LMU-DCOM Discussion Thread 2009-2010

[CopToEM]

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hey just finished up my secondary. Vol you seem to be running this thread. What do you think are my chances for dcom? The following are my stats/resume: 33mcat, extra cir, volunteered at clinics, schools and played college fball for 4 years.

-i have another question, does dcom give scholarship or grants?

gpa?

 

[USFBullish2118]

Anyone else on here have the February 2nd interview date!? I hope to start talking to a few people so I can make friends before I get there! I hope I join all of you who have been accepted in the Fall!!! I really cannot wait to see the school.

 

[cSquared117]

So, I called a couple of days ago to reserve a room at the Holiday Inn, and they were booked. Note to everyone with interviews from today onward: be sure to book AS SOON as you schedule your interview! My wife and I decided to book a room at The Olde Mill Inn B&B in Cumberland Gap - they're running a winter special for $89/night for reservations Sun-Thurs. Check it out: http://convoyant.com/resnexus/book/select.aspx?&ID=1350&ResID=2166. (Scroll to the bottom of the page).

Also, I have a question about the interview: does the panel have full access to our application? I assume so since it's a panel interview.

 

[123880]

hey just finished up my secondary. vol you seem to be running this thread. what do you think are my chances for dcom? the following are my stats/resume: 33mcat, extra cir, volunteered at clinics, schools and played college fball for 4 years.

-i have another question, does dcom give scholarship or grants?

I'm definitely NOT running the thread. As CoptoEm asked, what's your gpa?

The school does not have scholarships or grants but you are encouraged to look research options on your own, including military-based scholarships and national/state repayment programs.

Also, I have a question about the interview: does the panel have full access to our application? I assume so since it's a panel interview.

It's a closed file interview. The only thing your interviewers will know about your file is what you choose to tell them.

 

[HopefulDoc1984]

I'm definitely NOT running the thread. As CoptoEm asked, what's your gpa?

The school does not have scholarships or grants but you are encouraged to look research options on your own, including military-based scholarships and national/state repayment programs.


It's a closed file interview. The only thing your interviewers will know about your file is what you choose to tell them.

how do you know its a closed file interview? when i interviewed they asked me numerous things directly from my application as if they were reading it during the interview.

 

[CopToEM]

how do you know its a closed file interview? when i interviewed they asked me numerous things directly from my application as if they were reading it during the interview.

It's closed file for this application cycle. That's coming from multiple interviewees throughout the course of this thread as well as another thread where someone called admissions to verify.

The interviews are closed file this year. They are trying it out. As for the interview day it's fairly low-stress.

 

[bsteven2]

I will verify the closed file interview as I was interviewed 11/10.

 

[jm192]

how do you know its a closed file interview? when i interviewed they asked me numerous things directly from my application as if they were reading it during the interview.

Mine was closed file too. They had way less specific stuff to ask me about than other interviews. It's works out beautifully I think. That volunteering activity that they just skim over as one more thing may have meant a lot to you, and this gives you a chance to be like...oh yeah I need to tell you about...

 

[prionsRbad]

how do you know its a closed file interview? when i interviewed they asked me numerous things directly from my application as if they were reading it during the interview.

Our class was open file and so was and 2011's. I guess they started doing closed file interviews this year. Meh.

 

[cassrae]

hey just finished up my secondary. vol you seem to be running this thread. what do you think are my chances for dcom? the following are my stats/resume: 33mcat, extra cir, volunteered at clinics, schools and played college fball for 4 years.

-i have another question, does dcom give scholarship or grants?

With what you've given us, I would say you have a good chance (your MCAT's pretty good and your other activities) but knowing the GPA would be helpful... 🙂

 

[Irishfan]

Our class was open file and so was and 2011's. I guess they started doing closed file interviews this year. Meh.

They told us this was their first year doing the closed file. They said they thought it gave the interviewers a better chance to draw their own conclusions about the student without being swayed by seeing the application beforehand.

