NSU-COM Discussion Thread 2010-2011

[ILikeFood]

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How can you say that if you are not in recidency? If you are so unhappy with year one, how can you feel good about future? Are you even going to be prepared for the clinical. Isn't year one and two important to get you ready for the boards??
By the way i have an offer from NOVA, but i am not so sure about it now, there is a lot of negative reviews about it on here....
Thanks.

They're realistic reviews. I wrote something a page or two prior to this one. Look it up if you haven't already.

But to paraphrase, the drawbacks are essentially mandatory attendance and the courseload of year 1. Year 2 is hard but much more interesting and better organized, Year 3 and Year 4, according to the 3rd/4th years i've met in IGC, are 1000x better than the first two years in that you are actually learning clinical medicine hands-on.

I don't know what sort of negativity you pulled from this thread. Med school is not easy and you will find people at their most miserable prior to exams, and the 1st years have exams the next two weeks.

I can tell you that I was pretty damn miserable last year as well, but life is a lot better now.

Anyway, if you are an evidence based guy, go dig up the pass rate for Step 1. Find the matchlists. Look up the hospitals where 3rd and 4th years do clinicals, and make note of those that have residency programs. Consider that you will be seeing patients in South Florida (variety). Consider the tuition (~42k out of state I think). Google "medical school nova southeastern (your specialty of interest) residents." Call up residency directors who have accepted NSU grads and ask them what they think of NSU educated doctors. Call up hospitals in South Florida and ask them what they think of NSU med students/residents.

I think you'll get a pretty good picture of what the school offers after you've done all that. A lot of people get too caught up in the minutiae/process and not the product and are turned away by the school, and I figure a personal choice is a personal choice. But don't make the mistake of reinterpreting honest opinions as negative. We're trying to give people an actual idea of what to expect when they are students here so that they can adjust/adapt to the environment without the illusion of made up promises, because lets face it, there's the stuff admin tells you on interview day, and then there's the reality of it.

 

[p30doc]

How can you say that if you are not in recidency? If you are so unhappy with year one, how can you feel good about future? Are you even going to be prepared for the clinical. Isn't year one and two important to get you ready for the boards??
By the way i have an offer from NOVA, but i am not so sure about it now, there is a lot of negative reviews about it on here....
Thanks.

The curriculum for next years M1's won't be the same as this years as it wasn't the same as mine. The administration tries to be very responsive to student feedback, so things are constantly changing for better or worse. Med school is hard work, and no school is perfect. It is finals time for us and stress levels are through the roof for all current students. Try figure out which school suits you best and go there.

 

[barnold]

The curriculum for next years M1's won't be the same as this years as it wasn't the same as mine. The administration tries to be very responsive to student feedback, so things are constantly changing for better or worse. Med school is hard work, and no school is perfect. It is finals time for us and stress levels are through the roof for all current students. Try figure out which school suits you best and go there.

Redrumi and Ilikefood, thank you so much for all of your insight/opinions. From this thread I have read concerns about Spanish classes and block scheduling in the first year. I was wondering if either of you had heard anything concrete about how the curriculum may change for our incoming c/o 2015? Or is it still too early to tell?

 

[echolocation]

Does anyone know more about the do/dmd program? Are there any scholarships out there for these students since 6 years will result in about 1/2 million in debt?

 

[kgelfen]

When i visited NOVA i liked it and i thought its a really nice place to go to school at.
I also understand that med school is tough and people strugle. And of course every school has problems.
That beeing said this forum has the most complaining by the current students. Its also strange to hear how much people hate the first year and take all these extra classes that just waste time.
That makes me not want to put up with that, and i am going to choose different school for sure now. I am glad i have choises, if i didn't i would go to NOVA, but it just seems like it's pointless.
Thanks for the input it makes my choice easier.

 

[rls303]

Hi guys,
I am very late in the cycle but I'm still going to hold tight for any positive outcomes. I had a recommendation letter from a DO I shadowed, but I don't think it was that great. I have another DO that I know through the MD that I shadow and he wants me to shadow him one of these days.

Is there any type of rubric or evaluation form I should give him to help him write the letter? Anything Nova has in particular? I know edward via virginia had a form for the DO LOR/eval. What about NSU?

Thanks!

 

[MedIsInMyBlood]

Hi guys,
I am very late in the cycle but I'm still going to hold tight for any positive outcomes. I had a recommendation letter from a DO I shadowed, but I don't think it was that great. I have another DO that I know through the MD that I shadow and he wants me to shadow him one of these days.

Is there any type of rubric or evaluation form I should give him to help him write the letter? Anything Nova has in particular? I know edward via virginia had a form for the DO LOR/eval. What about NSU?

Thanks!

How are you sending in your letters?

