Students from CCOM - questions

[jchung]

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I've been accepted to CCOM a while ago and currently in the process of choosing which med school to go to. But because CCOM was my first place to interview at, I was SOOOO nervous to even ask questions.

So i just had a couple of questions that I hope someone would be kind enough to answer.

1. I heard that there are tests every Monday. Is that true and why? Are these tests in every subject? And is it really EVERY MONDAY?

2. What is the approach to the second year classes? For instance DMU studnets will go through the year by studying the systems of the body. Does CCOM?

3. Have there been students doing rotations at Children's Memorial (Downtown Chicago)? Can it be arranged? I've always wanted to do my residency at Children's, I would love to get my foot in the door by making contacts. =)

Thanks in advanced,
jchung

 

[Dagny]

JChung,
I am a MS-1 at CCOM, and can try to answer one of your questions.

1. I heard that there are tests every Monday. Is that true and why? Are these tests in every subject? And is it really EVERY MONDAY?

Tests are not every Monday of the quarter. We are given a test from one of the subjects on certain days designated during the quarter. In my first quarter tests fell on Mondays and Tuesdays. In the upcoming quarter, tests will be on Mondays and Fridays. There is not a test on every test day, especially at the beginning of the quarter. Towards the end of the quarter, it gets to be at least one test every week. If you want specific numbers, out of 10 weeks, we were given 15 tests for our first quarter, across 6 classes, including practicals AND written exams.

I can't answer why it is this way, as it is not explained to us, but I can try to understand it. Many schools have one test at the end of the year that your entire grade depends upon. Here, we don't have that kind of weight on one exam. We also did not have comprehensive finals at the end of our first quarter (except Intro to Clinical Medicine). With so many exams, there is less pressure on any one exam, and that is to our benefit. I also think we are getting a lot of practice on taking exams, but that is only my point-of-view. I know many schools do have one exam at the end of the year, if that is a priority for you.

I will defer the approach to 2nd year courses and clinical rotations to one of the more senior students. Yet it has always been by understanding that elective rotations can be done anywhere. Good luck with your decision.

 

[supyo]

I think I can answer some of your questions about CCOM- I am a recent graduate....

first, I would not get bogged down in small details when choosing a med school ie when they have exams etc. all med schools are challenging and require persistence and dedication regardless of examination schedules.

2. What is the approach to the second year classes? For instance DMU studnets will go through the year by studying the systems of the body. Does CCOM?

A systems approach means that for a certain amount of time you syudy one system ie. the gi system. you learn the anatomy, pathology, histology etc. I do not know of any do schools which are systems based in the true sense. CCOM has classes ie pathology, anatomy etc. though they do coordinate it such that most of the time you are learning about the same system in most of the classes if possible.

3. Have there been students doing rotations at Children's Memorial (Downtown Chicago)? Can it be arranged? I've always wanted to do my residency at Children's, I would love to get my foot in the door by making contacts. =)

Are you interested in pediatrics?? There are no arranged rotations through the school at Childrens but you may set up an elective there if you desire. I did a rotation there and it was pretty good----
As for residency--I would not really recommend setting your heart on Childrens, they are extremely selective for residency, i don't believe they have ever taken a do. they are even so selective that they do not really accept students from U of I and other chicago based schools. they prefer NWU grads and other top med school grads.

hope it helps

 

[realruby2000]

I plan on attending CCOM next year also, and too had some questions that I hope current CCOM students might answer.

1. How good and where exactly can students do their rotations? I heard they are mainly in Chicago and olymipia fields. How do CCOM students compare to students from the other 7 MD schools in chicago during rotations?

2. How well does ccom prepare you for the boards?

3. I've heard a lot about the great rep this school has. But i've talked to some students and they havent told me anything spectacular about CCOM. Its a good school, with nice facilities but nobody's really told me the nitty gritty. what are some things that you guys love about ccom and what are some things u think that neeed changing?

thanks a lot!

 

[realruby2000]

Where are all the CCOM students??