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[ez073323]

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I would give my left kidney for an interview at Touro, but I haven't heard anything since I completed my supplemental application in June. Does anyone have any words of encouragement?? A close friend of my interviewed on 12/4/02 and was accepted last week. He informed me that approximately 400 interviews are granted approximately 200 acceptances, 100 of which are given before 01/01/2003, and 100 of which are given after the first.. Is that true?? What are my chances of scoring an interview and is there anything I can do to improve my chances?? I do have an interview at Western/COMP on 1/21/03, but my wife is a first year at McGeorge law school in Sacramento, I have worked in Vallejo as an EMT, and I have very stong ties to the community that I would like to continue to strengthen..

Any words of encouragement of advise woulld help..

Thanks,
Brian
[email protected]

 

[Doctor Peloncito]

Originally posted by ez073323
I would give my left kidney for an interview at Touro, but I haven't heard anything since I completed my supplemental application in June. Does anyone have any words of encouragement?? A close friend of my interviewed on 12/4/02 and was accepted last week. He informed me that approximately 400 interviews are granted approximately 200 acceptances, 100 of which are given before 01/01/2003, and 100 of which are given after the first.. Is that true?? What are my chances of scoring an interview and is there anything I can do to improve my chances?? I do have an interview at Western/COMP on 1/21/03, but my wife is a first year at McGeorge law school in Sacramento, I have worked in Vallejo as an EMT, and I have very stong ties to the community that I would like to continue to strengthen..

Any words of encouragement of advise woulld help..

Thanks,
Brian
[email protected]

My only suggestion would possibly be to write a letter of intent to Don Haight at Touro. Give him any info that wasn't on the secondary. He is the interview god at Touro, bow to him.

Russell

 

[ez073323]

Thank you for the advise.. I think I will email him after the holidays... I have read on other threads that people have interviews scheduled toward the end of January, so I wonder how good (or should I say poor) my chances are to interview...

Anymore hints, advise or info will be appreciated..

Thanks,
Brian
[email protected]

 

[docpetey]

I know that a lot of the time, the 1st half of the interview season is given preference to those applicants who live close to a given school. After submitting my AACOMAS application, I immediately had interviews from schools near my college (midwest) and schools near my permanent residence (southwest). But for some reason, I did not have any interview offers from schools (east coast & south).

I contacted a few of those schools and learned that they place applicants close in vicinity on a higher priority than those applicants who are located further away geographically. I contated the Erie school and the admissions counselor explained this to me, but she said that if I told her that I had a sincere interest in the school than my priority would be raised. So what am I trying to say? Call or write TUCOM and tell them that you realize that you have a sincere interest and you'd like to know your status for an interview. Hope that helps...best of luck to you!

 

[docpetey]

Ooops, I'm sorry...I didn't realize that you live in the area. Nevertheless, you should contact them and ask them the status of your application and when an interview will be offered. I think they even mark down on your file that you're really interested. Sorry about the unhelpful post...Good luck!

 

[ez073323]

maysqrd and docpetery, thank you so much for the comforting advise. I will be writing Dr. Haight an email after the first of the year. A close friend of mine is a second year that Touro, and although I would have liked to send an email today because it was my understanding that the admissions committee would be meeting this week, we came to the conclusion that an email after the holidays might be more effective because Dr. Haight and the rest of the committee members probably have the end of the semester and the holidays on their minds.

Nonetheless, I still am willing to offer my left kidney for the chance to interview and convey the contribution I can make to the TUCOM community..

Many of you are probably wondering why I regard TUCOM so highly, and my reasons are as follows:

1)Location: My wife and I recently bought a house in Sacramento, where she is a first year law student at McGeorge Law School. Western University has extended an interview to me for 1/21, and my wife has already offered to quit McGeorge and start anew in SoCal if I get in, but our ties are so strong in the Northern California area, that I feel staying in NorCal will help make me a better student

2)Age of school: Touro is reletively new, and I really enjoy developing growing programs. I have helped with the establishment of CPR programs, premedical organizations, and emergency medical companies in surrounding counties, and I would love to contribute to the TUCOM community.

