TUCOM-CA students accepted for fall 05

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congrats to all the newly accepted. it's pretty obvious what a great, communicative group of people we've got. the closest class thread in terms of post count is TCOM's, so i think we'll all get along quite well. 🙂

as far as misconceptions about OM, it's pretty irrelevant. i don't take it personal at all and just take some time to explain to the person the philosophy and advantages of it. you'll always have the haters out there and we'll probably all be in the minority for some time, but my experiences have convinced me that DO's can coexist alongside MD's with little problem.
 
Windbringer1 said:
My mother is an MD. When I told her I wanted to go DO, she was totally 110% supportive. We had a talk about this issue, and this is what she told me. First, you should in no way *believe* it when people tell you DO is "less than MD" or "not real medicine", because it is simply not true. Second, most MDs and DOs interact very well, and the only ones who try to put down DOs are probably the kind of stuck up bastards you don't want to talk to anyway. Third, there are a lot of people who know DOs but don't know that they do. For example, my uncle is kind of an ass, and he was grilling me about DO not being "real med school". My aunt shushed him and then sotto voce informed me that *one of his physicians whom he greatly respects* is a DO. It's not like you're going to go up to people and say, Hi, I'm Dr. So-and-so, DO. Nobody does that. There are DO cardiac surgeons, orthopods, psychiatrists, ER docs, everything. The DO I shadowed under here is the head of infectious disease in my area.

Also, your friend's mother is being silly, because in CA and in the SF Bay area especially, the focus on more holistic medical practices actually means quite a few DOs. She probably just hasn't had that forcibly brought to her attention.

Don't let people tell you you are lesser. You're going to run into ignorance wherever you go, really, and you just have to learn to set them straight. It's all going to be fine, because we're going to go out there and kick ass and show them what great doctors we can be! :clap:


You're right. I already knew the answer, I couldn't be happier with my choice but I just had to ask anyway. Thanks

We really do have a great class. I can't wait to meet all of you guys. 😀
 
heech said:
Hey aphasia, how'd you make out on the poker tour! Give us details about sin on the high seas! And are you still working up at Harrah's this spring?

(pjpajamas and I just got back from Vegas. Somebody, anybody, keep me from that cursed craps table for the rest of my life.)

Hey~
My cruise was fun. I was actually dealing cards on the cruise, but hey. I took a vacation AND paid for it (with a little profit). 😎
There was some serious money on the ship...I dealt live games, but they were throwing around $100 chips like nothing..sheesh..give me some!

I am probably going to be at Harveys for a couple more months b/c the WSOP circuit tourney is coming up. AAANYWAYS, I don't wanna hijack the thread.

craps is dangerous! so much fun, though. I usually bet the don't come/pass, so I try to stay quiet...hehe

It's nice to finally see this thread growing!
Can't wait to meet all of ya!
Spyglass condos look really nice..they could be affordable with a roommate.

Anyone get their financial aid package yet??
 
Windbringer1 said:
Yes! Me! I'm from Buffalo, NY.

*So* glad I won't be the only Easterner!
New York City here!
 
umm....ohio..yippee!!
😳
 
Hey everyone,
I haven't posted in a while, b/c I was skiing in Winter Park, Co for spring break. I'm from Illinois, but living in New Orleans for my undergrad right now. Has anyone found other nice apartments in the general area? (I see spyglass looks nice) I'm looking for a roommate too, anyone interested?
 
Ok, I admit that I haven't been accepted to TUCOM yet, but I have been keeping up with this thread anyway. 😀 I do have an interview coming up on May 3rd, which I'm excited about. I applied really late because I didn't really know much about osteopathic philosophy until fairly recently, but once I read up about it, I realized that it was definitely in line with the way I want to practice medicine. Anyway, it's a long shot with the late interview, but I hope it all works out. CONGRATS on your acceptances--this thread makes me want to go to school with all of you.
Any advice for the interview?
 
I drove up to TUCOM last weekend and looked around. I drove through Vallejo, Benicia and out towards Stockton. So I really explored the surrounding area. I got a list of apartments for rent and the first thing I noticed is that there is a good deal of section 8 housing for rent. That might give you a clue as to living conditions in Vallejo. On the other hand, I did see some very nice houses for rent in the marina district (by the school). The rent varied from 1000 to 2000 dollars per month for a house/apartment. (I have a herd so houses are my only option).

