Opinions on AZCOM?

[digital01]

I have an interview there but it isn't until the first week of March....

I have another acceptance already, what is everyone's opinion on this place...and is it worth the 500 dollar plane ticket to see?

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[digital01]

Also, anyone know if there are still seats available?

 

[digital01]

Also, earlier in the cycle I definitely would have gone, but is it worth it this late in the game?

 

[czanetti]

Its tuition is way too expensive nice school if you are willing to pay and arm and a leg. Oh yeah and by the way Glendsdale AZ is the hotest city in the US.

 

[digital01]

What is the tuition?

 

[bravotwozero]

Which school did you get accepted to?

As for AZCOM, I interviewed and got an acceptance there, but declined in favour of NSU.

Overall, it seems like a good school. The campus is nice, weather beautiful, and they will be building a diabetes research facility soon. I don't know too much about the clinical program, except that quite a few of their rotations are preceptor based. They apparently will now have access to some of the same rotation sites that were reserved for U of Arizona med students.

As well, they have no dress code, and video recorded lectures. So you don't have to show up for many of the classes (as there is no mandatory attendance policy, aside from OMM classes).

For me, the biggest complaint about the school is the astronomical tuition costs. at $38k a year, that's probably one of the highest in the country (not counting out of state tuition fees at MSU). However, there may be ways to get around it. The Fin Aid officer told us about scholarships offered by the state of Arizona for people who would be willing to work in underserved areas in Arizona after graduation.

As well, their class sizes are fairly large, at around 250 students.

 

[digital01]

Ah, 38k, its just about the same as MI when the total budget is taken in to consideration.

 

[digital01]

I have been accepted to TUCOM-MI.

 

[DrVanNostran]

I have been accepted to TUCOM-MI.

One of my friends chose not to go to AZCOM because he felt unsure about there clinical rotations. I don't have specifics, but he said that was a huge turn off. From what I hear Touro-Ca has a pretty solid program.

Out of Curiosity did you interview at COMP also?

 

[bravotwozero]

Hmm if that's the case, and you've only got one acceptance, then I'd go for sure. It would be worth it to get a feel for the school before making your decision. Between the two schools, I'd go with AZCOM, because living in arizona is probably a bit cheaper (if you're not a native of cali), and I'm not a fan of touro expanding schools like grocery stores (that's just me though).

 

[czanetti]

AZCOM $38,908

The tuition alone is about 39,000 a year, now take into consideration this doesn't even include cost of living and "student fees" oh yeah and books. That if F'n radiculous. Unless you have a scholarship to go there forget it.

 

[digital01]

One of my friends chose not to go to AZCOM because he felt unsure about there clinical rotations. I don't have specifics, but he said that was a huge turn off. From what I hear Touro-Ca has a pretty solid program.

Out of Curiosity did you interview at COMP also?

Yes, I did interview at COMP, I am currently an alternate. I agree that TUCOM seems to be a pretty solid program.

 

[digital01]

Hmm if that's the case, and you've only got one acceptance, then I'd go for sure. It would be worth it to get a feel for the school before making your decision. Between the two schools, I'd go with AZCOM, because living in arizona is probably a bit cheaper (if you're not a native of cali), and I'm not a fan of touro expanding schools like grocery stores (that's just me though).

It's not my only acceptance, nor the only place I interviewed at. But it is where I chose to put my deposit down.

 

[GProteinStar]

I say Touro - Mare Island. But I am of course biased.

 

[digital01]

haha . Yea, it is nothing against Touro, I'm just wondering if it is worth my time to check out. I'm probably going to just stick with Touro this late in the game.

 

[DrVanNostran]

haha . Yea, it is nothing against Touro, I'm just wondering if it is worth my time to check out. I'm probably going to just stick with Touro this late in the game.

If accepted to both Touro-Ca and COMP which would you choose based on the program (Setting the deposit fee aside and Cal locations aside)?

-Thanks!

 

[digital01]

It's a tough choice for me. There are things I like about both programs, but i also have a friend that may be coming with me to TUCOM, which does way in somewhat. I really liked COMP a lot. But I like TUCOM too. I'm probably going to end up at TUCOM.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to save the money and not go to AZCOM.

 

[DrVanNostran]

It's a tough choice for me. There are things I like about both programs, but i also have a friend that may be coming with me to TUCOM, which does way in somewhat. I really liked COMP a lot. But I like TUCOM too. I'm probably going to end up at TUCOM.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to save the money and not go to AZCOM.

The deposit fees play such a huge role in the Osteopathic admissions process. I wish they would just reduce the fee or make some of it refundable. Im sure if that was the case you would consider AZCOM much more strongly.

Anyways, NorCal>SoCa>Glendale imo

 

[digital01]

I like different things about NorCal and Socal, but I agree Cal> AZ

 

[digital01]

When it comes down to it, I'm sure I can get a great education any route, and I really believe it is what the individual makes of it!

 

[GProteinStar]

Very true - education is what you make of it.

DrVanNostran - does this mean you are also applying to Touro-MI?

 

[DrVanNostran]

Very true - education is what you make of it.

DrVanNostran - does this mean you are also applying to Touro-MI?