3)Proximity to my alma mater UC Davis: I would like to continue and develop outreach with UC Davis as well as the community colleges of Northern California, so that osteopathy becomes more understiid and accepted..

I could gone on and on about why Touro, but unforetunately I havent had the chance to tell the appropriate people....

Thanks again for everyones help..

Brian
[email protected]

 

[DrZippy2b]

I don't think you should wait until after the New Year. I think you should just email him now. Everyday you wait is another day lost. The admission dept at TUCOM is really second to none. If you feel uncomfortable about emailing the Dean first, you should consider emailing Steve Davis (who works in admissions). Ask him for advice and tell him your situation. You may also ask him what other information you could also send. Remember to be ultra polite and thank him for his time (especially during admissions season).

Seriously though, you need to show them that you are being proactive.

I wish you the best of luck. Let us know what you decide.

-Zippy

 

[ez073323]

Zippy, thank you for the advise.. I have drafted an email to send to Dr. Haight, but I have found it difficult to convey my desire to attend TUCOM without sounding desperate or anxious, although desperation and anxoiusness are perfectly appropriate words to describe how I feel..

If anyone has any suggestions on how I should address Dr. Haight, I would appreciate it..

What I have so far just expresses my desire to attend TUCOM and my worry with respect that I havent gotten any feeback since the submission of my supplemental application back in June. Steven Davis and Lynn Huckle havent been particularly helpful.. the only info they have been able to give me is that my file is complete and I will recieve coorespondence by mail once the admissions committee makes a decision.. no time frames have been given to me.. Since my initial supplemental application submission, i have updated my file with new letters of rec and a revised supplemental app, but still no word with respect to their interest in me...

oh, the stress of it all..

thank you all again..

Brian
[email protected]

 

[ez073323]

I just noticed that I have mispelled the word "advice" every single time I typed it... Other than being unable to distiguish between "advise" and "advice," I will make an awesome osteopath someday...

Brian

 

[dogirl]

I'd email either the dean or Steve (he's been really helpful to me) now. I scheduled my interview about 2 weeks ago and they were already up to the middle/end of Feb with available dates. Good Luck!

 

[ez073323]

Thank you everyone for all the help so far... Below is a draft of what I am going to email to Dr. Haight.. does any one have any suggestions, additions, or subtractions??

Thanks,
Brian


Dear Dr. Haight,

I am writing to inquire about my continued consideration for the class of 2007. I submitted my primary application very early in the application cycle and completed my supplemental application soon after (6/14/2002). I have not received any correspondence since then and am sincerely afraid that I will not be considered for an interview this application year. Attached is my most current supplemental application, personal statement and resume for your review. I have been involved in the medical community throughout my undergraduate career and all of my experiences to date have been aimed toward the possible admission to medical school.

I have taken several tours of your school, spent an extended amount of time with current second year student, Randy Flores, and have thoroughly researched the opportunities available to me at your school. From this continued research, combined with the fact that my wife is a first year law student at the McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, I wholeheartedly believe that Touro is an ideal, if not perfect fit for me. Moreover, I know that given the opportunity I could be a huge contribution to your medical school.

I hope I have been able to convey my genuine desire to attend your university and look forward to your reply.

Respectfully,

Brian Enriquez

 

[DrZippy2b]

I might add to the end "Thank you for further consideration of my application. I look forward to hearing your decision soon."

Just a thought.

 

[ez073323]

I just wanted to thank everyone, especially DrZippy2b, dogirl, docpetey, WannabeDO, and maysqrd for the continued encouragement and advice. I emailed Dr. Haight today and I will update everyone when I get a response.

Thanks again and if there is anything I can contribute to help, just ask..

I currently work for UC Davis in the Life Flight Program, and anyone that is EMT certified can participate in our fly-along program.. Emergency medicine is great!

I also am a CPR instructor, so if anyone needs that certification, I would be more than happy to help out...

