MSU-COM Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[emno]

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We have a pre-med commitee and all my writers have sent their letters to the commitee. If I request pre-med committe to send all these LORs to MSUCOM, will taht be OK or the letters have to be in a specific format?

thanks

 

[2110]

We have a pre-med commitee and all my writers have sent their letters to the commitee. If I request pre-med committe to send all these LORs to MSUCOM, will taht be OK or the letters have to be in a specific format?

thanks

For MSUCOM, you are required to have two people (not necessarily professors) fill out specific evaluation forms for the college. They will send you these evaluation forms with your secondary application. I am almost 100% sure that I read somewhere (I cannot remember where...) that they don't even read letters unless they are attached to the eval forms..which still have to be filled out.

(this is from their website)

Recommendations: As you’re building your portfolio, look for mentors, people who can help you make further contacts and perhaps write recommendations for you. We accept only two recommendations which we ask be submitted on our evaluation forms. We do not require academic/committee recommendations nor do we ask that one of your recommendations be from an osteopathic physician. The most important consideration is that these individuals know you well. They will be asked about your understanding of osteopathic philosophy, your academic potential, your commitment to service, your communication skills and your level of maturity. You may use individuals who have supervised you in a work or volunteer experience, coaches, clergy members, etc. Set aside time to meet with each evaluator so you can look over the questions on the form together. If you’re uncomfortable about asking for such a meeting, this may not be the best evaluator for you.

 

[emno]

For MSUCOM, you are required to have two people (not necessarily professors) fill out specific evaluation forms for the college. They will send you these evaluation forms with your secondary application. I am almost 100% sure that I read somewhere (I cannot remember where...) that they don't even read letters unless they are attached to the eval forms..which still have to be filled out.

(this is from their website)

Recommendations: As you’re building your portfolio, look for mentors, people who can help you make further contacts and perhaps write recommendations for you. We accept only two recommendations which we ask be submitted on our evaluation forms. We do not require academic/committee recommendations nor do we ask that one of your recommendations be from an osteopathic physician. The most important consideration is that these individuals know you well. They will be asked about your understanding of osteopathic philosophy, your academic potential, your commitment to service, your communication skills and your level of maturity. You may use individuals who have supervised you in a work or volunteer experience, coaches, clergy members, etc. Set aside time to meet with each evaluator so you can look over the questions on the form together. If you’re uncomfortable about asking for such a meeting, this may not be the best evaluator for you.

Thank you 2110.

 

[mickeymed]

anybody know when acceptances come out?

 

[mickeymed]

just read above nvm

 

[gasman654]

wow...well thats a good way to make the waiting a little easier..i guess

lol..

 

[MTUAST3307]

Just took my MCAT today...I was thinking of waiting a year to apply but my advisor thinks I should just go for it...and if anything just use the application process this year as practice. I am sure I will be burned out after graduating in the spring...so a year off will definitely not be the end of my world...anyone else in the same boat?

 

[myturtledaisy]

Fellow MSUCOM applicants:

Recently I saw a few medical student friends who are familiar with the application process and are also "in the loop" with the admissions committee. One of them told me she thinks the adcom is already reviewing applications, but only those which will most certainly not be offered admission. Let's hope we don't hear anything soon if that's the case!! Just thought I'd let you know...best of luck to everyone.

Yes. I believe that the advisors go though the applications initially, then they present the best applicants to the admissions committee...

 

[shinny04]

Who is your advisor? Does anyone know if they take the highest MCAT score or the latest score? Thanks.

Fellow MSUCOM applicants:

Recently I saw a few medical student friends who are familiar with the application process and are also "in the loop" with the admissions committee. One of them told me she thinks the adcom is already reviewing applications, but only those which will most certainly not be offered admission. Let's hope we don't hear anything soon if that's the case!! Just thought I'd let you know...best of luck to everyone.

 

[gasman654]

2 more weeks until accepetances come out...o snapppppp

 

[baz2881]

2 more weeks until accepetances come out...o snapppppp

Are you sure its 2 weeks or is it next week? I hear its the first Wednesday in September that the emails begin to roll out.

 

[gasman654]

yea thats wut i meant...dang i guess my counting was way off or something...week and a half...

 

[2015MD]

Can anyone please post the 2 required essays for the secondary?

 

[gasman654]

Can anyone please post the 2 required essays for the secondary?

Describe a personal experience or ethical challenge you have faced that has influenced the development of your character. How has this experience helped you to develop specific skills and/or abilities that are essential to practicing osteopathic medicine?


there is only one essay...(yes!)

 

[2015MD]

Thank you & good luck!

Describe a personal experience or ethical challenge you have faced that has influenced the development of your character. How has this experience helped you to develop specific skills and/or abilities that are essential to practicing osteopathic medicine?


there is only one essay...(yes!)

