Our plans for next year

[EEL08]

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So my husband and I have talked about what we want to do for next year. We have been working on our plans and I was just waiting to make sure that we were 100% definite on where we would end up next year before telling everyone. DCOM is a great school with really cool students and soon-to-be students and I am so happy and thankful that I was accepted. With that being said, I will not be attending DCOM next year. My husband was hesitant from the beginning about the school being in such a rural location and after I visited I began feeling that he was right and it isn't the right place for us. This does not take away from the greatness of DCOM and the area is beautiful and everyone is sooooo nice but it just doesn't fit what we know will make us happy.

My husband has been accepted to AZCOM and LECOM-Erie and although he said LECOM is a great school he absolutely loved AZCOM. We've actually wanted to move to Phoenix for several years now but weren't sure when the opporunity would present itself. So, as crazy as it sounds, I will be giving up my acceptance for no acceptance. We will move to Phoenix at the end of July/beginning of August. My husband has tons of family out there and we just realize how great that would be considering we have two children. In the meantime I will finally write my LOI to AZCOM and hope and pray that I get off the preinterview waitlist. If it looks like I won't get an interview/acceptance I will be applying to the MA in Biomedical Science there. I'm really excited and I know this is right for us without a doubt. I loved the building and technology at DCOM but what I am sad about is not attending the same school with all the incredible people that will be there next year. :cry: I appreciate everyone's support and encouragement so far and, if you don't boycott me because I'm giving up an acceptance, I would still appreciate any words of wisdom you guys have for me in the future. 😍

 

[Jpc984]

So my husband and I have talked about what we want to do for next year. We have been working on our plans and I was just waiting to make sure that we were 100% definite on where we would end up next year before telling everyone. DCOM is a great school with really cool students and soon-to-be students and I am so happy and thankful that I was accepted. With that being said, I will not be attending DCOM next year. My husband was hesitant from the beginning about the school being in such a rural location and after I visited I began feeling that he was right and it isn't the right place for us. This does not take away from the greatness of DCOM and the area is beautiful and everyone is sooooo nice but it just doesn't fit what we know will make us happy.

My husband has been accepted to AZCOM and LECOM-Erie and although he said LECOM is a great school he absolutely loved AZCOM. We've actually wanted to move to Phoenix for several years now but weren't sure when the opporunity would present itself. So, as crazy as it sounds, I will be giving up my acceptance for no acceptance. We will move to Phoenix at the end of July/beginning of August. My husband has tons of family out there and we just realize how great that would be considering we have two children. In the meantime I will finally write my LOI to AZCOM and hope and pray that I get off the preinterview waitlist. If it looks like I won't get an interview/acceptance I will be applying to the MA in Biomedical Science there. I'm really excited and I know this is right for us without a doubt. I loved the building and technology at DCOM but what I am sad about is not attending the same school with all the incredible people that will be there next year. :cry: I appreciate everyone's support and encouragement so far and, if you don't boycott me because I'm giving up an acceptance, I would still appreciate any words of wisdom you guys have for me in the future. 😍

Good school. Out of the three you listed, I would of chose AZCOM as well. Good Luck!

 

[spicedmanna]

I'm really excited and I know this is right for us without a doubt.

That's what's critical here. I wish you all the best, EEL, and for the best possible outcome. 👍

 

[Doc11Hopeful]

Best of luck EEL. Sometimes you just have to do what is best for your family. I know it will work out for you no matter what though!

 

[EEL08]

Good school. Out of the three you listed, I would of chose AZCOM as well.

Thanks Jpc. Of course I didn't mention UMDNJ which my husband should be hearing back from soon. We just had to really take a lot of things into consideration and having that much family nearby is hard to pass up. He has about 7-8 aunts and uncles who live in Phoenix and around 40 cousins (not sure how many are still in Phoenix but probably most). Just to emphasize one point, we did not take this decision lightly and I'm on the verge of tears because I really am sad to give up DCOM with all the people I know will be and are attending.

 

[Jpc984]

"He has about 7-8 aunts and uncles who live in Phoenix and around 40 cousins (not sure how many are still in Phoenix but probably most)"

Himm... Im on to you. Family=free babysitters!

 

[Beau Geste]

What a tough decision. I'm glad you guys were able to work it out.

