TouroCOM Master's Program

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Here are the responses to my follow-up questions: (quotations from Beth Portnoy)

1. Regarding cGPA, sGPA, & grade replacement: "We don't have any official policy on grade replacement or for calculating GPA like AACOMAS does- we take the cumulative gpa from your transcript and review all courses taken including withdraw and retakes, etc. We try to look at the application in a holistic manner for the MS program."

2. Order of review: "Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they become complete."

3. # of seats: "75 seats." (But they could always add more if they want certain students.) There are still plenty of seats left. I think they're doing the bulk of their interviewing/accepting now so be on the lookout!

4. Campus visit: "Tell me when you'd like to come for a visit and I'd be happy to show you around at a time when I'm in the office - Monday and Thursdays work best for me but not in the next 2 weeks." --> Translation: admission committee meets during the next 2 weeks.

Good luck all! May the odds be ever in your favor.
 
Yeah I found out I got accepted yesterday...
The funny thing is the acceptance letter was sent to a misspelled email, so I was accepted a month ago but didn't know it.
@andberg are we even allowed to do the class for credit?
 
Dr. Jigsaw said:
Yeah I found out I got accepted yesterday...
The funny thing is the acceptance letter was sent to a misspelled email, so I was accepted a month ago but didn't know it.
@andberg are we even allowed to do the class for credit?
Click to expand...

I'm not really sure...lol. I know that its about $2,000 more though to do it for credit. It says that the credit is for those going into a DO or MD program...which is technically us after this year.
 
What's the facebook page for students who get accepted? Maybe I can find roommates when I move to NYC.
 
fratguy91 said:
What's the facebook page for students who get accepted? Maybe I can find roommates when I move to NYC.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if a specific page for this year's accepted students will be made but theres is one called mentors and mentees and I think people post roomate/ schedule stuff.
 
What I know is that financial aid packages and information will be released once enrollment forms are complete. Olga Soto (Bursar's Office) told me that financial aid packages are determined based on the school's budget for the upcoming year, which hasn't been determined yet.
 
Hi Everyone!

I know it's very late in the cycle for this year, but I was wondering if you guys think it's worth me applying to this program.

Stats: Around 3.0 in both sGPA and uGPA. 23 MCAT (pretty even).
Great LORS and tons of hands on healthcare experience.

I'm just not sure if I'd have a chance, especially when everything is due in about 2 weeks.
 
U should apply just in case lol U have nothing to lose, they might have be able to look at Ur app
 
DoctorBallet said:
Do any of you guys know if it matters that I am an out of state applicant? I'm an out of state applicant and my GPA is 3.4 with MCAT 26 and I haven't heard back from anyone yet. I don't know if all of their spots are filled? I know applications are open until April so I just really don't know!
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@DoctorBallet did you also apply broadly to regular DO programs? I wonder if you could have gotten in someplace.
 
kkosp2451 said:
Hi Everyone!

I know it's very late in the cycle for this year, but I was wondering if you guys think it's worth me applying to this program.

Stats: Around 3.0 in both sGPA and uGPA. 23 MCAT (pretty even).
Great LORS and tons of hands on healthcare experience.

I'm just not sure if I'd have a chance, especially when everything is due in about 2 weeks.
Click to expand...
Definitely apply and have your application complete before the deadline. Some students applied late last cycle and didn't get in for whatever reason but they made it in this cycle. So if anything you'll be set for next cycle.
 
cadingcading said:
@DoctorBallet did you also apply broadly to regular DO programs? I wonder if you could have gotten in someplace.
Click to expand...

I did! I applied to 15 different DO programs and I have tons of extracurriculars. I guess it wasn't meant to be - even my interviewers were pretty surprised I hadn't been accepted into a program yet. But hey I will be going to this masters program so I am pretty happy! 🙂
 
kj8210 said:
Hey CheerDoc where do you reccommend getting an apartment? Should we get one in Harlem or is it ok to get one in Westchester?
Click to expand...

Personally, I think anything on the Upper West Side or Upper East Side are good. Of course Upper West Side will be significantly cheaper. I know many of you read that and just saw $$$$$ but you can definitely find some affordable apartments in those areas if you look diligently. Even though I am not a huge fan of Harlem the city is undergoing massive gentrification and there are some really nice (safe) places you can find not too far from the Touro campus. I would suggest looking around Amsterdam Ave or Broadway Ave (near the Columbia University campus). These are great options if you are looking for affordable housing in Harlem.

If you don't mind a short (~30 mins max by car) commute I would suggest looking at the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx. It is really nice and right on the water. You can definitely find some gems over there. The Pelham Bay or Pelham Parkway section of the Bronx is also very affordable and safe.

Let me know if you have any other questions! Welcome to NY!
 
kj8210 said:
Hey CheerDoc where do you reccommend getting an apartment? Should we get one in Harlem or is it ok to get one in Westchester?
Click to expand...

