3.0 sGPA/ 3.23 cGPA 30MCAT ( 8V, 9B, 13P)
For extracurriculars, I am an anatomy illustrator, work at a neurology center, do OMM research at Western, and recently got a position as an emergency medical scribe. 🙂
Tucom ca msmhs 2013-2014
- Thread starter docnunes
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3.0 sGPA/ 3.23 cGPA 30MCAT ( 8V, 9B, 13P)
For extracurriculars, I am an anatomy illustrator, work at a neurology center, do OMM research at Western, and recently got a position as an emergency medical scribe. 🙂
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Just got this email:
" Good afternoon!
*
Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be a delay in the release of admissions decisions for the MSMHS-COM program.* On behalf of the entire Office of Admissions, I apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause you.* Please look forward to your decision early next week after the Memorial Day holiday.
*
Thanks ahead of time!* Good luck to you!
*
Sincerely,
*
Marcos Villa
Assistant Director of Admissions
*
Office of Admissions
Touro University California
Mare Island
1310 Club Drive
Vallejo, CA 94592
*
(707) 638-5850"
" Good afternoon!
*
Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be a delay in the release of admissions decisions for the MSMHS-COM program.* On behalf of the entire Office of Admissions, I apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause you.* Please look forward to your decision early next week after the Memorial Day holiday.
*
Thanks ahead of time!* Good luck to you!
*
Sincerely,
*
Marcos Villa
Assistant Director of Admissions
*
Office of Admissions
Touro University California
Mare Island
1310 Club Drive
Vallejo, CA 94592
*
(707) 638-5850"
I also received an 'admissions delayed' email, which I considering the fact that others have posted that they got an acceptance email today, most likely means they are waiting to see who says "yes" before sending out rejections 🙁 Wish they would have just said "waitlist" or "rejected" rather than telling me to wait some more.
I have not been super impressed with Touro's online app system as well as their slow responses to emails, but sigh, I still want to get into this program!!
I have not been super impressed with Touro's online app system as well as their slow responses to emails, but sigh, I still want to get into this program!!
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nothing here either
Hi piesafe,
I know that there isn't much I can say at this point to calm your nerves. But I will try to at least give it a shot 🙂.
If you are waitlisted, that would mean that you are on the boat that you suggested... "waiting to see who says yes before sending out rejections." As far as I know, nobody is rejected outright ( I am not certain about this, but I believe this is most likely be true). I think most people who are not accepted right away will be placed on the wait list, and depending on how many people decide to accept the offer to attend Touro, they will adjust the number of people they pull off of the wait list accordingly (Yes I know this is common sense and you probably know this already but I have a point to this).
My point is this. You are not yet waitlisted. Neither are you accepted nor rejected. Please trust that the admissions department means it when they say that there was an unforeseen circumstance that has unexpectedly caused this delay. I suspect that the people who were accepted today, were considered in advance prior to this unsuspected circumstance and that for whatever reason, they stood out enough to be accepted early on. Again, there might be a ton of factors involved, like when you got your application in by, your stats, etc etc etc. So hang tight all! Good luck!
Maybe we can hope the delay is that they are trying to get approval to add more people to the program? 😉
For those of you who applied COM and didn't get in, then decided to apply to this program- do you think the MSMHS advisors looked at your other application and weighed that information in? In my case I really hope so, I have a lot of EC's & interest in osteo that I felt were not adequately covered on the regular MSMHS app.
If I get waitlisted, I wonder if sending them that information would help me look like a better candidate or just a pushy pain in the ass....
For those of you who applied COM and didn't get in, then decided to apply to this program- do you think the MSMHS advisors looked at your other application and weighed that information in? In my case I really hope so, I have a lot of EC's & interest in osteo that I felt were not adequately covered on the regular MSMHS app.
If I get waitlisted, I wonder if sending them that information would help me look like a better candidate or just a pushy pain in the ass....
