NSU-COM Discussion thread 2008-2009

[DrMidlife]

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...I had my PS read by others and after being edited many times, lots of people thought it was really good...

Not that this is helpful to you now, but useful PS reviewers are over 30 years old, preferably physicians, and as not nice as possible (or they won't give you the feedback you need). That said, I seriously doubt that details in your PS will be a deciding factor in any Nova decision about you.

Having been sloooooowwwwwwwllllllyyyyy rejected by 44 schools, I feel your pain. My crap stats and my Nova acceptance are not going to make you feel any better. The only thing I've got going for me is maturity, which Nova seems to be big on (lots of nontrads).

Just keep in mind it's still October. Look through last year's acceptance thread and you'll see folks got in as late as July. If you really want this, then send off a letter of intent every Monday morning, keep calling, work it like you mean it. Have physicians call the school on your behalf if you can.

Hang in there.

 

[MossPoh]

😱 Yeah, I really wonder what that could be.

Nobody is guaranteed an interview at every school. Stats are a small part of that. Sometimes something just doesn't click. My friend is applying to dental schools and has a 4.0 and great DAT scores, but she isn't getting the love from schools that she anticipated. There is no good explanation as to why it is happening. She has great ecs, great grades, research, and more volunteering than most of us combined. Sometimes the stars just align and it isn't in your favor.

Now that I said that, I'm sure you'll get an interview tomorrow or something.

 

[avervisal]

Does anyone know the extension for the admissions department for the DO program?

 

[anon y mous]

Not that this is helpful to you now, but useful PS reviewers are over 30 years old, preferably physicians, and as not nice as possible (or they won't give you the feedback you need). That said, I seriously doubt that details in your PS will be a deciding factor in any Nova decision about you.

Having been sloooooowwwwwwwllllllyyyyy rejected by 44 schools, I feel your pain. My crap stats and my Nova acceptance are not going to make you feel any better. The only thing I've got going for me is maturity, which Nova seems to be big on (lots of nontrads).

Just keep in mind it's still October. Look through last year's acceptance thread and you'll see folks got in as late as July. If you really want this, then send off a letter of intent every Monday morning, keep calling, work it like you mean it. Have physicians call the school on your behalf if you can.

Hang in there.

Sorry for your experience last year. I wish you much better luck this cycle. Congrats on your acceptance.

And just to add, i did have critical readers over the age of 30. And I do have experience in the work world following college, though it's not really non-traditional. Best of luck to both of us.

 

[tourniquet1963]

Ok. Driving to my interviews now!!! So nervous.

 

[umean2tellme]

Relax, no one at NOVA bites. Although there was this one woman in admissions that I wouldn't mind if she did. 😍

 

[beachblonde]

My stats:
MCAT score: 29Q
BCPM: 3.9
Overasll GPA: 3.7
AMCAS verified: early July, AACOMAS verified: early August

Ok, I've seen you wondering about why you haven't gotten any NSU love just yet, and I'll put this out there: since your GPA is nice and high, plus your MCAT is borderline MD average, maybe they don't think you're interested in the school? Since you look like an MD applicant that will get in somewhere, and if you didn't express enough of a vested interest in osteopathic medicine, they might be ignoring your applicantion.

Schools that aren't top-tier will often reject their best applicants to improve their yield rate under the assumption that those students won't be attending their school anyways.

So, if you're really worried about not having an interview with them (although I'll reiterate that it's still early in the cycle), write them a letter or shoot them an email saying how much you like the school. Showing interest might be just what you need to get a foot in the door.

 

[p30doc]

So I interviewed at nova last Friday. Today I get an email from them inviting me to interview. Anyone else get a duplicate invite from NSU?

 

[Ranger9879]

I got that email just a few minutes ago as well. kinda weird. I interviewed there a couple of weeks ago too.

 

[davis749]

I got that email a few minutes ago too... but I haven't interviewed there yet. Please say this does not mean it was accidental...

Come on sun, surf, and medicine 😎

 

[Ranger9879]

i don't know what to think at this point. the admissions office there is so scattered and not organized in the least. Compared to other schools, they have really set themselves apart in a negative way. I've heard of people getting accepted through email only to find out ten minutes later that it was sent by mistake. unacceptable.

 

[DrMidlife]

I got that email a few minutes ago too... but I haven't interviewed there yet. Please say this does not mean it was accidental...

Come on sun, surf, and medicine 😎

Beach: yes. Surf: no. Except during hurricanes and even then there's no break.

 

[umean2tellme]

anyone have Dr. Tu's email address? I can't find the card he gave me.

 

[skiracr456]

I got that email a few minutes ago too... but I haven't interviewed there yet. Please say this does not mean it was accidental...

