The Inaugural ATSU COM-Mesa Class of 2011

[Doctor Travel]

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I will attending ATSUCOM-Mesa and was wondering where everyone was going to be placed afteryear one. Ill be in Hawaii?? Anyone else??

 

[v-lander]

The 808ers are piling up! Welcome and congrats. When did you interview? I'm going to HI, too. I think all of us going to HI should have an e-get-together so we can get acquainted.

 

[MD/DO ALMOST]

we're going to have PLENTY of time to get acquainted in AZ- Heading over to Waianae this coming week for a refresher look and to visit friends.

 

[armyemdoc]

I feel like I'm the only heading down to Beaufort, SC...anyone else on SDN with me?

 

[GreenShirt]

Brooklyn, New York: rarekare, igtx,
Beaufort, South Carolina: hopefuldoc40,
Troy, Alabama:
Milford, Ohio:
Flagstaff, Arizona: jfeyko,
Phoenix, Arizona:
Tucson, Arizona: rpinnell,
Visalia, California: stringerbell, ifpx181
Woodburn, Oregon: inthe415, gonnabeob,
Seattle, Washington: builttorock, greenshirt,
Waianae, Hawaii: dseattle, soccergrl03, v-lander, MD/DO Almost

 

[MD/DO ALMOST]

Greenshirt; did you get the email with the curriculum attached for years 1-4? I see the whole fourth year is specialty/subspecialty clerkship rotations. Also is anyone going to wait until arriving in AZ to take the CPR for Health Care Professionals class?- I think they said it would be offerd the first week for like $30.00?

 

[rpinnell]

Hey if anyone has the curriculum available could they post it or email it to me? I would rather not have to call and bother Joyce if I dont need to. P.S. I am from the Phoenix area and it rained like crazy yesterday!?!? It was also nice laying by the pool last weekend when it was 96 out.

 

[gildas]

Brooklyn, New York: rarekare, igtx,
Beaufort, South Carolina: hopefuldoc40,
Troy, Alabama:
Milford, Ohio:
Flagstaff, Arizona: jfeyko,
Phoenix, Arizona:
Tucson, Arizona: rpinnell,
Visalia, California: stringerbell, ifpx181
Woodburn, Oregon: inthe415, gonnabeob,
Seattle, Washington: builttorock, greenshirt,
Waianae, Hawaii: dseattle, soccergrl03, v-lander, MD/DO Almost

Hey guys, I interviewed yesterday at commesa and they said that the Tucson, Oregon and Washington CHCs were already filled.
Just so you know.

 

[v-lander]

So that's some peoples' hopes aren't dashed unnecessarily, you should clarify that. Are they filled as in they've received $1000 deposits from 10 acceptees that were accepted and assigned to those CHCs? Or, have they just given out acceptances and assigned 10 people to those CHCs. There's a difference. Lots of applicants don't follow through, even though they've been accepted and assigned a CHC.

 

[GreenShirt]

Greenshirt; did you get the email with the curriculum attached for years 1-4? I see the whole fourth year is specialty/subspecialty clerkship rotations. Also is anyone going to wait until arriving in AZ to take the CPR for Health Care Professionals class?- I think they said it would be offerd the first week for like $30.00?

No, I didn't get the 4 yr currilculum...I just got a brief outline of the first yr. Did you request this info or did they just send it to you? Please post it! Are there any clerkships outside the CHC in the 3rd yr?

I've been a CPR instructor for the Red Cross for 5 yrs, but since I teach Lay responder classes I have to take another CPR class. Ugh! I was professional rescuer certified for about 5 yrs previously. I think I have the whole CPR thing down by now.

Is the one they're offering Red Cross or AHA?

 

[MD/DO ALMOST]

well, i got it but requested it a long time ago- patience is key as they are really busy!

As far as the CPR I do not know who teaches it, but I remember them specifically stating that we need to have the one for health care professionals.

 

[gildas]

So that's some peoples' hopes aren't dashed unnecessarily, you should clarify that. Are they filled as in they've received $1000 deposits from 10 acceptees that were accepted and assigned to those CHCs? Or, have they just given out acceptances and assigned 10 people to those CHCs. There's a difference. Lots of applicants don't follow through, even though they've been accepted and assigned a CHC.

Well they did not say if those are the ones that made their deposits. However they did say to rank a site that is already filled if you really want to go there because you never know when someone might decline his/her acceptance.
BTW I just got the call from Joyce today. It seems like we might be classmates for at least Year 1 , Woo Woo

 

[capucino123]

Brooklyn, New York: rarekare, igtx,
Beaufort, South Carolina: hopefuldoc40,
Troy, Alabama:
Milford, Ohio:
Flagstaff, Arizona: jfeyko,
Phoenix, Arizona:
Tucson, Arizona: rpinnell,
Visalia, California: stringerbell, ifpx181, capucino123
Woodburn, Oregon: inthe415, gonnabeob,
Seattle, Washington: builttorock, greenshirt,
Waianae, Hawaii: dseattle, soccergrl03, v-lander, MD/DO Almost

 

[somedumbDO]

Just a quick note about passing "step 1" (it is COMLEX Level I)...I am of the opinion that this school will lead the country in passing rates for Level I. I wouldn't worry two bits about getting the basic science. Many of my friends from last year said they got 1-2 questions/400 on anatomy. So, if you move hours away from that course to other high yield ones, such as path, pharm, infectious, or medicine...then, you should get the info you need easily.