If by "other application" you mean AACOMAS application, you can be reassured that they, WITHOUT ANY DOUBT, look at your entire package. Your osteopathic interest as well as any EC's pertinent to osteopathy should speak very highly. I did not gain an acceptance to COM last year, and decided to apply to the MSMHS. It is an AMAZING program. I can't speak highly enough about it, the experiences you will gain, the faculty, the bonds you make with classmates... etc. etc. What they are ultimately looking for are well-rounded individuals they believe will be good candidates to not only succeed in the Masters program... but will make good medical students who can handle medical school rigors, and ultimately make great physicians.
Wow, it seems like your stats are too good for a program like this. That kinda confuses me on the program itself. Great job though, and good luck with whatever you're doing instead!
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I've decided to accept the MSMS admissions offer from Western University. Hope that those of you waiting to hear good news from TU-CA get the news you want real soon.
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i was waitlisted to the program last year, and got that in the mail that i was waitlisted. but they are doing things differently this year
Got a delay email yesterday at 2:30. another week of waiting.
http://global3.memecdn.com/how-exciting_o_590355.jpg
http://global3.memecdn.com/how-exciting_o_590355.jpg
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To the people that didn't get a delay email, what are your stats and when did you submit your application? If you don't mind answering, maybe we can figure out what purpose the email serves, why they were sent at different times, and how this might affect your chance.
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Got a delay email yesterday at 2:30. another week of waiting.
Mine was sent at 2:43 hm interesting
LOL so was mine. I think it might have been a general email; I doubt there is a correlation between what your chances are of acceptance and what time you received the email.
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I still did not receive anything, no delay, nothing.
My sgpa was around ~3.3 ish, research experience, work experience in the medical field, no mcat yet, and out of state resident.
I wonder if the preference is given to people who already applied to DO/MD schools and didn't get in? I applied back in January (and to no other MS programs since this was the only one that didn't require MCAT...I was planning to use their MCAT study option too). Oh well...
My sgpa was around ~3.3 ish, research experience, work experience in the medical field, no mcat yet, and out of state resident.
I wonder if the preference is given to people who already applied to DO/MD schools and didn't get in? I applied back in January (and to no other MS programs since this was the only one that didn't require MCAT...I was planning to use their MCAT study option too). Oh well...
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Um that's odd. I have like almost the same stats: chemistry major, cGPA 3.3, sciGPA 3.2, clinical ethics internship at a daughter of charity hospital, research experience on DNA binding to porphyrins, volunteered at Stanford, cystic fibrosis research inc., a hospital abroad, and CA medical reserve group, pre-osteopathic med rep for the Prehealth club at my university. I applied back in March but finished sending my transcript May 1st. Also have not taken the MCAT. The only difference is I'm a CA resident. But I don't think that makes a difference.
I'm a CA resident as well. Took mcat (retaking it in July due to poor performance), Bio major with sGPA 3.1, cGPA 3.36. Well over 2,000 clinical volunteer hours; volunteer department coordinator for two ER departments overlooking 500 volunteers, volunteer director of departments overlooking 8 departments and 1000 volunteers, work as an ER tech/phlebotomist in the emergency room for over 3 years, taught martial arts to local community/colleges for over 12 years. I started research back in college but didn't continue after 6 months because it wasn't something I found a lot of interest in and didn't want to do it just to have it on my app. Built homes with habitat for humanity and raised funds through multiple philanthropies for huntsman cancer foundation and children's miracle network. I previously applied to Touro's DO but was placed on Pre-interview hold (most likely because of my mcat score). I applied to the MSMHS program end of April. I also didn't receive any email yesterday 🙁
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This should help: here are the averages for accepted students in 2011 and 2012...