Congrats to the both of you, and I'm sure AZ has many good things waiting for the BOTH of you 😉

 

[LauraDO]

I think this was a super smart decision EE, AZCOM is such a great school and offers so many opportunities for both you and your husband, hot as hell in Phoenix but you'll be studying inside most of the time anyway.

 

[EEL08]

"He has about 7-8 aunts and uncles who live in Phoenix and around 40 cousins (not sure how many are still in Phoenix but probably most)"

Himm... Im on to you. Family=free babysitters!

That would be great! They actually don't even know yet we'll be moving out there. We're looking at different stuff online for Phoenix right now and we're thinking about driving out there the first week of January to get better ideas of where we want to/could live. AZCOM has a realtor that works with its students so hopefully she'll be able to help us figure a lot of this out. Plus we have to figure out daycare/preschool and one of my husband's requirements is that we live not far from a Wal-mart. It will be hard not knowing for a while what will happen with me for next year. I'm not sure at what point I should apply for the MA program. I will wait though at least until I get my MCAT score back at the end of February.

 

[EEL08]

I think this was a super smart decision EE, AZCOM is such a great school and offers so many opportunities for both you and your husband, hot as hell in Phoenix but you'll be studying inside most of the time anyway.

You just want my spot at DCOM!! Just kidding. 😉 The nice thing is the ability to stay in Phoenix for all four years because if we like it enough we might just end up there permanently. Plus his family all speak spanish too and I haven't been able to learn it well enough so I'm hoping they can teach me. 😛

 

[Jpc984]

You just want my spot at DCOM!! Just kidding. 😉 The nice thing is the ability to stay in Phoenix for all four years because if we like it enough we might just end up there permanently. Plus his family all speak spanish too and I haven't been able to learn it well enough so I'm hoping they can teach me. 😛

Have you considered their campus housing? They allow families and it seemed really safe with the security and gated community what nots.

 

[Shaniqua14]

I'm sure all of the SDNers that have come to know and love you through this application cycle already know that you wouldn't have taken this decision lightly.

You have shown, through your posts, the respect and maturity that you possess-- and also (unlike some of the gunners on the pre-allo forum) that medical school isn't the only key to happiness (just a contributor for those of us pre-meds). You realize that family, spouses, extended family, and a feeling of "belonging in a certain area over another" also are very important.

I'm sure you are going to do great in the master's program you enroll in, and when you do eventually enter med school you'll do wonderful as well, (and even if you don't I'm sure you'll still excel in whatever field you choose).

So although you won't be attending DCOM next year, please do not say g'bye to this forum yet, and your opinions and words of wisdom I know the rest of us would miss.......... and good luck with writing the LOI to AZCOM!!!🙂

Thanks Jpc. Of course I didn't mention UMDNJ which my husband should be hearing back from soon. We just had to really take a lot of things into consideration and having that much family nearby is hard to pass up. He has about 7-8 aunts and uncles who live in Phoenix and around 40 cousins (not sure how many are still in Phoenix but probably most). Just to emphasize one point, we did not take this decision lightly and I'm on the verge of tears because I really am sad to give up DCOM with all the people I know will be and are attending.

 

[superfan56]

did you apply to AT still in MESA? That way you still have a chance...

Regardless, I think it must have been an impossible decision for 1 person let alone 2. Good luck in the future.

 

[EEL08]

Have you considered their campus housing? They allow families and it seemed really safe with the security and gated community what nots.

The problem with the campus housing is that they said it's very very very hard to actually get one because I guess not many will be opening up. Of course I wasn't there on interview day so I didn't get any more details. We would like to live in one place for at the least the four years of school because as I'm sure many of you know, moving stinks!

 

[EEL08]

I'm sure all of the SDNers that have come to know and love you through this application cycle already know that you wouldn't have taken this decision lightly.

You have shown, through your posts, the respect and maturity that you possess-- and also (unlike some of the gunners on the pre-allo forum) that medical school isn't the only key to happiness (just a contributor for those of us pre-meds). You realize that family, spouses, extended family, and a feeling of "belonging in a certain area over another" also are very important.

I'm sure you are going to do great in the master's program you enroll in, and when you do eventually enter med school you'll do wonderful as well, (and even if you don't I'm sure you'll still excel in whatever field you choose).

