NYCOM Discussion Thread 2009-2010

[francais7979]

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FOr those who got interviewed, in the secondary where it asks you to list work experience, did you just list the company name, your position, and the dates?

Did you need to put in a job description?

 

[KG216]

!!! Yeah I have a lot of questions for you!!!!! Have you used the prehealth committee VE collect system? I went to the meeting to get my account activated but I don't know how to use it yet! The Kaplan/Princeton Review classes are a little pricey I'll say 🙁 Would my best alternative be: Purchase all AAMC MCAT practice tests, I bought the book... Would buying the EK books be ok? Or should I stick to the practice exams? How did you study for it? What schools did you apply to?

Thanks for any help!

I've never used their system- I went to a different undergrad college, so I interviewed/had my letter written by them. The Kaplan classes are pricey, but some people need the massive amount of resources they give and the structure of class to keep them on track. The AAMC practice tests are good, but some people argue over which scores are more representative of your predicted actual score (Kaplan vs AAMC). They are good practice nonetheless, just don't take them over and over or your score will be inflated due to memory. EK is good topic review, I bought their chem/orgo/bio/phys books, I liked them ( I have 2 of them left for sale on half.com haha). I used EK's, other review books, the Kaplan class (on last attempt). I applied to allo and osteo, my MDapps link will have the names of each school specifically.😳

 

[CardioPlus]

FOr those who got interviewed, in the secondary where it asks you to list work experience, did you just list the company name, your position, and the dates?

Did you need to put in a job description?

Yeah for the work/volunteer/extracurricular sections, I just listed the company/organization's name, position, and the dates. Def not enough room to add any more than that, such as a description.

 

[francais7979]

Thanks CardioPlus!!!! For the question why NYCOM, how long is the essay supposed to be? I dont see any max amount of characters. HOw many paragraphs is it supposed to be?

 

[thethethe]

Thanks CardioPlus!!!! For the question why NYCOM, how long is the essay supposed to be? I dont see any max amount of characters. HOw many paragraphs is it supposed to be?

i wrote 2 pages single spaced

jk, use the space they gave you.

 

[gsmiles88]

Does anybody know if NYCOM has started to look at out of state students yet? I have heard a rumor that they don't start to look at out of state until Jan. ? Thanks!

 

[deleted212936]

If you're interviewed during the first week of December, when will you get their decision ?

 

[Trpntnkiss]

Does anybody know if NYCOM has started to look at out of state students yet? I have heard a rumor that they don't start to look at out of state until Jan. ? Thanks!

Hey there. I actually have an interview on Thursday, but I am from CT and went to school in NY. I do not know if this helps.

 

[xoxkiska]

If you're interviewed during the first week of December, when will you get their decision ?

I interviewed today and I spoke to admissions. They said that everyone that has interviews before the holidays or has already interviewed since November will know the decision before the holidays. I think that the first decisions go out via snail mail next week. Good Luck Everyone!!!! 🙂

 

[xoxkiska]

Today, during my interview there were a lot of OOS students, mostly from Connecticut and Massachusetts so I'm assuming they look at OOS students from the Northeast area first. Good Luck

 

[francais7979]

I submitted my secondary before they even downloaded the primary application. Has anyone done this as well? How long will it take them to email you to fill out the secondary? It has been one week and I have not heard from them. :-(

 

[raddognl]

I interviewed today and I spoke to admissions. They said that everyone that has interviews before the holidays or has already interviewed since November will know the decision before the holidays. I think that the first decisions go out via snail mail next week. Good Luck Everyone!!!! 🙂

Good to hear! I'm hoping to get a decision before December 14th.

 

[deleted212936]

I just had my interview. Should I send a thank-you note to the interviewer or to the whole committee ??

 

[thethethe]

i dont think it matters. i sent one to my interviewer, and i never got a response.

 

[deleted212936]

Yeah, it probably won't have any effect on their decision. I wonder if it's necessary... because I already thanked the interviewer in person...

Also, Interfolio is slow in sending my LoRs..... NYCOM still hasn't gotten 'em.... I'm worried.....

 

[MSUSpartan642]

I would always send a thank you note after your interview. Either an email or a card. It will take you 5 minutes to write and you don't want to be the only person to interview who doesn't send a note. Just my opinion.

 

[Eudjinn]

anyone know when is the last day of interviews in december before nycom goes on winter break? just curious

 

[pinktoes00]

anyone know when is the last day of interviews in december before nycom goes on winter break? just curious

It was this past thursday, I believe.

 

[sheiladoc]

Yeah, it probably won't have any effect on their decision. I wonder if it's necessary... because I already thanked the interviewer in person...

