VCOM advances closer to the end of the process.......

[Amy B]

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For anyone thinking about coming to VCOM, but who was still a bit worried that they are not accredited yet.....I am happy to say that VCOM has passed another yearly AOA accreditation visit.

It was found that VCOM has NO deficiencies and NO recommendations. That is what you want after one of these such visits.

"They also earned a number of commendations – a tremendous achievement. Commendations were in the areas of: facilities, curriculum, curriculum assessment, research, VCOM’s outcomes study, and clinical program."

VCOM is a wonderful school and anyone deciding to go there should have no worries about VCOM passing the final step in accreditation to become fully accredited when they graduate their first class.

 

[cmb81]

i know vcom is primary care oriented, but is it possible to go to vcom and then go into a field like radiation oncology? rad onc is one of the areas of medicine that im really interested in and i dont want to narrow my options by which school i go to. how bout at other DO schools?

 

[smc927]

It is possible to go to any U.S. medical school and get into any specialty. It depends much more on you than the school you attend.

 

[marlin1]

It is possible to go to any U.S. medical school and get into any specialty. It depends much more on you than the school you attend.

But don't some schools focus on turning out primary care physicians, making it harder for you to get the exposure you want or need in other areas?

 

[smc927]

But don't some schools focus on turning out primary care physicians, making it harder for you to get the exposure you want or need in other areas?

I can only speak from limited experience. But although some schools focus on primary care non exclude esposure to every area. You should definitely consider where you eventually want to be when choosing a medical school. But I've had several friends attending schools that focus on primary care who are now in various surgical residencies.

For sure some schools will make it easier than others - but I still believe it depends more on you than the school.

 

[Amy B]

Just because a school may have a may focus on a certain area, does not mean that everyone from that school will go into that area.

VCOM has a primary care focus, but will everyone go into primary care....no!

For example, we have students very interested in surgery. Our surgical club is quite strong, in fact we are hosting the (SOSA) national student surgical conference here at our school this year this weekend.

If you have an interest in Oncology, that is great. Just work hard, do well on your boards, do great in your rotations and you should have no problems. In other words, VCOM or any other school is not going to hold you back from a residency you want to go into.

 

[marlin1]

Does every school allow you to do rotations in any area though?

 

[deadseafishing]

i heard that VCOM makes its students go thru USLME and COMLEX. is this true? why do they do that? i would imagine it would it would be tad stressful....

also whats up with this no jeans/buildings closing at 10PM?



finally...when does VCOM expect to get final aprooval for accrediation?

 

[Amy B]

We will have rotations in all areas and will get to pick our elective rotations.

The building closes later than 10. That was the old time. The school listened to the students and changed the close time till midnight. We have access to the building on weekends as well, so building hours is really no longer an issue.

We can wear jeans after class hours and during finals week. We have a dress code because we are a professional school and VCOM feels the students should learn to dress professionally now. Although there are a number of people who really despise the code, the majority of the students just take it in stride and don't really think about it.

Yes, we are required to take both boards. If you think about it, you may see it as a good thing. Many DO schools only teach towards the COMLEX and if you want to take the USMLE you have lots of additional studying, plus if you decide you want a MD residency you have to take that board anyway. This way we all have both bases covered so we will have the most residency options available to us that we can have. VCOM has helped out the 2nd years by buying a number of programs (I think it is Qbank) that help with board studying. Each 2nd year has access to this free of charge.


VCOM will get final accreditation when they graduate the first class. Our first class (2007) will graduate from a fully accediated school.

 

[vivek311r]

Do you know anyting about dermatology placement? At my interview someone mentioned some sort of dermatology connection the school has, although I completely don't remember the nature of this connection.

I've been accepted to VCOM and I'm on a couple of allopathic waiting lists. Just a question to the rest of you though...do you think it would be utterly ridiculous for me to give up going to VCOM to go to post bacc? I dont want to start a trolling session, but it's just something I wanted to throw out there...

