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I toured it last month. No change as mentioned above. Still no books in the library because its all virtual. Some decor was circus themed. Kinda freaked me out lol. But the labs etc were so nice!
*** The Official LECOM Dental Class of 2018 Interview/Acceptance Thread ***
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I like the idea of the school's library being virtual. Something very new and I think it's how many libraries will be in the future.
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That's very true, but you'd think they'd then have some books already in there!
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Hey guys good luck this cycle! Just had my first day of school on Friday. You get 90 or so books on Vital Source (online) that you can download with limited printing if you want, they even have boards reviews on there. Also all of the books that are required had a hard copy in the library to read if your eyes fall out of your skull from reading on the computer.
The school itself is in a developing part of Bradenton but I wouldn't say it's in the middle of nowhere, plenty of restaurants nearby but you will need your car. Tampa is only 45 min north, and theres plenty of stuff in Downtown Bradenton and Sarasota.
As for the school, the clinic is close to completion, everything is shiny and new but yes, beware of the creepy clown display case. Not sure what the hell happened when they let someone bring their collection of clowns to the school, but at least it's on the patient entrance side.
Also, dress code for the med building is shirt and tie all the time, but at the dental school you can wear scrubs, which it looks like 100% of the students do.
The school itself is in a developing part of Bradenton but I wouldn't say it's in the middle of nowhere, plenty of restaurants nearby but you will need your car. Tampa is only 45 min north, and theres plenty of stuff in Downtown Bradenton and Sarasota.
As for the school, the clinic is close to completion, everything is shiny and new but yes, beware of the creepy clown display case. Not sure what the hell happened when they let someone bring their collection of clowns to the school, but at least it's on the patient entrance side.
Also, dress code for the med building is shirt and tie all the time, but at the dental school you can wear scrubs, which it looks like 100% of the students do.
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Thanks for the updated information! Aside from the clowns, everything sounds really nice! 😛
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Does LECOM send you a confirmation email after you've submitted the supplemental app? I did a few days ago and haven't heard anything yet. Also, when I log into my portal it doesn't show anything regarding the supp being completed.
**EDIT**
Never mind. The Admissions Status tab (not "your admissions status") shows your app status and that the supplemental has been received.
**EDIT**
Never mind. The Admissions Status tab (not "your admissions status") shows your app status and that the supplemental has been received.
I got interviewed last cycle and absolutely loved the campus. I decided to decline the offer because of the tuition. Since I also got accepted to in-state school, I don't think why I need to double my debt once I graduate.
PROS:
1) The school is brand new, however it was not completely finished last time I was there.
2) The chairs that you will work with are top of the line, and of course, they are brand new.
3) You will have your patients even in your first year --> lots of opportunities to practice.
4) You get to choose either stay there or go to Pennsylvania in your 3th or 4th year.
5) The school is about 20 mins to the beach, great place to relax and re-charge.
6) Not so much "fun places" to go to, which is good for you to focus on your study. Just remember that you don't have to live there for the rest of your life. Once you graduate, you still have plenty of time to have fun.
CONS:
1) For me, it's more expensive because I got accepted to an in-state school.
2) Living expenses are a little high.
3) PBL is not just for everyone. However, it would be great if you are a proactive student.
Accredited: LECOM will be accredited and no matter what happens, you will have license to practice after you graduate.
Library: I don't know if it's necessary to have lots of books in the library if you don't actually read them. Everything is electronic now.
Overall, I loved the campus, the faculty and the location. It's a good school.
My 2cents
PROS:
1) The school is brand new, however it was not completely finished last time I was there.
2) The chairs that you will work with are top of the line, and of course, they are brand new.
3) You will have your patients even in your first year --> lots of opportunities to practice.
4) You get to choose either stay there or go to Pennsylvania in your 3th or 4th year.
5) The school is about 20 mins to the beach, great place to relax and re-charge.