Also, my brain stores the basic science info until about 20 minutes after my exam...at which point everything is just flushed. When you see patients, it will stick so much more.

Don't let any naysayers worry you about your decision. You guys are gonna rock the boards. I'm very envious of your program.

This doesn't mean you guys aren't going to have some hiccups...I think many of you will be frustrated with things that a couple of years from now will be solidified. First and foremost is that most of our "info" comes from upperclassmen. You just won't have that.

Good luck to all! If you have any questions, I'll try to help. I am working on making videos for things that you will use on a daily basis at ATSU. I'll let you all know when they are posted (http://www.erikpaul.net).

uhhh being a DO and having taken step 1/2 (comlex and USMLE) I do not agree with your assesment. And I will be willing to bet that Mesa students will not be the top as far as board pass rates (atleast for step 1 which is what residencies look at most anyways). Not with standing taken the MORE diffcult USMLE. For STEP one basic science was every thing, and in the coarse of one year I HIGHLY doubt that this can be acomplished in one year.

 

[MD/DO ALMOST]

uhhh being a DO and having taken step 1/2 (comlex and USMLE) I do not agree with your assesment. And I will be willing to bet that Mesa students will not be the top as far as board pass rates. Nothwithstanding taken the MORE diffcult USLME. For STEP one basic sience was every thing, and in the coarse of one year I HIGHLY doubt that this can be acomplished in one year of clinical education

can you elaborate on this point? it is a primary concern of mine that we will be forced to do much prep on our own to make up for deficits. We will have 12 months of didactics, followed by 1 yr of didactic/group setting, and clinical experience. This will be years one and two, and a review will be given before the comlex1. As someone who has done this already, is it a huge mistake to go to a school that is yet to graduate a class when there are other schools ( such as NOVA) that I could go to? Im really on board with the mission and the location, but I wonder.

 

[somedumbDO]

I took interest in this thread, mostly cuz i am a little hung over from a night out, and I need to sober up before I go to the gym. Lastly I am a DO student that just matched in a competitive field of medicine and I think you guys need some perspective. Note this is generated to people WHO DO NOT WANT TO DO GEN MED. So if you do just ignore. so here we go.....

Not sure it matters in the end- we will get all of our residency experience in the hospital, and as long as you have seen how they work , you'll be fine.... BUT- I am qualifying this confidence boosting statement with this- I still have yet to give up my seat at another school that is very established until I'm sure, and yes it hurts to do so! $$$$$ I do know, however, that Dr. Woods and the staff are not unaware that to send students out into the world w/o surgical and hospital expertise/training would not be ethical or fair. The relationships with hospitals in AZ. basically guarantees anyone in that area great set of rotations. As far as the other clinics go, we will all get hospital rotations, and if not, they will pull those ppl back to AZ. I would really like a copy of the curriculum as they see it now, and would really like to know more about the rotations as well, but I do not think they have all of those set up as of now, so it may be premature.

WHERE you rotate is very important to program directors in competitive fields. University Hospitals have a TEACHING CIRICULUM, CHC do not. UH are competitive, and you learn to compete with your MD counterparts. Because you will be competing with them come residency time. Phoenix also has had an huge influx of med schools IE UofA, AZCOM (increased there enrolment by 100), and KCOM (MO). There are only 4 rotating hospitals and one of which do not allow DO 2-3rd year students. County, Goodsam, and VA. JCL offers a few rotations but its not really a teaching hospital.

Also, they say that we will follow our patients to the hospital if they need treatment there, which is supposed to expose us to the hospital side of things, but how much instruction will we get if we show up there with the patient? I feel like we'll just stand around and get in the way.

you are correct! doctors rarely pay attention to you once they know your not a 3/4 yr cuz you dont know much and they dont need to babysit.

Joyce just sent me an outline of the first year courses:

Principles of Healthcare-7 weeks
Musculoskeletal-6 weeks
Neuroscience and Senses-11 weeks
Cardiopulmonary-11 weeks
Renal-7 weeks
Endocrine-5 weeks
Medical Skills and Evidence-Based Medicine-1 yr
OPP-1 yr
Clinical Experiences-1 yr

No biochemistry? Will we have it in the 2nd yr? I wonder how the clinical presentation model is supposed to be integrated with this clearly system-based approach. I should e-mail and ask, but I've sent so many, I'm afraid they won't answer.

Yup NO BIOCHEM, NO HISTOLOGY, NO ANATOMY, NO PATHOLOGY, NO MICROBIOLOGY, NO PHYSIOLOGY uhhh that is what USMLE TESTS. You will have to overcome A HUGE educational deficit from lack of didactics. I had Program Directors ask me specifically about grades from classes. They look to see how you did on them. IE surgery..... how did u do in anatomy, oh wait your school didnt have a class on it I am sorry go home. OR Anesthesia, NO PHYSIOLOGY class??? WTF go home ..... Yeah I am sure you will pass the comlex it is not so basic science intensive... but gl save 6months to study for the USMLE and make sure you score above 230 or say goodbye to ortho, derm, optho, ortho, ENT, plastics ECT

Boards are the number one determining factor for residency followed by personality then the rest IE grades, prestige of school (most programs do not hold DO schools in high regard especially new schools, I dont agree with it but its the old gaurd and they have their traditions), class rank, LOR are so much down the line that it really dosent matter. I would be worried about your boards with this program.