So although you won't be attending DCOM next year, please do not say g'bye to this forum yet, and your opinions and words of wisdom I know the rest of us would miss.......... and good luck with writing the LOI to AZCOM!!!🙂

That's so sweet of you to say! 😳 I knew going into this it would be difficult because both of us are applying but it was really hard to know how it would all work out. Don't worry though, I will still be all over this board like white on rice!! 😀

 

[EEL08]

did you apply to AT still in MESA? That way you still have a chance...

Regardless, I think it must have been an impossible decision for 1 person let alone 2. Good luck in the future.

I actually didn't apply there. I don't know exactly where all their CHCs are but I'm sure there should be at least one in Phoenix. I don't know what the likelihood is of getting the one you want. We didn't apply originally because we weren't sure how difficult it would be to both get accepted and both to the same CHC.

 

[mastamark]

wow...I really hope you get in at AZCOM or ATSU in mesa if you applied. I know you put a lot of hard work in to get to this point. I definitely understand making a decision that will benefit the family. It'll all work out.👍

 

[noshie]

That is a tough decision! I hope they consider you at AZCOM, I am sure they will understand why you really want to go there and give you a shot. Good Luck!

 

[superfan56]

seems like you have a plan. Honestly, looking at your MDapps, the only thing holding you back is your MCAT. I know you said you were retaking it, but a good MCAT score <24 and good grades in the masters program should get you in AZCOM.

 

[EEL08]

Thanks everyone! Yeah I'm retaking on January 25 so hopefully that one will go much better. I'm not exactly sure what I will do if I don't get accepted to the 1 year MA program. Maybe apply to a different masters program. I mean a person can never have too many master's degrees right?

 

[EEL08]

My husband and I did talk about me trying to get my overall GPA up. I just finished Genetics and got an A so that brings it to a 3.203 or something and taking one more class after that would bring it up to a 3.207, so really what's the point? I did get a D in Calculus so retaking that might bring it up even more but do I honestly want to do that? I don't think so. Plus the cc would want me to take a test to get into that class and right now I need to mainly focus on the MCAT.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

You guys are making this a lot harder than it needs to be. In the (not so) long run, don't you think the best thing for the family would be to have two doctors instead of one? Also, have you seen AZCOM yet? What if you don't like it there?

 

[EEL08]

You guys are making this a lot harder than it needs to be. In the (not so) long run, don't you think the best thing for the family would be to have two doctors instead of one? Also, have you seen AZCOM yet? What if you don't like it there?

Well I still plan on being a doctor but it just might happen a year later than originally hoped/planned. The masters program I will be applying for is only one year. I have not seen AZCOM yet but hope to soon. Trust me, if my husband likes it there, I will like it there. He can be a little harder to please sometimes. I'm going to trust his opinion and hope for the best.

 

[sexyman]

did your husband apply to DCOM? Sorry if this was answered already.

 

[EEL08]

did your husband apply to DCOM? Sorry if this was answered already.

Yes he did and got an interview but had to reschedule. He wouldn't be happy there.

 

[sexyman]

Oh, ok.

 

[EEL08]

Oh, ok.

I'm sure most people think we're insane and/or stupid for passing up that opportunity.

 

[HillMill]

Hey EEL08,
My husband and I have a real estate agent out in glendale that we are currently working with to find housing for next year. She has been great and set up a website for us of all the listings that fit our criteria. We will be visiting Jan. 5th-12th to make some decisions. PM me if you would like her information. There are a lot of places to chose from and it is a good time to buy. Good luck and congrats on making your decision. Oh and you can always take classes at ASU if not midwestern.

 

[Doc11Hopeful]

I'm sure most people think we're insane and/or stupid for passing up that opportunity.

I don't. Decisions get ten times harder when you have at least one other person to think about. You have three. I don't envy you in trying to make such a tough choice but I admire you for sacrificing for the good of the family. Stay strong EEL!!

 

[spicedmanna]

I'm sure most people think we're insane and/or stupid for passing up that opportunity.

