MSU-COM Discussion Thread 2009-2010

[MSUSpartan642]

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Hey Guys!!

Congrats to all of you that have acceptances, and good luck to those that are still waiting. I am applying the next cycle, and I just had a question as I looked forward to my last semester before applying.

In reading this thread it seems that MSUCOM very heavily weighs community service, like 1000 hours and plus. I was just wondering if I could get some input on my situation: I have a wide variety of volunteering activities, but by the time I apply I will probably have no more than 500-600 hours of actual volunteering (slightly more if I include high school). I also work about 20 hours a week because, well, I have to, and have other hobbies/ EC's.

However, my GPA is pretty high, around a 3.85, and my MCAT (which I'm taking in like 4 weeks) practice tests are coming back fairly strong, 30+. Could I get some input on what my chances would be? Should I load up big time on hours this next semester (I have open volunteering at the hospital, which means I can go in whenever I want) to have a better shot? One of my letter writers who is a DO went to MSUCOM and I would love for the chance to attend.

Thanks guys, and good luck!

The MCAT is your first priority at this point, then it is keeping that GPA nice and high. After that if you can load up on EC hours it would really help at MSUCOM, they love their applicants to have tons. Of course if you end up with a 30+ MCAT you may be looking at a different pack of schools in the first place...

 

[Everglide]

Hey Guys!!

Congrats to all of you that have acceptances, and good luck to those that are still waiting. I am applying the next cycle, and I just had a question as I looked forward to my last semester before applying.

In reading this thread it seems that MSUCOM very heavily weighs community service, like 1000 hours and plus. I was just wondering if I could get some input on my situation: I have a wide variety of volunteering activities, but by the time I apply I will probably have no more than 500-600 hours of actual volunteering (slightly more if I include high school). I also work about 20 hours a week because, well, I have to, and have other hobbies/ EC's.

However, my GPA is pretty high, around a 3.85, and my MCAT (which I'm taking in like 4 weeks) practice tests are coming back fairly strong, 30+. Could I get some input on what my chances would be? Should I load up big time on hours this next semester (I have open volunteering at the hospital, which means I can go in whenever I want) to have a better shot? One of my letter writers who is a DO went to MSUCOM and I would love for the chance to attend.

Thanks guys, and good luck!

Great GPA, with a 30+ MCAT you would be competitive by numbers for a lot of schools, DO or MD.

Take this with a large grain of salt, the supposed "magic number" of total volunteer hours is 800 hours to put you into their "Tier 1" applicants. I have no idea if this number is true or not, it seems like a generally safe minimum to have.

Definitely focus on cracking 30+ and getting your application in early which helps a lot for MSUCOM. Good luck 🙂

 

[samuraiR]

I think it's great that you are looking into this so early!!! The only thing I wish I had known ahead of time is how long AACOMAS takes to process your application (mine took like 9 weeks) but luckily I still got in and was placed at the campus I wanted so it worked out!

About the ranking, if you look at the U.S. News rankings of top medical schools, you will see that MSUCOM is 7th this year for primary care - until you click on the name, it only says Michigan State University but then when you click it says the College of Osteopathic Medicine. It's pretty cool that it's the only DO school ranked that high (although I'm sure there are others that deserve to be ranked higher than some MD schools).

Good luck through the application process when you do start it!

Regarding AACOMAS is that 9 week thing still true if you have everything filled out on day 1? And have transcripts sent in advance?
Would it still take that long?

 

[fitz0809]

Regarding AACOMAS is that 9 week thing still true if you have everything filled out on day 1? And have transcripts sent in advance?
Would it still take that long?

No. It is much faster at the very beginning.

 

[DrVariables]

Does anyone know how long it takes msucom to reply that they have received the evaluations. that was the last thing that I sent in, around nov. and i still havent received any note that I am complete/getting an interview/ hold/ or rejected.
I am also scared that by this point I have no chance anywhere since I havent gotten any interviews yet.
I saw in earlier posts I have more ec's for over 6 years straight so my ec's ours are far above what is needed here. cumulative is most estimated at more then 4500 hours. Will that help with my lower end mcat?

 

[DrVariables]

Does anyone know how long it takes msucom to reply that they have received the evaluations. that was the last thing that I sent in, around nov. and i still havent received any note that I am complete/getting an interview/ hold/ or rejected.
I am also scared that by this point I have no chance anywhere since I havent gotten any interviews yet.
I saw in earlier posts I have more ec's for over 6 years straight so my ec's ours are far above what is needed here. cumulative is most estimated at more then 4500 hours. Will that help with my lower end mcat?

