MSUCOM Discussion thread 2007-2008

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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It's weird, there were two OOS acceptances (I count the interview invite as 1) today and no IS. Maybe they look at OOS separately?
 
Congrats on the Acceptance. Looks like we got a good class of 2012 comin along. 😀
 
Guys, congrats on getting in. I really want to make sure you understand the cost of attendance to MSU as an OOS student, and reconsider. You can defer for a year, live in MI, and become In state, but if you start OOS, you will never become in state. (Not like other states where you are in state after 1 year!!! Be careful!) You must live in/work in MI for a year before starting to ever be in state. (There are family possibilities to being considered in state, too, though.) Just want you to be clear, and not surprised, when you get that bill. 😱

Look at this link, and understand that summer is required - not optional. Good luck!!

http://www.finaid.msu.edu/read/budcom.pdf
 
Hatman said:
Hey Everybody!! Did anyone else get the acceptance email from MSU-COM today??? What was funny was that I never even interviewed at the place! The email said "The completeness of your application materials and the quality of your achievements convinced the Admissions Committee that an interview would be superfluous." DAMN! I love MSU! Go Spartans! 😀
Click to expand...

Damn, you're a stud Hatman! Congrats!!!
 
I just heard from my first school and I was waitlisted at MSUCOM without an interview, is this good? I'm just wondering what you think my chances of actually getting in are, I still have more schools but I'm curious, any opinions??
 
How did you hear from them? Email? I haven't heard anything yet so I can't really help you out.
 
Ya they emailed me and asked if I would accept a spot on their wait list which I promptly replied yes. I'm just hoping for an acceptance soon so I can forget this masters application!!
 
I've heard that a quarter to a half of their wait list gets in...this isnt scientific, but thats pretty good odds. Also, check out their web site, because for some reason I'm thinking that you can find out later in the cycle what portion of the wait list you are in (like first half or something). Don't hold me to this, I could be mixing up schools, but there should be info on their site (it's pretty inclusive if you look around) or archived here on SDN. Good luck!
 
I wouldn't get too scared; if you check mdapps, it seems a lot of kids applying to MD schools (especially Michigan students) apply to MSU (DO) as a backup, and almost all of them end up getting into MD schools and picking those. So, it seems a lot of waitlisted kids will get in.
 
korpifp2831 said:
I just heard from my first school and I was waitlisted at MSUCOM without an interview, is this good? I'm just wondering what you think my chances of actually getting in are, I still have more schools but I'm curious, any opinions??
Click to expand...

Hi,

what exactly is the waitlist? waitlisted to get an interview or to be accepted into next year's class?
 
CONGRATULATIONS!!! THAT'S AWESOME!!

MSUCOM is also one of my top choices...i had no idea they accepted applicants without interviews...do they do that often??? this is entirely new to me...
 
Orthodoc40 said:
Guys, congrats on getting in. I really want to make sure you understand the cost of attendance to MSU as an OOS student, and reconsider. You can defer for a year, live in MI, and become In state, but if you start OOS, you will never become in state. (Not like other states where you are in state after 1 year!!! Be careful!) You must live in/work in MI for a year before starting to ever be in state. (There are family possibilities to being considered in state, too, though.) Just want you to be clear, and not surprised, when you get that bill. 😱
Click to expand...


This really stinks....
I was excited to get the invite yesterday. Now, I have to reconsider...
Question though,
are you considering MD residency? becuase, other schools doesn't seem to offer vast range of specialty, judging from the online info, as much as MSUCOM. Hence, if I decide to stay in PA and attend PCOM, where there seem to be a lack of General Surgery Residency(not as much as MSUCOM) does that mean I need to apply to MD residency? Would that be more competitive?
:scared:
 
Hatman said:
Hey Everybody!! Did anyone else get the acceptance email from MSU-COM today??? What was funny was that I never even interviewed at the place! The email said "The completeness of your application materials and the quality of your achievements convinced the Admissions Committee that an interview would be superfluous." DAMN! I love MSU! Go Spartans! 😀
Click to expand...

That's really strange...what kind of med school doesn't interview their applicants?!?!?!?!?! 😱
 
Hey guys I have a question about this. I am visiting MSUCOM next thursday, and dont really know what the dress code should be. I would prefer to not do the whole suit and heels shebang, would rather wear dress pants and a nice shirt/sweater. Would this be considered inappropriate? I am not a dress up kind of gal, and am much more comfortable in slacks. I dont want to seem underdressed or disrespectful, however. It is just an informal meet and greet, question and answer sort of deal, only lasts for about four hours. What is your opinion?
 