I like to look at it this way: you close one door, you open another. Plenty of folks have thought me crazy for some of my choices. But guess what? It's not their choice, or life. Your choice only needs to make sense to you. Do what makes you happy. There have been lots of times that I gave up perfectly wonderful things only to get something even MORE wonderful. 🙂

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Well I still plan on being a doctor but it just might happen a year later than originally hoped/planned. The masters program I will be applying for is only one year. I have not seen AZCOM yet but hope to soon. Trust me, if my husband likes it there, I will like it there. He can be a little harder to please sometimes. I'm going to trust his opinion and hope for the best.

What if you never get into AZCOM? Are you prepared to not be a doctor? Do you have a backup plan? That is the question you have to ask yourself before you make this decision.

If the answer is yes, then great. Best of luck to you. If not, I think you guys should hold off on this decision until the last minute, if necessary.

Hopefully, you will get into AZCOM, or somewhere that you will both be content, and this will be a moot point. But if that were to never happen, I'd think that both of you at DCOM would be better than one of you at AZCOM.

 

[paramediclizard]

EEL,

I don't know you personally, but I fully respect and admire your families decision. I'm sure that it was difficult and it's clear you haven't taken it lightly.
I wish you the best of luck with your status at AZCOM. I'm on the pre-interview hold also, so we will see what happens. Regardless of the outcome this application year, everything always works out for the best.
For me, family comes first too. It should always. Just because you got accepted someplace, doesn't mean it's the best fit for your family.
Stay strong and keep smiling!🙂

 

[MJB]

Best of luck to you.

I was under the impression you had both been accepted to DCOM.

 

[BCLumas]

Congratulations, EEL! I remember Roger Corbman telling us... "Do what is best for you, not what school accepts you. Medical school is a journey that you must do under the best of circumstances and you should always do what makes you happy." I am so glad for you and your husband! Congratulations!

 

[ViolinCello]

EEL - go with your heart. I think it is difficult for people w/o families to understand the things you have to take into consideration, and the sacrifices involved on everyone's part. In the end, the only decision that matters is the one that is right for you and your family. Med school is going to be crazy enough as it is, so why add any more stress to it than need be by being somewhere where you won't fit in?

 

[jp104]

Thanks everyone! Yeah I'm retaking on January 25 so hopefully that one will go much better. I'm not exactly sure what I will do if I don't get accepted to the 1 year MA program. Maybe apply to a different masters program. I mean a person can never have too many master's degrees right?

Another masters degree at this point would only rack up more debt for you. Consider working on your MCAT studying strategy and rocking that test. My .02. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Lokhtar]

Good luck. I can't say I would do the same in your position, but you seem to have thought it through and have decided that it is the right decision for you. I hope everything works out!

 

[sexyman]

Hopefully, you will get into AZCOM, or somewhere that you will both be content, and this will be a moot point. But if that were to never happen, I'd think that both of you at DCOM would be better than one of you at AZCOM.

I agree with TT, even though it is none of our business. But since you made a thread about it I guess it opens the door for discussion.

 

[Jpc984]

I agree with TT, even though it is none of our business. But since you made a thread about it I guess it opens the door for discussion.

Did her husband get into DCOM?

 

[sexyman]

^ no but he got an interview and never went to it.

Eel- on a somewhat serious half joking way- did you let Art get to you?

 

[EastWestN2grt]

I actually didn't apply there. I don't know exactly where all their CHCs are but I'm sure there should be at least one in Phoenix. I don't know what the likelihood is of getting the one you want. We didn't apply originally because we weren't sure how difficult it would be to both get accepted and both to the same CHC.

EEL, Just to help clarify some of these questions. Yes, there is one CHC in the Phoenix area, and it is an Indian Health Service based CHC. The one thing about this CHC is that they give preference to students who show an interest/experience in working with Native American populations. So some who wanted Phoenix didn't get it because of this semi-requirement. Also interviewees rank their CHCs based on their preferences, and as long as space remains you get the CHCs you are most interested in. While I, of course, am a bit biased between a choice of AZCOM vs SOMA, I do have to give you the warning that SOMA is in the East Valley of Phoenix, and AZCOM is on the Northwest area of Phoenix. Its almost an hour drive from the schools on a nice clear traffic time of the day. With traffic that commute would really suck!! So you might want to take that into consideration. BUT if you were to get into SOMA this year, and into the Phoenix CHC then you guys could find a nice home somewhere in between AZCOM and SOMA. BTW, that would make some great family rivalry!!

