Michigan State University (MSUCOM) Discussion Thread 2014 - 2015

[Shinobiz11]

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Did anyone get a secondary invitation before they had even taken their MCAT? Also, once received, what kind of deadlines did you get for submitting your secondaries?

I did last year. My MCAT wasn't until late August. You have 30 days to turn it in, but if you go over, you can ask for an extension.

Do letters have to be in by the deadline they set for you?

I would assume so. As mentioned above, you can get an extension if you need it. I would email MSUCOM and ask.

 

[sgjkol1]

Anyone know how they look at late applicants? I won't be able to have everything submitted until end of August which might put me at a huge disadvantage. Hopefully I have luck on my side.

 

[shim0shim]

Did anyone get a secondary invitation before they had even taken their MCAT? Also, once received, what kind of deadlines did you get for submitting your secondaries?

I got the secondary as well before MCAT. I also will be submitting it before my MCAT results come in, since it won't comin in till late Summer anyway.

 

[shim0shim]

I gotta say some of the secondary questions about facebook, and legacy in family etc.. is kind of weird 😛

 

[AlteredScale]

I gotta say some of the secondary questions about facebook, and legacy in family etc.. is kind of weird 😛

Yeah these questions are pretty difficult. I guess it's the price we pay for not II's!

 

[t5Nitro]

Does anyone not think it is going to be an issue attending this school with the out-of-state tuition? Probably looking at 100k per year after living expenses and then the interest?

 

[Shinobiz11]

Does anyone not think it is going to be an issue attending this school with the out-of-state tuition? Probably looking at 100k per year after living expenses and then the interest?

There's a reason the majority of the class is in-state.

 

[shim0shim]

Does anyone not think it is going to be an issue attending this school with the out-of-state tuition? Probably looking at 100k per year after living expenses and then the interest?

Yes, the high tuition fees is one reason that this school is not at the top of my list. It is even very high for in-state students, compared to other schools. To me, it is clear that quality of education is not proportional to tuition fees. However, it is worth applying to, just in case.

 

[shim0shim]

What do we put if there is no "end date" for our volunteer activities? Just June 2014?

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Yes, the high tuition fees is one reason that this school is not at the top of my list. It is even very high for in-state students, compared to other schools. To me, it is clear that quality of education is not proportional to tuition fees. However, it is worth applying to, just in case.

It's pretty comparable to other in-state schools. 5/7 MI schools are public and around 30-40k and the two private are around 45-50k (if I remember correctly). MSUCOM, at 40ish, isnt 'very' high. More than some, yes. Less than some, yes. Also keep in mind that some OOS students get decent scholarships to MSU -- granted not enough to bring it to IS levels.

If you're not willing to pay that much for your education, there are certainly cheaper places... but also much more expensive places. I respect your opinion, but can say that I personally chose MSU over both cheaper and more expensive private/public MD/DO schools because it was a good fit. Money isn't everything , and it's much more about how you feel about the places you've been accepted to.

As far as your other question, I put the end date as the date when I expected my ongoing activities would end if matriculating for medical school.

 

[shim0shim]

It's pretty comparable to other in-state schools. 5/7 MI schools are public and around 30-40k and the two private are around 45-50k (if I remember correctly). MSUCOM, at 40ish, isnt 'very' high. More than some, yes. Less than some, yes. Also keep in mind that some OOS students get decent scholarships to MSU -- granted not enough to bring it to IS levels.

If you're not willing to pay that much for your education, there are certainly cheaper places... but also much more expensive places. I respect your opinion, but can say that I personally chose MSU over both cheaper and more expensive private/public MD/DO schools because it was a good fit. Money isn't everything , and it's much more about how you feel about the places you've been accepted to.

As far as your other question, I put the end date as the date when I expected my ongoing activities would end if matriculating for medical school.

Thanks for answering my inquiry.


And no, as I said before, the tuition is ONE of the reasons why MSU is not in the top of my list, and not just the only reason. In comparison to many other DO schools, MSU has a higher in-state and out-of-state tuition. I am Canadian, and MSU offers a scholarship to Canadians, which dramatically decreases the tuition. However, even with the scholarship, the tuition is much much higher than a Canadian studying at other US DO schools that do not offer any scholarships. So, you really gottta weight the costs and benefits. And, like you said, its all about what is the right fit for you.