I live in Sacramento, but I would have no problem going out of my way to help anyone out, since this site has helped me out so much...


Thanks again everyone..

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[mcwmark]

Hey Brian-

I was ez041... back in the day. Unfortunately I can't answer any specific questions about Touro, but if you have any questions about medical school, residency, yadda in general, I'd be happy to help a fellow Aggie.

Now only if UCDMC will take me as a resident 🙂

 

[ez073323]

mcwmark,

I started at UCD the last year that they assigned ez numbers... everone's id's is now initials and last names.. I was pretty sad the day they turned off my [email protected] email off.

The UC Davis medical center is an awesome teaching facility.. I am really lucky to work so itimately with the best of the best here at the area's only level one trauma center. If/When I get into Touro, I hope to esablish a close(r) relationship between TUCOM and UCDMC.

Go Aggies, Kings, and Niners!

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[maysqrd]

Aggies, Kings, Niners.....??? Go Athletics!

My husband had one requirement for medical school. Which ever school I attended had to be within one hour of an american league ballpark! Now we get to keep our season tickets for at least another four years! Mulder, Hudson, Zito..... can't get enough of those guys.

 

[ez073323]

I received a response from Dr. Haight today.. I am far less discouraged now that he will "will see what I can do at Thursday's meeting" (referencing the Thursday meeting of TUCOM's admissions committee)... I now pray for the best and prepare for the possibility that I may get to plead my case as to why I would make an excellent addition to the already strong Touro community.. Anyone who has interviewed at Touro in the last two week should hear back very soon, as from what I have read and talked about, the admssions committee is very good about a quick turnaround between committee decisions and the disclosure of the decisions...

Good Luck to all of you and Thank you again everyone!

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[mass51]

Brian - did you know that Dr. Haight is an avid SDNer?? I interviewed a little while back and he mentioned quite a few times that he frequently reads posts about Touro and the comments on the interview feedback section. Just wanted to forewarn you, particularly where your name is on your posts, that he may be watching!! Good luck this year and don't give up!!

 

[ez073323]

mass51,

No, I didn't know... Thanks for the heads up!

Brian

 

[DrZippy2b]

Somehow, I am really not surprised. He is really awesome. Right before we went into our interview, he gave us a pep talk. I am sure he does that for all the interviewees... but it was nice nevertherless. It's really refreshing to see someone who really enjoys what they are doing.


By the way, I caught the last minute of the Kings game last night... nothing like watching them beat the Lakers (sorry if any of you are Laker fans). I think my in-laws (who aren't really basketball fans) were surprised because we were all excited and wouldn't let them change the channel... with all the traveling around for holidays we've been doing, this was the first time we got to see Bibby suited up!

 

[ez073323]

Kings win baby, Kings win!

Can you believe that the Maloofs paid $30,000 for their four courtside seats??!!

I would be withholding the truth if I didn't say that one of my dream jobs would be that of team doctor for the greatest basketball team, the Sacramento Kings!! (or for the 49ers or the Athletics or the Giants!)

Happy Holidays everyone!

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[ez073323]

WannabeDO, docpetey, DrZippy2b, dogirl, mcwmark, maysqrd, mass51, cocoNUT, uclamendoza, bhambra, Forensic Chick, and anyone else I am missing...

Thank you all so much for your input and great advice.. With all of your help, I have been awarded an interview at my first choice, TUCOM!!
My interview is scheduled for 3/4/02, so until then I will be doing everything I can to prepare myself for this final hurdle... Any and all advise and/or tips for interview day would be greatly appreciated... Does the application process ever get less stressful?

Thank you again everyone, and if there is anything I can do to give back to all of you that have helped me out so much, please just ask.

Have a great 2003 everyone!

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[Forensic Chick]

Brian,

Congrats on your interview!! I'm really glad to hear that it finally worked out for you.

Just one more step!!! 😉

-Michelle-

 

[mcwmark]

Hey Congratulations on the interview!

