I actually have accepted a spot at western. So I have gone from a fellow waitlister to just another supporter, lol. In any case, no I haven't heard anything.
LMU-DCOM Discussion Thread 2010-2011
- Thread starter OrangeRoost
- Start date
I actually have accepted a spot at western. So I have gone from a fellow waitlister to just another supporter, lol. In any case, no I haven't heard anything.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2009
- Messages
- 953
- Reaction score
- 7
Thats Awsome man! did u get off the waitlist there or were you outright accepted? if you get off the waitlist at DCOM will you be attending or did you withdraw your waitlist spot? congratulations if u were pulled from the waitlist there. Westerns supposed to be an awsome school. i would love to visit cali. never been there.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2008
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2004
- Messages
- 949
- Reaction score
- 74
Wow, quite the cliffhanger. ...And what a contrast from your only other post on SDN:
So, ah, what happened in the last year?
EDIT: Since I posted this, "WillieE112" has edited/removed both of the above quoted posts. Donno what this guy's deal is....
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2008
- Messages
- 437
- Reaction score
- 26
Yeah WTF?
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2008
- Messages
- 437
- Reaction score
- 26
maybe he did poorly on the COMLEX and is feeling disgruntled. I guess we will never know the true reason. Seems like everyone else likes the school, so oh well.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2008
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
edit
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2004
- Messages
- 949
- Reaction score
- 74
Willie,
I saw your post before you deleted it-- and came on here to thank you for putting that information up. Sorry you felt you needed to remove it, but I understand why you did. Maybe you can repost that information again-- but in a more positive light? Offer some advice for us incoming DCOM'ers. How do we avoid the pitfalls and maximize the better aspects of the school?
I saw your post before you deleted it-- and came on here to thank you for putting that information up. Sorry you felt you needed to remove it, but I understand why you did. Maybe you can repost that information again-- but in a more positive light? Offer some advice for us incoming DCOM'ers. How do we avoid the pitfalls and maximize the better aspects of the school?
I'd agree, any of us would be crazy to think that there aren't good and bad at any school. So hearing both the positive and negative is insightful let alone helpful as a decision is made. I don't know why the information was removed but clarifying and stating both what you liked and disliked about a program is the only way that a new program can grow and improve, it's a work in progress. Hopefully the rest of us can glean from what you learned over the last few years.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2008
- Messages
- 437
- Reaction score
- 26
Can you paraphrase for him? I am curious what the problem is. Pm me if you don't want to post it.
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2004
- Messages
- 949
- Reaction score
- 74
I don't want to post the whole thing here because obviously Willie didn't want that to happen. I'll respect that.
For other curious incoming students and applicants, basically his main points were problems with politics/social cliques (some who run large clubs and organizations), feeling short-changed during the clinical years (not enough direction), and alleged drug use by a few students at the school. He was a little more vague regarding other problems about certain staff at the school and how students are better off if they don't speak up or go against the grain. He didn't clarify that too much but it seems like if you don't like the way things are run at DCOM and you speak up about it, you may run yourself into more trouble than it is possibly worth. ...At least that seemed to be his experience. Again, this is just me recapping his post so I may have got some details wrong. Don't mistake my words for his.
Willie did mention, however, that despite these difficulties he managed to do well on the COMLEX and land his 1st choice residency.
For other curious incoming students and applicants, basically his main points were problems with politics/social cliques (some who run large clubs and organizations), feeling short-changed during the clinical years (not enough direction), and alleged drug use by a few students at the school. He was a little more vague regarding other problems about certain staff at the school and how students are better off if they don't speak up or go against the grain. He didn't clarify that too much but it seems like if you don't like the way things are run at DCOM and you speak up about it, you may run yourself into more trouble than it is possibly worth. ...At least that seemed to be his experience. Again, this is just me recapping his post so I may have got some details wrong. Don't mistake my words for his.
Willie did mention, however, that despite these difficulties he managed to do well on the COMLEX and land his 1st choice residency.
