OUCOM Discussion thread 2007-2008

[st2205]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Do you pay the full medical tuition for the DO/PhD, as well?

 

[Lokhtar]

Do you pay the full medical tuition for the DO/PhD, as well?

Yea. You get support for the PhD portion, not the DO portion.

 

[Shinken]

That sucks 🙁. Do you know why? Is the program considered a bad program? I want to (obviously) practice academic medicine, and do research.

It's not a bad program at all, it's just that not many people are interested in a PhD in addition to the DO degree. Like you said, you have to take the GRE plus the PhD portion adds about 2-3 years to the total time in school. Most of your classmates would be almost done with residency when you're just about to graduate.

For academic medicine you really don't need a PhD, but for research I'm sure it will be very helpful.

Good luck with your plans.

 

[Lokhtar]

It's not a bad program at all, it's just that not many people are interested in a PhD in addition to the DO degree. Like you said, you have to take the GRE plus the PhD portion adds about 2-3 years to the total time in school. Most of your classmates would be almost done with residency when you're just about to graduate.

For academic medicine you really don't need a PhD, but for research I'm sure it will be very helpful.

Good luck with your plans.

Thanks, thats good to know. I know that MD/PhD is very very competitive (avg. 35 MCAT, 3.8 GPA). Of course, its a little different because the whole thing is free.

Their OOS acceptance rate is 0.71%...I hope I get in!

 

[MedDO101]

Hey shinken, what CORE sites did you do your rotations at? Any input on these hospitals? And what did you think about the CCE classes in the first couple of years?

 

[blondeshell15]

Went to OU undergrad - partial to it 🙂

 

[hollaATCHAdoc]

are you a current student at OUCOM? How do you like it?

Went to OU undergrad - partial to it 🙂

 

[blondeshell15]

I graduated from OU undergrad in 2005 and I am applying to OUCOM this June. I know a few doctors in my area that went to OUCOM and loved it. It would kind of be surreal to go back to my old stomping grounds, but I loved Athens.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

As long as its Ohio, and not Oklahoma

 

[blondeshell15]

Yes, definitely Ohio 🙂

 

[gasapple]

Tex - I know this is "Ohio" being discussed but you should know there is a right way and a wrong way to pronounce Oklahoma.

The Proper Way is:
'Okla . . . Homa'







(There's a pause between the 'a' and the 'h'.)

 

[ShyRem]

Gasapple, i'm not sure what the comment or the picture has to do with OUCOM. I'd also add that the picture really isn't appropriate here IMO. Take it to the lounge.

 

[DocNurse]

I need some words of encouragement from fellow SDN'ers. I have yet to hear anything from OU. I have called multiple times and they keep telling me that I'm up for review. I don't understand how I can be accepted to WVSOM, LECOM-B and LMU-DCOM OOS but my own in-state school isn't interested?
Am I jumping the gun thinking I'm probably not going to get in to OU or is it realistic to think so? Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

 

[docj292504]

Hi..not sure if you will see this, but I am a 4th year OUCOM student, and am willing to answer any questions you may have. My email is [email protected]

nick

 

[gasapple]

Gasapple, i'm not sure what the comment or the picture has to do with OUCOM. I'd also add that the picture really isn't appropriate here IMO. Take it to the lounge.

I love you ShyRem.

 

[Punchap]

I'll be interviewing at OUCOM this Friday...I hope to get in, but we'll see. To the OP -- have you already been accepted or are you waiting?

 

[Punchap]

I need some words of encouragement from fellow SDN'ers. I have yet to hear anything from OU. I have called multiple times and they keep telling me that I'm up for review. I don't understand how I can be accepted to WVSOM, LECOM-B and LMU-DCOM OOS but my own in-state school isn't interested?
Am I jumping the gun thinking I'm probably not going to get in to OU or is it realistic to think so? Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

I'm not sure what your exact circumstances are...but don't lose hope. It has taken a while for me to be invited for an interview at OUCOM also. I was complete at OUCOM in November and I just recently received an interview invite. I too got into LECOM-B and LMU-DCOM, but was wondering what was up with OUCOM. I think they may have taken a long break there during the holidays, at least that's what I'm telling myself.

