Should I take interview at LUCOM?

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MightBeACylon439

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Hello all!

I hope all is well and let me first say is I am not looking for trolls...honest feedback here only please. I have pretty good stats (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/chances-chances-chances-d-o.1110398/ for reference), and I have been extended an interview at LUCOM. I have major reservations about this. I am ok with a religious school, however, the fundamentalist principles and straight up rejection of established scientific thought by the undergraduate institution give me second thoughts as to pursuing it.

This may answer my own question, but as I applied later in the cycle I don't know if I should really even consider turning down interviews at this point. Let me know your thoughts as I am at a loss as to what to do.

Regards,

Nontrad_DO_143
 
Take the interviews if you don't have any offer from other schools.
 
Nontrad_DO_143 said:
Hello all!

I hope all is well and let me first say is I am not looking for trolls...honest feedback here only please. I have pretty good stats (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/chances-chances-chances-d-o.1110398/ for reference), and I have been extended an interview at LUCOM. I have major reservations about this. I am ok with a religious school, however, the fundamentalist principles and straight up rejection of established scientific thought by the undergraduate institution give me second thoughts as to pursuing it.

This may answer my own question, but as I applied later in the cycle I don't know if I should really even consider turning down interviews at this point. Let me know your thoughts as I am at a loss as to what to do.

Regards,

Nontrad_DO_143
Click to expand...

I personally wouldn't attend even if it was my only interview.
 
do not go. clearly its not a fit for you since it sounds like you have issues with some stuff regarding the school. Im all about LU, id go!
 
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Skip it. Either hold out for a better interview or reapply next cycle.
 
If you have the money and the resources then chalk it up as a practice interview.

I'm sure they can grill you with some weird questions.
 
As an atheist who applied and attended an interview at this school, I would recommend that you do NOT bother going to the interview.

This school is extremely religious and even though they claim to accept people of all religious backgrounds, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable when I was in the facility. Please do note that I do have friends who are religious (Christian included) and I get along fine with religious people; however, I knew that I could not ever attend this school and I'm quite happy the admissions committee sensed that and gave me a rejection (my MCAT/GPA were above avg of their school).

Some other things that bothered me was:

1. They didn't bother going over the curriculum of the school even though the entire interview process was from 8AM - 3PM.

2. The actual interview was with 2 faculty members; one asked me a question regarding osteopathic medicine and then spent 15 mins talking about why I should attend this school. I felt flustered as I wasn't even able to represent myself.

3. They barely mentioned anything about rotations except vaguely stating that it is "being established'. In comparison to MUCOM for example which is only a year older, MUCOM was able to confidently show their curriculum and their affiliated hospitals for rotations.

4. Near the end of the interview date, my entire group had to individually share each of our traits/extracurricular activities and everyone was Christian/maybe Catholic. I personally felt awkward and singled out when it was my turn to express my extracurricular.

I would like to mention though that I believe LUCOM does have potential to become a great and well established osteopathic medical school; however, do not underestimate the amount of Christian influence this school would have on you.

Good luck!

Edit: If a LUCOM student would reply, he/she would probably be a better representation of the school environment than me. This post was simply my overall impression of the school.
 
I agree with @cabinbuilder here, going to the interview does not obligate you and will not hurt you. At its worst, attending the interview is practice. If you end up getting an acceptance, well then you have more thinking to do but if you don't have another acceptance in hand, I wouldn't turn down the interview.
 
Even though I am an atheist myself, I would attend.
Getting accepted to a school is better than nothing. Better to have an acceptance in hand and attend other interviews than not having a option later.
If you can close your eyes and shut your ears for next 2 years, you will be okay even if you attend LUCOM.
But honestly, I didn't apply to LUCOM due to their fundamental religious background.
 
You can be athiest and get through. I'm working at an Adventist site right now and can tell you I don't drink the Kool aid but they pay me well and I don't share my views or participate in theirs. If it gets you where you want to be, go to school, keep your mouth shut, and be the doctor you want to be.
 