Come on sun, surf, and medicine 😎

UMMM yeah I just got that email as well and I have not interviewed there yet.... That is not good, I really hope I did not just get my hopes up for nothing!! I called Sarah and left a message, hopefully she will return my call and say it wasn't and accident!

 

[avervisal]

I called for the first time yesterday and left a voicemail and they called me back today! I wasn't expecting that!

 

[troponin31]

aversial youre lucky! i called today and all they did was pick up the phone and immediately hang up on me!?

 

[MossPoh]

I feel lucky for the relative easy of applying!

 

[dozitgetchahi]

I got that interview invite emailed to me today also - I hope it's not a fluke?

 

[Ranger9879]

just got the letter today that i'm an alternate. Does anyone know if they even take people off this list or is it a nice way of saying "no thanks"?

 

[DaNcEChiC]

so... i interviewed yesterday. the people interviewing me seemed more interested in my MCAT (29) not being reflective of my GPA (4.0). they wanted to know what went wrong and what prep class i took. also they asked a lot about the other schools i applied to. they asked about other interviews (had one at a school in the midwest, which the woman replied "oh thats great, closer to where you live.", and commented on the low number of schools i applied to... then asked what i would do if i didnt get accepted anywhere (which i already have, so i thought that was kinda interesting while i was answering).

i just think its funny how they start the interview with "we are on your side, we are working to get you in" etc.. and they were kinda mean and did not focus on being wanting to be a physician. overall, i think they thought i sucked as an applicant for their school and im expecting a rejection. 👎

 

[beachblonde]

so... i interviewed yesterday. the people interviewing me seemed more interested in my MCAT (29) not being reflective of my GPA (4.0). they wanted to know what went wrong and what prep class i took. also they asked a lot about the other schools i applied to. they asked about other interviews (had one at a school in the midwest, which the woman replied "oh thats great, closer to where you live.", and commented on the low number of schools i applied to... then asked what i would do if i didnt get accepted anywhere (which i already have, so i thought that was kinda interesting while i was answering).

i just think its funny how they start the interview with "we are on your side, we are working to get you in" etc.. and they were kinda mean and did not focus on being wanting to be a physician. overall, i think they thought i sucked as an applicant for their school and im expecting a rejection. 👎

Sorry that you're bummed about it, but don't read too much into it. One of the students who took us on a tour there said that her interview sucked and she was positive that she was getting rejected. Clearly, that didn't happen.

My interview wasn't the best experience of my life (it was a little strange, to be honest) but you gotta have faith, right? Crossing my fingers for an acceptance because I went down there unsure about NSU but came out loving the place.

PS, Nice GPA. Dang. Can we switch?

 

[e p i c]

I have an interview there in a couple of weeks. Anything I should know?

 

[beachblonde]

I have an interview there in a couple of weeks. Anything I should know?

Bring sunglasses.

I'm not really kidding, either. The tour goes outside and if you're not used to the FL sun, it's really bright down there.

Otherwise, it was a typical interview day. They talk about the school, you interview, you see the anatomy lab, eat lunch, etc.

 

[p30doc]

We didn't get to go into the anatomy lab on my tour, how does it look? Like every other anatomy lab? Also my interview experience was very pleasant unlike the above poster. They were super nice, had ice tea and cookies for me, and didn't ask anything too challenging.

 

[beachblonde]

We didn't get to go into the anatomy lab on my tour, how does it look? Like every other anatomy lab? Also my interview experience was very pleasant unlike the above poster. They were super nice, had ice tea and cookies for me, and didn't ask anything too challenging.

The anatomy lab wasn't bad at all...the smell wasn't overpowering, there was plenty of room for people to walk around, it had decent lighting, etc. They prosect the cadavers for the lab there, which could be a good or bad thing, depending on your POV.

My interview wasn't bad, really, but it was crazy short. A wee bit disconcerting, really.

 

[p30doc]

The anatomy lab wasn't bad at all...the smell wasn't overpowering, there was plenty of room for people to walk around, it had decent lighting, etc. They prosect the cadavers for the lab there, which could be a good or bad thing, depending on your POV.

My interview wasn't bad, really, but it was crazy short. A wee bit disconcerting, really.

On my interview day, one group of interviewers seemed to keep all their interviews to 10-15 mins. I guess it is just style of interviewing, I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[beachblonde]

On my interview day, one group of interviewers seemed to keep all their interviews to 10-15 mins. I guess it is just style of interviewing, I wouldn't worry too much.

Well, if you say so.

And I really need to stop using the word "really" in my posts. Lol. Need a thesaurus, much?

 

[anon y mous]

Ok, I've seen you wondering about why you haven't gotten any NSU love just yet, and I'll put this out there: since your GPA is nice and high, plus your MCAT is borderline MD average, maybe they don't think you're interested in the school? Since you look like an MD applicant that will get in somewhere, and if you didn't express enough of a vested interest in osteopathic medicine, they might be ignoring your applicantion.