If you're already in, why worry about this? Just don't wear anything that will make them change their minds.
 
Dang, guess I'll have to leave my garter belt and clear heels at home this time....wait til next fall though! 😛
 
MSUCOM pretty much did away with interviews a few years ago. They only interview now if there is something they would like to know more about on your application before they make an admissions decision. I have seen a disclaimer somewhere that they think that people just tell em what they want to hear anyway with interviews, thats why they want the personal evaluations rather than professor letters. Those evaluations serve as your interview kind of, as a means to sell yourself to the adcom.
 
If its informal why would you dress up like your on some interview. Wear something casual because I'm guessing your going to be doing a lot of walking.
 
accepted into next years class. State doesn't do too many interviews.
 
Just getting the waitlist email does not guarantee admissions into next years class, it basically means he was put on the alternate list for this application cycle. Unless he got another email specifically saying that he has guaranteed admission for next year class, I don't think you can assume. They send 2 separate emails.
 
desijigga said:
Just getting the waitlist email does not guarantee admissions into next years class, it basically means he was put on the alternate list for this application cycle. Unless he got another email specifically saying that he has guaranteed admission for next year class, I don't think you can assume. They send 2 separate emails.
Click to expand...

You are right. I think I got cut off. I meant to ask if they got another email.
 
dress for comfort, or to attract a member of the opposite sex.. which ever approach you wanna go for
 
I'd imagine they reserve the right to do whatever they want. It would probably take a lot though. But if you showed up there in a zebra-print g-string, and nothing else, I think they would go ahead and give your spot to someone else.
 
If God grants me the chance to go on the optional interview, I will probably wear my suit minus the jacket. It's just professional.
 
I guess this week at MSUCOM, it was OOS appreciation week... 😀 I didn't hear of one in-state acceptance on SDN.
 
I was complete September 10; I hope they review my file before I go to WVSOM on October 10.
 
I read a medical student's comment about MSUCOM's tuition setup.
If enter the school as OOS then you are stuck with OOS tuition for the rest of the school years(all 4years) even if you become a resident of MI.
I fell in love with the school after seeing all the residency(specialty) they offer and their rank on usnew(primary) but is paying 120K(30K extra for OOS x 4years) really worth it?
Is getting into MD residency(specialty such as general surgery) much harder for DO than MD?
your 2cents will be appreciated!
 
thanks~
The interview is in about 3 weeks. I'll definitly update on the stat. I'll also put it on mdapp. as well.
Good luck everyone!
 
Just a heads up to all OOS who are thinking about moving to Michigan to work for 1 year then go to school--

Michigan has the WORST unemployment rate in the country (7.6% and rising). If coming to MSU-COM is that important to you, you would be better off paying OOS tuition. At the very least, don't move unless you have a job already lined up.

For example, I work with some public schools and at one of the middle schools in my district a history teacher retired. The school received over 700 qualified applicants for the position.

Don't take it for granted that if you move here you'll get a job.
 
Call the school's registrar's office to get specifics on all possible ways to become instate, but essentially you have to have lived in MI for a full year as a non-student before starting classes in order to qualify for in state tuition. Unless you can prove some other reason that you are compelled to be in MI (wife's job transfer...)

Also, keep in mind that in the case of COM, classes start early July, so you will have to move there by early July in order to be there a full year before classes started. Many people defer a year in order to claim in state status. It is worth the price difference to defer, if MSU is the place you REALLY want to be. Personally, I would say if you get in somewhere you like that's cheaper, go there instead. The cost as an OOS student is ridiculous at MSU.
 
yeh, I guess I'll find out from the registrar's office.
thanks for the heads up and the info.
I really like the school. I might end up just paying for it as OOS.
I'll see what happens with my other apps.
Thanks again!
 
Yeah guys have it a lot easier than girls when it comes to dressing professionally...I feel like its a fine line. I'm tempted to just go the American Eagle navy pants with some sort of cooler sweater (why is it still so hot in Michigan??? I want fall weather!!) I'm also tempted to call and ask a lady in the office what she would wear....maybe I'll do that, and just omit my name when talking to her 🙂
 
Why don't you wear what every girl at MSU wears in the summer. 😀😀
 
Looks like you have PCOM interview. May I ask are you seriously considering picking paying OOS MSUCOM over PCOM? 😱
 
desijigga said:
Looks like you have PCOM interview. May I ask are you seriously considering picking paying OOS MSUCOM over PCOM? 😱
Click to expand...

