VCOM Discussion Thread 2009-2010

[BumbleBee09]

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Congrats !!!!! wow that's great news.. both great schools ... u have a difficult decision to make.. good luck and best wishes J

I was accepted to VCOM!!!

bioman2006, my significant other and I went to Gillies (a vegetarian restaurant in downtown Blacksburg), the Coffee Depot in downtown Christiansburg (recommended by Julie Smartt), and then Wind Rock Summit in the national forest. I am in love with this area of Virginia. 😀

Now how do I choose between my acceptances at UMDNJ-SOM (my state school) and VCOM?!?!?!? AHHHHH.

 

[BorisBulletDO]

I think the dean is alright. She's stood her ground on some things, like relaxing the dress code or changing the attendance policy. But she was also the one who spearheaded the exam format change after listening to us and also held a "town hall meeting" on the white coat ceremony. When we asked for video lectures to help supplement the embryology SDL packets, she had the professor do that. I feel the dean and the admins have acted very warm to my class and listen well.

Some of the second year students may disagree, but that probably has to do with some extremely unprofessional people in that group. I think they're still angry over the exam format change, which has since been fixed.

I think the VCOM dean (DTR) has done a great job and is very receptive to student concerns - even very trivial things (dress code, etc). Students also are not very familiar with the community and the requirements behind the scenes regarding research, clinical sites, funding, and so forth. The VCOM physicians and administration - as far as I can tell, work tirelessly to promote student success outside the didactic classrooms. I give the VCOM faculty and administration huge kudos for their interest in student success.

I also spoke of my perspective on the changes with the curriculum in the VCOM or DCOM thread in the main pre-med forum and it's easy to see why some don't like "changes". Better get use to "adapting" because your career as a physician will depend on it.

Again, as I mention in the other forum thread, it's for the best but a very few 1st-2nd year students don't see or
understand the process and are speaking only from a very narrow viewpoint (their own struggles) and cannot yet see the big picture for what it is and the opportunities they'll see down the road if they stay on-target and trust in the efforts of their proven faculty and administration. I'm working at it, am very pleased with VCOM, and that's jut my perspective. To current 1st/2nd years, try to look forward and see the forest through the trees - easier said, I know. True nonetheless. Best of luck

 

[VA1986]

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[thedon35]

If in the process of, "setting the course for the rest of your life," you discover that you have an abundance of tolerance for disorganization, seemingly constant changes at the last minute, and a level of incompetence from school leaders and instructors like you have never seen elsewhere, then VCOM is the right place for you. The reality is that VCOM will NEVER have the caliber of faculty like you will find at DCOM as long as the current administration in place. You will also be hard-pressed to find students at VCOM to openly discuss the problems because the intimidation factor is unprecedented. The "real" VCOM is a business that, at the present time, is a lucrative venture for the dean and her family members; it is NOT what is being sold to you by the admissions office. Sure, the people in admissions are great, but once you become a student, the admissions office has no purpose in your life for the next four years.

OUCH!! My biggest complaint is people using the elevator to go to the second and third floors..... laazzzzzyyyyy.... hahahaha

 

[DO_doctor]

got an interview for january!

 

[VCOMstudent]

you are so freaking bitter. I've read your last few posts, but I haven't seen any example of this incompetence and intimidation that you talk about. Your excessive hyperbole is laughable. You come on here and act like the entire student body is in revolt, when the real truth is that a few angry, self-absorbed individuals obviously didn't get their way over something at VCOM, and now need to sling filth on a website to get back.

Yeah yeah, I'm a 1st year student and I don't know ****, right? Well, let me tell you what I do know. This administration has done a lot for my class, from changing the white coat ceremony date like we wanted to getting rid of the stupid exam format last block. If they were interested in churning profits, they would've told us TS about squeezing into the research building for the ceremony, and to man up and deal with the exam schedule. As for those "changes overnight"? Just assigning new lecturers to a few classes on our schedule.

