Touro - California (TUCOM-CA) Discussion Thread 2012 -2013

[wooki]

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when were you complete? is it your first choice school? perhaps a letter of interest? they are all very friendly on the adcom.

 

[Guero]

when were you complete? is it your first choice school? perhaps a letter of interest? they are all very friendly on the adcom.

I haven't even received a complete email. I was released 9/6. Without interviewing, I can't say it's my #1. But I am very interested...

 

[amistret]

Hey, I am having a bit of trouble with this secondary. For most of these questions there a only a couple little boxes to type in the answer. How exactly did you guys fill it out, should I just make a word doc and copy past it into one of those boxes? Please let me know when anyone gets a chance, thanks in advance. Like the hobbies question, gives ya two boxes, should I just put in two hobbies or make a list in one of the boxes? Sorry, this is my number one school and I don't want to blow it.

 

[surfer909]

Hey, I am having a bit of trouble with this secondary. For most of these questions there a only a couple little boxes to type in the answer. How exactly did you guys fill it out, should I just make a word doc and copy past it into one of those boxes? Please let me know when anyone gets a chance, thanks in advance. Like the hobbies question, gives ya two boxes, should I just put in two hobbies or make a list in one of the boxes? Sorry, this is my number one school and I don't want to blow it.

So what I did was fill in the boxes with what I could and then threw down a little (cont.) at the end and finished it on a separate word document. Then I printed everything out, scanned it and sent it away by e-mail. Whether that did the trick or not is still up in the air. I'll let you know if they liked the idea enough to send me an interview invite. I was complete early Sept.

 

[bad med advice]

so having 30 is not that high for DO?

No, having a 30 is not high for DO. I'd imagine it's the mode score for TUCOM. When the average MCAT is above a 29, a score of 27-31 is right in the ballpark.

My theory for why scores are going up:
1. Students are realizing that the MD and DO are equivalent degrees, and many DO schools have more student-friendly, academically scaffolded, you-will-be-a-doctor-if-it's-what-you-want programs.
2. The number of students taking the MCAT every year is increasing much faster than the total number of seats in US medical school classes, so the test scores (which are based on a gaussian distribution and assigned based on percentile) of those accepted will continue to increase.
3. As more DO's are trained, they are normalizing the degree and breaking ground for subsequent classes of DO's. It's great that, coming out of TUCOM, I will be able to contact a number of TUCOM alumni working in (and directing) residency programs throughout the region.

 

[bad med advice]

There's no difference...it's opened ended. No need to ask the office for that.



On a separate note, my file is compete here! Waiting game begins here too...I'd love to check this school out.

I'm looking for advice. What is the difference between:

"Why should we accept you?"

and

"Describe why you can become an outstanding osteopathic physician?"

I paraphrased the secondary questions, of course. I thought that I should be accepted because I can become an outstanding osteopathic physician. I wrote one essay and i'm not sure what else to write for the other!

thanks.

Be careful with this one. I am a current first year at TUCOM (just finished the first block of exams, they were brutal!), and I didn't understand the difference between these two questions until recently.

The first asks:
-Why do you feel you deserve a spot in a medical school class?
-What will you bring to the student body?
-What will the school and the profession receive from you?

The second asks:
-What is inherent about you that will allow you to be a good doctor?
-Are your views, your philosophy, and your approach to health in line with osteopathy?

Both questions are evaluating your sureness of purpose; They're asking, "is this the right path for you." The second question is asking a slightly deeper question. Find a way to communicate that you see medicine as working towards health, not combating disease.

Consider the 4 tenets of Osteopathy medicine:
1. The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind and spirit.
2. The bod is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance.
3. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.

"It is the object of a physician to find health, anyone can find disease"
-Andrew Taylor Still M.D., D.O.

Realize that these views and this approach (Osteopathy) preceded the germ theory of disease, and was developed concurrently with Darwin's theories of evolution. It makes it easier to understand the fervid, cult-like admiration of Still.

Good Luck,

BadMed

 

[zoner]

Has anyone goren an ii from here lately? This school has been so silent. Btw. Is anyone still concerned about this school.s scattered rotation sites? I know it cam be a nightmare driving around the bay area in traffic. Probably as bad as socal traffic. Are most of people interested in this school interested because of it's geographical rotation? My current family doc is from this school and he said that he had to set up alot of rotations himself.

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[ModernAlchemist]

Has anyone goren an ii from here lately? This school has been so silent. Btw. Is anyone still concerned about this school.s scattered rotation sites? I know it cam be a nightmare driving around the bay area in traffic. Probably as bad as socal traffic. Are most of people interested in this school interested because of it's geographical rotation? My current family doc is from this school and he said that he had to set up alot of rotations himself.

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Well, I'm 99% sure I'm cancelling this interview, so there should be at least one spot opening up.

 

[amistret]

So what I did was fill in the boxes with what I could and then threw down a little (cont.) at the end and finished it on a separate word document. Then I printed everything out, scanned it and sent it away by e-mail. Whether that did the trick or not is still up in the air. I'll let you know if they liked the idea enough to send me an interview invite. I was complete early Sept.

