Marian University (MU-COM) Discussion Thread 2012 - 2013

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I don't want to sound insensitive, but dude, you have to hold the record for "what are my chances" type posts. At this point it is what it is...so just go for it and see what happens. I know it's stressful, but there comes a point where you are just hearing people say the same things to you over and over. This level of neuroticism could potentially hurt you in the long run no matter what your stats/ECs are.

Just realized that he posted this clearly WAMC post in multiple school-specific threads...

anyways 😴.
 
Just realized that he posted this clearly WAMC post in multiple school-specific threads...

anyways 😴.

Wow...I just checked out his post history. Worse than I thought. I really hope dude isn't like this in real life. If so, interviews could be awfully interesting.
 
Can anyone tell me what my chances are at Marian?

Illinois resident

3.7 cGPA, 3.5-3.6 sGPA
25 MCAT (9PS 7VR 9BS)

Lots of volunteering, EMT, shadowing, tennis coach, some clubs, research, DO letter

applying early this coming cycle

Your chances look pretty decent to at least get an II as long as you apply early... but like everyone else said: Stop posting WAMC questions. At this point you just need to apply and hope for the best. Do your own research and make a list of schools that you meet their avg GPA and MCAT. SDN is not the best place to do research on this. Look on the schools website or look through this book http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Pages/default.aspx
Good luck :luck:
 
Anybody recently get pulled off the waitlist? I'm 1st quartile and was just wondering if there has been any motion recently...
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. Sorry about posting this multiple times. I'm just a little neurotic about the whole application process...

It's ok, I think all of us on SDN can be pretty neurotic sometimes 😉
 
It's ok, I think all of us on SDN can be pretty neurotic sometimes 😉

What are you talking about? Me refreshing pre-osteo, school specific threads, and my email 3 times a minute because I'm waiting for a post-interview response that could come anytime between now and next week isn't neurotic. I don't know what you're talking about. :whistle::,denial::whistle:
 
What are you talking about? Me refreshing pre-osteo, school specific threads, and my email 3 times a minute because I'm waiting for a post-interview response that could come anytime between now and next week isn't neurotic. I don't know what you're talking about. :whistle::,denial::whistle:

LOL. My life in a nutshell.
 
What are you talking about? Me refreshing pre-osteo, school specific threads, and my email 3 times a minute because I'm waiting for a post-interview response that could come anytime between now and next week isn't neurotic. I don't know what you're talking about. :whistle::,denial::whistle:

😆 I feel like you just described my life (and probably 90% of the people on here) 🙄
 
I just hated seeing this so far down the page.

That's all.
 
hey guys,

New to SDN. Registered so I could ask the Marian crowd a quick question. Do you guys know of anyone interviewing the weekend of the 13th? I interview that weekend and I can't help but wonder how many applicants I'm up against. I anticipate the competition is fierce given how few slots remain open at this point.

Also, If anyone is willing to share their interview experience I would love to listen!

Thanks
 
hey guys,

New to SDN. Registered so I could ask the Marian crowd a quick question. Do you guys know of anyone interviewing the weekend of the 13th? I interview that weekend and I can't help but wonder how many applicants I'm up against. I anticipate the competition is fierce given how few slots remain open at this point.

Also, If anyone is willing to share their interview experience I would love to listen!

Thanks

Hey Ned! Welcome to SDN! :welcome:

The first thing you should do is read through all of this thread (I know it's really long!), but a lot of us already posted info about our interview day. I think it will be pretty helpful for you.
Maybe someone else who's interviewing that day will chime in here?
But yes, competition is very fierce right now. At the accepted program a few weeks ago, I think they said only 2 people were accepted from the previous week's interviews. So be prepared to bring your A game!!!
Good luck!! :luck:
If you have any specific questions that you can't find the answer to in this thread, feel free to PM me 🙂
 
Thanks for the reply, Buddy. I'll try and read though the thread over the next week before my interview. From what I have read, it sounds like this inaugural class will be a good one. I Hope against hope I can be a part of it.

