MSUCOM Accepts All Interviews?

[subtle1epiphany]

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I read the following thread:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=146714

It looks like the stats for MSU COM can be interpreted as, "if you interview, you will be accepted," especially if you're out-of-state. The out-of-state ratio was 26 interviews to 26 acceptances! 😱
I just got an invite to interview, I was complete 8/31 and got the invitation yesterday (9/22).
Can anyone comment on the validity of those stats? Or has anyone interviewed there and was rejected (assuming they want to come forth and admit)?
Any help understanding this thread would be great! If my invite is as good as an acceptance, assuming I'm not a *****, I would love to know!

 

[Nate]

That is out-dated, here is the most up to date US news info for MSUCOM

Applied Interviewed Accepted Enrolled
Total: 1,609 332 210 143
In-state: 481 254 171 132
Out-of-state: 1,128 78 39 11
Women: 789 182 114 75
Minorities: 476 53 38 18
International: 0 0 0 0

 

[subtle1epiphany]

so it's more a 50/50 shot?
hmmm...those are decent odds, esp with my MCAT significantly over the average...here's hoping!
i've heard it's a great school, top clinicals! (a little expensive tho)

thanks!

 

[medic170]

No school accepts everyone they interview. If they did, they would not bother interviewing.

 

[subtle1epiphany]

No school accepts everyone they interview. If they did, they would not bother interviewing.

oh, I very much understand that, which is exactly the reason that I requested more information. it seemed very very strange that a school should do that, which the link in my first post will show you, so I asked for more information.

 

[medic170]

oh, I very much understand that, which is exactly the reason that I requested more information. it seemed very very strange that a school should do that, which the link in my first post will show you, so I asked for more information.

Good luck at your interview. I was thgere on 9/20. Its my first choice if I get accepted

 

[deleted9493]

I'm only a first year at MSUCOM but I love this program. It really has exceeded my expectations.

Good luck to you both!

 

[subtle1epiphany]

Good luck at your interview. I was thgere on 9/20. Its my first choice if I get accepted

thanks! I appreciate it!
since I just interviewed at WesternU/COMP, today actually, are you able to compare the two in any way? perhaps in terms of curriculum, facilities, clerkships, or student friendliness/happiness. thanks for the help!

I'm only a first year at MSUCOM but I love this program. It really has exceeded my expectations.

great to hear that you enjoy it! how are the rotations there? I've heard that MSU's strength is in their 3rd/4th years, is this the case, although I'm not sure you know too much, anything would be great! thanks!

 

[LukeWhite]

epiph,

I'm at AZCOM, but from the research I've done on both comp and msu (more on msu, since I'm from Michigan,) MSU is far, far and away the superior program. Campus, resources, clinicals...I can't think of a single area in which I'd prefer COMP.

Of course, when I talked to the MSU admissions director, she talked up AZCOM, and here I am. But if you choose between those two schools, I think MSU has all advantages. Best of luck!

 

[deleted9493]

Clinical rotations, from the the 3rd and 4th years I've talked to are generally tremendous. There are a few smaller hospitals that provide seeming substandard care but because there are ~12 base hospitals to choose from, those programs are easily avoidable.

One of the things that has recently impressed me here, that I had not seen during the interview, is the Clinical Center here on campus. It features a wide range of specialists....from neuro-opthalmology to family practice...to cardiology. It's great because many times we will do our second year preceptorships there and even beginning now I am able to shadow docs there.

Yeah, I've definitely heard alot of good things about MSUCOM's last two years but my first year has been awesome! I feel like I'm learning from some incredible clinicians. Just an example of that...this semester I have a small group clinical skills lab course (~6 people). The physician teaching that lab (who is the school dean), spent 20 years as a pulmonologist/intensivist before taking on the position as director of medical services for the armed forces (every branch). Apparently his office at the Pentagon was destroyed on 9/11...18 months after he came to MSUCOM. Another example--for my small group lab in Doctor Patient Relations, my group has a Detroit area ER doc that is just plain good.

I could go on but I have a physiology exam bright and early Monday morning. I hope this helped. I'd be more than glad to answer any more specific questions that you might have.