Surfer, thanks for the help buddy. I live in Santa Cruz and surf, if we get in here.. surf buddies? haha. Good luck bro.

 

[surfer909]

Surfer, thanks for the help buddy. I live in Santa Cruz and surf, if we get in here.. surf buddies? haha. Good luck bro.

Sounds good man. I have been craving some good surf. I have been living in Seattle for the past 3 years and I am ready to make my way back to cali. Good luck man.

 

[surfer909]

Interview invite today. Received the complete e-mail Sept. 10th. Don't know what date I'll pick yet because I don't know what dates are available. It was after business hours when I checked my e-mail.

 

[JuneBugg]

This school is sooooo slowwww

 

[virtuoso735]

Interview invite yesterday. Finally. Will probably go check it out since it's within driving distance.

 

[GHETTOFLOW21]

Interview invite today. Received the complete e-mail Sept. 10th. Don't know what date I'll pick yet because I don't know what dates are available. It was after business hours when I checked my e-mail.

I was wondering if the receipt of the supplemental and that they will review it in the next couple of days the same as a complete email, because I never received a "complete" email but the receipt email I received on 9/10

 

[pattr]

Average admission stats for the TUCOM-CA c/o 2016 are out: http://admissions.tu.edu/com/demographics.html

Pretty impressive.
sGPA: 3.37
oGPA: 3.44
MCAT: 29.5

 

[surfer909]

I was wondering if the receipt of the supplemental and that they will review it in the next couple of days the same as a complete email, because I never received a "complete" email but the receipt email I received on 9/10

It wasn't the same for me. I actually received the e-mail about being reviewed in a couple of days on Aug 14th, but did not receive the complete e-mail until Sep. 10th. I think they were having some system issues around that time, so that may be why they took awhile.

 

[virtuoso735]

Scheduled my interview for Nov. 6. I may end up cancelling since I already have an acceptance from DMU but would still like to check out the school as it's about an hour drive from where I live. Will definitely cancel if I get an MD acceptance before then though.

 

[wooki]

Scheduled my interview for Nov. 6. I may end up cancelling since I already have an acceptance from DMU but would still like to check out the school as it's about an hour drive from where I live. Will definitely cancel if I get an MD acceptance before then though.

if you have nothing to do that day, then yah go. it's not going to beat DMU, and it definitely definitely will not beat azcom in terms of just facilities-wise.

 

[zoner]

if you have nothing to do that day, then yah go. it's not going to beat DMU, and it definitely definitely will not beat azcom in terms of just facilities-wise.

like in what sense do you say it will not beat azcom facilities wise?

 

[wooki]

most of the buildings at AZCOM are brand new. the gym at touro is essentially just a basketball court and a really small weight room. there's only one lecture hall for the meds. the anatomy lab at touro did have really good ventilation though. didn't see anything sim-related at touro, whereas AZCOM had really good simulation bays. limited study area on campus at touro.. the library is pretty small.

 

[zoner]

Azcom has simulation lab? Didnt se e that

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[wooki]

Azcom has simulation lab? Didnt se e that

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yah. they had this ridiculous baby sim that looked quite scary. it was like 3+ sim rooms. very nicely setup'ed.

 

[PJ807]

Hi Guys,

I was released a little over a week ago (I know, I'm late in the cycle 🙁 ) and have received a secondary to every school I applied to except my top choice (TUCOM-CA). Do they tend to take longer than other schools to screen for secondaries?

cGPA: 3.17
sGPA: 3.72
MCAT: 31

Thanks!

 

[zoner]

They do.

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[Guero]

Hi Guys,

I was released a little over a week ago (I know, I'm late in the cycle 🙁 ) and have received a secondary to every school I applied to except my top choice (TUCOM-CA). Do they tend to take longer than other schools to screen for secondaries?

cGPA: 3.17
sGPA: 3.72
MCAT: 31

Thanks!

Yup, it was among my last three: My MCAT cleared on 9/5, AACOMAS released on 9/6, and JUST received the secondary 10/3.

 

[PJ807]

Oh wow. Ok, good to know that I may still receive a secondary. Thanks!

 

[amistret]

That is great to know, TUCOM CA is my top school as well and I have been waiting on pins and needles for my secondary.

 

[Doctor2be17]

Any recent interviews? I've been complete since September 16th and waiting..

 

[zoner]

That is great to know, TUCOM CA is my top school as well and I have been waiting on pins and needles for my secondary.

Why? Can you elaborate?

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[amistret]

Why? Can you elaborate?

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Mostly my experience with the university and some personal reasons. My better half lives about a half hour away and I would love to have her loving support and give her mine during medical school. Other reasons are that the night I learned about Osteopathy and knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life it was a Touro panel that evoked that passion. Since then I have founded a Pre-SOMA club on my campus and held events with Touro university. I love the location, the facilities are great, faculty fantastic, and the students are very welcoming, helpful, passionate about Osteopathy, and it would be a dream come true to study here.
Sorry for the long winded answer but you did ask. Good luck to you on your journey.

