Hi! I'm applying this semester and am curious what your favorite things about the program are? Do you feel supported by school admin? What are some of the opportunities you find on/around campus to be more helpful for success? I've talked to some alumni from the DO program and they seem to have really good things to say about Touro-CA but want to hear a bit more opinions from the MSMHS on things they like (& dislike!) about the school, area, and program. I live a few hours south of the school on the central coast and would love to attend because I'm only applying DO and would ideally love to be somewhat close to family & SO.
Also, another random question - how feasible would it be to have dogs while in the program? Are the classes all day/it is reasonable to leave campus during lunch? I'm debating on whether I would bring my dogs if I were to be accepted or if I should leave them with family (especially the fall semester). Thanks for your time answering questions!
hi ch91!
What I like --> So I think my favorite thing about this program has been the diverse group of people I have met. As a non-native California resident, I always appreciate the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and be challenged on different ideas. I feel that I have made a really great group of friends from this program that has made the transition to California easier (not to mention the stress of studying in the program). I also think that this program and Touro provides many opportunities for community and shadowing work, whether its through their Student Run free clinic, their MOBEC program (focus on diabetes), and lunchtime OMM clinic that you are free to shadow. This overlaps with your other question about opportunities for success on campus. In addition, you can often try to shadow Touro physicians at the free clinic they have in Vacaville and Fairfield. I think that most of the faculty in the Master's program, who often teach classes in the DO program too, are there to support you. They hold office hours, and sometimes review sessions to help you really understand the material, there is no shortage of help either from faculty, the program directors, or former Master's students. So don't be afraid to use your resources! Also, you get the Jewish holidays off, which really helps you out during the Fall semester.
Dislikes-->
The mosquitoes during warm weather seasons, even though this seems trivial, it honestly gets annoying because the mosquitoes can be very vicious. When you first get on campus, you may be a little worried that you walked onto the set of the Walking Dead, but fear not, it is important to take note that there are some abandoned buildings around because Mare Island used to be a naval base. It is not the most aesthetically pleasing campus, but it is a work in progress. I think that the campus lacks a strong focus on social justice and diversity, and even though they mention it, the general student population is somewhat lackluster on this. In terms of location, Vallejo does not have the most things, but you are still in the Bay area and if you ever want a break from the library or the island, SF and Berkeley are only 20 minutes away. There is one main library that all the students generally study and hang out in. There is a quiet section and loud section for whatever your needs may be, but it can be a bit stressful that this is the main place where students congregate when you just want to study.
Good question about dogs, because I wanted to get a dog in this program. The classes go from Monday-Friday, and generally are between the hours of 9/10-4 depending on the semester and classes. It is POSSIBLE to have a dog, but I would say that you may run into some time management problems especially when you are studying for Block exams and need to not only take care of yourself, but your pet. I have observed people have trouble even taking care of themselves, and self care is one of the most underrated priorities in this program.
During lunch, you can definitely leave campus to go for lunch and either go back to your place on Mare Island or in Vallejo, any father it might be difficult. You usually get out of class at 11:50 AM and class restarts at 1 PM. To make it easier, I would say to leave your dog with your family for the fall semester, get a better gauge on your time management after the first few weeks, and then decide from there.
Keep the questions coming! Feel free to ask here, or PM me if you have more personal or specific questions. Hopefully I addressed all of your questions.