I'm in too! Congrats everyone, maybe we'll all be classmates. Just an aside, does anyone know the official number of applicants?
RVU-COM Discussion thread 2008-2009
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2300 primary as of Thursday.
Well considering the first deposit is due on December 15th and there are probably at least a couple people that will decide to go to other schools, I wouldn't give up hope yet!!!! It's still really early. Hang in there
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Well thank you so much! And congrats on getting an acceptance at a school that fit you better! Best of luck to you my friend! 🙂
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I asked my wife about this, and I misunderstood her conversation with Kerri, so I edited my earlier post. I apologize for the misunderstanding, and tell your husband good luck! 🙂 As far as the email, I'm sure hers is the same, I think it's just a standard email sent out in bulk to those who didn't quite make it.
Edit-I believe what she meant was that if she happened to be high up on the wait list, then she might have a good shot. Thought I would explain since I posted incorrect information before. 🙂
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So, would most of those who are accepted, and or who are current students, choose RVU over maybe a more established school (IE KCOM or CCOM, but others as well)? I do really like RVU, but I won't lie, the newness and lack of fed funds gets me a little nervous.
Also, what are you guys thinking about for paying for school?
Also, what are you guys thinking about for paying for school?
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The school was just being finished when I applied (or close to completion), but those are a few of the reasons that I did not bother applying there, and I was from Colorado. I've read in a few places though that the Colorado Board of Medical Examiners (or wha 'ever Colorados licensing board is) currently has the school on the do not pass go list. So, if you are applying you may want to call the state board and verify what's up with licensing.
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its probably because they are are not fully accredited yet..they wont be until they graduate their first class. This shouldnt be a problem though from what I understand. Maybe this is something entirely different though, anyone have some insight?
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I did choose RVU over a couple other well-established schools. A big reason was that I like the mountains more than the midwest. I also liked/still like going to a brand new school and helping to establish it. We get input on everything, and the faculty listen and adjust anything we inquire about. Sure, there are some things that don't go smooth the first time, but it's been all getting steadily better. The facilities are brand new... it's tough to beat that.
As far as paying for school, there's 2 options that I see.... military scholarship and private loans. I'm doing private loans. It's not a big deal. You have to pay no matter where you go, and private isn't bad.
I don't have a clue what that person was talking about in regards to the 'colorado licensing board...' We had a meeting with the dean last week and things are going great. We are on track to have 3rd/4th year rotations lined up, new residency programs opened in all specialties, and we even got a few simulation patients in last week.
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Did anyone that received an interview ever get an email that said your application would "continue to be re-evaluated?"
I'm assuming that this is a pre-interview hold, but just want to make sure.
I'm assuming that this is a pre-interview hold, but just want to make sure.
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No offense, but perhaps this is something you should have taken upon yourself to look into before enrolling at a school. I'm sure the school paints a nice picture and all, but considering the cost involved, a simple phone call to the state licensing board may have been prudent?
According to :
Colorado Department of
Regulatory Agencies
Division of Registrations
Board of Medical Examiners
RVUCOM is on their list of questionable schools-questionable being schools that graduates from cannot obtain a license in the state of CO, or will have extra "hoops" to jump through in order to obtain a license. RVU is currently the only non-foreign school on this list. Now, like an above poster mentioned, this could perhaps be because they have yet to graduate a class, but if I were applying there I would certainly look into it.
The only other information I was given is that the school is currently aware of this problem.
On that note, I'm done researching this (wasn't really research...a simple google followed by a simple phone call). I only did so because the poster that I quoted seemed too inept to do so themselves. 🙂
Anyway, I would assume that since it's a for profit school they are going to be VERY motivated to get this resolved asap. But if I were applying there I most certainly would have done enough research to know this, and would have been concerned about it.
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"Did anyone that received an interview ever get an email that said your application would "continue to be re-evaluated?"
I'm assuming that this is a pre-interview hold, but just want to make sure."
You pose an interesting question...and one that I'm curious about too as I'm in the same 'limbo' position as you.
A thought is that they may pull some of us off this "pre-interview hold" list after December 14...seeing as that's the first day that deposits are due. RVU has a fairly expensive seat deposit fee (2k if I remember correctly) so it's quite possible that a lot of those accepted will pass it up. I'm hoping they do...as I'd really like to be in Denver next year.