 

[Moestar]

Awww EEL!!!

I sent you a message before I saw this thread!!!

Wow that must have been a tough decision to make, but it sounds like that you and your husband has thought this thoroughly. DCOM is an awesome school but it totally depends on what feels right for you and your family!! I will keep my fingers crossed for you at AZCOM and I hope you hear something after you submit your LOI! If not, not worries, you will get in another year and your hubby will have all the insider info of what to do! 😉

So then when will you guys make the big move? (u might have answered this already but i didn't get a chanc to go through all the posts) I really really wish your family the best!! You are totally awesome and it was so wonderful to meet you in person! 🙂

 

[PatriotsForever]

Tough situation for sure! To have both of you guys wanting to attend med school with kids would be an extremely tough road. Me and wife are having a hard enough time with just me wanting to attend medical school with our daughter. I still think if your dream is to be a physician you need to run with it. I mean if we dont fulfill our dreams I think alot of happiness and personal fulfillment would be lost. EEL08, I definitely wish you and your family the best and do think that AZCOM is a great school but please dont give up on what you truly want to do!

 

[EEL08]

Thanks for the input everyone! I have no problem hearing other people's thoughts on what we've decided. We know ourselves very well so we know what is right for us. I would be surprised if I could NEVER get into AZCOM. I'm not saying I would apply for ten years to try to get in but I would definitely not give up easily. I'm mainly going to focus on getting my MCAT up. I know that another masters degree wouldn't necessarily give me a better chance of getting accepted but if it's the right program it might help me to be better prepared for med school. If I don't go to school I would need to find a job and it seems that people have some difficulty with that during the gap year. I would need to make at least enough to pay for daycare so I'm not sure how that would work out. I could try to look for a job in public health depending on how long I would be working for but that would only seem like a possibility if I have to take off more than a year.

 

[spicedmanna]

I understand that choices are not necessarily logic-based, nor should they always be. Following my heart has work out pretty well in the past...

However, there is some merit in reason. Consider the following: Now, I don't have all the facts, but if I were in your husband's situation, I would have sucked it up and went to DCOM. It makes the most sense here. This way, you'd both not waste any time becoming physicians and pretty much everyone gets what they want. In my humble opinion, while it's a good idea to pick a school based on feel, or location, in the large scheme of things, it's overrated. No matter where you attend, you'll become a physician, and I seriously doubt that someone could dislike a given school that much. Using the same example, if I were in that situation, I'd recognize that I'd have to endure two years in a somewhat less desirable school/location, perhaps, but I'd have my wife getting what she worked so hard for. That would be enough for me to let go of my desire for another school that I thought I liked more. Anyway, I don't know the whole situation. I'm just throwing this out there because it was on my mind. Take it for what it's worth. It's probably past the point where any of this is relevant, anyway.

In any case, I support the choice you made. 🙂

 

[EEL08]

EEL, Just to help clarify some of these questions. Yes, there is one CHC in the Phoenix area, and it is an Indian Health Service based CHC. The one thing about this CHC is that they give preference to students who show an interest/experience in working with Native American populations. So some who wanted Phoenix didn't get it because of this semi-requirement. Also interviewees rank their CHCs based on their preferences, and as long as space remains you get the CHCs you are most interested in. While I, of course, am a bit biased between a choice of AZCOM vs SOMA, I do have to give you the warning that SOMA is in the East Valley of Phoenix, and AZCOM is on the Northwest area of Phoenix. Its almost an hour drive from the schools on a nice clear traffic time of the day. With traffic that commute would really suck!! So you might want to take that into consideration. BUT if you were to get into SOMA this year, and into the Phoenix CHC then you guys could find a nice home somewhere in between AZCOM and SOMA. BTW, that would make some great family rivalry!!

Thanks for the info! I do have an interest in working with Native American populations but absolutely no experience whatsoever. We're not sure at this point how close we would be living to the school. We would like to also not be too far from my husband's family who mainly live in the Phoenix, Chandler and Mesa areas. SOMA isn't even on my primary so I'm not sure how good of a chance I would stand for this year especially with my current MCAT score. I could definitely consider adding it for next year. That would be pretty funny if we ended up at two different schools. 😛

 

[EEL08]

Awww EEL!!!

I sent you a message before I saw this thread!!!