If you are really concerned, perhaps you could write a letter of intent (let them know that they're your top choice)..keep following up, etc. Good luck to you!

 

[DocNurse]

Thanks for the encouragement. I am holding on as tightly as I can to that last shread of hope that I'll receive an invite there. Honestly, before this experience I thought I was a shoe in with a 3.5GPA and a 29Q MCAT. OUCOM has been very humbling to me. Here's hoping to an invite!

 

[blondeshell15]

Anyone else looking into OUCOM??

 

[Concubine]

Anyone else looking into OUCOM??

As of now, that is where I am going. However, I will take at least two of the other schools I'm waiting on over OUCOM.

 

[bkell101]

HI....I just mailed in my deposit to OUCOM and I will be going there....I really liked the cirriculum and the vibe from the students....honestly I don't know much about their rep as an osteopathic school....how are they?

 

[bkell101]

OUCOM is the only school I've been accepted to and heard back from....I've done interviews and am still waiting for schools....but my deposit is due and I can't pass up the opportunity....I know I can back out if I want, but I have heard some good thigns about OUCOM....does anybody have positives about OUCOM they can share with me?

also....I work at Children's Hospital in the Heme/Onc department....I'm somewhat partial towards becoming a pediatric oncologist, but the fellows have told me that you're at a disadvantage when applying for residencies of that nature in comparison to MD's.....any insights?

 

[Shinken]

Hey shinken, what CORE sites did you do your rotations at? Any input on these hospitals?

South Pointe. I also did electives at Firelands, MetroHealth, and Summa.

And what did you think about the CCE classes in the first couple of years?

Well, most CCE sessions were very worthwhile. I don't know how things have changed, but for 1st year we spent time in activities such as AA meetings, WIC home visits, nursing homes, etc. The 2nd year tended to be more clinical, and we spent time at the offices and private practices of different area docs. As a PCC student we spent 4 hours/week in CCEs. CPC students had less hours, roughly 4 hours every other week or so.

 

[Shinken]

does anybody have positives about OUCOM they can share with me?

I don't think I have that much time to type 😉

also....I work at Children's Hospital in the Heme/Onc department....I'm somewhat partial towards becoming a pediatric oncologist, but the fellows have told me that you're at a disadvantage when applying for residencies of that nature in comparison to MD's.....any insights?

Are you talking about Rainbow Babies in Cleveland or Cincinnati Children's?

 

[blondeshell15]

We need an OUCOM med student to break down the good, the bad, and the ugly of OUCOM - I've exhausted many of the SDN & OUCOM's sites, but I'm still looking for more 🙂 Or at least someone I can PM to fill me in!

 

[DORoe]

We need an OUCOM med student to break down the good, the bad, and the ugly of OUCOM - I've exhausted many of the SDN & OUCOM's sites, but I'm still looking for more 🙂 Or at least someone I can PM to fill me in!

What specific types of things would you like to know? There are a lot of really good things about OUCOM from the administration to the curriculum to the CORE system of rotations and residencies all this is great. As far as bad things I can only think of a few things. I thought that the OMT curriculum could be a little stronger at OU while I was there. I also really dislike the fact that you can only do 8 weeks of out rotation outside the state of Ohio as a 3rd and 4th year and you can only do 12 total weeks in any one specialty except primary care specialties. I think that these two rules limit some of the people that are going for more competetive specialties such as urology, radiology, ortho, etc. Overall I think OUCOM is a great school and if you have any specific things that you would like to know I would be happy to tell you.

