TCOM Class Of 2010

[UserNameNeeded]

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YAY!!!!!!!!!! 😍 I'm not the only one!!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN THIS WHOLE TIME. This feels so good.... I was getting tired of hearing the crickets chirp over on my side of RM.

I've been reading your posts and meaning to reply since match day! I can't believe how fast the time's flying by. It feels like the match was only a week or two ago and already it's Spring Fling in April and then the few short weeks of summer before the first day of classes in July. I'm like a bundle of emotions: scared out of my wits, but so excited and so anxious, too! 😀

So where are you from?

I'm from east Texas, originally, but I'm studying in Dallas right now. What about you?

YAY let's get together during spring fling.

Definitely! We need to compare notes about the program and the school. Do you know the area around the school well? I thought I read you were buying a house (!!).

do you know where we're gonna be doing the 2 day thing before we start day one of classes?

There's a two day thing? 😱 I had no idea. All I read was we have a mandatory orientation day in the last week of July and then classes start on the last day (or second to last day) of July.

 

[TCOM-2006]

Where do 3rd and 4th year students do their rotations? JPS? Methodist? Has anyone done rotations at Parkland, Zale, VA, or Children's?

here's best that i can remember all of our rotation sites (and remember that this might have changed - and probably will change by the time '10 gets for 4th year).

3rd year:
JPS (medicine, surgery, ob/gyn, psych)
Plaza (medicine, surgery)
Baylor AllSaints (ob-surgery, surgery)
Dallas Methodist (medicine)
Cook Children's (2 out of 6 weeks if you are in FW for peds)
terrell state hospital (psych)
odessa (peds, ob/gyn)
corpus christi (peds @ driscoll)
UNT patient care center "PCC" (family, ob/gyn clinic, peds clinic, surgery clinic, omm)
other UNT clinics in FW (family, omm)

-i think there are or will be more rotations for dallas methodist and corpus... you will have to check with school admin.

4th year:
-Plaza/PCC (specialty med) or tyler (for pulm as spec med)
-Harris / JPS / Plaza / other (for ER) - you can also set up your own ER or peds-ER rotation anywhere to count. btw - Harris is awesome (so far in 9 shifts - i have ~ 9 LPs, 2 chest tubes, 2 central lines, 6 I&Ds, and LOTS and LOTS of suturing - no residents + busy ER / level 1 trauma ctr = plenty of procedures for med students).
-various sites for your required 'primary care' month
-the rest of 4th year is pretty much up to you - go anywhere that lets you schedule a rotation.

-overall - pretty good mix of hospital settings - except we lack a major university-type hospital as a core site. i spent a couple of months in 4th year in a couple big univ based hospitals without any problem - so you do get the experience - just generally not in 3rd year.

 

[timtye78]

Congrats guys sounds like TCOM is doing better than expected post closure of OMCT..seriously guys its a good thing...Ft Worth was a great place to spend four years-my wife and I miss it sorely, and liked it so much we are hoping to settle down there in a couple of years again.

Procedural and medicine experience that your gettting is more important than getting the 'big university' environment. Just learn everything you can, rock your boards, and do elective rotations in whatever it is you are interested in.

You will do fine in any environment as long as you know your medicine.

Good luck,

 

[timtye78]

Take it from a past tcom student who was originally signed up in the RT program. You have to look at TCOM in the big scheme of things...TCOM is a primary care school whose major objective is to increase docs in primary care. If you cram someones schedule full of primary care, then the person at the end of the curriculum (sp?) will either be converted/enamored or will be terrified to venture out into something else b/c 1)lack of rotation experience 2)feeling non-competitive in other fields b/c no experience

My advice, do not go RT unless you KNOW that you want to do FP/IM seriously. If you think you have any interest in anesthesiology, EM, rads, or something else, RT will be a killer. And yes, you can get out of RT if you decide quickly-go to the office and tell them you simply decided it wasn't for you, and you want a normal schedule. They might hassle you, but this is YOUR career we are talking about. Look at me, thought I was destined for FP, so I signed up for RT, then realized that I MIGHT have an interest in something else, cancelled it, and fell in love with anesthesiology. (good choice of fields by the way).

