Hey Guys,
I was wondering if anyone has gone thru the masters program at Touro-COM and if so how was their experiences? Do most people who meet the requirements for entrance into the DO program stay or do they apply to other DO/MD programs?
Thanks!!!
Hello 2013 Applicants!!
Ok! So this is the deal. This is the first year the masters students were taking the EXACT same exams (and classes) as the DO students. The requirement to move forward is a 3.5 GPA and to pass the comprehensive final. This is the 3rd year that Touro has had this program and each year more than 30 students move forward. It is totally do-able. Don't get me wrong, you have to work hard. As long as you put the time and effort in you will be rewarded.
You take 22 credits in the Fall and about 23 in the spring. Anatomy is 8 credits and neuro anatomy is 5, Histology is 5 and physio is 4, ect. However you choose, you need to get A- or A and B+ in most classes so that you can move forward. What you have to remember is that our grades are based on a curve. Unlike the DO students who have a set grading scale. For example: in anatomy, the DO scale is 62 and above is a C. 70 and above is a B and 82 and above is an A. (this is just an example). In the masters class, if the average on all the exams is a 60, they will say that a 60 is a B or B+. It is the same exams, just different curve. They want to take most of us next year. I have 48 kids and they are planning on taking 35-40 of us. They will take all of us if we all pass. The seats are held for us. The master's students have it somewhat easier than the DO students. The curve totally saved us the first semester. This semester, now that we are use to studying and the exam questions, we are almost doing as well as the DO students. Don't be scared. This program can be used for you to prove to yourself that you can do medical school. Think about it, it is half the cost of the first year of medical school. So if you can't do it, then at least you saved the other $20,000.
AS for the MCAT, you don't ever have to look at it again! What TOURO does is they make you take a cumulative final (I am taking mine on April 30th). This, combined with the 3.5 GPA is what determines if you will move forward.
As for my studying, I started out below the average b/c I had to find my study style. I ended the fall semester with a 3.75 GPA and I am doing very well this semester. I study about 6- 8 hours a day. This is not easy. I am basically in my first year of medical school. It is going to best prepare you for next year. (the only class the DO students take that we don't is OMM (osteopathic manipulative medicine). As long as you have the GPA and get a 70 on the cumulative final there is NO application or interview, automatic acceptance.
The location is NYC. Yes, we are in Harlem, but I don't find it bad. We are about 20 blocks from Columbia. I currently commute from Long Island to school. My commute is about 3 hours each day. (1.5 hours each way) Even with the commute I am doing excellent. Trust me, put the time and effort in and you will be rewarded.
I think the cost is fair for a graduate program. I didn't really consider cost b/c I NEEDED to do this in order to get into medical school. Your stats don't have to be great or even good. Tourcom will take you as long as you meet the requirements. There are several students in my class that applied to MD and other DOs schools. Some got accepted and are choosing to do that next year. This program leaves the students with tons of options. I even have a few kids that dropped out of the Caribbean schools in my class. They said that this was a way better choice.
The only CON to the program is that we technically are in a separate room from the DO students. We take the class at the exact same time; they are in a live class room and we are in a room where the lecture is streamed. This should be worked out by next year b/c they are making all of the lectures on line and we will be meeting in small intimate groups to go over main concepts and do practice questions. Next year I think it will be smooth sailing. They are working out the kinks with our class. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I look forward to seeing some of you next year!
Good luck!