NSU-COM Discussion thread 2007-2008

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EEL08,
I had received an email stating that they had received my sig page so I emailed them to see if my application was complete and they said they did not have my MCAT scores yet even though they had been sent over two weeks prior. I emailed them again last week and never got a response. At this point I still don't know if they have processed my application so I will need to email mdev or call... although I am afraid of being a pain in the butt. I just think it is pointless to put all this money and effort in if you can't be sure schools have everything they need to consider you.
 
EEL08,
I had received an email stating that they had received my sig page so I emailed them to see if my application was complete and they said they did not have my MCAT scores yet even though they had been sent over two weeks prior. I emailed them again last week and never got a response. At this point I still don't know if they have processed my application so I will need to email mdev or call... although I am afraid of being a pain in the butt. I just think it is pointless to put all this money and effort in if you can't be sure schools have everything they need to consider you.

I never got that e-mail but I did get an e-mail when they received one of my LORs. I e-mailed them last week and no response. I e-mailed mdev yesterday and no response yet so we'll see. I'm almost tempted just to send the signature page again and put delivery confirmation on it. I might call eventually.
 
I never got that e-mail but I did get an e-mail when they received one of my LORs. I e-mailed them last week and no response. I e-mailed mdev yesterday and no response yet so we'll see. I'm almost tempted just to send the signature page again and put delivery confirmation on it. I might call eventually.
Does Webstar track this information? I know it tracks part of your application, but I don't remember how thorough it was during my application process. Best of luck everyone.
 
Does Webstar track this information? I know it tracks part of your application, but I don't remember how thorough it was during my application process. Best of luck everyone.

That's a good question. When I sign in it lists the signature page under requirements but there's no date or anything saying it was received. My liberal arts LOR was received and I received the confirmation e-mail for that but does not show up in Webstar. BTW, within what length of time should I expect a response to an e-mail? I just want to figure out how much longer I should wait before I just call.
 
That's a good question. When I sign in it lists the signature page under requirements but there's no date or anything saying it was received. My liberal arts LOR was received and I received the confirmation e-mail for that but does not show up in Webstar. BTW, within what length of time should I expect a response to an e-mail? I just want to figure out how much longer I should wait before I just call.
I would just call anyways. The admissions staff receive dozens of emails and phone calls from applicants. Sorry to say, but you're only a number with a heartbeat until an interview...only kidding.

Did you have your LORs sent from the individual who wrote them or did you use a service? I know that my school uses a service that transmits the information (LORs and committee letter) electronically to the school.

When you do call, make sure you have your ID Number that starts with an N. You should have gotten an email with your number when you submitted your secondary application. Best of luck. I'll be giving tours...
 
I would just call anyways. The admissions staff receive dozens of emails and phone calls from applicants. Sorry to say, but you're only a number with a heartbeat until an interview...only kidding.

Did you have your LORs sent from the individual who wrote them or did you use a service? I know that my school uses a service that transmits the information (LORs and committee letter) electronically to the school.

When you do call, make sure you have your ID Number that starts with an N. You should have gotten an email with your number when you submitted your secondary application. Best of luck. I'll be giving tours...

I probably will just call tomorrow. I submitted my secondary the second week of September but I have only had one LOR sent in through Interfolio. I didn't realize it was $5 per school not per letter so now I'm holding off on sending the rest at once. I'm having a LOR dilemma in regards to my DO so I will be trying to get that straightened out in the next week or two. I will have to look for that ID number. Thanks for the heads up!
 
So my friend submitted his secondary application last night. So now he has to send in 3 letters of recommendations, 2 science, 1 humanities, and 1 DO letter. He has his professors and osteopathic physician letters all ready to go, but I was reading somewhere that Nova sends you an ID or a pin number after you send in your secondary application? Does this ID or pin number have to placed in the letter for identification purposes? My friend already has his social security number and AACOMAS ID# in the letters, so should he wait for this ID/pin number from Nova? And if he does, how long does it normally take to receive it?
 
So my friend submitted his secondary application last night. So now he has to send in 3 letters of recommendations, 2 science, 1 humanities, and 1 DO letter. He has his professors and osteopathic physician letters all ready to go, but I was reading somewhere that Nova sends you an ID or a pin number after you send in your secondary application? Does this ID or pin number have to placed in the letter for identification purposes? My friend already has his social security number and AACOMAS ID# in the letters, so should he wait for this ID/pin number from Nova? And if he does, how long does it normally take to receive it?

