Touro University - Nevada (TUNCOM) Discussion Thread 2014 - 2015

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Accepted!!!!!!!! Interviewed 9/29

 

[DrPibble]

Wahoo! II for November 3rd!
3.35sGPA, 3.45 cGPA, 3.89 grad GPA, 26 MCAT. Complete a little over a month ago.

FINALLY my second II of the cycle. Congrats to everyone who's been successful thus far!!

 

[vlazlo]

If you have any questions about the interview Deadleopard and I posted a review of our interview experience. Congrats on the invite.

 

[thevinylpop]

Does this school do silent rejection? I've been complete since mid August and haven't heard anything. The last email I received said they would get back to me in a month. I emailed them in September and didn't get a response either.

 

[Mcollins]

I don't think so , you should call them . I was complete in September and got an ii.

 

[bboydancer14]

Interview Invite!

 

[LaHolla91]

Wow just got an II but it's scheduled for December! Hope that's not too late for this school.

If you've been complete for a while and haven't received anything, you should call them to make sure it's not a clerical error.

 

[royfan]

Wow just got an II but it's scheduled for December! Hope that's not too late for this school.

If you've been complete for a while and haven't received anything, you should call them to make sure it's not a clerical error.

did you call to schedule a date? I have not been able to reach the office 🙁

 

[Chemistry Cat]

did you call to schedule a date? I have not been able to reach the office 🙁

They might have weird hours this week because of Sukkot

 

[Mcollins]

My friend who got the accepted email is getting worried that he has not received any follow up emails ,is this because of the holidays ?, has anybody who got accepted last week received email or snail mail ?

 

[vlazlo]

My friend who got the accepted email is getting worried that he has not received any follow up emails ,is this because of the holidays ?, has anybody who got accepted last week received email or snail mail ?

I have not received a follow up email. I was told today that it should be coming soon. They were off Thursday and Friday so that must have been what is causing the delay.

 

[bboydancer14]

anyone interviewing on November 17th from California and want to potentially carpool?

 

[deadleopard]

My friend who got the accepted email is getting worried that he has not received any follow up emails ,is this because of the holidays ?, has anybody who got accepted last week received email or snail mail ?

Yeah it took a while for them to acknowledge the deposit due to another holiday. Don't worry, and I am stoked that we will be future classmates. I'm sure you'll recognize me, I'm a deceased feline.

 

[LaHolla91]

did you call to schedule a date? I have not been able to reach the office 🙁

They might have weird hours this week because of Sukkot

Apparently you can also schedule over email but it's probably better over the phone. And yes, their hours are different this week! Don't worry, if you couldn't schedule one today I'm sure there are tons of other students who couldn't either!

 

[royfan]

Apparently you can also schedule over email but it's probably better over the phone. And yes, their hours are different this week! Don't worry, if you couldn't schedule one today I'm sure there are tons of other students who couldn't either!

Thanks! I finally was able to reach them. Scheduled for December, hope its not too late 🙁

 

[vlazlo]

If you happen to read any of Goro's post, December is not late for D.O. schools. If TUN keeps the schedule of Monday interviews every two weeks, then there is only 3-4 interview dates between now and the start of December. If you look at last years thread, there were people who interviewed 12/3 who were accepted 12/12.

 

[royfan]

If you happen to read any of Goro's post, December is not late for D.O. schools. If TUN keeps the schedule of Monday interviews every two weeks, then there is only 3-4 interview dates between now and the start of December. If you look at last years thread, there were people who interviewed 12/3 who were accepted 12/12.

Thank you so much! Im just a bit nervous since i havent had any acceptance yet 🙂.

 

[LaHolla91]

Thanks! I finally was able to reach them. Scheduled for December, hope its not too late 🙁

I called yesterday and got December as well. It's crazy how fast these spots are filling up. Having a panic moment myself but I think we should be fine!

 

[Mcollins]

@deadleopard , is there any reason(s) that you chose Touro over other schools ? What are the pros and cons ? . Anybody else feel free to chime in. Thanks

 

[vlazlo]

Although my view of the school is limited to what I have seen online and my interview, I like TUN. The staff was very welcoming when I was there and same for the students. The admission staff has been helpful. This experience has not been true for all schools that I have applied to.

