Ohio University (OU-HCOM) Discussion Thread 2015 - 2016

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1. Required personal statement:
Please upload a Word or PDF document describing why you wish to become an osteopathic physician; why you wish to attend the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine; and any additional information you feel the selection committee should know about you. Please format your essay as single-spaced with a font-size no less than 10 pt or greater than 12 pt. Please clearly identify at the top right corner of the page your name and the title of the essay being submitted (e.g.Required Personal Statement or Dublin Campus Statement)

2. Dublin campus statement:
"Please upload a Word or PDF document detailing essay detailing your interest in studying and training in central Ohio; desire for primary care medicine; and intent to remain in central Ohio for practice. Please format your essay as single- spaced with a font-size no less than 10 pt or greater than 12 pt. Please clearly identify at the top right corner of the page your name and the title of the essay being submitted (e.g. Required Personal Statement or Dublin Campus Statement)"

3. Cleveland campus statement:
"Please upload a Word or PDF document detailing essay detailing your interest in studying and training in northeast Ohio; desire for primary care medicine; and intent to remain in northeast Ohio for practice. Please format your essay as single-spaced with a font-size no less than 10 pt or greater than 12 pt. Please clearly identify at the top right corner of the page your name and the title of the essay being submitted (e.g. Required Personal Statement or Cleveland Campus
Statement)"

Good luck to everyone applying!

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

.

 

[FutureD.O]

This thread needs to pick up! This is my absolute first choice! Looking forward to the secondary.

 

[NextJamesAndrews12]

Has anyone gotten a secondary yet? Or do we not get them until June 15th?

 

[Whats up Doc!]

Has anyone gotten a secondary yet? Or do we not get them until June 15th?

Yeah I spoke with someone in the admissions office and they told me to look out for secondaries in late July or early June obviously once your primary is in

 

[ahawke100]

First choice here. Hoping my app gets verifed soon so they can start looking me over!

 

[Camacho Mt. Dew]

Any news from OU anyone? One of my top choices and all quiet over here.

 

[Eggertdj22]

Just got the secondary this afternoon, just submitted it! good luck everyone!

 

[NextJamesAndrews12]

Secondary received...let the games begin!

 

[NextJamesAndrews12]

Just got the secondary this afternoon, just submitted it! good luck everyone!

I am fairly confused about the essays. I understand the first essay but then there are two further essays. Do we only do an additional essay for one of the 2 other campuses? Is there a limit to the essays?

 

[Eggertdj22]

I am fairly confused about the essays. I understand the first essay but then there are two further essays. Do we only do an additional essay for one of the 2 other campuses? Is there a limit to the essays?

I saw those too, but I only did the first essay because I went back and only chose the Athens campus. The other essays are supposed to describe why you have an interest in going to those campuses. I believe they just added those campuses.

 

[NextJamesAndrews12]

I saw those too, but I only did the first essay because I went back and only chose the Athens campus. The other essays are supposed to describe why you have an interest in going to those campuses. I believe they just added those campuses.

Oh, okay sounds good. Do you know if there is any word/page limit to the personal statement?

 

[Eggertdj22]

Not that it said, mine was about a page and a half single spaced font 11

 

[NextJamesAndrews12]

Not that it said, mine was about a page and a half single spaced font 11

If you only put the Athens campus, does that only make you eligible for the Athens campus?

 

[Eggertdj22]

If you only put the Athens campus, does that only make you eligible for the Athens campus?

I would assume so. The other two are pretty much brand new and have very small campuses. Im an OOS applicant so I figured I would only apply for the biggest one.

 

[scm70]

Just sent my secondary in today! Applying to both the Athens and Cleveland campuses. Good luck everyone 🙂

 

[wallflower127]

Hey all just received my secondary today---quick question: does anyone know if there is a word/page limit for these essays? I read on last year's forum they want a page for the whole first essay single spaced but do we have confirmation? Has anyone reached out to admissions? Looking forward to submitting soon--good luck everyone.

 

[med candidate]

Secondary Submitted!!!

 

[med candidate]

If you only put the Athens campus, does that only make you eligible for the Athens campus?

it says on the website that you'd still be considered for the other two schools

 

[sendoola]

Just submitted secondary. Good luck everyone!

 

[NextJamesAndrews12]

Hey all just received my secondary today---quick question: does anyone know if there is a word/page limit for these essays? I read on last year's forum they want a page for the whole first essay single spaced but do we have confirmation? Has anyone reached out to admissions? Looking forward to submitting soon--good luck everyone.

I was told by admissions that for the first statement they are expecting 1-2 pages single spaced and for any of the campus essays 1 page.

 

[September24]

Hey guys. I have a quick question. I'm only submitting my application to the Athens campus. I'm an out of state applicant so I thought I would apply to the biggest campus. Do you guys think that applying to less campuses reduces my overall chances to getting in?