 

[Concubine]

What specific types of things would you like to know? There are a lot of really good things about OUCOM from the administration to the curriculum to the CORE system of rotations and residencies all this is great. As far as bad things I can only think of a few things. I thought that the OMT curriculum could be a little stronger at OU while I was there. I also really dislike the fact that you can only do 8 weeks of out rotation outside the state of Ohio as a 3rd and 4th year and you can only do 12 total weeks in any one specialty except primary care specialties. I think that these two rules limit some of the people that are going for more competetive specialties such as urology, radiology, ortho, etc. Overall I think OUCOM is a great school and if you have any specific things that you would like to know I would be happy to tell you.

So 12 weeks of rotation in non-primary care specialties? Is this less than the standard school?

 

[fortima]

hey guys and gals.....all of you who have interviewed....how long did it take to hear back for an interview?

my application was complete around 1/13 and am just waiting to hear back...

 

[soccer12]

hey guys and gals.....all of you who have interviewed....how long did it take to hear back for an interview?

my application was complete around 1/13 and am just waiting to hear back...

i think they typically interview on fridays and technically you are supposed to hear back on monday via email if you have been accepted. i think you even receive an email if you have been waitlisted. if you don't hear anything, chances are that you didn't get accepted. they were very clear and quick about getting back to me after i interviewed there. maybe you should contact them?
good luck.

 

[lp2001db]

hey guys and gals.....all of you who have interviewed....how long did it take to hear back for an interview?

my application was complete around 1/13 and am just waiting to hear back...

I was offered an interview about 2 weeks after being complete. They interviewed us on a Friday, and the acceptances were sent out Monday morning before 8am. It's really nice to have an answer that quickly. The administration seemed extremely helpful, and I was impressed with my interview day. I've already paid deposits and will definitely be attending OUCOM.

 

[fortima]

i think they typically interview on fridays and technically you are supposed to hear back on monday via email if you have been accepted. i think you even receive an email if you have been waitlisted. if you don't hear anything, chances are that you didn't get accepted. they were very clear and quick about getting back to me after i interviewed there. maybe you should contact them?
good luck.

i didnt interview yet. thanks though

 

[DORoe]

So 12 weeks of rotation in non-primary care specialties? Is this less than the standard school?

I really have no idea, but I could see how this would be a problem for someone going into a non primary care specialty.

 

[Concubine]

I really have no idea, but I could see how this would be a problem for someone going into a non primary care specialty.

Do you have the option of where your rotations are at? What are the best CORE hospitals to do your rotations at? Do students have the opportunity to do them at the Cleveland Clinic? What about internships?

 

[fortima]

hey guys......i am accepted at another school but am really holding out for OHIO....app has been complete in Athens for a month and still no word

anybody close to admissions, or someone who has recently interviewed.......know how full the class is as of now?

 

[Punchap]

hey guys......i am accepted at another school but am really holding out for OHIO....app has been complete in Athens for a month and still no word

anybody close to admissions, or someone who has recently interviewed.......know how full the class is as of now?

I interviewed a few weeks ago and was put on the waitlist...when I interviewed, they said they would be interviewing through March and then revisit the alternate list in April. I would say that if you are going to be offered at interview, you should probably get a notice with a couple of weeks. If you are really concerned, I would call the office to ask.

I'm not sure how many spots are available right now, but I do know that they increased their class size from 108 to 120 this year and they said that they would interview 200 or so. Good luck to you!

 

[DORoe]

Do you have the option of where your rotations are at? What are the best CORE hospitals to do your rotations at? Do students have the opportunity to do them at the Cleveland Clinic? What about internships?