I have yet to meet a 3rd or 4th year student who has an extreme opinion of VCOM like you do. Hell, most of your own class doesn't even share the same opinion as you do. One interviewee was talking about how some VCOM students they met seemed really Type A and not friendly...I wonder if you were one of them?

There's nothing wrong with voicing your opinion of VCOM on this site. It's even okay to have a negative opinion of VCOM. But when you come on here and tell pre-meds that they will "not be treated fairly and never get a good education", "the disconnect is unspeakable", and "every instructor and administrator is extremely incompetent", it's not blowing things out of proportion--it's flat out dishonesty. Our grads have done well for themselves despite these horrific "problems" that you speak of. If VCOM instruction and administration were truly incompetent, then they would have terrible job prospects and be incompetent candidates instead of obtaining very good positions.

I'm really, really sorry things aren't working out for you at VCOM. I'm happy here, a large majority of my classmates are very happy here, and yes, even a lot of second years I've talk to are content. Whenever your realize that your education should not be spoon-fed to you, that you can't just throw out unproven claims and not get called out, and spew absurd generalizations and exaggerations--in other words, whenever you decide to grow up--then maybe you'll appreciate this opportunity as the rest of us do. If not, then perhaps seeking a transfer may be in your best interest.

The temptation to lay waste to you with insults is almost overwhelming, but I will attempt to resist. The fervor with which you defend VCOM is not unfamiliar; many students feel that they owe VCOM their lives, in addition to their loyalty, for giving them a chance to become physicians. In reality, you are the very type of student that allows the cycle at VCOM to continue. I can assure you that I have adapted quite well to the negative aspects of VCOM; my performance has never been an issue and my grades are excellent (top of the class). The reason I write about the negative aspects of VCOM on a public forum is a matter of principle, which is for the money and personal sacrifice that people give, they deserve much better. They deserve qualified faculty, and not, for example, a vet teaching anatomy that answers a question with, "Well, if it was a dog...." They deserve for the the value of exams not to change AFTER the exam is taken. They deserve for grading scales not to change AFTER the exam is taken. They deserve to have feedback from practical exams sooner than three months after the exam was taken. They deserve to have a mechanism in place for challenging poor exam questions, or the ability to see question statistics (like most other medical schools). They deserve for official documents (that residency program directors look at) to be free from misspellings. Need I go on?

So what if the dean changed the venue for the white coat ceremony? What long-term impact is that going to have? Sure, it was nice that you guys were able to continue the tradition, but they don't put the location of your white coat ceremony on your transcript.

I think the dean is alright. She's stood her ground on some things, like relaxing the dress code or changing the attendance policy. But she was also the one who spearheaded the exam format change after listening to us and also held a "town hall meeting" on the white coat ceremony. When we asked for video lectures to help supplement the embryology SDL packets, she had the professor do that. I feel the dean and the admins have acted very warm to my class and listen well.

Some of the second year students may disagree, but that probably has to do with some extremely unprofessional people in that group. I think they're still angry over the exam format change, which has since been fixed.

She changed the exam format because she HAD to change it. The reason was not because she had an epiphany while driving home or taking a shower. She is unimpressive at best, and the best part is that if she doesn't know the answer, then she will make something up.

 

[VA1986]

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[msu16]

Hey Guys --
Just wanted to say congrats to those of you who have gotten in to VCOM! It is a GREAT school and despite what some posts have said the staff is wonderful! At no other school would you ever have interactions with your Dean and profs the way you do at VCOM! I have found that most of the chronic complainers are those who are upset that they didn't do well on exams or that there is too much information....blah blah...its medical school so get over it! Anyways, VCOM is a great place and I am sure you will love it here!!!

