TUCOM - NV Discussion thread 2007-2008

[pem8erly]

Our rotations are mostly outpatient. We rotate with specific doctors and some of them work more in the hospital setting and others in private clinics. Overall, the majority of rotations are in private clinics.

It may also sound like we get a lot of electives, and it's probably due to 2 reasons. 1. We do our rotations through a lot of subspecialties. If you're doing IM, you could be working with a cardiologist, a GI specialist, for surgery it could be plastic, cardiovascular, ortho, etc. 2. many students have taken it upon themselves to schedule rotations (electives and core) and therefore are able to work with doctors in specialties that they are interested in. This takes some pressure off of the clinical education office in trying to find a spot for everyone.

If you're seriously considering attending this school, please come with the understanding that it is a young school. The administration will change things and institute new policies in hopes of making a better school. That being said, it is very idealistic to believe that the students will have any significant input in those changes. This has been an issues for almost every class so far and I doubt that it will change in the near future.

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[Hypoglossal]

Officially, this is my very first post. I just signed up tonight on sdn. It seems like there are some pretty helpfull discussions that go on in these forums, and I am happy to join.

I just sent my secondary in and got invited to interview. I am looking to prepare for it, would anybody who has interviewed at TUCOM NV be willing to share some of the questions they were asked during their interview.

Or, perhaps you could direct me to where I could find these answers if they have already been given in previous posts.

Thanks

 

[hanky1982]

check on the interview feedback thread. It is located at the top of the screen under "databases"

this should provide a lot of help

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

I just got an interview invite about 7 hours ago.. so strange on a Saturday night! I will probably pick the 1/15 interview date.

 

[Steiner]

I applied there last year, didn't attend and didn't get any of the money back from my deposit. Does anyone know when that policy began? I could use $1800 right now. It's either that or an emergency loan to pay two months of rent.

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

So.. for I know Touro is a jewish based institiution and I wrote how I thought it was important to attend a religiously based school.. do they only want jewish people at their school because i am not.. but i am christian.. sooo anyone go there or accepted there can tell me?

 

[superfan56]

i don't think they care. I haven't met a jewish person that has attended touro. Almost all my friends that have gone to a touro college isn't jewish.

 

[Shaniqua14]

As Touro is a Jewish based institution, I found it rather amusing during my interview that the largest religious population at the college is Mormon. That stems from the location of Touro-NV being near Utah. Oh, and along with the large percentage of mormons-- there is about 60-70 percent males that attend the school.

Frankly, Touro could care less what religion you follow, if any at all. The school only differs from other med schools in that you get off for Jewish holidays, and all food they serve has to be kosher.

So.. for I know Touro is a jewish based institiution and I wrote how I thought it was important to attend a religiously based school.. do they only want jewish people at their school because i am not.. but i am christian.. sooo anyone go there or accepted there can tell me?

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

As Touro is a Jewish based institution, I found it rather amusing during my interview that the largest religious population at the college is Mormon. That stems from the location of Touro-NV being near Utah. Oh, and along with the large percentage of mormons-- there is about 60-70 percent males that attend the school.

Frankly, Touro could care less what religion you follow, if any at all. The school only differs from other med schools in that you get off for Jewish holidays, and all food they serve has to be kosher.

great! thanks for the info

 

[box29]

Although Touro Nevada is the only medical school that's physically in Vegas, UNSOM (Reno) send half their students down to rotate at the hospitals. We don't really have affiliations with hospital directly. It is more that we rotate with specific doctors and some of whom work more in the hospital setting and others in private clinics.

Actually we are affilated with Valley Hospital directly as TUNCOM serves as the sponsor for the OPTI of Valley Hospital for the residencies.

http://www.valleyhospital.net/index.php?PageID=310
http://opportunities.osteopathic.or...program_id=162639&hosp_id=162629&returnPage=1

It is true that you will have various outpatient experiences in other rotations in which your preceptor may have privileges at other hospitals in the area. Some may purely be outpatient and some mixed with out and inpatient experiences. As part of the inaugural class, I believe that my clinical education has been quite thorough. Yes, perhaps there could be more inpatient experience but that too could be hit or miss. In my experiences at other teaching hospitals in the midwest, the inpatient experience can be overrated. How? By doing scut...Sure you have your patients and round on them, and then round on them with your intern and resident, and then round on them with the team, write orders, go to lunch and lecture, and the round some more and do the scut.

