LMU-DCOM Discussion thread 2008-2009

[missdochopeful]

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I'm going to call on Monday. Wow, I'm so ready to get rid of all my mcat study books!

Yeah, take a break from that material.... for 9 more months Then it will all come back like a nightmare 😛 Are you interviewing at any other schools?

 

[aliDO]

Yeah, take a break from that material.... for 9 more months Then it will all come back like a nightmare 😛 Are you interviewing at any other schools?

I only applied to three schools (LMU, Pikeville and Ga-PCOM). I will withdraw my app to Pikeville on Monday and was just offered an interview at Ga-PCOM for November 3rd. Originally PCOM was my top choice, but I just loved DCOM! I'm married, so it is important for my husband to have some opportunities near by. I think either school will be a great fit for the both of us! It is important for me to stay in the southeast and I truly love everything DCOM stands for. I'm excited about my next interview, but am also upset that I might have to make a really hard choice!

 

[catchburns]

So, did anyone get a call from the Dean on Friday? I didn't get a call, and I won't be able to check my mail until Monday.

No call for me yet... I'm wondering if the whitecoat ceremony might delay it a bit.

 

[JasonI]

I I'm married, so it is important for my husband to have some opportunities near by.

What field is he in?

 

[HippieChick]

ACCEPTED!!! via snail mail.

Hurray! 👍👍👍

 

[forks4spoons]

I'm married, so it is important for my husband to have some opportunities near by.

So am I, ali - I'm hoping my husband can find a job fairly close to the area, I hate for him to have to commute too far.

Good luck with the other interviews!!!

Heading to DCOM in t-minus ohhh... 4ish hours.

 

[malisa]

Well DCOM is a great school but I'm afraid there aren't a ton of jobs around here. Depending on what yalls husbands do. My husband can't find work in his field unless he wanted to commute 1.5 hours to Knoxville. Of course we weren't depending on him having to have a job while here so it works for us. I just feel like some poeple may try to give an unrealistic view of the area because they love the school so much but it really is hard to find work and I don't want people to come here and feel like they were mislead.


But yes when you have multiple acceptances it is hard to choose. You have to make a nice pros and cons list and see what is more important in the long run. I mean I could have went to school super close to disney world but in the long run that wouldn't have been the best choice for me

 

[aliDO]

Well DCOM is a great school but I'm afraid there aren't a ton of jobs around here. Depending on what yalls husbands do. My husband can't find work in his field unless he wanted to commute 1.5 hours to Knoxville. Of course we weren't depending on him having to have a job while here so it works for us. I just feel like some poeple may try to give an unrealistic view of the area because they love the school so much but it really is hard to find work and I don't want people to come here and feel like they were mislead.


But yes when you have multiple acceptances it is hard to choose. You have to make a nice pros and cons list and see what is more important in the long run. I mean I could have went to school super close to disney world but in the long run that wouldn't have been the best choice for me

My husband is a journalist for a local paper. If I end up going to DCOM he probably would stay home with our daughter for the next two years.

 

[missdochopeful]

I just feel like some poeple may try to give an unrealistic view of the area because they love the school so much but it really is hard to find work and I don't want people to come here and feel like they were mislead.

Definitely, I don't think you will find anyone saying the job market here is great - but the school definitely is. My husband was fortunately able to continue working from his software company in Michigan as a remote employee, so he works out of our house. Some students actually live away from their spouses for the couple of years they are in Harrogate and see each other on weekends or vacations. You definitely want to do some research before committing to a school if it's important that your spouse be able to work while you are in school here. You may want to contact the admissions office too because they can sometimes help you make some connections around the area.

 

[aliDO]

I am from an area similar to Harrogate, so unlike some people I wasn't shocked at all by the surroundings. I'm sure we could work something out with my husband and what he would do for the next two years. We already know we'll be back in Alabama for the clinical years, so it's not that long. It's not going to be the deciding factor for us, but it is just something we have to consider.

 

[malisa]

I am from an area similar to Harrogate, so unlike some people I wasn't shocked at all by the surroundings. I'm sure we could work something out with my husband and what he would do for the next two years. We already know we'll be back in Alabama for the clinical years, so it's not that long. It's not going to be the deciding factor for us, but it is just something we have to consider.

How do you know you will be in alabama for the clinical years?

 

[aliDO]

How do you know you will be in alabama for the clinical years?