Keepin the faith...
I'm assuming that this is a pre-interview hold, but just want to make sure."
You pose an interesting question...and one that I'm curious about too as I'm in the same 'limbo' position as you.
A thought is that they may pull some of us off this "pre-interview hold" list after December 14...seeing as that's the first day that deposits are due. RVU has a fairly expensive seat deposit fee (2k if I remember correctly) so it's quite possible that a lot of those accepted will pass it up. I'm hoping they do...as I'd really like to be in Denver next year.
Keepin the faith...
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I'm thinking of choosing RVU over LECOM...if you have good credit, you can get money, if you don't, then you'll have problems everywhere (Grad Plus depend on credit).
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It's $500...
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According to the exact same source, RVUCOM was "granted preliminary state authorization." That means there isn't a problem. Yes, it's preliminary, but as everyone knows, the 'preliminary' part goes away after the first class graduates. For the skeptical, read it for yourself at http://highered.colorado.gov/CCHE/Meetings/2007/feb/feb07agenda4b.pdf
Let's be realistic: is a school going to graduate 160 students who can't practice?
No sense in fabricating problems when everything is going smoothly.
And for those of you who have questions about your "still being reviewed" letters: just email someone in admissions. It'll scare you how nice they are! Good luck!
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I just glanced at your link, but there doesn't appear to be anything in your post or link that pertains to licensure by the state of Colorado. It only pertains to being recognized as a school by the state of CO. While I agree (which was stated in my earlier post) that any school, especially a for profit school, would want to have the licensing issue resolved asap, your post/link does not mention that issue (especially from the governing body--which I listed in my above post and is different from what the source you linked) Anyway, you are talking about accrediation as an educational institution, I am talking about the governing body which issues a license to practice medicine in the state of Colorado--these are two different things.
If you really want to see what I am speaking about, just call the licensing board that I listed above and ask them, they will tell you that currently RVU is a questionable school and graduates could face problems obtaining a license to practice medicine in the state.
I'm not bashing your school so don't take it personally. Someone earlier asked about reasons why one may or may not pick RVU, so I replied with a few of the reasons I didn't even consider the school when I was applying.
Obviously you don't have the same concerns with the school as I did, which is fine, but that doesn't change the fact that currently the licensing board does have RVU listed as questionable.
Anyway, I'm done talking about this, I just don't care enough about the school to continue. Good luck to you though! 🙂
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Yeah, I already emailed admissions. I'll post the response when I get it 🙂
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Look at our faculty list and you will see that RVU is basically LECOM + TCOM
The chair for the first two years was the curriculum chair of TCOM and the chair for anatomy was chair from LECOM just to name a few.
I would choose RVU over many of the other schools as well.
Good luck to everyone and choose the school that feels right for you.
The chair for the first two years was the curriculum chair of TCOM and the chair for anatomy was chair from LECOM just to name a few.
I would choose RVU over many of the other schools as well.
Good luck to everyone and choose the school that feels right for you.
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Interviewed Mon 11/17 & got a call the Thursday night after @ 7pm EST...
after seeing this school, I was really excited about the location/curriculum!
However after doing A LOT of research on the schools to which I have been accepted, I am now a little worried. It seems that a lot of ppl (current DO's and DO medical students) are upset that this school is allowed to function as a for-profit school. I'm just afraid that this may negatively affect me in the future... residencies... practicing?
Any input on this???
I would love to go... CO is so beautiful, but I don't want to take a risk in the medical school I decide on.
after seeing this school, I was really excited about the location/curriculum!
However after doing A LOT of research on the schools to which I have been accepted, I am now a little worried. It seems that a lot of ppl (current DO's and DO medical students) are upset that this school is allowed to function as a for-profit school. I'm just afraid that this may negatively affect me in the future... residencies... practicing?
Any input on this???
I would love to go... CO is so beautiful, but I don't want to take a risk in the medical school I decide on.
I was also a little bit concerned but every person that is affiliated with the school is absolutely in love with. My biggest concern was whether or not there would be enough opportunities to get into anesthesiology or other specialties but other people have mentioned that there are over 300 residency spots already set up in almost every specialty (or in the process). Also, its medical school. At the end of it all, you'll still be a doctor regardless of where you go.