 

[burnettj]

Describe a personal experience or ethical challenge you have faced that has influenced the development of your character. How has this experience helped you to develop specific skills and/or abilities that are essential to practicing osteopathic medicine?


there is only one essay...(yes!)

It should be noted that I believe that the essay for Michigan State isn't the hardest part about their secondary. There are a number of items (13, if I'm not mistaken) that you receive in the "secondary" email. One of them is to write down EVERYTHING you did from your freshman year in high school to now. I think that was the biggest pain of the entire app. That, and having to make my recommenders fill out the book they require.

It isn't that bad, just usually the only thing difficult about a secondary is the essay. This is just a head's up. 🙂

 

[Everglide]

Advice for the MSU secondary (and really all secondaries + interviews and academics in general) - make a detailed CV/resume and things go a lot easier. I think the MSU secondary took no more than a couple hours for me to fill out.

We're starting up classes again this week so I imagine the adcom will start meeting again soon too, good luck.

 

[calvinhobbes]

Fellow MSUCOM applicants:

Recently I saw a few medical student friends who are familiar with the application process and are also "in the loop" with the admissions committee. One of them told me she thinks the adcom is already reviewing applications, but only those which will most certainly not be offered admission. Let's hope we don't hear anything soon if that's the case!! Just thought I'd let you know...best of luck to everyone.

That's not what I heard at all. After speaking with an advisor I was told that they review people soon based on if they had applied earlier, are worthy of admisson, etc.

Don't know where you got that information from, lol...

Good luck to all 🙂

 

[burnettj]

A question for both of you... How would they know which students certainly won't be or are worthy of admission, unless they review the files? I mean, I am sure that they have a filter for requirements, so then doesn't it come down to content of the packet? I think this is silly talk, and we should just take a deep breath and wait for interview invites to even start. Then, when you both get interview invites we won't have to speculate which pile you were in. 😉

Good luck.

 

[calvinhobbes]

A question for both of you... How would they know which students certainly won't be or are worthy of admission, unless they review the files? I mean, I am sure that they have a filter for requirements, so then doesn't it come down to content of the packet? I think this is silly talk, and we should just take a deep breath and wait for interview invites to even start. Then, when you both get interview invites we won't have to speculate which pile you were in. 😉

Good luck.

Thanks, yeah I was def. not trying to come off as all-in-the-know or cocky or anything lol, (believe me, I'm the opposite). I suppose what I meant to say is that people who are complete will be reviewed shortly from what I was told, and decisions will be made there (hopefully if you are good enough you get accepted). I guess I must have jumbled my words -- what I meant to say was, people who will be reviewed soon are not the ones they want to reject, to contradict the previous person.

I think I may have confused myself and everyone else

Good luck to all!!!

 

[2015MD]

Hey burnettj -- MSU often accepts applicants without interviews! Just a FYI.

A question for both of you... How would they know which students certainly won't be or are worthy of admission, unless they review the files? I mean, I am sure that they have a filter for requirements, so then doesn't it come down to content of the packet? I think this is silly talk, and we should just take a deep breath and wait for interview invites to even start. Then, when you both get interview invites we won't have to speculate which pile you were in. 😉

Good luck.

 

[AutumnChild]

Hey burnettj -- MSU often accepts applicants without interviews! Just a FYI.

whoa...wait, really? That's the first time i've ever of heard of a med school doing that.

 

[2015MD]

http://www.com.msu.edu/admissions/msu.com.admissions.html
"Many applications are sufficiently thorough to allow the committee to make an immediate decision to offer admission, a position on the waiting list or to deny the application. Some applicants are invited to have a single, one-hour interview."

whoa...wait, really? That's the first time i've ever of heard of a med school doing that.

 

[baz2881]

I just talked to someone from the admissions office at MSUCOM and she informed me that they will begin to review applications on Wednesday, September 8th. So the first batch of acceptances should go out next Wednesday.

 

[baz2881]

That's not what I heard at all. After speaking with an advisor I was told that they review people soon based on if they had applied earlier, are worthy of admisson, etc.

Don't know where you got that information from, lol...

Good luck to all 🙂

The way it works is they enter all your stats into a algorithm and based on the stats and number of hours of volunteering and all the other stuff it ranks you. The advisor then takes about the top 50 files per week and they present them to the admissions committee and they make decisions.

 

[2015MD]

Anyone know how many students does MSUCOM admit? Can't find that info on their website! Also is their a class profile for 2009 or 2010?

 

[burnettj]

Hey burnettj -- MSU often accepts applicants without interviews! Just a FYI.

But surely after a review of the secondary materials.