You learn alot on inpatient service and you can learn just as much on an outpatient service as well - such as the managment of common ailments and chronic problems in addition to the business aspect of it which you wouldn't necessarily see on inpatient service which is mainly acute. Another perk with preceptors is that you become their main assistant and actually get to be first assist on procedures which if you were on a service with interns and residents, you would be last on the totem pole and just basically get to observe which can be REALLY BORING!!!

I think TUNCOM is doing a pretty good job for being a new institution and yes, there will be growing pains. What school does not have it's fair share of problems? I have met many students from COMP, Touro-CA, VCOM, CCOM, AZCOM, KCUMB, DMU, KCOM, MSU-COM, Ohio, NOVA, LECOM-Erie and Bradenton, PCOM, NYCOM on electives who talked about the problems they have at their institutions. After hearing that, I think we're okay and getting better.

This must be hard to see while you're still in the classroom all day long but it'll get better. My word of advice is to be nice to the clinical education dept. You wouldn't want to have a reputation of being a rude and overbearing annoying student. When it comes to rotations and shadowing experiences, you'll need to become efficient and very organized - meaning keeping copies of your documents such as immunization record, liability binder, letter in good standing, copies of your ACLS and BLS - for your records and just in case a copy is lost by the med ed dept at a visiting hospital. The paperwork is enormous for both institutions, so have some compassion for those at both ends.

 

[idyllic84]

I had a quick question about the interviews at Touro-NV. Is there anything you bring with at the time of the interview with the faculty members, any sort of portfolio etc. or come empty handed?

thanks!!!

 

[webcozmo]

I didn't bring anything. No need to. Only thing I might suggest is bring some kind of snack with you. You won't end up having lunch until maybe 1230 to 1pm, after your interview. This is something I wish I did myself. Otherwise, just be yourself and enjoy the day as best you can. It's quite laid back. Good Luck!

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

I didn't bring anything. No need to. Only thing I might suggest is bring some kind of snack with you. You won't end up having lunch until maybe 1230 to 1pm, after your interview. This is something I wish I did myself. Otherwise, just be yourself and enjoy the day as best you can. It's quite laid back. Good Luck!

great, im glad to hear about the laid back part!!

 

[BCLumas]

I agree. The interview is definitely laid back. Although I decided to decline my acceptance to TUCOM-NV, I wish Roger Corbman was at LECOM-Bradenton. He's freaking awesome. 'Nuff said!

 

[idyllic84]

Great! Thanks for the advice/input!!

 

[ppttie]

Another perk with preceptors is that you become their main assistant and actually get to be first assist on procedures which if you were on a service with interns and residents, you would be last on the totem pole and just basically get to observe which can be REALLY BORING!!!

got a question about this. I thought I read somewhere that it's important to go to a teaching hospital, with attending and residents. The preceptor program sounds like I'll be shadowing a doctor who will let me assist on the procedures. But then again, shadowing a doctor who let me assist seems like that's what internship is.

so the question is: did anyone feel inadequately prepared in their rotation because they mainly did it with preceptors rather than in a big hospital with lots of residents and interns?

i got accepted to western and TUNV, and i think the determining factor in choosing one school over other would be the rotations.

Thanks in advance. and if i sound totally clueless-- well, i am.

 

[box29]

so the question is: did anyone feel inadequately prepared in their rotation because they mainly did it with preceptors rather than in a big hospital with lots of residents and interns?

To answer your question, undoubtedly, a few of my classmates have vocalized their disapproval of not having more formal teaching services with interns and residents. This was most evident after their having done some 3rd year electives through the MSU teaching sites. Did they think they were inadequately prepared? I don't think so. It is different and a great experience as well. Some rotations on teaching services with interns and residents can be hit or miss depending on your interns and residents. At TUNCOM, you will get to have inpatient experiences...as for how many...that depends. On the flipside, your preceptors may have you go to the hospital to round on their patients or do consults...in addition to clinic. Preceptors can be hit or miss as well.