I'm actually wondering the same thing in regards to the ID number. Hema said it should start with an N but I don't have one as far as I can tell. I guess I'll just call them and hopefully they can find my file.
 
I probably will just call tomorrow. I submitted my secondary the second week of September but I have only had one LOR sent in through Interfolio. I didn't realize it was $5 per school not per letter so now I'm holding off on sending the rest at once. I'm having a LOR dilemma in regards to my DO so I will be trying to get that straightened out in the next week or two. I will have to look for that ID number. Thanks for the heads up!
I just called and they were able to verify everything and were happy to do so. I just don't think they do the whole email thing in a timely fashion if at all. good luck. oh and they only asked me for my ssn
 
I just called and they were able to verify everything and were happy to do so. I just don't think they do the whole email thing in a timely fashion if at all. good luck. oh and they only asked me for my ssn

So I just called but the answering service picked up. I decided not to leave a message, I'll just call again in a little while. For some reason that made me really nervous.
 
That's a good question. When I sign in it lists the signature page under requirements but there's no date or anything saying it was received. My liberal arts LOR was received and I received the confirmation e-mail for that but does not show up in Webstar. BTW, within what length of time should I expect a response to an e-mail? I just want to figure out how much longer I should wait before I just call.

I interviewed a couple weeks ago and when I log in it still hasn't updated that they received anything. I also never received an email from them saying the received anything or one with an ID number. So bottom line, I wouldn't worry about the webstar updates or not receiving emails!
 
has anyone who interviewed at Nova on 10/4 gotten an acceptance yet? I'm starting to get really worried that I haven't heard anything yet 🙁
 
Does anybody know if Nova has letter grading vs. pass/fail? Thanks.
 
has anyone who interviewed at Nova on 10/4 gotten an acceptance yet? I'm starting to get really worried that I haven't heard anything yet 🙁

Well I interviewed on 9/28 and got the contact info of one of the guys in my group. He emailed me to say he got called my Rachel recently with an acceptance. I hope that isn't anything bad. 🙁

:scared:
 
Don't base your acceptance/rejection on phone calls from Nova. I just received a packet.
 
Don't base your acceptance/rejection on phone calls from Nova. I just received a packet.
Well, that gives me some hope. It's been exactly 3 weeks today, that I interviewed there.
 
Interviewed on 9/25. Got phone call yesterday..Accepted!!!!!
 
interviewed on 10/9/07, accepted by phone from rachel yesterday!!!!!!

anyone else who interviewed on 10/9 get accepted?

GOOD LUCK ALL
 
HOw long after your application was complete did it take to get an interview invite??
 
Letter grades years 1 and 2. Not sure if reported as percentage or just letter. Pass and Honors Pass years 3 and 4.

Grades are reported as percentage years 1 and 2, and Pass/Honors Pass 3 and 4 years.
 
at my interview dev maharaj gave us the 3 hour tour and he explicitly said that he initially prescreens all the applications just based on MCAT and GPA, and then he sends those applications to someone else who further goes through them and decides who is worthy for an interview. He said that approx 800 kids are invited for interviews out of the 3500 applicants. ( 2 interviews/week with 15-18interviewers/day) About 400 are accepted, and the entering class has about 200. So once u get an interview you have a 50% chance of getting in. I was told this at my interview.
 
I really hope I get good news when I call on Monday. :scared:
 
at my interview dev maharaj gave us the 3 hour tour and he explicitly said that he initially prescreens all the applications just based on MCAT and GPA, and then he sends those applications to someone else who further goes through them and decides who is worthy for an interview. He said that approx 800 kids are invited for interviews out of the 3500 applicants. ( 2 interviews/week with 15-18interviewers/day) About 400 are accepted, and the entering class has about 200. So once u get an interview you have a 50% chance of getting in. I was told this at my interview.

Thanks. I haven't received an invite for an interview although I have interviewed at two other schools, and I was considering e-mailing him. I realize that may be kind of random though.
 
I'm assuming you differed, kiddingme? Good thinking if you did. Stay free as long as you can! Off to Biochem exam....😱😱😱😱aaaahhhhhh!

please..biochem is a joke..i'd worry about ur pelvis anatomy test 😱
 
I just got accepted!😎😀
 
I'm assuming you differed, kiddingme? Good thinking if you did. Stay free as long as you can! Off to Biochem exam....😱😱😱😱aaaahhhhhh!
She was the one that interviewed with us at UNECOM.
 
