Trouble at KansasCom

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Members don't see this ad.
LettheKangerooRoar said:
I will end this post with just one fact. CO2029 is at 201 students, CO2028 is at 180 students, CO2027 is at 87 students, and CO2026 is at 77 students. Making it out to being 0 dismissals for CO2029 and CO2028, 5 dismissals for CO2027, and 10 dismissals for CO2026. Not bad at all in my opinion. Take it as you want. KansasCOM is not a bad school and will be around long after all of these antagonists who are on the hook for 65k-80k for a repeat year that many of them don't need are gone. Please, lets being promoting positivity from now on, instead of negativity!
Click to expand...

Fixed your typos. Warm regards
 
A medical school has a psychologist as a President???

I'll quote a professor of mine from grad school:
Deans are paid to lie.

Dr Winslow conveniently forgot to mention the number of students who have to repeat the year AFTER the policies for COMLEX practice tests were changed. The attrition rate has been posted previously in this thread.

Paid antagonists indeed.
 
Closing this thread temporarily while addressing multiple issues.

OK, those interested in continuing to talk about events at this school can now continue discussing.
Many posts that were off-topic, or direct insults/attacks/attempted doxxing of other members have been removed.

Reviewing the SDN rules, doxxing of members is not allowed, personal attacks on others is not allowed.
If you disagree, disagree with the statement itself & resist trash talk.

A little-known SDN feature: If someone sends you a DM (direct message) that is unwelcome, you can report it to moderators as a "conversation report" and then mark "leave the conversation" and block that sender from contacting you again.
 
Last edited:
Nice to see the thread opened up again. Kudos to our wise SDN moderators!

I've been told that classes begin in two weeks. Good luck to you all!

And you have a COCA site visit coming up. Students typically will be given a chance to talk to the COCA accreditors on such visits. Talk to them professionally, and state your cases just like a lawyer would. The session should NOT be a bitch-fest. The situation you have of a part-time Dean, who is not allowed to be contacted, should certainly be discussed.

Good luck, and do keep in touch!
 
I don't know if this has been asked yet, but how badly would the chances of matching into certain specialties be impacted for students being made to repeat by KansasCOM? more specifically, if a KansasCOM student who had to repeat attempts to match into a very competitive specialty, can other aspects of a student's application--e.g. performance on clinical rotations--compensate for that blemish on their academic record?

I don't think I have a particularly competitive specialty in mind for myself, but I thought I should ask, as a worst case scenario....
 
Goro said:
Nice to see the thread opened up again. Kudos to our wise SDN moderators!

I've been told that classes begin in two weeks. Good luck to you all!

And you have a COCA site visit coming up. Students typically will be given a chance to talk to the COCA accreditors on such visits. Talk to them professionally, and state your cases just like a lawyer would. The session should NOT be a bitch-fest. The situation you have of a part-time Dean, who is not allowed to be contacted, should certainly be discussed.

Good luck, and do keep in touch!
Click to expand...
I heard a few people got together with COCA for a Zoom meeting. They laid everything out while avoiding the personal attacks. Thankfully, even though we’re angry, we took their lessons professionalism to heart.
 
LSTR said:
I don't know if this has been asked yet, but how badly would the chances of matching into certain specialties be impacted for students being made to repeat by KansasCOM? more specifically, if a KansasCOM student who had to repeat attempts to match into a very competitive specialty, can other aspects of a student's application--e.g. performance on clinical rotations--compensate for that blemish on their academic record?

I don't think I have a particularly competitive specialty in mind for myself, but I thought I should ask, as a worst case scenario....
Click to expand...
I don't think there's a simple answer to this question. In general, more competitive specialties / programs will look for 1) top performance in your school, 2) high score on USMLE (or perhaps COMLEX), 3) Honors in rotations in that specialty, 4) Higher caliber school plays some role, 5) Research or something else to make you stand out. Repeating a year is a big negative. Since the repeat is due to low exam scores in practice exams, that doesn't bode well for a top score on the real thing. If someone repeated a year and then had a stellar performance afterwards, perhaps it would not be a big deal. But the chances of that are not great. Top performers don't end up repeating years.
 