I would if the residency for specialty is that much available in MSUCOM than PCOM. PCOM's website doesn't have many specialties listed on it. That's going to be one of my question to the admission committee. I've checked out DO docs around the region(philly) and it seems as though, there aren't many specialty docs. I wonder if that's because it's harder for DO to enter the MD residency. If that is the case I'm leaning toward MSUCOM for sure.
 
Check out this article about MSUCOM expansion, its pretty interesting.
The most glaring piece of info is that by 2010 MI will be 900 physicians short, 2,400 by 2015, 4,500 by 2020. 😱😱

No wonder so many older people are changing careers. Seriously there are so many health care jobs available for nurses, medical assistants, and now physicians in MI. Having a nursing degree will go a long way, just check out careerbuilder everyday they post about 10-20 new RN jobs only in Southeast Detroit.

http://www.com.msu.edu/communique/2007_Fall/SouthesternExpansion.pdf

(http://www.com.msu.edu/communique/2007_Fall/index.html) Minute I looked at the cover of this magazine, the show Beauty and the Geek came to my mind... LOL I know I'm horrible.
 
Interesting read Desi, thanks. Does anyone know if students will have an opportunity to express our preferred campus or will it be completely arbitrary?

Aside from having an amazing program, part of the schools appeal for me is that it is so close to "home". I am wondering how you south eastern MI people feel about going to school at these new locations.
 
One of the other forums asked that those of us who have been accepted to MSUCOM to please list our stats. I don't have my info available currently, but I can give rough estimates. There are a couple exceptions in my case that need to be taken into account though because I'm a non-traditional student. I completed my BS back in 2001 so most of my relevant stats are after that. Also, I applied last year and was put on the waitlist. I met with the Director of Admissions and did everything she said to improve my application (this is really key by the way). As most of you know reapplicants are considered a bit differently. Anyway, here is goes.

MCAT (2004) - 29P
Undergrad GPA ~ 3.0
Undergrad Science GPA ~ 3.0
Pharmacy School GPA (I withdrew after one year) - 1.7
Post BS Associate degree GPA - 3.825
Post BS, Post AS, Biochem at MSU (online) - 4.0
I work as a Medical Technologist (previous jobs include Pharmacy tech, Phlebotomist, Medical Lab Technician)
Hundreds of volunteer hours (I'm an Eagle Scout)
Lots of professional extracurricular activies

I hope that helps. Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

-Travis-
 
r2cole1 said:
Interesting read Desi, thanks. Does anyone know if students will have an opportunity to express our preferred campus or will it be completely arbitrary?
Click to expand...

Thats what I would like to know also. But I'm kind of hesitant, will we receive the same top notch education and atmosphere that students do in the home campus at E. Lansing? I'm from South East Detroit, saving that much on rent and expenses will be a major plus, IMO.
 
Jae said:
I would if the residency for specialty is that much available in MSUCOM than PCOM. PCOM's website doesn't have many specialties listed on it. That's going to be one of my question to the admission committee. I've checked out DO docs around the region(philly) and it seems as though, there aren't many specialty docs. I wonder if that's because it's harder for DO to enter the MD residency. If that is the case I'm leaning toward MSUCOM for sure.
Click to expand...

I doesn't sound like you've gotten a lot of info on PCOM yet. They are notorious for placing people into many competitive specialties. They have many of their own, strong OPTI programs. Look at their match lists (on this site, on theirs?) and find out more.

You should have a VERY compelling reason to choose MSU as an OOS student over a school like PCOM!!! If you just love MSU for some reason, take the year to defer & become in state - it is just not worth the OOS cost. You will be paying over $300k - then add on interest over years... c'mon!!
 
Hi, OrthoDoc40.
Yeh, I was surfing through PCOM's website and found more info on their postgraduate programs.
http://www.pcom.edu/Academic_Progra...atch+list&order=r&id=087112287c699af9&cmd=xml

However, if you check out this link http://www.com.msu.edu/scs/programs/residency.shtml

with the list of the hospitals and their residency spots, they have over 50spots for general surgery compare to pcom's 22 spots.
I like philly and I think PCOM is a great school. I am just trying to increase my chance of becoming a surgeon.
Anyhow, thanks for shinning some lights on those dark corners. I'm going to sleep on it and see how everything unfolds on me.
Though, I must say this whole thing is stressing me out! 🙁
AHHHHHHHHHH~
when will all this be over!!! +pissed+... ok, that feels better :laugh::laugh::laugh:
 
Jae said:
Hi, OrthoDoc40.
Yeh, I was surfing through PCOM's website and found more info on their postgraduate programs.
http://www.pcom.edu/Academic_Progra...atch+list&order=r&id=087112287c699af9&cmd=xml

However, if you check out this link http://www.com.msu.edu/scs/programs/residency.shtml

with the list of the hospitals and their residency spots, they have over 50spots for general surgery compare to pcom's 22 spots.
I like philly and I think PCOM is a great school. I am just trying to increase my chance of becoming a surgeon.
Anyhow, thanks for shinning some lights on those dark corners. I'm going to sleep on it and see how everything unfolds on me.
Though, I must say this whole thing is stressing me out! 🙁
AHHHHHHHHHH~
when will all this be over!!! +pissed+... ok, that feels better :laugh::laugh::laugh:
Click to expand...