There is a program/scholarship in Al which I was just accepted to that has contracts with several DO schools. LMU just signed on and the program will bring me back to Alabama for third and fourth years.

 

[ThePiratesse]

There is a program/scholarship in Al which I was just accepted to that has contracts with several DO schools. LMU just signed on and the program will bring me back to Alabama for third and fourth years.

Wow, that's cool. I haven't even heard of that! Sounds like a good deal.

 

[pianoman90]

There is a program/scholarship in Al which I was just accepted to that has contracts with several DO schools. LMU just signed on and the program will bring me back to Alabama for third and fourth years.

That sounds amazing. If you don't mind me asking, which program is it?

 

[sobe15]

I got in! This is so great! I absolutely love DCOM!

 

[aliDO]

Ah, okay.. so, I pretty much had a meltdown last night after I got my MCAT score back. 🙁

I made a 23P... 6PS, 8 BS, 9VR.

I have a 3.51 science, and 3.53 overall (per AACOMAS).. and a few EC's, including working for a cardiology clinic for three years.

I know this isn't a what are my chances thread, but since I'm interested in DCOM, I thought I'd post here first.

Thanks, again, everyone. 🙂

I have a 23M (7,8,8) and a 3.16s and 3.11c gpa and was just accepted. You definitely have a good shot at getting in. Just make sure to impress them at your interview! good luck again.

 

[aliDO]

I got in! This is so great! I absolutely love DCOM!

Congrats! What day did you interview?

 

[JasonI]

I got in! This is so great! I absolutely love DCOM!

Congrats to everyone getting in!

 

[missdochopeful]

I got in! This is so great! I absolutely love DCOM!

YAY!!! Congrats!

 

[sobe15]

I interviewed on the first day (Oct. 6).

 

[aliDO]

I interviewed on the first day (Oct. 6).

oh, ok. there was somebody from ky on October 7 that I was rooting for. I don't even know if they're on sdn or not.

 

[forks4spoons]

I'm in loooooove!

😍😍😍


Today was wonderful! I had a great time and the interview went well! 🙂

Guess I'll find out in 3 weeks! (Yep, it's 3 for us because of the AOA conference this weekend, ugh.)

 

[missdochopeful]

I'm in loooooove!

😍😍😍


Today was wonderful! I had a great time and the interview went well! 🙂

Guess I'll find out in 3 weeks! (Yep, it's 3 for us because of the AOA conference this weekend, ugh.)

Glad you liked it 👍 Hope you get some good news in a few weeks. I'll be with Dr. Stowers in Las Vegas... WOOHOO! I'll put in a good word for ya, haha 😛

 

[Alabamacub5]

I had seen a couple of posts about living in Harrogate and your spouse's work opportunities, and I wanted to give you a little insight from my perspective. First of all, DCOM is a great school. It will be one of the best schools in the country in a few short years. Secondly, since one of it's mission statement bullet points is to serve the Appalachian region (typically rural, underserved), the school was put in Harrogate on the LMU campus.

Depending on what your spouse does for a living, they might be able to find work in harrogate, or as some have posted, they might be able to work from home if they do IT or something. There are A LOT of great jobs in Knoxville. IF you are in engineering, Oak Ridge is close to the area and you can find, chemical/electrical/mechanical engineering jobs there. Nursing jobs are always easy to find in Knoxville.

Here is my advice, and this is coming from someone who has been married for four years before school started - if you are newly married and going to medical school, live halfway and both of you drive to where you need to be. One option is around Maynardville, TN (just rent an aprtment or something). It would be about 35 minutes to school and about 40 minutes to Knoxville. The other option which a lot of people opt for is to live in Caryville/Jacksboro/LaFollette, TN. It is about 50 minutes to school, and about 35 minutes to Knoxville, and the drive is easier since the drive to Knoxville is interstate and the drive to school is nice and straight.

I live up at school (I rent a room from a guy) and go home every weekend. My wife and I have a condo in Knoxville, and she owns a business down there, so that is what we worked out this year. You can go home once a week if you want, which is feasible (the drive to Knoxville is about an hour and fifteen minutes). What is really hard is to drive every day, spend enough time in the anatomy lab, and do well in school. There are some 2nd year students who did it and it worked out, but understand you will have to work your tail off since you are committing 2 1/2 hours a day to driving.

If you have any questions, just ask. I wish you all the best in finding the school that fits you best.