Just stumbled on this for the first time. I spent 30 minutes reading through most of it. This is wild. How inappropriate of the school to act this way then send their people to this thread.

I wish I had a way to help the students. If the school reaches to hire me as dean, I promise I'll be at the school and turn it around. These failures are entirely due to poor leadership
 
NotAProgDirector said:
I don't think there's a simple answer to this question. In general, more competitive specialties / programs will look for 1) top performance in your school, 2) high score on USMLE (or perhaps COMLEX), 3) Honors in rotations in that specialty, 4) Higher caliber school plays some role, 5) Research or something else to make you stand out. Repeating a year is a big negative. Since the repeat is due to low exam scores in practice exams, that doesn't bode well for a top score on the real thing. If someone repeated a year and then had a stellar performance afterwards, perhaps it would not be a big deal. But the chances of that are not great. Top performers don't end up repeating years.
Click to expand...
I disagree.

A lot of the students being forced to repeat performed well in their courses. If I was a PD, I would puzzled as to why a student who didn't fail any preclinical courses would be forced to repeat. Yes, the practice exam thing was a course, but again, why on earth would a student who did well in everything else fail a random course? That would seem iffy to me and I would ask what happened. Student would explain and I'd be like "omg that's awful."

"doesn't bode well for a top score" my dude. They're practice exams. What PD out here would be like "oh you passed the real thing but performed poorly on practice exams? Bye." Also (students please confirm) that was the students' first practice exam, or one of them. It's entirely reasonable that some students would have low scores.

Tldr; I don't think this would have a huge impact because it was leadership failure, which any smart PD would realize.
 
Man I reeeallllyy wanted to like this school when it first opened. It was promising on paper and I was even considering going there as an individual who plans on practicing in the primary care starved state of Kansas. Unfortunately that lack of physicians is all too easy of an excuse to use to open a new medical school.

Seeing everything online about how administration has effectively thrown everything in the garbage, doused it in gasoline, and set it on fire is so upsetting. The dean and associate dean living in different states alone is enough to reflect on that. If you can't stand to stay in the state that you're supposedly creating more physicians for, then you shouldn't have come in the first place. The physician shortage here is bad enough, we can't afford for them to drag the city of Wichita and the rest of the state down with them.

If the previous post about change in president is true, I hope somebody takes over that actually cares first and foremost about the STUDENTS, as well as our state. There's been enough tomfoolery as is.
 
Dr.Hobbes said:
Man I reeeallllyy wanted to like this school when it first opened. It was promising on paper and I was even considering going there as an individual who plans on practicing in the primary care starved state of Kansas. Unfortunately that lack of physicians is all too easy of an excuse to use to open a new medical school.

Seeing everything online about how administration has effectively thrown everything in the garbage, doused it in gasoline, and set it on fire is so upsetting. The dean and associate dean living in different states alone is enough to reflect on that. If you can't stand to stay in the state that you're supposedly creating more physicians for, then you shouldn't have come in the first place. The physician shortage here is bad enough, we can't afford for them to drag the city of Wichita and the rest of the state down with them.

If the previous post about change in president is true, I hope somebody takes over that actually cares first and foremost about the STUDENTS, as well as our state. There's been enough tomfoolery as is.
Click to expand...
If you’re from Kansas, ok state likes those applicants too and although not instate, they are seen favorably for applications (I know some Adcoms there). If you get in there over either this school or kcu, you go to OSU.
 
DO2015CA said:
If you’re from Kansas, ok state likes those applicants too and although not instate, they are seen favorably for applications (I know some Adcoms there). If you get in there over either this school or kcu, you go to OSU.
Click to expand...
I did, but didn't meet their LOR requirement unfortunately. It sucks because I heard many good things about OSU, but I landed at a reputable COM in the Midwest so all is well. I really appreciate the insight though!
 
ETKL said:
New leadership at KansasCOM?
Click to expand...