If you are using your school pre-med office, they should have their own forms that you give to your LOR writers.

 

[Ditto1114]

Does anyone know if in the 3rd/4th year at Nova if students have to do a lot of scut work or if they get to assist in procedures? Also, I noticed that most of the hospitals that you go to in those years are community hospitals. Do the attendings want to teach or do they treat students like a they are a burden? Thanks!

 

[patel2]

hey guys...to those who left home right after the interview...did you bring your suitcase/bag to nova? Is there a place to store it safely there

I am staying at comfort suites and will be checking out in the morning before my interview, and don't know whether to ask them if I can leave all my stuff at teh hotel to pick up later, or whether I should bring it to nova. thanks!

 

[Lukat]

just as an update for those following this thread and taking it into account for their decision making....NSU is no longer requiring us to take medical spanish, but offering it as an elective for both M1s and M2s.

For those who are interested, medical spanish will no longer be required 🙂

 

[kgelfen]

hey guys...to those who left home right after the interview...did you bring your suitcase/bag to nova? Is there a place to store it safely there

I am staying at comfort suites and will be checking out in the morning before my interview, and don't know whether to ask them if I can leave all my stuff at teh hotel to pick up later, or whether I should bring it to nova. thanks!

Leave it at the hotel. You will get free shutle to and from NOVA, and then get your bag and get free shutle to the airport. It doesn't matter if you checked out, they will still shuttle you. Its shuttle on demand LOL

Good Luck!!!

 

[Sinfest]

For those who are interested, medical spanish will no longer be required 🙂

That's great news!

The only thing holding me back, besides the distance from CA, is the inability to do elective rotations during third year. Any current or past M3/M4's want to comment on that? 🙂

 

[Longshanks]

That's great news!

The only thing holding me back, besides the distance from CA, is the inability to do elective rotations during third year. Any current or past M3/M4's want to comment on that? 🙂

What schools have elective time during 3rd year? Third year is typically all core rotations/clerkships.

 

[Dr Fraggle]

Does anyone know if in the 3rd/4th year at Nova if students have to do a lot of scut work or if they get to assist in procedures? Also, I noticed that most of the hospitals that you go to in those years are community hospitals. Do the attendings want to teach or do they treat students like a they are a burden? Thanks!

This is a really hard question to answer, because you cannot sum up so many different hospitals and attendings in one post. It depends on what track you are assigned, what rotation you are on and your attending. You do have to be vocal and speak up about what you want to do, but that is all part of being a student. You have to take responsibility for your education, instead of sitting back and letting it all pass you by. Most attendings are there on a volunteer basis, so they have to WANT to teach. Some are better at it than others. I have assisted in many procedures (surgical and otherwise). I have also done scut work, but that's part of being a student anywhere. I'm on the Pgh track, so our leg work with patients actually counts. Our notes are in the charts too. However its not like that everywhere. I've never been treated like a burden. In fact, I have been treated like a part of a medical team. Maybe the lowest on the totem pole, but not a burden. Just because it is a community hospital, doesn't mean that students are not valued. Many of the sites also have residencies. 😉

If I had the opportunity to take medical Spanish, I would jump at that valuable opportunity. Trust me, it's something that you need.

 

[Sinfest]

What schools have elective time during 3rd year? Third year is typically all core rotations/clerkships.

There are a few, but the only one I know for sure off the top of my head is Touro-CA. You get two four-week elective rotations.

 

[Sam212]

what schools have elective time during 3rd year? Third year is typically all core rotations/clerkships.

kcumb, lecom, dmu

 

[Ditto1114]

This is a really hard question to answer, because you cannot sum up so many different hospitals and attendings in one post. It depends on what track you are assigned, what rotation you are on and your attending. You do have to be vocal and speak up about what you want to do, but that is all part of being a student. You have to take responsibility for your education, instead of sitting back and letting it all pass you by. Most attendings are there on a volunteer basis, so they have to WANT to teach. Some are better at it than others. I have assisted in many procedures (surgical and otherwise). I have also done scut work, but that's part of being a student anywhere. I'm on the Pgh track, so our leg work with patients actually counts. Our notes are in the charts too. However its not like that everywhere. I've never been treated like a burden. In fact, I have been treated like a part of a medical team. Maybe the lowest on the totem pole, but not a burden. Just because it is a community hospital, doesn't mean that students are not valued. Many of the sites also have residencies. 😉

If I had the opportunity to take medical Spanish, I would jump at that valuable opportunity. Trust me, it's something that you need.

Thanks Dr Fraggle! I'm trying to figure out a way to make one of the schools I've been accepted to stand out above the others. Decisions are so hard!