 

[MJB]

First, congrats to those of you getting acceptances.

Second, to answer some questions about the anatomy lab...

At first, I was skeptical of only having 8 bodies to work on and having 160 people to share them with. Turns out, it was great. You don't learn a "lot" during your assigned lab time at all...it's up to you to get in the lab during other hours to do your real learning, so having 8 bodies is not a big deal at all imo.

Prosection- I LOVE IT. I'm SO glad we didn't have to do dissection on our own and waste all that time picking through fat. To me, dissection is a total waste of time, and time is not something we have a lot of in excess (especially since I'm one that lives in Knoxville and spends 2 hours a day on the road). As far as preparing you for surgery...I would hope to God you never will be operating on a dead patient that's been embalmed. 😉 All joking aside, from the surgeries I observed and participated in this summer, dissection would not have helped at all.

Phys. Professors...they have been great. I'm not all that wild about Respiratory Phys. in general, but these two guys have been awesome thus far. They make difficult material very understandable, and if you don't "get it", they are VERY accessable. Their doors are literally open all the time.

As far as commuting/jobs, etc....If I had it all to do over again, I would have lived up here full time. That wasn't an option. So, I would have preferred to have had an apt. up here during 1st semester due to anatomy, then just commuted after that. Ever since then, living in Knoxville has been fine...and the commute isn't bad. I'm the type that would rather drive 55 minutes and live in Knoxville than drive 35-40 minutes and live in LaFollette/Jacksboro. If you live in Halls, the drive is even shorter (about 45-50 minutes).

So, ideally, you and your spouse live here in Harrogate (I wouldn't even recommend Tazewell, as it's 15 minutes away)...but, there are plenty of other options.

With any luck, our decision to buy a house in Knoxville will pay off next summer when rotations start, and I don't have to move all our junk again. My big thing was not wanting to move twice. My wife's drive to work is less than 15 minutes, and that's worked out well for us. Just my .02

 

[aliDO]

I want to live on a houseboat on Norris Lake.

 

[pianoman90]

AliDO- can you PM me more info on the scholarship program you're doing?

 

[Jug]

Everyone keeps talking about work opportunities for spouses, but what about educational opportunities? My wife would like to work on her master's while I'm in med school, and I think it only fair for her to have opportunities where ever we go.
Are there any universities nearby that would have a graduate program in english or literature?

 

[chillva]

Hey LMU-DCOM gang! I've got an interview on Nov 3rd and I'm coming to LMU on Sunday Nov 2nd for the pizza dinner. I'm really looking forward to meeting some of you soon!

I have a question/favor to ask of those of you living in the greater Harrogate metro area. My parents live only an hour away in VA so I'd feel silly getting a hotel room on the night of the 2nd, but it would be nice to not have to drive that hour on the morning of the interview.

Sooo...the question is, would anyone mind putting up a small, quiet, mild-mannered male interviewee for a night? I'm used to camping out so I am perfectly comfortable on a sofa or the floor. Send me a PM if you think you could help me out...and thanks a lot in advance!

 

[Phenol312]

I'll also be there on the 3rd. Coming from NJ though...i have yet to make my travel arrangements ... kinda new to this i've never flown before

 

[FutureDR09]

I'M IN!!!! I just got back from camping and I've been accepted to LMU-DCOM! Definitely going to be coming there in the fall of 2009! Do any current students know how much rent would be for a 2 bedroom apartment? More specifically, those apartment buildings being put up beside the University Inn Apartments? Thanks! Can't wait for the fall!!!

 

[soccerchicoc]

i interview on the 3rd as well and i am so excited hopefully get accepted this year.... LMU IS MY #1 CHOICE...... see ya all in a few weeks for pizza and the rest of those interviewing on 3rd

 

[Phenol312]

not sure if this has been covered but which airport is everyone arriving at?

Also what hotels are in the area?

 

[JasonI]

I'M IN!!!!

Every time I see your name, I see DBR9:

And if that isn't motivation to finish med school, nothing is.

 

[MJB]

not sure if this has been covered but which airport is everyone arriving at?

Also what hotels are in the area?

Most people fly into Knoxville, Nashville, Lexington (or even Cinci), or Louisville.

Knoxville is the closest airport, but flights tend to be pricey. The drive from there to school is around 90 minutes (not actually that long, but would plan for this much time).