6) Not so much "fun places" to go to, which is good for you to focus on your study. Just remember that you don't have to live there for the rest of your life. Once you graduate, you still have plenty of time to have fun.
CONS:
1) For me, it's more expensive because I got accepted to an in-state school.
2) Living expenses are a little high.
3) PBL is not just for everyone. However, it would be great if you are a proactive student.
Accredited: LECOM will be accredited and no matter what happens, you will have license to practice after you graduate.
Library: I don't know if it's necessary to have lots of books in the library if you don't actually read them. Everything is electronic now.
Overall, I loved the campus, the faculty and the location. It's a good school.
My 2cents
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Yeah, I was going to comment on that too. I was under the impression that you can voice your opinion on where you'd rather be, but it's ultimately up to them and I remember them saying it's going to basically be 1/2 and 1/2.
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So it is a possibility that they can move you from Bradenton even if you express you want to stay? What if you have a family and such and can't just move across the country? They would still make you go?
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I'm not really sure how they're going to handle that. I imagine anyone who has a husband/wife and/or kids would be given priority to stay in the area if they want to. It'll be interesting once the first class gets up to that point, because I doubt 1/2 the class wants to move to PA. Personally, I've lived in PA before so I think it'd be an absolutely great experience to be there again.
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Oh yes. I forgot the first class has not gotten to that point as yet. I guess we shall wait and see. Hopefully they explain in depth or someone specifically asks this question during the tours/presentations on interview day. 🙂
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Hmm I don't seem to have access to the page you are talking about. When I click the admissions I am taken directly to the page to fill out the supplemental app. I have already submitted the supplemental app and paid the 50 dollar fee. Everything of mine was submitted over a week ago.
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the other site is in defuniak springs, fl, which is 6 hours from bradenton, so regardless of which site you end up at, you're going to be moving.
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They still haven't decided how to split the class up for the 4th year but the dean has put the decision into the hands of the student government. I personally would rather go to Erie but either way I think it's worth it. By the time we are done with our third year we will have had as many hours of clinical experience as most students have in four years. Then a full year rotation after that will be like doing an AEGD, which I think most people are doing these days.
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That will certainly be interesting. So do you know if it'll be something where you can express where you'd like to go to the student govt body or will they pick at random for you?
Hearing about the clinical side of things is what gets me really excited about LECOM and why it's my top choice. To me, it's the most important aspect of dental school and considering everything LECOM has to offer in this area, it's definitely going to be a school to look for in the coming years. The moving bit is not for everyone though, so anyone considering the school has to be up for the challenge!
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Definitely a challenge! Especially if one may have un-moveable ties to Bradenton during their 4th year, like a significant other in LECOM's Medical school... despite all of that, the school seems to offer a lot!
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I am a D1 as well and agree with this. The "library" also has some non dental related books, like the Harry Potter series. But with all the books on your electronic devise (you can have it on two devises and access it from any computer with your log in info), or you can print the book (unlimited printing), why do you need to have thousands of books sitting on a shelf collecting dust. Then after you leave LECOM, you still have access to the virtual books for life.
A lot of people are having doubts about the school, even as accepted students. But, it is a new school, and there will be bugs (which they have found out with the inaugural class), but they have changed it for the C/O 2017. Examples: PBL is no longer with the DO students, and the dental assisting was changed because most of the D2 students stated that it was like shadowing instead of actually assisting. Which, we all did to get into dental school. So now it is more focused, on the business aspect of the dental office. The program will get better with every class that comes into the school. They also give you a big" (someone from the upper class), to help answer any questions you may have (either about the area or about the school, classes, or anything else you can think of. They are here to help you, not screw you.
As for being in the middle of no where. We are right in the middle of everything. From my house it is: 15 min to the school, 40 min to TPA international airport, 8 min to the river, 15 min to a beach, 30 min to Sarasota (many beaches and "nightlife" activities). I would say I am fairly close to everything, and I live further from the school than most students.
