MSUCOM Interview Information

[Hoberto]

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I just interviewed at MSUCOM on Monday if anyone wants any specific info about it let me know!

 

[dhp98]

my interview is set for Moday 10/3. How was it? If you could give any info I would definitely appreciate it. Good luck, I thinkits a great school (atleast education wise, which is most important).

 

[Hoberto]

It was really low-stress. I put something up on the SDN interview thing, too. I got there around 9a and they had a waiting room to hang out in with comfy chairs, some books, a few de-stress toys and a computer. While I was hanging a few students stopped in to say good luck and ask who each of us were interviewing with...they also gave some helpful comments about the interviewer. At about 9:25am I was escorted to my interview with a faculty member.

The interview took place in her office and lasted a little more than hour. Their interviews are conducted semi-closed file. She had my secondary essay and list of non-academic experiences. She asked me to tell her about myself, how I came to medicine, how did I like research, would I be interested in the DO/PhD program, how do I like MSU/East Lansing, how do I handle stress.... She was particularly interested in any patient contact experiences. There were plenty of opportunities for me to ask questions. It was more of a conversation than a question and answer session. We also talked about my family and how they felt about me becoming a doctor. It wasn't very stressful at all.

After the interview I went back to the waiting room and by then the other candidates were there. A representative of the admissions office came and answered our questions and explained how they determine who to accept/reject.

After that, we got a 30min talk from a financial aid representative.

Then, we were led on a tour of the medical school only (not the rest of campus) by two of the 2nd year medical students. After the tour we went to lunch (paid by MSUCOM) at one of the dorms nearby. The students were very candid and answered all of our questions with lots of examples and anecdotes about themselves and their friends.

We were free to go after lunch at 1pm.

Good luck!

 

[dhp98]

thank you. Well what do they look for in accepting a student, and how long until they get back with you. Is it good to have an early interview there? I just hope all goes well! Good luck as well. What are your stats if you dont mind me asking.

 

[krisco99]

Hoberto and dhp98 how long did you wait to hear about an interview from them? Are you an in state student? My parents live in MI, they moved there when I went to college in 2000 and I've always been FL so I had to apply out of state which totally works against me. My stats are not great and I'm super worried that I may not get an interview. I've been to the school and I loved it. My file is complete there but I'm sending a DO letter of rec so I hope that helps. If you don't mind can you tell me your stats? Good luck, hope you both get in!

 

[Hoberto]

I am an out-of-state student with no ties to Michigan except that it's a state next to Ohio. 🙂

I was complete on Aug 8th, on received an interview invite via email on Sept. 14th.

My stats: 8B 11V 8P Q-writing
science: 3.58
overall: 3.57
BS: Bioengineering
MS: Chemincal Engineering (in May)

We were told that they notify by phone 2-4 weeks after the interviews. We weren't given specifics about what they are looking for except that research isn't very important. My interviewer was particularly interested any clinical and patient experiences.

Everyone was so nice and it seemed like a great school! I hope to hear from them soon.

Good luck to you both also! When you go to the interview don't be nervous, everyone there just wants to know more about you. There definitely wasn't any of that high stress, moral or ethical dilemma stuff.

 

[dhp98]

I was complete August 8th as well. I received my interview invite via email the first week of September, I can't remember the exact date. My sci=3.63 and non=3.93 24 MCAT M. I am a michigan resident and have a Movement science BS and will have my Biology BA in december along with currently being enrolled as a Master's student in Exercise science. I had so many damn credits I felt like I deserved the biology degree so I took two labs his semester to finish it. Atleast at MSUCOM if you have 16 grad school science credits or 20 post-bacc science credits they will bypass your undergrad gpa and focus on those. I met with recruiting officer Mrs. Cox and she informed me of that, which was a big plus in my case. I am 27yrs old also. I hope this helps, good luck! my interview is tis Monday 10/3. I will give you all the info I can! Take care

 

[Dr.BBasket]

Hello everyone,
First of all- I want to say I am SO excited because I got my admissions phone call this morning (after missing the first call yesterday).
I interview last Monday, September 19th and I am really really excited. I have an interview at UMDNJ SOM on October 19th as well.

just wanted to share my joy!!

Good luck and I cant believe I am going to medical school.

___________________________________________________
"This Wolverine might just become a Spartan."

 

[dhp98]

hey congrats Dr. Bask, How did the interview go for you? I also wanted how you felt about the stress level. I think MSUCOM is a great school and it is defintiely my 1st choice for school. Well hopefully I will see you in the fall. Everybody else good luck

 

[subtle1epiphany]

I just interviewed at MSUCOM on Monday if anyone wants any specific info about it let me know!

What day did you interview?
I stopped by the Admissions Office on...Tuesday...yeah, we didn't have Physio on Tuesday. Glad to hear you found things like usual around here.

If you want any info about MSUCOM, MSU in general, or osteopathy...or anything else I can help with, just PM me. I'm on SDN every now and then, but can't monitor the forums as much as before, so a message will get my attention quickest.

I'm a first year, out-of-state, and enjoying it.
Best of luck to you all.

 

[Dr.BBasket]

hey congrats Dr. Bask, How did the interview go for you? I also wanted how you felt about the stress level. I think MSUCOM is a great school and it is defintiely my 1st choice for school. Well hopefully I will see you in the fall. Everybody else good luck

My interview was interesting. I interviewed with a MD (imagine my shock). I think that made me really stress out. I am glad though, as it showed me how much I needed to perfect my skills, as i think everyone should practice explaining the osteopathic philosophy to a MD intervier, that way, you are super prepared 🙂

I hope to see you in the fall as well.