One last question, the answer to which can only be speculation: I'd love to have a baseline for what GPA and MCAT would be considered competitive at this point. My MCAT is a 32K, overall GPA is 3.3 (got a liberal arts degree years ago) and science 3.9. At the end of this year I'll have an MS in physiology from IU medicine. While I'm sure that earlier in the cycle I might have been considered competitive, things are different as the cycle comes to a close. I'd love to know if I measure up to other people interviewing this weekend.
 
Thanks for the reply, Buddy. I'll try and read though the thread over the next week before my interview. From what I have read, it sounds like this inaugural class will be a good one. I Hope against hope I can be a part of it.

One last question, the answer to which can only be speculation: I'd love to have a baseline for what GPA and MCAT would be considered competitive at this point. My MCAT is a 32K, overall GPA is 3.3 (got a liberal arts degree years ago) and science 3.9. At the end of this year I'll have an MS in physiology from IU medicine. While I'm sure that earlier in the cycle I might have been considered competitive, things are different as the cycle comes to a close. I'd love to know if I measure up to other people interviewing this weekend.

The problem with answering this is that we don't have anything but your stats to go on. Its generally thought that your stats get you the interview. Then, after that, your stats take a back seat to your interview performance. This is where you are now at.

So, just prep for your interview and put your best foot forward! Good luck! 👍
 
Thanks for the reply, Buddy. I'll try and read though the thread over the next week before my interview. From what I have read, it sounds like this inaugural class will be a good one. I Hope against hope I can be a part of it.

One last question, the answer to which can only be speculation: I'd love to have a baseline for what GPA and MCAT would be considered competitive at this point. My MCAT is a 32K, overall GPA is 3.3 (got a liberal arts degree years ago) and science 3.9. At the end of this year I'll have an MS in physiology from IU medicine. While I'm sure that earlier in the cycle I might have been considered competitive, things are different as the cycle comes to a close. I'd love to know if I measure up to other people interviewing this weekend.

Honestly, based on your stats, if you do well at the interview, you have a good shot. The only problem now would be that I doubt there are many spots left. Your stats are very high for pretty much any DO school (cGPA is a little low, but with such a high sGPA I don't think it really matters). Your MCAT is also well above the DO averages.

The K is a little alarming though. What happened there? 🙂 It shouldn't make a difference, because ultimately the writing section isn't really looked at by most schools. Especially when those schools have other samples of your writing like the PS and the secondary.
 
Thanks hallowman. I do get the feeling I'm interviewing for a spot on the wait list. I suppose that's no one's fault but my own given that I applied so late. I don't know what happened on the writing portion. I'm not the most succinct writer. Maybe that had something to do with it. Or maybe its because I would rather pull my own teeth than write an analytical essay.
 
Anyone happen to know when the next volume in the DOctor series will be posted in the portal?? It was supposed to be up by last week.. getting anxious over here 🙄 :laugh:
 
Anyone happen to know when the next volume in the DOctor series will be posted in the portal?? It was supposed to be up by last week.. getting anxious over here 🙄 :laugh:

I right there with you! 😀
 
Just got a call for an interview this Friday at 1:30. Time to get people to cover at work and make some last minute travel plans (I live in Minnesota) haha. Good luck to all I see there!
 
Anyone happen to know when the next volume in the DOctor series will be posted in the portal?? It was supposed to be up by last week.. getting anxious over here 🙄 :laugh:

Hopefully Wednesday (tomorrow). A little behind with recruitment travel.

MU-COM
 
We are pleased to announce that Volume 5 of the MU-COM DOCTOR Series is in the portal for accepted and deposited students.

Enjoy,
MU-COM Admissions
 
Hope everyone is enjoying their last few carefree months before the fun starts in August!




Live it up!

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Let's live it up Sherlock style, eh HalfListic? :naughty:

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Edit: Woohoo! Page 40! Yeah, MU-COM!



haha...you know it!

(and those are two of my fav shows, Sherlock and Sunny in Philadelphia...watching as much as possible while I still have the time 😉 )
 
haha...you know it!

(and those are two of my fav shows, Sherlock and Sunny in Philadelphia...watching as much as possible while I still have the time 😉 )

Me too! I just discovered the Sherlock show recently, already watched all the episodes... ready for the next!!
 
