(sorry, I was working)
First off, Katrina - sounds like your stats are very fitting of the new school. I'm excited to have you as a potential classmate! Good luck on your interview! And, don't worry - there is always a way to fund school (private loans, loan repayment options/scholarships).
These are the questions that were asked and my answers to the best of my ability:
1. Will we be able to get fixed interest loans?
Depends on the loan you go with. Yes, and interest rates for next year are set by Citi Bank, NelNet and SalleMae. They will discuss all of this when you meet with financial aid
2. What are the clinical rotations for 3rd and 4th years?
Standard core rotations with standard elective rotations.
Two months IM
One month Surgery
One month Peds
One month Women Health
Two months FM
Two months Rural and Community Medicine
Three months of Medical Selective
Two month of surgical selective
One month of ER
One month of OMM
One month of ICU
4 months of Elective
3. What hours of operation will the school have?
School will be open from 6:00am until midnight and study areas will be available 24/7 at the school.
4. HOW MANY STUDENTS PER CADAVER? (PCOM usually has 5, but I was unlucky and got 6. It has been too crowded at my table.)
Four students in each team for the cadaver
5. How far will I have to travel for rotations?
All rotations are in the state of Colorado, and all are around a core hospital. Several are within one hour of the school (Denver, Colorado Springs) - the exception being the rural hospitals at which you are required to do one rotation.
6. Is there student housing... is there affordable housing in the vicinity?
No student housing... yet. But there are plenty of apartment complexes & other rental options in the area throughout a 3 miles circle around school
7. What's the curriculum? Integrated? Problem-based? Traditional?
Standard curriculum, with the added benefit of Genetics (amazing that not all programs offer this!) (I'm a little partial, though!) It is am integrated curriculum, utilizing both didactic and active learning using case based presentations.
8. Does the school intend to begin an OPTI program and open residencies at area hospitals?
Yes, first resident programs are scheduled to open in 2011 in Denver, Pueblo, Grand Junction and Colorado Springs. They said they would send me the "concrete" rotation options as soon as they are available.
9. How accessible is administration and faculty?
Open door policy, faculty mentors, and an amazingly helpful administration. Very accessible. The Dean said that the faculty will not be allowed to develop research/outside projects for the first years in order to provide the students, who do not have the benefit of upperclassmen, with mentorship and tutoring.
All very good questions. Anything else?