"The average stats for the class of 2011 and 2012. Please keep in mind that these are averages and that there is a wide range of acceptable MCAT scores and acceptable GPA's
Total GPA/Sci GPA/MCAT
Class of 2011: 3.13 - 2.99 - 28.20
Class of 2012: 3.04 - 2.89 - 26.60"
"The average stats for the class of 2011 and 2012. Please keep in mind that these are averages and that there is a wide range of acceptable MCAT scores and acceptable GPA's
Total GPA/Sci GPA/MCAT
Class of 2011: 3.13 - 2.99 - 28.20
Class of 2012: 3.04 - 2.89 - 26.60"
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Obviously if our GPAs are below that range our chances are hindered but does having a GPA above that also mean we have a lower chance? I believe someone said they got an acceptance with a GPA of 3.5 this year so I'm guessing not. But I find it odd that some people got a delay email while others did not. @MDforMee I'm also the first in my family to go to college. My parents are immigrants and my grandparents were anti-communist prisoners of the Vietnam war in Vietnam but were granted immigration rights under the US Refugee Act in 1975. I came here from Vietnam relatively recent, in 2002. We are from probably the lowest SES. Luckily I got a full ride scholarship to a private university. I wonder if that might make a difference. Anyway, good luck to all of you & enjoy the weekend!
I have a cGPA of 3.4, sGPA of 3.2 and an MCAT of 23. Out of state, tons of ecs. No email. It seems to me they are looking for higher MCAT, lowerish GPA. I'm not sure I'm the kinda of candidate they are looking for.
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But Fruit got accepted with a 3.5 so that's not very coherent with the pattern you described. When did you submit your application?
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Touro's latest matriculating class (COM) had the highest average mcat ever (29.5)... I'm not saying that the MSMHS class will have a high MCAT, but with the high matriculation rate into the COM from the MSMHS, it wouldn't surprise me if the admissions decisions they're making are based on numbers.
This is (was) the MSMHS class. They look like a studious, well-rounded bunch. No visible tattoos or piercings. Hahaha. I think the guy in the center front was in the same chess club I used to go to, come to think of it.
I did some research into this Marcos Villa guy that sent out our "admissions delayed" email, too... it turns out that he used to be a recruiter for Western. It wouldn't surprise me, either, that this guy has been on the "inside" of admissions to osteopathic programs for a while, and may be the dude reading your file.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marcos-villa/2a/333/471
He looks like a nice enough guy... but he's a UCSB alum, and has probably seen all the excuses for low grades. He's pretty young, too. These are just my opinions, though.
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Yeah, but Fruit had a 28 MCAT.. so that's average. I know what you mean though. I applied to their DO school and got rejected. I had my application transferred over in April.
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True. This makes me even more nervous since I didn't even take the MCAT yet. I'm planning on utilizing their MCAT prep or maybe study on my own and take it this summer. I'm still an undergraduate (graduating this June) so never really had time to study for the MCAT.
Well, don't be nervous! we are all just speculating. So, you don't have to take MCAT at all beforehand? It's interesting to judge people on MCAT and those who haven't taken it together. You could get accepted and get a 30 or an 18... Nothing personal on you, just find it interesting.
And congrats on almost graduating 🙂
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I know, right? That's exactly my thought too. Yeah, on the site it says that it is not required, but if you have already taken the MCAT then I guess you have a choice of submitting or not submitting your score. And thank you 🙂
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I guess we all just have to be patient...delay e-mail or not. I e-mailed them to ask about the MCAT back in January and they said it's not required and sounded pretty indifferent since they do offer the MCAT prep...who knows 
Touro's latest matriculating class (COM) had the highest average mcat ever (29.5)... I'm not saying that the MSMHS class will have a high MCAT, but with the high matriculation rate into the COM from the MSMHS, it wouldn't surprise me if the admissions decisions they're making are based on numbers.
This is (was) the MSMHS class. They look like a studious, well-rounded bunch. No visible tattoos or piercings. Hahaha. I think the guy in the center front was in the same chess club I used to go to, come to think of it.
