NSU-COM Discussion thread 2008-2009

[MossPoh]

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is it possible to get waitlisted based on stats? for example, maybe i was good enough at the interview, but they decided to waitlist me because of my stats.

It is usually based on a combination of things. If you get an interview then your stats and ECs were obviously good enough but getting waitlisted could mean your interview didn't negate any other fallacies or the other way around. If you weren't good enough they simply wouldn't waste their time inviting you. This is a time investment and a hassle on both parties. I know everyone likes to say they should've have gone out there if they knew it'd happen, but you didn't know. Hell, on a different day the result might've been different. They don't invite you knowing they are going to waitlist you. I do have a friend that was accepted off the waitlist at an MD school because she raised her MCAT above their unspoken threshold. They interviewed her because of proximity to the school and affiliation. She also had fairly strong grades but her MCAT just wasn't there and they knew she was going to take it again.

 

[PipiChen]

I am canceling my interview tomorrow, Jan 22nd, at NSU. Good luck for those who are waiting for a chance to interview! 👍

 

[singinfifi]

I am canceling my interview tomorrow, Jan 22nd, at NSU. Good luck for those who are waiting for a chance to interview! 👍

Hey awesome! Maybe some other eager pre-med will be able to take your interview spo...oh. wait. tomoorow? good game 😛

👍

 

[linkDO]

that's ridiculous. why waste my time of flying me out you know? if i was gonna be wait listed this whole time... shouldn't the point of an interview be to know me as a person.

is it possible to get waitlisted based on stats? for example, maybe i was good enough at the interview, but they decided to waitlist me because of my stats.

When I was down there one of the admissions committee members / interviewers told me this is how it goes:

1-The people who interview you are asked what their opinions of you were. Like you said, "to get to know you as a person." Like if you felt passionate about medicine, if you knew what a DO really does and why its different than MD, what's unique about you, blah blah blah. Basically, they are given a minute or two to say to the admissions committee what their impression of you was.

2-Next the admissions committee re-reviews your ENTIRE file to make a decision. Including LOR, grades, MCAT, interview comments, volunteering, etc. This happens on Wednesdays.

3-After admissions committee makes a decision, the dean signs off on it the next day... Thursday.

So just because you rocked an interview doesnt guarantee an acceptance. And no, I dont think they just wanted to waste your time.

 

[BruceBanner]

When I was down there one of the admissions committee members / interviewers told me this is how it goes:

1-The people who interview you are asked what their opinions of you were. Like you said, "to get to know you as a person." Like if you felt passionate about medicine, if you knew what a DO really does and why its different than MD, what's unique about you, blah blah blah. Basically, they are given a minute or two to say to the admissions committee what their impression of you was.

2-Next the admissions committee re-reviews your ENTIRE file to make a decision. Including LOR, grades, MCAT, interview comments, volunteering, etc. This happens on Wednesdays.

3-After admissions committee makes a decision, the dean signs off on it the next day... Thursday.

So just because you rocked an interview doesnt guarantee an acceptance. And no, I dont think they just wanted to waste your time.

Interesting. So do you think it's safe to say the waitlisters are candidates who arent outstanding enough to receive an immediate acceptance but would serve well to fill the spot of a stronger applicant should they decline an acceptance?

 

[BruceBanner]

good question. how are there no ranks either? unbelievable. i found out im on the alternative list today as well. meanwhile i came away from the interview feeling very good about it and got praised from 2/3 interviewers. This was my #1, #2, and #3 choice. meanwhile i got 6 interviews and counting so its not like im begging to just get in anywhere.

Yeah I felt great about my interview as well; I mean I wasnt flawless, but overall it was good. I guess there are other factors at work.

I think a big part of it is that they have already accepted a fair number of students (at least from reports on SDN), so the pool is getting tighter. Sounds like a lot of folks got waitlisted yesterday.