 

[reveille16]

There has been a lot of ranting on this thread lately from VCOM students on both sides so I think it would be good to chime in as someone who was accepted to the class of 2014 for VCOM

VCOMstudent - It is clear that you are upset about your experience at VCOM so far. I want to defend your right to speak out on these forums. As a medical student at one of our possible medical schools, I think that most of us looking at VCOM respect, and value your opinion. However, I must add that the negative tone is not necessary. We have all displayed a certain level of professionalism to be offered an interview or acceptance to VCOM so the extreme language is not needed. We will respect, and consider your opinion just as much if you simply state the problems you have had with VCOM, and back them up with your experiences. We are all going to be medical professionals one day, so lets keep the conversation civilized. That being said, I want to again reiterate how much you have the right to speak your mind, and how much your opinion is valued

VA1986 - I am glad that you have had such a positive experience at VCOM. It is certainly reassuring to see that there are medical students at VCOM who love where they are. I certainly understand and support your decision to defend the school you love. I would also defend my medical school unwaveringly, especially if I did not agree with its prosecutors complaints. However, your most recent posts have been quite cold. I understand what you are trying to do, but I feel like most people might come away with a different opinion - specifically that there is disunity among the students, or that the school atmosphere is not as friendly as perceived. I personally do not think that this is true, but I fear that others may.

I think that a large part of the problem comes from the fact that VCOMstudent and VA1986 are from different classes. It is clear, and widely acknowledged that there have been a number of changes at VCOM in the recent years. I think that VCOMstudent's class felt the effect of these changes more than VA1986's class did. I think it is important to acknowledge this difference, and to also give VCOM a little bit of credit. One impression that I've gotten from VCOM is that they are constantly striving to improve. They want to be the best. Unfortunately, this has led them to change many things about their curriculum. I think that the initial changes were fairly shocking, and at sometimes infuriating to previous classes. However, I think that these changes have started to mellow out.

To all those considering VCOM, I would encourage you to do your own research. Talk to VCOM students that are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years, and get your own opinion. One thing that cannot be underestimated is the intelligence of the candidates that VCOM has. We are more than capable of doing our own research, and making our own opinions about the school. As a jumping off point, here is a link with a few more opinions (the same link that Bioman posted a few pages back)

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=407104&page=16

For convenience, I have already searched out this forum for opinions of VCOM. They can be found on the following pages - page 3, page 5, and page 10

 

[VA1986]

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[thedon35]

Why is it that there are two completely extreme and opposite opinions going on here? I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle! 🙂

We should probably compile a list of the good and bad things at the school so the future applicants can make more of an objective informed decision. Not only that but I think you guys are painting an unfair picture for these guys. I mean it certainly isn't as bad as VCOMstudent is making it... but to say it is so wonderful and perfect isn't exactly the truth either. What are we dealing with republicans and democrats here? haha okay how about we make a list of a few categories and then give a grade in each.

-Location: I give a B+ . ACC College town, sports, mountains, activities. (good for 2 years.... but anymore after that I would probably go crazy)
-Building/Equipment: A - . New, nice, and clean. They are always upgrading things and staying up with the technology it seems.
- Faculty: B - . This one is tricky because there are faculty who I think are phenomenal and then there are some that I think are atrocious. Most are very friendly and welcoming though. After talking with students from other schools (EVMS, NSU, UVA, Georgetown.. etc) this seems to be the norm. Every school seems to have a few bad apples as well as supermen/women
- Curriculum: B . This grade is based on my curriculum when I was there. (I am a third year). I liked how we were systems based and started with the normal anatomy and physiology for first year and then did pathology and the rest our second year. They have changed it now so I can't really give a more current grade. I would give a B+ but it seems like we repeated a bunch of lectures from 1st year and it was kind of annoying.
by the way I think the 3 month wait for the grading was the SP testing grades.... yeah that took a long time.
- price: C . I understand that it is expensive to run a medical school, but I don't understand why the price keeps going up. It is probably due to my lack of economics knowledge. C'mon OBAMA!

