UNECOM Discussion thread 2007-2008

[disco wizard]

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As a follow up, is it appropriate to write a thank you card to the adcom after an interview? I have heard conflicting things regarding this. I am inclined to do so, just from my personal sensibilities, but I don't want to commit some kind of applicant faux pas, y'know?

Also, when/how often does the adcom meet? Does anyone know?

 

[TeaKae]

CV, thanks for sharing your experience with UNECOM. I interviewed there on September 25 and really enjoyed it. I loved how friendly and welcoming the people of Biddeford and the school are. Being from central WI, I had no idea what to expect of Mainers (are they snobby? do they have accents? etc) but now I can totally see myself as one of them. Also, the area is about 100x more beautiful than the midwest. The program is really impressive. The faculty seem awesome. The cafe even hooked my fiance up with a free lunch when he came to pick me up!

Wow. I'm dyin' here waiting for my decision to come. to everyone else that's interviewed or is about to!

 

[IUgrad]

Disco, I don't think it's ever a faux pas to send a thank you card. It shows that you are thoughtful and professional, in my opinion. I have sent thank you's (emails or cards) to all my interviewers.

When I interviewed yesterday, the MSII who was leading our presentation told us that the committee just met recently and won't be meeting again for about a month. She said we will definitely know by Thanksgiving.

I hope that helps!

 

[redwings54]

Hope that you people who interviewed on the 11th had a great time. Well, as great as interviews can be. Robin, Jia Jia, Marc and Jim (the MS1's) are all great people and hopefully gave you guys some good advice. I was there for a little bit as my friend was interviewing that day too. If you guys have any questions, feel free to write. Oh, and about sending a thank you card, its always a nice thing to do. A generic thank you is sometimes detectable though, so try to write something a little more heartfelt and pertinent to your interview. Hope you guys like UNECOM. Take care.
-ROb

 

[IUgrad]

Thanks, Rob!

 

[RN2DO]

Hello everyone...I interviewed at UNECOM on 10/11...This is absolutely my first choice. The MS students were great and I felt really welcomed. I can't wait to hear (hopefully it will be positive!). It seems that the people who interviewed in September have already heard...that is quick! I don't have a sense how the interview went. Anybody have any thoughts who interviewed that day?

 

[IUgrad]

You know, I feel the same way in not having a sense at all on how it went. My other interviews I kind of had a feeling one way or another when I left, but I have no clue about UNE. It was hard to read my interviewer, and I didn't think that he asked me very much about my file, which worried me.

What are your thoughts?

 

[wook]

You know, I feel the same way in not having a sense at all on how it went. My other interviews I kind of had a feeling one way or another when I left, but I have no clue about UNE. It was hard to read my interviewer...

If it makes you feel any better, I felt the same way after my interview. It was my worst interview and I could not read my interviewers. Looking back on it, I figure I worried too much since that was 6 years ago and I'm done with med school.

It is a good school and I felt that everyone was supportive of each other.



Wook

 

[dancer212]

Hi everyone...I'm completely new to this. But I wanted ask a question. First off, I am a junior in a 3+4 program with UNE. It's a recently new affiliation so I don't really know if it helps my chances of getting in. I visited the school last semester on an offical recruitment visit, and I completely fell in love with it. But I have a dilemma. After scoring a mean score of 25 on my practice MCAT tests, I just received my official score of 18! 🙁( I was so nervous, I didn't eat or sleep two weeks before. I know this number does not define me accurately. On the flip side, I have a 3.87 cum GPA, a letter of rec. from an alumna, and plenty of EC and volunteer experience. I don't want to attend any other med school but UNE. That's how loyal and devoted I am to this school. I'm wondering if I should give up hope for this year, and just take the MCAT over the summer to apply next year. I really don't see any chance of it working out this year. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[Playmakur42]

.