 

[HussainGQ]

Hey, at this point in the game, would it be worth it for me, a non-resident of Michigan (but a fan of the Spartans) to apply to MSU (tell ACCOMAS to add it to my list)?? Plus, my GPA is not that great, and I have unkown MCAT scores......so what do you guys think??

 

[docbill]

sure if you have money to throw away. Sorry being a fan of spartans don't help much right now. Only at the interveiw.

 

[deleted9493]

How do you feel about your MCAT scores and what is your gpa? I would say that if your gpa is at least 3.3 and MCAT>24 then go for it. I think if you have solid, relevant clinical experience and a well-reasoned motivation for studying medicine, you have especially good reason to apply here (assuming the above numbers are true).

 

[medic170]

Hey, at this point in the game, would it be worth it for me, a non-resident of Michigan (but a fan of the Spartans) to apply to MSU (tell ACCOMAS to add it to my list)?? Plus, my GPA is not that great, and I have unkown MCAT scores......so what do you guys think??

I would not at this point, especially being out of state. they only take enough out of state to fill 10 percent of the class.

 

[Ypo.]

Hey, at this point in the game, would it be worth it for me, a non-resident of Michigan (but a fan of the Spartans) to apply to MSU (tell ACCOMAS to add it to my list)?? Plus, my GPA is not that great, and I have unkown MCAT scores......so what do you guys think??

I just interviewed there and the out-of-state tuition is about $40,000 grand alone, not to mention living expenses. We met with a financial advisor and she told us there weren't a lot of good loan options after sub. and unsub. Stafford, unless your parents and you are both low-income-in which case there were some more good loan options. After that comes loans with no interest cap (yikes). Its a great school and is connected with about 14 hospitals, but keep in mind that there class fills up by December-after that they interview for alternate list only.
If you are going to apply do it right now, but think about how you are going to pay for it...Try talking to some out-of-state students at MSUCOM and ask them how they did it-maybe post in the osteopathic forum.
Good luck

 

[Ratch]

we just began an out of state scholarship program where students who are in good standing are rewarded. a buddy of mine just got a 15k scholarship for the year. and i am pretty sure he can reapply yearly.

as for putting in your interview now from out of state status - the earlier the better is important. your chances are not great (you best be a very well rounded candidate), but the class size could potentially be expanding by 25-50 students; its still up in the air, so if you are serious about it then give it a shot.

 

[thesterlinggirl]

Is it true that MSUCOM has its class full by December? Since they are a rolling school it seems that they would keep some spots open for good applicants that apply later.

 

[Soleil9]

Is it true that MSUCOM has its class full by December? Since they are a rolling school it seems that they would keep some spots open for good applicants that apply later.

Here's the history as i know it at MSUCOM:

2 admission's cycles ago (for the class of 2007) the admissions process was very slow. I know of people who were accepted after they interviewed in March!

From what I've heard the powers-that-be panicked about the slooowness of the admissions process that year, and told them to be faster the next year... So for the class of 2008 I think they were accepting people left and right, so fast that the class was full by december. I personally think they over reacted, and I hope that they'll calm down a little this year!

 

[Ypo.]

I met with the admissions director in person, and she told me they expect to have most of the slots filled by December. I was also told this by Lorie Culham, another admissions advisor, when I called for application advice in June. Also, you will get a decision from them within two weeks of your interview, unless they suffered a serious setback which prevented them from sending emails (they did have a big problem with emails last year). They have already started accepting people, although no one has posted an acceptance on SDN yet- I live in Michigan and know of several who are "in".

 

[Ypo.]

we just began an out of state scholarship program where students who are in good standing are rewarded. a buddy of mine just got a 15k scholarship for the year. and i am pretty sure he can reapply yearly.

as for putting in your interview now from out of state status - the earlier the better is important. your chances are not great (you best be a very well rounded candidate), but the class size could potentially be expanding by 25-50 students; its still up in the air, so if you are serious about it then give it a shot.

Really...? Kathie Schafer told me that our class size would be 150 this year (expanded from 100 two years ago-this years class size is 150), but that they need more room before they can expand it to 200. They were counting on MSUCHM moving in the future for additional space, but now thats not for sure. As far as I know, they are not going to accept more than 150 for this year, tho.

