Marian University (MU-COM) Discussion Thread 2013 - 2014

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Placed on waitlist 🙁 this is my first choice so I hope to hear back very very soon!!
 
Hi guys, first off I wish you guys have a great Christmas and happy new Year !!!

Follow up, I have a few questions that might be asked many time already, and I hope you guys still help me answer them.
1) During the MMI section will you be asking questions verbally by the interviewers or the questions were written down and you have 2 mins to read?
2) Do you have to use up your 8 mins of speaking? what will happen if you finish the questions earlier than the given time? Will they follow up with more questions or you will just move on to the next station ?
Thank you very much for your help, guys.
 
pan1209 said:
Hi guys, first off I wish you guys have a great Christmas and happy new Year !!!

Follow up, I have a few questions that might be asked many time already, and I hope you guys still help me answer them.
1) During the MMI section will you be asking questions verbally by the interviewers or the questions were written down and you have 2 mins to read?
2) Do you have to use up your 8 mins of speaking? what will happen if you finish the questions earlier than the given time? Will they follow up with more questions or you will just move on to the next station ?
Thank you very much for your help, guys.
Click to expand...

All of this will be reviewed during the presentation before the MMI.

Admissions
 
question you guys, do any of you know how likely is it that early interviews open up this coming January or February? Also, since the future interviews are quite late in the cycle, are they only for waitlist spots or potentially an acceptance after a good interview?

-thanks in advance 😉
 
pan1209 said:
Hi guys, first off I wish you guys have a great Christmas and happy new Year !!!

Follow up, I have a few questions that might be asked many time already, and I hope you guys still help me answer them.
1) During the MMI section will you be asking questions verbally by the interviewers or the questions were written down and you have 2 mins to read?
2) Do you have to use up your 8 mins of speaking? what will happen if you finish the questions earlier than the given time? Will they follow up with more questions or you will just move on to the next station ?
Thank you very much for your help, guys.
Click to expand...

You get a minute to read the question that's written down on a piece of paper before walking into the room. You don't need to use up the entire time, just what you need. Some of the interviewers will provide follow up questions, some will just change the subject when you're done and ask about you or let you ask questions. I'd say most people take up a good chunk of the time, with a minute or so to spare. So use your time wisely.

Hvilledoc said:
question you guys, do any of you know how likely is it that early interviews open up this coming January or February? Also, since the future interviews are quite late in the cycle, are they only for waitlist spots or potentially an acceptance after a good interview?

-thanks in advance 😉
Click to expand...

MUCOM has said that they do not interview for waitlist spots. If they're still interviewing, there are still spots up for grabs.
 
BuddyTheElf said:
You get a minute to read the question that's written down on a piece of paper before walking into the room. You don't need to use up the entire time, just what you need. Some of the interviewers will provide follow up questions, some will just change the subject when you're done and ask about you or let you ask questions. I'd say most people take up a good chunk of the time, with a minute or so to spare. So use your time wisely.



MUCOM has said that they do not interview for waitlist spots. If they're still interviewing, there are still spots up for grabs.
Click to expand...
thanks for the response. I am glad to hear that. 🙂
 
Is MUCOM getting close to the end of the interviews for this cycle ? Till which month or time has the interviews been scheduled as of now - anything yet scheduled for feb ?
 
MCAT1982 said:
Is MUCOM getting close to the end of the interviews for this cycle ? Till which month or time has the interviews been scheduled as of now - anything yet scheduled for feb ?
Click to expand...

When I scheduled mine last week, they had open dates til March 22nd.
 
I'm missing a few English credits, but I'm hoping that the admissions staff will accept either:

1. A zero-credit English course (I passed the official 3-credit course by proficiency) or
2. A three credit writing-intensive ethics course.

I've sent Admissions an email, but I haven't heard back from them yet and I'd like to be able to enroll for a class before the New Year. Does anyone think that either of my classes might fulfill my prerequisite?
 
jellyfiche said:
I'm missing a few English credits, but I'm hoping that the admissions staff will accept either:

1. A zero-credit English course (I passed the official 3-credit course by proficiency) or
2. A three credit writing-intensive ethics course.