I only want to warn students before they invest 250k plus in a school where they might not get what they REALLY want to do in life..... NON-GENERAL MED. BUT...... IF you are doing general medicine IE psych, OB, FP, IM yeah this program will rock!!! less school time more playing doctor ect I would love it.

enjoy
SDDO

 

[somedumbDO]

>

 

[gildas]

I took interest in this thread, mostly cuz i am a little hung over from a night out, and I need to sober up before I go to the gym. Lastly I am a DO student that just matched in a competitive field of medicine and I think you guys need some perspective. Note this is generated to people WHO DO NOT WANT TO DO GEN MED. So if you do just ignore. so here we go.....



WHERE you rotate is very important to program directors in competitive fields. University Hospitals have a TEACHING CIRICULUM, CHC do not. UH are competitive, and you learn to compete with your MD counterparts. Because you will be competing with them come residency time. Phoenix also has had an huge influx of med schools IE UofA, AZCOM (increased there enrolment by 100), and KCOM (MO). There are only 4 rotating hospitals and one of which do not allow DO 2-3rd year students. County, Goodsam, and VA. JCL offers a few rotations but its not really a teaching hospital.



you are correct! doctors rarely pay attention to you once they know your not a 3/4 yr cuz you dont know much and they dont need to babysit.



Yup NO BIOCHEM, NO HISTOLOGY, NO ANATOMY, NO PATHOLOGY, NO MICROBIOLOGY, NO PHYSIOLOGY uhhh that is what USMLE TESTS. You will have to overcome A HUGE educational deficit from lack of didactics. I had Program Directors ask me specifically about grades from classes. They look to see how you did on them. IE surgery..... how did u do in anatomy, oh wait your school didnt have a class on it I am sorry go home. OR Anesthesia, NO PHYSIOLOGY class??? WTF go home ..... Yeah I am sure you will pass the comlex it is not so basic science intensive... but gl save 6months to study for the USMLE and make sure you score above 230 or say goodbye to ortho, derm, optho, ortho, ENT, plastics ECT

Boards are the number one determining factor for residency followed by personality then the rest IE grades, prestige of school (most programs do not hold DO schools in high regard especially new schools, I dont agree with it but its the old gaurd and they have their traditions), class rank, LOR are so much down the line that it really dosent matter. I would be worried about your boards with this program.

I only want to warn students before they invest 250k plus in a school where they might not get what they REALLY want to do in life..... NON-GENERAL MED. BUT...... IF you are doing general medicine IE psych, OB, FP, IM yeah this program will rock!!! less school time more playing doctor ect I would love it.

enjoy
SDDO

First of all, this school is aiming to train people interested in Primary care. What I think people do not understand is that Basic sciences are not only going to be taugh in year 1. They will be taught throughout Year 1 and 2. However the majority of it will be taugh in year 1 for a 12 month period, making a very intense year1. Now the curriculum is designed on a system based and clinical presentation based, which means that in every block (system) they will cover all the anatomy, physiology, micro, pathology and what else have you. Personally, I do think this will be the best way for me to learn and it will be in small group learning. I beleive they will provide 7 weeks worth of course prep for the board in year 2. The clinical Presentation model is an advantage since most of the USMLE/COMPLEX questions are formulated by clinical presentations.

 

[MD/DO ALMOST]

Originally Posted by somedumbDO
I took interest in this thread, mostly cuz i am a little hung over from a night out, and I need to sober up before I go to the gym. Lastly I am a DO student that just matched in a competitive field of medicine and I think you guys need some perspective. Note this is generated to people WHO DO NOT WANT TO DO GEN MED. So if you do just ignore. so here we go.....



WHERE you rotate is very important to program directors in competitive fields. University Hospitals have a TEACHING CIRICULUM, CHC do not. UH are competitive, and you learn to compete with your MD counterparts. Because you will be competing with them come residency time. Phoenix also has had an huge influx of med schools IE UofA, AZCOM (increased there enrolment by 100), and KCOM (MO). There are only 4 rotating hospitals and one of which do not allow DO 2-3rd year students. County, Goodsam, and VA. JCL offers a few rotations but its not really a teaching hospital.



you are correct! doctors rarely pay attention to you once they know your not a 3/4 yr cuz you dont know much and they dont need to babysit.



Yup NO BIOCHEM, NO HISTOLOGY, NO ANATOMY, NO PATHOLOGY, NO MICROBIOLOGY, NO PHYSIOLOGY uhhh that is what USMLE TESTS. You will have to overcome A HUGE educational deficit from lack of didactics. I had Program Directors ask me specifically about grades from classes. They look to see how you did on them. IE surgery..... how did u do in anatomy, oh wait your school didnt have a class on it I am sorry go home. OR Anesthesia, NO PHYSIOLOGY class??? WTF go home ..... Yeah I am sure you will pass the comlex it is not so basic science intensive... but gl save 6months to study for the USMLE and make sure you score above 230 or say goodbye to ortho, derm, optho, ortho, ENT, plastics ECT

Boards are the number one determining factor for residency followed by personality then the rest IE grades, prestige of school (most programs do not hold DO schools in high regard especially new schools, I dont agree with it but its the old gaurd and they have their traditions), class rank, LOR are so much down the line that it really dosent matter. I would be worried about your boards with this program.