Overall: B+ ( 85% .. this is NOT adjusted.. wink wink... I did weight some of the categories heavier than others based on what I really cared about) - When it comes down to it... I have been frustrated at times, but I have also had a lot of fun at times too. Would I pick VCOM again? Yes. My top choices were 1.UNC (rejected) 2. ECU (post interview rejection) 3. VCOM - They actually acted like they wanted me there on the interview... it's always nice to be wanted!! 🙂 . I chose vcom over PCOM, NSU, MSU, and a bunch of other osteopathic schools. I would do it again. They have been a means to my end and going to VCOM will NOT have any interference on what I want to do in my career. Their residency match lists have been great so far and I expect that to continue. I mean really... why the hell would they NOT have our best interest at heart? It's not like they want us to do badly. They are trying their best to get our boards scores higher and improve our clinical skills. If we do poorly then our school does poorly. Is it possible that they do have our best interest at heart, but there is a little lack of competency or organization somewhere? Maybe.... maybe not. But I would never accuse VCOM of not trying to make us the best physicians we can be. Do I think that somethings could be run better? Sure.... But is it going to hinder me from being a good doctor? No.

To future applicants/ Next years students - need not to worry about your training. You will be fine. You may want to complain about how things are run or how a professor can't teach worth a damn, but I can assure you that VCOM will get you to where you want to go. I was actually able to start a business (LeanerLiving.com), go out on the town and have fun, workout, cook all of the time, and still do very well in class. When people ask me about VCOM I tell them that it is just an all-around school.... possibly master of none... but it is the Jack of all Trades.

How about va1986 and VCOMstudent give a grading. I kind of want to see the differences.

 

[thedon35]

2. the tuition was cheaper. It was a bet that has paid off so far, because I know students at the other institutions who aren't quite as happy as I am now.
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Apparently my price grade wasn't fair. Oopsy!

 

[bioman2006]

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[thedon35]

reveille16 is right on!

 

[VA1986]

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[VCOMstudent]

I appreciate the fact that you feel compelled to vehemently defend VCOM. In fact, four months into my first year I was just like you in that I would defend VCOM to the death. Do you think my opinion changed overnight or because of one incident? The answer is "no." Things have continued to happen over the course of my 14 months there (not including summer) that have resulted in my overall impression of the school being changed. When asked, I have offered specific examples to support my charges, yet you continue to insult me and challenge my integrity simply because I disagree with you. It's almost as if by virtue of my disagreeing with you, I am a facetious, exaggerating liar. I have never said VCOM is incapable of doing good things. They did, after all, discontinue the ridiculous testing schedule that was used last block and the pitiful computer program (the same one that crashed on you guys during your first exam) that had not been tested even once to see if it would work. The negative aspects of the school that I have discussed are things that, in my opinion, make a difference in the educational experience of students who are paying $33+K to attend. You seem to think that the changing of the venue for your white coat ceremony was a big deal; maybe it was to you, and I'm certainly not going to attack your integrity for saying that even though I fail to see what long term impact that would have on the educational experience. I would have been just as happy getting my white coat off of a table in the hallway, but that is just me. Another thing that is unnerving about your posts is that you often assume to know specifically what I'm talking about (e.g. practical grades taking a long time to receive and grade scales changing) when, in fact, you have no clue what I'm talking about. The least you could do is ask for clarification before you start ranting and attacking one's integrity. All that being said…

You've already been shot down by two other VCOM students in this thread

And the reason for this is hard to figure out????? 🙄 Students in my class, as well as other classes, are reluctant to post negative comments about VCOM on a public forum. This reluctance is based on how dissenters—some not-so-professional and others very professional—in previous classes have been treated. Certainly you can see how much easier it would be to post positive comments on a public forum that is viewed by VCOM administration (at least I hope you can). There are older threads on SDN that discuss problems similar to those I described, meaning that over the years some things have not been corrected. Finally, I spend the majority of my life with the people in my class. We talk a great deal, have close relationships, and have developed a certain trust among one another that you do not have. Therefore, you cannot expect for people in my class to willingly open up to you and express their concerns and frustrations because most of them don't have a clue who you are (on a personal level). Our frustrations are discussed in close circles. Most do not speak outside of these circles for fear of someone like you turning them in to administration (which has been done) or administration overhearing them. Others, like me, feel it necessary to make potential applicants aware of the enduring issues at VCOM.