Yes you do have an option about where you do your rotations at. Third year is practically set up for you at your CORE hospital, but most of fourth year is full of electives and such which you can do any where, even the WRCCF (World Renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation). Your CORE hospital is determined by a "Match" type system. You rank the hospitals that you wish to go to. Then a computer maximizes the number of people that get their first three choices. It's not perfect, but most people are pretty happy with what they get. The best CORE hospital is kind of a toss up really. It all depends on what you are looking for. In that list of CORE hospitals are urban, slightly larger hospitals, rural small hospitals, as well as suburban community hospitals. It all depends on what you are looking for. I am at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital. I like it here because it is a smaller community hospital that has a number of residency programs (fp, im, ortho, surg, ob/gyn, em). Also it is close to a number of larger centers in Cleveland and Akron, so doing some of my out rotations was easy. As far as internships go you will have to be more specific in your question. Do you want to know what type of internships there are, or if they are offered at the CORE hospitals, or what exactly do you want to know.

 

[Concubine]

Yes you do have an option about where you do your rotations at. Third year is practically set up for you at your CORE hospital, but most of fourth year is full of electives and such which you can do any where, even the WRCCF (World Renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation). Your CORE hospital is determined by a "Match" type system. You rank the hospitals that you wish to go to. Then a computer maximizes the number of people that get their first three choices. It's not perfect, but most people are pretty happy with what they get. The best CORE hospital is kind of a toss up really. It all depends on what you are looking for. In that list of CORE hospitals are urban, slightly larger hospitals, rural small hospitals, as well as suburban community hospitals. It all depends on what you are looking for. I am at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital. I like it here because it is a smaller community hospital that has a number of residency programs (fp, im, ortho, surg, ob/gyn, em). Also it is close to a number of larger centers in Cleveland and Akron, so doing some of my out rotations was easy. As far as internships go you will have to be more specific in your question. Do you want to know what type of internships there are, or if they are offered at the CORE hospitals, or what exactly do you want to know.

Sorry...yes what type of internships and also where. I'm considering a specialty, so an internship in my area of interest would be beneficial when applying to residencies. However, I'm also out of state, and would probably do my residency in Ohio if at all possible to fulfill my contract. So I'm hoping that there are some great internships in most of the specialties at Ohio hospitals that may give me a leg up when applying to a residency in Ohio? Thanks again!

 

[pepper1234]

does anyone know how much longer they will probably (roughly) be offering interviews?

 

[Concubine]

Also,
Some schools pretty much leave working out rotations to the students, and many end up traveling around a ton. Does OUCOM do this at all? I'm assuming it doesn't, but I just wanted to ask a current student...

 

[DORoe]

Sorry...yes what type of internships and also where. I'm considering a specialty, so an internship in my area of interest would be beneficial when applying to residencies. However, I'm also out of state, and would probably do my residency in Ohio if at all possible to fulfill my contract. So I'm hoping that there are some great internships in most of the specialties at Ohio hospitals that may give me a leg up when applying to a residency in Ohio? Thanks again!

Well there are residency programs in almost all areas of medicine within the CORE system. Here is the list

CORE Internships

Emergency Medicine Emphasis
Affinity Medical Center
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
South Pointe Hospital

ENT Emphasis
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center

Family Practice Emphasis
Akron City Hospital
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Affinity Medical Center
Firelands Regional Medical Center
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
MetroHealth Medical Center
South Pointe Hospital
St. Joseph Health Center

Internal Medicine Track
Affinity Medical Center
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Firelands Regional Medical Center
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
South Pointe Hospital
St. John West Shore Hospital
St. Joseph Health Center
St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center

Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
South Point Hospital

Obstetrics/Gynecology Track
Affinity Medical Center
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
O’Bleness Memorial Hospital
St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center

Otolaryngology/Oral Facial Plastic Surgery
Affinity Medical Center
Doctors Hospital

Pediatrics Track
Doctors Hospital

Traditional Rotating Track
Affinity Medical Center
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Firelands Regional Medical Center
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
O’Bleness Memorial Hospital
South Pointe Hospital
Southern Ohio Medical Center
St. John West Shore Hospital
St. Joseph Health Center
St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center

CORE Residencies

Anesthesiology
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
South Pointe Hospital

Cardiology
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center

Critical Care Surgery
Doctors Hospital

Dermatology
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
O’Bleness Memorial Hospital