 

[wook]

Hi everyone...I'm completely new to this. But I wanted ask a question. First off, I am a junior in a 3+4 program with UNE. It's a recently new affiliation so I don't really know if it helps my chances of getting in. I visited the school last semester on an offical recruitment visit, and I completely fell in love with it. But I have a dilemma. After scoring a mean score of 25 on my practice MCAT tests, I just received my official score of 18! 🙁( I was so nervous, I didn't eat or sleep two weeks before. I know this number does not define me accurately. On the flip side, I have a 3.87 cum GPA, a letter of rec. from an alumna, and plenty of EC and volunteer experience. I don't want to attend any other med school but UNE. That's how loyal and devoted I am to this school. I'm wondering if I should give up hope for this year, and just take the MCAT over the summer to apply next year. I really don't see any chance of it working out this year. Do you have any suggestions?

Why not just continue the application process? You can always re-take the MCAT, but if you get accepted this cycle you won't have to re-take it. Be prepared to discuss your MCAT, though.



Wook

 

[wook]

Does anyone know if any UNECOM students have gotten into any of these general surgery residencies? Thanks for the help!

Maine Medical Center
Berkshire Medical Center- Pittsfield, MA
Bassett Healthcare- Cooperstown, NY

You may want to take a look at the last few years residency stuff located here...http://www.une.edu/com/clinical/postgrad.asp.

But in summary in looks like for the class of 2005, there was a student that did a prelim surg year at Berkshire Med. Class of 2007 had a prelim surg in Bassett.

With that being said, realize that in each class people may want to go to different areas or prefer different programs. If you have an interest in surgery and apply yourself, you should be able to match at most programs.



Wook

 

[IUgrad]

If it makes you feel any better, I felt the same way after my interview. It was my worst interview and I could not read my interviewers. Looking back on it, I figure I worried too much since that was 6 years ago and I'm done with med school.

It is a good school and I felt that everyone was supportive of each other.



Wook

Thanks, Wook! That makes me feel better... 👍

 

[belichek]

ur lucky dancer, the minimum mcat is an 18 for UNE. I would go ahead and apply if i were u

 

[TeaKae]

Glad I'm not the only one questioning my interview at UNE. Still waiting on my decision, though...hm hm hmmm

 

[RN2DO]

Well I am glad to hear that I am not alone. I just hope the interviewers see what I can offer to the medical profession! Wook...you must feel so good doing what you are doing and the amazing pathway you have completed. I can't wait to join your profession. Thanks for the support and hopefully I will hear soon.

 

[HillMill]

So I am finally getting around to completing my secondary for UNECOM, but I have two questions.
1) Will my DO letter and pre med letter fulfill the recommendation requirements? Or do I need to submit an additional professional letter?
2) For essay question number 2, I have had no prior interactions with students or faculty at UNECOM, so how do I answer this?

 

[belichek]

if you dont know anyone, then obviously you leave it blank, to fill it in would be lying 😱

 

[TeaKae]

So I am finally getting around to completing my secondary for UNECOM, but I have two questions.
1) Will my DO letter and pre med letter fulfill the recommendation requirements? Or do I need to submit an additional professional letter?
2) For essay question number 2, I have had no prior interactions with students or faculty at UNECOM, so how do I answer this?

You can say you've talked to UNECOM students right here on SDN 😛😉

 

[wook]

You can say you've talked to UNECOM students right here on SDN 😛😉

There is some truth to that. You can truthfully say you've had communication with alumni and students of UNECOM. Feel free to PM if you or anyone else wants more information about the school or if you have questions. ShyRem is a current student who has more up to date information that I do about the school, but I am a recent graduate (class 2006) and she somehow finds the time to track the forum more than us mere mortals.



Wook

 

[ShyRem]

One word: multitasking.

Wook, I can only hope to do as well as you have. If you were closer I'd invite you over for homemade from scratch brownies warm from the oven. They're sitting on my oven right now cooling. With a lovely smooth chocolate ganache on top. 😀 Then I'd pick your brain on how to learn all this stuff they call the musculoskeletal disease index. It's HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE! I foresee many pots of coffee and sleepless nights in my future.

 

[HillMill]

Thanks for the help guys. I really like UNECOM, but I didn't know if it was worth turning in a supplemental with a weak answer to that essay question. I think referencing SDN is a good idea and then just be honest beyond that. One question though, how would most students be able to answer this question as many students apply to a ton of schools and don't necessarily visit or interact with each one prior??