Yeah I will be applying to: COMP, Touro-MI, CCOM, DMU, PCOM, NYCOM, and possibly Touro-NY. Just need to finish up my shadowing hours and get some LORs

 

[GProteinStar]

You've got a great selection of schools there!! Good luck with the whole application process. It can be very painful to wait for extended periods of time to hear back from schools. Eventually they will get back to you however... although I am still waiting to hear back from COMP (was not complete until last month) and PCOM (complete in December). <-- IMO Touro - MI was a much better fit for me personally, however!

 

[FMR1]

Hello there,

I'm not sure how many spots are left in the class but perhaps you can give admissions a call? If there are seats left, and you don't mind spending more money to travel, then I'd give the school a shot. In terms of cost, yes the tution is high, but it is not much more than the other osteopathic schools in the west such as COMP's (Tuition for the 2006-2007 academic year is $37,190) and TUCOM MI ($ 34,318). Also, cost of living is considerably cheaper in AZ than CA.

We were told at the interview that the class size for c/o 2011 will remain at 150 although AZCOM does expect to increase to 250 over the next few classes. There's a lot of debate over the clinical aspects of AZCOM, and if you search the forums you'll find plenty of opinions with regards to that topic, but overall I was told at the interview that the situation is not as dire as most are led believe. It's a tough decision so good luck!

 

[dan1]

Hey given that AZCOM is no longer limited in their residency options, i'd like to know if anyone has seen or heard of how this affected the matches since? Thanks!

 

[Doc2007]

Hey given that AZCOM is no longer limited in their residency options, i'd like to know if anyone has seen or heard of how this affected the matches since? Thanks!

Things are getting better for AZCOM. Recently they announced that they will be starting new residency program in family medicine and internal medicine. They already have EM, dermatology and general surgery residency programs.

 

[dan1]

AH very informative! Thanks! Do you know if they will be getting more residency programs in the immediate surrounding area or perhaps any more out of state?

 

[Doc2007]

Current residency programs are in AZ and new programs will be in AZ.

 

[StaryMagic]

I interviewed at AZCOM recently, and I have a quick question. They showed us some stats about how AZCOM has great pass rates (100% or nearly that for most years in the recent past) for the COMLEX. However, when I asked about their AVERAGE scores, the admissions guy didn't have an answer for me. Does anyone know how well AZCOM's students do on the COMLEX and/or USMLE? Also, it seems their residency match lists are a little low on specialists, but that the trend seems to be improving... Anyone have an opinion on that? Why does it seem that so many students from the school go into family practice, internal medicine, and Emergency Medicine?

 

[dan1]

Hey Stary if someone responds back to you with that info can you let me know or just post it on here too? Thx!

 

[cdreed]

As a soon to be AZCOM alumnus, I can say that our class matched into family, er and im because we wanted to. Our grads have not been limited by our education in any way. My classmates that were interested in other specialties matched into what they applied for as well.

 

[PAfuturdoc]

Stary-

I will be starting at AZCOM this fall and their residency matches were a big concern for me. I was really torn btwn. this school and another; however, I recently found AZCOM's 2007 match results (it is somewhere on sdn) and I was pleasantly surprised by their results. I counted (from what I can remember) 11-12 gen surgery, 2-3 neuro, derm, rads and ortho spots that the '07 students landed. It really sealed my decision to attend this school. I also believe that a lot of the students there want to go into family med or IM, i personally dont and i dont think that a lot of the students who do will hold me back whatsoever, as the most recent match list shows. Hope that helps....

 

[Dr. Gangrene]

I have an interview there but it isn't until the first week of March....

I have another acceptance already, what is everyone's opinion on this place...and is it worth the 500 dollar plane ticket to see?

Some of the highest (if not highest) board scores last year.
Good friend is a graduate, in FM residency, and loved the school.

 

[San_Juan_Sun]

I interviewed at AZCOM recently, and I have a quick question. They showed us some stats about how AZCOM has great pass rates (100% or nearly that for most years in the recent past) for the COMLEX. However, when I asked about their AVERAGE scores, the admissions guy didn't have an answer for me. Does anyone know how well AZCOM's students do on the COMLEX and/or USMLE? Also, it seems their residency match lists are a little low on specialists, but that the trend seems to be improving... Anyone have an opinion on that? Why does it seem that so many students from the school go into family practice, internal medicine, and Emergency Medicine?

Average board scores are a closely guarded secret. I too would love to know, but I've never heard any numbers from ANY school. All I've ever seen are pass rates.

As far as match lists "improving", I'm not sure what you mean this. All I know is that my class did a great job getting what they wanted. The people that wanted EM got it (and there were lot's of them), same for Anesthesia, IM, and FM. Fewer wanted Surgery or Ortho, but we all got it. Last year, for example, there were a lot of Ortho. It really depends on the personality of the class.

Good luck deciding, there's a lot of good schools out there.

 

[dan1]

Anyone with any new opinions after interviews this year?

 

[Jpc984]

I think there is an AZCOM interview thread that may have more info! gl.

 

[lacesoutdan]

Here you go:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=403336&highlight=azcom+secret

 

[dan1]

Hmmm interesting... thanks Lace!