 

[Dr Fraggle]

Good luck with your decision. Just think of it this way, you got in and now have your choice. Others may have no choice or not get in at all. So it's like having more than one kind of pie at Thanksgiving. Whatever you choose, it's still pie and it tastes damn good. Enjoy your pie. 😉

 

[munchymanRX]

NSU c/o 2015!!!!!

anyone else in here??!

 

[Cadmir]

Just got my acceptance email this afternoon! I interviewed on November 4th.

There is so much information to get through when deciding between acceptances at different schools. So fortunate to have a choice, but pretty overwhelmed.

Is there a Facebook group for the class of 2015 yet?

 

[barnold]

WHOOP! And yes: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=152697268100861

Just got my acceptance email this afternoon! I interviewed on November 4th.

There is so much information to get through when deciding between acceptances at different schools. So fortunate to have a choice, but pretty overwhelmed.

Is there a Facebook group for the class of 2015 yet?

 

[barnold]

The NSUCOM website says 8 credits of ochem or biochem.
Does this mean that all 8 have to be in one or the other?
I thought I had this covered, as I have 5 of ochem and 3 of biochem = 8, but for some reason in my acceptance packet they stated I needed 3 more of ochem to make 8.

Has any else experienced this? I have tried to contact Ellen Rondino for two weeks with no response.

 

[Longshanks]

The NSUCOM website says 8 credits of ochem or biochem.
Does this mean that all 8 have to be in one or the other?
I thought I had this covered, as I have 5 of ochem and 3 of biochem = 8, but for some reason in my acceptance packet they stated I needed 3 more of ochem to make 8.

Has any else experienced this? I have tried to contact Ellen Rondino for two weeks with no response.

If I remember correctly, its similar to a few other schools where you need either:
Two semesters worth of Orgo + Lab
Or one semester of Orgo & one semester of Biochem + Lab.

If one of your courses is missing a lab component that may be the issue. If you aren't missing a lab, then you should try calling the office.

Congratulations on the acceptance though!!

 

[Longshanks]

..

 

[dannyNJ]

whats better getting an apt or staying in the graduate dorms? If anyone has any info about other students or personal experiences please let me know. O and if apt whats the most common and/or better and/or close apt complex?

 

[barnold]

If I remember correctly, its similar to a few other schools where you need either:
Two semesters worth of Orgo + Lab
Or one semester of Orgo & one semester of Biochem + Lab.

If one of your courses is missing a lab component that may be the issue. If you aren't missing a lab, then you should try calling the office.

Congratulations on the acceptance though!!

Hmm. I have two labs of ochem and none for biochem. (I took both semesters of ochem, and therefore have two labs, but unfortunately I squeezed by with a C- in one of the lecture courses... which doesn't count. 🙁 )
I'll try calling again tomorrow. Thanks for the advice, Longshanks!
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[aidama]

Interviewing on the 7th. Flying in to my hometown and driving down to Lauderdale (wheee!) Good luck to anyone attending that day.

 

[traitorman]

Soooo I got into NOVA and im extremely happy but Ive been reading in some of these forums and some people are saying that lecture notes are messy and confusing and professors are afraid to use certain info off books because of liability issues. I'm hoping someone who is a student already can fill me in on the pros and cons and if its really true or are these negative posts just frustrated students taking it out on the school. I really want to go to this school its my second choice after UMDNJSOM but i got wait listed there.

same situation for me. waitlisted at UMDNJ-SOM but NOVA was definitely my second choice.

 

[Booster]

whats better getting an apt or staying in the graduate dorms? If anyone has any info about other students or personal experiences please let me know. O and if apt whats the most common and/or better and/or close apt complex?

I stay off campus. You get into a 1/1 (800-1000/mo) or 2/2 (1100-1300/mo) at the apartment complexes within walking distance to nova. some of these are sunforest, sundance, cameron cove. there is graduate housing which i have friends who live there and like it, it is called rolling hills which you can find on nova's website if you type in "rolling hills" in the search bar. if you travel 5-10 minutes from campus (driving), you can find some nicer places for around the same price.

 

[Fitzgerald]

.

 

[munchymanRX]

Any Californians in the class of 2015??

I know you're there!

 

[jl13]

YUP, fellow californian here!

99% sure....

 

[VooDooo327]

There seems to be quite a lot of us Californians here, especially Southern California. Nice thing with NOVA is that it's pretty close to U of Miami so if you want to do research you can always do it there. Since DO schools aren't usually big on research this might help a few of us get back into Cali for residency.

 

[barnold]

Anyone from the Pacific Northwest? I had to assure my parents it wasn't intentional that I am considering moving to the very opposite side of the continent.

 

[reezer4]

Anyone from the Pacific Northwest? I had to assure my parents it wasn't intentional that I am considering moving to the very opposite side of the continent.