The affiliated university is one of the most fundamentalist christian institutions in the country. That said, if it's your only interview go ahead and attend as it could - but hopefully isn't - be the only one you get.
 
Not sure why you applied if you felt this way.

I personally would not (and did not) apply, and would rather take multiple gap years before even considering it. You're talking about the bottom of the barrel here. I forsee no competitive match list from them and probably a bad education.
 
You don't want your options to be limited. Apply early next cycle, sounds like you have the stats to get more interview / acceptance offers.
 
Nontrad_DO_143 said:
Hello all!

I hope all is well and let me first say is I am not looking for trolls...honest feedback here only please. I have pretty good stats (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/chances-chances-chances-d-o.1110398/ for reference), and I have been extended an interview at LUCOM. I have major reservations about this. I am ok with a religious school, however, the fundamentalist principles and straight up rejection of established scientific thought by the undergraduate institution give me second thoughts as to pursuing it.

This may answer my own question, but as I applied later in the cycle I don't know if I should really even consider turning down interviews at this point. Let me know your thoughts as I am at a loss as to what to do.

Regards,

Nontrad_DO_143
Click to expand...

Did you apply to MD schools as well?
 
breezy124 said:
sgpa is 3.2. I can see why he's having trouble with even the lower DO schools. MD wouldn't not be worth applying.
Click to expand...

I see. OP the question that needs to be asked here is "will the risk of turning down an interview at a school you don't like (which idk why you applied there to begin with) be worth potential not landing anymore interviews this cycle?". Are you willing to take that risk?

If the fundamentalist regime that is LUCOM is too sickening for you to deal with for the next two years then don't go to the interview. If you don't get accepted this cycle then you may want to consider a post-bac to boost your GPA and reapply.
 
His MCAT is 30 (10/10/10), though.

Any school is better than nothing. You may never get the chance again. Go to the interview. Enough said.
 
Okay, if your MCAT is new enough that you don't have to retake it to apply next year, don't go to Liberty...
 
If I were in OP situation, I would be booking flights NOW. That might be the only interview you get and a seat in a DO school is a golden ticket (at least until the amount of schools exceed the market demand for jobs).
 
breezy124 said:
Not sure why you applied if you felt this way.

I personally would not (and did not) apply, and would rather take multiple gap years before even considering it. You're talking about the bottom of the barrel here. I forsee no competitive match list from them and probably a bad education.
Click to expand...
To answer this, I was just doing a shotgun approach. To be honest I did not research the school before I applied (my fault I know, I am not looking for sympathy or ridicule here), so hence the question. Thanks for all the replies guys, getting some good feedback- I appreciate it.
 
Its better to get an idea of how the school is by yourself than read about people who have opinions of the school that haven't been there. Or reading about people who had good/bad experiences there.

An interview is an interview. If you don't like the school after your interview, then reject the offer of acceptance IF they accept you. If you don't like it then nobody can force you to attend the school. Not sure how many schools you've applied to, but its better to have 1 interview than have no interviews. At the least you will get an experience of how interviews are.
 
The hateful rhetoric of the parent university alone should turn anyone off to this school.

OP, it looks like you applied broadly. With your numbers you should have little trouble getting into a MUCH better school.
 
