Midwestern University Chicago (CCOM) Discussion Thread 2015 - 2016

[RavenclawMed]

These DO school names are driving me nuts. Is this the same school as:
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

?

Yes. It's the same thing. Midwestern has two DO schools - CCOM and AZCOM.

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[grey_wind]

Interfolio definitely lets you attach an ID before you send it somewhere

 

[hopefulERdoc251]

Virtual eval probably does the same too haha. It wouldn't make sense if they didn't.

 

[vantheman]

Interfolio definitely lets you attach an ID before you send it somewhere

The way it is written, it seems as if CCOM wants your evaluator to write it on the front page for some reason... Or am I interpreting this wrong?

"The full legal name and AACOMAS ID number of applicants must be on the front page of the recommendation. The applicant must provide this information to the evaluators."

 

[hopefulERdoc251]

I just checked their website and it didn't say that haha.

1. Two letters of recommendation

1. • One letter from either a premedical advisory committee, prehealth advisor or basic science professor who has taught the applicant
   • Second letter from either a U.S. licensed D.O. or M.D. Letters from osteopathic physicians are strongly recommended. Letters written by immediate family members are not acceptable
   • Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the evaluators. Letters submitted by students are not accepted.

 

[vantheman]

So I just called CCOM and the woman I spoke to stated that it is fine if I attach my AACOMAS ID via interfolio.

I almost had a break down because I thought I would have to ask all my busy evaluators to resubmit their LORs. haha.

 

[hopefulERdoc251]

https://www.midwestern.edu/programs-and-admission/il-osteopathic-medicine.html


admissions requirements.

 

[hopefulERdoc251]

I need to call them after work to see if it's acceptable if it's a committee that the first letter in the packet have all the information/if virtual eval does that.

 

[vantheman]

I just checked their website and it didn't say that haha.

1. Two letters of recommendation

1. • One letter from either a premedical advisory committee, prehealth advisor or basic science professor who has taught the applicant
   • Second letter from either a U.S. licensed D.O. or M.D. Letters from osteopathic physicians are strongly recommended. Letters written by immediate family members are not acceptable
   • Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the evaluators. Letters submitted by students are not accepted.

https://www.midwestern.edu/programs...eopathic-medicine/admissionapply.html#process


It says it under "Application process" 3B. But assigning a ID via interfolio is fine (see my above post)

Cheers!

 

[vantheman]

are you sure
https://www.midwestern.edu/programs-and-admission/il-osteopathic-medicine.html

scroll down to #4

it doesn't say you can submit more than those 2 and the CCOM secondary checklist only has those 2 letters mentioned

I just called CCOM and asked if you can submit more than 2 letters of recommendation. However, it is important that 2 of the letters you submit fulfill their requirements. She didn't give me an exact number of many letters you can submit, but I said I have 5 LORs total and she said that would be fine to submit all of them.

 

[vantheman]

Does anyone know what the style of curriculum/learning at CCOM? I can't find much on their website besides just the courses and their descriptions

 

[Gandyy]

are you sure
https://www.midwestern.edu/programs-and-admission/il-osteopathic-medicine.html

scroll down to #4

it doesn't say you can submit more than those 2 and the CCOM secondary checklist only has those 2 letters mentioned

So then what happens if you just happen to have 4 letters in AACOMAS?

We cant pick and choose which letters each school gets. Its not like AMCAS.

 

[ananasmed]

So then what happens if you just happen to have 4 letters in AACOMAS?

We cant pick and choose which letters each school gets. Its not like AMCAS.

It's fine.

 

[Gandyy]

So I just called CCOM and the woman I spoke to stated that it is fine if I attach my AACOMAS ID via interfolio.

I almost had a break down because I thought I would have to ask all my busy evaluators to resubmit their LORs. haha.

Didnt you HAVE to attach a ID number to your letter before Interfolio would let you send the letter to AACOMAS anyways?

 

[vantheman]

Didnt you HAVE to attach a ID number to your letter before Interfolio would let you send the letter to AACOMAS anyways?