Last piece of advice for today, have fun in your fourth year-you only get one. I had a blast choosing exotic, nontypical fourth year electives-FP (easy) in Austin, TX, private practice plastic surgery in FtW to name a couple.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 

[TCOM-2006]

i would agree with everything that timtye said - with one further clarification: i would only go RT only if you know (and by know - i mean, have tested your interest with direct experience) you want to go FP, or *primary care IM* in a *rural setting*.

even if you want to do primary care IM - i would strongly hesitate going RT given this curriculum - you would be better served having a more flexible 4th year - and more chances to do audition rotations. IM is not as competative as other specialties (like derm or to alesser degree - anesth.) but it is definitely more competative than family. consider that 404 of 2711 (15%)family positions were unfilled in the NRMP (the 'MD match' as some people call it), while 99 of 4735 positions (2%) of IM positions went unfilled. these are not exact indicators of competativeness, but you see my point.

while most of the time you can get into whatever family program you want without any problem - the same is definitely not true for IM - there are programs that are easy to get into, and programs that are super-mega-competative - and all shades of gray in between.

Take it from a past tcom student who was originally signed up in the RT program. You have to look at TCOM in the big scheme of things...TCOM is a primary care school whose major objective is to increase docs in primary care. If you cram someones schedule full of primary care, then the person at the end of the curriculum (sp?) will either be converted/enamored or will be terrified to venture out into something else b/c 1)lack of rotation experience 2)feeling non-competitive in other fields b/c no experience

My advice, do not go RT unless you KNOW that you want to do FP/IM seriously. If you think you have any interest in anesthesiology, EM, rads, or something else, RT will be a killer. And yes, you can get out of RT if you decide quickly-go to the office and tell them you simply decided it wasn't for you, and you want a normal schedule. They might hassle you, but this is YOUR career we are talking about. Look at me, thought I was destined for FP, so I signed up for RT, then realized that I MIGHT have an interest in something else, cancelled it, and fell in love with anesthesiology. (good choice of fields by the way).

Last piece of advice for today, have fun in your fourth year-you only get one. I had a blast choosing exotic, nontypical fourth year electives-FP (easy) in Austin, TX, private practice plastic surgery in FtW to name a couple.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 

[DaveinDallas]

i would agree with everything that timtye said - with one further clarification: i would only go RT only if you know (and by know - i mean, have tested your interest with direct experience) you want to go FP, or *primary care IM* in a *rural setting*.

<content deleted>

WHOOPS! my bad - didn't read the previous posts. We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread........

 

[UserNameNeeded]

Wow.

Thanks for sharing your perspectives/experiences. I was told during the interview the Rural Track is now a "Division" itself and the way they're setting it up is unlike the RT they had in the past.

Should I just wait until the end of year two before I make any decisions on staying in RT? I mean there are so many pros I can think of, but almost as many cons (now that I've heard other people talking about it) to doing RT. I just want a ton of exposure to different specialties and to have the broadest knowledge base, because I think at this stage it's silly (for me, YMMV) to say I'm going into family practice when I really have no exposure to anything besides primary care (and the idea of family practice just irks me for some inexplicable reason). I just want to make an informed decision...

 

[Dax]

I have a quick question for the students already matriculated. If I were to do an 8 week clerkship in Corpus, what type of housing arrangement do you work out? I've heard a couple of people mention doing rotations in other cities but have always been curious about housing.

BTW, I visited FW this past weekend and found an apartment already. Just seeing the campus again makes me want to get started.

Pete's Dueling Piano Bar is a riot as well. 😀


Dax

 

[ac101ac]

Great to be back from Spring Break.... how is everyone? You guys do anything fun???