 

[Camacho Mt. Dew]

Hey guys. I have a quick question. I'm only submitting my application to the Athens campus. I'm an out of state applicant so I thought I would apply to the biggest campus. Do you guys think that applying to less campuses reduces my overall chances to getting in?

If I recall correctly all out of state applicants are required to attend the Athens campus I believe. Definitely take this with a grain of salt as I'm not certain on it, but I believe I heard it mentioned before. Best bet would be to contact admissions. They are super friendly and reply quick to questions.

EDIT: As mentioned below OOS can apply to all campuses.

 

[NextJamesAndrews12]

If I recall correctly all out of state applicants are required to attend the Athens campus I believe. Definitely take this with a grain of salt as I'm not certain on it, but I believe I heard it mentioned before. Best bet would be to contact admissions. They are super friendly and reply quick to questions.

Admissions told me I could go to any one of the three campuses as an OOS applicant, as long as I wrote the corresponding campus statements.

 

[September24]

If I recall correctly all out of state applicants are required to attend the Athens campus I believe. Definitely take this with a grain of salt as I'm not certain on it, but I believe I heard it mentioned before. Best bet would be to contact admissions. They are super friendly and reply quick to questions.

Thanks for your help! I called the admissions office. They said that while there is nothing preventing us from applying to other campus, they are really looking for someone with clear ties to cleveland and dublin when applying there. I guess its a good idea to apply to athens.

 

[Camacho Mt. Dew]

Thanks for your help! I called the admissions office. They said that while there is nothing preventing us from applying to other campus, they are really looking for someone with clear ties to cleveland and dublin when applying there. I guess its a good idea to apply to athens.

No problem! I'm glad you called I would've felt guilty if people followed my previous post.

 

[FutureD.O]

Hey everyone! If you guys don't mind, what are your stats? I'm especially curious about new mcat scores..

 

[NextJamesAndrews12]

Has anyone else had trouble uploading their out of state contract? Everytime I click "upload document" the file I attempted to upload disappears and there is nothing for me to upload. Please help!

UPDATE:

Anyone else with this problem needs to make their contract a .pdf. I don't believe the application allows .jpg format.

 

[September24]

Hey everyone! If you guys don't mind, what are your stats? I'm especially curious about new mcat scores..

sGPA:3.68
MCAT:28
OOS: Texas

My chances seem low but hopefully I can get an interview.

 

[FutureD.O]

sGPA:3.68
MCAT:28
OOS: Texas

My chances seem low but hopefully I can get an interview.

Your stats are definitely good! The obvious issue is the oos.. Hopefully it goes well regardless! I'm really interested into what they expect from the new mcat because I'm sure most people are still kind of in the dark..

 

[Whats up Doc!]

Hey guys just wanted to reiterate what some of you have already mentioned but I know the Cleveland campus is only offering 50 seats and I believe Dublin is about the same size. And again they are really looking for people that have strong ties to either Cleveland or Dublin areas, but Athens I know is open to all and offers allot more seats. Everyone who receives a secondary must answer one essay, then if you selected Cleveland and Dublin (regardless of how you ranked them) you will have to fill out a second and third essay explaining what your connection is to these areas. So as an OOS it might be pretty difficult to explain why you deserve a Cleveland seat over another student who is actually born and raised in Cleveland, but by all means if you really feel like you have a strong case I would go for it. And as far as length goes I contacted the admissions office and they told me no greater than two pages for each essay, which I though was kind of long. I personally went around a page and a half for both and thought I covered all bases pretty well. Now starts the fun part, sitting and waiting 🙁

 

[NextJamesAndrews12]

Just wanted to warn everyone to make sure their letters are all signed and on letterhead by their authors. I had 2 applications on hold and called AACOMAS to find out 3 of my 6 letters were just typed on word documents and sent in. Thought everyone was good to go after I was verified, but apparently they don't check that your letters are official as part of the verification process. Anyone who's apps are on hold anywhere, I would call them ASAP to see why that is! Just a tip!

 

[meep!! meep!!]

Hello All!

My name is Jill Harman (Meep!! Meep!!) and I am the director of admissions at OU-HCOM. I wanted to introduce myself and let you know that I am here to help you during this application cycle. Because this is a peer to peer method of communication, I will not be posting or replying to every comment or question, but if there are places I feel that I can be helpful, I'll chime in. 🙂 I am also happy to answer PMs or you can email me at [email protected].

Best of luck to everyone this cycle!

Jill

 

[bigoliver101]

Hello All!

My name is Jill Harman (Meep!! Meep!!) and I am the director of admissions at OU-HCOM. I wanted to introduce myself and let you know that I am here to help you during this application cycle. Because this is a peer to peer method of communication, I will not be posting or replying to every comment or question, but if there are places I feel that I can be helpful, I'll chime in. 🙂 I am also happy to answer PMs or you can email me at [email protected].

Best of luck to everyone this cycle!

Jill

Hello Mr. Director,

Can you comment on what the ratio of in state and out of state student who matriculate into OU-HCOM is?

thanks

Bigoliver101

 

[meep!! meep!!]

