Thanks TurtleGirl and Kevin Baker for your advice.
Touro-COM NY Discussion Thread 2010-2011
- Thread starter ShyRem
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Hi folks! I apologize in advance that I did not have time to read through all the pages of this thread to find the answer to this question. But if someone could be so kind as to confirm or deny, I would greatly appreciate it. Is it true that Touro interviews everyone whom they send a secondary application to? (do they really reject anyone pre-secondary?)
They screen the primaries thoroughly and therefore if you get a secondary, you will get an interview.
And congrats to those that found out they got accepted today!! Will I be seeing you in the fall?
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I emailed the innkeeper at Harlem Victorian Inn (Bed & Breakfast) and I had a great experience. I asked for only a 1 night stay and got a good rate at 150.00 for one night, and I walked to school in the morning. It's a historical building so it's not as sterile as a hotel, but if you're expecting the Marriott then you'll be disappointed. A taxi to this location was $26, with tip and bridge toll from LGA. In the afternoon I rode the subway and bus to LGA in about 45 minutes from Wall Street. Basically, GoogleMaps and/or your iPhone will be able to navigate along public transit if you let it, with surprising accuracy. Never having used much public transport, it was pretty awesome!! You shouldn't have to rent a car, and nor would I think you want to rent one.. you're in NYC!!
It just seems that everyone who is going for Fall 2011 has already applied. Its a tad discouraging, I dont want to be in a position where I'm applying for the last 5 spots left, and I could've gotten in fine if I didnt wait until the last minute to apply. I'll double check the AACOMAS process.
TouroNY is a great school. Congrats to those accepted...
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I just finished my secondary essay for Touro and now I think I may have misinterpreted the instructions. The instructions say: ."Please discuss how your background, experience or academic program has prepared you for meeting the TouroCOM Mission, Goals or Objectives. Please limit your essay to 2 pages. On a separate sheet of paper, consider addressing a few areas; Why Osteopathic Medicine? Why Harlem? Have you been exposed to a diverse environment? How did you contribute? How has your academic background and personal experiences prepared you for medical school? Can you express how you were influenced by a shadowing experience?"
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.I wrote a two page essay that incorporated stuff about the Touro mission and addressed all of the above questions, but as one coherent essay. Only when I was done did I realize that I think they meant write a 2 page essay about the whole Touro mission thing, and then on a separate piece of paper give us a bunch of short essay responses to these other questions..
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.Can anyone who has already submitted their secondary and/or been accepted shed some light on this?
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.I wrote a two page essay that incorporated stuff about the Touro mission and addressed all of the above questions, but as one coherent essay. Only when I was done did I realize that I think they meant write a 2 page essay about the whole Touro mission thing, and then on a separate piece of paper give us a bunch of short essay responses to these other questions..
..
.Can anyone who has already submitted their secondary and/or been accepted shed some light on this?
.
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that's how i did it. I did one essay addressing the questions asked. I believe the "consider addressing a few areas" questions are suggestions to incorporate into your essay.
Thanks traitorman! It looks as though you were accepted (congratulations🙂🙂), so I guess this wasn't a problem, right? I read the instructions the same way you did when I went to write the essay. It was only as I was doing the final edits that I re-read the directions and started to think that I had done it wrong.
anyone else completely overscrutinize the essay instructions?
and for anyone who has already interviewed: have they mentioned how much of the class they have filled up already? also, does anyone know how many students they are taking for the entering class?
Thanks!
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I also only wrote one essay and tried to answer most/all of the questions in the prompt. I honestly don't know if they even read the essays. Someone correct me if they mentioned your essay in your interview, but I think they really focus on your primary app (and it is OPEN FILE this year, so prepare for it!). As long as it's decent you'll be okay. You're already guaranteed an interview, so at this point I think they just really want to meet you and get a sense of who you are in person.
Also, I wouldn't worry about how much of the class is filled. I have a feeling many people who get accepted will continuously withdraw, especially considering the $2000 deposit due within two weeks. I personally, will probably end up going elsewhere for school. I'm not sure this school is the right fit for me. Good luck!
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I'm INNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
Interviewed Oct. 20th!
Just overlyjoyed
*dances around joyfully*
I got an e-mail. No phone call for me but who cares? Same result!
OMG, I'm going be a doctor!
-----how about that $2000 acceptance fee? yikes
Interviewed Oct. 20th!
Just overlyjoyed
*dances around joyfully*
I got an e-mail. No phone call for me but who cares? Same result!
OMG, I'm going be a doctor!
-----how about that $2000 acceptance fee? yikes
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I can't give you an accurate quote on how many seats they've filled already. If I had to guesstimate, I'd say the filled less than half of the class as the only started interviewing in October . They have 100 seats available and reserve 35 for their feeder programs.