I only want to warn students before they invest 250k plus in a school where they might not get what they REALLY want to do in life..... NON-GENERAL MED. BUT...... IF you are doing general medicine IE psych, OB, FP, IM yeah this program will rock!!! less school time more playing doctor ect I would love it.

enjoy
SDDO


I honestly wish i could pay you for your advice, as you have been where we are going. As a new school do you feel it will help ATSU MESA be associated with KCOM?
OK, so I understand there will be some things that will be changed as we go, but I have some questions- Is EM still cosidered primary care and/or competetive? I would hate to limit my options before I truly know what I want to do. I am considering another more traditional med school, but the mission of the school, and location of my last three years make the new program attractive, but what if i change my mind? Will we be at a huge disadvantage as compared to those from another established school? I understand that the teaching hospitals also give an advantage, but if we get some exposure in this environment via our CHC's Hospital Affiliation for years 2-4, are we still going to get enough exposure to be considered competent? Having Taken Steps 1 and 2, do you feel we will be unprepared? can these deficits be made up via self study, or do you think we will need more than that?

 

[dseattle]

it sucks that we have to keep repeating to everyone that year 2 is NOT just clinical. yes its vague and hard to explain until we actually do it, but everyone keeps assuming without doing the extensive research that m/do and greenshirt and others have, or at least reading back a page. the administrators, faculty, whathaveyou have thoroughly thought this out, so we needn't worry. some of us aren't so fortunate to have the luxury of choosing where to go to school, and saying stuff like its a waste of 250g's, and making it seem like the higherups have no idea what the comlex is, are disrespectful. we all have concerns already with the new school, and we will just have to let things unravel themselves before we start making conclusions. every school is different. advice is appreciated, but so is TACT. we will have a lot to prove being the first class, and i for one am very excited to be a trailblazer. anyway, most schools are leaning towards the integrated second year.

 

[GreenShirt]

Originally Posted by somedumbDO
I took interest in this thread, mostly cuz i am a little hung over from a night out, and I need to sober up before I go to the gym. Lastly I am a DO student that just matched in a competitive field of medicine and I think you guys need some perspective. Note this is generated to people WHO DO NOT WANT TO DO GEN MED. So if you do just ignore. so here we go.....



WHERE you rotate is very important to program directors in competitive fields. University Hospitals have a TEACHING CIRICULUM, CHC do not. UH are competitive, and you learn to compete with your MD counterparts. Because you will be competing with them come residency time. Phoenix also has had an huge influx of med schools IE UofA, AZCOM (increased there enrolment by 100), and KCOM (MO). There are only 4 rotating hospitals and one of which do not allow DO 2-3rd year students. County, Goodsam, and VA. JCL offers a few rotations but its not really a teaching hospital.



you are correct! doctors rarely pay attention to you once they know your not a 3/4 yr cuz you dont know much and they dont need to babysit.



Yup NO BIOCHEM, NO HISTOLOGY, NO ANATOMY, NO PATHOLOGY, NO MICROBIOLOGY, NO PHYSIOLOGY uhhh that is what USMLE TESTS. You will have to overcome A HUGE educational deficit from lack of didactics. I had Program Directors ask me specifically about grades from classes. They look to see how you did on them. IE surgery..... how did u do in anatomy, oh wait your school didnt have a class on it I am sorry go home. OR Anesthesia, NO PHYSIOLOGY class??? WTF go home ..... Yeah I am sure you will pass the comlex it is not so basic science intensive... but gl save 6months to study for the USMLE and make sure you score above 230 or say goodbye to ortho, derm, optho, ortho, ENT, plastics ECT

Boards are the number one determining factor for residency followed by personality then the rest IE grades, prestige of school (most programs do not hold DO schools in high regard especially new schools, I dont agree with it but its the old gaurd and they have their traditions), class rank, LOR are so much down the line that it really dosent matter. I would be worried about your boards with this program.

I only want to warn students before they invest 250k plus in a school where they might not get what they REALLY want to do in life..... NON-GENERAL MED. BUT...... IF you are doing general medicine IE psych, OB, FP, IM yeah this program will rock!!! less school time more playing doctor ect I would love it.

enjoy
SDDO


I honestly wish i could pay you for your advice, as you have been where we are going. As a new school do you feel it will help ATSU MESA be associated with KCOM?
OK, so I understand there will be some things that will be changed as we go, but I have some questions- Is EM still cosidered primary care and/or competetive? I would hate to limit my options before I truly know what I want to do. I am considering another more traditional med school, but the mission of the school, and location of my last three years make the new program attractive, but what if i change my mind? Will we be at a huge disadvantage as compared to those from another established school? I understand that the teaching hospitals also give an advantage, but if we get some exposure in this environment via our CHC's Hospital Affiliation for years 2-4, are we still going to get enough exposure to be considered competent? Having Taken Steps 1 and 2, do you feel we will be unprepared? can these deficits be made up via self study, or do you think we will need more than that?

DO/MD Almost, I wouldn't pay a guy for advice who is clearly ignorant of the ATSU-Mesa curriculum and of non-traditional curriculum. Not to mention his name indicates he's either stupid or unhappy to be a DO.

A lot of med schools have System-Based or PBL curriculums. If you look at a list of their classes you will not see Immunology, Histology, Biochemistry...etc. Does that mean they don't teach these subject, which are tested on the boards? Uh, NO! Why? Because these subjects are integrated into the study of the system or of the case (in PBL) so that they have a clinical context.

And FYI, the board questions are NOT organized according to basic sciences...they are in fact arranged around clinical case studies. So why learn them as such.

Last I checked, very few DO schools are asscoiated w/ the major MD teaching hospitals.