What kind of car are you guys planing to use in school? Regular car such as toyota, ford, honda or something more fancy like infiniti?
 

Nice! That's the new Honda Civic right? Too bad they only sell them on Tatooine.

What kind of car are you guys planing to use in school? Regular car such as toyota, ford, honda or something more fancy like infiniti?

By the way, I find your post hilarious. Buy whatever car you like, just don't buy a brand new car with your med school loans (not the best investment).

I'm sure most people will use whatever car they have or can afford.
 
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What kind of car are you guys planing to use in school? Regular car such as toyota, ford, honda or something more fancy like infiniti?

Now that I'll be a big, bad med student... I was thinking something more like this...
images


EDIT:
images

If serious, you'd be an idiot to own some sort of fancy car (unless given to you or fully paid off). I believe most students will drive just whatever they've been driving. For me, it's a Ford Focus & Pontiac Grand Prix... one of which is a couple years old, the other is pushing 200,000 miles. Whatever gets me through residency is all I care about.
 
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Since MU-COM is an osteopathic medical school, here is a quick thought:

What's up with the immunization form saying you need a verified MD letter in order to satisfy the chickenpox requirement? I know it's nitpicking but if we want people to know what a DO is, this sort of thing doesn't really help and perpetuates the idea that MDs are the only physicians out there. It should say you need a verified Physician's letter (MD or DO).

I was actually planning on going to a physician who holds a DO degree to get the immunization packet all squared away... I am assuming/hoping this will suffice.

I know this is minor, but it bothered me. /rant.
 
Since MU-COM is an osteopathic medical school, here is a quick thought:

What's up with the immunization form saying you need a verified MD letter in order to satisfy the chickenpox requirement? I know it's nitpicking but if we want people to know what a DO is, this sort of thing doesn't really help and perpetuates the idea that MDs are the only physicians out there. It should say you need a verified Physician's letter (MD or DO).

I was actually planning on going to a physician who holds a DO degree to get the immunization packet all squared away... I am assuming/hoping this will suffice.

I know this is minor, but it bothered me. /rant.

👍👍
I noticed this too when I was filling out the immunization form. Kind of annoying that it says specifically MD, especially since we're a DO school.
 
Since MU-COM is an osteopathic medical school, here is a quick thought:

What's up with the immunization form saying you need a verified MD letter in order to satisfy the chickenpox requirement? I know it's nitpicking but if we want people to know what a DO is, this sort of thing doesn't really help and perpetuates the idea that MDs are the only physicians out there. It should say you need a verified Physician's letter (MD or DO).

I was actually planning on going to a physician who holds a DO degree to get the immunization packet all squared away... I am assuming/hoping this will suffice.

I know this is minor, but it bothered me. /rant.

👍👍
I noticed this too when I was filling out the immunization form. Kind of annoying that it says specifically MD, especially since we're a DO school.

haha, interesting. Maybe there are trying to send us out on a diplomatic immunization session? 😉

That is a bit odd though...I wonder if they incorporated IU's immunization forms and missed that little gem?
 
Since MU-COM is an osteopathic medical school, here is a quick thought:

What's up with the immunization form saying you need a verified MD letter in order to satisfy the chickenpox requirement? I know it's nitpicking but if we want people to know what a DO is, this sort of thing doesn't really help and perpetuates the idea that MDs are the only physicians out there. It should say you need a verified Physician's letter (MD or DO).

I was actually planning on going to a physician who holds a DO degree to get the immunization packet all squared away... I am assuming/hoping this will suffice.

I know this is minor, but it bothered me. /rant.

Yeah, major oops on their part. My form stated licensed physician, I bet next years class will have a second edition of your form lol
 
I like that, "diplomatic immunization session" haha. It is probably based on Marian's undergraduate immunization form, based on the reference to student athletes. I didn't even notice the "MD" that looking at the form the first time, you have good observational skills!

Oh, I bet you're right...I haven't read it yet, but that would make sense.
 
