need it later I can always add it later plenty of months to go =).

Nothing is as bad as adding years of transcript grades to AACOMAS lol so all forms seem easy now hehehe
 
Just wondering, for those of you accepted on December 23rd, has your status on ASIST changed at all?

I have been logging in from time to time to check my app status to see if it has changed, and today when I logged in, there was actually a second application for DO school that had been created today. I am not really sure if I messed up and clicked something erroneously, or if it is just the normal acceptance process, but I was just wondering what everyone else's experience was.

Also, I have not received an e mail with deposit information either. Has anyone else who was accepted on or around the same time gotten this info? I just want to make sure that I am not falling behind the 8 ball.
 
Just wondering, for those of you accepted on December 23rd, has your status on ASIST changed at all?

I have been logging in from time to time to check my app status to see if it has changed, and today when I logged in, there was actually a second application for DO school that had been created today. I am not really sure if I messed up and clicked something erroneously, or if it is just the normal acceptance process, but I was just wondering what everyone else's experience was.

Also, I have not received an e mail with deposit information either. Has anyone else who was accepted on or around the same time gotten this info? I just want to make sure that I am not falling behind the 8 ball.

Don't worry WTEngel, been accepted quite awhile here and have 6 or 7 of those application on there and there is a new one today that's not finished. I am not sure why they don't keep adding to one but they continue to keep making new ones even if there is no update. On a side note ...... anyone receive info from Ben Smith about where to do drug test, background check etc yet?
 
Hey guys I have an interview scheduled in a few weeks and need some feedback. I'm kinda hesitant about the COM because of their parent institution. All my experience with the staff has been amazing, they're all really nice and friendly over the phone and emails. I'll be attending the interview to get a better feel for the school.
I'm wondering if anyone Muslim has gone to the interview and to get feedback from them. You can PM me if you're more comfortable with that. Any help is appreciated.
 
Have not received any email or mail since the call on the 23rd neither. Dean Martin actually mentioned during the call that I wouldn't receive any update in the next three weeks (from Dec 23rd) due to the holidays. I'm so worried too, so I checked my call history just to make sure the call on the 23rd has 434 Virginia area code, and that I did not imagine an acceptance lol What is an ASSIST? Is it the log in page/info we had when we submitted secondary? Would you guys please share a link for easy access, if you don't mind, thank you! & Happy New Year, everyone! 🙂

If you go to Liberty homepage and click myLU login and sign in with the information you used to make an account there will be an ASIST tab you can click.
 
Can anyone who interviewed with Dr Swanson pm me or post here please? Just had one quick question about him.
 
Hey guys I have an interview scheduled in a few weeks and need some feedback. I'm kinda hesitant about the COM because of their parent institution. All my experience with the staff has been amazing, they're all really nice and friendly over the phone and emails. I'll be attending the interview to get a better feel for the school.
I'm wondering if anyone Muslim has gone to the interview and to get feedback from them. You can PM me if you're more comfortable with that. Any help is appreciated.

rzoo14 there is a diverse group of people from various religious backgrounds at the interviews and accepted to the inaugural class. I felt no religious pressure or swaying to one way, they just want to make sure your a great person that is compassionate and will respect everyone while there. I trust if you give them a shot you will be like many of us, thoroughly surprised and happy to have gone on the interview to meet the amazing faculty and administration that will be running the school. New buildings are nice and everything, but the people that occupy said building is what makes the medical school, students included. =)
 
Can anyone who interviewed with Dr Swanson pm me or post here please? Just had one quick question about him.

Go ahead shoot me a message and I'll answer later have to run for now
 
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A couple of questions:
--Does anyone know if classes will be required? Will lectures be recorded? What will a typical day look like?...I've heard a lot about 2 yrs of anatomy, will this be everyday for 2 years?
-- I know this school is big on volunteering. Will there be a required amount of volunteer hours?
-- Is there a dress code?

I am just trying to get a feel for the school since it's their first year. Thanks in advance.
 
From the answers I received:
-- Attendance is not required, but the recorded lecture won't be up until a day after. In this way, it makes student go to class, which is good, I think.
-- If I did not hear it wrong, Dean Martin said the 2 years anatomy is just for us to have more time to really learn and understand the structure and not just cramming and remembering it. I do not remember if it will be everyday. You should check with them by just emailing or calling. They are happy to answer.
-- There is no dress code, but you have to follow code of conduct and be professional. For example, in an extreme explanation; definitely NO short shorts or getting drunk before class etc.
I think they value personal maturity and responsibility. By the way, to answer the earlier raised questions, they are not going to spy on you and expell you when you spend your time in the restaurant or your room having a glass of wine. Again, they have code of conduct around campus, but they also respect that you are professional and responsible enough not to get a DUI or something like that. In short: professionalism and common sense ...

To see the word "Accept" on ASIST is surreal! Good luck everyone! 🙂

Guess my Magnum P.I. shorts will have to wait for Halloween lol.....
 