Also, Interfolio is slow in sending my LoRs..... NYCOM still hasn't gotten 'em.... I'm worried.....

Hi Athens,
Do they receive the LOR's throughInterfolio? I thought they only receive them directly from the writer or through VE...this is what I have read on NYCOM website. I also use Interfolio in sending letters to schools and I was wondering if this school will accept them if I send them through this service....

 

[deleted212936]

@sheiladoc: I told the lady on interview day that I forwarded LoRs from Interfolio, and she didn't say it's unacceptable. It's just that they haven't gotten my LORs yet...

 

[blah354]

has anyone who interviewed early-mid november heard anything back?

 

[Eudjinn]

from what I've heard, everyone who has interviewed from day 1 up until now still has not heard anything; i.e. nycom will make one big batch of decisions before they break for holidays some time this week or next week.

this does suck quite a lot for those who interviewed nov 2nd... month and a half to hear a decision is just way too damn much imo

 

[blah354]

Eudjinn, do you think it would be reasonable to give them a call regarding decisions? I have non-refundable deposit deadline by this Friday and NYCOM is where I want to be so I'm hoping to save my deposit for NYCOM. I know many people are in the same situation but everyone seems to split on whether to call the office or not.

 

[jbru3423]

Eudjinn, do you think it would be reasonable to give them a call regarding decisions? I have non-refundable deposit deadline by this Friday and NYCOM is where I want to be so I'm hoping to save my deposit for NYCOM. I know many people are in the same situation but everyone seems to split on whether to call the office or not.

I am in exactly the same position. I called last week and mentioned this to the woman I spoke with in the admissions department (I interviewed 11/10). She told me that the decisions will in all likelihood be released before the holidays. However, I will most likely call again before my deposit is due at other schools to see if perhaps I can get an answer. I think it is a reasonable request, given the amount of money required for a deposit, and also because the decisions have already been made.

 

[Eilat87]

i really hope the decisions come this week... tick tock tick tock december 15th... sigh.. 1000 down the drain.

 

[Eudjinn]

Eudjinn, do you think it would be reasonable to give them a call regarding decisions? I have non-refundable deposit deadline by this Friday and NYCOM is where I want to be so I'm hoping to save my deposit for NYCOM. I know many people are in the same situation but everyone seems to split on whether to call the office or not.

I think it's very reasonable to call the office. I don't see a reason why anyone should be split on this decision because you don't really stand to lose anything by calling - the worst that will happen is they tell you to keep waiting. Do not be worried to pester admissions. This is their job. Money is tight for everyone, especially these days, so I would strongly urge you to make the phone call Wed/Thurs.

Please let me know if you have any success.

 

[Eudjinn]

I am in exactly the same position. I called last week and mentioned this to the woman I spoke with in the admissions department (I interviewed 11/10). She told me that the decisions will in all likelihood be released before the holidays. However, I will most likely call again before my deposit is due at other schools to see if perhaps I can get an answer. I think it is a reasonable request, given the amount of money required for a deposit, and also because the decisions have already been made.

how are you certain the decisions have already been made?

 

[Eudjinn]

for the record, I interviewed 12/10 and called exactly one week later and was given my acceptance over the phone and told to wait for the official letter to arrive by snail mail.

 

[fitzs86]

I called today, because I have a deposit to make by the 15th. I asked the admissions lady if I could get a response by the Dec. 14th explaining my situation with having to pay $1000 somewhere else and if they want me to consider NYCOM I have to hear before then and she said it wasn't possible, and was a big itch about it... Basically she sucked, there has been too much disorganization throughout the whole process with this school, this school isn't worth burning a grand for and I have little desire to go her anymore. Hope others hear back soon.

 

[Eilat87]

I called today, because I have a deposit to make by the 15th. I asked the admissions lady if I could get a response by the Dec. 14th explaining my situation with having to pay $1000 somewhere else and if they want me to consider NYCOM I have to hear before then and she said it wasn't possible, and was a big itch about it... Basically she sucked, there has been too much disorganization throughout the whole process with this school, this school isn't worth burning a grand for and I have little desire to go her anymore. Hope others hear back soon.

wow that does sound pretty ****ty, dont they know that students arent exactly rich? $1000 is alot to most of us..

 

[MSUSpartan642]

I called today, because I have a deposit to make by the 15th. I asked the admissions lady if I could get a response by the Dec. 14th explaining my situation with having to pay $1000 somewhere else and if they want me to consider NYCOM I have to hear before then and she said it wasn't possible, and was a big itch about it... Basically she sucked, there has been too much disorganization throughout the whole process with this school, this school isn't worth burning a grand for and I have little desire to go her anymore. Hope others hear back soon.