I am sending my LORs to schools directly from interfolio

 

[Gandyy]

I am sending my LORs to schools directly from interfolio

Ah that makes sense. Interfolio is super useful. So if you were to send letters to schools, do you have to have Interfolio actually mail them or can they electronically send them to schools?

 

[RavenclawMed]

Didnt you HAVE to attach a ID number to your letter before Interfolio would let you send the letter to AACOMAS anyways?

Not necessarily. For those who get their LoR before AACOMAS opens (like me, who had to get them for a committee letter) they can be added after-the-fact.

 

[Gandyy]

Not necessarily. For those who get their LoR before AACOMAS opens (like me, who had to get them for a committee letter) they can be added after-the-fact.

Yea, I'm assuming that CCOM wants the ID so they can be sure that the letter they get goes with the applicant. However, I dont think it should be an issue if they open up John Smith's application and see 5 letters in his application. Those are obviously his and no one elses.

 

[vantheman]

Ah that makes sense. Interfolio is super useful. So if you were to send letters to schools, do you have to have Interfolio actually mail them or can they electronically send them to schools?

Electronically

 

[vantheman]

Spend weeks filling out AACOMAS... 2 weeks later CCOM asks you to make CV with all the same info on it *sigh

 

[Oh_Gee]

So I just called CCOM and the woman I spoke to stated that it is fine if I attach my AACOMAS ID via interfolio.

I almost had a break down because I thought I would have to ask all my busy evaluators to resubmit their LORs. haha.

hurray. i was gonna have a breakdown too when i read the first thing you posted

 

[grey_wind]

for people who submitted and got the secondary email from CCOM, then had their MCAT scores loaded into AACOMAS, how long did it take CCOM to mark they received your MCAT on their checklist?

 

[vantheman]

for people who submitted and got the secondary email from CCOM, then had their MCAT scores loaded into AACOMAS, how long did it take CCOM to mark they received your MCAT on their checklist?

My MCAT was marked as received the first time I checked.

 

[NovMSScr]

Wait so what if I'm submitting my letters through AACOMAS? Wouldn't they already have my AACOMAS ID and everything?

 

[mk2015]

Wait so what if I'm submitting my letters through AACOMAS? Wouldn't they already have my AACOMAS ID and everything?

That's what I was thinking too. My physician letter was sent through AACOMAS and is currently marked as received at CCOM so I'm not going to worry about it unless something comes up.

 

[pmsltechnician]

Just submitted my secondary!

 

[swolebrah]

Wait so what if I'm submitting my letters through AACOMAS? Wouldn't they already have my AACOMAS ID and everything?

That's what I was thinking too. My physician letter was sent through AACOMAS and is currently marked as received at CCOM so I'm not going to worry about it unless something comes up.

Don't worry guys , they said they process letters individually and that it might lag behind the MCAT scores and supplemental app. My letters were marked received by midwestern 2 days after they received my MCAT and secondary app even though my letters were sent via aacomas

 

[Giovanotto]

How in the world are you guys answering this secondary application when the school's mission is:

MISSION
CCOM educates osteopathic physicians to provide quality, compassionate care and promotes the practice of osteopathic medicine, lifelong learning, research, and service.

!?!

 

[ananasmed]

How in the world are you guys answering this secondary application when the school's mission is:

MISSION
CCOM educates osteopathic physicians to provide quality, compassionate care and promotes the practice of osteopathic medicine, lifelong learning, research, and service.

!?!

Come now, I'm sure you can relate some part of your future goals to this incredibly broad reaching mission statement. Also, be sure to step back and remember what the secondary questions are actually asking (HINT: it doesn't ask about the mission statement, although that's never a bad place to look for inspiration).

 

[premedjunkie1233]

question for you guys. For the essay asking about why you should be accepted...would it be better to be straight to the point or more crafty and creative? I'm finding it absurdly difficult to find creative prose in an essay that allows a max of 1500 characters.

 

[RavenclawMed]

question for you guys. For the essay asking about why you should be accepted...would it be better to be straight to the point or more crafty and creative? I'm finding it absurdly difficult to find creative prose in an essay that allows a max of 1500 characters.

If you feel you can completely address everything you want in fewer than 1500 characters, then no need to try to add fluff.

