Hey ScubaDiva (and anyone else considering MSUCOM)--
I'm so sorry you had a bad experience! Much of what you said is completelly different from my experience there. I am currently applying to COM, but I also have another view of the school: My husband is an MS1 at COM. So, I've met lots of people and observed the students in their natural environment. I also have been a prospective student at COM for about two yeas now, so I know a few professors and have met with admissions staff on numerous occasions.... So, below are my experiences in contrast with ScubaDiva's .
Thanks ScubvaDiva for your imput though-- everyone views places differently!! Good Luck to whereever you choose to go!
Originally posted by scubadiva (with my response surounded by ***asterix***:
1. The student ambassadors were very uneducated about the type of programs at other medical schools, in particular osteopathic schools.
***Maybe this is because these students are separated from the application process since they are engrossed in their studies, and it's been at least a year since they've even thought about comparing MSUCOM to other schools. Maybe the admissions office should train them so they could answer your questions better.
2. The fact that the school doesn't allow unlimited access to resources such as the OMM and anatomy lab like other schools.
***The OMM Lab is brand new (opened last year) It has lots of expensive video/computer equipment that they use for class, not to mention the nice OMM tables and other equipment in the room. Any Schmo could walk through Fee and have the opportunity to reak havoc... So I understand why the Lab is locked down when it isn't being used by a class.
However, there are other places where OMM tables are available for practice: There is a little private room off the student lounge that has a table, for example. Also, down the hall is a larger room with an assortment of tables, all of these are available 24/7.
As for the Anatomy Lab, it has set hours in which it is available to the students. During these hours it is supervised for security purposes, it is not polssible for it to be freely accessed by the students for security reasons. However, from what I 've noticed from my husband's studying, is that it is open quite frequently. It has been open as early as 8am, and open as late as 8pm. It is also open on the weekends. ***
3. Essentially to sum up point three as I ramble on, the atmosphere and the students were very cold and unwelcoming. Basically, everyone here looked like they absolutely HATED life.
***I'm so sorry this is what you experienced! You may have toured on the day of the BioChem final... There were probably quite a few long faces that day! As you may know, MSUCOM has tests constantly, at least one a week. I'm sure students are a bit stressed test days-- but I've hung out with them the afternoon after tests, and they are quite a bit relaxed and friendly. In fact, there is a considerable amount of comradery at COM. They currently have a grassroots ping-pong tournament going on, there is an active Tennis Club, I've heard there was an intermural soccer team and there was a CHM/COM football game. There are also numerous parties and events going on all the time. I'm just giving you and anyone else who is curious examples of how there is comradery-- I don't want anyone to have the impression that MSUCOM is one of those schools where everyone just comes to school for required classes and then goes home, without much interaction. Because it certainly isn't! ***
4. Summing up point four: I love to ask questions and when I asked the students questions, they pretty much made a few low blows and sarcastic remarks about the fact that I was from California. I did NOT appreciate this at all. I never attacked them for being from Michigan. This was a big turnoff.
***I agree this is a big turnoff!! I'm sorry you had this experience. I know there is at least one first year from California... They probably are wondering why you want to move to cold bleak Michigan from sunny CA! ***
5. Rotations can only be done at the exact same Michigan hospital for two years and goes mostly by lottery.
***I admit I don't know everything about this process, but I do know that the sites only go to lottery if more people sign up for the site than are seats. Often, The Lansing hospital goes to lottery, as many people don't want the hassle of moving. From what I've heard, most sites don't end up going to lottery. So it's not a completely random process. ***
6. Lack of comraderie among the students is a definite minus.
***See above. I love the admissions department too! ****
7. Tuition for out of state is expensive!
***WOW, 70,00, that is expensive. Can't help you there...
***