 

[jcrewtriathlete]

What cell phone carriers work best in the area??

verizon seems to work the best, ATT not too far behind. i have no idea what sprint is like out here. the signal's kind of spotty for everyone around the DCOM grad housing and by the apartments where i live, but fine on campus.

 

[Aiaylasdream]

So, I called a couple of days ago to reserve a room at the Holiday Inn, and they were booked. Note to everyone with interviews from today onward: be sure to book AS SOON as you schedule your interview! My wife and I decided to book a room at The Olde Mill Inn B&B in Cumberland Gap - they're running a winter special for $89/night for reservations Sun-Thurs. Check it out: http://convoyant.com/resnexus/book/select.aspx?&ID=1350&ResID=2166. (Scroll to the bottom of the page).

Also, I have a question about the interview: does the panel have full access to our application? I assume so since it's a panel interview.

1) 2/2 interviewee checking in! Anyone else besides USFBullish2118?

2) I booked a room today with no problem although I do suggest booking in advance. Just saying if people are having issues, try today because I was able to get a room. Also, as far as the price is concerned, tell them that you're there for a interview at LMU and you get a discount. I think $65 for a two bed room is not too shabby. 🙂

 

[jm192]

I just mailed in my deposit today. Makes it feel a little bit closer 🙂

Side note/question. Do the computers they provide you with come with Microsoft Office?

 

[hotnachos]

Does anyone know if DCOM is still giving out interviews? I would really love a chance to go to this school, how well would a letter do in my situation and should i email it or actually mail it out?

 

[GraceEuphoria]

Does anyone know if DCOM is still giving out interviews? I would really love a chance to go to this school, how well would a letter do in my situation and should i email it or actually mail it out?

DCOM definitely still gives out interviews at this point. Last year I didn't even complete my secondary until mid Feb and I got an interview for early March. However, this time of year definitely doesn't play out in your favor because the class might be fairly full; plus you need to be fairly competitive to have a strong shot, given that many people have already sent in their deposit. However, like everyone else has said, the interviews this year HAVE been closed file, so it plays to the advantage of the applicants. It can never hurt to try though 🙂

I am SO SORRY for the next three posts that repeat me. Website was NOT working right and maybe I am stupid but I had no idea how to delete...

 

[GraceEuphoria]

Does anyone know if DCOM is still giving out interviews? I would really love a chance to go to this school, how well would a letter do in my situation and should i email it or actually mail it out?

DCOM definitely still gives out interviews at this point. Last year I didn't even complete my secondary until mid Feb and I got an interview for early March. However, this time of year definitely doesn't play out in your favor because the class might be fairly full; plus you need to be fairly competitive to have a strong shot, given that many people have already sent in their deposit. However, like everyone else has said, the interviews this year HAVE been closed file, so it plays to the advantage of the applicants. It can never hurt to try though 🙂

 

[GraceEuphoria]

DCOM definitely still gives out interviews at this point. Last year I didn't even complete my secondary until mid Feb and I got an interview for early March. However, this time of year definitely doesn't play out in your favor because the class might be fairly full; plus you need to be fairly competitive to have a strong shot, given that many people have already sent in their deposit. However, like everyone else has said, the interviews this year HAVE been closed file, so it plays to the advantage of the applicants. It can never hurt to try though 🙂

 

[GraceEuphoria]

DCOM definitely still gives out interviews at this point. Last year I didn't even complete my secondary until mid Feb and I got an interview for early March. However, this time of year definitely doesn't play out in your favor because the class might be fairly full; plus you need to be fairly competitive to have a strong shot, given that many people have already sent in their deposit. However, like everyone else has said, the interviews this year HAVE been closed file, so it plays to the advantage of the applicants. It can never hurt to try though 🙂

 

[The Poet Sings]

DCOM definitely still gives out interviews at this point. Last year I didn't even complete my secondary until mid Feb and I got an interview for early March. However, this time of year definitely doesn't play out in your favor because the class might be fairly full; plus you need to be fairly competitive to have a strong shot, given that many people have already sent in their deposit. However, like everyone else has said, the interviews this year HAVE been closed file, so it plays to the advantage of the applicants. It can never hurt to try though 🙂

I am SO SORRY for the next three posts that repeat me. Website was NOT working right and maybe I am stupid but I had no idea how to delete...

i've noticed it likes to do that in the wee hours of the morning. i don't think we can delete them because what i've noticed people do is just edit them and put "." since you need at least one character for it to accept the edit.