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Let me first say that most of the rhetoric of from many of these people responding is ignorant. As a graduate from Liberty University undergrad, I can tell you that the school is not bad. People mainly have an issue with the founder of the institution, Jerry Falwell. However, since he has passed away, the school has taken some more Liberty (no pun intended) to be more open. Sure there are some things people may not be so keen to if they are not Christian, but I know several people who attended that were not Christian and still enjoyed the school. Also, I hear a lot of people saying fundamentalist teaching crap. I have taken several science courses at Liberty. They teach everything other schools teach, including evolution. However, the difference here is that Liberty also teaches Creationism. My education was never hindered by the creationist principles just as evolution does not hinder my educational walk. Let me remind everyone that the basis behind evolution is still a theory. So if you believe Creationism to be a theory or crazy talk, then just let it pass you by. The goal in medicine is to treat people with dignity, not as a science project. Furthermore, much of the people around the world have a religion or spiritual aspect to them. Liberty does not shy away from that fact. They want you to be aware of others and be respectful of their religious tendencies and why perhaps they would reject certain treatments. I personally would take the interview. Is a religious perspective really that harmful? I mean, you are going to be dealing with others in your life who believe in God. If you cannot handle an interview based on the premise of Jerry Falwell, than what does that honestly say character wise of how you be be able to deal with controversial and challenging people? I do not mean to write a rant, but there is so much garbage on here about LUCOM and LU in general that its sickening the amount of disrespect that is here when these are the very people you will be treating in your practice and who you are going to work with.
 
JDKVEGAS said:
Let me first say that most of the rhetoric of from many of these people responding is ignorant. As a graduate from Liberty University undergrad, I can tell you that the school is not bad. People mainly have an issue with the founder of the institution, Jerry Falwell. However, since he has passed away, the school has taken some more Liberty (no pun intended) to be more open. Sure there are some things people may not be so keen to if they are not Christian, but I know several people who attended that were not Christian and still enjoyed the school. Also, I hear a lot of people saying fundamentalist teaching crap. I have taken several science courses at Liberty. They teach everything other schools teach, including evolution. However, the difference here is that Liberty also teaches Creationism. My education was never hindered by the creationist principles just as evolution does not hinder my educational walk. Let me remind everyone that the basis behind evolution is still a theory. So if you believe Creationism to be a theory or crazy talk, then just let it pass you by. The goal in medicine is to treat people with dignity, not as a science project. Furthermore, much of the people around the world have a religion or spiritual aspect to them. Liberty does not shy away from that fact. They want you to be aware of others and be respectful of their religious tendencies and why perhaps they would reject certain treatments. I personally would take the interview. Is a religious perspective really that harmful? I mean, you are going to be dealing with others in your life who believe in God. If you cannot handle an interview based on the premise of Jerry Falwell, than what does that honestly say character wise of how you be be able to deal with controversial and challenging people? I do not mean to write a rant, but there is so much garbage on here about LUCOM and LU in general that its sickening the amount of disrespect that is here when these are the very people you will be treating in your practice and who you are going to work with.
Click to expand...

lol, your education was probably horrible at LU. What did you get on the mcat?
FYI, I go to a top 50. (keeping it very vague)
i'm 99% confident my education was better.
 
Breezy124, I would first like to know why you would assume my education was horrible? I could say your people skills are horrible based on the assumption that you have little respect based on the notion of ignorant bashing. Should I therefore assume you shouldn't be a doctor based on the presupposition that rude people shouldn't be physicians? Hope you see your logic is flawed. And the fact that you equate a top 50 school to your superior status once again proves nothing. Sure your smart, but you obviously seem to lack the humanistic side of medicine. Again, I do not mean to rant, but literally, you have no backing to any of your claims that Liberty offers an inferior education.
 