Yayy!!! was in your group! the guy from Canada!
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Congrats on those who got accepted!!!! You guys are AWWWWWWWWWWESOME!!!!
I am going to interview next week on the 10th🙂 Can anyone who has interviewed give me some advice? Anything would be welcome. I really need to hear some suggestions because this is going to be my first med school interview🙂
Advices please!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!
I am going to interview next week on the 10th🙂 Can anyone who has interviewed give me some advice? Anything would be welcome. I really need to hear some suggestions because this is going to be my first med school interview🙂
Advices please!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!
Darn, I spent a lot of time trying to make my secondary essay really good. Oh well, I hope that wasn't a total waste of time. I know they are really big on trying to recruit people who want to work in an underserved area, and I really tried to push that in my secondary essay.
Did they focus on that in your interview? Anyone else get the whole primary care in an underserved area push in their interview?
Yikes! only 100 seats? or 65 really, since I'm not from a feeder school. I couldn't find this info. anywhere. Did they give you these numbers at the interview?
what schools are their feeder schools?
No, they have 135 total in their class. They interview to fill 100 seats, and they have their own feeder program 🙂 And yes, they told us at our interview.
For me, they focused on why DO and how I made that decision. I talked about shadowing experiences, and personal experiences. They also asked me how I know that I am prepared for starting med school.
Though, I think it is really the interviewers that you receive. The others on the same day as me had different experiences also. I think they had three different panels that you can meet with. You sit down individually with two people and just have a conversation. It really flows. They don't want the drill sergeant question answer kind of thing. It is really laid back. They're trying to see if you are too, and if you would be a good fit for their "family". (At least thats what one of my interviewers said to me anyways).
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When I interviewed, I went in expecting it to be closed file and when I got there, they told us it was open file this year. I was actually kind of bummed because I didn't review my application as thoroughly as I would have. They mostly asked specific questions about my application and about my research. Some of the research questions I wasn't prepared for and I stumbled a bit. They also asked why medicine, why DO as opposed to MD (both of my interviewers were MDs), and why New York. I've done a lot of work volunteering with underserved communities but they didn't really ask about that.
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I didn't get a lot of questions about wanting to work in undeserved areas, probably because that was pretty clear already in my secondary essay. Although other people said they had casual interviews, I personally felt like my interview was a little tougher. I got a lot of specific questions from my file and I didn't really lead the conversation. It seemed like the just wanted to make sure I was ready to handle med school work.
To be honest, that shook me up a little but I tried to remain composed.
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congrats to everyone accepted!!
@ medgold: I think they did the good cop/bad cop routine during my interview as one person did cut me off and was pretty strict with their questions (if this happens to you, don't let it phase you - i personally just think to myself how its probably just an act!)
they did ask about my file but nothing really from my essay. the only tough question i had was what i thought the biggest health problem in Harlem was.
and in regards to pushing for primary care, they are extremely honest with what they are looking for and it would probably be in your best interest to have your ideas fall along the same lines. (if you want to increase your chances during the interview) they really just want students who have a genuine interest in helping the Harlem community
@ medgold: I think they did the good cop/bad cop routine during my interview as one person did cut me off and was pretty strict with their questions (if this happens to you, don't let it phase you - i personally just think to myself how its probably just an act!)
they did ask about my file but nothing really from my essay. the only tough question i had was what i thought the biggest health problem in Harlem was.
and in regards to pushing for primary care, they are extremely honest with what they are looking for and it would probably be in your best interest to have your ideas fall along the same lines. (if you want to increase your chances during the interview) they really just want students who have a genuine interest in helping the Harlem community
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this school seems to get a bad rap, but i liked it on my interview day. i just wish it was a little older with a matchlist or two. living in the city would be phenomenal.
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I liked it alot too on my interview day. It sucks that they don't have a match list but I'm willing to forgive that. The bad rep is scary as a prospective student.
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Now that I've been accepted to this school (and the due date for the large deposit approaches) I've really been weighing the pros and cons of this school. There's one thing I can't seem to get over...
I think if there were more clinical opportunities in Harlem I would really consider going here. I really like the mission of helping the underserved community of Harlem, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of clinical experience available there. During my interview, I asked my interviewers what clinical experiences were available during first and second year, and the answer I got went something like this: "At an osteopathic medical school, you really don't have time for clinical experience in preclinical years, because you have the added work of OMM". Then my other interviewer mentioned the free clinic that the school has, but he also mentioned how it only comes together once every few months (i.e. don't count on it).
Also, looking at the rotation list they gave us, it appears that most of the current rotation sites are in New Jersey. So again, not much clinical experience in Harlem (or even NYC for that matter).