 

[tcom200901]

I ran across this list from last years match. I thought this was pretty impressive and so I'm posting it here for you "newbies". From what I hear, this years match was pretty impressive as well and the 4th years tell me almost everyone got their first choice.

http://www.hsc.unt.edu/irfair/res2005.cfm

Back to studying

tcom200901

 

[kite_runner]

I ran across this list from last years match. I thought this was pretty impressive and so I'm posting it here for you "newbies". From what I hear, this years match was pretty impressive as well and the 4th years tell me almost everyone got their first choice.

http://www.hsc.unt.edu/irfair/res2005.cfm

Back to studying

tcom200901

Woohoo!!! Go TCOM. I liked the last years match. Anyone know where i can get this year's match list?

 

[ktat72]

Hey all, congrats on your admissions to TCOM. I am going to be an intern at JPS and am currently looking to share an apartment with someone. Thought I might post in this forum. You can contact me at [email protected]. Thanks. Enjoy your break!!!

 

[MarkTCOM'10]

Hey everyone I know I am pretty late but I just found this forum...

So it looks like during the 3rd and 4th years our rotations are at different places. Many of which are at different cities. I was just wandering how is the housing situation during those years since we seem to move a lot? Do people get an apartment everytime they change?

 

[ac101ac]

Hey everyone I know I am pretty late but I just found this forum...

So it looks like during the 3rd and 4th years our rotations are at different places. Many of which are at different cities. I was just wandering how is the housing situation during those years since we seem to move a lot? Do people get an apartment everytime they change?

Hey MarkTCOM.... welcome!! I think someone asked this before but for some reason I don't remember reading a response to the question. Will you be going to Spring Fling.... just trying to figure out how many SDNers will be there to mingle with.

 

[tcom200901]

MarkTCOM10, I'm not sure you have the information. I have been to several of the meetings that they have had for the soon to be third years, and almost ALL of the rotations are right here in the DFW area. There is supposed to be a regional sight in Corpus Christi starting and something like 10 students will be assigned there, mostly the ones from the South Texas Area who want to be in S. Texas.

Are you confusing the rotations with the Rural Track? That is only 10 students who have applied and been selected to the Rural Program.

TCOM200901

 

[Dax]

MarkTCOM10, I'm not sure you have the information. I have been to several of the meetings that they have had for the soon to be third years, and almost ALL of the rotations are right here in the DFW area. There is supposed to be a regional sight in Corpus Christi starting and something like 10 students will be assigned there, mostly the ones from the South Texas Area who want to be in S. Texas.

Are you confusing the rotations with the Rural Track? That is only 10 students who have applied and been selected to the Rural Program.

TCOM200901

I asked this question as well. I've spoken to a couple of 4th year students that have been to elective rotations in places like Midland/Odessa and Corpus. It just got me thinking about what they do for housing. I guess they know someone that lives there, or have relatives there.


Dax

 

[MarkTCOM'10]

MarkTCOM10, I'm not sure you have the information. I have been to several of the meetings that they have had for the soon to be third years, and almost ALL of the rotations are right here in the DFW area. There is supposed to be a regional sight in Corpus Christi starting and something like 10 students will be assigned there, mostly the ones from the South Texas Area who want to be in S. Texas.

Are you confusing the rotations with the Rural Track? That is only 10 students who have applied and been selected to the Rural Program.

TCOM200901

i c, most of the places listed in one of the posts above are around the DFW area, but there are several that seem to be far from the school and would take about an hour to travel one way. Do people usually just travel that far or get a place close to the rotation site? I figure with the hours you'd be spending in rotations you would try to conserve as much hours as possible.

As far as the Spring Fling goes...not sure...I live in southeast Houston and the week after that weekend I have a Final Exam and some major projects due...

 

[halo1570]

Hi Everyone! I just graduated from TCU this past December, so I am very familiar with Fort Worth and the TCOM area. If you were at my TCOM interview, I was the dorky interviewee who gave a mock tour on our way to lunch.

If you need suggestions regarding areas to live in or specific apt complexes feel free to PM me. I don't have the experience of attending TCOM, so I don't know about parking for commuter students (other than from my interview day). But one thing I will say is that there are plenty of reasonably priced places within a 10-20 min drive. FtW is an easy place to get around as long as you know some back routes, which I could clue you in on.

