Hey!
Ok! So this year is completely different! In pervious years the master's students and the DO students were in separate classrooms. This year, I (as well as 60 others) are SIDE-BY-SIDE with the medical students. We are taking the exact same classes, exams, and have the same professors. We took anatomy lab side-by-side and trust me, some of the DO students needed our help. The big difference is that the DO students grades are based on a set scale. The school uses the averages from 2 years prior. For example, 2 years ago, the average in Histology was a 65. So this year, a 65=C, a 70=B and an 85=A. BUT for the masters class, we are all competing against each other. (not good I know) SO in my class, if the average on an exam was a 60 , they set the 60 at a B grade. They put the "class average" just slightly lower than what was needed to pass on to next year. B= 3.3 and a 3.5 is required.
We are the first class they are doing this with. There are some issues with it, like any new program but this year, b/c we are the test subjects they plan on accepting 50 out of the 60 of us. They will have real data as soon as my class takes the USMLE/COMLEX. They will create set averages and grades as soon as they can compare my masters classes' scores with passing the standard exams. (Confusing I know but it makes sense!) So far the program is very successful. The master's students last year are kicking ass in the DO class this year! They are the top runners. I can't imagine how well my class is going to do next year, considering we basically took our first year of medical school this year.
As of December, I know of 4 kids that are applying to MD schools. I think 2 already had interview before we had finals. Please post any questions you guys have and I look forward to meeting some of you next year! We are going to be class mates!!! 🙂 I will try to check this more often!!