So someone please correct me if I have the wrong impression, but how exactly are we supposed to help the underserved in Harlem?
Edit: I forgot, they did say we would be paired up with a physician to "shadow" them. But I was still hoping for a little more hands-on experience.
I think if there were more clinical opportunities in Harlem I would really consider going here. I really like the mission of helping the underserved community of Harlem, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of clinical experience available there. During my interview, I asked my interviewers what clinical experiences were available during first and second year, and the answer I got went something like this: "At an osteopathic medical school, you really don't have time for clinical experience in preclinical years, because you have the added work of OMM". Then my other interviewer mentioned the free clinic that the school has, but he also mentioned how it only comes together once every few months (i.e. don't count on it).
Also, looking at the rotation list they gave us, it appears that most of the current rotation sites are in New Jersey. So again, not much clinical experience in Harlem (or even NYC for that matter).
So someone please correct me if I have the wrong impression, but how exactly are we supposed to help the underserved in Harlem?
Edit: I forgot, they did say we would be paired up with a physician to "shadow" them. But I was still hoping for a little more hands-on experience.
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when it comes to clinical experience, how is touro different from any school? i have not heard about any school that allows hands on experience before rotations in third year. even when it comes to hands on experience, you are only allowed to do very simple things. patient interactions, simple sutures here and there. no one really lets you do anything profound or go solo until residency.
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I'm getting a sense that at most DO schools there is less clinical experience in 1st and 2nd year. I know that many MD schools have student-run free clinics where you parter with a fourth year and see patients, then meet with an attending physician before prescribing meds, etc. It doesn't seem like there is much (or any) of this at DO schools, which is fine. But I think the bigger issue for me is the mission to help Harlem. It just doesn't feel like we will be that involved with the community in Harlem.
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There are many ways to get involved in the community through Touro. Here are a few examples that I can think of off the top of my head:
East Harlem Tutorial Program - Wednesdays
Local high school students come to Touro once a week for a class on various health topics taught by the medical school students or faculty members. The class is followed by a fun/educational activity such as trips to the histo/path lab, cadaver lab to look at a real heart (after a lecture on the heart for example). Each high school student is paired up with a med school mentor. The point of the mentorship is to help and guide the HS students who want to pursue a career in health sciences.
Health Fairs – once a semester
Free health fair for all community members ran by Touro students. Students screen community members for hypertension and blood glucose/diabetes and offer them one on one advice on how they can better control those aspects as well as other aspects of their health. There is a company that comes in and does free HIV testing at the health fair. There is also a bone marrow registry at the health fair.
Health Education classes - Thursdays
Once a week community members (adults) come to Touro for a health education class taught by Touro students.
Nutrition and Gardening classes – Fridays?
Touro students teach a nutrition and gardening class to 2nd graders at a local elementary school. 2nd graders learn how to eat a healthier diet and what foods they should be eating to stay healthy.
There are many ways to be involved in the Harlem community through TouroCOM. You just have to want to be involved. What ever school you go to, most of it depends on how proactive/involved you want to be; the opportunities are always there.
East Harlem Tutorial Program - Wednesdays
Local high school students come to Touro once a week for a class on various health topics taught by the medical school students or faculty members. The class is followed by a fun/educational activity such as trips to the histo/path lab, cadaver lab to look at a real heart (after a lecture on the heart for example). Each high school student is paired up with a med school mentor. The point of the mentorship is to help and guide the HS students who want to pursue a career in health sciences.
Health Fairs – once a semester
Free health fair for all community members ran by Touro students. Students screen community members for hypertension and blood glucose/diabetes and offer them one on one advice on how they can better control those aspects as well as other aspects of their health. There is a company that comes in and does free HIV testing at the health fair. There is also a bone marrow registry at the health fair.
Health Education classes - Thursdays
Once a week community members (adults) come to Touro for a health education class taught by Touro students.
Nutrition and Gardening classes – Fridays?
Touro students teach a nutrition and gardening class to 2nd graders at a local elementary school. 2nd graders learn how to eat a healthier diet and what foods they should be eating to stay healthy.
There are many ways to be involved in the Harlem community through TouroCOM. You just have to want to be involved. What ever school you go to, most of it depends on how proactive/involved you want to be; the opportunities are always there.
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Thank you! This is very helpful. I didn't hear about any of this during my interview day.
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I interviewed here at Touro NY recently. I completely forgot when Obed (the admissions director, who was our "host" on interview day) said they would be making the decisions. Does anyone remember?
Or does anyone know if they make decisions on some specific day (example: the second and fourth Thursday of every month)?
I loved the school and the faculty members that we met on interview day! I literally can't wait for the decision. Good luck to all!