I've been trying to search for information on NSUCOM's curriculum but I'm not having a whole lot of luck. All I can really find a list of the classes and a very basic overview. If anyone can help me out by explaining more about it or linking me to other posts that have more info., it would be greatly appreciated. In particular, I'm looking for info. on how NSU's program is different from other osteopathic schools (if at all) and what they offer that other schools don't. I'm also curious as to how the IGC preceptorships and clinical practicum (is that just referring to rotations?) work. Any other info that the website doesn't have is greatly appreciated also! Thanks in advance!
 
I've been trying to search for information on NSUCOM's curriculum but I'm not having a whole lot of luck. All I can really find a list of the classes and a very basic overview. If anyone can help me out by explaining more about it or linking me to other posts that have more info., it would be greatly appreciated. In particular, I'm looking for info. on how NSU's program is different from other osteopathic schools (if at all) and what they offer that other schools don't. I'm also curious as to how the IGC preceptorships and clinical practicum (is that just referring to rotations?) work. Any other info that the website doesn't have is greatly appreciated also! Thanks in advance!

i interviewed there recently, and honestly, thats pretty much all they told us. The years 1 and 2 are letter grading system. There is a dress code, and attendance policy. The first two years have the usual science courses required by most schools. Um...there are some clinical opportunities during the first two years. There is an OMM program that you can apply for (competitiveness depends on # of applications that specific year), and if you get in, the university pays for that year, and your 2 years of clinical rotations after that. And, you get first choice for cliinicals in whatever hopsitals you want, if you are in that OMM program.

International rotations are possible...they have them setup in Guatemala, Peru, and 2 others. Currently they are working with a medschool in Argentina to set up an exchange program for clinical rotations.

Also, they have a mandatory rural medicine 3month rotation program...part of which is a rotation at a state penitentiary (sp?)...they say this rotation is in high demand because its really cool...you'll be a medstudent while working with inhabitants at a state correction facility...this was shown in the video that they put on.

I wasnt entirely clear on what IGC was, but I think you tag along with a preceptor for clinical experience. One of the faculty said that they are working on a medical spanish course, and they are excited about it and all, but when we had down-time with the medstudents (no faculty present), they said that they were promised a medical spanish course but they were disappointed cuz the university has been saying that for a while, but nothing along those lines have been offered.

You can also start studying for a some courses such as histology through an online program before the school actually begins...its not mandatory...but it helps geting into the swing of things ...(and i think you have to pay for that too)

They offer an MPH. If you elect to do DO/MPH, you ahve to finish both in 5 years...that is, you'll finish DO in 4 years, and you have an extra year to finish MPH...so you can take how many ever MPH courses you feel comfortable taking each semseter (along with the normal DO curriculum) to finish in 5 years. If you are able to finish in 5 years, then the school pays FULLY for your MPH degree. However, if you decide not to complete the MPH after starting it, you have to pay for all the classes you have taken so far for the MPH.

Hope this helped somewhat...if I think of anything else, I'll be sure to post.
cheers
:idea:
 
Great info! Thanks Tensyle. Also what were some of the tough interview questions they asked you? I have my interview there on Tuesday.
 
Great info! Thanks Tensyle. Also what were some of the tough interview questions they asked you? I have my interview there on Tuesday.

No tough questions...they were all answerable, but it was a hard interview. For some reason I felt they didnt believe my previous volunteer experiences, and they continued to dig as much as they could into my past. Whatever answer I gave, I always was asked to elaborate more, and when I did, more qeustions were asked about my follow-up response.

Most of the people in my group had it more laid back. I felt my interview was tough, but it was manageable, and they got to see me hold my ground regarding my answers. So, hopefully that helped my case.

Honestly, I'm not able to judge how I did, as it was hard to read the interviewers...so I'm just trying to concentrate on school right now, in addition to preparing for my next interview, and hoping to hear from my previous interviews soon!