JDKVEGAS said:
Let me first say that most of the rhetoric of from many of these people responding is ignorant. As a graduate from Liberty University undergrad, I can tell you that the school is not bad. People mainly have an issue with the founder of the institution, Jerry Falwell. However, since he has passed away, the school has taken some more Liberty (no pun intended) to be more open. Sure there are some things people may not be so keen to if they are not Christian, but I know several people who attended that were not Christian and still enjoyed the school. Also, I hear a lot of people saying fundamentalist teaching crap. I have taken several science courses at Liberty. They teach everything other schools teach, including evolution. However, the difference here is that Liberty also teaches Creationism. My education was never hindered by the creationist principles just as evolution does not hinder my educational walk. Let me remind everyone that the basis behind evolution is still a theory. So if you believe Creationism to be a theory or crazy talk, then just let it pass you by. The goal in medicine is to treat people with dignity, not as a science project. Furthermore, much of the people around the world have a religion or spiritual aspect to them. Liberty does not shy away from that fact. They want you to be aware of others and be respectful of their religious tendencies and why perhaps they would reject certain treatments. I personally would take the interview. Is a religious perspective really that harmful? I mean, you are going to be dealing with others in your life who believe in God. If you cannot handle an interview based on the premise of Jerry Falwell, than what does that honestly say character wise of how you be be able to deal with controversial and challenging people? I do not mean to write a rant, but there is so much garbage on here about LUCOM and LU in general that its sickening the amount of disrespect that is here when these are the very people you will be treating in your practice and who you are going to work with.
Click to expand...

If this does not convince you (OP) to NOT attend LUCOM, then I don't know what will.

Teaching people that the Earth is 6,000 years old is gibberish.
 
JDKVEGAS said:
Breezy124, I would first like to know why you would assume my education was horrible? I could say your people skills are horrible based on the assumption that you have little respect based on the notion of ignorant bashing. Should I therefore assume you shouldn't be a doctor based on the presupposition that rude people shouldn't be physicians? Hope you see your logic is flawed. And the fact that you equate a top 50 school to your superior status once again proves nothing. Sure your smart, but you obviously seem to lack the humanistic side of medicine. Again, I do not mean to rant, but literally, you have no backing to any of your claims that Liberty offers an inferior education.
Click to expand...

You're not the judge of people skills, interviewers are, and they say i'm pretty good according to my multiple acceptances.

As for education, your mcat is the judge of that. Is there a reason you could not provide an answer when I asked what your mcat score was.

I'd be happy to give mine; 29.
 
allenlchs said:
If this does not convince you (OP) to NOT attend LUCOM, then I don't know what will.
Click to expand...
Please explain? All I was stating was that there is so much bashing and so little respect when it comes to LUCOM. So many people are stating how unwelcoming they would be if you were not aligned with their beliefs, and all I am saying is that you would. Most of you all are saying that nobody should go there, thus being the ones not open. Where did I go wrong?
 
jamcat said:
You couldn't pay me to attend this school. I would find another profession before attending Liberty or anything associated with it, and that's saying something.

And allenlchs, agreed.
Click to expand...
Again, I would like to understand why that is? Are they threatening your life?
 
JDKVEGAS said:
Please explain? All I was stating was that there is so much bashing and so little respect when it comes to LUCOM. So many people are stating how unwelcoming they would be if you were not aligned with their beliefs, and all I am saying is that you would. Most of you all are saying that nobody should go there, thus being the ones not open. Where did I go wrong?
Click to expand...
You must understand that no matter how well intentioned any post is placed on SDN, there will always be someone who twists it into some negative thing. You will never be able to convince all of your side of the argument, nor should you waste your energy.
 
cabinbuilder said:
You must understand that no matter how well intentioned any post is placed on SDN, there will always be someone who twists it into some negative thing. You will never be able to convince all of your side of the argument, nor should you waste your energy.
Click to expand...

Yea I am beginning to realize that. Thank you for the reminder.
 
breezy124 said:
You're not the judge of people skills, interviewers are, and they say i'm pretty good according to my multiple acceptances.

As for education, your mcat is the judge of that. Is there a reason you could not provide an answer when I asked what your mcat score was.

I'd be happy to give mine; 29.
Click to expand...

Very arrogant and cocky.
 
Nontrad_DO_143 said:
Hello all!

I hope all is well and let me first say is I am not looking for trolls...honest feedback here only please. I have pretty good stats (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/chances-chances-chances-d-o.1110398/ for reference), and I have been extended an interview at LUCOM. I have major reservations about this. I am ok with a religious school, however, the fundamentalist principles and straight up rejection of established scientific thought by the undergraduate institution give me second thoughts as to pursuing it.

