Some questions regarding VCOM

[DD214_DOC]

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I've been reading the interview feedback and had some questions regarding VCOM.

1) Year round classes, dress code, mandatory attendance, you cannot do out of state electives because they want you to practice in VA

Is there any truth to this? I don't want to practice in VA, I want to come back to SC. This may be hard to do when I can't get a residency here because of no audition rotations.

Is the year-round class thing true?

 

[Geronimo]

I've been reading the interview feedback and had some questions regarding VCOM.

1) Year round classes, dress code, mandatory attendance, you cannot do out of state electives because they want you to practice in VA

Is there any truth to this? I don't want to practice in VA, I want to come back to SC. This may be hard to do when I can't get a residency here because of no audition rotations.

Is the year-round class thing true?

Year round? YES

Dress Code? YES

Mandatory attendance? YES, but not really an issue with students from what I hear.

Our of state electives prohibited? NO, just must be approved.

Don't want to practice in VA or region? May be a problem as that is what their objectives are for.

 

[DD214_DOC]

SC is part of the recruitment region, or at least it used to be on the list. I no longer see it.

 

[Nate]

I actually liked the idea of year-round class. They have "blocks" of classes that make sense together and then a break, this goes on for like 12 blocks, some are longer than others depending on the subject matter. The curriculum was one of the things that I loved about the school. You do not get the 2-month break over the summer but you do get smaller breaks more frequently. The dress code was not shirt and tie, but rather khakis or slacks and a collar shirt, seemed reasonable. The thing that did turn me off however, was an unproved clinical education that no one really knew much about. And, less so, was the fact that no class having used this innovative curriculum has taken the boards and proven its effectiveness. I say "less so" because I was rather convinced the curriculum was great and it would turn out more than fine.

 

[S.P.Q.R.]

It does seem much cooler to get several small breaks over the year than one medium-sized break.

 

[Munchkin6245]

It does seem much cooler to get several small breaks over the year than one medium-sized break.

yah, it's like me taking a week vacation now. Same difference but more of them. I just got back from VCOM and I must say I absolutely loved it!

 

[Geronimo]

I'm in favor in the year round system. Plus they make mention that the work load is a little more drawn out and less "intensive." I'm not sure how medical school can be less intensive but I suppose if there was a way to do it, spreading it out over the whole year would be one way. AZCOM is the extreme opposite. They cram the whole year into about 30 weeks. Talk about crazy "intensive." WOW!?! 😱

 

[missyb]

Hmm....less intensive

Maybe it isn't a good week for me to reply to that! As an MSII at VCOM, I can say that just because we have the block system, the profs don't take it any easier on you. In fact, depending on the length of the block, the material can be even more intensive. For example, right now we are in the genitourinary block--so within the 5 weeks of class we are learning all of the anatomy, physiology, and histology; not to mention taking principles of primary care and OMT on top of it. So what does that boil down to? Last week we had three tests and two quizzes...

my two cents worth 😎

 

[Geronimo]

Ahhh! So, the insider tells us the true story. Good to know. When I heard "less intensive" during my interview day at VCOM, a little flag went up that said "this is Medical School, there is no such thing as less intensive." Those were just the words of admissions people "sugar coating" the hard to swallow idea of "year round" first year as opposed to the traditional summer break between year one and year two.

So, Missyb, how should we hold VCOM up in comparison to other med schools? Are you saying that VCOM is all out of balance with some periods as way intensive cramming sessions with others being the normal medical school intensity? What is the benefit then of having the year round system? Do you get "more" material by doing it that way?

Or perhaps, there is really no difference in the load at all? Is it just that the summer break equals the same as all the mini breaks. You just get to make a choice between having all your break at once (other schools) or spreading them out (VCOM)? I think I might prefer having numerous many breaks.

 

[missyb]

Like I said, it's pretty block dependent. This block I have about three tests/week, some blocks you may only have one test every other week. Your first block of MSI, they really do a great job of easing you into med school, most days you don't have class after 12 noon. I really like the block system 🙂 . I feel like I learn things a lot better because since you are just learning about one system at a time, everything reinforces itself. For example, everything I learned today in clinical cases (super fun class, kind of like intro to pathology) reinforces what I learned in anatomy and principles of primary care. I can't say if it is better or worse than any other med school (this is the only one I have attended 😉 ), but for me, I think it is a good way to learn. Starting in Block 8, we repeat ALL of the blocks we had in MSI, but instead of anatomy, physio, etc; we have pharm, path, etc.

I must say that I did miss having an entire summer off, but it is a decent trade-off to have a week off after every block.

I like VCOM overall, but before you decide to come here, I would talk to a lot of the students that already go here. There are some issues (what I find to be issues anyway) that may or may not change your mind. PM or IM me on aol if you would like further details 🙂

Oh, little bit of funny info...admissions didn't tell the class of 2007 that school was year round 😱

 

[Geronimo]

Thanks MissyB for taking the time to answer these questions. It is extremely kind of you. So, in medical school we can expect the work load to be heavy at times and less heavy at times? Would you say that is fair at any med school? I would assume so since all aspects of life are that way?

Your first block of MSI, they really do a great job of easing you into med school, most days you don't have class after 12 noon.

That is way cool. A big plus!

I can't say if it is better or worse than any other med school (this is the only one I have attended 😉 ), but for me, I think it is a good way to learn.

Thanks for your mature/objective evaluation. That is one thing that cracks me up as I visit other medical schools. Sometimes students will say, "here you get 'real' patient interaction your first semester, but you won't at other schools." How do they know? I happen to know they are wrong. I've interviewed at several schools where they involve you with real patients very early on. I caution any other pre-meds interviewing at schools to be careful when you hear someone say "they don't do it like this at other medical schools." Like MissyB says, they can't really know because they haven't attended other medical schools.

PM or IM me on aol if you would like further details 🙂

Oh, little bit of funny info...admissions didn't tell the class of 2007 that school was year round 😱

Thanks for being willing to talk with us about it.