Hey,
This is not the same student that responded to you earlier, but I'm also a current first year at NYCOM. I have a three-fold response to your comments:
1. Some people who fill out surveys are usually disgruntled with a system in which they feel powerless. Some comments on the AMSA website included an apathetic administration and even vindictive faculty. I have heard very similar situations at other medical schools. I happen to disagree with this comment simply because *most* of the time administration is willing to sit down and listen to students. At every school (even colleges) for every nasty or dumb faculty member, there 10 amazing and brilliant ones! If you had noticed, there were positive comments about change coming about. It is crucial to remember for all students that if there is something you don't like, you need to take the initiative to fix it yourself.
2. This is sad to say, but many many many first years are unhappy and don't know why. The stress of medical school is undescribable at times. I for one have been frustrated, especially before exams, and would turn anywhere to vent. Students feel like, "anywhere but here" would be better. Yet it is also important to remember that we all should be grateful for having an opportunity to learn and eventually practice medicine. As for cliques...again, you will find them in any diverse institution. It's upto an individual whether they want to be part of one...I talk to Asian, Jewish, Muslim, White, SouthAsian, Russian students....because I CAN!! Goto the midwest and try to learn about cultural competency from schools that only have a small number of ethnic students. In NY, there is so much to learn at each type of hospital...the amazing resources were the #1 reason why I chose this school.
3. There were equal numbers of good comments and bad comments on this survey done by FOUR students out of about 800. If you average it out, some people love it, some people hate it. I suggest you walk onto NYCOM's campus, or any other medical school, and talk to people, faculty, see the facilities. What may be horrible for one person might be wonderful for another!! Please don't form opinions based on someone else's *alone*, take a look yourself.
P.S. NYCOM is rated #2 out of all DO schools (PCOM is #1 and we seem to trade positions every few years). Our retention rate is high and I think it's because students are happy where they are. And if you want to make a cohesive argument, Deuce, don't stereotype all NY-er's, it's offensive.
I love my school and my education,
Mundeep Kainth
AMSA Osteopathic Medical Interest Group
Interim Coordinator