 

[fitz0809]

Hey Guys!!

Congrats to all of you that have acceptances, and good luck to those that are still waiting. I am applying the next cycle, and I just had a question as I looked forward to my last semester before applying.

In reading this thread it seems that MSUCOM very heavily weighs community service, like 1000 hours and plus. I was just wondering if I could get some input on my situation: I have a wide variety of volunteering activities, but by the time I apply I will probably have no more than 500-600 hours of actual volunteering (slightly more if I include high school). I also work about 20 hours a week because, well, I have to, and have other hobbies/ EC's.

However, my GPA is pretty high, around a 3.85, and my MCAT (which I'm taking in like 4 weeks) practice tests are coming back fairly strong, 30+. Could I get some input on what my chances would be? Should I load up big time on hours this next semester (I have open volunteering at the hospital, which means I can go in whenever I want) to have a better shot? One of my letter writers who is a DO went to MSUCOM and I would love for the chance to attend.

Thanks guys, and good luck!

You should load up on as many volunteer hours as possible.

Your DO letter will not matter because MSUCOM does not require letters. They require an individual evaluation by two people. You can choose anyone (a boss, priest, someone you volunteer for, or someone in the medical field)

Your volunteer hours from high school are included in what they ask for so that should give you some extra hours.

 

[dr.z]

Does anyone know how long it takes msucom to reply that they have received the evaluations. that was the last thing that I sent in, around nov. and i still havent received any note that I am complete/getting an interview/ hold/ or rejected.
I am also scared that by this point I have no chance anywhere since I havent gotten any interviews yet.
I saw in earlier posts I have more ec's for over 6 years straight so my ec's ours are far above what is needed here. cumulative is most estimated at more then 4500 hours. Will that help with my lower end mcat?

They don't send anything to you. You can check to see if your application materials have arrived using this link: https://applstatus.com.msu.edu/

 

[DrVariables]

They don't send anything to you. You can check to see if your application materials have arrived using this link: https://applstatus.com.msu.edu/

How long after do they usually contact you then? or you even check to see if you receive an interview through that same site?

 

[Everglide]

How long after do they usually contact you then? or you even check to see if you receive an interview through that same site?

I have no idea in regards to interviews because they're rare however the time it takes to hear back in general can vary from one week after completion to the entire admissions cycle. They contact by email for acceptances.

 

[DrVariables]

I have no idea in regards to interviews because they're rare however the time it takes to hear back in general can vary from one week after completion to the entire admissions cycle. They contact by email for acceptances.

thank you so much for the replies and the help!!
Good luck to everyone!!

 

[momanddoc]

They don't send anything to you. You can check to see if your application materials have arrived using this link: https://applstatus.com.msu.edu/

I'm actually pretty sure that I got an email from them telling me that they received all of my evals and my application was complete and I know that one of my evals got lost initially and I wouldn't have even known it if i didn't use the above link and then call them. Also, just FYI when one of the evals got lost, they allowed my evaluator to fax over the eval - I got the "complete" email the next business day and was accepted two days later so they are pretty quick (the email day was a Monday and I think they meet on Wednesdays which is why I heard back so quick)

Hope this helps! I am all for staying on top of them until you know your status is complete since everything with them is done through the mail and things can easily get lost in the mail system! Good luck!

 

[fitz0809]

Accepted 🙂

I want to visit both campuses. How soon was everyone able to visit after getting the acceptance email??

 

[Everglide]

Accepted 🙂

I want to visit both campuses. How soon was everyone able to visit after getting the acceptance email??

Congrats!!!

The next visit date for East Lansing is Friday Jan 29th. There are set dates, you'll see them on the sign-up site. Apparently the other two campuses visits are done through email, I don't know anything more about those.

You will be getting a lot more emails and paperwork in regards to all of this. Again, congratulations!

 

[spence]

Also accepted today, I am so excited!

 

[p1acebo]

Congrats to both of you!

 

[Everglide]

Also accepted today, I am so excited!

Congrats 👍

 

[Qaraami]

Also got Accepted today.

What a good day this has been.

Congrats to the other people - spence and fitz 😀

 

[momanddoc]

Congratulations to everyone that was accepted today! I look forward to meeting you all and am very happy for you!😀

 

[phil413]

Another acceptance over here! This has been a great day!

 

[fitz0809]

Does anyone know a lot about the curriculum?

Are the lectures only broadcast or can you access them at any time? Do people learn mostly from lectures or a lot from reading?