 

[MD/DO ALMOST]

nothing indicates he is stupid. Are you forgetting the fact that there is no updated clinical info, preceptor info etc... on the website? Are you concerned at all with the fact that the curriculum is not even close to being finalized, not to mention the fact that the faculty is not yet assembled either- even though we start in three months? The facilities are not yet finished/built, and it seems as though there is a bit of a rush on to get the class filled in time due to the late start. Say what you will, but you would be a fool to do anything BUT encourage input from FORMER (meaning you call him/her Dr.), or CURRENT students. I really hate to say it, but we as incoming medical students know nothing about how this works in application. You do not have to agree or disagree, just incorporate the info into your decision making process, as it may not all be false and emotional rambling.


The ONLY reason I look at this site is for INFORMATION to help me make informed decisions. That's how I roll.....

 

[GreenShirt]

nothing indicates he is stupid. Are you forgetting the fact that there is no updated clinical info, preceptor info etc... on the website? Are you concerned at all with the fact that the curriculum is not even close to being finalized, not to mention the fact that the faculty is not yet assembled either- even though we start in three months? The facilities are not yet finished/built, and it seems as though there is a bit of a rush on to get the class filled in time due to the late start. Say what you will, but you would be a fool to do anything BUT encourage input from FORMER (meaning you call him/her Dr.), or CURRENT students. I really hate to say it, but we as incoming medical students know nothing about how this works in application. You do not have to agree or disagree, just incorporate the info into your decision making process, as it may not all be false and emotional rambling.


The ONLY reason I look at this site is for INFORMATION to help me make informed decisions. That's how I roll.....

I agree that info from students who have gone through the process is helpful, but this guy was saying that the program at Mesa is bad b/c they don't teach any basic sciences....which is blatantly wrong. If it were true that we didn't learn these things, then I'd agree with his post. However, he clearly doesn't know much about system-based curricula, b/c he looked at the list I posted on MS-I and assumed that no biochem and anatomy would be taught, since those terms aren't directly stated. I doubt the quality of his advice b/c he is disseminating erroneous opinions due to a clear lack of understanding.

Now, if there are current/former students out there who have experienced going to a new school or who have experienced the system-based approach and understand how the basic sciences are integrated, their informed opinions are highly welcome (and much preferable to the ramblings of a n admittedly hung-over poster).

 

[dseattle]

mdoalmost, what languages do you speak? i saw that you used to translate.

drunken rants..:👎:

 

[somedumbDO]

I agree that info from students who have gone through the process is helpful, but this guy was saying that the program at Mesa is bad b/c they don't teach any basic sciences....which is blatantly wrong. If it were true that we didn't learn these things, then I'd agree with his post. However, he clearly doesn't know much about system-based curricula, b/c he looked at the list I posted on MS-I and assumed that no biochem and anatomy would be taught, since those terms aren't directly stated. I doubt the quality of his advice b/c he is disseminating erroneous opinions due to a clear lack of understanding.

Now, if there are current/former students out there who have experienced going to a new school or who have experienced the system-based approach and understand how the basic sciences are integrated, their informed opinions are highly welcome (and much preferable to the ramblings of a n admittedly hung-over poster).

Just to finish my comments here at this thread because I honestly dont care what you all do I have my good residency and I will leave you to your speculations.

1) my screen name was meant to poke fun at myself obviously your sense of humor is lacking, applying to my residency I got many a rejection based on my school/DO status. Most MD people generally regard DO not an intellectual equivalent. DEBATE THIS IS U MUST BUT IT IS A TRUTH. Ask any 4th year who regularly rotates with MD's!

2) I NEVER SAID mesa program was BAD. If you are litterate you will see that I said if you were interested in gen med it was awsome. I honestly LIKE THE IDEA, however you will be going against the current trend in medicine and this directly affects the end point (getting your residency... for details reread my post cuz i am not going to repeat it) PLZ learn to read before med school it will help

3) Green DO YOU EVER HAVE FUN???? I will reserve my comments on that one

4) New school you should be wary of.... Since Mesa is KCOM project I woudnt be worried about the program, but I would be more worried about what OTHER SPECIFICALLY PROGRAM DIRECTORS WILL THINK OF IT!!

5) MD/DO: EM is VERY competitive with the allopathic match this year, not so competitive with the osteopathic. You can check the match results. you can find them on-line just google them. GENERALLY, programs with high unmatched postitions are not considered very competitive.

6) "And FYI, the board questions are NOT organized according to basic sciences...they are in fact arranged around clinical case studies. So why learn them as such." UHH DUDE HAVE YOU TAKEN THE USMLE OR COMLEX???? for step one especially, USMLE IT IS VERY MUCH BASIC SCIENCES... I KNOW I HAVE TAKEN THEM

7) "Last I checked, very few DO schools are asscoiated w/ the major MD teaching hospitals." That is what hurts us the most. Where you rotate is factored into residency selection. You NEED the opportunity to rotation thru TEACHING HOSPITALS, not ONLY CHC'S/PRECEPTORS. I know a prominent california schools that pretty much dismissed most DO rotations because of this....... and its not the ONLY SCHOOL THAT DOES SO... However, this is an issue of DO schools in general and not just MESA set up

8) "it sucks that we have to keep repeating to everyone that year 2 is NOT just clinical. yes its vague and hard to explain until we actually do it, but everyone keeps assuming without doing the extensive research that m/do and greenshirt and others have, or at least reading back a page. the administrators, faculty, whathaveyou have thoroughly thought this out, so we needn't worry. some of us aren't so fortunate to have the luxury of choosing where to go to school, and saying stuff like its a waste of 250g's, and making it seem like the higherups have no idea what the comlex is, are disrespectful. we all have concerns already with the new school, and we will just have to let things unravel themselves before we start making conclusions. every school is different. advice is appreciated, but so is TACT. we will have a lot to prove being the first class, and i for one am very excited to be a trailblazer. anyway, most schools are leaning towards the integrated second year."