Schools that aren't top-tier will often reject their best applicants to improve their yield rate under the assumption that those students won't be attending their school anyways.

So, if you're really worried about not having an interview with them (although I'll reiterate that it's still early in the cycle), write them a letter or shoot them an email saying how much you like the school. Showing interest might be just what you need to get a foot in the door.

🙁

 

[singinfifi]

So I was rather pissed about the whole prosection thing...but the more I hear my friends at other schools grouse about cutting through fat and fascia ... the happier I am!

Our lab really doesn't smell much (if it bothers you I suggest Vic's vapor rub or a mask), I really thought i'd be bothered and I'm not.

We didn't get to go into the anatomy lab on my tour, how does it look? Like every other anatomy lab? Also my interview experience was very pleasant unlike the above poster. They were super nice, had ice tea and cookies for me, and didn't ask anything too challenging.

 

[MossPoh]

So I was rather pissed about the whole prosection thing...but the more I hear my friends at other schools grouse about cutting through fat and fascia ... the happier I am!

Our lab really doesn't smell much (if it bothers you I suggest Vic's vapor rub or a mask), I really thought i'd be bothered and I'm not.

The vics trick works with patients later on too

 

[aterry]

I might have an explanation for the whole re-send of the interview invitations. I have been accepted to several other schools and I am very interested in NSU. I called them to ask about my status and they looked and said that I was sent an invite for an interview via email on October 13th. Well I never got it so she corrected it (I spoke with Ellen Rondino and she was excellent). I then got another interview invite from her a few days later. Maybe other people were in my shoes and she just decided to send a mass re-send out? Who knows...just thought that may ease some people's concerns. Also....can anyone tell me more about the area? Does anyone know about the COMLEX pass rates? This school would be a great fit for me and I am interviewing in a couple of weeks so I would like to know anything you can give me so that I can make a decision quickly! Also, does anyone know how and how fast they get decisions to you after you interview? Thanks for any info you can give!

Ashley

 

[MossPoh]

Well, now we have someone to blame. Everyone get your torches and pitchforks!

 

[melv55]

I might have an explanation for the whole re-send of the interview invitations. I have been accepted to several other schools and I am very interested in NSU. I called them to ask about my status and they looked and said that I was sent an invite for an interview via email on October 13th. Well I never got it so she corrected it (I spoke with Ellen Rondino and she was excellent). I then got another interview invite from her a few days later. Maybe other people were in my shoes and she just decided to send a mass re-send out? Who knows...just thought that may ease some people's concerns. Also....can anyone tell me more about the area? Does anyone know about the COMLEX pass rates? This school would be a great fit for me and I am interviewing in a couple of weeks so I would like to know anything you can give me so that I can make a decision quickly! Also, does anyone know how and how fast they get decisions to you after you interview? Thanks for any info you can give!

Ashley

I interviewed last Friday and they said decisions will be made in 2-3 weeks. They meet every other Wednesday, so it depends if you interview in a week they meet or not. Also, they are meeting this Wednesday but said they are a little behind so they might not get to the decisions of 10/31 interviewees. But I think 3 weeks is sort of the max.

 

[beachblonde]

So I interviewed at nova last Friday. Today I get an email from them inviting me to interview. Anyone else get a duplicate invite from NSU?

I got one as well. After already having interviewed.

I'm wondering if they expect me to call them and say, "um....well, I appreciate the offer...."

 

[melv55]

I got one as well. After already having interviewed.

I'm wondering if they expect me to call them and say, "um....well, I appreciate the offer...."

I also received one this morning... and I already interviewed. It was from Ellen though, not Sarah this time. weird!

 

[DrMattOglesby]

RE: Interview emails

I have received three of them thus far, with my last one being this morning. I've already scheduled my interview, so I don't know what's going on in the admissions office 😕


in a positive light...at least it's better than getting a rejection letter three times 😳

 

[avervisal]

Yay I got my first interview invite e-mail from Nova! Happy about that, and hoping that it wasn't by mistake. Gonna set up a date now!

 

[Deepa100]

I did the online submit and got the signature page, but could not print it due to some printer issues. Did you all send the signature form in mail? I already got an email saying my application was successfully submitted with no mention of the signature form.

 

[p30doc]

I did the online submit and got the signature page, but could not print it due to some printer issues. Did you all send the signature form in mail? I already got an email saying my application was successfully submitted with no mention of the signature form.

ya they want a copy of the signature form mailed to them, i think it is required to complete your file

 

[tourniquet1963]

You know what's weird... When I got to my interview they asked me for the signature page because they were missing it from my file.... Yet I was able to get an interview without it... Odd.


