NSU-COM Discussion Thread 2009-2010

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Accepted, prob going to withdraw though.
Western and AZCOM (if i get in there) are above this one for me...
 
I can't seem to access Webstar. When I go to the Webstar Page and click on Admissions, I get an Internet Explorer error page. Anyone else having this problem?

Also, how does Nova notify you of acceptance- is it just Webstar or do they call/ send e-mail?
 
So... having gotten my 'accept' email literally a month ago, my acceptance packet finally found its way into my hands yesterday. As I expected, they sent it to my old address, despite informing them multiple times that I had moved. Nova FTL.👎
 
I can't seem to access Webstar. When I go to the Webstar Page and click on Admissions, I get an Internet Explorer error page. Anyone else having this problem?

Also, how does Nova notify you of acceptance- is it just Webstar or do they call/ send e-mail?

Ellen from the admissions office said that you will be notified by email if you get in. She doesn't like to send rejections/waitlists via email. I think she might have also said Webstar gets updated but that they have issues with it sometimes (like it sounds like you're experiencing).
 
Would you mind saying why?

I like the rotation sites of Western ALOT more than NOVA.
AZCOM is closest to home with gread board scores and I liked their cirric setup the best (Basically tests every week) followed by Western where you had a test every couple weeks in their systems based setup. Western also had great standardized patient interactions from the get-go, which is what liked more about that school than AZCOM.

Its really a toss up between those two..

Nova had blocked tests which I personally don't like.
Also, it might not be a big deal to some, but NOVA has an 80% mandatory attendance policy even when they video tape lectures and such - I don't want to be forced to go to class if I find it more productive to study from the sylabus and lecture material.
 
I like the rotation sites of Western ALOT more than NOVA.
AZCOM is closest to home with gread board scores and I liked their cirric setup the best (Basically tests every week) followed by Western where you had a test every couple weeks in their systems based setup. Western also had great standardized patient interactions from the get-go, which is what liked more about that school than AZCOM.

Its really a toss up between those two..

Nova had blocked tests which I personally don't like.
Also, it might not be a big deal to some, but NOVA has an 80% mandatory attendance policy even when they video tape lectures and such - I don't want to be forced to go to class if I find it more productive to study from the sylabus and lecture material.

Thanks... this school is on the short list for me, I'd like to hear the bad with the good.
 
I like the rotation sites of Western ALOT more than NOVA.
AZCOM is closest to home with gread board scores and I liked their cirric setup the best (Basically tests every week) followed by Western where you had a test every couple weeks in their systems based setup. Western also had great standardized patient interactions from the get-go, which is what liked more about that school than AZCOM.

Its really a toss up between those two..

Nova had blocked tests which I personally don't like.
Also, it might not be a big deal to some, but NOVA has an 80% mandatory attendance policy even when they video tape lectures and such - I don't want to be forced to go to class if I find it more productive to study from the sylabus and lecture material.

At my interview, they said that the blocked tests are only during the second year. They do 6 or 7 week blocks then (can't remember which). During first year, there are pretty much tests every Monday. They switch over to the blocks for second year because it's a systems based approach at that time.
 
At my interview, they said that the blocked tests are only during the second year. They do 6 or 7 week blocks then (can't remember which). During first year, there are pretty much tests every Monday. They switch over to the blocks for second year because it's a systems based approach at that time.

They told us that's what they were doing for 2013, but for our class it would be blocked?? So I really don't know.. ha
 
At my interview, they said that the blocked tests are only during the second year. They do 6 or 7 week blocks then (can't remember which). During first year, there are pretty much tests every Monday. They switch over to the blocks for second year because it's a systems based approach at that time.

Are blocked tests because of the systems-based curriculum? I've heard good things about that type of learning system, but prefer weekly tests (I'm naturally a slacker).
 
Are blocked tests because of the systems-based curriculum? I've heard good things about that type of learning system, but prefer weekly tests (I'm naturally a slacker).

That's what it sounded like to me when I heard the curriculum presentation at the interview day, but I could be wrong. Perhaps we could get some student input here....?
 