 

[deleted212936]

Just got an acceptance letter from DCOM today. They ask me to pay $2000 deposit within 30 days. But I'm waiting for another school to answer me.
Even if DCOM is my first choice, $2000 is a ridiculous amount.

 

[rockchalkjdoc]

Yes, $2000 is an overwhelming amount of money on the front end, but after a year or more of tuition+COA you realize it's just a drop in the bucket. There are pros and cons for having such a high deposit, but I think the most notable "pro" is that it helps DCOM get things established for the upcoming year earlier because few people will ditch a seat (and $2k) for another school.

On that note, if you take the full financial aid package you get your $2k back with the first loan disbursement

 

[DitchDoc73]

If anyone is looking for a closer interview date, I just cancelled for February 2. Best of Luck to everyone!

 

[hotnachos]

DCOM definitely still gives out interviews at this point. Last year I didn't even complete my secondary until mid Feb and I got an interview for early March. However, this time of year definitely doesn't play out in your favor because the class might be fairly full; plus you need to be fairly competitive to have a strong shot, given that many people have already sent in their deposit. However, like everyone else has said, the interviews this year HAVE been closed file, so it plays to the advantage of the applicants. It can never hurt to try though 🙂

thanks! so how should i let them know that i am really interested in the school. I might try calling them tomorrow to "check my app status" and ask them for more information about the school. One of my friends that goes there told me it would be better than sending them a letter

 

[prionsRbad]

Just got an acceptance letter from DCOM today. They ask me to pay $2000 deposit within 30 days. But I'm waiting for another school to answer me.
Even if DCOM is my first choice, $2000 is a ridiculous amount.

Well, you better be sure you want to come here before you pay it! Some people would kill to be in your position with an acceptance and gladly fork over the $$ 😎

You should hear back from this other school in 30 days, right? I've never heard of an admissions committee taking longer than 3 weeks to make a decision.

I don't know if you're applying to MD programs as well, but most DO schools required at least a $1000 - $2000 deposit also (so it's not that ridiculous). It goes towards your tuition in the Fall anyway.

Good Luck 😀

 

[Marathon0503]

I would kill for that spot! I'm on the waitlist but working on getting off with a letter of intent. I hope it helps. Do you guys know what else I can do to make my application stand out?

 

[cSquared117]

I interviewed today, and DCOM is AMAZING! I mean, it's a perfect fit! They told us that they have filled ~80 spots, which means that they have ~80 spots they need to fill. Also, if you're interested in international mission work, they recently named one of the faculty, Dr. Gerald Osborn, as Dean for the international rotations program.

For those interviewing: it was like a normal conversation. My interviewers, as well as everyone else that we passed in the halls and the staff who spoke to us, were cordial and very likeable. The atmosphere was welcoming, and, all in all, it was a wonderful day. Good luck to those of you who are interviewing!

For those who are applying: if you have any interest in becoming a rural primary care physician or if you have an interest in being involved internationally, they love to hear those things. However, you must have a genuine interest. Of course, a lot of you who are applying fall into either or both of these categories, and these are reasons why you are applying to LMU-DCOM; it just helps to emphasize these things in your application and interview.

 

[grannemanp]

How strongly do they focus on OMM? Just wondering b/c some DO schools have started to stray away from that area of DO's training.

 

[shinny04]

How did you find out that you are on waitlist? I have not heard from them other than completion of my application couple of months ago. Did you contact you that you are waitlisted? Also, would they accept letter of intent? Thanks.

I would kill for that spot! I'm on the waitlist but working on getting off with a letter of intent. I hope it helps. Do you guys know what else I can do to make my application stand out?