Let's see....we have a review scheduled for our anatomy lab practical as soon as we get back from break, not "three months" as you have claimed.

I wasn't referring to anatomy. I was referring to Standardized Patient, which you haven't done yet. It took us three months to get grades for the block 4 SP, and the clock is currently at 2 months for the block 5 SP. Why is this important? It helps to have constructive feedback BEFORE your next practical so you don't make the same mistakes. This is an example of something that I feel makes a difference in the educational experience of students.

Challenging questions? Doesn't seem to be a problem for my class. We either report them during the exam or at the review after the exam, and we've been successful at getting poor questions thrown out.

Seeing questions after an exam? We get to see them almost immediately if the professor decides not to hold a review. When we do have a review, they show the question statistics. I'm not sure where you got that otherwise.

We can also report terrible questions to the medical education people (not the professors) when we turn in our exams. Questions can also be challenged during the exam reviews IF they are held. There have been SEVERAL instances where either reviews were not held or certain exams were not covered in the reviews. As a result, we had no way of challenging questions or even knowing what questions were missed so improvement could be made. You haven't had the professors that have caused these problems, but you will. We have never had exam questions released to us. We have also been told by the dean of biomedical education that statistics have never and will never be released. How your class has been privileged enough to see statistics is beyond me. I will definitely bring this up to this certain dean though. It sounds like you are going to a completely different medical school. Also feel free to ask anyone in my class to verify this information.

The grading scales shouldn't change after an exam? You mean, there shouldn't be a curve if the overall average is poor? Other med schools do this--you know, the ones with curricula that you claim are so much more awesomer--so why shouldn't VCOM?

😱 Of course I'm NOT referring to the curve. I'm talking about how the percentage values of exams were changed well AFTER the exams were taken without any discussion or forewarning. I was not affected, but many people in my class were negatively affected by this move as one of the exams that was changed had the lowest average. How would you feel if you were one of the people negatively affected by this? How would you feel if administration basically said, "too bad," (as they did) when you challenged the change?

A vet teaching anatomy? How preposterous! What other medical schools would ever let a DVM teach human anatomy? Well, I haven't had this person yet; my small group anatomy proctor tends to be the orthopedic surgeon on our faculty or the new department head Ph.D. that spent over 20 years teaching anatomy at Wake Forest Med. But I'm sure that school is riddled with problems, too, since you seem to know everything about how a medical school should be run. I mean, why else would VCOM hire a highly-qualified candidate to teach there? They must be blackmailing him or something.

Preposterous??? Take a look at the faculty list for crying out loud !!! What medical school would allow this??? VCOM!!! Has your class even started dissections? If not, then I really don't understand how you can comment on this and challenge someone who has been dissecting for a year. I heard the comment made with my own ears if that makes you feel better. As far as the surgeon and the professor from Wake are concerned, both will tell you that GROSS anatomy is not their area. In fact, the orthopedic surgeon, during a cardiac anatomy lecture, made the comment that he, "once talked to a cardiothoracic surgeon." I actually found this humorous, but you get the point.

Congrats on being at the top of the Class of 2012 as you claim.

Thank you. I've worked very hard.

Just because the upperclassmen on here disagree with your posts and even provide plausible evidence backing up their opinions on VCOM, it doesn't mean they owe VCOM their "lives" and are covering up problems to show their loyalty. We're simply pointing out that most of your exaggerated anger and know-it-all posts are simply bull****.