This may answer my own question, but as I applied later in the cycle I don't know if I should really even consider turning down interviews at this point. Let me know your thoughts as I am at a loss as to what to do.

Regards,

Nontrad_DO_143
Click to expand...

If you have a 3.2 and a 30 MCAT you will be geting more interviews. Just wait until another school sends you an ii.
 
JDKVEGAS said:
Let me first say that most of the rhetoric of from many of these people responding is ignorant. As a graduate from Liberty University undergrad, I can tell you that the school is not bad. People mainly have an issue with the founder of the institution, Jerry Falwell. However, since he has passed away, the school has taken some more Liberty (no pun intended) to be more open. Sure there are some things people may not be so keen to if they are not Christian, but I know several people who attended that were not Christian and still enjoyed the school. Also, I hear a lot of people saying fundamentalist teaching crap. I have taken several science courses at Liberty. They teach everything other schools teach, including evolution. However, the difference here is that Liberty also teaches Creationism. My education was never hindered by the creationist principles just as evolution does not hinder my educational walk. Let me remind everyone that the basis behind evolution is still a theory. So if you believe Creationism to be a theory or crazy talk, then just let it pass you by. The goal in medicine is to treat people with dignity, not as a science project. Furthermore, much of the people around the world have a religion or spiritual aspect to them. Liberty does not shy away from that fact. They want you to be aware of others and be respectful of their religious tendencies and why perhaps they would reject certain treatments. I personally would take the interview. Is a religious perspective really that harmful? I mean, you are going to be dealing with others in your life who believe in God. If you cannot handle an interview based on the premise of Jerry Falwell, than what does that honestly say character wise of how you be be able to deal with controversial and challenging people? I do not mean to write a rant, but there is so much garbage on here about LUCOM and LU in general that its sickening the amount of disrespect that is here when these are the very people you will be treating in your practice and who you are going to work with.
Click to expand...

1) you don't understand the significance of a scientific theory. Creationism isn't a theory. Saying that evolution is still just a theory is dumb. Gravity is a theory. I would bet anything you believe in gravity as you probably don't jump off buildings. Learn about scoentific hypothesis/theory/law something liberty clearly didn't teach you.

2) doctors can be religious but it can't affect how you treat your patients. Religious perspective can be harmful. If your religion says homosexuality is wrong you still got to treat gay patients and you should make them comfortable and not try to change their sexuality. I doubt lucom doctors will meet that criteria (I hope I'm wrong)

3) its not about dealing with controversy. I'm dealing with it right now. Its about not supporting an institution that has ideals that are harmful. Being in an environment that contradicts my moral code would drive me insane. OP seems to be the same way. OP has a 30 MCAT and doesn't need to go to this school. OP isn't desperate enough to go here. Not attending would be a wise choice.

4) I doubt I will be working with lucom doctors for long as my guess is that it will shut down.
 
Quite simply because they put religion before reason, and that is fundamentally incompatible with science.

Not saying your posts aren't well-intentioned, and I'm sure you're a nice guy/girl. The OP asked for opinions if they should attend the interview and I offered mine.
 
Also note that Goro, a very well-respected DO admissions committee member on these boards, has singled out LUCOM as the only DO school he would not recommend. I've never heard him speak ill of a med school before, so I would take note of his exception.
 
AlteredScale said:
Oh look, a thread about LUCOM turned into another debate about religion and atheism......
Click to expand...

It's about reason and fundamentalism. Most religious people certainly posses the former; so it's not about religion and atheism.
 
Haters gonna hate, LUCOM got like 3.5K applications this year
 
GypsyHummus said:
Haters gonna hate, LUCOM got like 3.5K applications this year
Click to expand...

Way more applicants than spots in med school, so I'm not surprised. They also invited a person with an MCAT of 21 to an interview (not the OP; on another thread). If a 21 MCAT is worthy of an interview out of that application pool...
 
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