 

[Shinobiz11]

So in the "Additional comments" section, I mentioned that I was still deciding on retaking my MCAT. Should I upload an update letter to let them know of my plans, or will it be self-evident when they download my newest AACOMAS file?

 

[shim0shim]

So in the "Additional comments" section, I mentioned that I was still deciding on retaking my MCAT. Should I upload an update letter to let them know of my plans, or will it be self-evident when they download my newest AACOMAS file?

it will be evident when they download your aacomas file.

 

[shim0shim]

"Please list any medically-related shadowing or clinical experiences in the spaces below."

Does this include clinical experiences with non-DO's?

 

[shim0shim]

Can someone explain what it means by "What is your legacy to your family, friends and the community at this point in your life?"
What do they mean by legacy?

 

[Shinobiz11]

it will be evident when they download your aacomas file.

Alright thanks.

"Please list any medically-related shadowing or clinical experiences in the spaces below."

Does this include clinical experiences with non-DO's?

I would assume so.

Can someone explain what it means by "What is your legacy to your family, friends and the community at this point in your life?"
What do they mean by legacy?

I saw it as, what does your family/friends/community remember you for. Talked about how I'm one of the few people in my family to go to college. My impact at my mosque and undergrad institution.

 

[Lamassu]

Does anyone know whether letters of reference can sent be via email like last year instead of the two options indicated in the secondary app? In the Osteopathic Medical College info Book for MSU it says "Alternatively, you may ask your recommenders to scan and submit letters via email at [email protected]"...not sure if this still holds, but would def. make it easier on my referees.

 

[Bea5T]

Can someone explain what it means by "What is your legacy to your family, friends and the community at this point in your life?"
What do they mean by legacy?

What do you mean to your family, friends, and community?

 

[Doghead]

To what extent do your descriptions of your experience with DOs overlap with those in your primary? Over any of the other questions for that matter... I'm finding it difficult to not retread old topics...

 

[polylux]

To what extent do your descriptions of your experience with DOs overlap with those in your primary? Over any of the other questions for that matter... I'm finding it difficult to not retread old topics...

Honestly, I just copied things over. I think they mostly just want us to do the work for them and pull out the relevant ECs so they don't have to sift through our primary. 😛

 

[Shinobiz11]

Honestly, I just copied things over. I think they mostly just want us to do the work for them and pull out the relevant ECs so they don't have to sift through our primary. 😛

Same. They ask about the things they prioritize and they'll look to our primaries for other things.

 

[MCAT1982]

Hello,
May be this question was asked earlier - but is it true that MSU does not conduct interviews and send direct acceptances ? If so, does anyone know when they start "accepting" applicants - I mean how soon in the cycle does that start ?
Thanks

 

[Shinobiz11]

Hello,
May be this question was asked earlier - but is it true that MSU does not conduct interviews and send direct acceptances ? If so, does anyone know when they start "accepting" applicants - I mean how soon in the cycle does that start ?
Thanks

They only interview a few applicants that they feel need a better picture of. They start reviewing in August, acceptances started around mid-September last year.

 

[MCAT1982]

They only interview a few applicants that they feel need a better picture of. They start reviewing in August, acceptances started around mid-September last year.

Thank you

 

[ponies2015]

is MSU regionally biased? i'm a texas resident with a 3.45 cgpa, 3.2 sgpa and i'm taking my mcat next week. should I even bother applying? I have tons of family in the Detroit area but i don't think that will help much..

 

[SpartanWolverine]

is MSU regionally biased? i'm a texas resident with a 3.45 cgpa, 3.2 sgpa and i'm taking my mcat next week. should I even bother applying? I have tons of family in the Detroit area but i don't think that will help much..

There are relatively few students who are not from Michigan, but I believe this is mostly because of the OOS tuition and not because of any inherent "bias".

There are a few in my class from CA, IL, TX, FL, VA, and, of course, about 25 Canadians. Just a ballpark guess... ~85% MI residents, ~8% Canadian residents, and the other ~7% may be OOS.

FYI: admissions could probably put you in touch with an OOS student if you'd like!

 

[WastedTime]

did MSUCOM change the LOR requirement from 2 to 3 this year?

