MSU-COM Discussion Thread 2012-2013

[dudeliness]

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I mailed my application last Monday (7/9) and they still haven't received it yet. I still need to have my letter writers mail their letter as well, and I'm supposed to have everything in by August 6th. At the rate I'm doing, I'll be lucky if that happens 🙂 Frustrating application indeed.

Why August 6th? Is that a time constraint that they put on you when they gave you the secondary?

 

[DrMeows]

Why August 6th? Is that a time constraint that they put on you when they gave you the secondary?

Didn't you already receive a secondary invite? In the email they have a bolded date at the bottom with your deadline (it is one month from the day you received your secondary)

 

[kes1320]

Why August 6th? Is that a time constraint that they put on you when they gave you the secondary?

I got my secondary on July 6th, and since we have a month to complete MSUCOM's secondary, August 6th is my date : )

 

[dudeliness]

I got my secondary on July 6th, and since we have a month to complete MSUCOM's secondary, August 6th is my date : )

Well I guess that seals the deal then, I won't be applying to MSU. I got my secondary two weeks ago and haven't been able to get to it. I was debating whether or not it was worth bothering my letter writers to write me stuff again. Apparently I don't have any more time though...

 

[docmayer]

Well I guess that seals the deal then, I won't be applying to MSU. I got my secondary two weeks ago and haven't been able to get to it. I was debating whether or not it was worth bothering my letter writers to write me stuff again. Apparently I don't have any more time though...

You can ask for an extension.

 

[dudeliness]

You can ask for an extension.

Oh thanks, didn't realize that was an option.

 

[mwahnster]

Hey guys! Long-time reader, first-time poster here. I was wondering if anyone knew what the format was for the nonacademic experience worksheet? The supplemental website only has an FAQ sheet for that portion. Thanks in advance 🙂

 

[docmayer]

It is something on the lines of: Organization Name Start Date End Date Total Hours Responsibilities
You just list them under that. Similar format for Work Experience and ECs. You'll understand when you get it. PM me and I can show you it.

 

[slowswimmer]

Received the "file complete" e-mail today. Now...the waiting game. Fingers are patiently crossed! Best of luck to everyone finishing up their secondaries!

 

[Sunnydidi]

Received the "file complete" e-mail today. Now...the waiting game. Fingers are patiently crossed! Best of luck to everyone finishing up their secondaries!

Wow, you're fast! I'm waiting for my LORs to be sent in still. Good luck!!!

 

[slowswimmer]

Wow, you're fast! I'm waiting for my LORs to be sent in still. Good luck!!!

I really tried to get everything in as early as possible! Thanks for the well wishes. Best of luck to you as well!

 

[BabyDoc86]

I think I'm going to withdraw my application from MSU. I should probably send an email or call them to formally say I'm withdrawing, correct? My secondary isn't due until August 2nd.

 

[docmayer]

It says to list volunteer in chronological order. Is it referring to alphabetically or by date? Sorry if a stupid question. I originally had my experience listen in alphabetical order but I think its referring the date (from present to past) 😳 Anyone confirm?

 

[DrMeows]

It says to list volunteer in chronological order. Is it referring to alphabetically or by date? Sorry if a stupid question. I originally had my experience listen in alphabetical order but I think its referring the date (from present to past) 😳 Anyone confirm?

Mine is organized by date 👍

 

[mwahnster]

it says to list chronologically starting with your hs years, so I'm guessing it's by date 🙂

 

[docmayer]

Mine is organized by date 👍

err i'm a *******, thanks!

 

[Sunnydidi]

I think I'm going to withdraw my application from MSU. I should probably send an email or call them to formally say I'm withdrawing, correct? My secondary isn't due until August 2nd.

Calling them wouldn't hurt just in case you ever want to apply to the school in the future. Don't want to burn the bridges. Why are you withdrawing?

 

[dudeliness]

Got an extension to August 31. Still, I dunno if the tuition is worth it...

 

[docmayer]

Got an extension to August 31. Still, I dunno if the tuition is worth it...

I would not pay full OOS tuition. I get tuition for 60k as a Canadian and I am still scared. If it wasn't for being close to family I would not attend this school, due to tuition.

 

[BabyDoc86]

I would not pay full OOS tuition. I get tuition for 60k as a Canadian and I am still scared. If it wasn't for being close to family I would not attend this school, due to tuition.

