MSU-COM Discussion Thread 2010-2011

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Tennis1986 said:
complete sept 12

9 VR
10 Bs
11 PS

3.3 Undergrad
3.6 Grad
Lots of EC and Volunteer

Anybody know what the visit days are like...formal?
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They are informal, you don't need to dress up.
 
Does anyone know what the chances are of getting in for this years class if you're currently on the high waitlist? Also, is the order of the waitlist based on when you were placed on it or on the strength of your application? Thanks!
 
baran1989 said:
Does anyone know what the chances are of getting in for this years class if you're currently on the high waitlist? Also, is the order of the waitlist based on when you were placed on it or on the strength of your application? Thanks!
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In the past couple of years a decent amount of students were taken off the high waitlist and were offered a seat. There is no way to really know though. Also, the high waitlist is just the top % of the overall waitlist, so yes you are placed on it based on your application.
 
InIzzoWeTrust said:
So how bad are my chances if I have yet to hear back yet?
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I'm thinking they are not so great...I was hoping to at least be on the wait list...but no such luck...looks like I'm moving back in with Mom once I graduate..lol. I'm considering retaking my MCAT, I got a 26M, and the big thing is to apply in the summer. I was in France last summer so that set me back as far as MCAT and other stuff. I wasn't complete until the end of November.

But good luck on Wednesday and good luck for those of you who already got on the wait list...seems like things will be getting very exciting for you over the next few months. To those of you in my boat, better luck next year and I'm sure I'll be chatting with you on here again in the fall.. 🙂
 
i think their application review is based on many things. I applied really late and was complete at the end of November. I got placed on the waitlist with guaranteed acceptance for the class of 2016 in Feb. Best of luck for everyone still waiting.
 
My application was complete at the beginning of September it just seems odd that it would take them so long.
 
i gotta say, as awesome as this school supposedly is, the admission process was garbage. i was complete around the end of september and haven't heard a peep either.
 
Guek said:
i gotta say, as awesome as this school supposedly is, the admission process was garbage. i was complete around the end of september and haven't heard a peep either.
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MSUCOM reviews applications based on the strength of the application, judging by three aspects:
Gpa
Mcat
Clinical hours.

The stronger applications will automatically get reviewed first, regardless of the time of completion. At least this is what I've been told.
 
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Guek said:
i gotta say, as awesome as this school supposedly is, the admission process was garbage. i was complete around the end of september and haven't heard a peep either.
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If you don't mind me asking, what were your stats??
 
Guek said:
i gotta say, as awesome as this school supposedly is, the admission process was garbage. i was complete around the end of september and haven't heard a peep either.
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The admissions process for all schools are no fun, welcome to applying to med school.

MSUCOM reviews applications based on the strength of the application, judging by three aspects:
Gpa
Mcat
Clinical hours.

The stronger applications will automatically get reviewed first, regardless of the time of completion. At least this is what I've been told.
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This is true, so the stronger your application the quicker you will hear back. That is the bottom line.
 
Dchurch said:
The stronger applications will automatically get reviewed first, regardless of the time of completion. At least this is what I've been told.
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On the converse, weaker applications are basically not reviewed at all (which it says right on the secondary from what I recall) unless hand selected by the Dean.

c/o 2015 is officially full, imo the only people getting admission at this point will be high wait list people.
 
Everglide said:
On the converse, weaker applications are basically not reviewed at all (which it says right on the secondary from what I recall) unless hand selected by the Dean.

c/o 2015 is officially full, imo the only people getting admission at this point will be high wait list people.
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ah I see. Well I guess that explains some things. Funny since I think I remember reading that and thinking nothing of it.

More than that though I just really disliked how they absolutely refuse to tell you anything about your status. It felt very standoffish, and after going out of your way to fill out a very time consuming secondary that's different just to be different, I would have liked a bit more of back and forth discussion. Their attitude towards applicants felt so different from what I had experienced at other schools. I suppose because they're so highly regarded, they feel that they're above any sort of admissions counseling. They have the right to act that way if they wish (and they can obviously get away with it), but I found the whole experience very unpleasant.