________________________________________________
"This Wolverine might just turn into a Spartan."

 

[subtle1epiphany]

My interview was interesting. I interviewed with a MD (imagine my shock).

Yeah, that has messed quite a few people up, or at least stunned them enough to make the interview more stressful. I think the best thing to do in that situation is to relax and realize that the MD wouldn't be interviewing for COM if s/he didn't agree with the philosophy (or be under the auspices of one of our departments). Still, if you just explain your motivation as you would to anyone else, you should be fine. Of course, this won't help you much as you've already completed your interview...maybe it will help someone else.

 

[lilzelda]

I have a question does this school require a DO letter, and should u have high grades to apply if ur an out of state student

 

[Hoberto]

I have a question does this school require a DO letter, and should u have high grades to apply if ur an out of state student

My overall GPA wasn't so spectactular...my stats are on this page. My rec letters included, 1 from a dear friend, 1 from my old PI and 1 from an old coworker/buddy. I sent no letters from doctors and no letters from instructors. I received an acceptance from them.

Just READ the instructions that come with the MSUCOM secondary. There are a lot of them but they are extremely thorough and specific about what is required and how to complete the application.

Does this help?

 

[ShyRem]

I just declined my MSUCOM interview spot on 10/25 (oos applicant). I have an acceptance to another school in hand, and quite frankly the enormous oos tuition is rather frightening (especially when I have a family). Also job opportunities for my husband are not quite as good as we hoped in Michigan.

I hope another person gets to go in my place - it seems like a great school, just horrifically expensive for non-residents. 🙂

 

[Hoberto]

I just declined my MSUCOM interview spot on 10/25 (oos applicant). I have an acceptance to another school in hand, and quite frankly the enormous oos tuition is rather frightening (especially when I have a family). Also job opportunities for my husband are not quite as good as we hoped in Michigan.

I hope another person gets to go in my place - it seems like a great school, just horrifically expensive for non-residents. 🙂

I am debating between OhioU and MSUCOM but I am 95% sure I am going to turn MSUCOM down due to cost. I was so excited to get in as an out-of-stater but damn(!) that's a lot of money. I'm not sure if it is wise to make the decision based only on the money, though. I am also considering DO/PhD and both schools seem to have it going on there. My hubby will be staying in Ohio at least for the next couple of years so the job thing isn't as much of an issue for us. The travel time is the same for him whether I go to MSUCOM or OUCOM. I wish I knew the average board scores for each school.

 

[ShyRem]

hoberto, I hear ya about being excited being an oos'er getting an interview (and for you an acceptance!!). For me it's not only my husband moving (or not), but my children as well. And the commute from Colorado is a bit longer than from Ohio 😉. My husband and I could live in a cheap one bedroom apartment and dine on Ramen noodles for years if need be, but having kids changes the financial aspect drastically in my mind (more housing needed, more food, more money going out the door for 'stuff', etc.). So the financial cost is a big factor for me.

I hear schools give more in financial aid if you do the DO/PhD or MD/PhD route. Good luck to you!! and congrats on all your acceptances!! 😀

 

[subtle1epiphany]

I am debating between OhioU and MSUCOM but I am 95% sure I am going to turn MSUCOM down due to cost. I was so excited to get in as an out-of-stater but damn(!) that's a lot of money. I'm not sure if it is wise to make the decision based only on the money, though. I am also considering DO/PhD and both schools seem to have it going on there. My hubby will be staying in Ohio at least for the next couple of years so the job thing isn't as much of an issue for us. The travel time is the same for him whether I go to MSUCOM or OUCOM. I wish I knew the average board scores for each school.

Remember folks,
There is a Non-Resident Scholarship available for 8-10 students that includes $15,000/year in addition to the honor. I just got word I received the scholarship, and it makes a huge difference. The price is high, but you can get that scholarship for each of your pre-clinical years. Also, if you remain in Michigan for your internship (where a majority of them are and many of excellent quality) you get a refund of the difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition when you sign the internship contract. So that brings it down again. If you budget well, this can bring the total down to only Staffords. It's not cheap, but it's possible to manage that amount of debt.
Also, rent isn't that bad here. I'm about 8 miles from Fee Hall and have a great apartment for about $600/month including heat, then it's about $30 for electricity and $20 for water at the max. It's possible if you get the scholarship.
Okay, I'm done.
Give me a PM if you have any other questions.

 

[Hoberto]

The problem with that is that you'd have to make a decision prior to finding out about the scholarship and there's probably a good chance we'd get stuck with the bill.

 

[subtle1epiphany]

Depends how they do it this coming year.
For the class of 2009 they had two runnings of the scholarship, the first was at the beginning of 2005. They didn't select me as it was based upon the secondary application essay, and my essay was terrible. Honestly, I re-read it and I can't believe I was accepted. 😕
Regardless, they then had an increase in funding, partially due to the huge amount of money flowing in to the school from government and private funding, also as a number of second year recipients were unable to reapply (don't know the exact reason, but possibly due to standing within the college, ie grades). This opened up the scholarship pool again, and I was selected.
So yes, depending upon how they decide to run the scholarship, that is definitely a possibility. However, since you have an acceptance, your calls to the admissions office are hopefully much more relaxed, so feel free to ask about this. If I have the chance, I'll ask Kathy also and report.
Bottom line, if you like the school, but have financial difficulty...investigate and talk to them, they've been quite helpful in my matters, so I'd encourage you to at least talk to them about it. There are other loans and scholarships available, and our funding increases every year, great things are happening at the college, I can attest to this personally. We're up and coming and the students will only prosper because of it. So give it a try.