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I was really impressed with RVU. It wasn't my first choice pre-interview, but it might be now, I don't know. Speaking with doctors off SDN, most couldn't care less if RVU is for-profit or not, so I'd be cautious in using SDN as a de facto source of information.
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my info was also coming from the AOA website... the AOA explains that this school will be just as credible as the rest, but under that, many DO's give their opinion... and they don't seem too happy. I don't really understand why they care. They think we can buy our way into this school or something (I definitely did not!). Not really sure who/what to believe at this point.. I just wish this school was a little older with successful graduates as to ease my concerns
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has anyone been reading the thread in the med-student forum? I had no idea this was such a hot topic in the profession... Im seriously debating whether to even interview here or not!!!
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Here's my advice: I've read it, and some of it is wrong, some of it it is right. I would do my own research if I were you, which doesn't include SDN...it's an anonymous board for petes sake. Anyway, I had some concerns about the school, but really liked the location, so I interviewed. I must say I was VERY impressed by the everything about the school. I haven't felt as welcomed at any school, the facilities are better than any school I've seen, and this is the only school where the administration and interviewers weren't trying to convince me to come to the school, rather they encouraged me to determine if RVU is the best choice for me. So, I would interview and ask them the hard questions you have.
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you're advice is probably sound..here's another tough question though. I have been accepted at a couple of schools where I would love to go and am expecting to hear from 3 others in the next few weeks... Im debating whether the flight/hotel/another school to consider putting a deposit down is worth it, especially since the deposits are due for my acceptances on december 15th and Ill probably have made a final decision between all 5 schools by then. If the deposits weren't so much ca$h I would probably not even question going. i know nobody can answer for me but does anyone have any thoughts? Is RVU potentially worth the extra $1000 deposit??
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Having seen the school, it would be worth the risk of $1000 to me...however, that being said, only you can decide. If you've been accepted to other schools you totally love, then it may not be worth interviewing at another school. For me it was a moot point, RVU is within driving distance from my home, so it wasn't an expensive decision for me, but I'm glad I went. A couple things mentioned on those other threads that are just not true (and there are others), clinical rotation sites are already in place, more than year in advance. 96 will stay in the Denver area, some will go to the two hospitals in Colorado Springs (1600 beds total), some will go to Grand Junction (there's actually a DO hospital in Grand Junction), and a few to Pueblo. In total, there are commitments for 10000 beds worth of hospitals, that's an impressive number. Residencies are being developed, that being said, they're not there yet. They seemed confident they could develop them, others seem skeptical (not at the school, but here on SDN), so who knows who's right about those.
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So even if the all the SDN /AOA skeptics are wrong about RVU (getting a solid education/good rotations)... do you think that since this is such a hot debated issue, that there will be kind of a divide b/w students from for-profit schools & not for-profit schools that could affect getting a residency/job in the future?
After seeing the school for myself, I don't see how you couldnt get a quality education here, with all the great profs taken from other established schools, state of the art technology, & integrated curriculum. The only thing I am worried about is if i will be frowned upon by other DO's & students from going here. seems kinda ridiculous... but this is really making me second guess going here. 😕
After seeing the school for myself, I don't see how you couldnt get a quality education here, with all the great profs taken from other established schools, state of the art technology, & integrated curriculum. The only thing I am worried about is if i will be frowned upon by other DO's & students from going here. seems kinda ridiculous... but this is really making me second guess going here. 😕
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Its hard for me to believe that the graduates would suffer straight out of school...I don't think anyone's beef is with the students, or at least it certainly shouldn't be!
I have a question for those who are already enrolled at RVU... how was the whole financing situation? was it hard to get private loans for such huge amount? what do you think the average debt students will graduate with will be? thanks!
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Yea I definitely don't think it should be either! but from what ive read... a lot of DO's/current DO students arent happy about RVU.
For the current RVU students or those who have accepted their spot at RVU this year... what other schools accepted you & why did you choose RVU over those schools?
Thanks!!