IMO, I think having access to teaching hospitals with interns, residents, and attendings is important since this is what the next 3-5 years after medical school is going to be like. I really think that it is a benefit, but again, the quality can be hit or miss depending on the attitudes of those on your team.

This is a huge decision for you and you are looking at important points. Overall, go where you will be happy and think about the opportunites that are made available by the school as to rotations at teaching facilities.

Good luck and congratulations!

 

[katrina12]

I am considering applying to this school, I applied to DMU in september and have an interview with them on thursday. But I just recently came upon this school but am unsure if I even have a chance at getting accepted this late in the game. My stats: 25 MCAT, 3.93 GPA, and I have a degree in medical laboratory technology with quite a bit of medical expereience. Is this a hard school to get accepted to especially this late?

 

[superfan56]

I am considering applying to this school, I applied to DMU in september and have an interview with them on thursday. But I just recently came upon this school but am unsure if I even have a chance at getting accepted this late in the game. My stats: 25 MCAT, 3.93 GPA, and I have a degree in medical laboratory technology with quite a bit of medical expereience. Is this a hard school to get accepted to especially this late?

They said that 52 of the 134 slots have already been filled, ie. people have already sent in their 2k deposit, you GPA should pretty much promise you at the very least an interview here.

 

[box29]

I am considering applying to this school, I applied to DMU in september and have an interview with them on thursday. But I just recently came upon this school but am unsure if I even have a chance at getting accepted this late in the game. My stats: 25 MCAT, 3.93 GPA, and I have a degree in medical laboratory technology with quite a bit of medical expereience. Is this a hard school to get accepted to especially this late?

With your stats, you'll get an interview...I don't think it is too late to get an acceptance since 1/2 of the slots aren't even filled, assuming you don't present yourself as a tool during the interview. The interview can make you or break you so beware. Also, remember that there could be a large waitlist movement towards May.

Good luck!

 

[ringtail]

Interviewed today and I thought the interview was cake. My two interviewers were totally chill and we basically chatted for a half hour. I got the feeling of a big family all under one roof. I know that most every school has an "open-door" policy, but I really think Touro NV does just that. IMO at least. I went to a big undergrad school and it was tough to get to know professors let alone get free time with them during office hours.

I have a good friend who's a fourth year and he showed me around the building and every professor knew him by name and they chatted like buddies. It seems to be a well-connected staff and students. Don't knock the giant Costco it sits inside. It could be worse...aka Mare Island.

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

they offered me many interview dates to choose from (i have until thurs.fri to schedule it) do they fill up dates and not allow you to choose that date after its been filled?

 

[6655321]

....

 

[box29]

Does anyone know when the match list for the inaugural class will be available?

After the match, DO match is Feb. 11th and MD match is March.

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

I tried to call and schedule my interview.. I left voicemails with Roger and someone else (I cant remember).. my two-week mark is tomorrow.. do you think i should try calling back again later, and tomorrow for sure.. if they don't get back to me in time do you think it will be a problem??

help! thanks!!

 

[webcozmo]

did you try and email him as well to let him know you've called and have been unable to reach him to schedule your interview. He checks his email on the go. Especially let him know that your deadline is tomorrow and want to make sure that you are still ok. He is quite nice and quite willing to work with you. Hang in there. Only half the seats have been filled, so you should be ok on that end.

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

Thanks, I'll send him an email RIGHT NOW!

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

he emailed me back.. they cant get me in before my trip to hong kong.. so i can pick either Feb 25th or 26th.. Mon or Tues.. which is better?

 

[webcozmo]

Honestly I don't think it matters. Everyone interviewed that week will probably find out at the same time by Friday as they have their admissions meeting then. So go when it is easier for you. If you're flying, Monday might be better, as you can leave on a Sunday and not miss work/school if that is an issue. Good Luck!!

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

I was definitley thinking Monday also.. thanks! And I guess you are right that it wont matter.. but hearing by Friday, wow amazing!!

 

[webcozmo]

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions on the interview and preparing for it when your time gets closer.

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

^^THANK YOU!! I will definitley take you up on that offer!!

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

OK scheduled for 02/25!