Do current students study together a lot or pretty much do everything individually?

Also what is the status on all the campuses? Will they be filling up very soon or do I have time to visit each and then make a decision?


Congrats to everyone else accepted today!!

 

[spence]

Thanks and congrats to everyone else too! I look forward to meeting you all this summer as well! 😀

 

[p1acebo]

Does anyone know a lot about the curriculum?

Are the lectures only broadcast or can you access them at any time? Do people learn mostly from lectures or a lot from reading?

Do current students study together a lot or pretty much do everything individually?

Also what is the status on all the campuses? Will they be filling up very soon or do I have time to visit each and then make a decision?


Congrats to everyone else accepted today!!

I am pretty sure all the lectures are online and you can access them whenever you want (including speeding them up and slowing them down if you want). Also, from the students I have spoken with the note packs you can purchase are very useful.

In regards to the status of the campuses I am not sure, but I would definitely try to check out the other 2 before you make a decision since you are already familiar with the EL campus.

 

[fitz0809]

I am pretty sure all the lectures are online and you can access them whenever you want (including speeding them up and slowing them down if you want). Also, from the students I have spoken with the note packs you can purchase are very useful.

In regards to the status of the campuses I am not sure, but I would definitely try to check out the other 2 before you make a decision since you are already familiar with the EL campus.

The recorded lectures sound awesome...

 

[Everglide]

The recorded lectures sound awesome...

I noticed you mentioned you're doing MSU undergrad on the other thread... I'm not sure if you're familiar with them but the MSUCOM lectures are done with "camtasia" similar to how the BMB 461/462 and PSL 431/432 lectures are recorded.

Watching a lecture at 4x speed = awesome.

 

[phil413]

I am pretty sure all the lectures are online and you can access them whenever you want (including speeding them up and slowing them down if you want). Also, from the students I have spoken with the note packs you can purchase are very useful.

In regards to the status of the campuses I am not sure, but I would definitely try to check out the other 2 before you make a decision since you are already familiar with the EL campus.

Confirmed...I know a professor at the Detroit campus and she informed me that this is exactly what they do. If the recording doesn't work, they WILL re-record and make sure it gets to the students. I mean, the other campuses rely on them, right?

 

[shinny04]

I completed my application back in Nov but I have not heard anything from them. I am out-of-state student. What's their GPA and MCAT requirements? I am getting worried.

 

[Everglide]

I completed my application back in Nov but I have not heard anything from them. I am out-of-state student. What's their GPA and MCAT requirements? I am getting worried.

If you received a secondary you're above the minimum GPA/MCAT requirements. The averages are 3.5/27, at least according to their website.

 

[RedDO]

Does anybody know if MSU has sent out any rejection letters? Thanks!

 

[spence]

Does anybody know if MSU has sent out any rejection letters? Thanks!

I haven't heard of anyone getting a rejection letter yet this season. If I remember reading from last year's thread I think they send them to everyone who hasn't been accepted/waitlisted all at once when they get through all the applications. I would guess that probably happens around March since Feb 9 is the secondary deadline.

 

[phil413]

Any word as to how full each campus is yet??

 

[spence]

Any word as to how full each campus is yet??

When I stopped by the admissions office to turn in my deposit last week I was told there are "very few" spots left in East Lansing. I didn't ask about Macomb or the DMC.

 

[phil413]

"Very few" spots. How long does it take to get the packet after acceptance? And how much is the deposit?

Thanks for the info, spence.

 

[Everglide]

"Very few" spots. How long does it take to get the packet after acceptance? And how much is the deposit?

Thanks for the info, spence.

I got my packet the week after acceptance, the first deposit is $750

 

[spence]

"Very few" spots. How long does it take to get the packet after acceptance? And how much is the deposit?

Thanks for the info, spence.

Yeah like everglide said it's a $750 initial deposit and then another $300 due in the middle of March (i think the 15th or so, don't have my stuff with me right now). I got my packet 2 days after I was accepted but I live in East Lansing.

 

[Kingstonhopeful]

Hey everyone,
Just a quick question. I recently recieved an email from MSU COM stating that I was on the wait list and that I could have a guaranteed spot next year if I didn't get off the waitlist this year. Can anyone from past experiences highlight my chances of acceptance? How big is the wait list. My stats are 3.9 GPA, 27 Mcat but I am Canadian submitted secondary early december.