MOST disorganized school I have met so far. My breaking point was them making everyone do a secondary mid way through the cycle. Aka milking a lot of students for our hard earned money. 👎 NYCOM

 

[thethethe]

dont say bad nycom.

they are just doing what every other school out there already do. every school i applied to required a secondary and $$

 

[MSUSpartan642]

dont say bad nycom.

they are just doing what every other school out there already do. every school i applied to required a secondary and $$

True, but other schools don't start the cycle off not charging for a secondary for a lot of students and then all of a sudden decide to start the rest of the students to fill out a secondary??? Its like saying oh we accepted and have already invited a bunch of students for interviews, but now we want the rest of you (likely not to get any love) to pay us money. Shouldn't they have just done this at the beginning of the next cycle.

 

[thethethe]

True, but other schools don't start the cycle off not charging for a secondary for a lot of students and then all of a sudden decide to start the rest of the students to fill out a secondary??? Its like saying oh we accepted and have already invited a bunch of students for interviews, but now we want the rest of you (likely not to get any love) to pay us money. Shouldn't they have just done this at the beginning of the next cycle.

i agree that was weird that they did that mid cycle, it caused a lot of confusion.

 

[charm4eva]

I called today, because I have a deposit to make by the 15th. I asked the admissions lady if I could get a response by the Dec. 14th explaining my situation with having to pay $1000 somewhere else and if they want me to consider NYCOM I have to hear before then and she said it wasn't possible, and was a big itch about it... Basically she sucked, there has been too much disorganization throughout the whole process with this school, this school isn't worth burning a grand for and I have little desire to go her anymore. Hope others hear back soon.

That does sound pretty horrible. It seems that you always have that ONE person in every single school who's less than friendly... from last year's thread people are getting their decisions this week, and the ones in your similar situation seemed to have gotten nice responses from admissions. I don't know...think some of us should try to call again? This stress is killing me!

 

[fatima2]

So I submitted my secondary last week, and was wondering how long it takes to hear back from NYCOM? This school is my first choice, and I have only applied for 3 other schools, all rather late due to personal reasons. Should I express the personal reason (I loss a close friend and really needed time to reflect what I wanted to do with my life), or is it not necessary? I really rather not because I dont want any schools to think I am coming up with excuses. My stats are 25Q MCAT and 3.70 GPA.

 

[charm4eva]

So I submitted my secondary last week, and was wondering how long it takes to hear back from NYCOM? This school is my first choice, and I have only applied for 3 other schools, all rather late due to personal reasons. Should I express the personal reason (I loss a close friend and really needed time to reflect what I wanted to do with my life), or is it not necessary? I really rather not because I dont want any schools to think I am coming up with excuses. My stats are 25Q MCAT and 3.70 GPA.

I don't think you need to. I heard back from this school rather quickly but that was before they required all students to submit secondaries so I may not be too helpful. (I'm ISS, verified: 9/3, interview invite: 9/15, interviewed: 11/11, awaiting deicisions). Still, if you're in-state I think you still have pretty good odds. Good luck!

 

[Bones DO]

Anyone who is considering taking an acceptance offer, do take a close look at the nycom student handbook and realize what you are getting into. They are VERY strict about that "two strikes and you're out" rule. Just a word to the wise.

 

[Potatoman1800]

Anyone who is considering taking an acceptance offer, do take a close look at the nycom student handbook and realize what you are getting into. They are VERY strict about that "two strikes and you're out" rule. Just a word to the wise.

Can you elaborate? I couldn't seem to find it in the online handbook....

 

[Bones DO]

Can you elaborate? I couldn't seem to find it in the online handbook....

If you fail two systems in one year, even if by just one point (as I did due to a poor background in anatomy and a long acclimation period to working with cadavers...something myself, several other admissions committees and even several faculty at NYCOM believe to be a repairable issue) they discard you. There are no test retakes allowed, period. There is an appeal process but it's a farce. NYCOMers have that hanging over their heads constantly. At the 10 schools I have applied to this cycle, they have all said outright that it would not have been handled that way at alternative DO school X. No one expects to have trouble working on cadavers, so I'd advise all of you to expose yourself to a few autopsies before you start cutting yourself. I took reasonability for the issues I was facing and developed a plan of action with aid of faculty and other students but was still completely shot down. The dean dismissed me via email by way of his secretary's email address. Classy. I believe they mask their higher than average attrition by accepting more transfers but I am not positive on that. Many on this thread have noticed how disorganized NYCOM appears to be, if you matriculate, get used to it! I will say the professors are great, but they are quite apart from and have little say in the administration, which could care less about what the students want, need or think. If you search on SDN you'll find some threads from years passed from when the administration began making changes. You would think that after all the effort they put into selecting you for their school, they would care a little more about what becomes of you. I certainly thought that but I was clearly wrong. 👎

 

[premedmind]

I would like to know the attrition rate at NYCOM if anyone has any data on that as well.