 

[deleted9493]

Ratch is right. The scholarship is renewable...so it effectively reduces the cost of an out-of-state student...to that of an in-state student. I guess there are quite a few available (10-15). So, if you get in at MSUCOM, in all likelihood, you won't be paying that grande tuition.

If I were an out-of-state student and I knew what I do now about the program, I would apply irrespective of cost.

 

[Ypo.]

Wow, thats really great for out-of-state applicants. The tuition for out-of-state students is really ridiculous. If its not the highest in the nation, its certainly near the top!

Does anyone know- does MSUCOM put stricter academic requirements on out-of-state applicants? ie, higher minimum MCAT and GPA?

 

[subtle1epiphany]

yeah, the scholarship sounds great, if I could receive that I would likely consider MSUCOM one of my top choices. I've heard that it's one of the strongest osteopathic programs in the country, and strong compared to some of the best allopathic schools as well. It's reputation and stories of friendliness are impressive, and hopefully I'll confirm them when I interview.
I wonder if the school will be accepting most of the interviews earlier in the year, and then taper it off...sounds possible, and might be good news for me. But they have to consider strong applicants later on in the process, I doubt they'll close themselves off just because it's February.

 

[Ratch]

there are alot of interviewees everyday lately, they start booking early for sure. i would strongly, repeat strongly, suggest that if you want consideration to 1- get in touch with the school in the slower times if you are out of state and discuss requirements, and 2- apply early, as in really early. msu looks for a well rounded applicant with a breadth of experience. thats not to say there aren't a fair # of 22 year old who just made the jump from lyman briggs over to fee hall; but i know they value life experience. you need to have a good base of academics for sure, thats true for any medical school, you need to prove that you can hack the classes. you also need to value your volunteer work. i gave a talk to some undergrad kids interested in our program during orientation and the thing i stressed to them was be sure that if you are going to volunteer your time, make it being something you actually enjoy. otherwise you are only wasting your time. okay, enough blabbering, good luck getting in.

 

[medic170]

I met with the admissions director in person, and she told me they expect to have most of the slots filled by December. I was also told this by Lorie Culham, another admissions advisor, when I called for application advice in June. Also, you will get a decision from them within two weeks of your interview, unless they suffered a serious setback which prevented them from sending emails (they did have a big problem with emails last year). They have already started accepting people, although no one has posted an acceptance on SDN yet- I live in Michigan and know of several who are "in".

Really? they have already accepted people that were not EDP? I interviewed on 9/20, which was the first day of interviews, and I have not heard a peep out of them yet. I am curious about these people you know who are "in" since I was there on the first day. I am getting worried now Also, they told me I would get a phone call, not an email.

 

[Ratch]

normally they provide you with a date you can call the school to see if you were accepted. unless thats changed... well, then i can't help you. call the school and ask, its not like its gonna effect your status or something, whats done is done. oh and beware, linda the lady who runs that little office you had to sit in pre-interview is really sarcastic, she likes to toy with people when they call to ask about their acceptance status - consider yourself forewarned!

 

[Ypo.]

Really? they have already accepted people that were not EDP? I interviewed on 9/20, which was the first day of interviews, and I have not heard a peep out of them yet. I am curious about these people you know who are "in" since I was there on the first day. I am getting worried now Also, they told me I would get a phone call, not an email.

Hey Medic-the person who got accepted was a friend of a first yeat that I know at MSU.

Ratch is right-they don't mind if you call to find out the decision...I think I'm going to call today-even tho I interviewed on 9/28. I'm sure they have a decision for you already. Good luck!

Ratch-thats funny about Linda...I have heard complaints from several people that she was unfriendly to them, but I don't think she means to be...she just comes across that way.

 

[futuredo32]

As a member of the class of 2008, I definitely agree with the statement about Linda being sarcastic and unhelpful. You can always ask to speak to Kathie Schaefer, she is awesome!!!!!!

 

[Ypo.]

As a member of the class of 2008, I definitely agree with the statement about Linda being sarcastic and unhelpful. You can always ask to speak to Kathie Schaefer, she is awesome!!!!!!

Ditto on the Kathie remark-she is a wonderful lady. Lorie Culham is also very helpful, warm and friendly!

I think Linda just has some personality issues