Yup I'm the new dean, guys. I'll be establishing Taco Tuesdays, additional help for board prep, and shiny, new equipment. Free stethoscopes for all.

Do I know anything about running a school? No, but neither did the last guy apparently.
 
Starr_key said:
Yup I'm the new dean, guys. I'll be establishing Taco Tuesdays, additional help for board prep, and shiny, new equipment. Free stethoscopes for all.

Do I know anything about running a school? No, but neither did the last guy apparently.
Click to expand...
Are you a current or past student here? I would like to ask you to keep this thread on topic if you’re just here to get a laugh
 
ETKL said:
New leadership at KansasCOM?
Click to expand...

Goro said:
A medical school has a psychologist as a President???

I'll quote a professor of mine from grad school:
Deans are paid to lie.

Dr Winslow conveniently forgot to mention the number of students who have to repeat the year AFTER the policies for COMLEX practice tests were changed. The attrition rate has been posted previously in this thread.

Paid antagonists indeed.
Click to expand...
Yes, the president of KansasCOM was removed and is officially “pursuing new opportunities elsewhere,” effective immediately. Notably, the announcement came directly from the Board of Trustees, not the Dean or campus leadership, which speaks volumes about the level and urgency of the decision.
 
Starr_key said:
I disagree.

A lot of the students being forced to repeat performed well in their courses. If I was a PD, I would puzzled as to why a student who didn't fail any preclinical courses would be forced to repeat. Yes, the practice exam thing was a course, but again, why on earth would a student who did well in everything else fail a random course? That would seem iffy to me and I would ask what happened. Student would explain and I'd be like "omg that's awful."

"doesn't bode well for a top score" my dude. They're practice exams. What PD out here would be like "oh you passed the real thing but performed poorly on practice exams? Bye." Also (students please confirm) that was the students' first practice exam, or one of them. It's entirely reasonable that some students would have low scores.

Tldr; I don't think this would have a huge impact because it was leadership failure, which any smart PD would realize.
Click to expand...

This is wishful thinking, unfortunately. No one spends that much time reviewing an application, especially for competitive specialties where you can fill up every interview slot with applicants that are perfect on paper.

Most places have applications sorted by a secretary who screens for red flags before an application is ever reviewed by anyone who knows anything about med school.
 
Dr.Hobbes said:
Stated by someone on the recently linked reddit post. Obviously can't directly fact check that but his LinkedIn lists "Liberty, MO" as his city.
Click to expand...
If we're being charitable that is at least a suburb of Kansas City on the Missouri side.
 
I believe he makes the drive from there half the week and zooms in the other half from what I remember.
 
Yes, he's only really here half the time, if that. As you can imagine, this greatly limits the opportunities to meet with him in person to discuss urgent matters. The cherry on top of an overall sense of lack of student support here.
 
While I do agree KansasCOM could use some work. The student body is still impressive none the less. Out of the 85 co 2028 students who remediated, only 12 had to repeat OMS1. So, we can’t let the school’s issues with admin cloud the minds of PDs since we are a capable class, who can clearly self study when needed. Also, we need to highlight that we have a harder curriculum than most schools, like KCU has a curve lol like wtf?
 
Last edited:
Niche2002 said:
While I do agree KansasCOM could use some work. The student body is still impressive none the less. Out of the 85 co 2028 students who remediated, only 12 had to repeat OMS1. So, we can’t let the school’s issues with admin cloud the minds of PDs since we are a capable class, who can clearly self study when needed. Also, we need to highlight that we have a harder curriculum than most schools, like KCU has a curve lol like wtf?
Click to expand...
There’s no way to prove that. And PDs don’t usually bother to distinguish one DO school from another. You’ll be assessed on your CV and your app will be reviewed for red flags.

No one’s seeing a red flag and investigating it further except for non competitive fields/programs that don’t have the luxury of being picky. You just have red flags or you don’t.
 