 

[cSquared117]

How strongly do they focus on OMM? Just wondering b/c some DO schools have started to stray away from that area of DO's training.

Their training in OMM sounds superb! There are people who apply for a 3rd year fellowship to gain extra training in OMM, and they assist professors in helping you learn. They have a 42-bed lab, and there are ~15 pros working with students. They spoke highly of the professors that are in charge, and from the way it sounds, these guys are excellent - some of the best in the country!

 

[Irishfan]

How did you find out that you are on waitlist? I have not heard from them other than completion of my application couple of months ago. Did you contact you that you are waitlisted? Also, would they accept letter of intent? Thanks.

After you interview they send you one of three letters. One is an acceptance letter, which is more often than not it seems accompanied by a call from Dean Stowers. You also get a letter if you are waitlisted or flatout rejected but those are not accompanied by a call.

So to answer your question, a week and a half after you interview you get a letter telling you where you stand.

 

[CopToEM]

Just got an acceptance letter from DCOM today. They ask me to pay $2000 deposit within 30 days. But I'm waiting for another school to answer me.
Even if DCOM is my first choice, $2000 is a ridiculous amount.

If it's coming up with that amount that concerns you - and not the actual amount itself - call DCOM and they're likely to work with you. Others in the thread have insinuated the same. It does apply to your tuition.

 

[CopToEM]

For those who are applying: if you have any interest in becoming a rural primary care physician or if you have an interest in being involved internationally, they love to hear those things. However, you must have a genuine interest.

👍 And, if the rest of your application is in check, and you emphasized your passion about these things... I smell an acceptance in your future! 😀

Their training in OMM sounds superb! There are people who apply for a 3rd year fellowship to gain extra training in OMM, and they assist professors in helping you learn.

Did the fellowship students do a demonstration or anything for you during your tour? They were very nice and very good when I was at OMAC in December!

 

[cSquared117]

👍 And, if the rest of your application is in check, and you emphasized your passion about these things... I smell an acceptance in your future! 😀


I surely emphasized those things - I hope I smell that acceptance, too! 😀


Did the fellowship students do a demonstration or anything for you during your tour? They were very nice and very good when I was at OMAC in December!

Nope, but that would've been awesome!

 

[cSquared117]

Another tip for those of you interviewing: go to the pizza social the night before if you're able. It really makes the interview day less stressful as you'll already recognize some familiar faces. If you can't make it, no worries! Everyone sits in a conference room, and people are drawn from the room a few a time to go interview upstairs. Everyone who is left just sits and talks to one another.

 

[shinny04]

I have not been interviewed yet but I was wondering if it would be good idea to send them letter of intent via email? Would it be helpful??

 

[Styria]

How strongly do they focus on OMM? Just wondering b/c some DO schools have started to stray away from that area of DO's training.

The OMM instruction is good. The first semester gets you though a lot of the body (there's a lot you can practice when you go home for break), and the first half of the second semester takes care of the rest (except for cranial) and then builds from there. There is some correlation with the systems courses once they start, so, for example, one of the OPP labs during the renal system will cover the related Chapman's reflex points. The second years had their stethoscopes with them at one of the labs during the respiratory system, assessing those effects from the techniques they were practicing. It sounds like they start learning protocols a lot during second year, how to put all these techniques we learn together in a sequence to deal with problems.

OMT is expected to be a consideration in the OSCEs in the EPC course. We won't have time to do any treatments during them, but have to be ready to do a structural exam if it's called for or to discuss OMT with the standardized patient if that's part of our plan for them. Structural/whole body considerations come up in learning skills in EPC too; observation for respiratory examinations isn't just to watch someone's effort at breathing, but to see how the position or shape of their torso affects it. Faculty from other departments do come to the OPP labs, because OMT isn't some holy temple where only OMT specialists participate. Mainly Wieting (PM&R) and Teitelbaum (epidemiology) to mine, I'll have to see how that changes with systems.