 

[HillMill]

Anyone have any feedback on my first question? Thanks, this whole SDN thing is amazing... Keeps me from being an absolute worrier/pest to the medical schools.

 

[ShyRem]

The pre-med committee/advisor letter will fulfill the academic requirement. A letter from a DO will fulfill the professional requirement and should also suffice for the recommended *but not required* letter from a physician. From UNECOM's admission's page:

The academic requirement can be met in three different ways: with a letter from a pre-health committee (whenever available); from a pre-health advisor (if a committee letter is not available); OR two letters from faculty members, preferably in the sciences (if a pre-health committee or advisor letter in not obtainable).

A letter of evaluation/recommendation from an osteopathic physician is strongly encouraged, but not required. If to be submitted, it should be from a physician who knows the applicant's character, potential as a future physician, ability to work with and related to others, and preparation for both the science of medicine and art of healing.

The professional requirement is rather broad, and the letter may be from an osteopathic or allopathic physician, allied health professional, supervisor, mentor, or similar professional who is familiar with the applicant's character.

BTW: I didn't have a letter from a DO. I had my academic letters (a couple of those) and I had three professional letters: two from my bosses at different ambulance companies, and one from my EMS physician liaison office whom I had worked under for almost 14 years. So I figured a letter from a DO that I barely knew would be rather a waste of time. Oh, and I had a letter from an MD who I knew. Wow. I had a bunch of letters. Can we say "overkill" and "OCD"?? 😳

Good luck.

 

[ShyRem]

And another thing: it's not necessarily a bad idea to call and ask a question of the admission's office staff. Keeps you fresh in their minds. Just make extra sure to be nice... I hear a couple of schools actually had to put on their web pages that basically "applicants who are mean to our office staff won't have a snowball's chance in Hades of getting in here." Frightening thought that they felt they had to tell applicants to be nice.

On the other hand, I can think of more than a couple of admissions offices that should be told to be nice to applicants. Oh, well. Can't do anything about just plain miserable people except throw chocolate at them and run. (but FYI UNECOM's RSAS office ALWAYS has a bowl of candy and a really comfy overstuffed chair for neurotic stressed out med students!)

 

[gobluegirl]

Thanks for the help guys. I really like UNECOM, but I didn't know if it was worth turning in a supplemental with a weak answer to that essay question. I think referencing SDN is a good idea and then just be honest beyond that. One question though, how would most students be able to answer this question as many students apply to a ton of schools and don't necessarily visit or interact with each one prior??

I waited on sending in the secondary for a similar reason. I decided to go ahead and submit today. Do you think it's too late for a December interview consideration? Or would they extend an invitation after the new year?

 

[wook]

but FYI UNECOM's RSAS office ALWAYS has a bowl of candy and a really comfy overstuffed chair for neurotic stressed out med students!

Yup, I had more than my 2,000 kCal of chocolate visiting the fun folks at the RSAS office.



Wook

 

[fozziewan]

Yup, I had more than my 2,000 kCal of chocolate visiting the fun folks at the RSAS office.



Wook

My personal favorite is when Tracie brings in the gummy body parts. She knows to double up on her stash of them b/c of my weakness for gummy eyes and feet. 😀

 

[hodgepodge8]

I interviewed today! 😀 I was very impressed with the facilities. UNECOM felt like home, and I absolutely loved it!! Everyone was friendly and helpful.....a comradery like no other. A second family if you will. (Hope to join it!!) Best of luck to everyone!!

Take care.

 

[belichek]

although UNECOM is gorgeous, and probably my top choice, the tuition is one of the highest. The question i find is, "is $41,000 a year worth it when i could get the same education at another DO school for $33,000?"

 

[UCDavisdude]

for those who recieved interviews, how long unitl you were notified after completing you app??thanks in advance.

 

[belichek]

for those who recieved interviews, how long unitl you were notified after completing you app??thanks in advance.

a month

 

[hodgepodge8]

I heard a week later, but I am local. Best of luck!!

 

[RN2DO]

I waited 1 week....but it was also August and I submitted my secondary 2 days after I received it.

 

[IUgrad]

I just got my letter today! I'm accepted!!!