Yeah, major oops on their part. My form stated licensed physician, I bet next years class will have a second edition of your form lol

Lol, hope so!

I like that, "diplomatic immunization session" haha. It is probably based on Marian's undergraduate immunization form, based on the reference to student athletes. I didn't even notice the "MD" that looking at the form the first time, you have good observational skills!

You're probably right...which means they need to update the undergrad/athletic version too! 😉
 
Since MU-COM is an osteopathic medical school, here is a quick thought:

What's up with the immunization form saying you need a verified MD letter in order to satisfy the chickenpox requirement? I know it's nitpicking but if we want people to know what a DO is, this sort of thing doesn't really help and perpetuates the idea that MDs are the only physicians out there. It should say you need a verified Physician's letter (MD or DO).

I was actually planning on going to a physician who holds a DO degree to get the immunization packet all squared away... I am assuming/hoping this will suffice.

I know this is minor, but it bothered me. /rant.

All,

This is obviously an oversight. We appreciate the constructive criticism and will make the correction ... for next year's class. Remember, as part of our inaugural class, you will have more opportunities to help us to improve.

Obviously, a verification letter from a DO or MD is acceptable.

Thank you,
MU-COM Admissions
 
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All,

This is obviously an oversight. We appreciate the constructive criticism and will make the correction ... for next year's class. Remember, as part of our inaugural class, you will have more opportunities to help us to improve.

Obviously, a verification letter from a DO or MD is acceptable.

Thank you,
MU-COM Admissions
(aka Bryan)

👍

Thanks for being so responsive to all of our questions/thoughts. One more concern I did want to throw out there (which was briefly addressed earlier) was the attendance policy. I know there is no official policy, but rather it is assumed under the pillar of professionalism. I completely understand this. However, I know many medical students/residents/physicians who said their only advice is that you should make sure to choose a medical school that does not require attendance. Some people just don't learn from sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture. Everyone learns differently. Some people would be using their time more wisely doing self-study and watching lectures online. I've spoken with many residents who didn't attend lecture but instead watched them at 1.6x speed and said this was much more beneficial and a more efficient use of their time.
Note: I learn best by sitting and listening to someone lecture to me, then by re-watching the lectures later while going over notes. So this policy does not have a huge impact on me personally. But I have spoken with several classmates who are concerned about this and mentioned that a strong selling point to choose MU-COM was that there was no required attendance.

Thanks for listening/reading! And a big thanks to MU-COM for taking all of our thoughts/ideas/concerns to heart.

I'm so excited for August! 🙂
 
^^ a big + 1 to this post. I have also discussed this topic with fellow MU-COMers. It was previously asked if you would want a doctor who didn't go to class...I would want a doctor who utilized their time to be as efficient/successful as possible!
 
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I just noticed that on the new MU-COM webpage it states that the white coat ceremony will be on the 9th with orientation being 7-9th but in the 5th volume of the MU-COM doc series it states that the ceremony will held on the 11th. Does anyone know which dates are correct and if it is on the 11th when will the orientation days be? .. Looking forward to meeting you all this upcoming fall!!!
 
I just noticed that on the new MU-COM webpage it states that the white coat ceremony will be on the 9th with orientation being 7-9th but in the 5th volume of the MU-COM doc series it states that the ceremony will held on the 11th. Does anyone know which dates are correct and if it is on the 11th when will the orientation days be? .. Looking forward to meeting you all this upcoming fall!!!

Hey FutureDOc!
:welcome: !
I contacted admissions to ask about this, too. I was told that it is for sure the 11th, just not sure what time (but probably afternoon). Orientation is still the 7-9 as far as I am aware. Hope this helps!
 
I just noticed that on the new MU-COM webpage it states that the white coat ceremony will be on the 9th with orientation being 7-9th but in the 5th volume of the MU-COM doc series it states that the ceremony will held on the 11th. Does anyone know which dates are correct and if it is on the 11th when will the orientation days be? .. Looking forward to meeting you all this upcoming fall!!!

Orientation is August 7-9.

White coat ceremony is Sunday, August 11th ... tentatively 2 pm. [Our website staff has previously been advised about making the correction.]