There are many TCU students who matriculate at TCOM and they LOVE it! I think you all made an excellent choice...I however needed to get out of DFW since I have lived in the metroplex my entire life.

Just wanted to offer my services.

 

[UserNameNeeded]

Well, TCOM had me do a shadowing experience at a rural site, and, apparantly, they provide the housing for the sites they send students off to, according to the doctor. The site I was sent to had a big trailer home set up next to the clinic.

 

[snowman8]

Does any have TCOM 2006 match list?

 

[ac101ac]

Well, TCOM had me do a shadowing experience at a rural site, and, apparantly, they provide the housing for the sites they send students off to, according to the doctor. The site I was sent to had a big trailer home set up next to the clinic.

How long do students stay at this trailer? What if you have patients knocking at your door in the middle of the night thinking you can treat them? 😱 The doctor I shadowed told me students usually stay in local nursing homes. Trailer or nursing home? oh the life of the medical student! NO ... the rural track med student.

 

[ac101ac]

Anyone know what to put on the required financial aid questionnaire that asks how many hours we'll be taking in the summer, fall and spring?

EDIT: never mind we don't fill out that part hehehehe : )

 

[Dax]

Anyone know what to put on the required finacial aid questionnaire that asks how many hours we'll be taking in the summer, fall and spring?

EDIT: never mind we don't fill out that part hehehehe : )

Heh, disregard my PM then. 🙂 I guess I didn't read it closely either.

BTW, Where is our website? I'm getting antsy to have our own forum.

 

[ac101ac]

Heh, disregard my PM then. 🙂 I guess I didn't read it closely either.

BTW, Where is our website? I'm getting antsy to have our own forum.

Dax I love the watermelon cat... is it yours or from a movie? I know what you mean about our website arrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhh!!

 

[Dax]

Dax I love the watermelon cat... is it yours or from a movie? I know what you mean about our website arrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhh!!

Actually, I saw a picture like this one a while back and I thought it was funny, so for this forum I googled it and found it again. So, no, it's not my cat. He looks pissed. 🙂

On a different note, I ordered my TCOM 2010 shirt the other day so I can show my pride. Did anyone else get one? I know, i'm grasping for topics here. 🙂

 

[Ryan - 1208]

Yes! The website needs to get here! AND, I looked around the area for apartments over spring break, but the search wasn't very fruitful. Hopefully spring fling's housing fair will give us a great start!

 

[ac101ac]

Dax- I haven't ordered a t-shirt but I think we will be able to buy them at the spring fling (for those that are going). I hate to buy a shirt thinking it's going to fit then when I get it it's the size of a baby's shirt or the size of a night gown!! Better see them then buy them.

Ryan- I hear the housing fair is VERY helpful. Will you be at SF? Sorry I just don't want to be the only one there!!!!! At least the sumo suits are no longer available!! ewwww


Everyone fax in the SF/Preview RSVP? Fax # is 817-735-0584. I just did that today.

 

[Dax]

Dax- I haven't ordered a t-shirt but I think we will be able to buy them at the spring fling (for those that are going). I hate to buy a shirt thinking it's going to fit then when I get it it's the size of a baby's shirt or the size of a night gown!! Better see them then buy them.

Ryan- I hear the housing fair is VERY helpful. Will you be at SF? Sorry I just don't want to be the only one there!!!!! At least the sumo suits are no longer available!! ewwww


Everyone fax in the SF/Preview RSVP? Fax # is 817-735-0584. I just did that today.

Well, it's looking like i'm not going to be able to go to the fling, so I went ahead and ordered one.

Now, if they had the sumo suits, i'd be all over that! 🙂 Kidding! Just the thought of how many other people have been sweating in those things makes me ill.


Dax

 

[Ryan - 1208]

Just the thought of how many other people have been sweating in those things makes me ill.

Ohman! Disgusting! 😱



Oh, and yes. I'll be at spring fling, ac. Maybe late, but most definitely there.

 

[johnjuan]

I will also be at the SF both days. I will also be bringing my wife and youngest child on saturday.

 

[ac101ac]

I can't wait to meet everyone!! 😀 😀 Great so far here's the list of spring flingers... let's make it longer guys.