I recommend the hotel in Middlesboro....someone help me out...is that a Holiday Inn Select?


As for graduate degrees....LMU offers some. UT is in Knoxville, and they offer a ton.

 

[missdochopeful]

Hey LMU-DCOM gang! I've got an interview on Nov 3rd and I'm coming to LMU on Sunday Nov 2nd for the pizza dinner. I'm really looking forward to meeting some of you soon!

I'll also be there on the 3rd. Coming from NJ though...i have yet to make my travel arrangements ... kinda new to this i've never flown before

I'M IN!!!! I just got back from camping and I've been accepted to LMU-DCOM! Definitely going to be coming there in the fall of 2009! Do any current students know how much rent would be for a 2 bedroom apartment? More specifically, those apartment buildings being put up beside the University Inn Apartments? Thanks! Can't wait for the fall!!!

i interview on the 3rd as well and i am so excited hopefully get accepted this year.... LMU IS MY #1 CHOICE...... see ya all in a few weeks for pizza and the rest of those interviewing on 3rd

Malisa and I will be the current students at the Pizza night on November 2nd for all you Nov. 3 interviewees. Looking forward to meeting you all! 😀 Come with questions!

For anyone who is accepted, my landlord is building some really nice 2 bedroom apartments in the lot next to our house. PM me for more info.

 

[shasta9599]

not sure if this has been covered but which airport is everyone arriving at?

Also what hotels are in the area?

MJB was right on about flying in. My suggestion is Nashville or Louisville if you want to save money and have a few extra hours/ It's a 4 hour drive from each to Harrogate but quite a bit cheaper usually. Fly into Knoxville if you are pressed for time and can handle a bit more in airfare.

Hotels in the area are Holiday Inn Express in Middlesboro or Cumberland Gap Inn which is right by the LMU DCOM apartments. Check previous posts of mine in this thread I have the numbers somewhere. Book now cause they fill up very fast and you'll be staying someplace with far less amenities (like clean carpet).

 

[links0311]

I had an interview yesterday (10/21) and I think it went really well. Beautiful campus and super friendly staff. I interviewed with Dr. Seaman and Dr. Alley, both were really nice people. They said it'll be a 2-3 week wait so hopefully around the 1st or 2nd week of Nov. I'll get an answer. Good luck to Aaron, Steven, Rob, Michael, and Brittany. It was nice meeting you all.

 

[samroid68]

So, did anyone get a call from the Dean on Friday? I didn't get a call, and I won't be able to check my mail until Monday.

I actually got a call of acceptance from the Dean tonight (7pm).. I was pretty surprised b/c I thought he wasn't doing calls this year! And I didn't realize he worked that late, but it was still nice 🙂

 

[koojo]

Also got a call today with an acceptance from the Dean. I really liked DCOM and it's a great school, however, I think WVSOM is for me, so I'm choosing that school.

 

[malisa]

Congrats on all the recent acceptances!

And no worries if you pick another school. Everyone does what is in their best interest. And besides I'm sure someone will be glad to take your spot at DCOM 😉

 

[catchburns]

I actually got a call of acceptance from the Dean tonight (7pm).. I was pretty surprised b/c I thought he wasn't doing calls this year! And I didn't realize he worked that late, but it was still nice 🙂

I got my call around 5pm today too! I'm elated about getting in and also very glad that I can cancel the rest of my interviews and save a couple thousand dollars! LMU was my #1 choice and first interview.

Congrats to the rest of you who were accepted too!

 

[soccerchicoc]

so i interviewed really late last yr march 7th and was waitlisted.... nothing has really changed on my application other then graduating and being in top 10% of graduation class because Im interviewing earlier how much better are my chances do you think?

 

[catchburns]

so i interviewed really late last yr march 7th and was waitlisted.... nothing has really changed on my application other then graduating and being in top 10% of graduation class because Im interviewing earlier how much better are my chances do you think?

I'd say if you were waitlisted last year you still have a good chance but it may look like you lost interest if you didn't add any more clinical experience or other extracurricular stuff. I'd still apply if I were you.