 

[ModernAlchemist]

Withdrew from this school today. Hope some other deserving SDN member scores my interview spot!

 

[psychkub]

Withdrew from this school today. Hope some other deserving SDN member scores my interview spot!

Withdrew my application also. Should be an interview spot open now for 10/15.

 

[Srs7]

May I ask why you withdrew? I have the interview tomorrow 10/15 and have thought about withdrawing but decided I'd make a trip out of it and go anyways...

 

[Ochemlover45]

I withdrew for the 16th. Main reason was I had an acceptance to a school I liked and Touro's deposit policy.

May I ask why you withdrew? I have the interview tomorrow 10/15 and have thought about withdrawing but decided I'd make a trip out of it and go anyways...

 

[bev78]

Withdrew my application also. Should be an interview spot open now for 10/15.

I am withdrawing from my interview as well. Is there a specific way to go about this, or did you just call the main admissions #?

 

[coolingglasses]

For those still waiting on a secondary decision, I just got one over the weekend and I was released on 9/20.

Didn't realize the stats of accepted students were so much higher than mine... oh well. So did we ever figure out what the deal was with questions 15 & 16? Looks like these are gonna be pretty short... looks like 96 characters per line based on where it stops letting you type.

 

[Guero]

For those still waiting on a secondary decision, I just got one over the weekend and I was released on 9/20.

Didn't realize the stats of accepted students were so much higher than mine... oh well. So did we ever figure out what the deal was with questions 15 & 16? Looks like these are gonna be pretty short... looks like 96 characters per line based on where it stops letting you type.

The gist is that the instructions say to add an attachment for any field for which you need more space. I added an attachment for each essay question, but kept it brief and concise.

 

[TriagePreMed]

My application was just sent for review. This school takes forever to send secondaries and responses and requires interfolio to send them the letters in paper, which cost me extra than all other schools. Oh well, I just hope I get an interview. This is my top choice.

 

[zoner]

My application was just sent for review. This school takes forever to send secondaries and responses and requires interfolio to send them the letters in paper, which cost me extra than all other schools. Oh well, I just hope I get an interview. This is my top choice.

Why is it your top choice?

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[Doctor2be17]

I've been complete for a month now.. I think I'm going to give them a call today and see if there has been any movement in my application. This is my top school so it's making me worried I haven't heard from them...

 

[pattycake24]

I've been complete for a month now.. I think I'm going to give them a call today and see if there has been any movement in my application. This is my top school so it's making me worried I haven't heard from them...

I was worried too because I haven't heard anything for 2 months. I called yesterday and Ms. Huckle told me I'm still under review. I explained that I never received a complete email, and she said there was an email that was sent out on August 13. Told her I didn't get anything so she resent it. I don't know, this school seems to be moving very slowly about their ii's and rejections. >_<

I just hope that I hear back from them soon. I want an interview!

 

[Mattinthehat250]

So I was released around 9/20 and haven't gotten a secondary from here or Touro-NV. Should I e-mail them to inquire about what's going on? Hopefully I didn't get auto-screened, i have a 3.44cgpa, 29Q mcat.

 

[Guero]

I just got my complete email today. I'm on my phone w/o access to my MDApps to check when I submit, but it's there for all of you.

Man, I'd love to interview here. GL everyone

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[Shablam]

Hey, so I cannot seem to understand how to fill the spaces in the secondary and still allow that information to be seen once I print it, because this app has to be sent via old fashioned US Mail. Any suggestions? Can I just write "contin..." Ad continue my list on an additional typed document? Thanks!

 

[allicat99999]

Can anyone that has interviewed here please discuss what you liked/disliked about the school when you were there in person?
I have an interview here on 10/29.
Thank you 🙂

 

[Guero]

Hey, so I cannot seem to understand how to fill the spaces in the secondary and still allow that information to be seen once I print it, because this app has to be sent via old fashioned US Mail. Any suggestions? Can I just write "contin..." Ad continue my list on an additional typed document? Thanks!

I inserted "See attachment" for each one and didn't bother separating the response. I figured it was an easier read that way. Hope this helps and GL.

 

[Napoletana1007]

ii this afternoon via email; however, I declined the offer. Just letting you guys know that there is some movement going on.

 

[wingardium]

Does Lynn Huckle respond to emails? I sent in my secondary a month ago, and I don't know if they got it. I tried to email Lynn but she never responded.

 

[yomamafoo]

Does Lynn Huckle respond to emails? I sent in my secondary a month ago, and I don't know if they got it. I tried to email Lynn but she never responded.

I've sent her a few e-mails about my secondary application within the last month with no responses as well, but finally got an email 2 days ago saying that my secondary has been received. My secondary was mailed about 1.5 weeks ago.

 

[Guero]

I received a prompt response when updating them about a publication.