Here's to hoping for an acceptance sans interview... or even just an interview... Good luck! 🙂

 

[burnettj]

The way it works is they enter all your stats into a algorithm and based on the stats and number of hours of volunteering and all the other stuff it ranks you. The advisor then takes about the top 50 files per week and they present them to the admissions committee and they make decisions.

Is this legit or are you just blowing smoke? Do you have a source where I can read this info myself? Just wondering...

 

[katwaa]

Anyone know how many students does MSUCOM admit? Can't find that info on their website! Also is their a class profile for 2009 or 2010?

There are a little over 300 students in the class of 2014.

 

[avatarftw]

I didn't know if it would be correct posting the Biosketches PDF with the matriculant information so I'll type it here:

Class of 2014:

Applicants: 3650
Class size: 318
Age range: 20-56
Average age: 23
MCAT average: 8.72
GPA average: 3.57
In state students:274
Out of state: 44

Thank you & good luck!

 

[avatarftw]

I didn't know if it would be correct posting the Biosketches PDF with the matriculant information so I'll type it here:

Class of 2014:

Applicants: 3650
Class size: 318
Age range: 20-56
Average age: 23
MCAT average: 8.72
GPA average: 3.57
In state students:274
Out of state: 44

Thank you & good luck!

 

[cho15]

http://www.com.msu.edu/admissions/msu.com.admissions.html
"Many applications are sufficiently thorough to allow the committee to make an immediate decision to offer admission, a position on the waiting list or to deny the application. Some applicants are invited to have a single, one-hour interview."

That's really interesting. Well here's to hoping for an automatic acceptance, that would be sweet. Though, they don't seem to accept many OOS ppl 🙁

 

[2015MD]

Thanks chinocochino. Good to know who we'll be potentially working with!

I didn't know if it would be correct posting the Biosketches PDF with the matriculant information so I'll type it here:

Class of 2014:

Applicants: 3650
Class size: 318
Age range: 20-56
Average age: 23
MCAT average: 8.72
GPA average: 3.57
In state students:274
Out of state: 44

 

[2015MD]

For people who recently got verified by AACOMAS -- how much time did it take from transcripts being logged & fee paid to verified?
Thx

 

[jzrull]

For people who recently got verified by AACOMAS -- how much time did it take from transcripts being logged & fee paid to verified?
Thx

I think it took me 5 days or so to get fully verified. And then another handful of days before the application was sent out to my schools.

Best of luck to everyone! Michigan State is a great place, I did my undergrad there. Lansing is a gem in Michigan as well, although almost nobody will tell you that. Anybody who needs to go there to interview must stop at El Oasis. It's a Mexican street food style restaurant with only a walk up counter. A+++++

 

[p1acebo]

I think it took me 5 days or so to get fully verified. And then another handful of days before the application was sent out to my schools.

Best of luck to everyone! Michigan State is a great place, I did my undergrad there. Lansing is a gem in Michigan as well, although almost nobody will tell you that. Anybody who needs to go there to interview must stop at El Oasis. It's a Mexican street food style restaurant with only a walk up counter. A+++++

+1 to that! I didn't think anyone else knew about El Oasis. It is essentially a taco truck, great authentic burritos.

Also, I am a current MSUCOM student at the DMC campus. I did my undergrad in East Lansing at MSUCOM so I can tell you the differences between the campuses and answer any questions anyone has. Just PM me, good luck!

 

[hoodwinkd]

first acceptances went out 9/3 for the last couple of years, will be obsessively checking my email and mail starting today

 

[Whites83]

first acceptances went out 9/3 for the last couple of years, will be obsessively checking my email and mail starting today

If I'm remembering correctly from last year, the adcom meets one day per week, and acceptances go out either that evening or the next day. I believe last year the acceptances went out on Wednesdays.

So once the first few acceptances come out, we should all know which day of the week to check our emails more than usual.

 

[hoodwinkd]

If I'm remembering correctly from last year, the adcom meets one day per week, and acceptances go out either that evening or the next day. I believe last year the acceptances went out on Wednesdays.

So once the first few acceptances come out, we should all know which day of the week to check our emails more than usual.

thanks whites, that's good to know

i guess it'll start next week then

 

[baz2881]

thanks whites, that's good to know

i guess it'll start next week then

I was told my the admissions office that the first day of application review will be Wednesday, September 8th. So basically everyone can start checking their emails beginning Wednesday and every Wednesday after.

 

[baz2881]

Hey guys,

MSUCOM is ranked #7 in terms of primary care out of all allopathic and osteopathic schools. That is pretty impressive. I was wondering if it was a bad move in stating in my personal statement that I was looking to specialize in ophthalmology because that is truly what I want to do. MSUCOM is my number one choice and I really do want to learn the holistic approach and was wondering that maybe I made a bad move by saying what I want to specialize in, especially because MSUCOM is a primary care based school??