I dont know where to start on this one!! The one thing that would worry me if i was a student IS THAT YOU DONT KNOW THE CIRRICULUM. YES I COULD TRUST THE FACULITY, and i am sure that they will teach you. But that is not my personality and I dont want to have the chance of getting screwed.

250k is expensive for private school too. but everyone got their pain threshold for debt

TACT??? well you got me there I was never known for mine so 😀

9) Lastly, I am not going to give out specific advice IE go here dont go here wutever. Honestly Med school is a long pain in the butt propostition regardless. And i remember back and didnt have a clue what to do once I got in. I would just hate for people to spend 250K (OUCH) and not be able to practice what they wanted.

sooooo, I am not attacking your school just giving perspective. GL to all starting Its a long road and I DO NOT envy your position. I will have a beer for you.

SDD

 

[MD/DO ALMOST]

Thanks for spending the time to respond... reality is not always what people want to hear, But I for one appreciate the perspective. Hindsight is 20/20.

 

[dseattle]

bahala na....we are just going to have to wait and see. 37g's a year isnt too bad for a private school. compare that to oos for michigan at ~50g's.

and thanks sddo for not sugarcoating your opinions, its hard to find straightforward people, but still they are opinions so people can take them anyway they want right?....hakuna matata

 

[MD/DO ALMOST]

mdoalmost, what languages do you speak? i saw that you used to translate.

drunken rants..:👎:

spanish french portugeuse Tahitian/some Hawaiian


I'm still learning to speak english..

 

[gonnabeob]

LOL!!! Boy, I stop looking at SDN for a few days, and look at the drama I missed!
For what it's worth, I think that it's interesting how this new school of ours is at least creating significant buzz in DO circles. I would expect that not all of it is positive, especially given that this is a new way of doing things. But going to any new school carries this additional burden of stigma. I'm cool with that, since I plan to prove the naysayers wrong! 😀 Who's with me?

Granted, I am sitting here with the luxury of being damn sure that Gen med is my calling, so according to text, these previous comments do not apply to me.
However, the use of phrases like "playing doctor" could be construed as a bit hostile! So I'm not surprised that some of my fellow classmates rankled. I agree that tact is not always required, but really, how valid is advice from someone who "honestly dont care what you all do?" Then why are you even posting here? If you believed you were saving some of us from drinking the Kool-aid in Mesa, you must care a little.
Well, I care a great deal, so I guess I'm swimming in their punch. For the rest of you who've taken a nip, I'd really like to hear more from you too.
Because honest discussions from those who have been given the breakdown seem like the most accurate reality to me at the moment, not speculation pieced together from comments on this website.

And since a lack of sugarcoating is so popular around here, if you're getting scared off by a drunken poster, maybe this ISN'T the school for you. We are SO not signing up for a sure thing here. It will be largely what we make it. And it's going to take a lot more courage than that to hack it at a school where our counterparts already consider us as second best from the get go. We will have a lot to prove, a lot to explain, and have to do it with pretty crazy pedagogy to boot. But yeah, I think it's just crazy enough to work, or I wouldn't be broke right now.
And I don't have any more time to discuss it at the moment, cuz I'm renting a damn U-Haul, and packing for MESA.

 

[v-lander]

Wow, so many points expressed, so much to respond to. I'm just going to say that given my experience with ATSU in KCOM's environment, I have complete trust in the administrators of our school and that they have done the work needed to provide us now with the opportunity to make happen what they are claiming this school will mean to the medical profession in the future. With all due respect to sddo (he/she deserves some for having already tread this path), I can't wait to prove the doubters of this educational approach wrong! The intent of the mission of this school is to bring about change in the quality of patient care through changing medical education. Like our administrators, I believe both are changes are necessary in this country.

I, too, am excited to be a trailblazer. I think for this first class to be successful, such enthusiasm is going to need to be ubiquitous amongst us. I hope the doubts within the members of the 1st class are minimal.

 

[armyemdoc]

As with any new school, there are going to be criticisms (both justified/unjustified) and a few kinks in the road. Personally, I think the curriculum will be great, however, I'm also heavily interested in primary care and emergency med. I know next to nothing about how the accreditation process works but the accrediting body has at least initially bought into Mesa along with the backing of ATSU/KCOM. Like V-lander, I don't mind being a trailblazer and welcome the challenge. Just my .02.

 

[MD/DO ALMOST]

All the gung ho attitudes are always easier when you do not have another/better option to consider; But if that were not the case, I have a feeling none of you would be as quick to pack your bags for MESA.

 

[dseattle]

i think this whole debate on "being a new school" is getting old and repetitive. this is a thread for the incoming class' students, so presumably we all have accepted, paid our deposits, and are anxiously waiting for this incredible opportunity to begin, thus we all should be gungho. we can worry all we want, but it wont do anything until we actually experience it. i liked how builttorock started this forum with enthusiasm, for being able to go to medical school is a a great privilege that many do not have. we are all hesitant as with any major life decision and milestone, and i dont mean to bash on folks that want a complete picture of what we are getting into, because we all want that too. however, there is no crystal clear picture at this point, that is fact. if anything, we are to be supportive of eachother, have faith in the school, and hope for the best.

time to turn this forum's frown upside down.

anyone have any fun plans before classes start? interesting paths to medical school?

also, how are peoples housing situations looking so far and when are folks planning to move down?