 

[B216jt]

I just called CCOM and asked if you can submit more than 2 letters of recommendation. However, it is important that 2 of the letters you submit fulfill their requirements. She didn't give me an exact number of many letters you can submit, but I said I have 5 LORs total and she said that would be fine to submit all of them.

I would say maybe hold on to some of those letters just in case of being waitlisted. Sorry it sounds morbid, but it is a possibility and sending additional letters during the wait may help get the committees eyes on your application. Plus it shows that you are still interested in the school.

 

[Dr. Death]

Been trying to find the answer to this question hopefully I didn't miss it. Does anyone know how to declare the AACOMAS fee waiver? I'm having the hardest time finding a place to do so.

 

[NovMSScr]

I'm finding out that writing these secondary applications is not my strong suit. Without going into too much detail, how are you approaching questions like #3?

 

[Sisu00]

I won't have a DO letter until mid-July. Should I submit a secondary this week with 1 science letter and 1 MD letter (meet the requirement) and send in the DO letter after I have it? My application would be complete a few weeks sooner. Or does the timing of a couple weeks not matter.. and possibly it is better to just have one DO letter and no other physician letter. Also, is it acceptable to have letters sent to schools through AACOMAS and Interfolio?

 

[C3H6O3]

I'm finding out that writing these secondary applications is not my strong suit. Without going into too much detail, how are you approaching questions like #3?

I'm also curious as to how others are approaching this question. Should I focus on what I think that I can add to the class or why I think that I am a good candidate for CCOM?

 

[premedjunkie1233]

both

 

[medstar11]

Been trying to find the answer to this question hopefully I didn't miss it. Does anyone know how to declare the AACOMAS fee waiver? I'm having the hardest time finding a place to do so.

You have to email the admissions with your original email saying the fee waiver has been granted.

 

[PSiloveU2013]

I'm also curious as to how others are approaching this question. Should I focus on what I think that I can add to the class or why I think that I am a good candidate for CCOM?

I listed qualities I have and examples of how I've displayed them. Then I mentioned how having these qualities would make me a good student/classmate at CCOM. I hope that makes sense/helps?

 

[C3H6O3]

I listed qualities I have and examples of how I've displayed them. Then I mentioned how having these qualities would make me a good student/classmate at CCOM. I hope that makes sense/helps?

Thanks for the reply. Your answer was very helpful.

 

[grey_wind]

For the second prompt, is it more why we want to go to school there or why we want to study osteopathic medicine at CCOM ?

 

[premedjunkie1233]

school specific is my understanding.

 

[eyesfeeltired]

How many are still waiting for their mcat to be marked as received? And how many have submitted their secondary?

 

[PSiloveU2013]

How many are still waiting for their mcat to be marked as received? And how many have submitted their secondary?

I submitted my secondary. I am still waiting on my mcat.

 

[bshap000]

How many are still waiting for their mcat to be marked as received? And how many have submitted their secondary?

Also waiting on MCAT, though AACOMAS did attach the official score a few days ago, so I assume CCOM will update soon.

 

[grey_wind]

school specific is my understanding.

right, but are we focusing mainly on the osteopathic part or can we be more broad about reasons wanting to attend?

 

[ananasmed]

right, but are we focusing mainly on the osteopathic part or can we be more broad about reasons wanting to attend?

Definitely talk about any and all compelling reasons why you would want to attend/what you like about the school in general.

 

[67552931811]

right, but are we focusing mainly on the osteopathic part or can we be more broad about reasons wanting to attend?

Definitely talk about any and all compelling reasons why you would want to attend/what you like about the school in general.

I agree with this. I think you're psychoanalyzing this too much @MedBlue515. Just be honest and truthful and you'll be ok. GL! 👍

 

[grey_wind]

I agree with this. I think you're psychoanalyzing this too much @MedBlue515. Just be honest and truthful and you'll be ok. GL! 👍

Oh 100% haha, it's going to be a long cycle lol, thanks everyone!

 

[NovMSScr]

How many are still waiting for their mcat to be marked as received? And how many have submitted their secondary?

I'm still just waiting for AACOMAS to mark my MCAT as official :|