There are Anatomy/OPP Fellows who help with instruction in the anatomy lab for first years and in the OPP lab for both years. The purpose of doing both (UNECOM is the only other school with fellows set up that way) is to tie both fields together better for us. They're new this year, so the four fellows in the fall hadn't been out on rotations at all, while three of the four current ones have been. By the time you start, all fellows will have had 6 months or a year of rotations, and will be able to give you clinical correlations for the anatomy and OMM. It's not just the fellows who are using it on rotations, though. Some attendings (MDs too) are setting aside a room and patients are making appointments just to be treated by third year osteopathic students. Dr. Thompson held that over our heads, saying attendings won't be too impressed with anyone who claims they won't use OMT in practice when the student who rotated through just ahead of them did. =)

Thompson is really good at cranial and BLT, so we've been getting a little BLT here and there already to get started on the palpation that goes on in those techniques.

Every other Monday they do a live, online OMT lecture or lab for the third year students. I don't know what the topics are, if it continues all through years 3 and 4, or if it's just for those third years who are doing core rotations. I'll have to ask.

 

[Alabamacub5]

How strongly do they focus on OMM? Just wondering b/c some DO schools have started to stray away from that area of DO's training.

I don't think that LMU-DCOM is going to change anything about their OMM program anytime soon. IT is part of our curriculum, and while I'm sure they would love to have more time, 2.5 credit hours each semester is all they get (its one lecture hour, + 2 lab hours each week), compared to about 20 lecture hours per week for the systems and block tested classes like Biochem, Anatomy etc..

This is important....

If you absolutely don't want to do OMM in medical school, don't apply to a DO school. A DO school is, in some regards, a means towards an end (getting to practice medicine), but you obviously have to do it and have to be proficient enough to pass tests and pass boards.

If you want to apply to MD schools because you don't want to do OMM in schooling, then wait and apply to MD schools next year. If you want to have something else in your arsenal to treat patients with, whether you think you'll use it in practice or not, then apply to DO school.

 

[GraceEuphoria]

i've noticed it likes to do that in the wee hours of the morning. i don't think we can delete them because what i've noticed people do is just edit them and put "." since you need at least one character for it to accept the edit.

Ha...I didn't quite figure that out, thanks to some serious tiredness on my end. I'll remember that for next time.

Just got an acceptance letter from DCOM today. They ask me to pay $2000 deposit within 30 days. But I'm waiting for another school to answer me.
Even if DCOM is my first choice, $2000 is a ridiculous amount.

They will work with you if you can't afford it. However, I wouldn't recommend even sending them the $400-$500 first payment if you don't think it's a good fit...

thanks! so how should i let them know that i am really interested in the school. I might try calling them tomorrow to "check my app status" and ask them for more information about the school. One of my friends that goes there told me it would be better than sending them a letter

If you live close enough, you could go visit and get a tour. I wouldn't stress over showing your interest too much until you actually go for your interview though.

I would kill for that spot! I'm on the waitlist but working on getting off with a letter of intent. I hope it helps. Do you guys know what else I can do to make my application stand out?

I'm sorry to hear about the waitlist news. I was rooting for you on our interview day!! I did NOT get off the waitlist last year, but I sent them a LOI with an update about the new volunteer work I was doing and other things I was working on while waiting to hear back. Then, as soon as their classes started and I knew I wasn't in, I e-mailed Janette and asked her to look at my file to see where I could improve. She told me everything was great but that I might want to pursue more classes due to my GPA. I kept up with her all summer and fall with updates, including info on the master's program I started and the grades I was getting. So while I didn't get in last year, I did this year! It was a long and trying year, but it's totally been worth it. If you truly love DCOM, don't give up on them.

I have not been interviewed yet but I was wondering if it would be good idea to send them letter of intent via email? Would it be helpful??

I wouldn't send anything before your interview, but that is just my personal opinion. I'm not saying it would hurt, but let them really meet you in person and show off their program to you before you start fighting for a seat 🙂



From what it sounds, chances are still good to get a seat with only 80ish filled up. Of course given that they have given out many acceptances and are just waiting to hear back on those, it will be competitive. Don't lose heart everyone. Good luck!