AC
Ryan
JohnJuan

 

[tcom200901]

March 29, 2006


U.S. News & World Report Best Medical Schools in the U.S. for 2007


To all of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and colleagues:


I wanted to let the UNTHSC campus know that the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine has been named one of the top medical schools in the nation for primary care for the fifth year in a row.


This is an accomplishment that could not have occurred without the skill, hard work and dedication of our world-class faculty, staff and students at TCOM. In addition, the support, resources, and successes of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the School of Public Health, and the new College of Health Professions all add to the scholarly environment that helped to make this recognition possible. Our adjunct faculty, our fine affiliated teaching hospitals and our superb alumni also contributed to our high visibility leading to this recognition.


As dean of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, I am proud of the recognition that has come from our successes in academics, research and clinical service. But more importantly, I am proud of you, the people that make up our "TEAM," for you make this institution one of the finest medical schools in the United States.


Sincerely,

Marc B. Hahn, DO

Dean

 

[ac101ac]

March 29, 2006


U.S. News & World Report Best Medical Schools in the U.S. for 2007


To all of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and colleagues:


I wanted to let the UNTHSC campus know that the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine has been named one of the top medical schools in the nation for primary care for the fifth year in a row.


This is an accomplishment that could not have occurred without the skill, hard work and dedication of our world-class faculty, staff and students at TCOM. In addition, the support, resources, and successes of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the School of Public Health, and the new College of Health Professions all add to the scholarly environment that helped to make this recognition possible. Our adjunct faculty, our fine affiliated teaching hospitals and our superb alumni also contributed to our high visibility leading to this recognition.


As dean of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, I am proud of the recognition that has come from our successes in academics, research and clinical service. But more importantly, I am proud of you, the people that make up our "TEAM," for you make this institution one of the finest medical schools in the United States.


Sincerely,

Marc B. Hahn, DO

Dean

THAT'S RIGHT BABY!!!!!!!!

 

[pmak67]

I will also be at the SF both days. I will also be bringing my wife and youngest child on saturday.

Hey, JJ, I'll be there also on Sat night for bowling with my wife and our two boys (ages 4 and 18 months). How many kids do you have and how old is your youngest? Great to hear from a classmate with a similar family situation. I look forward to meet you!

 

[pmak67]

Ohman! Disgusting! 😱



Oh, and yes. I'll be at spring fling, ac. Maybe late, but most definitely there.

Even worse is that I heard a rumor that there were TWO people in each costume! Wow.

 

[pmak67]

I can't wait to meet everyone!! 😀 😀 Great so far here's the list of spring flingers... let's make it longer guys.

AC
Ryan
JohnJuan

Add a little "PM" to that list, will ya AC?!

 

[johnjuan]

How many kids do you have and how old is your youngest?
I have a son who is about to be 15 months and daughter who is about to be 3 months. Yes, you are correct. they are 364 days apart. We celebrated my sons 1st birthday in the hospital. And no, it was definitely not on purpose. My daughter is still on momma's milk so she will come with us on saturday. We are really looking forward to bowling as well. I wonder if we will have the place to ourselves. By the way, I am on old fart. I will be 31 by the time classes start. Not trying to offend anybody older than me, but you gotta admit we are OLD!!!

 

[ac101ac]

The list of spring flingers:

AC
Ryan
JohnJuan
PMACK (Bowling only)
UserNameNeeded

 

[Dax]

I have a son who is about to be 15 months and daughter who is about to be 3 months. Yes, you are correct. they are 364 days apart. We celebrated my sons 1st birthday in the hospital. And no, it was definitely not on purpose. My daughter is still on momma's milk so she will come with us on saturday. We are really looking forward to bowling as well. I wonder if we will have the place to ourselves. By the way, I am on old fart. I will be 31 by the time classes start. Not trying to offend anybody older than me, but you gotta admit we are OLD!!!