 

[v-lander]

Thanks for that dseattle, put perfectly.

For me, I spent an extra day or two in Phoenix after my interview and looked around. I've also done lots of looking around on lots of websites (there are so many it's almost overwhelming). If you haven't noticed this already, there are A LOT of places to live in the valley and seemingly even more people trying to help you get into a place. I've been told that in the past year, the valley housing market has come way down, so that should be a plus for us. I can't decide on whether to rent or buy (I own now). Normally buying sounds crazy for just being there for 1 year, but with the market down like it is, it might be a very good idea. At least this is what I've been told.

Mesa's a nice place but I kinda fell in love with Gilbert during my interview stay (I stayed with my cousin who lives in Gilbert). I'm hoping to find a place for us there. Lots of places I've found are within 5-8 miles from school so that works.

I'm planning on a trip back home to Hawaii during the middle to end of June and will either move out to AZ right before or right after that. Yeah, in that heat.

 

[Jacksonium78]

How goes it? I was recently accepted to ATSU-COM MESA for the 2011 class. I was assigned Flagstaff CHC. One concern I have been having is I do not know which computer they want us to buy yet, I saw a few previous threads about the computer they had mentioned during the interview but was wondering if anyone had heard any specifics. Thanks and just to let you know, I am coming from Fairbanks Alaska where it has been in the -20's the last couple of weeks, so I may be in for some systemic shock due to the temp. change. Thanks!😎

 

[gonnabeob]

Whoa...Alaska! I think we're all going to melt, but maybe you most of all. Welcome to the class, Jacksonian78!

Since you mentioned it v-lander, I wouldn't recommend purchasing a home in Mesa at this time, unless you want to hang on to the property as a rental. Otherwise with the market down, resale after a year will be really unpredictable. That's what my agent said. I'm planning to buy once we hit the CHC. At least I'll have three years to enjoy it. I'm going to miss owning my house, though!

And dseattle, I like your train of thought. I was kinda bummed after posting here last night, since it seems like the other class threads are all planning BBQs, and we're on here sounding pissy.

So my plans are: I'm renting a big house in Mesa, and I'm puttin' in a big grill in the backyard. 😎 I'm moving in at the end of next month so I've got lots of time to become a part of the welcome wagon. I don't know a soul in AZ so hopefully y'all like get togethers!

Also, I'm interested in helping our spouses make the transition as well. So let's make it several BBQ parties, and bring the fam.

 

[armyemdoc]

I'm coming from NC sometime mid July, haven't exactly figured out when yet. It depends on when my last day of work is over, the sooner the better for me.

 

[rpinnell]

Hey for anyone that is on facebook (yeah its lame and an excellent gpa dropper) I made a group for everyone that will be attending in the fall. Here is the link.

http://arizona.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2259486166

 

[gildas]

All the gung ho attitudes are always easier when you do not have another/better option to consider; But if that were not the case, I have a feeling none of you would be as quick to pack your bags for MESA.

MD/DO ALMOST, if you are not interested in Primary care at all and have any doubt about the curriculum, please do us all a favor and not go there. I would not want to be in a group with someone who will do nothing but complain. With any new medical curriculum, there will be need for a tweak here and there. FYI if you really have not see the curriculum layout for the 1st year, maybe you should pay another visit to the campus and go look around the cookies room.
And just for the record, some of us have gotten more than one acceptance.

 

[GreenShirt]

Well, I went to the airport today to get on a flight for another interview. As they started the boarding call, I decided not to go and left the airport. I'm so indecisive! I guess I'm just hooked on ATSU-Mesa and tired of traveling. I can't imagine how some people go on 10+ interviews....I've done less than half of mine so far and I'm going crazy. So expensive and so much effort.

Anywho, I think I'm just going to put my faith in Mesa. Sure, like everyone else, I'm not sure exactly what's going to happen there in the next few years, but that's part of the adventure! I figure the worst case scenario is that I end up in IM instead of EM (which is not so bad a scenario). Who knows, maybe by the time I'm done w/ my education there, I might prefer the continuity of IM to the anonymity of EM.

This Midwestern girl is headed for the wild wild west like the pioneers of yore (seriously thinking about entering town on a horse wearing cowboy hat...would that be weird?).

 

[GreenShirt]

I'm renting a damn U-Haul, and packing for MESA.

I originally thought I would rent a U-Haul to move my stuff to AZ until I found out how much it would cost: $1500 😱😱😱!!! Are they kidding?! I'm not sure all my stuff amounts to that much. I've heard that some of the other companies as cheaper, so I'm gonna try elsewhere. But my jaw just dropped when their web page spit out that price.

 

[MD/DO ALMOST]

MD/DO ALMOST, if you are not interested in Primary care at all and have any doubt about the curriculum, please do us all a favor and not go there. I would not want to be in a group with someone who will do nothing but complain. With any new medical curriculum, there will be need for a tweak here and there. FYI if you really have not see the curriculum layout for the 1st year, maybe you should pay another visit to the campus and go look around the cookies room.
And just for the record, some of us have gotten more than one acceptance.

Glad to know that you have gotten more than one for the exact reason you state above- I want ppl who wanted to be there as my classmates, not just those who had no other option this late in the cycle. INFORMATION is the reason I am here, not team/school spirit- But I have seen much of the proposed curriculum and have had my fears of the unpreparedness for boards alleviated. My point was that anyone considering a decision of this magnitude should be VERY analytical and use as many resources as possible to be sure of their choice- (just as in medicine) that's all I am doing. Please do not take offense to ANYTHING here by me or anyone else- after all it's just an INTERNET forum. back to real life.... it's way too nice out to be here! SMILE!!!!