Hello Mr. Director,

Can you comment on what the ratio of in state and out of state student who matriculate into OU-HCOM is?

thanks

Bigoliver101

Sure! But - please don't let these numbers scare you off (or give false encouragement). The class of 2019 that just started school on Monday has 98% of its student body from Ohio. Since we are a state-assisted institution, we do give preference to Ohio residents in the application process (meaning that all Ohio residents receive a secondary application), but we really do love our out of state applicants/students. When you look a little more deeply into the numbers, we actually interview and accept a good number of out of state students, but obviously, not all who we admit actually choose to join us.

 

[bigoliver101]

Sure! But - please don't let these numbers scare you off (or give false encouragement). The class of 2019 that just started school on Monday has 98% of its student body from Ohio. Since we are a state-assisted institution, we do give preference to Ohio residents in the application process (meaning that all Ohio residents receive a secondary application), but we really do love our out of state applicants/students. When you look a little more deeply into the numbers, we actually interview and accept a good number of out of state students, but obviously, not all who we admit actually choose to join us.

Thank you for the response. The odds are not in my favor 🙁

 

[meep!! meep!!]

Thank you for the response. The odds are not in my favor 🙁

Not necessarily. If there is a hurdle for OOS applicants, it is that they make up a significant portion of our application pool, so there is a lot of competition for interview invitations for non-Ohio residents. If an OOS applicant gains an interview, chances of acceptance are good (as long as there is space in the class and the interview goes well). Our goal every year is to put together the best class possible and that definitely includes accepting OOS applicants.

 

[vanbennj]

When does OUHCOM send interview invites?

 

[Hizaki]

.

 

[meep!! meep!!]

When does OUHCOM send interview invites?

Our first interview date won't be until September 18, so we will probably begin sending invitations mid to late August.

 

[meep!! meep!!]

Would admission committees for Athens campus have access to only the required essay? While the Cleveland campus has access to both required and campus essay?

Basically should I include repeat background info like"why osteopathic medicine and why OU-HCOM?" not specifically asked in the Cleveland essay to set up my answers to "why northeast ohio/primary care?"? Or assume the Cleveland campus has access to the other essay too and not repeat information?

The short answer is you shouldn't repeat information. 🙂

The longer response is this: All OU-HCOM interviews are open file, meaning that interviewers have your entire application in front of them when you interview and they've had at least a week to review it before they meet you. When writing essays for Dublin or Cleveland, you won't have to worry about wasting a paragraph or two writing about why DO or OU-HCOM. You will give us the answers to those questions in the main required essay. We only ask for additional essays for the non-Athens campuses so we can get a feel for your ties to those particular areas and how you see yourself contibuting to the central or northeast Ohio regions as a student and later as a practicing physician.

Hope that helps. 🙂

 

[vanbennj]

Our first interview date won't be until September 18, so we will probably begin sending invitations mid to late August.

Thank you for the response! One more question, are there online class institutions that OUHCOM recommends for those to complete required credit hours after they've graduated?

 

[meep!! meep!!]

Thank you for the response! One more question, are there online class institutions that OUHCOM recommends for those to complete required credit hours after they've graduated?

While we don't have particular institutions that we recommend over another, we do have quite a few students present online hours from the University of New England. Any institution, as long as it is regionally accredited, is acceptable.

 

[Hizaki]

.

 

[vanbennj]

While we don't have particular institutions that we recommend over another, we do have quite a few students present online hours from the University of New England. Any institution, as long as it is regionally accredited, is acceptable.

Thanks!

 

[NextJamesAndrews12]

Anyone know when OUHCOM will begin screening applications? I know none of my letters are attached to my application yet, so I'm assuming they haven't uploaded letters into the portal and applications haven't started screening yet, but I wasn't sure. OOS applicant, but strong ties to OUHCOM so I want to be early!

EDIT:

App complete as of yesterday! Was told apps would start being screened next week...good luck to all!

 

[Mr.Jones]

Anyone know when OUHCOM will begin screening applications? I know none of my letters are attached to my application yet, so I'm assuming they haven't uploaded letters into the portal and applications haven't started screening yet, but I wasn't sure. OOS applicant, but strong ties to OUHCOM so I want to be early!

EDIT:

App complete as of yesterday! Was told apps would start being screened next week...good luck to all!

Hey, I apologize as I am new to this process. By screening of applications, does that mean they will start giving out interviews next week?

Thanks!

 

[vanbennj]

Hey, I apologize as I am new to this process. By screening of applications, does that mean they will start giving out interviews next week?

Thanks!

They won't give out II until mid-August, the screening process is them determining who they want to interview.

 

[AribaGirl]

Hey everyone, I'm a first year at OU-HCOM on the Athens campus! Feel free to PM me any questions 🙂 Good luck to all of you!

 

[Mr.Jones]

This school is my top choice. Hopefully, I can get to the interview stage..