 

[Amy B]

I'm not sure about the derm thing. I can only assume if you do well in your classes, rotations and boards, you can get what you want in terms of residency. I have heard for some reason DOs have a harder time getting that residency, but like all the hot ones, if you are good and competitive then you stand a chance.

As to doing a post-bac.....hmmmm that is a touchy one. Weigh out the options. First another year or 2 to do the post bac. That means lost time and more money. And what if you do badly for some reason or do average, then what? Will the post bac time hurt you. And of course there is no guarentee that just because you do the post bac, that you will get any acceptances. Was it suggested to you to do a post bac by one of the schools that rejected you or that you are on the waitlist for? That might not even be the reason you didn't get in. And what if they get a slew of great applicants and you don't get in anyway....then what will you do? You will have lost the money, the time and your acceptance to a great school.

Now, on the other hand, you might do well, and get into the school of your dreams. So unfortunetly there is no easy answer for you. By taking the accpetance you have now, it is a guarentee that if you pass your classes, rotations and boards then you will be a DOCTOR. That is a true fact!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is the old saying "A bird in hand...."

Good luck choosing.

 

[marlin1]

Do you know anyting about dermatology placement? At my interview someone mentioned some sort of dermatology connection the school has, although I completely don't remember the nature of this connection.

I've been accepted to VCOM and I'm on a couple of allopathic waiting lists. Just a question to the rest of you though...do you think it would be utterly ridiculous for me to give up going to VCOM to go to post bacc? I dont want to start a trolling session, but it's just something I wanted to throw out there...

What post bacc program would you do?

 

[vivek311r]

I'm on the waiting list at VCU and Meharry (although I would def take VCOM over Meharry...just based on the low quality I've heard a Meharry MD is).

I've also applied to three post bacs (VCU, EVMS, and G-Town). Right now I'm starting to think that I should probably just go to VCOM and get started...not waste any time. What to do you guys think?

 

[RTRDO]

I'm on the waiting list at VCU and Meharry (although I would def take VCOM over Meharry...just based on the low quality I've heard a Meharry MD is).

I've also applied to three post bacs (VCU, EVMS, and G-Town). Right now I'm starting to think that I should probably just go to VCOM and get started...not waste any time. What to do you guys think?

Back in the day, I was waitlisted at UVA and ETSU. The next time that I applied I didn't even get an interview. With that said, go for it. Do you want to be a doctor? Unless you have strong reservations about becoming a DO. The way I look at it and see medicine progressing in the future. The prestige of being a DO is ever increasing. Probably eventually both allopathic and osteopathic medicine will be viewed the same. However only you can make this decision. Good luck!!! 👍 👍 👍

 

[Static Line]

I'm on the waiting list at VCU and Meharry (although I would def take VCOM over Meharry...just based on the low quality I've heard a Meharry MD is).

I've also applied to three post bacs (VCU, EVMS, and G-Town). Right now I'm starting to think that I should probably just go to VCOM and get started...not waste any time. What to do you guys think?

The low quality of some Meharry MD's is probably related more to the fact that they admit more questionable students than most other schools do, and not so much a reflection of their academic program. Again, I think how you turn out as a doc is more of a reflection of your commitment to learn along with their ability to teach the material. I met a Meharry graduate last spring who landed a very nice residency at a Level 1 university trauma center--not too shabby. He said it was very tough at Meharry. The ED I work out of has a Meharry grad, although he graduated 30 years ago, and he is handsdown one of the finest ED docs I know. If you're in VCOM great, but if not, and Meharry does offer a position, then don't pass up a program because of things you heard.

You also ask about "just go to VCOM" like it's a bad thing or second rate. Listen, after working in the real world the past 17 years, I care less and less about what people think; and after you finish med school, you won't care what some 20-something year old pre-med thinks either. You'll be a doctor, and make the meager wages of a doctor; and the guy who is too proud to go to Meharry or to VCOM will also have to call you DOCTOR.