I've sent Admissions an email, but I haven't heard back from them yet and I'd like to be able to enroll for a class before the New Year. Does anyone think that either of my classes might fulfill my prerequisite?
Click to expand...
Unless the school makes an exception, no. Plenty of people have tested out of English. I know I did. You still have to take an English course. I had a writing intensive biology course, but it didn't replace an English course, so I doubt your ethics course will satisfy the requirement either.

I would sign up for an English course if I were you. I doubt you'd hear back from admissions until after New Years.
 
Question.
I noticed that there will be 4 weeks to study for the COMPLEX. Is there any possibility of having more time? (such as having elective rotations around then)
 
MCAT1982 said:
Is MUCOM getting close to the end of the interviews for this cycle ? Till which month or time has the interviews been scheduled as of now - anything yet scheduled for feb ?
Click to expand...

Near the beginning of this year's thread, the timeline for our entire admissions cycle was posted. It details various deadlines, how long we are interviewing, when the committee meets, etc.

Admissions
 
jellyfiche said:
I'm missing a few English credits, but I'm hoping that the admissions staff will accept either:

1. A zero-credit English course (I passed the official 3-credit course by proficiency) or
2. A three credit writing-intensive ethics course.

I've sent Admissions an email, but I haven't heard back from them yet and I'd like to be able to enroll for a class before the New Year. Does anyone think that either of my classes might fulfill my prerequisite?
Click to expand...

To whom did you send your email? Did you receive an out-of-office reply? The Office of Enrollment Management for the College of Osteopathic Medicine will have minimal staffing until January 2, 2014.

Admissions
 
ChineseKid said:
Question.
I noticed that there will be 4 weeks to study for the COMPLEX. Is there any possibility of having more time? (such as having elective rotations around then)
Click to expand...

What document are you referencing?

MU-COM
 
Hvilledoc said:
question you guys, do any of you know how likely is it that early interviews open up this coming January or February? Also, since the future interviews are quite late in the cycle, are they only for waitlist spots or potentially an acceptance after a good interview?

-thanks in advance 😉
Click to expand...

Interview slots do open up as applicants receive offers from other schools closer to home. MU-COM fills those spots from a list of individuals who want an earlier interview time; spots are filled in a first-on, first-off manner. Finally, as posted earlier, MU-COM does not interview for the alternate list.

Admissions
 
MU COM said:
To whom did you send your email? Did you receive an out-of-office reply? The Office of Enrollment Management for the College of Osteopathic Medicine will have minimal staffing until January 2, 2014.

Admissions
Click to expand...

I sent my email to [email protected], but I have not yet received an out-of-office reply. Is there a preferred email to send my inquiry? If so, I do not mind waiting until after January 2, 2014 🙂
 
jellyfiche said:
I sent my email to [email protected], but I have not yet received an out-of-office reply. Is there a preferred email to send my inquiry? If so, I do not mind waiting until after January 2, 2014 🙂
Click to expand...

That email is for undergraduate admissions at Marian. The COM admissions emails are published on our website at http://www.marian.edu/osteopathic-medical-school/admissions. For immediate assistance, you can contact Bryan at [email protected]. Otherwise, please contact the administrative assistant.

Admissions
 
Withdrew my acceptance at Marian a couple of weeks ago. Best of luck, everyone! :luck:
 
MU COM said:
Interview slots do open up as applicants receive offers from other schools closer to home. MU-COM fills those spots from a list of individuals who want an earlier interview time; spots are filled in a first-on, first-off manner. Finally, as posted earlier, MU-COM does not interview for the alternate list.

Admissions
Click to expand...
Thank you for the information, I appreciate it.
 
serenade said:
I wish we could know more details about waitlist movement and how much if the class is full now >,>.
Click to expand...

We appreciate your continued interest in MU-COM, but we do not release that information. Applicants who accept the alternate list will remain on the list until one of three things happen: you're admitted, rejected, or no longer interested in MU-COM. Remember, the alternate list is for those applicants who we deem to have a real and legitimate chance of admission--eventually.

MU-COM
 
MU COM said:
What document are you referencing?

MU-COM
Click to expand...
It was the "MU-COM advantages" series (under curriculum).
Will there be board prep help?