It looks like I am going to have to commute from Fremont (about an hour) so I will be living in the library waiting out traffic at night. At least I will have a set time to study each night. Anyway, look forward to meeting everyone. BTW anybody prepping for the fall or am I the only paranoid individual (working on Lippincott’s Biochemistry)????


Old Man
 
oldManDO2009 said:
I drove up to TUCOM last weekend and looked around. I drove through Vallejo, Benicia and out towards Stockton. So I really explored the surrounding area. I got a list of apartments for rent and the first thing I noticed is that there is a good deal of section 8 housing for rent. That might give you a clue as to living conditions in Vallejo. On the other hand, I did see some very nice houses for rent in the marina district (by the school). The rent varied from 1000 to 2000 dollars per month for a house/apartment. (I have a herd so houses are my only option).

It looks like I am going to have to commute from Fremont (about an hour) so I will be living in the library waiting out traffic at night. At least I will have a set time to study each night. Anyway, look forward to meeting everyone. BTW anybody prepping for the fall or am I the only paranoid individual (working on Lippincott’s Biochemistry)????


Old Man
I may be the only slacker out there, but I'm not exactly prepping for the fall. I'm currently finishing my senior year with A/P and cell physiology, but I'm not putting in much effort 🙄 I'm trying to give myself a small break before the fall. I'm sure one day I'll regret my laziness, but I'm living in the moment 😀
 
Hey oldMan, pjpajamas (my gf and reason for posting on this thread) is also from Fremont/Mission area originally.

I didn't want to be pushy.. but since you guys are asking, I'll get over my shyness. 😉 Lemme tell ya about another alternative for you to check out... I've made the drive down the 780 that you made, and it didn't really seem all that great to me, either. pjpajamas and I will be living in Fairfield, which is *east* on the I-80, about 6 miles from the exit to Mare Island. We're in the Cordelia/Green Valley portion of Fairfield, which is a brand spanking new (cow-grazing territory less than 5 years ago) area with lots of convenient shopping, new apartments, and new home developments.

One place we checked out is the Bridgeport Ranch:
http://www.bridgeportranchapartments.com
 
wow, Fremont is pretty far to be living in. I have some family friends that live there and I had the opportunity to visit them while I was up in Northern CA. They drove me up to the Best Western in Vallejo where I stayed the night before my interview. And let me tell you, it was a loooong drive. I wouldn't recommend it for commuting med school students.
 
we are going to try working - well at least my wife well try to work while I am at school. Her job is in Sunnyvale so it would be more convenient for her and daycare. I didn't realize many of you are still in school - I finished pre reqs last year - henceforth my paranoia. I am going to work overtime all summer and maybe one day a week (Saturdays) during school. I am an RN so work won't be a real issue - lots of schedule flexibility.
 
hey heech,

thanks for the info - i appreciate the link. it would be great to live closer to school and be able to hang out a bit more with my classmates (and significant others)!!!

still an old man :laugh:
 
Sure thing! I know veeeeeeeery well the pains of trying to get the commute thing figured out while still keeping the relationship together. Just lucky that we found a half-solution with this.

I'm not sure Fairfield is going to buy you a whole lot if your wife still needs to commute to Sunnyvale! At the very least, try to move to Pleasanton. Cut your commute down to 45 minutes each way, and your wife can take the Altamont commuter train into the South Bay? Or, move to Oakland... you have a 30 minute drive to school, and your wife may be able to take the capitol corridor commuter train?

Spending two hours in the day commuting from Fremont definitely puts any pain I felt about Davis in perspective... I feel for you!
 
2005 match list was just posted on their website! Go to the site and click News, I won't post the link since names are on it. They don't divide between allo/osteo residencies, but it looks pretty good. Seems like half of the people are going to Cali residencies, evidence that if you want to stay in CA, it's better to go to Touro than a different state!
 
There's good "progress" to be seen in the match list. 11 matched into various UC programs this year, versus 7 in 2004, and 5 in 2003. Four matched into UCSF-Fresno (one surgery, 2 peds, 1 IM), versus only a single UCSF-Fresno in each of the past two years. There's also an osteopathic derm match, which is no easy task either. Anesthesiology at UW. And plenty of other matches throughout the Bay Area.