 

[vivek311r]

Point taken and appreciated. I guess I used the wrong choice of words there by saying "just go to VCOM." Obviously it's a wonderful program (which is why I'm seriously considering going). Meharry, I heard bad things about from my pre-med advisor. I also wasn't too impressed at the interview...although I'm still on waiting list there and have not withdrawn myself. Trying to keep options open.

But as I think about it and think about the program/facilities, I realize that VCOM is a legitimate and good option for me. In the long run I really do see D.O.'s being completely equal to M.D.s, even though they really aren't now. I also feel that getting a jump start on my career is more favorable than waiting around.

Anyway thank you both for your opinion. Static Line, we might be classmates in the fall!

 

[RTRDO]

Point taken and appreciated. I guess I used the wrong choice of words there by saying "just go to VCOM." Obviously it's a wonderful program (which is why I'm seriously considering going). Meharry, I heard bad things about from my pre-med advisor. I also wasn't too impressed at the interview...although I'm still on waiting list there and have not withdrawn myself. Trying to keep options open.

But as I think about it and think about the program/facilities, I realize that VCOM is a legitimate and good option for me. In the long run I really do see D.O.'s being completely equal to M.D.s, even though they really aren't now. I also feel that getting a jump start on my career is more favorable than waiting around.

Anyway thank you both for your opinion. Static Line, we might be classmates in the fall!

I'm glad that you didn't take offense to my post. I also am going to attend VCOM this fall as part of the class of 2009. I'm really excited about finally realizing my dream of becoming a doctor. Though I am anxious about quitting work as a teacher and going back to school fultime. I have two young boys and a wonderful wife that is behind me 100%, so I know that I am making the right decision. I hope that you accept your position at VCOM, I believe that you will see that you have made the right choice.

Speaking of Meharry, a friend of mine that I graduated with from my undergraduate in 1990 went there. I have heard good things and bad things. My pre-med advisor actually suggested Meharry to me back in 1995. I chose to wait however. And I am glad that I did, I have experienced many wonderful things in my life that I may have otherwise never experienced.

Good Luck, I know that in the long run you will make the best decision for you. Hang in there.

 

[jschro21]

Does anyone know how full VCOM is for the class of 2009? They just sent me a secondary a couple weeks ago and I have just sent everything in. Megan Price, the admissions director said that they are looking to interview through June, but is the class nearly full already?

 

[Nate]

Hooray for VCOM!
I loved VCOM when I interviewed there.

 

[vivek311r]

As far as I know VCOM was full in early spring...but things as we all know change rapidly over the next few months. Stick with it!

Good luck.

 

[Amy B]

Hi all,
I am 100% positive that VCOM is NOT full as of this date. It is getting close but there are still seats.

Also once they are full, there is still hope for people who will interview for the waitlist. Quite a few folks were taken from the waitlist last year.

 

[VCOM Gator]

Amy is 100% correct. I just interviewed last week and Megan wanted to make it very clear that the class was NOT full at that point. They're looking at admitting about 155 students, but I'm not quite sure how many they have accepted at this point. I can tell you, however, that I know from my own experience that they are still accepting students because I heard back very quickly that I am being offered a position which I have graciously accepted! 👍

 

[vivek311r]

Amy, what's the class size?

 

[Amy B]

Welcome to VCOM, VCOM gator!!!!!!!

Each class will have between 150 to 156. That number seems to vary ever so slightly. When we get all 4 classes seated we will have roughly 600 students. That was the number that was given out last night at a community function.

 

[jschro21]

Welcome to VCOM, VCOM gator!!!!!!!

Each class will have between 150 to 156. That number seems to vary ever so slightly. When we get all 4 classes seated we will have roughly 600 students. That was the number that was given out last night at a community function.

Congrats VCOM Gator! I appreciate the information Amy B. It sounds like VCOM is pretty amazing. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed and hope that I'll get the chance to check it out for myself! Does anyone know the stats on out of region students accepted into VCOM? I know it's kinda looking for regional students, but I'm from the west. Does this really matter? I do live in a rural area, if that helps, and would be open to residing out there. Any thoughts?