 

[matrica]

If its true there are 80 seats left, you guys should not worry just yet. I haven't heard back from they for 2 months, then one day I just got the call. You can follow up on the application, but don't call them every day otherwise they will think ok, this person is very annoying. You can e-mail them too.

If you waiting for an interview, you can call up and ask if you complete or reviewed r file yet. If they did and did not get an interview write an LOI to every living soul who works there, only if LMU is the school you want to attend. Otherwise they probably not going to take you that seriously.

I honestly would write why you want to attend. I would not write I want to practice rural medicine and be a family doctor without reasoning, because everybody says that.

Write the truth, that you want to be a EM or whatever, write them WHY you want to pursue that specialty and HOW DCOM would be great to give the knowledge, experience etc to reach r goal.

EVEN if you want to practice rural medicine, and FM, write the reason WHY, not just you want to do it, so do not BS, they see you through.
If you honest, you will have a chance to prove it, if you lie I doubt that.

 

[DO3]

After having a year off between the end of my undergraduate career, and when I will begin medical school, I was thinking that I may need to get a head start on a couple of the classes that I will be taking first semester. I was thinking about definitely Biochemistry and then maybe one or two others. I was just gonna buy the books and read through them a little before I got to campus so I wouldn't be totally surprised first semester. Can anyone suggest any other subjects that I may want to look over?

 

[Irishfan]

After having a year off between the end of my undergraduate career, and when I will begin medical school, I was thinking that I may need to get a head start on a couple of the classes that I will be taking first semester. I was thinking about definitely Biochemistry and then maybe one or two others. I was just gonna buy the books and read through them a little before I got to campus so I wouldn't be totally surprised first semester. Can anyone suggest any other subjects that I may want to look over?

It prolly wouldn't hurt to get some Anatomy flashcards.

 

[Styria]

After having a year off between the end of my undergraduate career, and when I will begin medical school, I was thinking that I may need to get a head start on a couple of the classes that I will be taking first semester. I was thinking about definitely Biochemistry and then maybe one or two others. I was just gonna buy the books and read through them a little before I got to campus so I wouldn't be totally surprised first semester. Can anyone suggest any other subjects that I may want to look over?

Cartoon Guide to Genetics. It sounds weird, but this book will get across a ton of different concepts that you can add the meat too one you start MFM.

 

[rockchalkjdoc]

After having a year off between the end of my undergraduate career, and when I will begin medical school, I was thinking that I may need to get a head start on a couple of the classes that I will be taking first semester. I was thinking about definitely Biochemistry and then maybe one or two others. I was just gonna buy the books and read through them a little before I got to campus so I wouldn't be totally surprised first semester. Can anyone suggest any other subjects that I may want to look over?

No.

Do yourself a favor, and enjoy your summer. Regardless of what you do there's no possible way that you can prepare yourself for the depth and speed of the curriculum. I'm not trying to be a butthole, but seriously: ENJOY YOUR FREE TIME. Two years from now when you're reading 18 hours a day pulling your hair out about tests and sim labs and COMLEX and this, that and the other you'll wish you had not tried to get a leg up when you could have been at a BBQ or on a beach. Plus, to cap it all off there's a chance you'll spend a week trying to learn something that isn't emphasized anyway. Everyone more or less starts from the same spot on day one, and it goes (relatively) slow enough for people who have been out of school for a year or two to get back into the swing of things.

I apologize if this comes across wrong, but spend time with your family and loved ones because once school starts in the fall the opportunities to spend time with your family (devoid of school distractions) is increasingly scarce.

 

[123880]

I honestly would write why you want to attend. I would not write I want to practice rural medicine and be a family doctor without reasoning, because everybody says that.

Write the truth, that you want to be a EM or whatever, write them WHY you want to pursue that specialty and HOW DCOM would be great to give the knowledge, experience etc to reach r goal.

EVEN if you want to practice rural medicine, and FM, write the reason WHY, not just you want to do it, so do not BS, they see you through.
If you honest, you will have a chance to prove it, if you lie I doubt that.