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thanks for the link DoktorB... this is something anyone considering this school should be aware of. you can argue all you want (and rightly so) that RVU students will be held to the same standards as everyone else, but that means jack if the perception of the wider medical community is negative. sure, in a perfect world, the people interviewing RVU students for future residency spots wouldn't view RVU in a negative light, but i think that's assuming a lot. i'd rather not take that chance, personally. i'm not sure if i will interview here...
I don't know if this helps, but here are links for a debate that appeared in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. I would imagine these links have been posted elsewhere here on SDN, but nonetheless, the may be os some interest. The first is a letter from Dr. George Mychaskiw, II, DO, challenging the for-profit, etc. status of the school. The second is a response from Dr. Ronnie B Martin, DO, dean at RVU. The articles are a little dated but they due contain some interesting information. An internet search about these issues on Google gets quite a few hits, and there is a nice link on the RVU-COM website addressing both the for-profit status and the link (or lack thereof) to the American University of the Caribbean. The third link listed takes you to the RVU portion of the website addressing the for-profit/AUC issue. Hope this helps. I too am debating/asking the same questions.
http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/107/7/246-b
http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/108/8/458
http://www.rockyvistauniversity.org/for_profit.asp
http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/107/7/246-b
http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/108/8/458
http://www.rockyvistauniversity.org/for_profit.asp
This is a concern that I also had, until speaking with a couple of current RVU students. Granted, they're going to be biased, but they still brought up valid points. Getting a good residency relies mostly on board scores and how you do in rotations - especially rotations where you're informally interviewing for a residency position. Unless it's a super competitive in-house ivy league program most residency program directors won't be biased against RVU. The students I've spoken with have already been shadowing in the ER and primary care offices and they have all been received very well by docs and other hospital staff - nothing negative.
As for others frowning upon students/graduates of RVU, I personally don't think this will be a problem. I have spoken with numerous docs in the Denver area and not one of them had a negative impression of the school. Most were excited that there are more opportunities for education in the area. A few even said that they wanted to teach at the school.
Without question there is a certain degree of risk associated with the school. The funding, inevitable growing pains, etc. I had the same concerns, but after speaking with current students and practicing docs in the area, I am confident that it is the school for me. I love the area, loved the campus, and the faculty/admin that I met were great. Try and research the school as much as possible. Speak with students and the administration as much as possible. As other's have pointed out, most of the faculty is coming from well-established schools with great reputations. One of the curriculum directors previously taught at TCOM, where their board pass rate was 99%. Things like this helped decide that RVU was for me, and that is why I am going to put down a deposit.
I was waitlisted at DMU. That place was awesome, and I got a very good feeling there. If I had been accepted there, I would've had a very difficult time deciding between the two. But since I wasn't, the decision was easy.
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Go for it man! I look forward to being a fellow DO with you in the future, regardless of what people will say about where you go to school. You'll get a great education there for sure, Im not gonna hold it against you! best of luck!!
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Wow, there's a lot going on here. I'll give you my view as an RVU student.
1. How do others view an RVU student, coming from a for-profit school?
It's true, there are some people who have trouble accepting the for-profit school. However, their issue is with the concept, no with the students. I highly doubt you'll find ANYONE who treats an RVU student lesser just because of the funding of the school. The thought hasn't crossed my mind. I am not one bit worried about it, and you shouldn't be either. I'll be happy to discuss this more and more, especially as we do more rotations, but I'm telling you, it's nothing to worry about.
2. Debt
Our debt is around the average for DO schools. Nothing you can really do to avoid it unless you get 1 of 3 full-rides or go military. I think the average after graduation will be around 200K.
3. Residencies
True, they aren't 'official' yet. For a good reason though. If they establish them right now, they go away when students don't enter them... and since we haven't graduated anyone, they won't fill up. So right now they are lining everything up (in every speciality), and by the time we're ready for them, they'll be opened and 'official.' Again, no worries here. It is phenomenal how much support we have from area hospitals.
4. RVU vs. others
This is completely up to each individual. I was picky when I applied and was accepted to both RVU and DMU. I liked the RVU location, philosophies, staff, facilities, and potential. That's just me. So yeah, I'd say the deposit was more than worth it. Don't get me wrong, I loved DMU a lot. RVU was just a better fit for me.
I hope this helps a little. Fire away more questions if I missed something or if you just don't agree with me. I just want everyone to have the right info about RVU so you can make the choice that is best for you.