The school is not that bland. The color scheme is relaxing and inviting. Very simple. I would rather it be this way so I can keep my focus. But how many times do you actually walk somewhere in any building, and actually look at the walls the entire time? You don't. You look at the people, you converse with others, or look at the amenities that are offered, the technology that is offered, or the visionary of a unique dental program. But, if you really want to look at something, then look at our strange (seemingly out of place clown displays), our huge pond in the back with three fountains, or the metal art in the back of the parking lots. But, I guarantee you that you not even care of the "bland aspect of the walls. You will be so intent with conversing with others and actively learning, you won't care. Plus, it is the students and the faculty that give the school its personality, not the decor. To give you an idea, the SGA and ASDA has hosted four or five "mixers" to get to know your class as well as the inaugural class within the first week of school. This was fantastic, and should be mentioned.
Someone wanted to know about the facilities. So here is your description....... Everything is new. The clinics are not finished, but will be by the beginning of next year. You get your own chair so you wont have to "fight" to get one once you get to the clinical aspect. As for the chairs, they are some of the best out there ( they have memory foam and have a massage feature). And if I am not mistaken, they cost over $10,000 apiece. In the sim lab, you work on a dummy with a computer screen attached. Again, expensive and nice.
I must talk about the clinical experience now. This is THE school for that. Yoi uget get more than any other school in the country, and you WILL be sought after because of this once you graduate. You start doing dentures for individuals who are in need during the spring of your first year, and your clinical hours increase as you progress through the program. Your entire fourth year will be at an offsite dental clinic that LECOM has built and paid for to service individuals in need. You will get thousands of hours of experience before you graduate.
Security is one of their primary focuses. SO for the person who came unannounced, that is why. They have dentists who want to come and look at the new building. They turn them away just as they did you. Everyone has to follow the same guidelines. Either make an appointment or be invited. They want to show off the building because they are proud of they they did and are very willing to show it off. Just make an appointment or find someone who is willing to show you. It is for the students security, which is a great thing. There are over 125 cameras in the building if I remember correctly. During registration day, they did host tours show your friends and family can see the building. So why not show off where you will get the training to become a Dr???? Take advantage of it. Plus if someone can not make it, or you just want to show the building to someone, just fill out the form and get it approved. Its that simple.
I am only a D1 and have completed my first week of school, so I really only know what I have experienced this past week. But I will tell you that I was waitlisted for the inaugural class and was amazed by the school, that this is the ONLY school I applied to this past year, and I got in. And it was the right choice for me. I will be happy to answer any questions anyone may have IM or through this thread). It is a great opportunity with a high return.
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While what everyone else is saying about relocating to the offsite clinic is true. They did say, as a class, we will be able to have input on how that is going to be decided. I am sure that if you have circumstances that calls for your site to be in FL instead of PA, they will let you stay in FL. But know this, the offsite clinic is NOT near Bradenton, it is in DeFuniak springs. Which is just North of Pensacola.
Last edited:
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They work with many local nonprofit organizations to bring in the patients. Plus they have a waiting list of over 200 patients waiting to be seen by the students when the clinic opens up next year. I do not think finding patients will be a problem.
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Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your experience! I was waitlisted for the the inaugural class as well, and hope to join you for the upcoming C/O 2018!
A part that sort of caught me off guard in what you said was that some of the accepted students are having doubts about the school. Do you mean just those accepted or ones that are actually enrolled? If it's those who are enrolled, what do you think their major concerns are? I imagine everyone would have expected bugs needing to be worked out when they accepted their offer since LECOM is such a new school.
Seems like a good idea that the dental is no longer doing PBL with the DO students. That was my primary concern when I came for the interview last year because undergrad schools seems to clump everyone who's "pre-professional" together so when you get to dental school, I think it's important to be learning with pre-dents rather than with pre-med and possibly other pre-professional students, even though there will be some obvious overlap.
Thanks again! 👍
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I live in Tampa (not all that far from Bradenton) so I think you're right that there won't be any problem in finding patients. I'm sure a lot of patients are even sent over from the Tampa area.