My stats weren't very strong though, so it makes sense why they have even yet to respond to me at all, but in that case it does bother me that they offered me a secondary in the first place if they weren't even going to bother looking at anything I sent them and just cash my check.
 
Guek said:
ah I see. Well I guess that explains some things. Funny since I think I remember reading that and thinking nothing of it.

More than that though I just really disliked how they absolutely refuse to tell you anything about your status. It felt very standoffish, and after going out of your way to fill out a very time consuming secondary that's different just to be different, I would have liked a bit more of back and forth discussion. Their attitude towards applicants felt so different from what I had experienced at other schools. I suppose because they're so highly regarded, they feel that they're above any sort of admissions counseling. They have the right to act that way if they wish (and they can obviously get away with it), but I found the whole experience very unpleasant.

My stats weren't very strong though, so it makes sense why they have even yet to respond to me at all, but in that case it does bother me that they offered me a secondary in the first place if they weren't even going to bother looking at anything I sent them and just cash my check.
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I'm sorry you had such a negative experience. The secondary is a bit annoying, but given my hectic schedule I was kind of relieved at having one less interview. Aside from that, my experience of the process was a positive one so I'm curious why your impression is so poor. Did you have a chance to meet with any of the admissions counselors?

I kept in touch with a few of them via in person meetings, by phone, and email. I always felt like they were approachable and genuinely interested in helping me through the process. At one point I was even introduced to the dean. I'm not sure if you are planning on reapplying or if you were accepted elsewhere. If you're interested in giving MSUCOM another go, I'd schedule an appointment with one of the advisors (Lori Culham and Katie Molina are great) and ask what you can do to improve your application--given my interactions with them I'm pretty sure they would be willing to do this.

Good luck!
 
Can any current students tell me, why one campus is better than the others? What are the major differences? I already chose EL, but I'm still a little curious. Also, when I interviewed at MSUCHM, they told me about how they have to watch lectures on a live-feed over the internet at the Grand Rapids campus. Is this how DMC and Mcomb are for MSUCOM? One more question I would have is, are there decent match opportunities for radiology being a DO?
 
Dchurch said:
Can any current students tell me, why one campus is better than the others? What are the major differences? I already chose EL, but I'm still a little curious. Also, when I interviewed at MSUCHM, they told me about how they have to watch lectures on a live-feed over the internet at the Grand Rapids campus. Is this how DMC and Mcomb are for MSUCOM? One more question I would have is, are there decent match opportunities for radiology being a DO?
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Lecturers will rotate to the distance sites as well during a course. Also, you have faculty present at all of the sites during lectures. A lot of the class watches lectures from home, which are not mandatory attendance. So you can live stream or watch it later. Lecture wise, it really shouldn't make a difference. Same thing for the labs. It is live feed at the sites where the professor isn't speaking at during the lecture. Some of the student organization and student government positions that you can run for in the spring of your first year require you to be located at East Lansing. However, there are other positions open to those at the distance sites. MSUCOM does a pretty decent job at balancing out opportunities and resources at all 3 sites.

Personally, I like watching the lectures later on because you can double speed the lecture. It saves time spent watching lectures, and allows more time to study and etc.

Their are osteopathic diagnostic radiology residency programs. Can't really speak on specifics of your chances of landing a spot because that will ultimately depend on a number of factors. If you go to http://www.opportunities.osteopathic.org/ , you can search how many osteopathic rads residency there are and their location.
 
jphwki82 said:
Lecturers will rotate to the distance sites as well during a course. Also, you have faculty present at all of the sites during lectures. A lot of the class watches lectures from home, which are not mandatory attendance. So you can live stream or watch it later. Lecture wise, it really shouldn't make a difference. Same thing for the labs. It is live feed at the sites where the professor isn't speaking at during the lecture. Some of the student organization and student government positions that you can run for in the spring of your first year require you to be located at East Lansing. However, there are other positions open to those at the distance sites. MSUCOM does a pretty decent job at balancing out opportunities and resources at all 3 sites.

Personally, I like watching the lectures later on because you can double speed the lecture. It saves time spent watching lectures, and allows more time to study and etc.

Their are osteopathic diagnostic radiology residency programs. Can't really speak on specifics of your chances of landing a spot because that will ultimately depend on a number of factors. If you go to http://www.opportunities.osteopathic.org/ , you can search how many osteopathic rads residency there are and their location.
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Thank you for the info. The website was very helpful.
 