 

[aterry]

I wouldn't give up hope. I was interviewed last May and waitlisted...I then got in a few weeks later. Especially with deposit deadlines coming up I am sure some spots will open up. Plus, I am sure some people who put deposits down in December may have done so in hopes of somewhere else accepting them so those spots might open up as well. I think it is all a timing thing.

 

[linkDO]

Interesting. So do you think it's safe to say the waitlisters are candidates who arent outstanding enough to receive an immediate acceptance but would serve well to fill the spot of a stronger applicant should they decline an acceptance?

Personally, I wouldnt say they arent outstanding enough or that applicants with acceptances already were stronger. I think its more likely what you said in the next post, "that they have already accepted a fair number of students, so the pool is getting tighter."

March 15th is the next deposit date for acceptances ($1050 non-refundable). I'm guessing that will open up quite a few spots.

 

[linkDO]

I wouldn't give up hope. I was interviewed last May and waitlisted...I then got in a few weeks later. Especially with deposit deadlines coming up I am sure some spots will open up. Plus, I am sure some people who put deposits down in December may have done so in hopes of somewhere else accepting them so those spots might open up as well. I think it is all a timing thing.

atkerry - you were accepted to last years class?? im a bit confused.

 

[FourMoreYears]

It seems more individuals are getting the alternate list than a couple of months ago. Your overall package might be as good (or better) as those of us who have already been accepted. We were fortunate to interview with a small acceptance pool. Now there are fewer seats open. More spots will open up with the mid March deposit deadline that aterry mentioned above. When searching from prior posts in years past, many people got accepted off the alternate list.

The take home message is not to give up if Nova is your first choice.
In the mean time

 

[aterry]

Hey sorry guys...no I was accepted to Touro-NY last cycle, not NSU. I posted my whole story somewhere earlier so if you want more info about why I reapplied (which has some helpful information) just let me know. Sorry for the confusion!

 

[jburwell]

hey guys, does anyone know how long it takes for a decision to be made regarding an interview? my file is complete and im wondering when my status will change from "decision pending" Thanks!

 

[rightfooted]

aterry, I am just wondering why you did not take the Touro-NY offer last cycle.

Hey sorry guys...no I was accepted to Touro-NY last cycle, not NSU. I posted my whole story somewhere earlier so if you want more info about why I reapplied (which has some helpful information) just let me know. Sorry for the confusion!

 

[awwadcj]

Anyone have any idea how many acceptances have been given out thus far? I'm a late applicant, and wondering how limited spots are right now. Thanks, guys.

 

[MossPoh]

Its tough to say until the second deposit. A lot of people are like me and paid the deposit but are waiting to get off the waitlist for other schools or just waiting to hear from another. If I don't hear from that other school then I'm going there but it will be pretty uncertain until May or so. Probably more spots than positions available...no school has everyone take their acceptance..even Harvard and Johns Hopkins.

 

[aterry]

aterry, I am just wondering why you did not take the Touro-NY offer last cycle.

The Cost of Living there was down right scary and I did not like the idea of studying late and school and then leaving Harlem late at night to go home. It also was just too cold of an environment for me. I like that NSU for example, has a campus as opposed to Touro's 2 floors of an office building. I think it will be a fine school, I just think its not what I am looking for. Let me know if you need any other information!

 

[singinfifi]

Anyone have any idea how many acceptances have been given out thus far? I'm a late applicant, and wondering how limited spots are right now. Thanks, guys.

I interviewed in Feb, and while I had to wait a long time to hear anything back (mid april), but I got in 🙂

 

[MossPoh]

The Cost of Living there was down right scary and I did not like the idea of studying late and school and then leaving Harlem late at night to go home. It also was just too cold of an environment for me. I like that NSU for example, has a campus as opposed to Touro's 2 floors of an office building. I think it will be a fine school, I just think its not what I am looking for. Let me know if you need any other information!

NYC is a funny place in general. There are at least two camps of people; those that love every aspect of NYC and would sell their soul to live there and those that are really quite indifferent and rather visit once in a while. I'm in the second camp. While the Touro people I've met have been nice, I have not been too impressed with Touro as an educational institution. Just a personal thing though.