Thanks

 

[spence]

Hey everyone,
Just a quick question. I recently recieved an email from MSU COM stating that I was on the wait list and that I could have a guaranteed spot next year if I didn't get off the waitlist this year. Can anyone from past experiences highlight my chances of acceptance? How big is the wait list. My stats are 3.9 GPA, 27 Mcat but I am Canadian submitted secondary early december.

Thanks

People have said on threads about MSUCOM in the past that about 70% of the people on the guaranteed spot waitlist will actually get accepted that year. I have no clue how long that list is, I would imagine they keep it pretty short if that 70% figure is true.

 

[Emo378]

Just found out I was Board Selected for Army HPSP!!!😀
Anyone else doing HPSP from East Lansing location?

 

[momanddoc]

Just found out I was Board Selected for Army HPSP!!!😀
Anyone else doing HPSP from East Lansing location?

Hi there! I am planning on doing the HPSP program - I haven't been selected yet - all I have left is my physical which is actually tomorrow and it looks like my file will be reviewed at the February board. I am also going to be at the East Lansing location.

 

[Emo378]

Hi there! I am planning on doing the HPSP program - I haven't been selected yet - all I have left is my physical which is actually tomorrow and it looks like my file will be reviewed at the February board. I am also going to be at the East Lansing location.

It's great to hear there will be a fellow HPSPer in the class. What branch are you going into? I'm getting commissioned on Monday and can't wait to make it official!😀

Good luck at the MEPS. It's not as bad as some people make it out to be.
I was in and out in about 3 hours.
See you at orientation!

 

[Kingstonhopeful]

Just curious so why does MSU COM guarantee students like myself a spot for next year but waitlist this year? Is it purely because I applied late or any other factors.

Thanks for any insight

 

[ruiner]

Withdrew so I hope one of guys get my spot.

Just found out I was Board Selected for Army HPSP!!!😀
Anyone else doing HPSP from East Lansing location?

I am picked up for Navy. I am leaning towards going to MSUCHM so I might still be seeing you around quite a bit.

 

[Cybii]

Just curious so why does MSU COM guarantee students like myself a spot for next year but waitlist this year? Is it purely because I applied late or any other factors.

Thanks for any insight

Hard to say. I don't think the class is 100% full, but it may be a combination of both. But if you're guaranteed a spot for next year, I would assume it's more because you didn't apply earlier. *shrug* It's all a mystery. 😛

 

[momanddoc]

It's great to hear there will be a fellow HPSPer in the class. What branch are you going into? I'm getting commissioned on Monday and can't wait to make it official!😀

Good luck at the MEPS. It's not as bad as some people make it out to be.
I was in and out in about 3 hours.
See you at orientation!

I am actually going into the Army as well. As long as I get selected but now that the MEPS stuff is done my file will be going to the board for February. I'm glad to hear there will be other HPSP people as well - I'm really excited about it and it will be great to know someone else is going through the same thing!

 

[jphwki82]

I was selected for the Air Force HPSP in December, but ill be at the MUC campus.

 

[msd848]

I had a few questions about DMC:

1. How much is a parking permit to park at the DMC site? Is there any alternatives?

2. For those of you living at Riverfront, how much do you guys each typically pay for utilities?

 

[spence]

1. How much is a parking permit to park at the DMC site? Is there any alternatives?

Parking is $161 per semester, see http://www.msucomstore.com/servlet/Categories?category=PARKING+DMC

 

[Cybii]

Parking is $161 per semester, see http://www.msucomstore.com/servlet/Categories?category=PARKING+DMC

I couldn't find any parking fees for the MUC or EL site. Does this mean... there are none?

 

[spence]

I couldn't find any parking fees for the MUC or EL site. Does this mean... there are none?

haha that would be really nice! I have no idea about MUC, but I know that there is a charge for EL, we would get to park at the clinical center which is pretty close to Fee. The MSU police parking website doesn't list the price for us (http://dpps.msu.edu/permits.asp) but I am going to guess it's somewhere around $150ish. Maybe a current student could let us know? 😀

EDIT: I think I found the info. This is from the CHM website but I assume it's the same for us: "The cost for the special parking permit for Lot 100 costs $169 per semester." (http://mdadmissions.msu.edu/main/osas_09.htm)

 

[Everglide]

I think I found the info. This is from the CHM website but I assume it's the same for us: "The cost for the special parking permit for Lot 100 costs $169 per semester." (http://mdadmissions.msu.edu/main/osas_09.htm)

Yep. We get lot 100 passes... apparently they have the possibility of running out due to us sharing the lot with CHM, so sign up for them ASAP :|

In the Summer there is free parking in lot 91 (X lot) which is right next to fee.