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2010
- Messages
- 602
- Reaction score
- 7
If he got into residency already that means he was in the very first class the school had. Obviously with first classes there is going to be some issues, especially with setting up clinical rotations and stuff. Cliques are going to happen everywhere...so I'm not really worried about that. I'm not saying those things are invalid, but I'm sure some things have been resolved. It's interesting that he said the faculty don't listen to the students, because from everyone else I've talked to it seems like DCOM has one of the most understanding faculty...I would be interested to hear from other 3rd-4th year students to see if they think the same thing, or if something in particular happened to this person and they are holding a grudge.
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2004
- Messages
- 949
- Reaction score
- 74
There was a discussion a few months back regarding LMU-DCOM's recent match results. I can't find the thread now, although it might have been in this thread and it's just buried at this point. Anyways if you can find that discussion you can look at the actual numbers for the first class and read the explanations that a few current students posted. I don't remember all the details at this point but it seemed like a fairly reasonable number.
First...cliques...yes, there are definitely 'cliques' in our class, but we all get along just fine. We all hangout together, we all cookout together, etc...you just naturally gravitate towards people who you end up 'clicking' with. Everyone needs a support system...you can't be really good friends with 160+ people. As far as clubs go, it is true that some clubs are very cliquish...this is something that probably could be addressed...more prevalent in some clubs than others. It is not a major problem though.
Two...the first class had some issues. Our curriculum now loks a lot different. The clinical rotations have also improved and will continue to get better. They made adjustments regarding rotation sites based on the experiences of students...ie...added some and took others away.
Three...this administration is extremely open to student feedback. they take end of course surveys seriously and make changes to the curriculum based on the surveys. we had the opportunity to discuss the year with our biomedical science dean, and there will be changes to the curriculum for incoming students based on that meeting. The second year curriculum will also be different because of input from the current second year class. They made big adjustments to EPC during the year because of student feedback. Never have we had an issue with a member of the faculty or administration not taking a suggestion seriously...unless it was completely ridiculous 🙂 The dean has lunch with a group of students every month...where else does that happen?
Four...attrition...we have lost 20+ people since the year started...this includes repeats and first time students. Med school is tough and not for everyone. You need a group of friends that you can hang out with, but that group needs to push each other and encourage each other to get down to business when the time calls for it. It has been imperative for me to have friends like this...there are many others who can testify to the same thing.
Remember...this dude was in the first class so a lot has changed. Why he keeps posting and then deleting posts is fishy...sounds like he just has an ax to grind. I wish he would just let current students comment on this stuff. What he went through and what current students, like me, are going through now are completely different things.
Two...the first class had some issues. Our curriculum now loks a lot different. The clinical rotations have also improved and will continue to get better. They made adjustments regarding rotation sites based on the experiences of students...ie...added some and took others away.
Three...this administration is extremely open to student feedback. they take end of course surveys seriously and make changes to the curriculum based on the surveys. we had the opportunity to discuss the year with our biomedical science dean, and there will be changes to the curriculum for incoming students based on that meeting. The second year curriculum will also be different because of input from the current second year class. They made big adjustments to EPC during the year because of student feedback. Never have we had an issue with a member of the faculty or administration not taking a suggestion seriously...unless it was completely ridiculous 🙂 The dean has lunch with a group of students every month...where else does that happen?
Four...attrition...we have lost 20+ people since the year started...this includes repeats and first time students. Med school is tough and not for everyone. You need a group of friends that you can hang out with, but that group needs to push each other and encourage each other to get down to business when the time calls for it. It has been imperative for me to have friends like this...there are many others who can testify to the same thing.
Remember...this dude was in the first class so a lot has changed. Why he keeps posting and then deleting posts is fishy...sounds like he just has an ax to grind. I wish he would just let current students comment on this stuff. What he went through and what current students, like me, are going through now are completely different things.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2008
- Messages
- 290
- Reaction score
- 2
WillieE's original post is dated 1/7/10. In your quote they stated that there was one semester left and then COMLEX in June, and made zero allusions to experiences on clinical rotations. That is consistent with someone in the class of 2012, who will not have even applied for the match yet, let alone have landed a residency.