Last edited:
Niche2002 said:
While I do agree KansasCOM could use some work. The student body is still impressive none the less. Out of the 85 co 2028 students who remediated, only 12 had to repeat OMS1. So, we can’t let the school’s issues with admin cloud the minds of PDs since we are a capable class, who can clearly self study when needed. Also, we need to highlight that we have a harder curriculum than most schools, like KCU has a curve lol like wtf?
Click to expand...
In no way are we attacking the students. It's amazing that they're managing to survive despite the incompetence and outright malignant Behavior their Administration.

You all deserve much better.

And shame on Coca for allowing your school to have such huge class size increase is in such a short period of time!
 
Niche2002 said:
While I do agree KansasCOM could use some work. The student body is still impressive none the less. Out of the 85 co 2028 students who remediated, only 12 had to repeat OMS1. So, we can’t let the school’s issues with admin cloud the minds of PDs since we are a capable class, who can clearly self study when needed. Also, we need to highlight that we have a harder curriculum than most schools, like KCU has a curve lol like wtf?
Click to expand...
this doesn't take into consideration the number of people who got the axe after not successfully remediating...
given the history of how the school handles students who are not meeting academic standards, the two ways the committee handles them is either offer a repeat year or dismiss them.

in any case, 2028's class size has diminished significantly from start of Year 1 to end, and 2027 had similarly shrank in size the previous year.
 
Genuinely curious on everyone's opinion - if this school ends up being my only A - would you still go? With the understanding of the current climate, knowing admin wont help and your on your own from day 1 for boards.

Compared to a potential "Caribbean option" like PHSU' new BVI campus would you still choose this school over PHSU-BVI?

The MCAT is my biggest hurdle; other stats are average.

Thank you
 
steth0scope said:
Genuinely curious on everyone's opinion - if this school ends up being my only A - would you still go? With the understanding of the current climate, knowing admin wont help and your on your own from day 1 for boards.

Compared to a potential "Caribbean option" like PHSU' new BVI campus would you still choose this school over PHSU-BVI?

The MCAT is my biggest hurdle; other stats are average.

Thank you
Click to expand...
So PHVI-BVI is yet another Carib school?

If so, I can't recommend them at all. What's the point of attending a medical school if you're unable to get into a US residency???

I've stated my opinion of KS"com" earlier in this thread.

I strongly suggest that you work on your test taking skills. If test taking anxiety is an issue, that's treatable.
 
Goro said:
So PHVI-BVI is yet another Carib school?

If so, I can't recommend them at all. What's the point of attending a medical school if you're unable to get into a US residency???

I've stated my opinion of KS"com" earlier in this thread.

I strongly suggest that you work on your test taking skills. If test taking anxiety is an issue, that's treatable.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response, Goro.
PHSU-BVI (British Virgin Islands) seems like a Caribbean-style school, though I'm not sure it's officially classified as one? Their "USA campuses" PR and St. Louis campuses require at least a 494 MCAT. PHSU seems like a unique option. I’m waiting on more info, but their board pass rates and IM match outcomes look "ok" at first glance? My goal is Heme-Onc after internal medicine.

I normally wouldn’t consider these programs, but due to family/life circumstances, I may need to accept an offer next year or delay for several years. As an RN with a non-traditional but otherwise ok path so far, I’ve experienced schools like KansasCOM—high attrition, low support, and a “survival” culture.

Test-taking is my weakness, but I’m working on it. Still, if I don’t improve my MCAT and (as a last resort) get an A from one of these schools, I wonder if it’s worth it? I didn’t realize until recently the climate at Kansas—heartbreaking, especially after they got my hopes up about a unique RN-DO path.

Do you think if feasible, pursuing PHSU seems to be a better option of the two?
 
steth0scope said:
Thanks for the response, Goro.
PHSU-BVI (British Virgin Islands) seems like a Caribbean-style school, though I'm not sure it's officially classified as one? Their "USA campuses" PR and St. Louis campuses require at least a 494 MCAT. PHSU seems like a unique option. I’m waiting on more info, but their board pass rates and IM match outcomes look "ok" at first glance? My goal is Heme-Onc after internal medicine.