I suppose the reason my comments are "exaggerated" and "know-it-all" is because I'm disagreeing with you. How are others' comments more plausible than mine? I've offered SPECIFIC examples. What better evidence is there? If anyone is attempting to be a "know-it-all," it is you, my friend. You make several incorrect assumptions and comment on aspects of the education that you have yet to experience without even having the decency to ask for clarification. I would much rather work with residents who develop "sour" attitudes in response to perceived injustices as opposed to someone who makes conclusions without getting an adequate amount of information. The latter character flaw could kill people.

A legitimate complaint against VCOM would be the entirely self-taught Pathology SDLs that we have to do (which is due to your class and gunners like you, so thanks a lot for making us teach ourselves the most important subject in medical school). Bringing up a personal vendetta scattered with various generalizations and insults are not legitimate complaints.

Really, do you have the slightest clue what you are talking about? I suggest you go to the pathology chair's office and discuss the circumstances leading to the self-taught pathology course at VCOM. Classes PREVIOUS to mine did complain some about the lectures being boring. The decision to move toward self-taught pathology using the labs was made BEFORE my class even started, and it was a decision made by the dean. And as a "heads-up," expect more SDLs your second year—embryology, infectious diseases, CCC, etc.

the dissenter is in an extreme minority in real life.

See my above comments. Everyone in my class knows who the apologists are. Do you think we complain or discuss problems around them? They are the ones that go running to administration. This is probably why you don't hear much complaining and think I am in the minority. Besides, I've been in the hall when your class has been out, and there has been PLENTY of complaining. Or did I just happen to hear only the minority?

I have a small sample size here, and others have said the best faculty teach the first year classes. But I'm happy with my profs so far.

Yet you felt justified lambasting me for my comments. Your statement above is correct.

Facilities - A. Awesome building and first-rate technology. I'll put the anatomy lab up against any med school in the country. I can't wait to check out the new research building once it is fully completed.

The anatomy lab is okay except for the fact that the cadavers are kept bagged for one year. When your cadaver dries out and resembles a piece of leather, you might question the awesomeness of the lab. The tables being used are meant for dissection only, not storage. The new research building has nothing for the tuition-paying students of VCOM except a large meeting room where some events are held. There is a bank and a catering company in the building. When the dean was asked about these tenants, here reply was that VCOM was a business and needed to make money. I heard this with my own ears. The research facility is for Virginia Tech biomedical engineering.

 

[bioman2006]

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[VCOMstudent]

lol, nice job. I don't think VA1986 will be coming back for awhile.

In regards to the questions statistics, I know we got to see them after one biochem exam, to show which questions were tossed out and why. I don't recall seeing that for any other exam, though. I'm not sure how he/she came to the conclusion that all of our exam reviews showed question stats. Maybe he/she meant the i-clicker quizzes?? haha

More SDLs? Great. This is totally why I did NOT want to go to a school with PBL curriculum. Sigh
Then again, I've had students at other schools tell me that a lot of med schools are moving towards PBL in some shape or form. They say it's "to foster independent learning", while I say it's "a lazy way to teach medicine".

I was guessing that if you guys saw any statistics it was for biochemistry. That particular professor does bend over backwards for students in addition to being a great teacher. Yeah, expect more SDLs and video lectures. I love showing up for an 0830 class and realizing it's movie day. I would rather have the extra hour of sleep! Enjoy your break - block 3 is on the horizon!

 

[bioman2006]

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[thedon35]

Ok good points by vcomstudent. So I guess the question is whether these things will hinder your training to be the best physician you can be. I want to say suck it up, but I can't because I am not in your class. So are these just nuisances or are these road blocks to your education?

 

[Vita]

I personally love the Pathology SDLs. I didn't learn anything from Santo that wasn't on his powerpoints, and having the labs a) forces me to actually read them/pay attention to them and b) gives us a free 20% boost to our grades.

To VCOMstudent and whoever else is fighting on here: obviously you have differing opinions. Neither of you are acting professional, though. Calm down and realize that no matter what anyone says, you are not going to agree.