This is why I'm considering withdrawing. The $100 secondary app fee is hard to swallow too, and if ANY other school admitted me, I'd go there instead. MSU is a great school, but the more I think about it, the less I think it's for me.🙁

 

[docmayer]

This is why I'm considering withdrawing. The $100 secondary app fee is hard to swallow too, and if ANY other school admitted me, I'd go there instead. MSU is a great school, but the more I think about it, the less I think it's for me.🙁

I wouldn't bother if I was OOS. I'm sure you will be admitted elsewhere, and if I was in your shoes I would also attend anywhere besides MSU. It's a great school and has a good reputation but it isn't worth 80k/year + living expenses. Good luck with your decision.

 

[dudeliness]

I wouldn't bother if I was OOS. I'm sure you will be admitted elsewhere, and if I was in your shoes I would also attend anywhere besides MSU. It's a great school and has a good reputation but it isn't worth 80k/year + living expenses. Good luck with your decision.

Oh dang, and here i was thinking it was $60K. There's no way I can justify $80K, and I don't know how likely I would be to get in anyway. I'm gonna feel like a tool telling them I'm not sending in the secondary after asking for an extension.

 

[docmayer]

Oh dang, and here i was thinking it was $60K. There's no way I can justify $80K, and I don't know how likely I would be to get in anyway. I'm gonna feel like a tool telling them I'm not sending in the secondary after asking for an extension.

Just say, "Sorry, I was unaware of your ridiculous OOS tuition. I hope you can understand I am unable to afford EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR." lol

 

[Quester]

Just drove 2 hours to go see one of my evaluators and once he read the first question on osteopathic philosophy, his face was just like WTF...

He asked me if it's like orthopedic surgery, like bones and such, and it really made me question how many more times I'll be asked what DO degree is by others.

The essay seems pretty tough to write, I dunno. It seems like they're assuming everyone came across ethical dilemma at some point in their undergrad. I can't think of any...especially one related to academia or healthcare. Hth am I suppose to tie this into me becoming osteopathicphysician!?😱

 

[dudeliness]

Just say, "Sorry, I was unaware of your ridiculous OOS tuition. I hope you can understand I am unable to afford EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR." lol

Lol for sure. I am just afraid of burning bridges should the unthinkable happen and I have to apply next year too.

 

[docmayer]

Just drove 2 hours to go see one of my evaluators and once he read the first question on osteopathic philosophy, his face was just like WTF...

He asked me if it's like orthopedic surgery, like bones and such, and it really made me question how many more times I'll be asked what DO degree is by others.

The essay seems pretty tough to write, I dunno. It seems like they're assuming everyone came across ethical dilemma at some point in their undergrad. I can't think of any...especially one related to academia or healthcare. Hth am I suppose to tie this into me becoming osteopathicphysician!?😱

Dude I was in the same position. For the evaluation part, I pretty much gave my evaluators an explanation of osteopathic philosophy before they filled the evaluation out so they had something to talk about. The essay was so hard for me to start, especially because it refers specifically to osteopathic medicine. Are there an events in your life where you had to 'connect' with someone, or be a good listener, support or motivate someone? That's a start.

 

[ddd15]

Who did you guys use for your evaluators? Is it important that they have known you for a really long time? One of my evaluators has known me for a pretty short time and the other is a supervisor from a previous job who has known me for about 2 years.

I am confident that they are both are going to write me a strong LOR but I'm worried that the admissions committee might be looking for evaluators who have known an individual for a long period of time.

 

[Quester]

Dude I was in the same position. For the evaluation part, I pretty much gave my evaluators an explanation of osteopathic philosophy before they filled the evaluation out so they had something to talk about. The essay was so hard for me to start, especially because it refers specifically to osteopathic medicine. Are there an events in your life where you had to 'connect' with someone, or be a good listener, support or motivate someone? That's a start.

One of my evaluators I met up a couple of days ago was pretty open-minded, but also had mistaken osteopathic medicine with orthopedic surgery....oh jeez. I literally had like an hour interview explaining the philosophy, but for the guy today he didn't have enough time to chat so he's asking me to give him quick bullet points. I guess it's better than him writing in the form, "Quester understands that osteopathic medicine is all about bones and doing stuff to them"😉

It's funny you mentioned connect, b/c I think that's actually in my PS. Oh damn, now I gotta think about other examples!

 

[Ravizzle]

One of my evaluators is a DO, and the other it's his coworker who is an MD. I chose them because they both know me AND know about my understanding of osteopathic medicine. I was going to have a research prof write it but she had no idea what DO was so i decided to just get normal lor for other schools from her.