It's interesting how people have different perspectives. Between the three, for me, AZCOM is out because of the summer heat(I am an outdoor person), and the increased class size (uncertainty in rotation prospect). I in essence withdraw pre-secondary (never send it in).

Between Western and Nova, it's a tough one. These are the two schools I would be happy attending. I like system based curriculum, and the frequency of exams is not a factor for me. Rotation sites are awesome for both. So are facilities. Nova campus and location is great. Location of Western is a minus but really it's not that bad, like any downtown area, besides there are nice neighborhood within 15-20 driving distance. Earthquake vs hurricane? Yeah not that much of a concern(for me).

It might come down to a coin flip. Or if someone can let me borrow your crystal ball. 😀

I like the rotation sites of Western ALOT more than NOVA.
AZCOM is closest to home with gread board scores and I liked their cirric setup the best (Basically tests every week) followed by Western where you had a test every couple weeks in their systems based setup. Western also had great standardized patient interactions from the get-go, which is what liked more about that school than AZCOM.

Its really a toss up between those two..

Nova had blocked tests which I personally don't like.
Also, it might not be a big deal to some, but NOVA has an 80% mandatory attendance policy even when they video tape lectures and such - I don't want to be forced to go to class if I find it more productive to study from the sylabus and lecture material.
 
It's interesting how people have different perspectives. Between the three, for me, AZCOM is out because of the summer heat(I am an outdoor person), and the increased class size (uncertainty in rotation prospect). I in essence withdraw pre-secondary (never send it in).

Between Western and Nova, it's a tough one. These are the two schools I would be happy attending. I like system based curriculum, and the frequency of exams is not a factor for me. Rotation sites are awesome for both. So are facilities. Nova campus and location is great. Location of Western is a minus but really it's not that bad, like any downtown area, besides there are nice neighborhood within 15-20 driving distance. Earthquake vs hurricane? Yeah not that much of a concern(for me).

It might come down to a coin flip. Or if someone can let me borrow your crystal ball. 😀

i think florida summers are worse than arizona summers because at least arizona is dry....the humidity in florida makes the summers unbearable, it's like adding 20 degrees to the temperature (but having 12 months access to amazing weather means i'm willing to suffer through some painful months hah)
 
I have been living in a desert area for too long to appreciate the dry weather, especially in summer.

i think florida summers are worse than arizona summers because at least arizona is dry....the humidity in florida makes the summers unbearable, it's like adding 20 degrees to the temperature (but having 12 months access to amazing weather means i'm willing to suffer through some painful months hah)
 
I have been living in a desert area for too long to appreciate the dry weather, especially in summer.

fair enough....my view is that of an outsider to year-round heat 🙂
 
I like the rotation sites of Western ALOT more than NOVA.
AZCOM is closest to home with gread board scores and I liked their cirric setup the best (Basically tests every week) followed by Western where you had a test every couple weeks in their systems based setup. Western also had great standardized patient interactions from the get-go, which is what liked more about that school than AZCOM.

Its really a toss up between those two..

Nova had blocked tests which I personally don't like.
Also, it might not be a big deal to some, but NOVA has an 80% mandatory attendance policy even when they video tape lectures and such - I don't want to be forced to go to class if I find it more productive to study from the sylabus and lecture material.

It's 70%, but I have to be honest, the attendance policy is something I should've considered more heavily when choosing the school. It is one of the only points of major suckage because if (they posed this scenario to us) you need help because you're sucking at a class, the first thing some professors-or committee, if you're in deep ****-do is look at your attendance. The tests every Monday are okay but if they're moving to a block schedule for first years next year, it'll be better for you guys, in my opinion. The tests are not one test for every subject. It'll be one test for Anatomy and then Physio the following Monday. I used to think that was awesome but the tendency to focus on that one test/subject would make me fall behind on all other classes. I'd spend a week force feeding myself Anatomy, and then another week force feeding myself twice as much in Physio, because I'd neglect it while studying for Anatomy. I cant say that this sort of situation goes on for everyone in class, but many people do struggle with balancing studying for a test vs keeping up with other subjects. The professors vary in quality, but if I had to generalize, out of the hard sciences for first semester-Anatomy, Physio, Histo, and Biochem-I'd say Biochem is really lacking. I felt like I was memorizing random facts this semester and never got a sense of the whole picture. Physio is outstanding, although it is tearing my butthole to pieces. The professors are great lecturers with well organized notes, and the tests difficult but fair. Anatomy is anatomy. Histo is histo. I also was fortunate enough to get a really good IGC preceptor (the doc shadowing) who let me do stuff-listen to the heart/lungs/take history-with patients of hers and went over each case with me. I learned a lot more than I expected. I also like the fact that I go to a school with a campus. It gives me more of a sense of belonging to it and if anyone's ever visited Nova, they know how nice the campus is.