Does anyone have any idea how many people are on the high waitlist?
 
Accepted Class 2015 on wednesday!
Complete Sept 12
Waitlisted Feb 23
Accepted 3/30
YESSS!!!
 
Tennis1986 said:
Accepted Class 2015 on wednesday!
Complete Sept 12
Waitlisted Feb 23
Accepted 3/30
YESSS!!!
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Congrats! I was accepted on the 30th too 🙂

I was complete early September, and heard from them for the first time on the 30th. I am in state.

I am on the wait list this year, but I am guaranteed a spot for the class of 2016! I think I would be ok waiting a year though, because there are some things I still want to do.

I'm not sure if this has been said on here yet, but where do Medical students usually live in east lansing?
 
apple3 said:
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think May 15th is a pretty universal deadline for lots of MD schools (candidates must accept or decline by this date). If there is any waitlist movement, my guess is that it will occur around then.
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Correct, the COM list moves the most mid April through early May but can go all the way up until literally days before orientation starts..

baran1989 said:
Does anyone have any idea how many people are on the high waitlist?
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This list is pretty short relative to how many applicants there are. I don't know the exact number but based on how the class is designed to fill and also majority of the high wait list not having to wait a year, I would guess around 50 people.

medicalgirl01 said:
I'm not sure if this has been said on here yet, but where do Medical students usually live in east lansing?
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Admin sends out a giant excel file (if they haven't already) with housing reviews from MSU professional students (COM,CHM,DVM,Law). I found my place from it and I'm very happy with my choice. Look there if you want a lot of ideas.
 
medicalgirl01 said:
Congrats! I was accepted on the 30th too 🙂

I was complete early September, and heard from them for the first time on the 30th. I am in state.

I am on the wait list this year, but I am guaranteed a spot for the class of 2016! I think I would be ok waiting a year though, because there are some things I still want to do.

I'm not sure if this has been said on here yet, but where do Medical students usually live in east lansing?
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If you are looking for housing, https://apartmentmatch.com.msu.edu/, is the posting service for CHM, COM, CVM, Law and occasional PhD students looking for a roommate. In terms of places that medical students live:

Close to COM - Glennwood & Berry Tree (Walking Distance)

East Lansing - Knobb Hill

Okemos/Haslet Area(10 minute Drive) - Central Park (Eyde Mgmt), Club
Meridian (Eyde Mgmt), Nemoke Trails, Benson Hills, Meridian Meadows & etc.

Bath Township (15 Minute Drive)- Somerset Park (Eyde)

There are a lot of other properties, which medical students live at. These are some of the one stat I know quite a few COM students live at. The Eyde properties have their management building across the street from COM, and offer their residents a free parking pass their. They sell parking passes in the fall to COM and CHM students.
 
Tennis1986 said:
Thanks!
I went on the 25th and was accepted 5 days later coincidence maybe?
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CONGRATS to you!! Do you know which campus you will be assigned to? All three are great, so you can't go wrong! YAY for you!!:luck:
 
medicalgirl01 said:
Congrats! I was accepted on the 30th too 🙂

I was complete early September, and heard from them for the first time on the 30th. I am in state.

I am on the wait list this year, but I am guaranteed a spot for the class of 2016! I think I would be ok waiting a year though, because there are some things I still want to do.

I'm not sure if this has been said on here yet, but where do Medical students usually live in east lansing?
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That is absolutely wonderful! Being that it is only the beginning of April, you probably still have a good shot at being a part of the Class of 2015. Either way, good for you!!!! :luck:
 
Tennis1986 said:
High Waitlist
from what i have seen and heard a month is typical to wait on the high waitlist
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congrats again! i was placed on the high waitlist feb23, originally complete in November. we'll see what happens.
 
Congrats to everyone who has been accepted!

I was placed on the "high" waiting list in late March, and I am wondering if I need to call or email anyone to confirm my position (or joy). Also, is it necessary to respond to the email regarding the visit dates?

Thanks to anyone who can help me out.

And good luck to anyone still waiting, don't give up!
 