Thanks,
MU-COM
 
^^ a big + 1 to this post. I have also discussed this topic with fellow MU-COMers. It was previously asked if you would want a doctor who didn't go to class...I would want a doctor who utilized their time to be as efficient/successful as possible!

an even bigger +2 !!
 
👍

Thanks for being so responsive to all of our questions/thoughts. One more concern I did want to throw out there (which was briefly addressed earlier) was the attendance policy. I know there is no official policy, but rather it is assumed under the pillar of professionalism. I completely understand this. However, I know many medical students/residents/physicians who said their only advice is that you should make sure to choose a medical school that does not require attendance. Some people just don't learn from sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture. Everyone learns differently. Some people would be using their time more wisely doing self-study and watching lectures online. I've spoken with many residents who didn't attend lecture but instead watched them at 1.6x speed and said this was much more beneficial and a more efficient use of their time.
Note: I learn best by sitting and listening to someone lecture to me, then by re-watching the lectures later while going over notes. So this policy does not have a huge impact on me personally. But I have spoken with several classmates who are concerned about this and mentioned that a strong selling point to choose MU-COM was that there was no required attendance.

Thanks for listening/reading! And a big thanks to MU-COM for taking all of our thoughts/ideas/concerns to heart.

I'm so excited for August! 🙂

It's very brave of you to say this. I wanted to comment before when this was discussed but was not sure how it would be taken. I'm in a SMP taking the first year medical school courses now and I never go to class. However, I arrive at the library by 6am on a typical day, pre-study the printed notes for about an hour per lecture (on average). So I'm not just skimming the notes, but actually learning them and becoming familiar with the terminology. Then I watch the lecture at 1.5-2 speed and supplement my notes with information from the lecture. This takes very little time considering I've already read the notes and know if the professor is mentioning something already written in the notes or something supplementary (which I then write down). Then I review my printed and supplemented written notes from the previous day's lectures and add information from review books. By the weekend, all I have to do is review my notes and study as if I have an exam on Monday even if I don't. This has worked well for me considering the grades I've gotten and 95% of the people I personally know who attended class first semester do not attend anymore.

I used to attend class regularly in my undergrad and graduate courses, but being able to spend time pre-learning and not just skimming the notes allows me to absorb so much more from the lecture than if I were to just go to lecture. Yes, some people find lecture helpful for them but it's definitely the minority in my program and 1st year medical students at my school. One of my closest friends did well attending every lecture during the fall semester (3.0 average - solid grades for medical school courses) and swore by attending every lecture. He decided to change his study habits during spring semester since he was not a morning person and it became tiring to attend every lecture, so he made his own schedule that was somewhat similar to mine. He is shocked that he is not only getting a 3.6 average now, but also has more free time during the day. I've discovered that finding the method of studying that works best for you is very essential in studying for medical school courses and for some people, like me, this does not include attending lectures.
 
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It's very brave of you to say this. I wanted to comment before when this was discussed but was not sure how it would be taken. I'm in a SMP taking the first year medical school courses now and I never go to class. However, I arrive at the library by 6am on a typical day, pre-study the printed notes for about an hour per lecture (on average). So I'm not just skimming the notes, but actually learning them and becoming familiar with the terminology. Then I watch the lecture at 1.5-2 speed and supplement my notes with information from the lecture. This takes very little time considering I've already read the notes and know if the professor is mentioning something already written in the notes or something supplementary (which I then write down). Then I review my printed and supplemented written notes from the previous day's lectures and add information from review books. By the weekend, all I have to do is review my notes and study as if I have an exam on Monday even if I don't. This has worked well for me considering the grades I've gotten and 95% of the people I personally know who attended class first semester do not attend anymore.

I used to attend class regularly in my undergrad and graduate courses, but being able to spend time pre-learning and not just skimming the notes allows me to absorb so much more from the lecture than if I were to just go to lecture. Yes, some people find lecture helpful for them but it's definitely the minority in my program and 1st year medical students at my school. One of my closest friends did well attending every lecture during the fall semester (3.0 average - solid grades for medical school courses) and swore by attending every lecture. He decided to change his study habits during spring semester since he was not a morning person and it became tiring to attend every lecture, so he made his own schedule that was somewhat similar to mine. He is shocked that he is not only getting a 3.6 average now, but also has more free time during the day. I've discovered that finding the method of studying that works best for you is very essential in studying for medical school courses and for some people, like me, this does not include attending lectures.