I can't say much about rotation sites, other than that we're connected to a number of hospitals in Ft Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami, among others (N Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and they just added a hospital in Long Island, NY), and that I've been to one (Broward General) that looked solid. You do core rotations third year, and rural rotations sometime in fourth year, and during fourth year you have ~5 months of electives. That's it for now. I'm only a first semester first year, so take it for what it's worth.

If you want to read posts from Nova grads/upperclassmen, I'd read Robz, bravotwozero, or Kuba's posts.
 
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Anyone else looking into the graduate housing? quad specifically??

I definitely am looking into the graduate housing, it seems cheaper considering its about 3000 - 4000 dollars for 6 months and plus the convenience of being on campus. Are you interested as well?
 
I like the rotation sites of Western ALOT more than NOVA.
AZCOM is closest to home with gread board scores and I liked their cirric setup the best (Basically tests every week) followed by Western where you had a test every couple weeks in their systems based setup. Western also had great standardized patient interactions from the get-go, which is what liked more about that school than AZCOM.

Its really a toss up between those two..

Nova had blocked tests which I personally don't like.
Also, it might not be a big deal to some, but NOVA has an 80% mandatory attendance policy even when they video tape lectures and such - I don't want to be forced to go to class if I find it more productive to study from the sylabus and lecture material.

I didn't apply to Western but I have been accepted at NSU and AZCOM. I think I am going to choose NSU in the end. AZCOM has great board scores and obviously that is reflective of the effort of the students and good teachers. I like that AZCOM uses the shelf exams like allopathic programs. Those seem to be about the only things I liked. I didn't like the small campus, the high cost, and the weather is comparable to any mid summer afternoon in Florida. To me 95 and 100% humidity is the same as 115 with 0% humidity. At least in florida you have the beach to go to.

I choose NSU because I of great rotation sites (broward General! They have crazy cases go through there!), large campus, great facilities, great gym, awesome area to live in, good board scores, and they have pretty good matches. Over the last three years at least one person has matched into Mayo Gen Surg residency (thats what I am thinking I want to shoot for). As well I am a huge fan of the rural med rotation. It might suck if it is during the first part of 4th when you need to be focusing on applying, interviewing, and doing audition rotations for residency... but... Rural medicine is where you learn about the roots of medicine. I am a medicine history freak and love the idea of visiting the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Haiti or Vienna Gen Hos... I couldn't even imagine going and playing doctor in places like that were the fathers of medicine roamed. I appreciate a school that realizes that a 3 month stint of being exposed to rural medicine will not only teach us ... but more importantly give us exposure to an aspect of medicine that will help us be more sympathetic physicians. Not to metion the dean seems like he has his head on straight. A lot of people complain about attendance and attire. I loved how he defended those two. Basically suck it up, if you are going to be a doctor, now is the time to suck it up and act like one... hence flip flops and short shorts don't cut it. With attendance it was the same, you are professionals and you will have mandatory attendance for the rest of your life. Get used to it. He is the dean and he has to clock in every day. He can't just work from home in his PJs because he thinks it would be more productive. As well, its good to be in class because not everything in medicine is found in a book. Lots of speakers may share experiences with you that you will never read in a book but just may save someones life down the line when you are far away from a classroom. (Not to mention, who says that you ahve to listen while in class?!?! Save your ear plugs from the MCAT and just study in class).