Jergnasty said:
Congrats to everyone who has been accepted!

I was placed on the "high" waiting list in late March, and I am wondering if I need to call or email anyone to confirm my position (or joy). Also, is it necessary to respond to the email regarding the visit dates?

Thanks to anyone who can help me out.

And good luck to anyone still waiting, don't give up!
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I called and asked them when I received my email. You don't have to call or reply to anything. If you get in for the class of 2015, they will contact you and if not they will contact you again in September and you can let them know then if you want the class of 2016 spot. As for the visit dates, the last one was April 1st, im not sure if they added more. There is a link in the email which you will use to set up a username and password, then schedule your visit date online. Hope I helped🙂
 
htm07 said:
I called and asked them when I received my email. You don't have to call or reply to anything. If you get in for the class of 2015, they will contact you and if not they will contact you again in September and you can let them know then if you want the class of 2016 spot. As for the visit dates, the last one was April 1st, im not sure if they added more. There is a link in the email which you will use to set up a username and password, then schedule your visit date online. Hope I helped🙂
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I am going to a campus visit this Friday. I'm also waitlisted. How can you find out if you are high or low?
 
Lijia4 said:
I'm sorry you had such a negative experience. The secondary is a bit annoying, but given my hectic schedule I was kind of relieved at having one less interview. Aside from that, my experience of the process was a positive one so I'm curious why your impression is so poor. Did you have a chance to meet with any of the admissions counselors?

I kept in touch with a few of them via in person meetings, by phone, and email. I always felt like they were approachable and genuinely interested in helping me through the process. At one point I was even introduced to the dean. I'm not sure if you are planning on reapplying or if you were accepted elsewhere. If you're interested in giving MSUCOM another go, I'd schedule an appointment with one of the advisors (Lori Culham and Katie Molina are great) and ask what you can do to improve your application--given my interactions with them I'm pretty sure they would be willing to do this.

Good luck!
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Katie Molina is great!!! I had met her last year, she is very nice!😍
 
p1acebo said:
Katie Molina is THE best!
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She really is 🙂

I have a question for you since you're currently a COM student. While searching through old MSUCOM threads I saw that there is a scribe service. How do you become a scribe and how many are scribes mandated or allowed to write a week for pay?

I have always been an extreme workaholic and the thought of not working and earning an income (although I know I'll be super busy with school) is kind of unsettling for me to accept (kind of silly, I know). Anyways, I was trying to see what kind of opportunities there may be for me to get a few hours here and there where I'm basically "getting paid to study." I think I saw you're at the DMC site--I'm planning on going back to East Lansing in case it makes a difference. Thanks!
 
Lijia4 said:
She really is 🙂

I have a question for you since you're currently a COM student. While searching through old MSUCOM threads I saw that there is a scribe service. How do you become a scribe and how many are scribes mandated or allowed to write a week for pay?

I have always been an extreme workaholic and the thought of not working and earning an income (although I know I'll be super busy with school) is kind of unsettling for me to accept (kind of silly, I know). Anyways, I was trying to see what kind of opportunities there may be for me to get a few hours here and there where I'm basically "getting paid to study." I think I saw you're at the DMC site--I'm planning on going back to East Lansing in case it makes a difference. Thanks!
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I'd be happy to answer your question. It is fairly easy to become a scribe and a I know a few of my classmates that are current scribes. After anatomy when you start your fall semester there will be a student group fair with booths for all the student organizations. Scribes is technically a student organization and you will be able to apply to join the group after that fair. Additionally, you don't always have to scribe to get payed by the organization. Some people are auditors and just look over the original draft of the scribes to either enhance them or make sure the correct material is there. Some people do both, it is really up to you on what you want to do and how much you want to do. Generally, I am pretty sure they divide the lectures evenly but I think they are flexible. And for the record, it makes no difference what site your at in regards to becoming a scribe.
 
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From what I have been told, just about anyone can become a scribe as long as they're in good academic standing. First year scribes earn about 12 dollars each. Second year they earn about 50 each. How much you make is based on how many people end up buying scribes that semester (a lot more people buy second year).

Keep in mind there is a downside, you will likely have to write scribes for a class like physiology the day or two before an exam in another class like microbiology. Your free time and study time may or may not be worth the extra 12-50 dollars.
 