OH, and I wouldn't have even bothered applying to MESA if I did not have more than a passing interest in primary care, but at this stage, I know we could all change our minds, and I did not think it wise to have any doors shut before I standing in front of them.- Like I said, Im not as concerned as before, but nevertheless, I still like the discussion.

 

[gonnabeob]

"I would not want to be in a group with someone who will do nothing but complain." 👍

Gildas, you get the best lounge chair at my first BBQ.
And I'm inviting people who are on board with the ATSU philosophy, whether the decision came late, you had ten other offers or none. I trust the admins to know who belongs. If we got that Friday call, we belong.

Greenshirt: UHAUL YIKES! This may not be helpful, but if that was for a Sat. move a weekday rental might be cheaper. And I think it would be hysterical if we all came to orientation wearing cowboy/girl hats. It really is the start of an adventure, isn't it?

 

[GreenShirt]

Glad to know that you have gotten more than one for the exact reason you state above- I want ppl who wanted to be there as my classmates, not just those who had no other option this late in the cycle.

If it helps, I've been offered 8 interviews and have been accepted, so far, to all the schools at which I've done an interview. So I am choosing ATSU-Mesa over other schools, not just b/c it's the only place I got in. But heck, even people who only have this acceptance are probably going to be enthusiastic about having shot to pursue their dream. For the most part, I think there will be few "bad apples" in the class.

 

[GreenShirt]

Greenshirt: UHAUL YIKES! This may not be helpful, but if that was for a Sat. move a weekday rental might be cheaper. And I think it would be hysterical if we all came to orientation wearing cowboy/girl hats. It really is the start of an adventure, isn't it?

Okay, turns out every rental company has the same price🙁 I guess it's a good thing that I own a Station Wagon.

I'm looking forward to moving to Mesa. I got in early the day before my interview, so I killed time by driving around and going to the Phoenix Zoo. As I drove down a stretch of highway in Mesa, the sunshine and scenery made me so unreasonably happy, that I literally began to cry tears of joy (sappy, I know). Of course, I realize that I will be moving to a place with no sunshine (Seattle) after a year, but hey, I'm gonna enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[gonnabeob]

I don't think you're sappy! I think that this process is just really emotional. I'm probably going to bawl the whole first year... Except that I'll have to schedule it in. We're going to be SO busy!

 

[GreenShirt]

I don't think you're sappy! I think that this process is just really emotional. I'm probably going to bawl the whole first year... Except that I'll have to schedule it in. We're going to be SO busy!

I think not knowing exactly what's going to happen is better for my stress level. When I look at other school's curricula (all the lectures and exam blocks), I get freaked out. This way I don't know what's going to hit me...later I'll be able to say "I just didn't see it coming"🙂.

LOL, I sound like such a lazy butt. After so many years of gunning, I'm not ready to pick up my guns just yet. For now, they remain in their holsters. But come August, I'll be riding into town, guns drawn.......wow, I'm really managing to keep this whole cowboy thing going🙂.

 

[GreenShirt]

gonnabeob, going by your screen name, I'm assuming that you want to go into obstetrics. Is that correct, are you planning on being a baby catcher (that's what an OB at a hospital I worked at called it...I though it was cute)?

What specialty is everyone thinking about?

I'd really want to do EM. I used to practice CPR on my teddy bear as a kid in preparation for certification exams and continued my involvement in emergency response over the course of my life through becoming an EMT-B and ER Tech. I know EM is not a primary care field (although Dr. woods said on interview day that he considers it to be, so ha), but I think a PC education will be fine, since both PC's and EP's are generalists. The only difference is the continuity of care.

 

[dseattle]

now this is more like it!

thanks for your feedback, we're all down for info, and i still think its dope that mdoalmost had an active role on so many forums to find as much input about the school, but like he said...its just an internet forum, so why not include the bbqs and fun school spirit too. we dont have to be so serious all the time right?

new folks (jackson/traveldoc/etc) congrats! could you please add your name to the chc list? dang an alaskan...this class just keeps gettin more diverse.

greenshirt - i'll rock a belt buckle if you rock your boots/hat. also check this for moving help: http://aacom.org/moving.html , i'm thinking of buying a good quality inflatable bed from costco ~$150, plus theres an ikea in tempe. otherwise you can check the myatsu forums for furniture. imma drive down in an suv with a top box thing. anyone looking at fully furnished spots?

its aboot time we got a bbq plan started!

 

[v-lander]

Yeah, I got $1500 on the U-Haul pricing, too, and that was for the middle of the week! Plus I think we're going to tow our car and we have lots of stuff. It may end up costing $2500 when gas is figured in (I think I read the truck gets 6 mi/gallon). I don't want to drive the car 1500 miles hence the towing. We're probably not going to take the car to HI so we want to make sure it lasts for the whole 1st year of school (it's been good but the miles are getting up there).

By the way, anyone really active and play sports? I'm a freak when it comes to that and I'm hoping there'll be others like me, too, in our class. Especially basketball. I'm already thinking of KCOM's "Rotator Cuff" basketball tournament next year and hoping we may be able to send a team (to be brief, KCOM holds a tournament each spring and invites medical schools from all over the country to send teams - this year's is this Friday and Saturday - truly one of the highlights of the year for me, it's that fun!).