I did some research into this Marcos Villa guy that sent out our "admissions delayed" email, too... it turns out that he used to be a recruiter for Western. It wouldn't surprise me, either, that this guy has been on the "inside" of admissions to osteopathic programs for a while, and may be the dude reading your file.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marcos-villa/2a/333/471
He looks like a nice enough guy... but he's a UCSB alum, and has probably seen all the excuses for low grades. He's pretty young, too. These are just my opinions, though.
The people in that picture are mostly OMSI students right now that are about to finish up their first years and become 2nd years. They are my friends and indeed well-rounded and very nice people =). They were mentors to my class in a lot of ways in terms of support and advice etc. My class just graduated and half of us have been accepted to COM. The other half just interviewed. We are excited at the prospect of meeting some of you and helping you guys along too!!! =D
For those of you that are planning on taking the MCAT during this program, if you are accepted, I would highly recommend that you either take it BEFORE you start the program in early August, or at the very very very very very very verrrrry beginning of the first semester (Like within the first few weeks or at the latest early Sept.). The material first semester isn't necessarily hard. It is very doable but the volume of information is quite a bit for the most part. You are gonna be taking biochem, anatomy, molecular cell bio, neuroscience, and physiology... along with a tiny bit of a research component first semester (the real research starts up 2nd semester). They pretty much want to see if you can handle a portion of the volume of what the med students have to deal with... so although it isn't as rigorous as the COM program, it is still a heavy load (especially finals... KILLER). The single most important factor to determine whether you are admitted into TUCOM as an osteopathic medical student is your fall semester grades if you decide to go ahead with this program. So again. I would highly encourage any of you to tackle the MCAT as soon as possible so that you can completely focus on your studies for the program in the fall.
The hiccup in releasing decisions isn't one that is typical. I am sure there was indeed some unexpected occurrence that unfortunately has most of you waiting just a little bit longer. If you did not receive any notification, I would not think too much into it just yet. And as sucky as it is to not have heard back in any way ... just try to be patient and wait til this coming week =/ My feeling is that you all will be notified regarding your standing (accepted/wait listed) very shortly.
Hang tight everyone!
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Hi ckyx1213,
Thank you for the information, much appreciated! If you don't mind me asking, did you take the optional MCAT prep course offered by the program? I sort of started studying for the MCAT back in October because I was planning to take it last January but I had way too much school work and had little time to study for the MCAT so I chickened out. I bought all the prep books but didn't take the prep course. My friend took a Kaplan prep course and said it wasn't worth the money because she felt like whatever she did in the class she could have done at home on her own. What is your opinion on the MCAT prep course offered by the program?
Thank you for the information, much appreciated! If you don't mind me asking, did you take the optional MCAT prep course offered by the program? I sort of started studying for the MCAT back in October because I was planning to take it last January but I had way too much school work and had little time to study for the MCAT so I chickened out. I bought all the prep books but didn't take the prep course. My friend took a Kaplan prep course and said it wasn't worth the money because she felt like whatever she did in the class she could have done at home on her own. What is your opinion on the MCAT prep course offered by the program?
Hi there tweevs =)
I don't think anyone out of the 15 of us took the course. I believe that two of my classmates took the MCAT in September if I am remembering correctly. Everyone else had already taken the MCAT, and as I mentioned in my previous post, I would highly recommend this route if possible as well in order to rock fall semester.
As for the course that is offered. It is not a course that is "offered" by or at Touro. I am pretty certain that it is actually a Kaplan course. For those who may be interested in taking the course, they will require you to submit a slightly higher deposit fee. I am uncertain as to whether or not the cost of the MCAT prep course is part of tuition or if it adds extra to school fees. I THINK it is included in tuition, but since it is Kaplan, they need to probably setup how many students are gonna be taking the course with Kaplan and get the ball rolling.