If you want to read something in preparation for your interview, you can browse through Iverson's Getting into a residency, which has sections on different careers in medicine as well as a very helpful residency interview question database (i.e. what to say when they ask you a certain question). Although it's designed for residency type questions, many of the answers can apply as well to medical school. I believe that the pre-health office (It used to be in North hall) has a copy of the book.

Wear a dark blue or grey suit.
No cologne.
No extraneous jewelry.
Comb your hair.
Make sure the breath is fresh.
Firm handshake.
And come across exactly like you've done in this forum, and I'm sure you will do very well.

If you have any specific questions, or how I would answer specific questions, feel free to ask!

mark

 

[cocoNUT]

WAHHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I know how much you've wanted this!!! Congratulations!!!

 

[sean]

Brian, congratulations and good luck. I also hope to interview at TOURO so maybe I will see you there. Sean.

 

[ez073323]

sean, cocoNUT, mcwmark, Forensic Chick, and anyone else I am missing,

Thank you all for all the words of encouragement. I will be thinking of all of you and all the help that has been given to me when interview day comes..

I have been diligently preparing for my big day.. In fact, I have coordinated a dinner and lunch meeting with current applicants and current students to continue preparation..

sean, I noticed that you are in SF.. tomorrow night, Monday, 1/6/02, at 5:00pm at the In-n-Out at Davis, I will be having dinner with some applicants/med students, and you (as well as anyone else that would like to join) are welcome to join us.. I apologize for the short notice.. if you can't make tomorrow, I will be touring the school on 1/14/02 (11:00AM, Vallejo), and have scheduled a lunch for saturday, 1/18/02(also to be in Vallejo), and if you are available and interested, please join us! (that invitation is open to everyone!)

Good luck to all and if there is anything I can do, just ask!

Go niners!!

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[ez073323]

Just wanted to update any interested individuals...

i and several applicants, Touro medical students, and a Touro PA/MPH student will be having dinner at the Chevy's in Vallejo on Firday, 1/17/03 at 830pm. Please join if you are available and/or intersted in what looks to be an awesome opportunity to learn more about my top choice school and the application process in general..

Have a great weekend everyone!

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[Dr Sum Day]

Originally posted by ez073323
Just wanted to update any interested individuals...

i and several applicants, Touro medical students, and a Touro PA/MPH student will be having dinner at the Chevy's in Vallejo on Firday, 1/17/03 at 830pm. Please join if you are available and/or intersted in what looks to be an awesome opportunity to learn more about my top choice school and the application process in general..

Have a great weekend everyone!

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

That's funny you mentioned Chevy's in Vallejo. My brother-in-law lives around the corner from there. I may be moving to the area soon.

 

[ez073323]

this was the first discussion thread that I started/contributed to on SDN, and from this beginning, I have had the honor and privilege to contact and meet a tremendous population of people; people who have demonstrated an altruistic spirit which is essential in the field we have chosen to be a part of. I just wanted to thank everyone for all your help, for i seriously doubt i would be the applicant that i am hadn't been for all of your help.

WannabeDO, docpetey, DrZippy2b, dogirl, mcwmark, maysqrd, Forensic Chick, cocoNUT, sean, dpw68, Elysium, uclamendoza, PreMedAdAg, Luwi25, Glorytaker, rose13, bhambram and anyone else i am forgetiing....Thank you so much! I hope to deliver good news to all of you soon!

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[tess]

For Brian and the folks with upcoming TUCOM interviews, I just wanted to say good luck! I have been accepted and hope to see you all in the fall. I made a second visit recently, as I was fortunate to have the decision between multiple schools and was able to meet several professors, who of course made me look forward to atttending school there all the more. It is a great place and I hope everyone will just be able to relax and be themselves. As you've heard before almost all questions come from your application and group dynamics are important. Feel free to pm me if you have more questions I can help with.

 

[Dr Sum Day]

24 Mar 03 = Touro interview 😀 I'm excited!

now is 18 Mar 03 😉

 

[maysqrd]

Congrats on the interview!!