My best advice to you is...read up the interview feedback section for Nova on SDN. It has some awesome information regarding questions. But, as far as how the interview was conducted and positive vs. negative overall interview experiences, take it with a grain of salt cuz you never know what to expect. The best thing to do is be prepared to answer any of the questions on the SDN interview feedback section. Also, try to consider the weaknesses of your application and see how you can best answer them...if you cant find some weaknesses, try harder, cuz they will find it for you and will ask you - and they are completely justified in doing so, because they only want highly qualified people.

Yeah, I had a tough interview experience, but I answered everything truthfully and was tryign to be as complete as possible. You may get a laid back interview - just depends on who interviews you. Although the way they approach you maybe different, the core questions cant change much.

Goodluck!!!!!!!! you'll do great!
 
I've been trying to search for information on NSUCOM's curriculum but I'm not having a whole lot of luck. All I can really find a list of the classes and a very basic overview. If anyone can help me out by explaining more about it or linking me to other posts that have more info., it would be greatly appreciated. In particular, I'm looking for info. on how NSU's program is different from other osteopathic schools (if at all) and what they offer that other schools don't. I'm also curious as to how the IGC preceptorships and clinical practicum (is that just referring to rotations?) work. Any other info that the website doesn't have is greatly appreciated also! Thanks in advance!

IGC is where we go and work with a physician every other Friday afternoon for 4 hours(5 times a semester). You practice doing histories and physicals on real patients. You gain a mentor, and you learn the business side of medicine.

Clinical Practicum (CP) is a course we take that teaches us the stuff that basic sciences dont. For example, we learn how to do histories and physicals there. We also learn how to use the stethoscope, otoscope, opthalmoscope, rectal exams, etc. Its a course intended to deal with the clinical side while we learn the hard science in the other courses.
 
Also, I don't think you have to do the prison rotation but it is popular...
 
IGC is where we go and work with a physician every other Friday afternoon for 4 hours(5 times a semester). You practice doing histories and physicals on real patients. You gain a mentor, and you learn the business side of medicine.

Clinical Practicum (CP) is a course we take that teaches us the stuff that basic sciences dont. For example, we learn how to do histories and physicals there. We also learn how to use the stethoscope, otoscope, opthalmoscope, rectal exams, etc. Its a course intended to deal with the clinical side while we learn the hard science in the other courses.

Kuba, were you one of the medstudents there this past Thursday (25th) giving tours and such?
 
you do NOT have to do the prison rotation..it can count for your rural rotation..or at least part of it..

IGC is where you shadow docs..learning experience is extremely variable..mainly based on the docs

CP is just a class where they teach you how to use doctor equipment..and various signs and symptoms of physical diagnosing ppl.

one thing unique about NSU: its got the traditional lecture hours for about 90% of the time of years 1 and 2..but during year 2..theres also a PBL portion where you meet once a week in a small group (<10 ppl) and a doc..and you go over cases relating to the system that you are currently learning..its called ILG (interactive learning group). And yes..learning the curriculum by systems rocks
 
Hey all I have quick question I thought one of you might know the answer to before I go ask NSU admissions:

I'm interviewing on 11/30 and given others' experiences they usually find out of their acceptance within a couple weeks if not sooner. How long does one have to make up their minds about whether to accept or decline at NSU? I've heard 30 days.

Anyway, problem is that my fiancee (who is a PhD in academia) is interviewing at schools in the same cities to which I am applying--and she has a lead on tenure-track jobs at several Miami/FLL area universities--but won't find out until February or March whether she gets the job for sure.

How flexible would NSU be about letting me sit on the acceptance for an extra month or two without having to drop $2K in deposits? (I can't afford to do this at multiple schools.) NSU is my first choice, but my attendance would be contingent upon my fiancee being able to relocate with me (she lives in a diff city right now). There's a good chance she will get a job down here, it's just now certain until a formal offer is issued.
 
Hey all I have quick question I thought one of you might know the answer to before I go ask NSU admissions:

I'm interviewing on 11/30 and given others' experiences they usually find out of their acceptance within a couple weeks if not sooner. How long does one have to make up their minds about whether to accept or decline at NSU? I've heard 30 days.

Anyway, problem is that my fiancee (who is a PhD in academia) is interviewing at schools in the same cities to which I am applying--and she has a lead on tenure-track jobs at several Miami/FLL area universities--but won't find out until February or March whether she gets the job for sure.