I normally wouldn’t consider these programs, but due to family/life circumstances, I may need to accept an offer next year or delay for several years. As an RN with a non-traditional but otherwise ok path so far, I’ve experienced schools like KansasCOM—high attrition, low support, and a “survival” culture.

Test-taking is my weakness, but I’m working on it. Still, if I don’t improve my MCAT and (as a last resort) get an A from one of these schools, I wonder if it’s worth it? I didn’t realize until recently the climate at Kansas—heartbreaking, especially after they got my hopes up about a unique RN-DO path.

Do you think if feasible, pursuing PHSU seems to be a better option of the two?
Click to expand...
Only if the Virgin Island Campus is lcme approved/ accredited
 
steth0scope said:
Genuinely curious on everyone's opinion - if this school ends up being my only A - would you still go? With the understanding of the current climate, knowing admin wont help and your on your own from day 1 for boards.

Compared to a potential "Caribbean option" like PHSU' new BVI campus would you still choose this school over PHSU-BVI?

The MCAT is my biggest hurdle; other stats are average.

Thank you
Click to expand...
FWIW, I would still go if it’s my only A. Even though I hated a lot of this ride, I would’ve never been able to stop entertaining the idea of being a doctor.

But you need to be honest with yourself as to why your mcat is low. Is it because you’re an adult with full time work responsibilities that can’t dedicate months to the exam, or are you really just not capable of breaking 500 no matter what? Only you know the answer. I was definitely in the former group.

You have no excuses once you get into med school and it doesn’t get easier. It gets exponentially harder.
 
steth0scope said:
Genuinely curious on everyone's opinion - if this school ends up being my only A - would you still go? With the understanding of the current climate, knowing admin wont help and your on your own from day 1 for boards.

Compared to a potential "Caribbean option" like PHSU' new BVI campus would you still choose this school over PHSU-BVI?

The MCAT is my biggest hurdle; other stats are average.

Thank you
Click to expand...
What is the BVI campus ?

If it’s your only option and dream to be a doctor then go for it. Just know that you’re investing a lot of money for something that may or may not work out and could be in lot of debt
 
ETKL said:
Your guys' response and sentiment is appreciated; students have lost hope in any action that can be taken to better their situation and are actively looking for a way out, fearing for their future. Maybe some more ideas/thoughts can be presented about this situation or what can be done; most cannot afford a lawyer. The supposed best lawyer group for this in the area has stated a "conflict of interest" in regards to this. COCA has been flooded with complaints. People have considered the Office of Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form and FAFSA's Borrower's Defense Loan Discharge. People have suggested to contact other groups governing medical education or schools specifically for the area, as well as news coverage. Many are trying to find ways to transfer out, and they know it can't be done (even a third year who had a perfect record is being asked to repeat third year). A number of people have been withdrawing and presenting their case to other schools who have taken them into their SMP linkages. Others who have been dismissed have: given up and faded away, switched to nursing/PA/research or other career, are looking at re-re-entry after MCAT retake and/or SMP linkage. If anyone wants to know the schools that have been receptive to this, DM me. Whoever is reading and is in such situation, I hope I saved you some time and gave you ideas. I don't think I have to point out how people have been left with hundreds of thousands of loan dollars with a mark on their academic record and no solid future direction.
Click to expand...
Hey I was trying to send you a DM but was unable to, would I be able to ask you a couple of questions in DMs?
 
steth0scope said:
Thanks for the response, Goro.
PHSU-BVI (British Virgin Islands) seems like a Caribbean-style school, though I'm not sure it's officially classified as one? Their "USA campuses" PR and St. Louis campuses require at least a 494 MCAT. PHSU seems like a unique option. I’m waiting on more info, but their board pass rates and IM match outcomes look "ok" at first glance? My goal is Heme-Onc after internal medicine.

I normally wouldn’t consider these programs, but due to family/life circumstances, I may need to accept an offer next year or delay for several years. As an RN with a non-traditional but otherwise ok path so far, I’ve experienced schools like KansasCOM—high attrition, low support, and a “survival” culture.