Sent from my Galaxy S2 via tapatalk

 

[yooptroop]

In the secondary, are both volunteer hours and extracurricular hours included in the 850+ that they would like for applicants to meet?

 

[ddd15]

In the secondary, are both volunteer hours and extracurricular hours included in the 850+ that they would like for applicants to meet?

I've also been wondering about this. Anyone?

 

[camierz]

I don't believe it is. I only had around 350 hours of volunteering and I was accepted. My mcat was above their average by 4 points or so though, not sure how much that helped.

 

[ddd15]

I don't believe it is. I only had around 350 hours of volunteering and I was accepted. My mcat was above their average by 4 points or so though, not sure how much that helped.

I guess as much as they want students with many volunteer hours at the end of the day a higher MCAT looks better.

 

[Sunnydidi]

In the secondary, are both volunteer hours and extracurricular hours included in the 850+ that they would like for applicants to meet?

Volunteer hours (800+) are evaluated separately from EC hours according to one of the MSU-COM admissions counselors (Katie Molina) as per last year's thread page 3.

 

[Driftinglily11]

.

 

[jango1222]

Hey fellaz, first time applying to DO schools.


I'm filing out the primary application and I'm reading about sending in LORs and I'm a bit confused. I've been told from a fellow SDer that there is much more information given about LORs when filing out secondary. So should I just not worry about sending them in until I have more information? I've also been informed that MSU does not accept Interfolio either...

 

[DrMeows]

Hey fellaz, first time applying to DO schools.


I'm filing out the primary application and I'm reading about sending in LORs and I'm a bit confused. I've been told from a fellow SDer that there is much more information given about LORs when filing out secondary. So should I just not worry about sending them in until I have more information? I've also been informed that MSU does not accept Interfolio either...

Michigan state does things differently than other schools. They don't accept the traditional letters - rather, they have evaluation forms you need to have filled out by 2 different people that "know you well". You get all that information when you receive your secondary. Hope that helps!

 

[Quester]

Anyone know who actually reads our applications? Not specific names, but are they osteopathic physicians, med students, social workers, or some random neighbor?

 

[Quester]

Are there any med students who could look over my essay? I need your opinion if I've addressed the question with 'confidence'...😕

 

[ShabNasty]

PM me and I will look it over for you.

 

[docmayer]

I'll give it a look. Although, I am not a med student.

 

[Quester]

Appreciate the thoughts guys, but since I don't have an acceptance in my hand I should probably just play it safe-- totally not judging your character.

 

[ShabNasty]

Appreciate the thoughts guys, but since I don't have an acceptance in my hand I should probably just play it safe-- totally not judging your character.

My bad. I didn't see the part about you asking for MED STUDENTS to look it over.

 

[DrMeows]

Got the complete email this morning! 😀 now let the waiting begin

 

[Sunnydidi]

Got the complete email this morning! 😀 now let the waiting begin

Will be the longest 6 weeks... at least everything is in. Have you applied elsewhere?

 

[DrMeows]

Will be the longest 6 weeks... at least everything is in. Have you applied elsewhere?

Seriously I will be freaking out the whole time lol. Yep! 7 DO schools and a handful of MDs just to spice things up, but i really prefer DO and am a Mich resident so MSUCOM is a top choice for me! Are u complete already as well?

 

[Sunnydidi]

Seriously I will be freaking out the whole time lol. Yep! 7 DO schools and a handful of MDs just to spice things up, but i really prefer DO and am a Mich resident so MSUCOM is a top choice for me! Are u complete already as well?

Not yet 🙁 Hoping to complete next week. The deadline I gave to my evaluators to send out the forms is this Friday (gave them 3 weeks, didn't want to rush them too much). With express mail, I'm expecting MSU-COM to receive them by mid week next week. Hope I am still early enough...

 

[jango1222]

Michigan state does things differently than other schools. They don't accept the traditional letters - rather, they have evaluation forms you need to have filled out by 2 different people that "know you well". You get all that information when you receive your secondary. Hope that helps!

thanks for the info!

does anyone know if MSU-COM puts preference on which MCAT, as in first one over second one or better one over worse, or perhaps a combination of scores?

 

[Everglide]

Anyone know who actually reads our applications? Not specific names, but are they osteopathic physicians, med students, social workers, or some random neighbor?

Faculty of mostly DOs, ~2 PhDs, and 2 students

 

[Quester]

Faculty of mostly DOs, ~2 PhDs, and 2 students

Thanks.