For those of us who interviewed earlier this month -- look for your letters to start coming soon...

 

[Tanner82]

I just got my letter today! I'm accepted!!!

For those of us who interviewed earlier this month -- look for your letters to start coming soon...

ditto, i interviewed 9/11 and just got the letter today!

 

[redwings54]

Congrats guys. We are finishing up anatomy tomorrow with our last test. Kinda crazy that we are nearly done with such a huge part of our medical careers. Tomorrow night is the Post Gross Toast where the school holds a ceremony with champagne and food and a huge bonfire. Pretty cool huh? If you guys have any questions, let me know. Tanner and IUgrad, did I meet you guys on the 11th? Just wondering. Take care.
-Rob

 

[wook]

Congrats guys. We are finishing up anatomy tomorrow with our last test. Kinda crazy that we are nearly done with such a huge part of our medical careers. Tomorrow night is the Post Gross Toast where the school holds a ceremony with champagne and food and a huge bonfire. Pretty cool huh? If you guys have any questions, let me know. Tanner and IUgrad, did I meet you guys on the 11th? Just wondering. Take care.
-Rob

Burn them stinky scrubs!! Yick. Congrats on getting through anatomy.

Wook

 

[IUgrad]

Hey, redwings54,

Thanks for the congrats! No, I interviewed on 10/11. I'm actually shocked to hear so soon; I wasn't expecting anything until at least November, so it was a nice surprise. 🙂

Thanks for your and your classmates' hospitality on interview day. (I think I read in one of your previous posts that you were one in the group of MS-I's that were hanging out with us all day.) I was really impressed by how great (friendly, welcoming) the students are.

 

[Tanner82]

Congrats guys. We are finishing up anatomy tomorrow with our last test. Kinda crazy that we are nearly done with such a huge part of our medical careers. Tomorrow night is the Post Gross Toast where the school holds a ceremony with champagne and food and a huge bonfire. Pretty cool huh? If you guys have any questions, let me know. Tanner and IUgrad, did I meet you guys on the 11th? Just wondering. Take care.
-Rob

I interviewed on 9/11... so If u were part of the interview day, then yeah I guess I met you. There was one guy who was at the admissions meeting with the whole group and then another one who came later... So I'm not sure which one was you, but there were also a bunch of kids that stopped by to wish us luck. Thanks for the hospitality and good luck on your last anatomy test tomorrow!!

 

[RN2DO]

Congrats IU grad. I hope to hear soon...I also interviewed that day...Was it a regular letter? U must be psyched....hopefully we will be classmates!!!

 

[IUgrad]

Hey, RN2DO,

Thanks, I'm very excited! You should PM me so we can "out" ourselves to see if we met on interview day...

The notification came by USPS mail. The envelope is thin (it's just one page), just to warn you. (Luckily, my fiancé opened it while I was at work today so I didn't have to freak out about that!) So, if you get a thin envelope, don't worry! 🙂

Let me know when you find out!

 

[RN2DO]

Hey everyone....I got my letter today...I am so happy!!! The staff and students at UNECOM were so great and I am proud to have been chosen to attend that school!!For anyone in the class of 2012...welcome and I look forward to meeting you'all!!!

 

[IUgrad]

Yay!! 🙂 Congrats!!

 

[belichek]

anyone interviewing on tuesday 10/30 with me?

 

[disco wizard]

I got into UNECOM as well. I interviewed on 10/9 and got my letter on 10/26.
I'm still processing this though. It's all kind of surreal.

disco wizard
UNECOM 2012

 

[RN2DO]

I feel the same way..What an exciting time...Disco are you planning on attending UNECOM? I am definately there...I just signed up for Biochem....

 

[disco wizard]

at this point, yes...although I have an interview coming up at DMUCOM. I also applied to a few Irish medical schools...but I have a feeling that UNECOM is what will happen...

 

[packitinstan]

Interview invite for Dec 8th!! I was complete a couple days ago...these guys are quick! Anyone else going on the 8th?

 

[rgerwin]

Just a comment and a question. First, is it worth $41K a year? Yes. Absolutely. No question. I can't imagine myself anywhere else.

Also, to the MSIII at Roger Williams, what do you think?