I agree it was brave of her but I think it's something that needs to be said and clarified. Since this is a first year school, it's important for the inaugural class to have a well developed understanding of everything that school entails. It clearly is a big issue with many students.

Going off of what you were talking about, I know A LOT of people in my graduate program that did the exact same thing you described (I myself became one of them towards the second half of the program and experienced a huge GPA jump (greater than 0.5), as well). I didn't do it on a daily basis, but I was able to choose which ones I thought would be important for me to physically be there. I'm going to Marian regardless, but I still would like to have the opportunity to choose how I would best succeed in terms of allocating my study time.
 
I agree it was brave of her but I think it's something that needs to be said and clarified. Since this is a first year school, it's important for the inaugural class to have a well developed understanding of everything that school entails. It clearly is a big issue with many students.

Going off of what you were talking about, I know A LOT of people in my graduate program that did the exact same thing you described (I myself became one of them towards the second half of the program and experienced a huge GPA jump (greater than 0.5), as well). I didn't do it on a daily basis, but I was able to choose which ones I thought would be important for me to physically be there. I'm going to Marian regardless, but I still would like to have the opportunity to choose how I would best succeed in terms of allocating my study time.

This is so true! The, [we don't have an attendency policy, but instructors may hold it against you if you don't attend class] approach is a bit ambiguous.

I agree with all of you that a true no attendance policy is the best, and it was something I considered when deciding between schools (and when the only info on attendance policy at MU-COM was that there wasn't one). It really does allow students to utilize their time the way that suits them best. If you learn best by going to lecture, then go to lecture. If you learn best by self study, supplementing with the lecture on 1.6x speed, then do that. It just makes more sense. We are in medical school now. Everyone is at least somewhat academically inclined and has a motivation to succeed...so I am not exactly sure what the point of an attendance policy is at this level (besides labs of course). Is it so that professor's feelings aren't hurt when no one is in class...? To make sure we aren't goofing off instead of learning the material...? If professionalism is the issue; I believe that taking advantage of the freedom to manage your own time and implementing the study methods that works best for you IS professional!
 
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Wouldn't it be more constructive to dialogue with MU-COM admin/leadership in person rather than passive aggresively debating its merits on an anonymous forum that is known to be followed by MU-COM?

There's plenty of valid points on here I just don't see why it's being done on here rather than directly to MU-COM personel?
 
Wouldn't it be more constructive to dialogue with MU-COM admin/leadership in person rather than passive aggresively debating its merits on an anonymous forum that is known to be followed by MU-COM?

There's plenty of valid points on here I just don't see why it's being done on here rather than directly to MU-COM personel?

I'm not sure anything anyone is saying on here qualifies as being passive aggressive. Rather, I think many students are expressing their interest in the matter, while at the same time being well aware MU-COM will read the posts. It was done non-anonymously on the Facebook group and the answer given was thought of as "vague" to many students. Ever since, I think students are too afraid to ask non-anonymously for fear of judgment or being thought of as lazy.
 
Wouldn't it be more constructive to dialogue with MU-COM admin/leadership in person rather than passive aggresively debating its merits on an anonymous forum that is known to be followed by MU-COM?

There's plenty of valid points on here I just don't see why it's being done on here rather than directly to MU-COM personel?

...but the point of this forum is to anonymously discuss issues among fellow students. I think everyone is well within the defined borders of what this place is intended for.


I'm not sure anything anyone is saying on here qualifies as being passive aggressive. Rather, I think many students are expressing their interest in the matter, while at the same time being well aware MU-COM will read the posts. It was done non-anonymously on the Facebook group and the answer given was thought of as "vague" to many students. Ever since, I think students are too afraid to ask non-anonymously for fear of judgment or being thought of as lazy.

Pretty much this.
 
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