 

[ILikeFood]

The Cost of Living there was down right scary and I did not like the idea of studying late and school and then leaving Harlem late at night to go home. It also was just too cold of an environment for me. I like that NSU for example, has a campus as opposed to Touro's 2 floors of an office building. I think it will be a fine school, I just think its not what I am looking for. Let me know if you need any other information!

That's their med school? Wow.

 

[aterry]

It really is only two floors of an office building and it is a very clinically white two floors at that. NYC is a great city to visit and maybe someday to live but I am not down with the Harlem location when med school is a place where you stay late and study. I agree with you MossPoh, the students at NSU really seem to enjoy going there. Hey has anyone read anything good lately about medical school/medicine? I am finishing the DOs tonight and I looking for something new...

Also, who is going down in March and when? I think we are going down then and I would love to meet up with people if possible!

 

[DrMidlife]

Hey has anyone read anything good lately about medical school/medicine? I am finishing the DOs tonight and I looking for something new...

Anything by Atul Gawande. So so so good. You can read a bunch of his articles on newyorker.com, or his books Better or Complications. Can't recommend him highly enough.

 

[aterry]

Thanks so much....the books look really interesting....they are going on my list. Thanks!!

 

[Lithium311]

from those of you who got in, how long did it take for you to hear back from the school after your interview? and did any of you get any hints that you would be accepted during the interview? i had my interview on jan 13 and im so anxious to hear back. i really wanna come here

I interviewed the same day as you and got on the alternate list as well... sigh I really loved it down there.

You didn't get an e-mail right, the decision just changed on webstar?

 

[MossPoh]

Anything by Atul Gawande. So so so good. You can read a bunch of his articles on newyorker.com, or his books Better or Complications. Can't recommend him highly enough.

Its funny because I think I was reading in the general surgery forum that a lot of them find his books crappy to mediocre. I think for us peons and laymen they are probably better than people that have actually gone through a surgery residency.

 

[MossPoh]

I interviewed the same day as you and got on the alternate list as well... sigh I really loved it down there.

You didn't get an e-mail right, the decision just changed on webstar?

KCOM is definitely a good place to end up. You're going to be ok I think. 😉

 

[sean3130]

I interviewed the same day as you and got on the alternate list as well... sigh I really loved it down there.

You didn't get an e-mail right, the decision just changed on webstar?

yeah i didn't get an email, the decision just changed on my webstar account. Who were you that day? Whats your name, where were you from?

 

[skiracr456]

Anything by Atul Gawande. So so so good. You can read a bunch of his articles on newyorker.com, or his books Better or Complications. Can't recommend him highly enough.

I read Better, by Atul Gawande. It was amazing. Some really interesting things to think about in the world of medicine these days. I highly recommend it as well!

 

[BruceBanner]

I read both of Gawande's books. He's a good writer, but I found them to be a bit redundant. "See, in medicine there are challenges...." That pretty much sums up both books.

Complications was better than......Better.

 

[BruceBanner]

I interviewed the same day as you and got on the alternate list as well... sigh I really loved it down there.

You didn't get an e-mail right, the decision just changed on webstar?

I interviewed about a week before you guys...same thing. No email, just status change.

 

[Lithium311]

KCOM is definitely a good place to end up. You're going to be ok I think. 😉

I did like KCOM as well! But I got sucked in by the warm weather down at NSU! lol

yeah i didn't get an email, the decision just changed on my webstar account. Who were you that day? Whats your name, where were you from?

Hmm I was one of the two Indian girls at the interview. I am from Pittsburgh, but live in DC. My mind is blanking on the people I met but I know I talked about football a lot with a few people. I was in the first group to interview and went on the second tour.

 

[GlobeMedder]

I am currently reading Overdosing America: The Broken Promise of American Medicine by John Abramson. It is absolutely amazing and it opens your eyes to be a little more critical of what you are reading in medical journals as we start our careers in medicine. I would definitely recommend everyone that is starting school in the fall to read this.