Any advice would be awesome.

 

[jphwki82]

Hey guys,

MSUCOM is ranked #7 in terms of primary care out of all allopathic and osteopathic schools. That is pretty impressive. I was wondering if it was a bad move in stating in my personal statement that I was looking to specialize in ophthalmology because that is truly what I want to do. MSUCOM is my number one choice and I really do want to learn the holistic approach and was wondering that maybe I made a bad move by saying what I want to specialize in, especially because MSUCOM is a primary care based school??

Any advice would be awesome.

You should be fine. When I did my personal statement, I wrote that I want to specialize in a surgical sub-specialty. Most students change there minds about their specialty, and they adcom members are aware of that too. I tied mine into the osteopathic principles, which was the more important aspect.

 

[baz2881]

You should be fine. When I did my personal statement, I wrote that I want to specialize in a surgical sub-specialty. Most students change there minds about their specialty, and they adcom members are aware of that too. I tied mine into the osteopathic principles, which was the more important aspect.

Thanks for the advice. Are you a current student at MSUCOM? If so what campus, and how do you like it so far? Also if you don't mind what were your stats? You can PM if you want.

 

[amjadk04]

does anyone know how long it takes msucom to send out secondary apps?? my file was verified by aacomas on 8/30 and i started receiving secondary apps from most schools by 8/31 but nothing from msucom so far 🙁

p.s. my stats meet their requirements to receive a secondary app...

 

[DDDOOO]

does anyone know how long it takes msucom to send out secondary apps?? my file was verified by aacomas on 8/30 and i started receiving secondary apps from most schools by 8/31 but nothing from msucom so far 🙁

p.s. my stats meet their requirements to receive a secondary app...

They might be busy now since they are looking through what they have already, last year it took them about two weeks to send me one around this time.

 

[Everglide]

Thanks for the advice. Are you a current student at MSUCOM? If so what campus, and how do you like it so far? Also if you don't mind what were your stats? You can PM if you want.

(I realize this question wasn't for me)
I'm at EL and it has been great so far. The administration and professors genuinely care about us doing well and we have access to a ton of resources to make sure we do well. We have a lot of awesome people in our class... My stats are on the 2009-2010 thread if you want to go digging through that 😵

Hey guys,

I really do want to learn the holistic approach and was wondering that maybe I made a bad move by saying what I want to specialize in, especially because MSUCOM is a primary care based school??

Any advice would be awesome.

Don't worry about it. People on the adcoms always joke at the fact a lot of PSs basically worship primary care and they damn well know it's bs. My PS didn't have anything to do with a specialty or interest in PC.

Good luck tomorrow.

 

[baz2881]

(I realize this question wasn't for me)
I'm at EL and it has been great so far. The administration and professors genuinely care about us doing well and we have access to a ton of resources to make sure we do well. We have a lot of awesome people in our class... My stats are on the 2009-2010 thread if you want to go digging through that 😵




Don't worry about it. People on the adcoms always joke at the fact a lot of PSs basically worship primary care and they damn well know it's bs. My PS didn't have anything to do with a specialty or interest in PC.

Good luck tomorrow.

Thanks for the input. I've heard nothing but good things about MSUCOM. My #1 choice of schools (fingers crossed). Waiting on my last evaluation to come in probably tomorrow and then my app is officially in the pool!

 

[EspIsMe]

I am sooooo nervous! My stomach is in knots! I keep checking my e mail, nothing yet

For all those deterred by MSUCOMs lengthy secondary app, hang in there! I just graduated from MSU and it is AWESOME! MSU is my TOP choice. It's definitely worth it to go through the applicaion process

GO GREEN
GO WHITE

and GOOD LUCK!!

 

[baz2881]

I am sooooo nervous! My stomach is in knots! I keep checking my e mail, nothing yet

For all those deterred by MSUCOMs lengthy secondary app, hang in there! I just graduated from MSU and it is AWESOME! MSU is my TOP choice. It's definitely worth it to go through the applicaion process

GO GREEN
GO WHITE

and GOOD LUCK!!

Hey what are your stats if you dont mind me asking? MSU is my top choice too. You can PM me if you want.

 

[EspIsMe]

baz2881, my cGPA is 3.66, sGPA 3.42. MCAT 26M (11V, 6PS 🙁, 9BS) I had a lot of volunteer hours in the hospital and in community service areas. My major was Spanish so I'm hoping that helps. I met with a member of the adcom and she said that the 6 in PS might hurt me. I feel like I'm right on the fence for MSU. Hopefully being an MSU alum will help!