 

[Bones DO]

I would like to know the attrition rate at NYCOM if anyone has any data on that as well.

Any published rates will be presented as class size at the start and at graduation. It will include (but conveniently fail to itemize numbers of) transfers and numbers of those dismissed.

 

[deleted212936]

@Bones DO: so what did you do after they dismissed you?

 

[thethethe]

my friend chose nova over nycom for this very reason. even though nobody goes into medical thinking they will fail a few classes, things do happen...and it is a BIG problem when you are dismissed with a huge loan.

 

[Bones DO]

Kinda like this:

http://www.aacom.org/resources/books...B-complete.pdf

 

[Bones DO]

@Bones DO: so what did you do after they dismissed you?

I took a low-paying job in public health research, took extra classes in anatomy and physio, and a bunch of other stuff to gain admissions elsewhere... I'm hoping to get in this cycle, had my first interview last week and have a couple more coming up I won't waste more space here talking about me but if you are so inclined to read my story it's in the osteo forum: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=665422

 

[Bones DO]

my friend chose nova over nycom for this very reason. even though nobody goes into medical thinking they will fail a few classes, things do happen...and it is a BIG problem when you are dismissed with a huge loan.

Yea, it's not something people often think about during matriculation but it's nice to not have the ax hanging over your neck all the time if "life" were to happen...

Here's a link to the student handbook that dealt my and many others' death blows: http://iris.nyit.edu/nycom/Student_Handbook_2008-2009.pdf

 

[Semicolon]

Yea, it's not something people often think about during matriculation but it's nice to not have the ax hanging over your neck all the time if "life" were to happen...

Here's a link to the student handbook that dealt my and many others' death blows: http://iris.nyit.edu/nycom/Student_Handbook_2008-2009.pdf

I'm sorry to be saying this, but it sounds to me like you're blaming the school for something that was essentially your own fault. The truth is, medical school is difficult. It is VERY difficult. And not everyone can handle its rigors. Yes, NYCOM has a very strict policy, but who came here expecting it was going to be easy? I don't think it's right that you're prancing around and badmouthing the school that accepted you and gave you the chance to become a doctor, more or less scaring off other potential applicants from applying or even attending.

So you had a problem with anatomy, and that's very understandable. But we entered with 313 in our class. What about the other close-to-300 students who passed anatomy and did just fine? Did they watch autopies prior to med school? Did they all take A&P beforehand? Were they all 'acclimated' to cadavers? No. We knew what we were going into when we accepted the offer of admission. Whether it's a cadaver at NYCOM or a cadaver at any other DO school, it's all the same: a cadaver. NYCOM didn't fail you. You failed you.

I'm sorry that this happened to you, and I think that your entire endeavor to get back into med school is very admirable. I wish you luck and hope that you will get what you wanted in the end. Just don't start blaming a school for following its policy. And don't start blaming it for your own misfortune. Not everyone passes.

Don't get me wrong, NYCOM has a lot of kinks. I'm not having the time of my life here either, and I wasn't expecting to. But NYCOM has made a name for itself, and it has obviously been doing something right in the past. Picking a school for an easier failure policy isn't exactly the right mindset to begin school with, don't you think?

 

[LiLOne2085]

Hi everyone!
I made a mistake... I skipped the essay when going through the secondary (I wasn't ready to write it, but wanted to get all my basic info in) and now the application won't let me go back to it - there's no back button! Is this just a mac thing or can you really not go back to a section once you've finished? What should I do??

 

[Linka]

Yea, it's not something people often think about during matriculation but it's nice to not have the ax hanging over your neck all the time if "life" were to happen...

Here's a link to the student handbook that dealt my and many others' death blows: http://iris.nyit.edu/nycom/Student_Handbook_2008-2009.pdf

Thanks for not sugar-coating anything. I think your criticisms are legitimate and it's nice to have someone come in and give us cons because goodness knows we get plenty of pros on the interviews and we need as much information as we can get to help differentiate between schools. Hopefully, you can put your bad experience behind you. I wish you luck in all your future endeavors.

I also agree that their app process is disorganized. To the previous poster, I think I had this issue too with their app (skipped a section), but I think I was able to go back through browser history. Not a very user friendly application, for sure.