Sorry just re-read this and saw you also asked about Westchester. I live in Westchester and will be living there throughout the program. My train commute will be about (~25-30 mins on an express train, ~45 minutes on a normal train). I think Westchester is a great option and if you're willing to make the commute it's much cheaper and safer than anywhere in the city. I talked to some students at Touro and lots of them have similiar commutes (longest I heard was about an hour) and they all said you just use that time to study and prepare for class. Let me know if you need suggestions in Westchester!!!! I'm an expert on that lol
 
DoctorBallet said:
I did! I applied to 15 different DO programs and I have tons of extracurriculars. I guess it wasn't meant to be - even my interviewers were pretty surprised I hadn't been accepted into a program yet. But hey I will be going to this masters program so I am pretty happy! 🙂
Click to expand...
I'm surprised too! May I ask where you applied?
 
Has anyone scheduled an interview within the past week? I was contacted to by Ms. Portnoy to give her dates and times that work for me to come in for an interview and I have yet to hear back from her and its been about two weeks? Anyone in a similar situation?
 
kj8210 said:
Has anyone scheduled an interview within the past week? I was contacted to by Ms. Portnoy to give her dates and times that work for me to come in for an interview and I have yet to hear back from her and its been about two weeks? Anyone in a similar situation?
Click to expand...
She's out of the office until March 26th.
 
For those of you that have interviewed for Touro's master program, how long did it take to receive an admissions decision?
 
Does anybody happen to know TouroCOM COMPLEX/USMLE pass rate or average scores?
 
jane_d.o. said:
For those of you that have interviewed for Touro's master program, how long did it take to receive an admissions decision?
Click to expand...

I recieved my acceptance exactly one week after interviewing. A friend of mine recieved hers 3 days after interviewing.
 
jane_d.o. said:
For those of you that have interviewed for Touro's master program, how long did it take to receive an admissions decision?
Click to expand...

It took me 4 weeks... It all depends when the committee is meeting! Hang in there! 🙂
 
For those accepted: Did you happen to have any C's in your pre-reqs? I know the website says at least a 2.5 GPA for all pre-reqs, but I'm wondering whether or not they are lenient on this.
 
kkosp2451 said:
For those accepted: Did you happen to have any C's in your pre-reqs? I know the website says at least a 2.5 GPA for all pre-reqs, but I'm wondering whether or not they are lenient on this.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have Cs in two of my pre-reqs. The rest of my pre-reqs are all As and 1 B though.
 
TheCheerDoc said:
Yes, I have Cs in two of my pre-reqs. The rest of my pre-reqs are all As and 1 B though.
Click to expand...

Thanks 🙂 I got concerned because I also have 2 C's, but the rest are all B's and higher. You applied this cycle, right?
 
kkosp2451 said:
For those accepted: Did you happen to have any C's in your pre-reqs? I know the website says at least a 2.5 GPA for all pre-reqs, but I'm wondering whether or not they are lenient on this.
Click to expand...
I had two C's in my pre-reqs and got accepted so don't worry 🙂
 
To all the February applicants,

Has anyone heard anything about interview invitations or if you're still in review? The committee should be meeting sometime this week or next but if you have any info please pass it along. (My friend is paranoid.)
 
Alchemist2.0 said:
To all the February applicants,

Has anyone heard anything about interview invitations or if you're still in review? The committee should be meeting sometime this week or next but if you have any info please pass it along. (My friend is paranoid.)
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat as your friend. I applied the first week of February and my application was complete in the same month. I still haven't gotten an interview invite yet. I emailed Beth last week and she said my app is still under review. They just received a large volume of completed applications during this time of year so they are a bit backed up. She said to also feel free to follow up in the coming weeks if you don't hear from her. Furthermore, she would be out of her office throughout this week and won't be back till March 30 (next monday). As you stated committee meets at the end of the month so thats either this week or next. Hopefully we hear back in early April.

Best of luck to us all.
 
Adenike said:
I'm in the same boat as your friend. I applied the first week of February and my application was complete in the same month. I still haven't gotten an interview invite yet. I emailed Beth last week and she said my app is still under review. They just received a large volume of completed applications during this time of year so they are a bit backed up. She said to also feel free to follow up in the coming weeks if you don't hear from her. Furthermore, she would be out of her office throughout this week and won't be back till March 30 (next monday). As you stated committee meets at the end of the month so thats either this week or next. Hopefully we hear back in early April.

Best of luck to us all.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the update on committee meetings. I hope you hear good news soon!
 
Anybody get a financial aid email today? My friend got it but I didn't and we were both accepted on the same day....
 
Pancaketowers said:
I received three separate financial aid emails today. Yours will probably come very soon too so don't worry about it too much. It just talks about how you should apply for FAFSA and government student loans.

Does anyone know if we have to sign up for FAFSA + government student loans if we plan to finance this program solely through private loans?
Click to expand...
Why would you do only private loans? You should definitely fill out the FAFSA and attempt getting financial aid and grants then using government subsidized and unsubsidized loans because the interest rates are lower, they don't accrue while your in school, and you won't have to repay them until 6 months after you graduate. It's better to have more options when it comes to financing your education.
 
Well i can't apply for FAFSA or any grant, and I'm thinking to get a private loan to pay for my tuition because of my visa status. Does anybody know the process or where/how to begin?
 
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