Yep, I'm from Oregon.. interviewing on the 9th. Hard to imagine living that far away from my family, but I am still excited to check it out ;o) Good luck!

 

[Hungrykid]

Anybody hear anything about new interview invites??

 

[VPP]

...

 

[USCTrojan11]

Californian here also. Have a few schools ranked ahead of Nova but will consider it. Only 3 other schools ahead that I would definitely go to if accepted. Interviewed at 2 of them.

 

[kgelfen]

I am from Seattle WA. I got accepted to NOVA but went with WesternU (Pomona). Cali just seems a little closer to home... Also i seen to many current students complain about NOVA year and 1 and 2 that also had an impact on my decision.

 

[Lukat]

When i visited NOVA i liked it and i thought its a really nice place to go to school at.
I also understand that med school is tough and people strugle. And of course every school has problems.
That beeing said this forum has the most complaining by the current students. Its also strange to hear how much people hate the first year and take all these extra classes that just waste time.
That makes me not want to put up with that, and i am going to choose different school for sure now. I am glad i have choises, if i didn't i would go to NOVA, but it just seems like it's pointless.
Thanks for the input it makes my choice easier.

I am from Seattle WA. I got accepted to NOVA but went with WesternU (Pomona). Cali just seems a little closer to home... Also i seen to many current students complain about NOVA year and 1 and 2 that also had an impact on my decision.

Hi kgelfen, it seems to me that you really dislike Nova, you posted twice that you will be choosing another school over Nova. Would you please tell me what is your reasons?

 

[emjayel]

Any Californians in the class of 2015??

I know you're there!

Yup 😎👍

 

[jdsargen]

I just received my interview invite (Jan 6). Good luck to everyone else still waiting 🙂

Only a 4 hour drive, can't complain!

 

[cubs87]

So I've been complete since September and haven't heard a peep. Called a month ago and they said it was still being reviewed or something. Anyone in a similar boat??

 

[DOTravel]

Anybody hear anything about new interview invites??

I just heard back from NSU for my interview on the 7th, and I was complete in mid-October. It was on the same date as an interview for an MD school, so I bumped the MD school interview to Feb. Very excited for this interview!! Are there any curve-balls I should be aware of?

And thanks for all the great advice from current students! You've been extremely helpful spending your precious time informing us!

 

[Hungrykid]

So I've been complete since September and haven't heard a peep. Called a month ago and they said it was still being reviewed or something. Anyone in a similar boat??

Ive been complete since september as well. No love from NOVA yet. Im starting to think I'll be getting a rejection in the mail soon. The waiting game sucks...

 

[anoobie]

I'm trying to pay my deposit online and I don't know what my NSU ID is. Is it the same number on the bottom right of the acceptance letter?😴

And also if you're not from Florida, you don't have to fill out the residency application right?😴

Is there anything else we need to do right now besides paying for the deposit? How do I know if all my prereqs are met? Will it say on the acceptance letter?😴

😡😴😡😴

 

[IamaBanana]

I'm trying to pay my deposit online and I don't know what my NSU ID is. Is it the same number on the bottom right of the acceptance letter?😴

And also if you're not from Florida, you don't have to fill out the residency application right?😴

Is there anything else we need to do right now besides paying for the deposit? How do I know if all my prereqs are met? Will it say on the acceptance letter?😴

Yes, your NSU ID is that number. It's also been attached to most of your emails that they've sent you (a couple times following "NSU ID:", 😉)

No, if you aren't from Florida don't fill out the residency application. Non-residents stay non-residents for the four years as far as NSU is concerned. It's on their webpage.

You should know if your pre-reqs are met from the letter associated with your acceptance letter, the one listing your provisions. If all it lists are transcripts from your schools then you should be fine. Just send the deposit now but send the other stuff ASAP for peace of mind. I'm sending all of mine as soon as I get my grade back for my last course I'm currently taking. Also, you can check the AACOMAS you sent them in PDF by going to your AACOMAS application online and downloading it. It ought to tell you if you are deficient any credit hours. Obviously NSU doesn't need to follow that to the word but it would be a pretty good indication. Are there any particular classes/credits you are worried about?

 

[kgelfen]

Hi kgelfen, it seems to me that you really dislike Nova, you posted twice that you will be choosing another school over Nova. Would you please tell me what is your reasons?

You quoted me saying what i didn't like. I am not here to bash Nova.......

 

[MedIsInMyBlood]

Has anyone who interviewed on or around November 23rd (the Tuesday right before Thanksgiving) heard anything yet?

 

[MedIsInMyBlood]

I just got the letter recently. I was placed on the Alternate List.

Does anyone know what our chances are to get off the alternate list?