Even for those who got in? The school takes more transfers than other med schools for sure to make up for the students they lost. The curriculum is very clinical which is great if you want to impress your attending but not if you want to ace Step 1 and truly understand the basics. But then again, every school will have their own issues so take it all with a grain of salt.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2008
- Messages
- 437
- Reaction score
- 26
More transfers?
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2008
- Messages
- 290
- Reaction score
- 2
When 2013 had its orientation, there were 4 transfers taking it with us. Two joining our class and two joining 2012. I don't see how that's more than other schools or makes up for lost students.
you want to see what everyone posts? Subscribe to the thread and check after every email. I have seen all posts by everyone including will and purex.
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2011
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
I want to apply to this school. All this editing of posts is immature.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2009
- Messages
- 953
- Reaction score
- 7
Anyways, I feel like its classless to come into a class thread for a specific school, bash it and then undo your posts. Sort of ruins ur credibility and hurts the thread at hand.
On a side note dcom is an amazing school and noone should be detracted from attending or applying if accepted.
I talked to janette the other day, she's surprised the waitlist hasn't moved as much as it normally would, which sucks for melol. Anyways, are there any other dcom waitlisters out there? We need to stick together people
On a side note dcom is an amazing school and noone should be detracted from attending or applying if accepted.
I talked to janette the other day, she's surprised the waitlist hasn't moved as much as it normally would, which sucks for melol. Anyways, are there any other dcom waitlisters out there? We need to stick together people
Last edited:
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2007
- Messages
- 955
- Reaction score
- 2
does this school have significant regional bias? Oh well, I'm still applying haha
Significant? No
Cliques are annoying but unfortunately that's life. Politics are annoying but unfortunately that's life. To blame DCOM for the development of these psychosocial dilemmas is unfounded. I would assume that cliques and politics are abundant in all medical schools. Some people just never mature past the 7th grade🙂.... The fortunate thing about cliques and politics is this, they have ZERO influence on your board scores. Thats the whole reason we are here anyway, right? So sit back relax and quit worrying about the stupid stuff. Those who worry about cliques and politics probably make up the back end of the class rank list (just my two cents)
As for the clubs, some are more cliquish than others (especially in 2014), but it has nothing to do with DCOM. Don't spend lots of your time worrying about which clubs your going to be voted president. Join a couple of clubs and participate when you can. Grades, research, community service, and board prep are much more important and look a whole lot better on your application. I am not saying that clubs are bad, but I think they are heavily overrated.
As for the school not listening to students suggestions, comments, and critiques....This couldn't be more distant from the truth. I have been impressed by the school's response to all comments, and even more by the schools willingness to improve since I arrived here last fall. When we complain or when we get pissed about something....things get done about it. That doesn't mean that the students rule the world but at least our voice is heard when things are dicey.
As for attrition I am not sure what to say about this issue. As a previous person noted we have lost around 20 (but we have not been given a number and I have no idea how many will be joining 2015). Not all students that left did so because of bad grades. We have had several who had good grades and just decided they no longer wanted to be docs. Some folks got "sick" and will be with 2015. So its hard to say exactly how many folks we have lost for good. There are subjects that seem to do more damage than others, MFM and Anatomy come to mind. Tutoring is provided for these classes.
Faculty = one word.....GREAT,
I hope this feed back helps and doesn't put anyone to sleep while reading. Enjoy your summer and best of luck 2015.
As for the clubs, some are more cliquish than others (especially in 2014), but it has nothing to do with DCOM. Don't spend lots of your time worrying about which clubs your going to be voted president. Join a couple of clubs and participate when you can. Grades, research, community service, and board prep are much more important and look a whole lot better on your application. I am not saying that clubs are bad, but I think they are heavily overrated.