 

[gee00]

Yeeeey! I just got an interview for Jan. 14!!! Can somebody tell me abou the interview with the Dean -- they said it was open-file. Does he grill you , or what happens? Help guys!

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

Just got off the phone with Roger, what a nice guy! He says the class is at 55 of 134 students right now, and that there will be plenty left by the time I get there. I hope that is true!

 

[gee00]

I just read someone was scheduled for Feb today -- I think they got me in earlier because someone just canceled right before I called and the spot opened for that day. Honestly, I'm not a pro at abbreviations, so what does "PM" mean on this site? when people say "feel free to PM me" -- what does that mean?

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

Yeeeey! I just got an interview for Jan. 14!!! Can somebody tell me abou the interview with the Dean -- they said it was open-file. Does he grill you , or what happens? Help guys!

awe how did you get one that early!! I tried and they didn't have dates that early open!

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

I just read someone was scheduled for Feb today -- I think they got me in earlier because someone just canceled right before I called and the spot opened for that day. Honestly, I'm not a pro at abbreviations, so what does "PM" mean on this site? when people say "feel free to PM me" -- what does that mean?

lmao that was me, and I JUST posted asking you how you got that early as you typed this haha! PM means private message, in the upper right hand corner on your screen under where it says Welcome gee00 there is a Private Message link that you can send messages, privately, to others.

 

[gee00]

someone just canceled right before I called.

 

[gee00]

Hey -- have you been to NV before, do ya know where to stay?

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

Ive never been there before.. Ive never been further west than Iowa haha.. so it will definitley be a new expereience for me.. in the email packet they sent you though they give a list of hotels and students that you can stay with..

 

[gee00]

lmao that was me, and I JUST posted asking you how you got that early as you typed this haha! PM means private message, in the upper right hand corner on your screen under where it says Welcome gee00 there is a Private Message link that you can send messages, privately, to others.

OOOOH! Thnak you so much for explaining that!

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

no problem!!

 

[gee00]

Ive never been there before.. Ive never been further west than Iowa haha.. so it will definitley be a new expereience for me.. in the email packet they sent you though they give a list of hotels and students that you can stay with..

Oh, I'm still waiting for the confirmation-email, so I guess that's why. I went to Vegas once years ago, and I didn't stay but for a day, so I don't really know the area, but I guess I'll see when I get there. Thank you so much for your help! Good luck on your interview!!

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

oh it isn't in the confirmation email.. its in the invite email.. if you didn't receive that email you can PM me your email address and I will send you the document that was sent to me containing the hotel and student names and numbers.

 

[gee00]

It was a coincidence -- I called to find out my status, and they said they were about to schedule me, so we just did it right then. I think I better wait for them to officially email me to make sure THEY have it down! Don't you think?

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

Wow what luck!!! With that luck im sure you'll get in there too!! If they don't email you by tomorrow i would suggest emailing Roger.. no sense in losing that kind of opportunity if they didn't write it down!!

 

[gee00]

Wow what luck!!! With that luck im sure you'll get in there too!! If they don't email you by tomorrow i would suggest emailing Roger.. no sense in losing that kind of opportunity if they didn't write it down!!

I think that's what I'm going to do -- I'm already on my toes, checking my email every 30seconds. But I think I'll make myself wait 'till tomorroe, just so I don't look like a stocker to them. 3:41pm and ticking!

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

i just emailed him too because in my confirmation email it says Jan 25 instead of Feb 25.. I know they dont even interview on Jan 25.. but I emailed to confirm that it is in fact feb.. he hasn't gotten back yet.. its almost 5pm there (I think?? I am central time, and I *think* they are mountain time)so they are probably getting ready to shut down for the night..

 

[gee00]

i just emailed him too because in my confirmation email it says Jan 25 instead of Feb 25.. I know they dont even interview on Jan 25.. but I emailed to confirm that it is in fact feb.. he hasn't gotten back yet.. its almost 5pm there (I think?? I am central time, and I *think* they are mountain time)so they are probably getting ready to shut down for the night..

Sometimes I think the one thing this whole "admission process" teaches you is Patience -- it's soooo hard to be patient when your future is on the line. But I guess, it's a waiting game...