SO in the end, I think I am going to choose NSU. Its on the complete opposite side of the country but I think it will offer me the best opportunity to learn medicine the way I want to be taught.
 
I didn't apply to Western but I have been accepted at NSU and AZCOM. I think I am going to choose NSU in the end. AZCOM has great board scores and obviously that is reflective of the effort of the students and good teachers. I like that AZCOM uses the shelf exams like allopathic programs. Those seem to be about the only things I liked. I didn't like the small campus, the high cost, and the weather is comparable to any mid summer afternoon in Florida. To me 95 and 100% humidity is the same as 115 with 0% humidity. At least in florida you have the beach to go to.

I choose NSU because I of great rotation sites (broward General! They have crazy cases go through there!), large campus, great facilities, great gym, awesome area to live in, good board scores, and they have pretty good matches. Over the last three years at least one person has matched into Mayo Gen Surg residency (thats what I am thinking I want to shoot for). As well I am a huge fan of the rural med rotation. It might suck if it is during the first part of 4th when you need to be focusing on applying, interviewing, and doing audition rotations for residency... but... Rural medicine is where you learn about the roots of medicine. I am a medicine history freak and love the idea of visiting the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Haiti or Vienna Gen Hos... I couldn't even imagine going and playing doctor in places like that were the fathers of medicine roamed. I appreciate a school that realizes that a 3 month stint of being exposed to rural medicine will not only teach us ... but more importantly give us exposure to an aspect of medicine that will help us be more sympathetic physicians. Not to metion the dean seems like he has his head on straight. A lot of people complain about attendance and attire. I loved how he defended those two. Basically suck it up, if you are going to be a doctor, now is the time to suck it up and act like one... hence flip flops and short shorts don't cut it. With attendance it was the same, you are professionals and you will have mandatory attendance for the rest of your life. Get used to it. He is the dean and he has to clock in every day. He can't just work from home in his PJs because he thinks it would be more productive. As well, its good to be in class because not everything in medicine is found in a book. Lots of speakers may share experiences with you that you will never read in a book but just may save someones life down the line when you are far away from a classroom. (Not to mention, who says that you ahve to listen while in class?!?! Save your ear plugs from the MCAT and just study in class).

SO in the end, I think I am going to choose NSU. Its on the complete opposite side of the country but I think it will offer me the best opportunity to learn medicine the way I want to be taught.

Thanks for your post! As of right now, Nova and AZCOM are the only 2 schools I have interviewed at, so it may come down to the same decision for me. After my interview day at Nova, I felt like I knew a ton more about the program than AZCOM's and it made it hard to remember why I felt excited about AZCOM initially.
 
I definitely am looking into the graduate housing, it seems cheaper considering its about 3000 - 4000 dollars for 6 months and plus the convenience of being on campus. Are you interested as well?


I am definitely going to be checking them out. It's the best option for me I think.

So on the NSU-COM website: http://medicine.nova.edu/do/curriculum.html it lists the rural electives/selective as being incorporated into year 3 instead of year 4. In all of the handouts/booklets I have seen the rural stuff is in year 4... Did they change something? It would be wonderful to have them in year 3 and have 4 completely open!
 
A lot of people complain about attendance and attire. I loved how he defended those two.

👍 I never really cared about mandatory attendance or the dress code, but regardless Dean Silvagni's talk with the interview group really impressed me and gave sound explanations to the school's policy. He has a really impressive background and is a great speaker.
 
Accepted. Probably going to withdraw, just as soon as I convince myself that 4 years of beaches, facilities and Florida sunshine is not, in fact, worth an extra $100k of debt. 🙄🙁
 
👍 I never really cared about mandatory attendance or the dress code, but regardless Dean Silvagni's talk with the interview group really impressed me and gave sound explanations to the school's policy. He has a really impressive background and is a great speaker.

You will care when its 8 am and the lecturer sucks. Its mostly the biochem department I speak of. Luckily you can skip 30% without penalty. Sleep rules.
 
Accepted. Probably going to withdraw, just as soon as I convince myself that 4 years of beaches, facilities and Florida sunshine is not, in fact, worth an extra $100k of debt. 🙄🙁
No school is worth 100k extra in debt. As much as I like it here, if I were in your situation I'd absolutely withdraw.
 