Question about January 6 interviews. How many of you have heard something back yet?
 
rzoo14 there is a diverse group of people from various religious backgrounds at the interviews and accepted to the inaugural class. I felt no religious pressure or swaying to one way, they just want to make sure your a great person that is compassionate and will respect everyone while there. I trust if you give them a shot you will be like many of us, thoroughly surprised and happy to have gone on the interview to meet the amazing faculty and administration that will be running the school. New buildings are nice and everything, but the people that occupy said building is what makes the medical school, students included. =)
Thanks for your reply. I'm definitely going to the interview to get a feel for the school and the surrounding area. I'll be looking forward to meeting a few of the staff and faculty who have been extremely nice and super helpful so far. I'm sure they have the potential to have a good thing going for them but having that undergrad institutes background creates doubt for me. Anyways, good luck to all.

Does anyone know what the post interview acceptances chances are? I know they don't have any official numbers but are they rejecting/waitlisting a lot of candidates?
 
For the first two years is this school gonna be pass/fail? Or do we have H/HP/P etc? Anyone know by any chance?
 
Question about January 6 interviews. How many of you have heard something back yet?

I interviewed that day, I only received a survey about interview day. Nothing else...*fingers crossed* good luck!
 
Has anyone who was accepted at the end of December received anything about the deposit? I haven't gotten anything in the mail yet and nothing at the liberty.edu email either. I'm just starting to wonder if I missed something.
 
For those of you who have been accepted and plan on attending, when are you going to start looking for apartments/housing?
 
First I'd like to say how impressed I am with LUCOM, and Liberty Univ. as a whole. I interviewed Jan. 6 and I truly appreciated the faculty, staff, and fellow applicants.

To answer your question chicoquita, I have not heard back. I did however receive the survey email.

I remember hearing that we would hear Monday, which is tomorrow, about whether we were accepted, waitlisted, or not accepted. I cannot wait for tomorrow to be here already, I will have my phone full volume so I do not miss that call.

Good luck to everyone!!!
 
First I'd like to say how impressed I am with LUCOM, and Liberty Univ. as a whole. I interviewed Jan. 6 and I truly appreciated the faculty, staff, and fellow applicants.

To answer your question chicoquita, I have not heard back. I did however receive the survey email.

I remember hearing that we would hear Monday, which is tomorrow, about whether we were accepted, waitlisted, or not accepted. I cannot wait for tomorrow to be here already, I will have my phone full volume so I do not miss that call.

Good luck to everyone!!!

Wow, you guys are so lucky to hear back so soon!
 
Has anyone who was accepted at the end of December received anything about the deposit? I haven't gotten anything in the mail yet and nothing at the liberty.edu email either. I'm just starting to wonder if I missed something.
The email will come through on the LUCOM email address that was created when you completed your secondary. I too did not realize this and was waiting and waiting until I finally called and they told me to check that. I just paid my deposit today.
 
already started looking
 
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The email will come through on the LUCOM email address that was created when you completed your secondary. I too did not realize this and was waiting and waiting until I finally called and they told me to check that. I just paid my deposit today.

How long after you were accepted did you receive the email? I was accepted 3 weeks ago and still nothing in that email.
 
Has anyone paid the second deposit yet? Do you know if we submit it through the same link or just through ASIST? It's not very clear on ASIST and the deadline is quickly approaching. Also, has anyone received any information on the background check, drug screen, immunizations, etc. with forms or when they need to be completed?
 
How long after you were accepted did you receive the email? I was accepted 3 weeks ago and still nothing in that email.
I was accepted December 13. The email was sent almost immediately
 
Has anyone paid the second deposit yet? Do you know if we submit it through the same link or just through ASIST? It's not very clear on ASIST and the deadline is quickly approaching. Also, has anyone received any information on the background check, drug screen, immunizations, etc. with forms or when they need to be completed?

I used the same link and it went through fine can also do it through ASIST either way is fine. Ben Smith posted a thread somewhere on here saying he will be starting to send all of the additional requirement lists out to everyone soon. I am posting it here below so all the info is in the same place:


"Dear Student Doctors;

It has been a real privilege getting to meet you and look forward to those of you who have not yet visited campus the Libert University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM).

Hopefully, this post will offer some answers to prospective and accepted students:
1. Please, you must use your university email account. It helps to include your student identification number when communicating to university faculty and staff. All correspondence from the Liberty University (LU) is sent only to university accounts; it is part of the agreement when students claim their username and email account.

2. Checklist items will be sent to your LU email account with appropriate instruction as well as adequate time to have all the items completed prior to your arrival for Orientation. If you have questions please call or email the LUCOM Office of Student Services. We are here to serve!

3. Confirmation Deposits are paid online and require your student identification number. Please visit the www.aacomas.org website and be familiar with the rules and traffic guidelines. IF you are having trouble submitting a deposit, please email the LUCOM Office of Student Services or feel free to call us.

4. The Student Health Form will be sent out to you (via LU email account) in a few days as well as other documents with detailed instructions.

5. There is a Class of 2018 Facebook page that our students have created. They are remarkable individuals and am sure they are happy to answer questions.

I hope this note finds all of you well. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you!

Sincerely,
Ben"
 
Hello everyone!

Are any of my fellow SDNers interviewing this Thursday, January 16th? If you have any interest of coffee or a quick bite to eat let me know! It would be great to connect with some people and discuss the process!
 
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