 

[FutureDR09]

Hey all. I was wondering if any current students at DCOM can help me find a good job for my significant other who will be coming with me when I come next fall. She really loves books. Are there any book stores up there? What about a job in a library? Also, she really wants to teach ESL. Does anyone know if there are jobs teaching English to speakers of other languages? Thanks for all your help! Can't wait for next fall! 😀

 

[docman85]

So I just drove from Nashville to Harrogate and back to see the school and talk with Jannette about my app.(I was there a total of 30 mins) and she told me my file was complete and that they were going to call me soon anyways (I think they decided to give me an interview since I drove all that way😉) I was EXTREMELY impressed and this is one of my top choices!!!

Heres my questions:
My MCAT sucks (20N), gpa 3.4 plan to retake MCAT in Jan.

I have always been under the impression that once you get an interview they are not concerned with numbers anymore, they want to see you for you is this the case as LMU?

Also, I heard that if you get an interview, you automatically get waitlisted...?!?!?

Lastly, when I interview, are the adcoms going to automatically waitlist/place me on hold, to see what I score in Jan, or by me getting an interview is this saying they are willing to look past my MCAT (the rest of my app. is really good)

Thanks everyone

 

[sobe15]

I think numbers still play a factor, but they mostly will be trying to get a sense of who you are. I had a low gpa, but was able to get in because my mcat was slightly above average and the rest of my application was really good. My advice is to go into the interview with your A game and impress them while still being honest. I've been told that they only reject total jerks once they've been interviewed.

 

[JasonI]

So I just drove from Nashville to Harrogate

Wait, wait, wait.
Are you telling me you just drove from Nashville to Harrogate and did not bring me a single six pack of Yazoo? 😕

 

[HippieChick]

So I just drove from Nashville to Harrogate and back to see the school and talk with Jannette about my app.(I was there a total of 30 mins) and she told me my file was complete and that they were going to call me soon anyways (I think they decided to give me an interview since I drove all that way😉) I was EXTREMELY impressed and this is one of my top choices!!!

Heres my questions:
My MCAT sucks (20N), gpa 3.4 plan to retake MCAT in Jan.

I have always been under the impression that once you get an interview they are not concerned with numbers anymore, they want to see you for you is this the case as LMU?

Also, I heard that if you get an interview, you automatically get waitlisted...?!?!?

Lastly, when I interview, are the adcoms going to automatically waitlist/place me on hold, to see what I score in Jan, or by me getting an interview is this saying they are willing to look past my MCAT (the rest of my app. is really good)

Thanks everyone

The application pool is alot larger than it has been in the past so im not sure if they are wait-listing everyone who is not accepted as they have done in the past, that is something you may want to ask Jannette about?

Also, even though they interview they may still wait for your Jan MCAT scores... my boyfriend was planning on re-taking his MCAT in Jan as well and was told by Jannette after he interviewed that if he was wait listed he should go ahead and re-take that MCAT, luckily for him he was accepted with his current score. If you really do have a stellar application though and your interview goes well I'd say your chances are good of getting accepted, but if not, re-take the MCAT and they can review your file again after your new scores come in.

I had a friend who interviewed at another school (the interview went really well according to her) only to be rejected afterward because they said her MCAT wasn't high enough. Why they would interview her when they thought her MCAT wasn't good enough is beyond me, but it just shows that numbers do still count, even if you've made it to the interview. But... if you can knock their socks off they may be willing to look past the 20 MCAT, especially since your GPA is good!

I wish you the best of luck and if you have any questions just ask!

 

[aliDO]

The application pool is alot larger than it has been in the past so im not sure if they are wait-listing everyone who is not accepted as they have done in the past, that is something you may want to ask Jannette about?

Also, even though they interview they may still wait for your Jan MCAT scores... my boyfriend was planning on re-taking his MCAT in Jan as well and was told by Jannette after he interviewed that if he was wait listed he should go ahead and re-take that MCAT, luckily for him he was accepted with his current score. If you really do have a stellar application though and your interview goes well I'd say your chances are good of getting accepted, but if not, re-take the MCAT and they can review your file again after your new scores come in.

I had a friend who interviewed at another school (the interview went really well according to her) only to be rejected afterward because they said her MCAT wasn't high enough. Why they would interview her when they thought her MCAT wasn't good enough is beyond me, but it just shows that numbers do still count, even if you've made it to the interview. But... if you can knock their socks off they may be willing to look past the 20 MCAT, especially since your GPA is good!

I wish you the best of luck and if you have any questions just ask!

I asked Jannette about whether or not they reject people without being waitlisted and she said yes. She also said they rejected a few people last year without being waitlisted.