Hi again,

Okay, you know that your best chances of getting the residency you want (when the time comes....) is to go to the school you are happiest at & can perform your best, not which school has the most spots. Why?

Well, if you perform well in the school you go to, you'll get a good score on the board exams, good grades, good letters of recommendation, etc... Why else? MSU may not be as likely to take their own as PCOM is. MSU may have way more applicants for those spots (seeing as they probably have a huge % of midwesterners from all DO schools applying). You don't know. MSU may emphasize family medicine more than PCOM does.... There are too many variables.

Keep in mind, over 75% of people change their mind about what they want to go into from the time they start off. Choosing the school with the most residency spots in surgery really isn't going to be your best criteria. You may decide to go into ER medicine. Will you be kicking yourself then because PCOM had more openings? (I didn't look, I'm just "What if" ing here...)

If MSU is the best school for you, go there - but you are young enough to defer for a year so you don't have to pay that ridiculous OOS price tag - that's all I am trying to say.

Something you may like or dislike about MSU is they start really early - July 5th I think. You get anatomy out of the way for 6 weeks of summer - it's all you do. Intense way to start off, but when the rest of classes start, you don't have anatomy hanging over your head... (provided you pass!)
 
Orthodoc40 - why so much animosity against MSU?

visualize man 😍
 
I don't understand why you'd pay all that tuition because you feel you have a better chance of getting into a specialty.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankings.../webextras/brief/sb_med_primarycare_brief.php

89% of MSUCOM grads go into primary care; 49% of PCOM go into primary care. I don't believe your school dictates the field you go into, but I also don't see how one could rationalize going to MSUCOM specifically to get into a specialty when they produce far less specialty physicians.
 
I'm changing my mind about MSUCOM.
As an OOS and from what you guys have mentioned, it does seem that it's not worth the $$. I have to admit ,somewhere, somehow, I developed this fascination about MSUCOM...maybe from the usnew ranking and their postgraduate webpage and from watching their ball games in the past. I guess, I just needed help clearing that up a little. Man~ maybe, I should cancel the interview. well, I'll just go for the experience.
Thanks everyone for helpful info.
I'll update my stats after the whole mess.
 
Jae said:
I'm changing my mind about MSUCOM.
As an OOS and from what you guys have mentioned, it does seem that it's not worth the $$. I have to admit ,somewhere, somehow, I developed this fascination about MSUCOM...maybe from the usnew ranking and their postgraduate webpage and from watching their ball games in the past. I guess, I just needed help clearing that up a little. Man~ maybe, I should cancel the interview. well, I'll just go for the experience.
Thanks everyone for helpful info.
I'll update my stats after the whole mess.
Click to expand...

I think you are changing your mind too quickly based on where you think your best chances are to specialize. People from all DO schools match into surgery, and it seems to me (pre med noobie though so take it with a grain of salt) that what you do matters way more than what the school's rep is. If you work hard, it will pay off. Plus, the rankings for people going into primary care vs. specializing is off in my opinon because no one takes into account that a lot of people want to go into primary care. The number one student at the school could have his/her heart set on Family Medicine and go for that ... so don't look at the percent of people who go into primary care as a negative, or any indication of where you can personally go.
 
Jae said:
I'm changing my mind about MSUCOM.
As an OOS and from what you guys have mentioned, it does seem that it's not worth the $$. I have to admit ,somewhere, somehow, I developed this fascination about MSUCOM...maybe from the usnew ranking and their postgraduate webpage and from watching their ball games in the past. I guess, I just needed help clearing that up a little. Man~ maybe, I should cancel the interview. well, I'll just go for the experience.
Thanks everyone for helpful info.
I'll update my stats after the whole mess.
Click to expand...

Hold on! At least go to the interviews!!!
Go to ALL of your interviews. You have no idea what your choices are going to be until you are holding acceptances in your hand. Decide after you've visited places, and are looking at multiple acceptances. Not before or you'll never know what you're missing.

MSU is a great school. If it is where you want to go after you visit several places, then GO! But defer to claim instate status & save yourself a LOT of money.
 
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