Both of the students giving us a tour seem to know most of the students that they walked by, which gave me a sense of community. The students who volunteered their time to talk to us when we had our lunch were open and frank about the school, and they all had positive things to say about the school. I felt like for the most part that they chose TUN not by default but because they wanted to be there.

I like the fact that the school's labs seem up to date and that I can actually dissect a cadaver. Lectures are not mandatory, unless for special reasons. They are all recorded and I heard students could set up a note service. The students who talked to us said that on their class's Facebook page they share study guides and notes and that even the top students are out to help other students not compete.

One other factor, from what I heard, is you can do your 3rd and 4th year in the area. This is important for me, since I do not want to have to move around unless it is for an audition rotation.


Some cons for me is tuition. It is not the cheapest. The building is a converted warehouse. Also there is some upkeep that needs to be taken care of (carpets tears are taped with duct tape). The school has only been around for 10 years so I do not know how that will affect residency. Lastly, their required laptop purchase from the school, well stinks.

 

[kh001]

Anybody interviewing on December 10th want to share a rental car? I'm planning to fly in on the 9th and my interview is scheduled for the morning of the 10th.

 

[543vegas10]

For the people that interviewed or have an interview, how long from the time you submitted and received the email saying you would get a response within 30 days did you hear about an interview? I submitted secondary early september, school confirmed the last week in September and am still waiting to hear from them. The email states you do not need to call or email within that 30 day time frame. Should I try to contact them. I am from Vegas and would love to go here, I dont want to miss the boat.

 

[royfan]

Anybody interviewing on December 10th want to share a rental car? I'm planning to fly in on the 9th and my interview is scheduled for the morning of the 10th.

i may be interested! Im interviewing that morning too. Are you over 25?

For the people that interviewed or have an interview, how long from the time you submitted and received the email saying you would get a response within 30 days did you hear about an interview? I submitted secondary early september, school confirmed the last week in September and am still waiting to hear from them. The email states you do not need to call or email within that 30 day time frame. Should I try to contact them. I am from Vegas and would love to go here, I dont want to miss the boat.

I heard from them a few days after that 30-day time frame from when they confirmed receipt of everything.

 

[Mcollins]

For the people that interviewed or have an interview, how long from the time you submitted and received the email saying you would get a response within 30 days did you hear about an interview? I submitted secondary early september, school confirmed the last week in September and am still waiting to hear from them. The email states you do not need to call or email within that 30 day time frame. Should I try to contact them. I am from Vegas and would love to go here, I dont want to miss the boat.

It took approximately 2 weeks for them to get back to me. I think they must be backed up with the recent holidays.

 

[deadleopard]

@deadleopard , is there any reason(s) that you chose Touro over other schools ? What are the pros and cons ? . Anybody else feel free to chime in. Thanks

After informally polling several physicians I know, the general consensus on medical school was that:

a) Every school teaches the same information and has the same classes

b) Most medical schools have pretty good board pass rates 98+% so they all seem to do a pretty good job of preparing students

c) Go somewhere you like that doesn’t cost too much.

With that being said, I had a few more criteria for picking a school. However, I think it’s solid advice.

What I wanted:

Faculty that is there full time and supports the students.

-This is very important to me. I turned down two interviews at schools where they have podcasts and video lectures only for some classes because they fly around profs to different locations or have the same profs teach online to multiple campuses. I want to be able to ask a prof questions face to face, get lunch with them, do research, etc.

The opportunity to do research:

Few D.O. schools have this. TUNCOM is one of them. You can even get paid to do it.

Low cost of living:

The cost of living in Las Vegas/Southern Nevada is dirt cheap compared to where I live now. When factoring in full costs of medical school for 4 years, it’s extremely important to consider this. I am applying for HPSP, so medical school is covered (fingers crossed) but the stipend is 2200 a month to live on. In NY or CA, I would barely be able to afford an apartment with that. You can split an apt or a house in LV for 400/mo.