Honestly, I disagree with this. Yes, write why you want to attend DCOM. But I wouldn't write that you dream of xyz specialty. Why? You aren't in school yet and the chances are great for changing your mind at some point about specialty.

There may be people who have included this in their LOI and gotten in but IMO, including specialty isn't relevant to your life at DCOM. You can still write about how the school will get you ready to be a fantastic physician, due their emphasis on OMT and clinical scenario training or whatever else appeals to you.

 

[matrica]

Honestly, I disagree with this. Yes, write why you want to attend DCOM. But I wouldn't write that you dream of xyz specialty. Why? You aren't in school yet and the chances are great for changing your mind at some point about specialty.

There may be people who have included this in their LOI and gotten in but IMO, including specialty isn't relevant to your life at DCOM. You can still write about how the school will get you ready to be a fantastic physician, due their emphasis on OMT and clinical scenario training or whatever else appeals to you.

Feel free, but I stand by it. I don't want to generalize but pretty much every single person have an idea what field they might have an interest in. Every pre-med student I talked to have a plan. It could change, I am not saying it won't , but every pre-med student exposed to medicine through work/volunteering/shadowing, etc...and all I met knew what they wanted which was surprising to me, but they did.
I don't have an exact plan but I know what I am interested in and what not so much, it could change when I am actually there and doing it, but I know for sure I won't be an OB/GYN.

What I recommended is if they have a plan put it in to LOI, and how LMU would help accomplish it. They know nothing is written in stone.

My group was told by a faculty member tired of hearing all the students say they want to do FM in a rural area, and can't tell him really why.
So, I thought I put it out there for future interview candidates.

 

[RitaHayworth]

.

 

[RitaHayworth]

No.

Do yourself a favor, and enjoy your summer. Regardless of what you do there's no possible way that you can prepare yourself for the depth and speed of the curriculum. I'm not trying to be a butthole, but seriously: ENJOY YOUR FREE TIME. Two years from now when you're reading 18 hours a day pulling your hair out about tests and sim labs and COMLEX and this, that and the other you'll wish you had not tried to get a leg up when you could have been at a BBQ or on a beach. Plus, to cap it all off there's a chance you'll spend a week trying to learn something that isn't emphasized anyway. Everyone more or less starts from the same spot on day one, and it goes (relatively) slow enough for people who have been out of school for a year or two to get back into the swing of things.

I apologize if this comes across wrong, but spend time with your family and loved ones because once school starts in the fall the opportunities to spend time with your family (devoid of school distractions) is increasingly scarce.

I agree about enjoying your free time. However, how does one handle Fundamentals, gross anatomy, biostatistics etc, and OMM all at once? I'm scared out of my mind.

 

[rockchalkjdoc]

I agree about enjoying your free time. However, how does one handle Fundamentals, gross anatomy, biostatistics etc, and OMM all at once? I'm scared out of my mind.

long days, short nights. As you get into it you'll realize which courses require more attention on a day-to-day basis, and your ability to prioritize is a big key to success. For example, biostats might have 3 lectures worth of material on a block exam whereas MFM will have 25 and MGA will have 20; OPP has its own exams (3 for the semester) and you can frequently put off studying for those until 2-3 days before. Knowing how many lectures are represented on each block exam really helps if you're running short on time and need to triage the material because each lecture has, on average, 3 exam questions. As long as you put in the effort and ask for help before you need it (insert plug for the awesome open door policy), life will be good.

 

[shinny04]

Thanks everyone.

Honestly, I disagree with this. Yes, write why you want to attend DCOM. But I wouldn't write that you dream of xyz specialty. Why? You aren't in school yet and the chances are great for changing your mind at some point about specialty.

There may be people who have included this in their LOI and gotten in but IMO, including specialty isn't relevant to your life at DCOM. You can still write about how the school will get you ready to be a fantastic physician, due their emphasis on OMT and clinical scenario training or whatever else appeals to you.