The bottom line: the door is open for anyone that works hard enough to deserve the shot.

PS. Half matched into CA residencies... and don't forget that traditionally, only about half of TUCOM students are CA residents, meaning that not everyone is focused on staying out on the West coast.
 
lots of EM matches - that is good news (for me)! Does anybody have an opinion about doing 3rd and 4th year rotations through TUCOM or finishing those rotations in another state. In Arizona where I recently lived.... AZCOM does not have many (if any) hospital affiliations and the med students end up in private practice doing many of their rotations. I think this is less then optimal - hospital environments provide a certain learning opportunity not found in offices. Now I do not now how they handle the rotations that require hospital time but U of A has one of the teaching hospitals under contract and will not allow DO students (Banner - Samaritan). Most of this information is from a friend of mine that I worked with in the ER who is a MS2 at AZCOM. I know year 2 and 4 are pretty far down the road but I have to make a decision - sell my house in AZ or try and lease it out. I think the lease it out gig may be more problematic then it is worth in the long run. If I do my rotations here and match in another state or CA then I am looking at 8 years and probably just answered my question :idea: ...Anyway any thoughts on rotations????

BTW heech you are a fountain of info - running study groups this fall 😀
 
Is anyone else having trouble figuring out what kind of loans they want and from whom?
I'm pretty sure I'm asking for the most money they can give me.
Medcap seems pretty good..
bleh
 
I chose MedCAP, though I have yet to fill out the online MPN 😳
 
calichik said:
I chose MedCAP, though I have yet to fill out the online MPN 😳
I'm going to sit down this weekend and actually choose my lender, but I've heard T.H.E. is one of the best.
 
have you already completed FAFSA?? I may be way behind the curve here - I called the School and they indicated there was no real hurry...I still have to complete my taxes, freak out about money, run in circles flailing my arms then complete FAFSA and of course apply for loans. :scared:
 
oldManDO2009 said:
have you already completed FAFSA?? I may be way behind the curve here - I called the School and they indicated there was no real hurry...I still have to complete my taxes, freak out about money, run in circles flailing my arms then complete FAFSA and of course apply for loans. :scared:
:laugh:
Aww..don't freak out~
Yah, I did my taxes back in...Feb, I think.
I filled out the FAFSA and my EFC is around 4K. Oh well.
I chose T.H.E....wasn't sure if I was supposed to fill out the MPN with them, or wait for Touro to send me something.

So anyways...is everyone excited yet?
anxious?
I AM!
 
Hey!

That was my 50th post!
 
Congrats to all that are going to Touro. I'll be seeing you guys in August as well. Has anyone done a comparison between MedCap and T.H.E.? I called MedCap, and they do not have any fees attached to their loans. I've looked on the T.H.E. website, and it pretty much mirrors what MedCap offers. Any one else have any input?
 
jubei said:
Congrats to all that are going to Touro. I'll be seeing you guys in August as well. Has anyone done a comparison between MedCap and T.H.E.? I called MedCap, and they do not have any fees attached to their loans. I've looked on the T.H.E. website, and it pretty much mirrors what MedCap offers. Any one else have any input?

After bugging everyone here, I went to the financial aid forum. Most of the people there had good things to say about T.H.E. LECOM also recommends it as their lender b/c they don't capitalize the interest on your loan quarterly.
I ended up choosing them for my lender...since yeah, it was similar to Medcap, but I hadn't heard anything about Medcap..hope this helps!
 
Congrats to all who were accepted to TUCOM _MI......look forward to seeing the new crowd. PM me if you have any questions about housing, financial aid, sports, etc.


later
 
Hey y'all,

pjpajamas asked me (her SDN lackey) to find her a travel-buddy for the summer. She's planning to spend the summer improving her (almost non-existent) Spanish, probably in Costa Rica. There are a few great 'medical spanish' programs out there that lets you get exposure in the clinics while also spending a few weeks on the beach.