Location:

I’m not a party person, and I don’t gamble. However, I do like pool parties, but I have liked pool parties since I was 5 or 6 and while there is less pizza involved these days, they are still pretty fun haha. I don’t think that LV will be a huge distraction for me but it’s nice to have a place to unwind after exams that is world class and 15 min away.

I’m also pretty outdoorsy and red rocks is really close, as well as several national parks. Also, the fam is in the west and its super easy and cheap to fly around from Vegas.

Clinical Rotations:

This is one of the main reasons I chose this school. At the interview I found out that the admission director and I had fairly similar thoughts on this. For example, lets look at the bay area in CA. You have several med schools, UC Davis, Stanford, UCSF, Touro CA all competing for rotations at the same hospitals. That means you could go to UCSF, one of the best M.D. schools, and end up doing rotations in Stockton (not a great place, look it up) and super far from SF.

In Nevada, there are only 2 med schools and the nearest one is in Reno—TUNCOM pretty much has a monopoly on all the rotations/clerkships at all the local teaching hospitals, plus you get to stay in the same area all 4 years.

Anatomy:

Small group (4 I think?) of students to each cadaver. One school I interviewed at had 8 cadavers TOTAL, and the students did not get to do dissection.

Residency Matching:

This really comes down to how hard you work and the relationships you make during clinicals, but I was impressed when I saw the list.


Downsides:

Like everything in life, there are some downsides. They just didn’t matter that much to me.

Campus:

It’s a one building converted warehouse. I personally don’t care that much. People complain about the lack of windows but I’ve worked under similar conditions before and some days (summer) you really don’t want to be outside much anyway. Doesn’t bother me too much. I am mostly concerned with the lack of quality study space, but UNLVs library is always open and there are a myriad of starbucks everywhere so I don’t think it will be an issue.

Cost:

It’s a private DO school, it costs a lot of money. Hopefully this will be mitigated by the HPSP for me, but if not I will still go here. Remember that you have to factor in Cost of living, and when you take that into account this is far from the most expensive med school around.



That’s pretty much it for downsides. One other thing I want to mention is the intangible aspect, or just the overall vibe you get from a school. I felt like I would succeed at TUNCOM. The students seem laid back but very smart and professional. Attendance is not mandatory and all lectures are videotaped and online. No dress code except on special occasions. Overall I just got a good vibe from this school, and barring any surprises this is where I will be matriculating.

 

[qwertypie]

I came to the same conclusions as you did, @deadleopard. Now I'm just itching to hear back!

 

[DrPibble]

Awesome, thanks for that insight @deadleopard !!!

 

[HopefulDr44]

Thanks! I finally was able to reach them. Scheduled for December, hope its not too late 🙁

I interviewed the first week of February last year and I got in. Actually quite a few (about 5 of us) from my interview group got in. There are even people in my class that interviewed early April. You're fine!

 

[AnonymousDo]

Anyone interviewing on 11/3? 😀

 

[DrPibble]

Anyone interviewing on 11/3? 😀

Me!!! 🙂

 

[Chemistry Cat]

Is anyone interviewing on 10/21 and are in town tomorrow night and want to have dinner and explore the area?

 

[greenflash5]

Anyone interviewing on 11/3? 😀

I am too! In the afternoon

 

[thegreatjaspy]

Interviewing here in the morning, its my #1 choice!!!!

 

[UCUCUC]

how big are the interviewing groups???

 

[qwertypie]

how big are the interviewing groups???

Group ranges from as little as 14 people to as many as 18-20 for each AM/PM time slot. From there, you will be split into two groups - one interviews while the other tours the campus.

 

[nontrad78]

Anybody else from 10/21 group feel like they had a pretty tough interview?

 

[Chemistry Cat]

Anybody else from 10/21 group feel like they had a pretty tough interview?

Yup! They only seemed interested in the gaps in my application O.O

 

[nontrad78]

Yup! They only seemed interested in the gaps in my application O.O

That's essentially what mine was like. I have plenty of gaps, so they had enough to draw on. Maybe they just decided to take somewhat of a harder tack with our group. If they accept 200-300 (probably more like 275), then they would have to accept a good amount of early interviewees, so maybe it was just a change in approach. Some of the others I spoke to yesterday said they also had some difficult questions.