As for the school not listening to students suggestions, comments, and critiques....This couldn't be more distant from the truth. I have been impressed by the school's response to all comments, and even more by the schools willingness to improve since I arrived here last fall. When we complain or when we get pissed about something....things get done about it. That doesn't mean that the students rule the world but at least our voice is heard when things are dicey.
As for attrition I am not sure what to say about this issue. As a previous person noted we have lost around 20 (but we have not been given a number and I have no idea how many will be joining 2015). Not all students that left did so because of bad grades. We have had several who had good grades and just decided they no longer wanted to be docs. Some folks got "sick" and will be with 2015. So its hard to say exactly how many folks we have lost for good. There are subjects that seem to do more damage than others, MFM and Anatomy come to mind. Tutoring is provided for these classes.
Faculty = one word.....GREAT,
I hope this feed back helps and doesn't put anyone to sleep while reading. Enjoy your summer and best of luck 2015.
Dead on with ALL points!!! If you need info...refer to this post.
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2008
- Messages
- 147
- Reaction score
- 1
Bein from this region helps but will not hurt your chances. There were many OOSers when I interviewed and I believed most, if not all, got in. Good luck!
Hello all,
I interviewed at LMU in October and was waitlisted. Has anyone here heard anything about movement on the list I really liked the school, faculty, culture and facilities and would really like to attend. As for my stats on the mcat 9 verbal and 10 on bio and physical sciences verbal. Hopefully someone here has some good news.
I interviewed at LMU in October and was waitlisted. Has anyone here heard anything about movement on the list I really liked the school, faculty, culture and facilities and would really like to attend. As for my stats on the mcat 9 verbal and 10 on bio and physical sciences verbal. Hopefully someone here has some good news.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2009
- Messages
- 953
- Reaction score
- 7
yes sir it definitly bites. good luck to you!
the waitlist has begun to move but slowly. per janette it is moving slower than previous years.
I didn't see this post earlier. I got in off of the wait list technically. And I already called and asked to be removed.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2009
- Messages
- 953
- Reaction score
- 7
You got in off the waitlist at dcom too? That's awsome. I guess your going to be going to western for family reasons etc?
Thanks man that's really nice of you. It sure would save me a lot on secondary fees lol. Good luk to you wherever you'll be matriculating!
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2009
- Messages
- 953
- Reaction score
- 7
WAITLISTERS WE CANNOT GIVE UP!
I WILL NOT LET THIS THREAD OR MY DREAMS OF GETTING INTO LMU DIE
ITS GOING TO HAPPEN
but just in case i did apply and already have my secondary complete and ready to be sent out. i think im gonna put it in the mail monday 6/28 so it gets there ON july first lol.
I just really hope I get a call, who knows.
theres only about 4 weeks till school starts. so there really isnt that much time left and last week when I called janette she said they only pulled about 5 to 7 people off.
i don't know how often is too often to call but Im thinking of calling once a week but i don't wanna be a pita.
anways, how are you guys doing who are accepted? have you guys moved down to harrogate yet? just wondering
I WILL NOT LET THIS THREAD OR MY DREAMS OF GETTING INTO LMU DIE
ITS GOING TO HAPPEN
but just in case i did apply and already have my secondary complete and ready to be sent out. i think im gonna put it in the mail monday 6/28 so it gets there ON july first lol.
I just really hope I get a call, who knows.
theres only about 4 weeks till school starts. so there really isnt that much time left and last week when I called janette she said they only pulled about 5 to 7 people off.
i don't know how often is too often to call but Im thinking of calling once a week but i don't wanna be a pita.
anways, how are you guys doing who are accepted? have you guys moved down to harrogate yet? just wondering
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2010
- Messages
- 602
- Reaction score
- 7
I still have hope for you Dr. Yiot!! Our facebook page just added a girl who got accepted off the waitlist yesterday, so I know people are still hearing good news. It's good though that you are getting everything done so early. I have no doubt that if it isn't in the cards for you this year, you will definitely get in for 2012. P.S. I am procrastinating my packing efforts as we speak (truck comes next Tuesday), but I know there are a lot of people that are already there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! 
good luck to everyone on the waitlist i dont know about the rest of you but all this waiting is driving me crazy. I talked to janette two days ago and she told me the list was not moving. hopefully we get that call soon
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2009
- Messages
- 811
- Reaction score
- 4
I know others have responded to these concerns mentioned, but I just want yet another voice to be heard on these things. Power in numbers right?