Example:
http://www.adventurespanishschool.com/turrialba_campus/med-turr.html

Anyone out there looking for something fun to do before classes start? Costs are typically $1500 or so for a 4 week program. bth, weren't you just in Costa Rica? Tips on a program to choose would also be much appreciated! PM me in private if interested.
 
Hello,

Just wanted to see if anyone can relate to my experience. I am getting a bit frustrated. I chose to apply to osteopathic school because I liked the philosophy and though I'm still on the fence about OMM, I thought it was interesting. Also I really wanted to go to school in this area (N. CA). My grades are not bad (3.4) and I scored above 30 on the MCAT. I chose not to apply to many allopathic schools, and primarily targeted Osteopathic due to interest, primarily in TUCOM-CA. The reason I'm frustrated is because people at work and family assume that I couldn't get in to allopathic and that my test scores must have been low. This is really frustrating and I'm struggling now with figuring out if I'm going to be able to handle people assuming this for the rest of my career. Anyone having similar experience? How handling it?
 
Mufasa01,

Your situation sounds pretty similar to my gf pjpajamas, actually.

I'd venture to guess that you probably haven't worked long, and recently left undergrad? I personally believe this feeling of inadequacy, this fear of not being accepted... it'll all dissipate with the wind once you're out "in the real world" for a few years. For a 21-22 year old just out of college, the only measuring stick that's been used to evaluate your worth for the past 16 years of your life has probably been: grades and school. What separates a 21 year old from the other 5 million people in the same age range if it's not GPA, SAT scores, MCAT scores, and/or school of attendence? Ever noticed that on SDN, its often the pre-meds (or even high-schoolers) that debate GPA, MCATs, and academic credentials most ferociously? Far more ferociously than anyone I ever knew in grad school, that's for sure.

The truth is... it just won't matter, 10 years from now. The residents on SDN's specialty forums rarely name-drop about the institutions they attended. You'll be judged on standards that are far more meaningful (but no less harsh). You'll be judged on the basis of your doctoring *skills*, your experience, your ability to work with your clients/patients/teammates/bosses, the amount of money you make/the amount of influence you have.

Going to an osteopathic school will close some doors to you. If your goals are academic in nature, if you want to stay forever in the ivory tower of academic... then credentials are definitely more important; your CV defines everything you are as a person in that world. Similarly, if you want to specialize in allopathic neurosurgery, the DO degree will be a major disadvantage.

But maybe that's the difference between someone further down their professional career and a recent college grad... those of us further along are used to doors "being closed" on us. Every day that passes, some door closes on us. The trick isn't to mourn the uninteresting opportunities becoming unavailable to us ... the trick is to *take* full advantage of the opportunities that we care about.

I'd suggest you pick up a business or trade journal. Google the names of the people you read about, learn from the "successful people" in the real world. Understand that the wealthiest and most influential people in northern California often don't have degrees from Harvard or MIT; they have degrees from places like Santa Clara University, UOP, McGeorge, Fresno State. They're not separated from their peers on the basis of their degrees; they're separated on the basis of their accomplishments later in life. That, to me, is far more meaningful.

There's no doubt that TUCOM will give you the skills and opportunity to become a great doctor, and to succeed in medicine. And if you seize that opportunity, I *guarantee* everyone in your life will celebrate your success.
 
Very well said heech 👍

heech said:
You'll be judged on standards that are far more meaningful (but no less harsh). You'll be judged on the basis of your doctoring *skills*, your experience, your ability to work with your clients/patients/teammates/bosses, the amount of money you make/the amount of influence you have.

...They're not separated from their peers on the basis of their degrees; they're separated on the basis of their accomplishments later in life. That, to me, is far more meaningful.
I agree
 
You know, I've thought a lot about this too. I went to a very prestigous undergrad place, so I know what its like to impress everybody just by saying the name of your school. And now that I'm going to Touro I know what its like to get the "Where's that?" look.

The really important deep truth to this issue is hard to swallow . . . It just don't matter at all.

Some people will have their little reaction. But you know, they WILL get over it. It's petty and ridiculous. It will go away. Just move on and do your thing.

This may sound curt, but its the truth.

🙂
 
I love to make random posts..here's one.