Test-taking is my weakness, but I’m working on it. Still, if I don’t improve my MCAT and (as a last resort) get an A from one of these schools, I wonder if it’s worth it? I didn’t realize until recently the climate at Kansas—heartbreaking, especially after they got my hopes up about a unique RN-DO path.

Do you think if feasible, pursuing PHSU seems to be a better option of the two?
Click to expand...
PHSU-BVI main benefit seems to be it more so shares the brand name of US based schools? So maybe residencies would be less like to filter you(don't qoute me on that lmao). But otherwise, it doesn't look like it has many of the US protections for on their website they mention it accrediated by ACCM and not LCME. I probably won't try my luck there as a a first class but maybe it be like UQ-Oshner? Still seems risky ngl though.

From the website:
The international MD program in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) holds preliminary accreditation from the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM).

Accreditations & Licensures | Ponce Health Sciences University

phsu.edu phsu.edu
 
I appreciate everyone's feedback!
I am an - URM, first-gen immigrant (now citizen), FAAP recipient. Strong GPA, LORs, and personal statement explaining MD/DO over FNP/PA (despite guaranteed FNP offers). Family is supportive; my partner works.

Whats everyone's thoughts on PHSU' newer MD program - St. Louis campus? It’s LCME-accredited and might be a solid option if offered an A.
They said they review holistically and encouraged applying despite a low MCAT, given strong clinical background, LORs, and overall stats.

@Goro Thanks — seems it’s pre-accredited by ACCM, though I’m not too familiar with that, maybe it's specific on where accreditation comes from?

@Ho0v-man Thanks. For me, there’s a deeper reason behind choosing MD/DO over other paths—it’s been a long journey, and only recently have I been able to finish courses and move past some life hurdles. My prior MCAT score reflects poor timing, life circumstances, and my own volition. I believe I can break 500 with more time—probably a few more months of focused study and question review but wanted to apply to get in for 2026. I like to have plans and contingencies though. I respect this grind—it reminds me of nursing school’s firehose pace (20+ chapters in a week or two at times). I tend to do better when applying knowledge clinically (e.g., NCLEX or provider-based questions). But with the MCAT's abstract, research-style format, it's definitely more of a mindset shift for me.

@ToKingdomCome Thanks — the debt doesn’t scare me; if you saw our student loans, you’d laugh then cringe. A provider salary helps, but for me it’s about the training. A lot of folks recommend the NP path which is meaningful but respectfully I find it doesn't meet where I wish to be. Today I helped triage a tough oncology case—the NP couldn’t act, MD wouldn’t act since it wasn’t "his" patient. That red tape frustrates me internally. I want to be able to act, plan, and lead in complex moments (I do currently, but scopes limited naturally, and so will an NP route). NP training just doesn’t offer that depth of training or scope. I don’t rest easy knowing I could’ve done more. Some are fine doing a shift and clocking out—I just want to know I gave my best and keep getting better.

@Justcuriousstar Thanks — I know it’s a risk, and it kills me knowing I’d likely have solid acceptances if I got my MCAT up. It reminds me of struggling with the TEAS before nursing school. I didn’t start strong, but I learned, adapted, and eventually excelled with awards and scholarships. Entrance exams are tough for me—probably a mix of nerves and content mastery.

​

​

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
Dual Applied at Same Institution(s)
Replies
2
Views
1K
NotAProgDirector
NotAProgDirector
A
Rising M2 at school without in-house free clinic
Replies
1
Views
817
twiptophan789
T
M
Master of Science in Precision Medicine at AZCOM
Replies
7
Views
2K
AlbinoHawk DO
AlbinoHawk DO
Fluffyone
Pathology at Einstein vs Northwell LIJ
Replies
0
Views
731
Fluffyone
Fluffyone
NontradICUdoc
Rotations at community hospitals
Replies
12
Views
2K
Prehealth1011
Prehealth1011
Top