For every person in my class complaining about something, there is another person who does not. No matter what, everyone has to make up their own mind about it.

No matter what, one verbal student on this forum is not going to stop VCOM from having a full class every year.

 

[Jedi Mindtricks]

I am grateful to hear a frank discussion of VCOM medical education. I am also happy that I will VERY likely be attending VCOM in the Fall. I think there are positives and negatives about every situation in life. I think maturity is quantified by realizing that not everything is going to be perfect or fair in life, regardless how much money is spent. Life in itself is not fair. See Darwin and natural selection. I have been involved in 2 different medical schools during graduate school and the things VCOM Student mentioned are really not uncommon. Happy holidays!

 

[2013vcomDO]

I'm a first year VCOM student and I pretty much only have positive things to say about the school. Most of our professors are excellent, the exams are (usually) fair, and I have learned a huge amount in the months that I've been here. But perhaps VCOMstudent is correct; we first years have not been at VCOM very long, and we have not yet had to deal with the issues that made VCOMstudent change his mind about the school.

But I'm wondering what VCOMstudent is hoping to accomplish by pointing out the faults of VCOM. Yes, I'm sure that applicants to VCOM appreciate the fact that he is giving an "inside look" of the less-than-pleasant aspects of VCOM, and it would be a good thing if nobody commits to VCOM under the false assumption that the school is perfect in every way. But since the people who apply only to VCOM or who get rejected from every school other than VCOM will most likely attend VCOM anyways, I can see only one possible result of VCOMstudent's negative remarks -- the most qualified applicants (those with the highest MCATs and GPAs, those who have likely been accepted at other DO or MD schools) will be discouraged from attending.

I'm pretty sure that the Osteopathic Oath says something about striving for the improvement of the school that taught you the art of medicine. Discouraging the most highly-qualified applicants from attending VCOM can only make the school worse.

 

[thedon35]

well said Jedi and 2013vcomdo. 👍

 

[bioman2006]

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[Vita]

Yeah, I don't mind the Path SDLs as they are quite informative and interesting. I just hope the rest of our SDLs aren't like the ones we had for embryology.

Yeah I seriously wonder about why Embryology is all SDL. I think we should ask them to switch it for next years class. Dr. Hill used to teach it, which would be nice.

 

[bioman2006]

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[DO3]

So how much SDL/PBL stuff is actually in the curriculum? On my interview day, I only heard that 1st year anatomy was basically all SDL since you did not get to do anything with the cadavers. That info came from the student who gave us the tour, not the admissions staff. From here, it appears that histology and embryology is SDL as well? Is there anything else? I would have appreciated this info on the interview day, and I am actually a little miffed that they don't provide this info on interview day. The amount of SDL/PBL that is present in different schools's curriculum is one of the things that I believe students look at in making a decision.

 

[bioman2006]

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[DO3]

More SDLs? Great. This is totally why I did NOT want to go to a school with PBL curriculum. Sigh
Then again, I've had students at other schools tell me that a lot of med schools are moving towards PBL in some shape or form. They say it's "to foster independent learning", while I say it's "a lazy way to teach medicine".

Ding, Ding, Ding...We have a winner! I 100% agree!

 

[korsibor]

For those of you who got accepted recently, how long did you have to wait to hear of your acceptance after the interview. I have deposit deadlines coming up for some schools but I want to check out VCOM first. I hate this deposit policy.

 

[gomango]

Finally made a decision and I chose VCOM!!!! Mailed off my deposit today!! WOO HOO!!! So excited to start!! Not so excited for the 2000 mile move! 🙂

 

[gomango]

For those of you who got accepted recently, how long did you have to wait to hear of your acceptance after the interview. I have deposit deadlines coming up for some schools but I want to check out VCOM first. I hate this deposit policy.