Does anybody know when the movement off of the high waitlist tends to slow down? I feel like the class is pretty much filled at this point. Thanks
 
Thanks for the info and insight, Everglide & P1acebo!

baran1989 said:
Does anybody know when the movement off of the high waitlist tends to slow down? I feel like the class is pretty much filled at this point. Thanks
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I know of someone who was just accepted off the waitlist this week, but I'm pretty sure it is close to being filled. Somewhere on here I read that there is still some movement off the list up until a few days before orientation--so there's still some hope left 🙂 Good luck!


Kinda last minute--but is anyone else swinging by the open house (EL campus) today/Fri?
 
baran1989 said:
I was complete in mid august and my stats are 3.4 gpa 3..48 sgpa and 25mcat... with a little over 700 hours of community service and just as much extra curricular activities... I haven't heard anything yet and was just wondering what you guys think of whether I still have a good shot?
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My friend's stats same as you, 3.46 gpa and 25 mcat, still no school interview yet.
 
Have anyone else here got offers regarding the DO/MPH program for the class of 2016?
 
apple3 said:
I was just there (for something unrelated to the open house, but ran into the chaos 😀)...did you go? I went to the emergency medicine presentation, stopped by a few other clubs, and met some super nice students who took my blood glucose, height, weight, and BP. They were all so helpful and welcoming...I left very excited to start in the summer!!

Just FYI for incoming students...the unanimous opinion of the first year (and a few second year) students I talked with is the following:
1) the anatomy "survival guide" is helpful because it has practice questions, but not "crucial". also, anatomy in general is a grind, but not devastating.
2) fall is relatively laid back...we have something like three classes (can any current students verify?) which leaves at least a little time for shadowing, clubs, etc.
3) spring will "kick your butt".
4) overall, it's a lot of fun.
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Haha, it was a madhouse. I'm glad I went though--it was nice to pick the brains of several students there and see more of the facility. They all seemed very sincere in reporting that students there are very chill and that the school is supportive academically and very in tune with the students there. The energy was really positive and like apple said, welcoming. I'm super excited to get started myself 🙂

Here's a link to see what you can expect of the curriculum:
http://com.msu.edu/ss/YearlyGuide.html
 
If you go here http://ap.com.msu.edu/preclerkship/ you can click on each semester and look at exam schedules, weekly schedules, books lists etc. for the current class... sometime in June the summer schedule for c/o 2015 will be put up.
 
apple3 said:
If anyone has questions about the MPH program, ask away...I'm graduating from it in a few weeks.
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Do you have any recommendations for any electives that you really enjoyed or thought were organized well? I'm trying to decide which ones I want to choose for Fall and Spring...I only need 2 more 3 credit electives and am planning to do the Community Diagnosis elective.
 
apple3 said:
If anyone has questions about the MPH program, ask away...I'm graduating from it in a few weeks.
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Thanks for the offer! So have you ever particpanted in any of the travel abroad programs because I'm considering going to Brazill with the program. If you went last year, how much did everything end up costing you?
 
apple3 said:
Just FYI for incoming students...the unanimous opinion of the first year (and a few second year) students I talked with is the following:
1) the anatomy "survival guide" is helpful because it has practice questions, but not "crucial". also, anatomy in general is a grind, but not devastating.
2) fall is relatively laid back...we have something like three classes (can any current students verify?) which leaves at least a little time for shadowing, clubs, etc.
3) spring will "kick your butt".
4) overall, it's a lot of fun.
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1) Practice questions are nice and are helpful for assessing how well you know your material but not vital to doing well in anatomy. I bought it and only used it for one section (upper limb).

2) Yes.... biochem genetics physiology1 along with DPR OMM1 and intro to clinical skills. Exams are only like every 10-20 days so it's extremely laid back compared to Summer anatomy... It only gets busy during Nov-Dec. Keep up with your classes but also explore electives (though you're only allowed to do one during first year Fall, unlimited afterwards), clubs, and enjoy the last time you will have a decent amount of free time.

3) Yes. Unfortunately, class averages reflect this by dropping about 5-10 percent.

4) Yes despite 3.
 
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