I was dealing cards to a guy who tried to hit on me by making sure I knew he was a orthopedic Dr.
Turns out he's a DO who went to NSUCOM. Never heard of TUCOM.
His words of wisdom: Make sure you know your manipulation, it's a good thing to know.

He was a dork..hehe
:laugh:

Have a good one all. Congrats!!
 
aphasia said:
I love to make random posts..here's one.

I was dealing cards to a guy who tried to hit on me by making sure I knew he was a orthopedic Dr.
Turns out he's a DO who went to NSUCOM. Never heard of TUCOM.
His words of wisdom: Make sure you know your manipulation, it's a good thing to know.

He was a dork..hehe
:laugh:

Have a good one all. Congrats!!

so did you give him your number? 😉

the costa rica trip seems cool, but i don't have 1.5g's lying around. i was pretty sure i saw a med spanish elective on tucom's site so that should be a viable alternative for those interested but broke.

anybody get recruited by the military for the hsps program?
 
Thanks heech and bth7. The ego really is a funny thing. I know why I chose Osteopathy, I just need to have the inner strengh to not worry about those who make assumptions. It's really about maturing. I am 27 now but still have a lot of growth to do. I need to remember its not about trying to get into places just because they are hard to get into, its about going to a place that suits you best. bth7 your totally rite about the deep truth to the issue, its the type of person who can realize that that I so look forward to having as a classmate.
 
Mufasa01 said:
Thanks heech and bth7. The ego really is a funny thing. I know why I chose Osteopathy, I just need to have the inner strengh to not worry about those who make assumptions. It's really about maturing. I am 27 now but still have a lot of growth to do. I need to remember its not about trying to get into places just because they are hard to get into, its about going to a place that suits you best. bth7 your totally rite about the deep truth to the issue, its the type of person who can realize that that I so look forward to having as a classmate.

after reading what I just wrote I realized it sounds like I'm implying TUCOM CA is easy to get into. Thats not what I meant, I do know it is very competitive and that admissions are based on much more than MCAT and gpa.
 
ok, so once again plans have changed...now we are looking for something closer to school and will be looking at fairfield..heech we might be neighbors. I realized the futility of trying to drive an hour plus each way and studying a bazillion hours a week. So my wife is going to quit her job and we are going to enjoy top ramen more often :laugh:

The DO stigma - I have worked with so many doctors over the years and NO ONE looks to see if you are an MD or a DO - they just hope that you know what the heck you are doing! I talked with a NURSE last night who had no idea what a DO was and when I stated Doctor of Osteopathy I got the understanding oh your not going to "doctor school" look - after I explained what a DO was (this is exhausting) she had the :idea: look..she was a NURSE! So don't expect people to immediately recognize the DO - med school connection and frankly I would not put a lot of effort into it...when you are "doctoring" what matters is that you do a great job taking care of your patients because they completely trust that you have their best interest in mind when they are sick and holding on to a lot a fear about what comes next. I need to stop - this may turn into a verbal hostage situation ... :laugh:
 
Hey everyone... I just interviewed at Touro-MI on monday. I've been lurking around, and i just wanted to throw in a penny or two of opinion on living in the area. My brother & his family live in Fairfield, I stayed at their place Sunday night and drove to Touro on Mon. morning. With a BUNCH of traffic (about 3 miles of 10mph due to rubberneckers gawking at an accident in the EAST-bound lanes! GRRRR!) it still only took 42min to get from the N.Texas on ramp (east side of Fairfield) to the parking lot at Touro.

Long story short, the commute is probably more like 30min under normal conditions, and the commute is EASY. Maybe I'm just used to malfunctioning las vegas drivers, but I thought it was a straight-forward and fast commute!

Best of luck to everyone... I can see that the great attitudes of the students I observed on Monday will be continued with the upcoming class, provided this thread is any indication. 😀

I was trying to do some internet research... have they already built apartments (not assoc. w/ the college, privately built) apartments/condos on the island, or are they indicating that they PLAN to build them... and if so, when? I went to www.discovermareisland.com (per all the billboards on I80) and it was a pretty and pretty-vague website?
 
coverme i like you public profile i don't think my gcs is 15 at this point :laugh:
 
ha!!! that's pre-application data!!! Just remember, "Less than Eight? Intubate!"
 