When it comes to cliques and whatnot, I honestly have to question this person's previous experiences. My first thoughts about this at DCOM were that I couldn't believe how easy it is to get along with nearly everyone. I rarely, if ever, have felt like other people think or act like they are better than me. As far as club presidents/officers go, I can see where people are coming from somewhat, but at the same time, it is a simple fact that when it comes down to it, the person elected is often the person that more people just happen to know. Being more reserved WILL sometimes hurt you. I only say this because I was the more reserved person in undergrad and I came into DCOM planning to overturn that. I got to know TONS of people right away and it landed me a couple leadership positions. But really, for the most part, everyone gets along with everyone from my perspective. There will always be exceptions there, but generally speaking, we really are a family.
Feeling short-changed during clinical years really doesn't surprise me if this person really was in the first class. They had their fair share of issues it seems, but this truly has improved from what I've heard.
Student drug use? My thoughts get conflicted on this...part of me wants to say, probably not a major issue. The other part of me says who cares lol. Not to condone drug use as a medical student, but sometimes you just have to be a realist and understand that people make their own decisions and that no school is going to be void of such students. Anyone with a clean background check and drug screen can recreationally use drugs. Again, not condoning it...just saying it's not some rampant problem.
Students not being heard is just ridiculous. It IS true that faculty are NOT receptive to snotty, entitled medical students that walk in and use the amount of money they pay for tuition as grounds for being heard. Our faculty is SO receptive and have made SO many changes based on reasonable, logical, respectful comments made my class members.
I don't know how many they actually matriculated (we normally do 160 now, but I think they might have been more around 150). They graduated 120. For a first year class, I'm not that shocked by the numbers. There were something like 6 to 8 students chosen for an anatomy/OPP fellowship that sets them back a year and the others were lost to a combo of choosing to leave, failing out, and being set back a year because of grades, medical issues or personal issues. We have lost our fair share this year, but in all seriousness, the majority have chosen to leave or have had medical/personal issues that have caused them to join the next class.
I was thinking the same thing myself... you take step 1 after 2nd year and step 2 CE/PE sometime after 3rd year and even on into 4th year, correct?? So anyone taking COMLEX this month would not have placed in residency right? Isn't there a step 3 that occurs after intern year or something? I still don't know how that works lol 🙂
Anyway, to wrap it up...this school rocks. Hands down, I'm not getting paid by admissions, I love it here. I think some people have bad experiences, but that can happen in any school. I also think some people come into med school with a VERY unrealistic expectation- professors here treat you like their colleagues. That means holding you to a very high standard of professionalism. Some people just aren't quite ready for that when they get here and it takes some time to adjust. Now I'm not saying this person necessarily went through that adjustment, it's just something to keep in mind when reading one person's complaints.
I really wouldn't say there is a regional bias at all. Being a new school in east Tennessee, they are naturally going to have a large chunk of applicants and those deciding to matriculate come from the surrounding area. But I don't think in any way would you be at a disadvantage being OOS or out of the tri-state area. If anything it would make you stand out from a large portion of applicants and give you something interesting to talk about in your interview.
Stats for the class of 2014...46% (75 students) are from Kentucky, Tennessee, or Virginia. A good chunk of the class will come from the Applachian Tri-State area, but it will not be held against you is you hail from a state other than these three...they still accepted me 🙂
Could some of you current DCOM students tell us what a typical day at DCOM was like during your first year? For example, I know that there are usually lecture recordings..so did you actually go to all the lectures or prefer to take notes from the recordings later? Or would you recommend actually going to all the lectures? And I heard the anatomy lab is divided into A and B group with one earlier in the morning..how are the students divided into the groups?