 

[HockeyDocFan]

I'm sorry if this question has been asked and answered before but does MSUCOM have any restriction on MCAT? I took mine in July, 2011 and most D.O schools have a restriction of MCAT to be less than 3 years but I did not see any rules for MSUCOM. I wasn't sure if I should retake it this summer. Thanks!

 

[Shinobiz11]

did MSUCOM change the LOR requirement from 2 to 3 this year?

Yes, you know how the opportunity to send in 3 letters.

I'm sorry if this question has been asked and answered before but does MSUCOM have any restriction on MCAT? I took mine in July, 2011 and most D.O schools have a restriction of MCAT to be less than 3 years but I did not see any rules for MSUCOM. I wasn't sure if I should retake it this summer. Thanks!

If you can't find it on the website, check the Osteopathic College Information Booklet, if not there, definitely email them.

 

[Jplewis002]

Probably a stupid question: It shows on the website not to submit any letters of recommendation unsolicited. I presume if you applied to MSU COM via AACOMAS recently, the letters wouldn't be unsolicited in that case, right? I have mine uploaded to Interfolio, but I wasn't certain if I had to wait until AACOMAS verifies my application before I send them.

Also, does the secondary application require additional LOR? Different from the primary app?

 

[trs88]

Probably a stupid question: It shows on the website not to submit any letters of recommendation unsolicited. I presume if you applied to MSU COM via AACOMAS recently, the letters wouldn't be unsolicited in that case, right? I have mine uploaded to Interfolio, but I wasn't certain if I had to wait until AACOMAS verifies my application before I send them.

Also, does the secondary application require additional LOR? Different from the primary app?

Did MSU e-mail you asking for you to fill out their secondary? And, the primary application has no section for LORs.

 

[Shinobiz11]

Probably a stupid question: It shows on the website not to submit any letters of recommendation unsolicited. I presume if you applied to MSU COM via AACOMAS recently, the letters wouldn't be unsolicited in that case, right? I have mine uploaded to Interfolio, but I wasn't certain if I had to wait until AACOMAS verifies my application before I send them.

Also, does the secondary application require additional LOR? Different from the primary app?

Unsolicited means they didn't ask you for them, i.e. without a secondary or more than the 3 they ask for.

 

[polylux]

Unsolicited means they didn't ask you for them, i.e. without a secondary or more than the 3 they ask for.

They're okay with more than 3, but they may only review the 3 they asked for.

 

[Jplewis002]

Did MSU e-mail you asking for you to fill out their secondary? And, the primary application has no section for LORs.

I was under the impression that they wanted the letters of recommendation with the primary application sent through the Interfolio account that you can set up on AACOMAS or directly from the authors themselves. The MSU COM website detailed a lot of the criteria for the LOR but didn't say it was just for the secondary, which was the source of my confusion in thinking they wanted it upon application.

Thank you for clarifying!

 

[trs88]

I was under the impression that they wanted the letters of recommendation with the primary application sent through the Interfolio account that you can set up on AACOMAS or directly from the authors themselves. The MSU COM website detailed a lot of the criteria for the LOR but didn't say it was just for the secondary, which was the source of my confusion in thinking they wanted it upon application.

Thank you for clarifying!

For any school that you apply to using AACOMAS, they all want their LORs sent with the secondary application or a few schools even want them sent in response to an interview invite. You are still correct that using interfolio, you can send the schools LORs using that letter holding service.

 

[Goonsquad21]

Got a question. I got a new research job, but I already submitted my secondary app like 2 weeks ago. Is their any way I can tell MSUCOM that, or should I even? and how would I go about doing it?

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Got a question. I got a new research job, but I already submitted my secondary app like 2 weeks ago. Is their any way I can tell MSUCOM that, or should I even? and how would I go about doing it?

Log in to your secondary portal, go to the "upload files" and send them an update letter! I think that's a worthwhile update.

 

[polylux]

Got a question. I got a new research job, but I already submitted my secondary app like 2 weeks ago. Is their any way I can tell MSUCOM that, or should I even? and how would I go about doing it?