 

[FourMoreYears]

Anyone get the Nova DO magazine in the mail?
Any thoughts on the article about OB/GYNs?

Summary of it says that it sucks to be an OB/GYN (kidding). It comments on how there are less of them in south florida over the last 15 years secondary to several factors (high malpractice insurance...$200,000 + a year being one of them).

I've been practicing down here for awile so it's not news to me. BUT I still find it a great topic of conversation considering we are about to enter a school in the malpractice capital of the country. Any lawyer jokes are appreciated. I'll start out. What's the difference between a lawyer and a slime ball blood sucking soul grinding two faced parasite?

Nothing.😀

 

[MossPoh]

You've been practicing down there? I'm confused.

Malpractice for all specialities is sky high in Florida relative to other states. Florida isn't really a nice place to practice medicine compared to some locations. It has been that way for the last 25+ years. Even in the late 70s people in south florida would sue at the drop of a hat.

Easy on the lawyer jokes though. There are good ones that will fight for you too. The occasional ambulance chaser is a character flaw in general. You'll see the same flaws with people in medicine, business, or whatever field you enter into.


Also, since this is turning into a book thread. I'm reading "Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers" by Mary Roach and some powerlifting stuff by Lou Simmons but the cadaver thing is actually pretty interesting.

 

[aterry]

Thanks for all the book suggestions yall! I need to get crackin on all these books! Yea, my dad is a lawyer, my two uncles are lawyers and my fiance's dad is a lawyer as well....they are all really good people who actually fight against discrimination and unethical lobbying in the state legislature....but yea there are some ridiculous lawyers out there too!! How many people actually plan on practicing in the state that they go to school in?

 

[MossPoh]

Thanks for all the book suggestions yall! I need to get crackin on all these books! Yea, my dad is a lawyer, my two uncles are lawyers and my fiance's dad is a lawyer as well....they are all really good people who actually fight against discrimination and unethical lobbying in the state legislature....but yea there are some ridiculous lawyers out there too!! How many people actually plan on practicing in the state that they go to school in?

I intended to practice in Florida but the more I think about the less desirable it sounds. I was raised in the midwest and miss things like..."fall". I also miss being able to buy a very nice house 4bed/3.5 bath with pool, hottub and 5 acres for around 400k.

I live here now by the wayl

 

[aterry]

Is that your dog in your picture MossPoh?? If it is, I would hope that he/she would be brought to campus sometimes! By the way, I am not planning to practice in Florida as I want to eventually move back to Tennessee where my family lives. But I will be able to bring another DO to an area where we are very underrepresented.

 

[cellojoe]

I believe there is no malpractice in the military. Very tempting to consider HPSP...

 

[FourMoreYears]

You've been practicing down there? I'm confused.

Easy on the lawyer jokes though. There are good ones that will fight for you too. The occasional ambulance chaser is a character flaw in general. You'll see the same flaws with people in medicine, business, or whatever field you enter into.

Before we all get our pitchforks out, let's relax. I'm sure all of us know or are related to a lawyer. I'm just trying to stir up the pot of conversation around here with stupid jokes. Even my lawyer relatives and friends will agree that the situation in Florida is way out of hand. My point was to bring up the issue that there are a whole lot less OB doctors delivering babies compared to 15 years ago as pointed out in the article. This is a direct correlation to the high malpractice situation there.
The practice comment I was alluding to Mosspoh was that I am a PA and have seen all of this first hand.

There is malpractice in the military cellojoe. You are covered under sovereign immunity. BUT the patient or spouse can still sue the government. If your grossly negligible i.e. amputating the wrong leg, you can be still sued directly. Most of the cases are against the government with your name being attached. The government pays the claim, but your name is still reported to the medical boards. BUT again you can always have a civil lawsuit brought up against you. In the end the blanket of protection sovereign immunity brings is more thin than you want it to be.

 

[aterry]

FourMoreYears-

I am interested in your opinion about PAs and NPs and their role in health care. I am interested in why you have chosen to go to medical school when you are a PA. Thanks for any information you can give. Also, the lawyer jokes are silly and I won't be offended. I just like to let people know the good hearted ones I know and love.