 

[Dr Sum Day]

Originally posted by maysqrd
Congrats on the interview!! [/QUOTE

Thank you very much. It was a nice surprise after driving 26 hours from San Antonio, TX to Vallejo, CA. I had two 2-hr naps; hmmm probably like being an intern/resident. 🙂

Those darn bugs on I-5 splattered my windshield and the windshield washer fluid cld not dissolve the bug juice. Windex with ammonia took care of it. 😛

 

[ez073323]

To any and all who are interested and/or would be willing to come and contribute their perspective...

i am putting together a little lunch for a person who is interviewing at Touro this Tuesday... So far, I couple acceptees, a low waitlister, the interviewee, and a first year will be there.. anyone else who is interested in attending to get/contribute info and swap med school applicaton stories, just email me and i will give you the low down...

It looks like it will be this Saturday in vallejo around lunch time...

That's it...

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[ez073323]

Everyone,

It is 4:38AM and I am sitting at work and reflecting on the crazy experience that we call the application process and I just wanted to thank everyone for being so helpful and awesome. Through this website I have become a much stronger, more educated applicant, but most importantly, I got to meet some really cool people, which is basically the reason I want to practice medicine. It's not looking good for me with respect to starting school in Aug, but I will keep my sights set high, if not for me, then at least for all you that have helped me along the way...

Thanks again everyone! (and as usual, tips on how to get into Touro or Western are always welcome!)

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[sean]

Hi Brian. I know that Dr Haight said that quite a lot of the waitlist often get accepted to the year they are waitlisted for but if not many more get a pre-acceptance for the following year without having to do ACOMAS or any of that again so you are in a strong place. However, I believe that the omm club will be putting on a series of lectures again this summer and they might be worth attending. You would get to experience some OMM (possibly but liability is an issue so you may just have to observe) meet some more registered students and meet the faculty. That way if you get to know the faculty perhaps one of them would be willing to write you a letter of reference should you have to apply again. I don't know the email address of the organizers but I believe the email for thye omm club is on TOURO's website. I attended last year and intend to this year also, it was very interesting. Good luck. Sean.

 

[ez073323]

sean,

thanks for the info...

considering I am on the low waitlist, I think it is fair to say that I will not be at Touro this August... the fact that the ad com does not meet until after school starts to decide on early accept for 2008 is biggest point of contention for me... I would pay a year's tuition to get an answer from them sooner versus say accepting Western in the next few months, moving down there, then getting a call from Touro saying "we have a spot if you want it..." What would I do then?? Take the offer because that is the school i have been working so hard for, right!? (eventhough I will have most likely already quit my job and what about my wife??) No.. I would go to Western because I have committed to them and there is just a world of opportunity for me and my wife, who was once pre-vet, right??

I mean I even have been requested to start mentoring again, but I don't know if I can since if I don't know if I will be around... so many considerations, so many things out of my control...the stress of the way things have turned out does keep me up at night but in the end all I can do is smile, and brainstorm, and keep on keepin on (and browse sdn, of course!)...

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[ez073323]

and everyone please congratulate dpw68...

He interviewed today and I hope he gets in!!

Way to go Dave!

Brian

 

[maysqrd]

I keep trying to fit it in my schedule to get down to the island during the week to tour the housing. Shantel said that we can take a look anytime that she is available. If/When I am able to get down there in the next week, I will take my digital camera and click a few shots for all of you that are interested in what on campus housing looks like.

 

[sean]

IF you get into Western and your wife is willing to move with you then go because at the end of the day you will be a doctor. However, if you don't get in to Western or your wife really wants to finish her Law degree in Sac then perhaps getting accepted into the 2008 class at TOURO is a good thing. If you don't get accepted into 2007 class then it is definitly very probable from what we heard from Dr Haight. An extra year might seem terrible right now but you could make good use of it by making some money and/or gaining experience that will make you a better Osteo student when you get in. Iam 38 so I know what waiting an extra few years is like. Good luck whatever happens and hopefully I will see you this August.