Hey now...I turn 33 in November. None of this old fart comment stuff. I have kids too, so i'm interested in seeing how school being in the mix will work out. I have a feeling the stress factor is going to be a big one. 😱


Dax

 

[ac101ac]

Who wants to be my bowling buddy? I've never bowled before in my life... only with the toy plastic pins! 😀 ok ok maybe I'll just go watch everyone... If I'm going to pick up a heavy bowlingball I better start working out right now. 😱

 

[Ryan - 1208]

Who wants to be my bowling buddy? I've never bowled before in my life... only with the toy plastic pins! 😀 ok ok maybe I'll just go watch everyone... If I'm going to pick up a heavy bowlingball I better start working out right now. 😱

Think they'll let us have the bumpers?

 

[shutterbug]

How many kids do you have and how old is your youngest?
I have a son who is about to be 15 months and daughter who is about to be 3 months. Yes, you are correct. they are 364 days apart. We celebrated my sons 1st birthday in the hospital. And no, it was definitely not on purpose. My daughter is still on momma's milk so she will come with us on saturday. We are really looking forward to bowling as well. I wonder if we will have the place to ourselves. By the way, I am on old fart. I will be 31 by the time classes start. Not trying to offend anybody older than me, but you gotta admit we are OLD!!!

Looks like we got ourselves quite a few oldies in this fine class of 2010. I am 33 myself and have a 5 year old who will also be starting school this fall.

 

[UserNameNeeded]

Question for you current TCOMers and future TCOMers that have filled out your FAFSA: does your parent's income information get verified? I know filling in your parent's information is recommended, but not required. Well I want to fill it in if it's supposed to help me in getting any possible grant/scholarship money, but it's such a huge haggle to get my parents to give me a copy of their tax returns. Should I just guesstimate based on last year's info (they pretty much live on a fixed-income so nothing really changes)?

 

[shutterbug]

Question for you current TCOMers and future TCOMers that have filled out your FAFSA: does your parent's income information get verified? I know filling in your parent's information is recommended, but not required. Well I want to fill it in if it's supposed to help me in getting any possible grant/scholarship money, but it's such a huge haggle to get my parents to give me a copy of their tax returns. Should I just guesstimate based on last year's info (they pretty much live on a fixed-income so nothing really changes)?

I don't think it would affect grant or scholarship amount either way if you are independent- meaning your parents did not claim you as a dependent last year.

 

[pmak67]

Looks like we got ourselves quite a few oldies in this fine class of 2010. I am 33 myself and have a 5 year old who will also be starting school this fall.

Holy cow - I'm beating everyone in the "old" category. I will be 39 by the time we start, but I'm in full "mind over matter" stride. If you don't mind, it don't matter.

BEING OLD RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(I'm considering going into geriatrics just to have some contemporaries to talk to! ha!)

 

[pmak67]

The list of spring flingers:

AC
Ryan
JohnJuan
PMACK (Bowling only)
UserNameNeeded

AC, puhlease! How long have you been PMing my "pmak67" moniker?

Corrected list of spring flingers:
AC (ahem)
Ryan
JohnJuan
PMak!!! (Sat night bowling only)
User Name Needed

 

[ac101ac]

AC, puhlease! How long have you been PMing my "pmak67" moniker?

Corrected list of spring flingers:
AC (ahem)
Ryan
JohnJuan
PMak!!! (Sat night bowling only)
User Name Needed

😀 😀 😀

 

[green_eyes]

Hi everyone!

Just found this forum so thought I'd say Hello! Can't wait to meet everyone during the Spring preview events!

Thanks for all the discussion yall have been doing.. it has been very insightful.

Question, How do I subscribe to this forum? I'm new with all this stuff..

Thanks 🙂

 

[ac101ac]

For those already at TCOM or for those that may know ...... WHAT IS RANCHLAND??? I guess everyone got that invitation? It's for everyone but not sure what it is. Just another party?

 

[green_eyes]

For those already at TCOM or for those that may know ...... WHAT IS RANCHLAND??? I guess everyone got that invitation? It's for everyone but not sure what it is. Just another party?

i saw that on the website but i havent gotten any mail about it yet.. the last thing i got was the stuff about the spring preview and the tshirts available..