You will care when its 8 am and the lecturer sucks. Its mostly the biochem department I speak of. Luckily you can skip 30% without penalty. Sleep rules.

What's so bad about it exactly?
 
So... I got a Thanksgiving card from Dr. Silvagni yesterday. Amusing, because while they had the wrong address on my acceptance packet, but the card was sent to the right place.

Guess he's more on top of things than the admissions office. Should expect nothing less from Dr. Silvagni! :laugh:
 
Wanted to let y'all know, because of of my acceptance to TCOM I'm canceling my December 1st interview at NSU. If anyone wants it, it'll be up for grabs later today (admissions office has to call me back). NSU looks like a great school, but I'm very happy to be staying close to home. 🙂 Best of luck all!
 
So... I got a Thanksgiving card from Dr. Silvagni yesterday. Amusing, because while they had the wrong address on my acceptance packet, but the card was sent to the right place.

Guess he's more on top of things than the admissions office. Should expect nothing less from Dr. Silvagni! :laugh:

nice does everyone who has been accepted get a card?
 
nice does everyone who has been accepted get a card?

Think so, I got one too. No other school has sent me a "Happy Thanksgiving" card. Damnit Nova, why are you making this so hard??🙁
 
anyone that interviewed nov. 12 or nov. 19, do u know when we are supposed to hear back on our final decision? they didnt really give us a set date during the interview.
 
anyone that interviewed nov. 12 or nov. 19, do u know when we are supposed to hear back on our final decision? they didnt really give us a set date during the interview.

i interviewed on the 17th and ms. rondino said she was going to try and get acceptance decisions e-mailed to us before thanksgiving.....she also said that she doesn't like e-mailing waitlist/rejection news so that would take longer via snail mail
 
i interviewed on the 17th and ms. rondino said she was going to try and get acceptance decisions e-mailed to us before thanksgiving.....she also said that she doesn't like e-mailing waitlist/rejection news so that would take longer via snail mail

The admissions committee is supposed to meet today. Decisions should be on Webstar sometime tomorrow morning/afternoon. Ellen said she would only e-mail acceptances later that day and it could be as late as 10 pm.
 
has anyone paid the $950 deposit yet?

I just paid mine on Friday because I am on hold on the two schools I am waiting a decision from, they need my fall semester grades. But, I have to say that I am very excited about this school.
 
i interviewed on the 17th and ms. rondino said she was going to try and get acceptance decisions e-mailed to us before thanksgiving.....she also said that she doesn't like e-mailing waitlist/rejection news so that would take longer via snail mail

Hey, did we ride the shuttle back to the airport together?
 
I just paid mine on Friday because I am on hold on the two schools I am waiting a decision from, they need my fall semester grades. But, I have to say that I am very excited about this school.


looks like we're the only two committed to NSU..

i've got a supply list from an M1 if you want to start stocking up during x-mas 😉

P.S. djd2187 did you pay online? that website they gave me to pay online hasnt been working for me...
 
looks like we're the only two committed to NSU..

i've got a supply list from an M1 if you want to start stocking up during x-mas 😉

P.S. djd2187 did you pay online? that website they gave me to pay online hasnt been working for me...


I am going to pay my deposit here very soon as this is the only acceptance I hold.

Mind sharing the supply list 🙂 ??

And the only form of acceptance I have received from Nova was a postcard from Dr. Whitehead. Is there a specific website to pay the deposit, or do I send it to the office?
 
I am going to pay my deposit here very soon as this is the only acceptance I hold.

Mind sharing the supply list 🙂 ??

And the only form of acceptance I have received from Nova was a postcard from Dr. Whitehead. Is there a specific website to pay the deposit, or do I send it to the office?

They admissions office said that accepted applicants will receive an acceptance packet via certified mail. From earlier posts to this thread, it sounds like it took a while for everyone's packets to arrive.
 
yea my packet took a couple weeks.. I received the postcard after the packet though. Did you receive the thanksgiving card?

i'll PM you the list booster
 
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