 

[deebee]

Hey Sean. It's nice to see more applicants with more life experience than the typical. It makes the class more diverse and whole. Where did you do your undergraduate work?

 

[catullus39]

Hey Sean, I am also happy to see a fellow older cat in the class! Im 39 and also local (Oaktown). FYI i was waitlisted last year and came oh so close but alas had to wait another year for a seat. I figured, Oh well, when you have waited as long as i have whats one more year? Hang in there Brian! Touro let me know the first week of class that they accepted me for 2007.

Lee

 

[ez073323]

catullus39 and sean,

I would love nothing more than to be accepted into Touro's class of 2008. In fact, if/when Touro says, "Brian, we would like to extend to you a seat in the Class of 2008" I will probably breakdown and cry, whether they tell me this news tomorrow, next month (tears of joy) or in August (tears of frustration). I say this because I see so many good things happening if I knew of my status at Touro sooner than later; I would be able to committ to mentoring again. I would have a renewed fervor to help my premed fraternity. I would sleep well at night. As it is now, I have 5 months of of restless nights because the possibility of getting accepted at one school, quitting my job where I make a difference, and moving away from what is now home only to get word back from Touro that they have a seat for me is becoming more and more possible.

And don't get me wrong... As upset as I might get, as upset as I might sound, I am so thankful for everything that I have, because it could be worse (but not much😉) I really just wish Touro would be willing to make a decision on me sooner than later, but as it stands, such a decision is unlikely.

Nonetheless, I am going to keep on forging ahead... I will keep on organizing dinners for people that that think they would benefit from a meeting with current applicants, medical students, and waitlisters like me. I ill keep on posting on SDN looking for tips and hints. Whether my hard work will be award, only time will tell...

That's it for now!!

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[sean]

Hi Deebee. I am finishing up my undergrad at CAL Berkeley. I am an Integrative Biology major but this final semester I am mostly concentrating on working in the training room as a student athletic trainer at CAL. I hope to take my certification exam in June to complete a 1500 hour internship. I have to say sports med is where it is at. I hope to get a sports med club going at TOURO and I know that CAL will be happy to provide some experience opportunities for osteo studnets who are interested. I know med school will be tough but there has to be a little time for outside interests. What do you think of trying to meet over the summer for a bbq with anyone who is interested? Sean.

 

[sean]

DPw68. Good luck. I will keep my fingers crossed for you also. Sean.

 

[Macken]

Whew. I thought I would be the only one 35+ starting at TUCOM.

I'll be 37 when we start there in August. That's one of the things I really like about osteopathic medicine: the appreciation for diverse backgrounds and life experiences.

Can't wait to meet everybody...sounds like we've got a lot of different people with a lot of different backgrounds!

Ken

 

[ez073323]

Catallus39,

Would you be so kind as to reveal what part (high, med, or low) of the waitlist you were on?? Has anyone from the low waitlist been picked up and/or offered a seat into the next years class?

Brian Enriquez
[email protected]

 

[catullus39]

Brian,
I was rated a medium. I was told that in recent years they got into the mediums. I was contacted the week before 2006 class started, asking if i would be able to start if a seat opened up,(guess I was on the bubble at that point.) I was later told that this was the first year in the last five they didnt get through all the highs. Hopefully this year will be different. I have been following your posts for a while and am hopeful to see you in august. FYI,I didnt choose to add anything to my file once I was waitlisted, i just chilled.

 

[supergirl71720]

Hey Sean, how are you at organizing intramural teams??! I'd love to get some sport clubs going...at the very least just some friendly pick-up games between, oh, say the awesome class of 2007 and the other classes!
Anyone else out there up for some good ol' fun sports? Hey, we'll definitely need the break AND exercise, and as we all know it's a great way to get the endorphins reved!

PS: Since the med school is still the only campus on the island for this year, we have the gym and other sport facilities all to ourselves....we should take advantage of it!

~Supergirl 🙂