CoverMe, like you said, traffic coming from Fairfield *can* be pretty bad if you're coming from the downtown area. The 80-680-12 interchange is just a zoo, and accidents are probably more common than not!

That's why if anyone wants to be wise and live in style like oldMan and I... be sure to look in the "Green Valley" area of Fairfield (Cordelia)! You miss *all* of the traffic on the 80. Door-to-door, 20 minutes (especially once highway 37 is fixed up).

And you asked about Mare Island apartments... my understanding is: don't hold your breath. The plans are there, they've been approved, but Lennar is going to take its time building up all of that infrastructure. It definitely won't be done in time for this school year, and I'd say most likely not for next year either.

(I gotta say I'm a little nervous that your wife is quitting her job and you're selling your house on account of *MY* advice, oldMan! 😛 I'm not licensed to give that kind of life-altering advice. But I'm definitely rootin' for ya guys, and we're happy to babysit!)
 
heech said:
CoverMe, like you said, traffic coming from Fairfield *can* be pretty bad if you're coming from the downtown area. The 80-680-12 interchange is just a zoo, and accidents are probably more common than not!

My memory of the area must be fading (i grew up in NorCal)... Cordelia is south of the 80... so you have surface streets, then you still get on the 80 to get down to vallejo... right?????????? wrong!?!?!???
 
CoverMe said:
My memory of the area must be fading (i grew up in NorCal)... Cordelia is south of the 80... so you have surface streets, then you still get on the 80 to get down to vallejo... right?????????? wrong!?!?!???
Nope, your memory's just fine, you're right that you still have to get on the 80. (The only alternative would be going cross-country, dodging cows along the way.)

The area I'm talking about is just basically the southwestern tip of Fairfield, which manages to avoid all of the traffic of 680/12. This segment of 80, starting from Green Valley Road, is pedal-to-the-metal all the way to Vallejo in both directions at any time of the commute.
 
heech said:
Nope, your memory's just fine, you're right that you still have to get on the 80. (The only alternative would be going cross-country, dodging cows along the way.)
QUOTE]

Dashing thru the delta, on my lit-tle quarter horse,
o'er the fields i go, laughing all the way (ha, ha, ha!)

tee hee hee!! That's it, if i get in, i'm living in cordelia and riding my horse to school! :laugh:

pedal to the metal is good... i drove from LV to SF on sunday in 9 1/2 hours. All I have to say is... my civic is faster than it looks!
 
I have 4 days off from the donut factory - I plan on driving up 80 to fairfield and checking out the drive and housing.

Nullus est instar domus (for coverme) :laugh:
 
Mufasa, I wouldn't worry about the prestige issue. If you want to care for patients as a physician that is all that matters. D.O.s and M.D.s work side by side as equals. If your concentrated on being the best doctor you can be that is what will count. The only thing I am a little worried about is the amount of debt I will have (I'm doing it all with loans, no family cont). I know that I'll be able to pay that off living cheap for the first several years though.
 
oldManDO2009 said:
Nullus est instar domus (for coverme) :laugh:

Yes DOrothy... you have some ruby slippers too? 😀

I was a few min. early to the interview day, so i walked over to the basic sciences bldg and looked at the bulletin board... lots and lots of little houses in vallejo for rent, and it was mentioned that the school frequently gets contacted by real estate and property mgmt companies who WANT to rent to their students.

Although it's a lot easier to plan ahead to rent in some of the big complexes, renting a small house may actually be more affordable. If you know the company or person is looking to rent to a medical student who is going to be present for at least 2 years, and will be quiet and responsible, the rent may be somewhat negotiable. Depending on how many houses are available, you may want to try to play that card.

I say this because a close friend owns/operates a property management company on the central coast, and she's ALWAYS looking for a "perfect tennant" and will actually contact the owners and approach them with the idea of a decreased rent on such (rare) occasions. Mind you, that also results in a lower commission (usually 10% of rental reciepts) for the manager, so it really depends on who you're dealing with.

No way that's going to happen with a large apartment complex, and if you want to plan on where you're moving months in advance, then the complexes are probably what you want to consider.

i'm probably jinxing the hell out of my application by even posting on this thread, so consider me a lurker until the 22nd! 😀
 
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