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Hey Teeths.
The major concerns (sorry not doubts) for those enrolled, are:
1) relocation to the offsite clinic.
2) PBL
3) funding (interest rates and aggregate loan amounts)
4) pass/ fail grading
5) student activates and/ or student organizations
In my opinion, all of these should be addressed during the interview process for potential applicants. These are concerns that should help aid everyone in their decision making process to pick the school best suited for their self.
I feel that the only concern is the funding part. But they are accredited and have federal funds available. With the interest rates continuing to increase, it will always be a concern. There is no subsidized loans for graduate schools, so more of the PLUS loans must be taken out at a higher interest rate. LECOM is not a state school, so tuition fees will be higher.
The relocation and how it will be decided is a concern. But, as students, we all knew about this during our interview, so it is not surprise. As for the PBL, the D2 students all say that the PBL is a one hundred percent better with out the DO students. The main concern about that was that dental students had a busier schedule than the DO students (dental assisting and sim clinic). So there was less time to study. The other problem was that there was hardly any head and neck cases. Funding.... well that is always a concern was mentioned above. Pass/fail grading.... Well this is a problem for those who want to specialize. But, LECOM's focus is on primary care. Again, we all knew about this during the interview. But, if you do want to specialize, LECOM will provide the numerical grade to those programs of your choosing. Student clubs/ organizations are very limited. Well there is only two (SGA and ASDA). But with it being a new school, there is funding available to start one. So I personally feel that funding is the only problem, and as someone in charge of our own future, we should ask millions of questions and research everything before making an educated decision on what school to attend that best suits your own needs.
Good question
The major concerns (sorry not doubts) for those enrolled, are:
1) relocation to the offsite clinic.
2) PBL
3) funding (interest rates and aggregate loan amounts)
4) pass/ fail grading
5) student activates and/ or student organizations
In my opinion, all of these should be addressed during the interview process for potential applicants. These are concerns that should help aid everyone in their decision making process to pick the school best suited for their self.
I feel that the only concern is the funding part. But they are accredited and have federal funds available. With the interest rates continuing to increase, it will always be a concern. There is no subsidized loans for graduate schools, so more of the PLUS loans must be taken out at a higher interest rate. LECOM is not a state school, so tuition fees will be higher.
The relocation and how it will be decided is a concern. But, as students, we all knew about this during our interview, so it is not surprise. As for the PBL, the D2 students all say that the PBL is a one hundred percent better with out the DO students. The main concern about that was that dental students had a busier schedule than the DO students (dental assisting and sim clinic). So there was less time to study. The other problem was that there was hardly any head and neck cases. Funding.... well that is always a concern was mentioned above. Pass/fail grading.... Well this is a problem for those who want to specialize. But, LECOM's focus is on primary care. Again, we all knew about this during the interview. But, if you do want to specialize, LECOM will provide the numerical grade to those programs of your choosing. Student clubs/ organizations are very limited. Well there is only two (SGA and ASDA). But with it being a new school, there is funding available to start one. So I personally feel that funding is the only problem, and as someone in charge of our own future, we should ask millions of questions and research everything before making an educated decision on what school to attend that best suits your own needs.
Good question
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The reason I mentioned the library is because why build a library if it is not going to have books!? haha! Call it a digital library and remove the shelves
It's actually called the Learning Resource Center. Also, who actually reads books from a library anyways? They are for studying.
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Finally got the "your application is under review" email.
I was 3rd batch, and my DAT scores didn't import till the 18th.
I was 3rd batch, and my DAT scores didn't import till the 18th.
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Today I have also received confirmation that my supplemental application has been processed. 🙂
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Do you guys who got your supplementals processed today have anything useful on your LECOM portal? Mine only shows the supp app and a how to navigate the portal tutorial.
I understand what you are saying... I'm not the only one that felt this way, though. Most of my interview group thought it was odd.