Or does anyone know if they make decisions on some specific day (example: the second and fourth Thursday of every month)?
I loved the school and the faculty members that we met on interview day! I literally can't wait for the decision. Good luck to all!
On 11-5: "47 Acceptances have gone out. Out of the first 21 was got about a 47% return. Plus we already have students that deferred from last year."
Thats from Obed's Facebook. So keep up the good work guys, don't be discouraged!! It's still early!!
Thats from Obed's Facebook. So keep up the good work guys, don't be discouraged!! It's still early!!
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So, they accepted 47 people. 21 of those have made their decision, and 10 of them decided to accept the acceptance offer.
And they also have students that got accepted last year and deferred their acceptance to this year?
Is this good news for us? LOL.
I think thats good? If that means only 10 have accepted lol. If its true only 10 accepted, we have a damn good chance still!!!!
Stoked!
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First year is subject based - Anatomy, Biochem, Histology, Physiology all follow their own schedule (no integration). So while you may be doing Cardio/Pulm in Anatomy, you'll be doing Neuro in Physiology, or something like that.
Second year is systems based (we call them "modules") - all classes will correlate with one particular system for 2-3 weeks, e.g. Cardiology, Pulmonology, GI, etc.
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Yep...well there are the other 16 (47-21) students that have two weeks to pay their deposits too.
But yeah, I think there are probably around 90 seats left out of their class of 150.
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I was also looking into this for my interview Dec 8th. I have concluded there is none. However, there is a few Bed & Breakfasts that are about $125-175. They are actually pretty nice. One is called "brown something" and its like 3 blocks away. Check it out🙂
thanks, I think im just going to stay in newark, jersey. Its 130 for a nice hotel and its only 15-20 min subway ride.
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So I think those of us who interviewed on Nov 1 - Nov 5th will be getting their decisions next week?
I believe Obed said that we'll get the news "2 weeks from the date of the interview"?
Good luck to everyone!
I believe Obed said that we'll get the news "2 weeks from the date of the interview"?
Good luck to everyone!
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Anyone know where I can find Touro's schedules? I'm trying to find an academic calendar for holidays and whatnot, as well as some kind of general day-to-day times. The online version of the college catalog says to see the student handbook and the student handbook says to see touro.edu/med... but their website leaves a lot to be desired and I can't seem to find anything pertinent.
I think they kind of plan it on a year-to-year basis. When I asked Obed about it so I would know when to start looking for apartments and thinking about a move in date, he told me that it's not even put together yet. All I know is that classes next year start in August, we get two weeks off in December (they don't call it Christmas break), a week off in March/April, and summers off. (Those times came from Obed on my interview day) Also as far as a class schedule, I remember a student telling me that they have class M-F 8-4/5. But they only have class on Mondays if they have exams, as Mondays are only exam days, and on Fridays they only have class until 2. It sucks that there's not more info out there. I'm trying to get some more though!
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This may be a bit off but I'd say its 90% accurate:
Mondays is no school, you are not required to come in unless you have an exam. All written exams are on Mondays except for finals.
Tuesday you have lecture 8-12pm. Lecture 1-2pm and then lab till 5pm.
Wednesdays you have lecture 8-9am and labs 9-12:00pm for half a semester and the other half you have lecture 8-12pm. Afternoons is the same: lecture 1-2pm and then lab till 5pm.
Thursdays you have lecture 8-10am and labs from 10-12:00pm and 1:00-5pm.
Fridays you have lecture 8-12:00pm.
From what I heard, next year you may have class on a few Mondays (when you don't have exams) because they want to start school in August instead of July. The reason being, Touro gets off for Jewish holidays and there are a lot of them in the fall; I think this September we had school for less than 10 days. Winter break is roughly 3-4 weeks.
Note: School website kinda sucks but they are working on it. Best way to get info is facebook group or ask current students.
Mondays is no school, you are not required to come in unless you have an exam. All written exams are on Mondays except for finals.
Tuesday you have lecture 8-12pm. Lecture 1-2pm and then lab till 5pm.
Wednesdays you have lecture 8-9am and labs 9-12:00pm for half a semester and the other half you have lecture 8-12pm. Afternoons is the same: lecture 1-2pm and then lab till 5pm.
Thursdays you have lecture 8-10am and labs from 10-12:00pm and 1:00-5pm.
Fridays you have lecture 8-12:00pm.
From what I heard, next year you may have class on a few Mondays (when you don't have exams) because they want to start school in August instead of July. The reason being, Touro gets off for Jewish holidays and there are a lot of them in the fall; I think this September we had school for less than 10 days. Winter break is roughly 3-4 weeks.
Note: School website kinda sucks but they are working on it. Best way to get info is facebook group or ask current students.
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