Can you clarify what you mean about issues with getting rotations in competitive specialties? Not sure I'm following you there...competing for information?? The DCOM rotation experience will not, in my opinion, prevent you from getting rotations in competitive specialties. Maybe I can expand more once I understand what you're saying exactly...
As for living in a rural area....it just is what it is honestly. It's all relative to where you're from city size wise, what you like to do in your free time (which is almost next to none, so really it doesn't matter that much anyway lol), etc. I came from a town around 120,000 or so, so Harrogate was DEFINITELY an adjustment. However, some of my class came from Denver, Miami, Nashville etc and they survived as wellThere are LOTS of outdoor activities to get into. Tons of hiking, places to bike, etc. Within driving distance you can ski, whitewater raft, etc. Outdoor activities are not lacking for sure...time to do them is another question. As for nightlife...well...you may be sorely disappointed. I'm not sure of the current status of the one main bar in the Gap...it constantly changes ownership and names, but my class would always go there post exams. Most people, though, seemed to make the trek down to Knoxville with a group after a test, get dinner, go out etc. It's really not bad once you get used to the idea of it. Also, about 30 min away is a fun marina type restaurant/bar on the water. They do karaoke and have live music at times. The food is average at best, but the drinks are cold and the ambience is fun. I organized a big outing for a back to school thing second year and it was a lot of fun. You'll find that people tend to just throw house parties after exams. Keeps people from driving far and you're able to have a little more "fun" if you will
Other than that, there's a city park where people get together for sports stuff sometimes, there's a bowling alley, a movie theater (that has like 2 screens, mind you lol) and a building that they try to pass off as a mall, but is really just a few stores in one building
Anywho, the point is, it may be suffocating at times, but it's honestly a good setting for focusing on school. And it's BEAUTIFUL. On days where I was just really spent, there wasn't much that beat just stepping out on one of the balconies, taking in the view, breathing a few deep breaths...it was a great way to recharge during a stressful days.
. Anyway, I am at one of the new sites this year as well....there are definitely definitely some kinks, and I agree that DCOM has kind've dropped the ball in several areas. I think in general though, it isn't DCOM's fault...there needs to be more regulation and oversight from whoever is supposed to be making sure clinical education is up to par at schools. The problems we have here is not uncommon in the osteopathic world, and frankly, I think it's part of the reason why there is still discrimination in the match....allopathic programs just can't tell if you were lucky and got really good clinical education, or you ended up at a place taught by a nurse and never wrote a note (not DCOM, just anecdotally heard on the forums here). 
Man! Way to raise some BPs out there.
Is it bad that when I saw your name as the last person that posted in this thread I got so so excited and had to come see what you said??!?! Just so you guys know GraceEuphoria is one of the reasons I ended up at DCOM and we all love her
If you have specific questions you can PM me. Overall, like the others, I am very happy with the preclinical education at DCOM...I think we are definitely ahead of the game when it comes to doing an H&P and actually critically thinking when it comes to diagnosis and treatment. My preceptor actually made a comment today about how she "finally" found something we didn't know and got excited about teaching us the concept. That's a pretty incredible compliment coming from someone who was involved in resident education elsewhere. And, honestly, even residents I've talked to say you won't know anything until you get to residency and to focus on being able to do a good H&P and we wil be fine. That being said, I do think we are getting a pretty good experience at my site. We have seen a lot of the stuff we need to see. Obviously there is a lot of variation among the different preceptors, but most of them like to teach and are very knowledgeable . Overall though, it isn't the site or the education that we are having problems with, it's the fact that a lot of the preceptors didn't realize they would have students every month and seem to be getting slightly overwhelmed. We are just afraid they will drop us altogether and we will have to scramble to find our own rotations. However, I believe this will be ironed out within the next year...but I'm afraid the solution is going to be to take less students here. Our class was the last class of the ~150 seat class and there are many of us that are worried for the upcoming classes that are much larger. Like I said, if you are considering osteopathic schools in general, this is should be an issue you are aware of and ready to handle...there is a lot of variation among the schools and even among the different rotation sites at schools, and your clinical education is going to be largely in your own hands. We have incredible students that do really well in the match, and your school (whether MD or DO) can only bring you so far. You have to do the rest.
Man! Way to raise some BPs out there.
I love how you collectively speak for others and say "we" love her
It's so funny. I wish I could draw a graph over time showing my activity level on SDN pre-med school, during the first three years, and follow it through til graduation. It's like, I ate, slept and breathed this website before getting in. I couldn't find a moment to even think about during the first three years...because yes, third year is a lot of work really lol. And now that residency apps are in, I'm just over here twiddling my thumbs. I deactivated FB and after 100 new pins a day on Pinterest, what's a girl to do? Prep for interview season by stalking SDN, of course.
. However, we NEED to talk about residency apps and stuff k?Seeing as I am most likely gonna be following your footsteps in a year. OH MAN. 1 year. (apparently I have decided that we are taking over this thread). GOOD LUCK with apps! I'm sure I will be sending you an e-mail (like...today) asking you 843987397493734 questions. I am also obviously procrastinating studying for the IM comat...which I waited till the second month to do...whoops. For any of you applying, send me a PM and ask me questions to distract me!
Second best option is a high waitlist. Best case scenario is that I just didn't get a phone call but still get accepted via snail mail, although it seems like they called a lot of folks today
Oh well, I'll try not to stress this weekend and see what happens.
Congrats to all again!
good luck!
Just got the call! Accepted!
Best case scenario is that I just didn't get a phone call but still get accepted via snail mail, although it seems like they called a lot of folks today
Oh well, I'll try not to stress this weekend and see what happens.
Congrats to all again!
Congratulations to all of those accepted! The long road is over and now the longer road begins. However, the weed-out is over and that alone is worth a big, long, well-deserved sight of relief. Now, I don't know how I'm going to tell you this, but for those of you who still have two semesters of undergrad (like I did when I was accepted) you're gonna REALLY struggle to focus on it all. lol.
To those who either don't get accepted or waitlisted - you will not be the first or last medical student to receive a rejection and/or go through a waitlist process. Notice I said medical student. The fact you're on SDN researching and asking us thought provoking questions says a lot about your motivations. You'll all succeed - just don't give up!
The following scenario is true of any school. It's also theoretical as I've never served on an ADCOM, clearly, but it has always made sense to me. An ADCOM/Admissions Office has in front of them 5 applications and they need to pull from the waitlist one person. Of those 5, one of the applicants has sent in updates every month or so to add extracurriculars, new grades, a new LOR, etc. The other 4 haven't even contacted the school since they were WL'd. Who would you accept?
Agreed. Great way of putting it!