And.... How does a room full of tables and chairs constitute a "learning resource center"?
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They send you a link to their online portal. You answer some brief questions (i don't even think there was a "why lecom" essay), pay your fee and youre good to go.
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LECOM emailed me a link to their online portal "supplemental application" on July 9th. It was just basic background information and a $50 electronic fee.
I haven't heard since.
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Did you get this email first?
Thank you for applying to the LECOM Bradenton School of Dental Medicine. The Office of Admissions received your AADSAS application. It is currently under review and we will contact you regarding the status of your application.
Sincerely,
Office of Admissions
And THEN did you get the supplemental?
I definitely do not remember paying $50 and filling LECOM's supplemental.
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Their process does seem a little odd and redundant. This is the extent of my experience so far. They sent their acknowledgment of receipt of my AADSAS twice, which contained a link to their cadidate portal with a username and password assigned. This grants access to their supplemental application. I completed the supplemental application and payed the fee. I then received a credit card receipt via email and soon after that an email acknowledging they have received my supplemental application, but it also points out that the supplemental is not considered complete until the fee transaction is fully processed. So you have to wait for another email indicating that the payment went through, thus completing their processing of the supplemental application. I received that email today.
What had me confused, and this is if I remember it correctly, was that the status of the application shown in their candidate portal said that my application was under review and I would be contacted after a decision is made both before and after my supplemental application was completely processed. So it did not indicate a change between the receipt of the supplemental fee, but like I said. At this point I can't tell remember difference verbatum between the initial payment and the fully processed payment.
I hope this helps!
What had me confused, and this is if I remember it correctly, was that the status of the application shown in their candidate portal said that my application was under review and I would be contacted after a decision is made both before and after my supplemental application was completely processed. So it did not indicate a change between the receipt of the supplemental fee, but like I said. At this point I can't tell remember difference verbatum between the initial payment and the fully processed payment.
I hope this helps!
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I got the email today as well saying my supplemental was complete. I think the only thing that changed is when you click on the admissions tab the "admissions status" is still the same but now when you click "Required letters and credits" it has them all filled out and says if you fulfilled all the pre-reqs and other requirements.
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Where exactly do you see "admissions status" and "required letters and credits"?
I click the link in the email. Enter my login into at the top. Click the admissions tab at the top. That takes me directly to "admissions > applicant dmd-Bradenton" at that point I can only see the supplemental app and the "how to navigate" page. I remember last cycle LECOM messed up my application. Even though I was in the 3rd batch I didn't get the "your file is complete an under review" email until January and I was never able to get an answer out of them as to what happened. I would love to avoid that situation this year.
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This is exactly what I see when I log into mine..I don't see the required letters and credits tab, only the supp app that I already completed and how to navigate the webpage.
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I'm going to call tomorrow to make sure. Hopefully it's just a glitch in the system or something!
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Yea the portal system is not the greatest.
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Let me know if you get in contact with them. I've been trying for about a week now. Most times they don't pick up. The few times I got a hold of someone I was told the dental admissions people are at lunch. When I call after lunch time I finally get forwarded to who I need to talk to but no one answers that call. Pretty frustrating.
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After signing in and clicking admissions tab if it brings you to the Applicant - DMD - Bradenton screen you were talking about. Try looking at the tabs on the left side now (not the same one you already clicked to get to admissions) and above the Applicant - DMD - Bradenton tab try clicking on the Home tab directly above it. Once you click on home it should show a few more options including..
Required letters and credits
Admissions status
Your admissions status
and some other BS.
Required letters and credits
Admissions status
Your admissions status
and some other BS.
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I also got this email today. In the portal under Required letters and documents (found on the left side when you click on admissions tab) you can view what they have received. In my portal it says they have received everything except my LOR's (which is weird because they were all sent with aadsas on 7/5). But in the email they put in all CAPs *for us neurotics* to be patient. Its takes a while to enter everything. So I wouldn't really worry...unless you havent heard anything at all.