Yes, there will be board prep. We've reserved roughly a month of review for COMLEX I where faculty and outside partners will provide board prep, practice exams, strategy development, and more.
Click to expand...
I was wondering if there will be the option to have more than a month for review (if desired). For instance, some schools have elective blocks that could be used for studying if students desire. Just curious.
 
ChineseKid said:
It was the "MU-COM advantages" series (under curriculum).

I was wondering if there will be the option to have more than a month for review (if desired). For instance, some schools have elective blocks that could be used for studying if students desire. Just curious.
Click to expand...

The current estimated time for board prep is one month, but essentially the entire Integration course is designed to prepare you for boards too. More info will be available once the board prep is planned for the current first years.

In addition, because of our integrated curriculum, you typically have Wed - Fri afternoons free for general studying.

As info is available, we will share it.

Admissions
 
A little more on board prep:
You will sign up for boards on your own schedule. Classes for the 2nd year conclude near the end of May. We will encourage you to complete your boards by the end of July so you can go on rotations. If you need the study time, you have an additional 2 months [June and July] although most will take the boards in June.

MU-COM
 
Given the Holiday week last week, are admissions behind by one week? Last checked, adcom were reviewing apps completed by 12/6.
 
futdoc1923 said:
Given the Holiday week last week, are admissions behind by one week? Last checked, adcom were reviewing apps completed by 12/6.
Click to expand...

Yes, we took a little break. Files complete before 12/21 will have an interview decision on or before 1/3.

Admissions
 
I know that the alternate list information is not shared for this year. However, I was wondering if last year's information about alternate list movement, the number of students on the list, and the number of students taken off the list was available? I tried to find it in last years thread as well as this one, but I was unable.
 
HoosierHysteria said:
I know that the alternate list information is not shared for this year. However, I was wondering if last year's information about alternate list movement, the number of students on the list, and the number of students taken off the list was available? I tried to find it in last years thread as well as this one, but I was unable.
Click to expand...

18% of students who were placed on the alternate list between October and mid-May are in the inaugural class.

Admissions
 
MU COM said:
18% of students who were placed on the alternate list between October and mid-May are in the inaugural class.

Admissions
Click to expand...
Out of this 18%, is there data showing specifics on how many got accepted from second quartile last year - counts/percentages/or anything ? Thanks.
 
MU COM said:
Yes, we took a little break. Files complete before 12/21 will have an interview decision on or before 1/3.

Admissions
Click to expand...

I received an e mail from you that I was put on hold after my secondary application and you wanted me to submit the rest of my grade (my last semester) to decide. That means that I won't be able to hear anything before 1/3 unless I submit my last gpa, right? My grade will be up by 1/2.
 
MCAT1982 said:
Out of this 18%, is there data showing specifics on how many got accepted from second quartile last year - counts/percentages/or anything ? Thanks.
Click to expand...

There is but that information is not public. Moreover, the alternate list process is not that predictive; it varies from year to year.

MU-COM
 
BK Blaxta said:
I received an e mail from you that I was put on hold after my secondary application and you wanted me to submit the rest of my grade (my last semester) to decide. That means that I won't be able to hear anything before 1/3 unless I submit my last gpa, right? My grade will be up by 1/2.
Click to expand...

Correct.

Your application has been screened already. We asked for more grades so you will not hear until we receive a revised application from AACOMAS with your fall grades and a newly verified GPA. Accordingly, please send a transcript to AACOMAS as soon as possible.

Admissions
 
I don't understand why it seems like medical schools will give preference to potential students with a higher MCAT and a lower GPA. I have seen many get acceptances with lower long standing academic performance (GPA closer to 3.0 than 4.0) but a relatively good MCAT score (28+). Many universities claim that they analyze the whole picture including GPA, MCAT, EC and interviews, but the evidence I have observed, seems to suggest otherwise. It seems like many med schools, not just Marian, will place prospective candidates on a waitlist if they have a stellar GPA and outstanding ECs but have a low to mid range MCAT score. I could be wrong.. but I know far more people accepted to many universities with higher MCAT scores and lower GPAs (low 3s) than the other way around. I would think that long standing academic performance and community engagement would present a much more accurate picture of a person's ability to commit to and thrive in a rigorous academic pursuit. I often wonder how many brilliant potential doctors never get a chance because they are not the best test takers. One could also speculate that there is some luck involved when you see a candidate with a higher than normal MCAT and a lower than normal GPA. I have also seen ECs and clinical hour claims that would be next to impossible to substantiate. If you do the math on some of these claims, you would need more than 10 years of full-time (40 hours per week or more) engagement in clinical observation to validate the claim. For candidates that are in their early to mid 20s, this is highly improbable.

