- Joined
- May 19, 2004
- Messages
- 594
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 4,531
- Resident [Any Field]
VCOM Interview ?
- Thread starter Doc 2b
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2003
- Messages
- 1,616
- Reaction score
- 6
- Points
- 4,571
- Location
- NJ > Ohio
- Resident [Any Field]
30 minutes each and they are back to back; it is an all morning affair just for the interviews. I thought it would be long but I was surprised at how conversational and really interesting and nice the faculty is at VCOM. The interviews were done before I knew it and I was happy to have spoken to each of the interviewers and one of them in particular. They were the real pull I had to the school. Good luck
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2003
- Messages
- 2,023
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 4,571
- Location
- The best coast (west coast)
Nate said:
I second all of that 100%
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2003
- Messages
- 1,616
- Reaction score
- 6
- Points
- 4,571
- Location
- NJ > Ohio
- Resident [Any Field]
Actually, I have been on 4 interviews and every school had its own strength. I think that any medical school in the US will give you an incredible opportunity to learn medicine, assuming you take what is there to be had. Having said that, I think choosing a school comes down to a personal evaluation of priorities and feelings.
For me, NSU had too big of a class size and crowded school; even the surrounding area was full of traffic and bustle. I liked the spirit of the students and the facilities. Albeit this may be a fun place to live, but is that the ideal place to seek a medical education? For some it may be but for me I think a more tranquil environment is ideal.
UNE had that tranquil focused setting. It also had a real sense of community and camaraderie in its students. The anatomy course is phenomenal and my tour guide really sold the school. It is tough to pass up, but there are still other factors complicating the decision: factors such as finances, since UNE comes in at a whopping 33k a year with some rather high living expenses and some brutal winters.
VCOM was almost too good to believe. The faculty seemed top-notch and really interested in the students. The anatomy lab was scent-less and the area was rather beautiful. After some thought though, I realized the clinical years are way too important and VCOM has not tested its curriculum in those yet and although I felt sold on their philosophy and motivation there was the looming uncertainty.
UMDNJ: now here is where it all came together for me. I get to stay close to home, pay substantially less tuition, be in a small class and small town environment, and there was an air of confidence within the school plus a substantial history. Coupled with the metropolitan area for clinical education my decision is more obvious now.
I don?t think it would be wrong to choose any of those schools over any other, or any medical school in the US for that matter. I almost wish I could clone myself into 4 and do each program, providing I could afford all 4 at the same time 🙂
Oh, and if PCOM and NYCOM ever decide to get around to interviewing this year and I am invited I will go check those out since they are close to home.
For me, NSU had too big of a class size and crowded school; even the surrounding area was full of traffic and bustle. I liked the spirit of the students and the facilities. Albeit this may be a fun place to live, but is that the ideal place to seek a medical education? For some it may be but for me I think a more tranquil environment is ideal.
UNE had that tranquil focused setting. It also had a real sense of community and camaraderie in its students. The anatomy course is phenomenal and my tour guide really sold the school. It is tough to pass up, but there are still other factors complicating the decision: factors such as finances, since UNE comes in at a whopping 33k a year with some rather high living expenses and some brutal winters.
VCOM was almost too good to believe. The faculty seemed top-notch and really interested in the students. The anatomy lab was scent-less and the area was rather beautiful. After some thought though, I realized the clinical years are way too important and VCOM has not tested its curriculum in those yet and although I felt sold on their philosophy and motivation there was the looming uncertainty.
UMDNJ: now here is where it all came together for me. I get to stay close to home, pay substantially less tuition, be in a small class and small town environment, and there was an air of confidence within the school plus a substantial history. Coupled with the metropolitan area for clinical education my decision is more obvious now.
I don?t think it would be wrong to choose any of those schools over any other, or any medical school in the US for that matter. I almost wish I could clone myself into 4 and do each program, providing I could afford all 4 at the same time 🙂
Oh, and if PCOM and NYCOM ever decide to get around to interviewing this year and I am invited I will go check those out since they are close to home.
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2003
- Messages
- 84
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Age
- 50
- Location
- Baton Rouge
- Resident [Any Field]
for me it wasnt hard to choose VCOM. I chose this over Nova in Ft L. for many reasons, as well as a few other schools. Im only a first year, but I love it here.
- Joined
- May 19, 2004
- Messages
- 594
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 4,531
- Resident [Any Field]
medicRN669 said:
I only have a few concerns: 1) The ciriculum has not provens itself yet, with no board scores. 2) I never could get a straight answer about rotation sites. And the M3 and M4 year ciriculum. 3) The dress code and attendance policy. I feel you have enough to worry about during school, and should not have to worry about wearing Khaki pants and no tennis shoes? Maybe you can help me out with some of these issues, I'm trying to figure out where to go?
Doc 2b said:
I'm still in the decision making process as well. Your concern #3 is exactly the same at Nova. They also have a weird dress code and are more strict about attendance than VCOM. My biggest concern is your concern #2. No matter how much you "believe" in the school, they just have no track record to prove anything. I have no doubts that their curriculum (1st two years) will be excellent. I believe you get that feeling just meeting the faculty and students at the school. Their is such a positive vibe. That being said, can you go on a vibe or on proven statistics.
The clinical years are a bit scarier to me. See, during those first two years, success depends a lot more on the student than the curriculum. If you study and work hard, you will pass your boards and do well. However, during you clinical years, your learning depends on what the physicians allow you to do. What sort of opportunities await you? I feel certain that any rural hospital will offer plenty of hands-on experience as you may be the only hands there. The question is how much guidance you will have during the process. I plan on calling VCOM and talking at length with various individuals at the school before making a final decision.
VCOM is tied for first out of the D.O. schools in my mind with KCOM and DMU (assuming I get in to those schools as well) because I'm much more interested in living in Virginia than MO or IA. However, KCOM and DMU are much better established schools. Also, I have a special interest in VCOM?s ?Mission?s medicine track.?