I'm really bored waiting for my flight out of miami to new york..

 

[wongb18c]

I have an interview coming up on Nov 14th at Nova. It's my first med school interview and I'm very nervous. This might be some really basic questions (that I should know already) but I have to ask anyway to get an idea and opinions from people who have more experience or have been accepted....

1. What to wear?
2. What kind of preparation reading should I do prior to the interview?
3. What kind of questions in general should I ask the interviewer?
4. How should I act in general? (conservative, confident... etc)
5. What should I say if I can't answer a question proposed by the interviewers?
6. Any other suggestions

Thanks in advance

 

[MossPoh]

1. What to wear?
2. What kind of preparation reading should I do prior to the interview?
3. What kind of questions in general should I ask the interviewer?
4. How should I act in general? (conservative, confident... etc)
5. What should I say if I can't answer a question proposed by the interviewers?
6. Any other suggestions

There are a ton of threads and books with this stuff, but here we go.

1.) Business Professional
2.) Read everything on their website, go to the interview feedback database here and read that.
3.) Whatever you have questions about.
4.) You should act like yourself.
5.) That won't happen. They give open ended questions. In the event they ask you some random factoid, you state that you simply don't know in a polite manner.
6.) Chill and have fun. It isn't that bad. I had a great group my day and am throughly convinced that we'd end up pretty good friends if we all went to NSU. It was my first interview and first acceptance way back in september, so I understand you are scared. Just read everything you can about the school and think about the general questions they ask..which will be on the feedback forum.

 

[creekfreek24]

RE: Interview emails

I have received three of them thus far, with my last one being this morning. I've already scheduled my interview, so I don't know what's going on in the admissions office 😕


in a positive light...at least it's better than getting a rejection letter three times 😳

Ellen explained to me that they just did a systems upgrade, so some people have been getting duplicate interview invites. They're meeting about my group(10/24) this Wednesday. Not sure if they will also discuss the 10/31 people at that meeting or not. Good luck to us all. I hope we all get in somewhere!!!!

 

[schussboarder]

I have an interview coming up on Nov 14th at Nova. It's my first med school interview and I'm very nervous. This might be some really basic questions (that I should know already) but I have to ask anyway to get an idea and opinions from people who have more experience or have been accepted....

1. What to wear?
2. What kind of preparation reading should I do prior to the interview?
3. What kind of questions in general should I ask the interviewer?
4. How should I act in general? (conservative, confident... etc)
5. What should I say if I can't answer a question proposed by the interviewers?
6. Any other suggestions

Thanks in advance

1) I would recommend wearing a suit, all of the interviewee's at the places I interviewed at wore a suit and tie
2)Read SDN interview feedback, it really helped me prepare
3)Only ask questions if you really have one. The students who gave us the tour said that the interviewers do this a lot and can tell when people are just trying to make up questions
4)Be yourself, they are literally not their to crush you with terrible questions. Remember, while they are interviewing you, you are interviewing the school as well to see if it is a good fit for yourself
5)Its ok to pause, awkward silence is ok. I paused a great deal during mine so that I could formulate coherent and well thought out responses
6)They already know that you are academically competent so they just want to see if you are a good fit personality wise... just be yourself

good luck

 

[ILikeFood]

Why no love NSU? Send me a secondary!!

 

[avervisal]

I had all my stuff in at the end of August/early September and just got mine this morning. Hopefully with the system upgrade, yours will be in your inbox really soon too! When did you send in your materials?

 

[ILikeFood]

I had all my stuff in at the end of August/early September and just got mine this morning. Hopefully with the system upgrade, yours will be in your inbox really soon too! When did you send in your materials?

Verified and released last Wed.

I really like your avatar btw.

 

[wongb18c]

1) I would recommend wearing a suit, all of the interviewee's at the places I interviewed at wore a suit and tie
2)Read SDN interview feedback, it really helped me prepare
3)Only ask questions if you really have one. The students who gave us the tour said that the interviewers do this a lot and can tell when people are just trying to make up questions
4)Be yourself, they are literally not their to crush you with terrible questions. Remember, while they are interviewing you, you are interviewing the school as well to see if it is a good fit for yourself
5)Its ok to pause, awkward silence is ok. I paused a great deal during mine so that I could formulate coherent and well thought out responses
6)They already know that you are academically competent so they just want to see if you are a good fit personality wise... just be yourself

good luck

I apprecaite the feedback and will do the things that you listed. I really hope it goes well for me, because I have not received any other interview offers from all the other schools I applied to =(

 

[avervisal]

Verified and released last Wed.

I really like your avatar btw.

Thanks, matey

 

[blssbaby]

once you have been given an acceptance by nova, does anyone know how long they give you to accept/decline it?