I am starting at DCOM this fall and just wanted to know a bit more...Thanks!
I am starting at DCOM this fall and just wanted to know a bit more...Thanks!
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2004
- Messages
- 949
- Reaction score
- 74
Hey Joliarte, check this out: http://www.lmunet.edu/dcom/pdfs/oms1-fall-schedule-11.pdf
I'm incoming 2015 also so I don't know for sure, but I think every class has a good number of people who do Mediasite instead of going to class everyday. I'm not sure what that ratio is though. My understanding is that it is pretty much up to you to do what you like except for a few "mandatory lectures" which are taught by guests.
Donno. I imagine it will be done during orientation week but I'm not sure how they pick the groups. Does it matter?
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2009
- Messages
- 97
- Reaction score
- 0
way too many previous descriptions of the daily/weekly schedule - go back a few pages and you'll find the answers on this thread. basically breaks down to 4-6h of class/lab per weekday first semester, 5-8h every day for the following three semesters.
as for A or B, you should already be assigned to a group and a small group for your EPC course. it will all be explained to you at o-week. A's go "first" one week, B's the next, and it alternates.
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2006
- Messages
- 1,237
- Reaction score
- 0
As a former student who is now a resident, I agree with Grace on these points. DCOM is a great school and you will get great training.....is it perfect, no. I would like to see some things change and I am sure they will eventually. As for individual students, it's no surprise medical school has whiney ass students with a huge sense of entitlement and $hitty attitudes, yes they get into med school, but they are few and far between.....those students like to be heard and complain on end about anything and everything, but no one will ever listen to them......those students that communicate professionally are heard and changes will be made if it makes sense for the school/situation if possible.....its sad clubs get cliquey because clubs are NOT about the officers running the club trying to pad a CV, but the club as a whole (clubs while we were there ran very well)......remember, an individual is not representative of a single school, there are always out-liers (those who hate/love it), the best way to get a feel for a place is to take the average of attitudes.
As for Step 1 scores, my class did fine, middle of the pack nationally....respectable for a first class. An average score was never released so no one will know that. Scores will increase over time as school fixes some weaknesses. Like someone said, we are trained VERY well clinically, which is great on rotations. Remember, there is more to getting a residency than a score. Our class did very well with residency placements, as can be seen from the following link from DCOM's website http://www.lmunet.edu/dcom/pdfs/2011-residency-placement-by-location.pdf.
Comlex/usmle schedule.....Step 1 between 2nd/3rd year.....Step 2 during 4th year.....Step 3 during intern year of residency
As for attrition....its a non-factor. Of the roughly 40 who did not go into residency this year, 6-8 are OMM fellows at school, others are in classes below ours for grades/other circumstances during 1st/2nd year, others are just a couple months behind because they needed to retake Step 1/2. Most of those who didn't graduate in time or finish school are great people who ran into different problems. There was less then a handful who really just weren't cut out for it (and yes, they get accepted into school....happens everywhere and every school). And then you have the handful who shouldn't have made it and still do (grade-wise and/or attitude-wise)
Anywho.....congrats to all getting ready to start school in a couple weeks. DCOM is great and you all will have fun (yes, fun in med school). The 4 years will go by very quickly. Study hard but enjoy life when you can. For those still on the wait-list, good luck.
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2010
- Messages
- 144
- Reaction score
- 4
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2006
- Messages
- 1,237
- Reaction score
- 0
I can't speak for the current classes, but the Class of 2011 lost about 10 people after the first year. You will see your biggest loss during year one. Like I posted earlier, there are students in med school who don't take it seriously. All I can say is if you put in the work, you will be fine. Also, you will have 1 or 2 people have medical issues and/or social issues that require them to go back a year.
Similar threads