Go eat some turkey.
1. How do others view an RVU student, coming from a for-profit school?
It's true, there are some people who have trouble accepting the for-profit school. However, their issue is with the concept, no with the students. I highly doubt you'll find ANYONE who treats an RVU student lesser just because of the funding of the school. The thought hasn't crossed my mind. I am not one bit worried about it, and you shouldn't be either. I'll be happy to discuss this more and more, especially as we do more rotations, but I'm telling you, it's nothing to worry about.
2. Debt
Our debt is around the average for DO schools. Nothing you can really do to avoid it unless you get 1 of 3 full-rides or go military. I think the average after graduation will be around 200K.
3. Residencies
True, they aren't 'official' yet. For a good reason though. If they establish them right now, they go away when students don't enter them... and since we haven't graduated anyone, they won't fill up. So right now they are lining everything up (in every speciality), and by the time we're ready for them, they'll be opened and 'official.' Again, no worries here. It is phenomenal how much support we have from area hospitals.
4. RVU vs. others
This is completely up to each individual. I was picky when I applied and was accepted to both RVU and DMU. I liked the RVU location, philosophies, staff, facilities, and potential. That's just me. So yeah, I'd say the deposit was more than worth it. Don't get me wrong, I loved DMU a lot. RVU was just a better fit for me.
I hope this helps a little. Fire away more questions if I missed something or if you just don't agree with me. I just want everyone to have the right info about RVU so you can make the choice that is best for you.
Go eat some turkey.
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Not snowing here at the moment. Actually, I think most of our snow comes in March. Of course that's not saying we don't get snow in the Nov.-Feb. range also, just more in March. 😉
Anyway, have a great Thanksgiving everyone!! 🙂
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If you already have acceptances elsewhere, no.
All you can really say for sure is that the administration has told you that they already have spots for the students. Until someone has gone through them you cannot say for sure that they are already in place. A lot can change in 2 years.
Furthermore, it takes years and years to iron out the kinks in rotations. I for one wouldn't want to be the guinea pig as these problems get resolved.
3rd and 4th year is not like the pre-clinical years where all you need is a projector and some seating and a guy who knows enough to teach first or second years.
The fact that RVU lists so many hospitals is actually not a positive. It means that they struggled to find one home hospital and all they could come up with is small agreements with tons of hospitals. I counted 24 hospitals listed on their website.
Each of these hospitals will have very few students rotating through it in a given year and so the kinks will not be worked out as quickly. Furthermore, it leads me to believe that the hospitals were reluctant to dole out too many spots to RVU. With fewer promised, it would be easier for them to renege on their deal. I'm not saying these wont come through but if you have other options, do you really want to risk it?
A few things to note: Most DO students opt to go to MD residencies.
How do you thingk residency program directors are going to react to a for-profit DO school with ties to an owner of a carribean school?
Already the most competitive residencies are all but closed to DO students because many of those programs view DO schools as inferior due to variable clinicals and lower standards. If you dont believe me look at the match data for the most competitive programs: Neurosurg, Ophtho, ENT, Uro, Derm. Look at match data for good programs in less competitive programs. Hell look for threads on SDN asking for DO friendly rotations and residencies.
In a perfect world everyone would be judged by their accomplishments but in the real world this isnt entirely true. Make your decision wisely.
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Thanks for the thoughts on this subject. Since I've been reading and learning more about the school, the more concerns I have. I guess what it boils down to is to pick a school your not only comfortable at, but confident in, since you really can't go back and just do it all again at a "better" school after 4 years. So, I guess it's best to pick the right school the first time and not have regrets years down the road.
This thread has some good information to mull over, and all of the differing views and opinions are appreciated. Thanks everyone! 👍
Edit- "better" is pretty subjective and can be based on numerous things I'm sure. Just wanted to clarify that I wasn't trying to start any flames. 🙂
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Actually, this is the discussion thread for the school, so what better place to discuss the school? And while you believe that the "for profit status" doesn't mean anything, that doesn't make it the feeling of everyone in the medical community. And in the same token, I realize that not everyone will be concerned by some of these potential issues. 🙂
I have found this thread very informative and it has brought to light some concerns that I feel I should at least look into and not just simply dismiss.
Anyway, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving as well! 🙂
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