Wow that must have been a tough decision to make, but it sounds like that you and your husband has thought this thoroughly. DCOM is an awesome school but it totally depends on what feels right for you and your family!! I will keep my fingers crossed for you at AZCOM and I hope you hear something after you submit your LOI! If not, not worries, you will get in another year and your hubby will have all the insider info of what to do! 😉

So then when will you guys make the big move? (u might have answered this already but i didn't get a chanc to go through all the posts) I really really wish your family the best!! You are totally awesome and it was so wonderful to meet you in person! 🙂

Thanks! I figured you hadn't seen this thread yet. 🙂 We will be moving at the end of July to beginning of August. We're planning on heading down next week to try to figure out things like living situations and daycares/preschools. It should be fun although it is a 15 hour drive with two toddlers. 😱 Who wants to come with us and be the babysitter? Anyone anyone?

 

[EEL08]

I understand that choices are not necessarily logic-based, nor should they always be. Following my heart has work out pretty well in the past...

However, there is some merit in reason. Consider the following: Now, I don't have all the facts, but if I were in your husband's situation, I would have sucked it up and went to DCOM. It makes the most sense here. This way, you'd both not waste any time becoming physicians and pretty much everyone gets what they want. In my humble opinion, while it's a good idea to pick a school based on feel, or location, in the large scheme of things, it's overrated. No matter where you attend, you'll become a physician, and I seriously doubt that someone could dislike a given school that much. Using the same example, if I were in that situation, I'd recognize that I'd have to endure two years in a somewhat less desirable school/location, perhaps, but I'd have my wife getting what she worked so hard for. That would be enough for me to let go of my desire for another school that I thought I liked more. Anyway, I don't know the whole situation. I'm just throwing this out there because it was on my mind. Take it for what it's worth. It's probably past the point where any of this is relevant, anyway.

In any case, I support the choice you made. 🙂

By the way, this decision in no way means I want to go to med school and become a physician any less. It will happen, just can't say definitely if it will be this year or next. Oh and we made this decision before Art came and blessed us with his presence 🙄 so he definitely did not have an effect on me. I definitely understand that location/feel isn't everything but it does play a pretty big part in my opinion. One of the biggest things, as I mentioned earlier, is having family close by. We have a little bit of family here and they have helped us tremendously like picking us up at the TRE station in Fort Worth after our car died at the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas then driving us all the way back to Dallas to fix it. That's just one example.

I do want to clarify that this has nothing to do with the school. I think my husband would really like the school but honestly neither of us would like to live in that area. I know the second two years are in/around Knoxville but I don't think we would enjoy living there either. I did actually live in Knoxville for three years during undergrad and I loved my school but did not like living there. I was so far removed from that time that I guess I thought maybe I could enjoy it but after visiting and staying with a friend in Knoxville I realized that I wouldn't. This is not just about how my husband feels. Oh and my husband has worked far harder than I have to get to this point. He matriculated at another med school in the 90s and due to financial reasons could not finish. It has been his dream for years to be a physician and he has gone through so much to get to this point. I have no problem sacrificing a year or two so he can realize his dream in a place that fits him and that he loves. Trust me, I understand everyone's viewpoints and I appreciate all your thoughts greatly. I will definitely keep everyone up-to-date on how things go for me, if anyone is interested that is. In the meantime, I will try to help others where I can, you know with my infinite wisdom and all. 🙄

 

[spicedmanna]

I will definitely keep everyone up-to-date on how things go for me, if anyone is interested that is.

Yes, please do. BTW, thanks for the lengthy clarification... You didn't have to clarify your choice, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. Again, I just want to emphasize that I wish you and your family all the best. I hope it all works out!

In the meantime, I will try to help others where I can, you know with my infinite wisdom and all. 🙄

Your help and perspective is appreciated. A positive force, such as yourself, goes a long way. 👍

 

[HrvatskiDoktor]

I'm sure most people think we're insane and/or stupid for passing up that opportunity.

I don't think you're insane. I think that it is probably the most brave thing that you could do actually. It is so much more important for your whole family to be happy and together than both of you to be in school at the same time. Besides, your family committing to AZCOM may get you an interview and acceptance!!!

I really wish you the best and know that you will become a doctor sooner or later!!!!