Well I believe...someone correct me if I'm wrong...the ADCOM meets every other week. So it depends upon when they are meeting and when you interview for when you hear back. I interviewed 12/2 and heard back 12/10 because they met that day. Good luck! 🙂

 

[DO3]

To those worried about the curriculum changes, I was told by staff that the curriculum changes were going to quiet down unless the Dean decides to keep changing things. The reason for the major overhaul of the curriculum has now left the faculty. I was also told by students that the reason that there were so many curriculum changes was because the Dean simply wants students to excel on board exams. I guess there is a limit to how much tweaking can be tolerated though.

 

[korsibor]

Anyone interviewing on January, 11th?

 

[DO_doctor]

Anyone interviewing on January, 11th?

i am!! at my hotel right now.

 

[VCOMstudent]

...unless the Dean decides to keep changing things.

🤣🤣🤣

The reason for the major overhaul of the curriculum has now left the faculty.

I'm really tired of everyone at VCOM blaming things on the "faculty who is no longer with us." Was the testing format a disaster? Yes. But, her highness the dean has to approve everything from the brand of toilet paper being used, to the release of official transcripts, to, yes, the curriculum being changed. "The faculty who is no longer with us" may have suggested various changed, but the dean implemented them. And just for the record, that particular block, despite being hell because of testing, was probably the most organized in terms of classes and topics that we have had yet.

I was also told by students that the reason that there were so many curriculum changes was because the Dean simply wants students to excel on board exams.

This is laughable. Just think for a minute: The curriculum, in some way, has been changed every year. Does changing things each year allow a method to really be assessed? I would argue that it does not. The fact of the matter is that the dean will not leave things alone long enough to see if they work.

 

[kcopp]

Anyone interviewing next Wednesday? Also any pointers for those who have already interviewed?

 

[korsibor]

Interviewed here yesterday and I must say, I was pleased with what I saw. This place will be a good fit for me. Let me hasting to add that one of my interviewers mentioned a lack of organization 'sometimes' in regards to the curriculum. This seems to be a problem that ppl are concerned about. However, I will still love to be here this fall.

 

[bioman2006]

.

 

[korsibor]

For those who interviewed on Monday, 11th , did anybody receive that call yet?

 

[DO_doctor]

i interviewed monday... received call just now and accepted 😀 😀

 

[korsibor]

i interviewed monday... received call just now and accepted 😀 😀

Congrats. I am still waiting for that call .

 

[korsibor]

Just got the call. I am in!!!!!!!!!! 😀😀👍

 

[DO_doctor]

congrats!

 

[gomango]

Congrats everyone who was recently accepted!! Join the rest of us 2014'ers on our Facebook page (VCOM Class of 2014). 🙂

 

[kcopp]

Anyone scheduled for next wednesday's interview slot?

 

[mimi2kul]

still hoping for an interview invite. just got completed finally last week.

 

[Allface]

We were a lucky group. We got a call the very next day. I've been accepted!! Oh God, it's actually going to happen. The reality has just sunk in!

For those about to interview, they really do believe in making it "as stress free as possible". The only thing I would do is make sure you review your supplementary application and be prepared to embellish on any themes, principles, or anecdotes about yourself. Be prepared for this question: So...what are you going to do when you kill someone? I almost laughed from the randomness of it within the series of questions, but I took a moment to really think about it.

Congrats from everyone who has been accepted or to even those who are still interviewing. VCOM gave me the impression they still have many seats left so don't panic.

 

[jengibre5224]

I'm in class of 2013 and just wanted to put this out there for those already accepted-I live in a complex called cedarfield, one of the CMG properties and think its perfect-I have a one bed 634$ a month + utilities, 5 min drive from school, a mile from the grocery store, 5 min drive to the VCOM clinic. Perfect location. But, when I called last year about this time, there was only four one bedroom apt. left in this complex, so call soon. I signed my lease site unseen and am quite happy and both my next door neighbors go to VCOM- I think you can even ask to be next to VCOMers. Also, if you're interested message me, and if you say I referred you, we both get 100$. Congrats to those accepted and good luck to those trying/waiting.