Your friend is right. The MCAT is a test that you can study for on your own without a doubt. I think the class can be really helpful for those who need a little push with discipline. The only benefit to taking the class would be problem sets, especially with Kaplan since I hear they have a pretty huge question bank. But it isn't that hard to get questions. Seriously, the best thing to do is get your hands on previous MCAT tests. You can order them online, albeit a bit pricey. ExamKrackers has pretty good questions too.
When you started trying to study for the MCAT, were you an undergrad with a pretty heavy course load? The level of difficulty of the MSMHS program for everyone will differ, just like any other course or course work. The number of hours different individuals will have to commit in order to succeed in this program, and the levels of people's studying efficiency will vary greatly. But I think every one of my classmates and the previous students from the program will all at least concede that the program is challenging (it should be, it is testing whether you can handle a bit of what med school will be like). It is not impossible and a number of us did very well. But like I mentioned before, tacking on the MCAT is gonna be a huge burden in the midst of taking --> ANATOMY, NEUROSCIENCE, CELL BIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY, PHYSIOLOGY. If you tack on the MCAT, I can confidently say it will be challenging, since the MCAT is a beast on its own. I hope that helps!
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Thank u so much for the super helpful information. I am a chemistry major so I'd say my courses were pretty demanding, well at least for me. But even if I am used to difficult classes, I'm sure the classes of the MSMHS are not even on the same difficulty scale as the hard undergraduate courses that I've encountered. They will probably be just as challenging for me, if not more, than they were for you. I am planning on taking the MCAT in hopefully late July or early August. I will probably just save myself a couple thousand dollars (which I would have gotten from a student loan) and discipline myself at home haha. Once again, thanks a lot for your post!
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Anyone know how TUCOM calculates the MCAT score? Do they take the best score from one testing date... or do they take the best sections from each testing date (if you've taken it more than once). I've heard of schools doing it either way, just curious how Touro approaches it.
sGPA : 3.13 (One course replaced)
cGPA : 3.37
sGPA : 3.13 (One course replaced)
cGPA : 3.37
Hi ckyx1213,
Can you shed some more light on your statement that half of your class was accepted to the COM class? Was only half your class accepted or were more than that accepted, but only half accepted the admission at Touro CA specifically, and others accepted admissions elsewhere? I guess is there a good chance for you to get accepted if you meet all of there criteria for an interview?
Thanks!
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Hello All,
Last Friday I emailed Naisha Bible about my application status, because I was one of those who did not receive any response and my paranoid self could not take it anymore so I emailed her. This is her reply I received today. I hope this gives those some comfort in the waiting game. I applied in early May after I did not interview at TU-COM. My guess is that you will receive a response on the basis of when you submitted your application. Best of luck to all of you!
"The notices are going out in sections, and will have all been distributed by the end of the week."
Thank You,
Naisha Bible
Last Friday I emailed Naisha Bible about my application status, because I was one of those who did not receive any response and my paranoid self could not take it anymore so I emailed her. This is her reply I received today. I hope this gives those some comfort in the waiting game. I applied in early May after I did not interview at TU-COM. My guess is that you will receive a response on the basis of when you submitted your application. Best of luck to all of you!
"The notices are going out in sections, and will have all been distributed by the end of the week."
Thank You,
Naisha Bible
Hi Tweevs!
I wasn't in any way implying that the courses are more difficult =). I am sure you worked very hard with a demanding major like chem. I would feel comfortable saying they are more challenging than let's say being a humanities major for the most part, but I would say in terms of sheer difficulty, your chemistry courses were probably harder as a pure physical science. The classes you will take in this masters program are not necessarily that difficult. There might be a few portions of let's say physiology, like renal or respiratory physiology that might be a bit more challenging, but for the most part. It really is the VOLUME of material, not the difficulty. But, everyone is gonna find the difficulty scale a bit different and everyone will have to put in varying amounts of time in order to do well. I am just saying, err on the side of caution and make sure you have ample time to commit to the program... it is very well the best ticket or shot you will have at a med school acceptance =) Hope that helps! And give yourself more credit! Chemistry is a beast! 😛