 

[vlazlo]

I do not think your experience is unique to your interview group but maybe how they interview. When I interviewed, September 29, I spent most of my time taking about why I have not taken biochem, A&P, and other courses. The only questions that were not about why I have not taken those classes was Why D.O. and why TUN. The rest of the time was the interviewers explaining the importance of taking biochem, A&P, etc. Three of the four people who interviewed in my time slot had a similar experience. As I stated before, in last years thread, a few people had interviews in early December and were accepted a week later. I was accepted after having a very defensive interview. Just know that what you have done in your past is why Touro is interested in you and why they offered you the interview. If your group follows my group schedule, it will only be week before finding out.

 

[nontrad78]

I do not think your experience is unique to your interview group but maybe how they interview. When I interviewed, September 29, I spent most of my time taking about why I have not taken biochem, A&P, and other courses. The only questions that were not about why I have not taken those classes was Why D.O. and why TUN. The rest of the time was the interviewers explaining the importance of taking biochem, A&P, etc. Three of the four people who interviewed in my time slot had a similar experience. As I stated before, in last years thread, a few people had interviews in early December and were accepted a week later. I was accepted after having a very defensive interview. Just know that what you have done in your past is why Touro is interested in you and why they offered you the interview. If your group follows my group schedule, it will only be week before finding out.

Defensive is a very good description of my experience. In a way, it was a challenging kind of fun, and I felt like there were some spirited back and forths. We'll see. Thanks for your thoughts. Both interviewers were gracious and obviously appreciate my time, and even were encouraging, but tough to be sure.

 

[Misoo]

Anybody else from 10/21 group feel like they had a pretty tough interview?

Yeh.....my interview did not seem "conversational" at all...I felt like the interviewers were drilling me like crazy especially on my mcat score

 

[nontrad78]

Yeh.....my interview did not seem "conversational" at all...I felt like the interviewers were drilling me like crazy especially on my mcat score

Well, at least we all know it wasn't only us. how do you feel you handled it?

 

[Smeyes]

Mine was hard too, guys! Do any of you know if any of the $2000 deposit is refundable at all? That's a tough bunch of cash.

 

[deadleopard]

Mine was hard too, guys! Do any of you know if any of the $2000 deposit is refundable at all? That's a tough bunch of cash.

Don't quote me on this but I heard that according to Nevada law it's like 95% refundable....might want to verify that though. It might even be true 🙂

 

[thegreatjaspy]

Don't quote me on this but I heard that according to Nevada law it's like 95% refundable....might want to verify that though. It might even be true 🙂

that would be awesome, especially since they only give you 2 weeks!

 

[thegreatjaspy]

Anybody else from 10/21 group feel like they had a pretty tough interview?

They did ask me about not taking anatomy, but the rest of the questions were typical stuff. It did feel like it was rapid fire though. Sorry they were tough on you 🙁

 

[nontrad78]

They did ask me about not taking anatomy, but the rest of the questions were typical stuff. It did feel like it was rapid fire though. Sorry they were tough on you 🙁

It's alright. I've got some holes in my application that needed to be addressed. Since Touro doesn't have secondary essays, they have to find out that info somehow. Seems like they rely on the interview for that. Furthermore, it sounds like it's not so uncommon at this particular school. I did like a lot of things about it though, and was really moved by what Dr. Hedger had to say. Glad to hear your interview went well. Hope you get some exciting news in a few weeks!

 

[Misoo]

Well, at least we all know it wasn't only us. how do you feel you handled it?

To be honest, I did not feel so good after the interview. I was not expecting the interview to go like that because many interviewees told me that the interview was very conversational and easy.

 

[yanks26dmb]

Those who got interviews...do you know about how long you were under review before the ii came?

 

[nontrad78]

Well,

To be honest, I did not feel so good after the interview. I was not expecting the interview to go like that because many interviewees told me that the interview was very conversational and easy.

I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. It's always really hard to tell how you are doing in an interview and you just can't know what they're looking for out of it. Additionally, other aspects of you application may make up for some slight deficit in the interview.