 

[MossPoh]

Is that your dog in your picture MossPoh?? If it is, I would hope that he/she would be brought to campus sometimes! By the way, I am not planning to practice in Florida as I want to eventually move back to Tennessee where my family lives. But I will be able to bring another DO to an area where we are very underrepresented.

Naw, it was at the store and just loved his expression and how he was sitting.


I didn't have my pitchfork out by any means. I was just confused when you said "practice" and have pre-medical under your name. I also try to avoid lawyer jokes since ones like my sister have helped us out more than the vast majority of healthcare professions. Now, malpractice ambulance chaser lawyers...fire away.

 

[MKG87]

FourMoreYears-

I am interested in your opinion about PAs and NPs and their role in health care. I am interested in why you have chosen to go to medical school when you are a PA. Thanks for any information you can give. Also, the lawyer jokes are silly and I won't be offended. I just like to let people know the good hearted ones I know and love.

I am also interested in Aterry's question.

 

[MKG87]

Thanks

 

[TeamZissou]

Write a letter of interest or intent just depending on if they are your #1 school or not. Tell them EXACTLY why you want to attend their school and what makes them stand out to you. Explain why you would be a good fit for their school given what their school is all about. Update them with any current activities to show your still working hard whether it be in school or volunteering.

Good luck!👍

 

[aterry]

Maybe another LOR could help if you have any. I think the letter of intent is a great idea. I also think a phone call can't hurt either. I have had good luck with phone call reminders of who you are. Anything to show your interest in a professional way. I admire your willingness to get this spot. I don't think most would keep pushing like you!

 

[singinfifi]

Hey Guys,

What do you think the people who are waitlisted could do to get there applicants favored over others, since there is not rank. I already sent thank you cards after the interview, any suggestions?

Thanks

I was never waitlisted, but I had a ridiculous wait between my interview and acceptance. In the interum I wrote a letter saying that while I held a seat at another school I was willing to turn down my acceptance to attend NSU and how it was the school that I wanted more then anything to attend.

I also had an alumni write a letter on my behalf.

 

[MKG87]

word

 

[FourMoreYears]

FourMoreYears-

I am interested in your opinion about PAs and NPs and their role in health care. I am interested in why you have chosen to go to medical school when you are a PA. Thanks for any information you can give.

This is a broad question that is hard to sum up in a brief few sentences. Midlevel providers (NP, PA) play a vital role in health care. They free up doctors to see more difficult patients, lower the cost of health care and fill in the necessary niche of the ever growing need for more providers. Countries around the globe (UK, Canada, Australia, many others in development) are adopting them into their own systems. You will learn a great deal from them. Is there anything more specific you were curious about aterry?


I work in an emergency room. I have the autonomy to see exactly what the doctor does. This ranges from ankle sprains to running codes. You can teach a monkey to do some of the same things we do. The monkey may be able to repeat the same tasks, but doesn't know why. I will brag and say I'm smarter than a primate, but I don't know everything the doctor does. My fund of knowledge is at a 2nd-3rd year residency level. A normal person wouldn't notice the difference between a midlevel and a doctor. As a medical student and an intern, you will not be at their competency level. After your intern year is where you will see the differences and start to surpass them. There are various other reasons for my switch to medical school, but my desire to seek the highest level of education I can obtain is the driving force.

 

[supergumbo]

Okay. I applied to their school and received an email from them with a pdf file attached. However, the file is password encrypted and I have no idea what password they want. Anybody with the same problem and any help?

 

[tourniquet1963]

Okay. I applied to their school and received an email from them with a pdf file attached. However, the file is password encrypted and I have no idea what password they want. Anybody with the same problem and any help?

yeh the same thing happened with me. It was never resolved. you can trying calling the number they provided.

 

[NPEMTIV]

I've moved the above two comments to the NSU Discussion thread so those most familiar will be able to help.