Diagnostic Radiology
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center

Emergency Medicine
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
South Pointe Hospital
St. John West Shore Hospital
St. Joseph Health Center

Family Practice
Affinity Medical Center
Akron City Hospital
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Firelands Regional Medical Center
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
MetroHealth Medical Center
O’Bleness Memorial Hospital
South Pointe Hospital
Southern Ohio Medical Center
St. John West Shore Hospital
St. Joseph Health Center
St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center

Family Medicine/Emergency Medicine
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center

General Internal Medicine
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Firelands Regional Medical Center
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
South Pointe Hospital
St. John West Shore Hospital
St. Joseph Health Center
St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center

General Pediatrics
Doctors Hospital

General Surgery
Affinity Medical Center
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
South Pointe Hospital
St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center

Hand Surgery
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center

Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
South Pointe Hospital
St. John West Shore Hospital

Nephrology
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center

Neurology
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center

Neurosurgery
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center

Neuromusculoskeletal
Firelands Regional Medical Center
O’Bleness Memorial Hospital
South Pointe Hospital

Obstetrics/Gynecology
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
O’Bleness Memorial Hospital
St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center

OMM
Firelands Regional Medical Center
O’Bleness Memorial Hospital
South Pointe Hospital

Ophthalmology
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center

Orthopedic Surgery
Affinity Medical Center
Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
South Pointe Hospital
St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center

Otolaryngology/Oral Facial Plastic Surgery
Affinity Medical Center
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center

Pediatric Radiology
Doctors Hospital

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
South Pointe hospital
Doctors Hospital

Proctology
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center

Vascular Surgery
Doctors Hospital
Grandview Hospital & Medical Center
South Pointe Hospital

you can get more info http://www.ohiocore.org/

 

[DORoe]

Also,
Some schools pretty much leave working out rotations to the students, and many end up traveling around a ton. Does OUCOM do this at all? I'm assuming it doesn't, but I just wanted to ask a current student...

It's kind of a split. During most if not all of your 3rd year your rotations are set up for you within your CORE hospital. 4th year is pretty much up to you to schedule. You have the choice to travel about or to stay local, whatever you want to do. However, as I said earlier you can only do 8 weeks total out of state, and no more than 12 weeks in any one specialty. If you have a specialty in mind it would benefit you to try to get to a hospital that has that residency within it. This is because more than likely the specialty that you are interested in is a required rotation which you have to complete in your CORE hospital. Being at a place for an extended period of time allows you to make yourself known and to really get to know the people that run the program. This can be a big advantage when you go to apply.

Oh, and 1 caveat to the 12 weeks in a specialty thing. You may use your vacation to do a rotation. You get 13 total weeks of vacation I believe. You can go anywhere and do anything during this time if you wish to, of course you do give up some of the precious vaction.

 

[Concubine]

It's kind of a split. During most if not all of your 3rd year your rotations are set up for you within your CORE hospital. 4th year is pretty much up to you to schedule. You have the choice to travel about or to stay local, whatever you want to do. However, as I said earlier you can only do 8 weeks total out of state, and no more than 12 weeks in any one specialty. If you have a specialty in mind it would benefit you to try to get to a hospital that has that residency within it. This is because more than likely the specialty that you are interested in is a required rotation which you have to complete in your CORE hospital. Being at a place for an extended period of time allows you to make yourself known and to really get to know the people that run the program. This can be a big advantage when you go to apply.

Oh, and 1 caveat to the 12 weeks in a specialty thing. You may use your vacation to do a rotation. You get 13 total weeks of vacation I believe. You can go anywhere and do anything during this time if you wish to, of course you do give up some of the precious vaction.

So if you are like me, an older non-traditional applicant with a wife and kid, can I pretty much expect to stay in one spot or do I need to prepare to move around a little?

 

[dinkadare]

Any advice for a fellow premed?! 😀

Just wondering if anyone could give a heads-up of what to expect in the interview at OU.