Not trying to be cynical/negative here.. I just hope that those of us that work hard get a fair shot. Despite what schools tell us, it seems like the series of acceptance filters, in order of priority, in Med schools everywhere is:

MCAT Score
GPA
ECs
Interview Skills

To complicate matters even further, there exists irrefutable evidence that the threshold for acceptability of the first 2 criteria listed above is dependent upon other factors that are way beyond any candidate's control. (Applying my PC filter here) Ugh!!

Well.. what does everyone think?. I am going to keep working at improving my credentials no matter the obstacles!!

Good luck to everyone who has REALLY worked hard for a long time to get an opportunity in med school.
 
To play devils advocate I have seen a lot of people with 3.5+ and subpar Mcat scores accepted this cycle. So I'm pretty sure they balance each other out in the long run.
 
WZ1 said:
I don't understand why it seems like medical schools will give preference to potential students with a higher MCAT and a lower GPA. I have seen many get acceptances with lower long standing academic performance (GPA closer to 3.0 than 4.0) but a relatively good MCAT score (28+). Many universities claim that they analyze the whole picture including GPA, MCAT, EC and interviews, but the evidence I have observed, seems to suggest otherwise. It seems like many med schools, not just Marian, will place prospective candidates on a waitlist if they have a stellar GPA and outstanding ECs but have a low to mid range MCAT score. I could be wrong.. but I know far more people accepted to many universities with higher MCAT scores and lower GPAs (low 3s) than the other way around. I would think that long standing academic performance and community engagement would present a much more accurate picture of a person's ability to commit to and thrive in a rigorous academic pursuit. I often wonder how many brilliant potential doctors never get a chance because they are not the best test takers. One could also speculate that there is some luck involved when you see a candidate with a higher than normal MCAT and a lower than normal GPA. I have also seen ECs and clinical hour claims that would be next to impossible to substantiate. If you do the math on some of these claims, you would need more than 10 years of full-time (40 hours per week or more) engagement in clinical observation to validate the claim. For candidates that are in their early to mid 20s, this is highly improbable.

Not trying to be cynical/negative here.. I just hope that those of us that work hard get a fair shot. Despite what schools tell us, it seems like the series of acceptance filters, in order of priority, in Med schools everywhere is:

MCAT Score
GPA
ECs
Interview Skills

To complicate matters even further, there exists irrefutable evidence that the threshold for acceptability of the first 2 criteria listed above is dependent upon other factors that are way beyond any candidate's control. (Applying my PC filter here) Ugh!!

Well.. what does everyone think?. I am going to keep working at improving my credentials no matter the obstacles!!

Good luck to everyone who has REALLY worked hard for a long time to get an opportunity in med school.
Click to expand...
 
Sorry ^ I'm new to sdn.

I'm curious about the irrefutable evidence you speak of and how is your gpa and mcat score out of your control?
 
bleigh2288 said:
Sorry ^ I'm new to sdn.

I'm curious about the irrefutable evidence you speak of and how is your gpa and mcat score out of your control?
Click to expand...

"irrefutable evidence that the threshold for acceptability of the first 2 criteria listed above is dependent upon other factors that are way beyond any candidate's control" So what might be considered acceptable MCAT score for some, might not be considered acceptable for all.

To make this a little clearer, look at the acceptance rate for GPA 4.0 and MCAT 24-26 on charts linked below:

https://www.aamc.org/download/321514/data/2012factstable25-2.pdf
https://www.aamc.org/download/321516/data/2012factstable25-3.pdf
https://www.aamc.org/download/321518/data/2012factstable25-4.pdf

I just happened to stumble across the data from my numerous searches on acceptance criteria. Purely objective data gathering here. I have friends representing the groups in all 3 charts... but it is what it is..
 
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