I agree with @johnamo, although I would also suggest that you wait a bit. They probably have barely started looking at apps, and decisions won't be made til a few months... if I were you, I would save that update letter to send out in like October, after they've sent out some acceptance letters (maybe you don't even need the extra push) and probably already looked at your application and you can use the update letter to push them over the edge, so to speak. Not to mention then you'll actually be able to talk more about what you do at your job.

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Mmm, that's a fair point. I think it's difficult to say whether it would be more helpful to have that extra bit now on the chance that it helps your initial review... or wait to send it in and have that be a "bonus" later with a bit more substance.

As an anecdote, I sent in my first update around a month after secondary submission, the second a month after that, and was accepted a month later (n.b.: they mentioned my file had just been reviewed the morning I was accepted, so both were effectively pre-committee review). Both were for accepted publications and further research/volunteer achievements & awards.

 

[Sc1entific]

I know we're supposed to turn these secondaries around within 2 weeks, but how bad is it to wait 3? I know MSUCOM is giving us a month, and that getting in sooner is better - I'm just wondering if anyone else is waiting a little longer, and how much difference one week would make. I'm trying to budget my life around all these secondary application fees. =/

 

[Souna23]

Hi guys does anyone know if I can view last year's secondary application ? I am a re-applicant and wanted to find my answers from last year if possible.

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Hi guys does anyone know if I can view last year's secondary application ? I am a re-applicant and wanted to find my answers from last year if possible.

Have you tried logging in with your info from last year? Mine still works to get me into the secondary with the essays filled out... though oddly with the questions changed to the ones for this year.

 

[fshalabs]

Hi guys does anyone know if I can view last year's secondary application ? I am a re-applicant and wanted to find my answers from last year if possible.

Have you tried logging in with your info from last year? Mine still works to get me into the secondary with the essays filled out... though oddly with the questions changed to the ones for this year.

I logged into last year's secondary application, and while the questions have changed to reflect this year's new questions, my responses from last year's questions are still there.

On a similar note, if I submitted my AACOMAS on June 24, does anyone have a guesstimate for how much longer it'll be before I get processed?

 

[Souna23]

I logged into last year's secondary application, and while the questions have changed to reflect this year's new questions, my responses from last year's questions are still there.

On a similar note, if I submitted my AACOMAS on June 24, does anyone have a guesstimate for how much longer it'll be before I get processed?

That worked before they sent me this year's secondary. Now I cant log in to last year's anymore. I should have saved the answers when I had the chance :/

As for your AACOMAS, mine took 12 days this year but around 5 weeks last year. However, last year I submitted it in August so maybe that's why it took longer. The earlier you submit the faster it processes maybe ??

 

[loungebunny]

I just read this on MSUCOM website: "Ideally, letters should be dated for the year of application."

Does this mean I need to gather new letters of recommendation? (I'm a re-applicant)

 

[fshalabs]

I just read this on MSUCOM website: "Ideally, letters should be dated for the year of application."

Does this mean I need to gather new letters of recommendation? (I'm a re-applicant)

I'm also a re-applicant. When I talked to an MSUCOM advisor at the end of this past application cycle, they told me one of my issues was old letters of recommendation (for reference, they were from 2010 and 2011).

 

[loungebunny]

I'm also a re-applicant. When I talked to an MSUCOM advisor at the end of this past application cycle, they told me one of my issues was old letters of recommendation (for reference, they were from 2010 and 2011).

Okay, good to know!

 

[shim0shim]

I know we're supposed to turn these secondaries around within 2 weeks, but how bad is it to wait 3? I know MSUCOM is giving us a month, and that getting in sooner is better - I'm just wondering if anyone else is waiting a little longer, and how much difference one week would make. I'm trying to budget my life around all these secondary application fees. =/

I would say it really depends on your situation. My application is incomplete as I have not yet written the MCAT. So, I can finish the secondary in 2 days, but they won't consider me until my mcat results are in. So, for me, it won't matter if I send the secondary right away or if I take my time until my mcat results are in.

 

[AlteredScale]

Am having trouble with the last question: "If you had to choose a different career path what would that be?"

I don't know why I am having such trouble answering this. But any tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dr Turkelton]

I ended up turning my secondary in just over 3 weeks after I got it. Hope that doesn't hurt my chances too much, this is definitely my top choice DO school and I didn't want to turn in the essays until I had enough time to edit them.