How flexible would NSU be about letting me sit on the acceptance for an extra month or two without having to drop $2K in deposits? (I can't afford to do this at multiple schools.) NSU is my first choice, but my attendance would be contingent upon my fiancee being able to relocate with me (she lives in a diff city right now). There's a good chance she will get a job down here, it's just now certain until a formal offer is issued.

Hmm thats an interesting situation. I'd say you should try and explain this to them as brief as possible, but I think chances are that they wont be receptive to your situation...im sure a lot of other applications have their own situations, and a $2K deposit surely helps out the school's finances and such. But it cant hurt to try and reason with them...make sure you tell them NSU is your first choice, if that is the truth.

EDIT: I meant to add...dont call them before your interview...try after you interview or after you get your acceptance..that way it doesnt show that you already feel ur gonna be accepted or somthing.
 
Hmm thats an interesting situation. I'd say you should try and explain this to them as brief as possible, but I think chances are that they wont be receptive to your situation...im sure a lot of other applications have their own situations, and a $2K deposit surely helps out the school's finances and such. But it cant hurt to try and reason with them...make sure you tell them NSU is your first choice, if that is the truth.

EDIT: I meant to add...dont call them before your interview...try after you interview or after you get your acceptance..that way it doesnt show that you already feel ur gonna be accepted or somthing.

Thanks for the response. My fiancee also advised not to contact them prior to the interview. It's possible as well that NSU might recruit her separately for a position in their graduate school--which might lend some cred to my situation.

If I feel the interview goes well I plan on sending a nice follow up letter (in general) explaining NSU as first choice--which it totally is!! Then if I am accepted contact their admissions staff to explain the situation. I think it's $750 due within 30 days and then the $1250 or whatever is due by March 15th or 31st. So maybe I'd (only!) be out $750 if her search committees get their act together soon enough and we end up having to go elsewhere.
 
If I feel the interview goes well I plan on sending a nice follow up letter (in general) explaining NSU as first choice--which it totally is!! Then if I am accepted contact their admissions staff to explain the situation. I think it's $750 due within 30 days and then the $1250 or whatever is due by March 15th or 31st. So maybe I'd (only!) be out $750 if her search committees get their act together soon enough and we end up having to go elsewhere.

Correct...actually the $750 isn't really due until December. Good luck with that!

Nate.
 
Letter grades years 1 and 2. Not sure if reported as percentage or just letter. Pass and Honors Pass years 3 and 4.

Based on what I read in Nova's handbook, the grades are reported in percentage form. The scheme is as follows:

below 70% - fail
70-89% - pass
90+ % - pass with high honours.
 
I'm interested in NSU but the mandatory lecture attendance policy concerns me. I looked at older threads but couldn't find a definitive answer to these three questions. From what I read, students are required to scan into >70% of lectures. Hopefully a current student could speak to this.

1.) Is attendance truly required?
2.) If attendance is required, is it possible to sit in the back and study on your own?
3.) Are lectures recorded then made available to students?

Basically, I love the idea of going to med school in south Florida but hate the idea of being required to sit in lecture all day because I get so little out of it and find it very tedious. It sounds crazy to sit in lecture and study something else but I basically despise live lectures and find them to be almost a waste of my time.

I would much rather listen to recorded lectures at my own pace being able to stop and look something up or repeat a confusing section.
 
1.) Is attendance truly required?

Many students simply scan in, or get others to scan in for them, if they don't want to attend class. The only classes where you can't get away with this are OPP, and clinical practicum labs, which are useless if you don't attend.

2.) If attendance is required, is it possible to sit in the back and study on your own?

Absolutely. Many people hit up the 'bleacher' section during lectures to study and get work done 😛

3.) Are lectures recorded then made available to students?

Yes they are.
 
Great to know. I will definitely go to my interview there if invited (before I was unsure if I would). Is there a syllabus or note packet handed out that gives lists all testable material? I imagine there is not and students listen to lectures on their own to fill out anything professors say that isn't in the notes.
 
Its a proven statistical fact, that students who attend class regularly earn better grades. As NOVA has implemented the attendance policy (which I recalled to be >80% during my interview), that should make students feel lucky. Its as if NOVA is saying -- we REFUSE to let you skip class and potentially flunk out. We have seen the stats that students attending class do better on tests, and we want to produce that type of student.

FYI- my best friend at college missed less than 10 classes his ENTIRE undergraduate career. And... he graduates from Harvard Med School this upcoming May.
 
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