Your help will be appreciated.

Also, does anyone have more information on ranking of DO schools or all schools in Ohio?

How does OU rank in the scale of schools who promote OMT?

Is anyone considering the DO/Phd route?

Are rotations in 3rd and 4th year outside of Athens?

Thanks for your help.

 

[DORoe]

So if you are like me, an older non-traditional applicant with a wife and kid, can I pretty much expect to stay in one spot or do I need to prepare to move around a little?

You can pretty much stay in one spot for all of your rotations if you so choose. Your hospital will have all of your required rotations housed within it or close to it. As far as electives go, you can choose to do whatever you want so staying close is always an option. If you don't want to move around a lot I would recommend trying to get a CORE hospital in Northeast Ohio. You will be close to many different training institutions without having move around. I only did two months away from home and only because they were programs I was very interested in.

 

[DORoe]

Just wondering if anyone could give a heads-up of what to expect in the interview at OU.

Your help will be appreciated.

Also, does anyone have more information on ranking of DO schools or all schools in Ohio?

How does OU rank in the scale of schools who promote OMT?

Is anyone considering the DO/Phd route?

Are rotations in 3rd and 4th year outside of Athens?

Thanks for your help.

The interview is very laid back and easy. It was three seperate one on one interviews. I don't know if it has changed so maybe someone closer to the process can weigh in.

Do schools do not have any rankings

Again things like ranking DO schools based on OMT is just not done. I would say that OU has a moderate amount of OMT promotion. I think at times we could have had more effective OMT, but overall the instruction was good.

Read my above posts for info about 3rd and 4th year

 

[SingeMagique08]

I interviewed with OUCOM back in January and was accepted. OU was the only osteopathic school to which I applied and I am very glad I did. Out of the nine interviews I've been to OU ranks in my top two. The students I spoke with were friendly and engaging. The staff and faculty are welcoming and are genuinely interested in helping you find a fit at OU.

I was impressed with the PCC program at OU. I interviewed with HMS in February and the PCC program at OU is almost identical to the NP program at HMS. So I'm sure the education at OU will be great, and besides the quality of education really does lay in the hands of the student.

Additionally, I'm from Ohio and I enjoy the small town atmosphere of Athens so the location is, to me, just fine. I like the idea of the CORE program, it gives students a number of choices and personally I would be inclined to be close to home at the Columbus hospitals.

The one aspect that I am still interested with at OU is their residency matching. Does anyone know where I can find this information? The admissions office has yet to respond to my request.

At dinkadare: I am also considering the DO/PhD program. Actually that is what is causing me a lot of stress lately. I have some fairly lucrative offers from MSTP programs, but when I get down to it I relate much more with the osteopathic philosophy. A lot of people don't consider the combined program because it takes so long. Just think, it will be 7-8 years of school before you get to your postdoc or residency. Having said that, a MD or DO/PhD does open a lot of doors if you are thinking about leading research groups or in bringing basic science to the bed side.

Personally, I think obtaining both degrees would be enjoyable. The medical degree offers all the training to identify disease and treat patients but the PhD really allows you to start identifying and exploring your own questions. If the 7-8 years doesn't matter, then definitely pursue it.

Just my two cents 🙂

 

[soccer12]

PRECOM scheduled for tomorrow March 8th has been cancelled due to weather. Just wanted to update those that planned on attending 🙂

 

[SingeMagique08]

Anyone know when they plan on rescheduling PRECOM? Also, I heard there is another orientation day in April. Anyone planning on going to that?

 

[Concubine]

Anyone know when they plan on rescheduling PRECOM? Also, I heard there is another orientation day in April. Anyone planning on going to that?

I think I will unless I get into my other schools. However, the last thing I need is to schedule a flight and have it cancelled again.

 

[DocNurse]

FINALLLY! Accepted into OU!! I will be joining the rest of you in this upcoming summer!