VCOM worries

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DesiQ

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I've interviewed with VCOM and am waiting to hear from them (hopefully by next week). I think it's a beautiful school in a great location and given that I'm from southwestern Virginia I feel it'd be perfect for me.. I do love the fact it is brand new and is very technologically advanced.. BUT I feel a bit uneasy about the fact that it has JUST started with the Class of 2008 being just the second class to enter. How can you tell how well the school prepares you for the comlex and usmle if no one has graduated from there yet? There are no statistics available ofcourse... which has gotten me worried as to whether or not how well this school will do (in terms of preparing their students as future DO's). Please let me know what you all think and HOPEFULLY calm me down a bit!! 😕
 
I am going to be going to VCOM next fall and am very excited about it. I have good stats but wanted to go DO and VCOM just felt right to me. I don't think we have anything to worry about with passing boards etc....look who is running the school, and in order for the school to become accredited the first couple of classes HAVE to do well on the boards, so in a way I feel at an advantage because they will make sure we are ready for the boards. We will set the standard for the school. Also the fact that we will be taking both the USMLE, and the COMLEX, I am sure the faculty is aware of what goes into this type of preparation. I was told that the "pockets run deep" at Vtech, and that they really want to see this school succeed.

Follow your heart, but don't be afraid of VCOM. That school feels different than others, and not to mention squeaky clean and full of technological perks.

Best of luck with your decision and PM me if you have any questions...
 
DesiQ,

Thing of your situation as full of potential and possibilities.
A school that is just starting has, on its side, eagerness to prove itself to the osteopathic community.... if you ride this enthusiasm, then you will succeed.

If you feel it fits well for you, then I say go for it and GOOD LUCK!!!

Later, 😎
 
I firmly believe with the experienced staff that VCOM has, we will be well prepared and get a great education. Dean Rawlins is the perfect person to be running the school. She put together a fantastic team.

They wouldn't have opened and sunk all that money into it if they weren't fully commited to bringing us the very best DO education.

I also extend an invitation to you to PM me if you wnat to talk further about VCOM.

(If you like sushi, wholehealth's husband is a sushi chef. Just another reason to come to VCOM.😀 )
 
Thank you all for the support!! I feel a lot better about things- but for now am waiting for an acceptance letter/phonecall/email/anything!! Wish me luck/pray for me!

You all are the best😀
 
I'm still trying to figure this chat thing out! I've been accepted to VCOM and I'm pretty sure I'm going to accept. I just saw a post that wholehealth's husband is a sushi chef. At my interview on Jan 7 at VCOM there was a woman there whose husband is a sushi chef....any relation???
 
hye i know how ya feel. I am an intern at a brand new EM residency in Florida (Tampa). Being the first class is kind of scary but its also VERY exciting, and its an opportunity that NO ONE else will have. I'm part of a legacy!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its definately fun to do and I wouldn't hesitate a bit going to VCOM. Blacksburg isn't the most fun place to live (I went to JMU but partied at Tech every once in a while) but try not to think twice (unless yer accepted at other programs too!).

Congrats.

Q, DO
 
😛

Hi! Sorry, no relation to the Jan. 7 interviewee, I interviewed Dec. 15. But, how ironic if two students had sushi chef husbands. Maybe they can start a sushi bar in Blacksburg...(there is one in Christiansburg, but B-burg is hurtin' for certain)

Thanks to QuinnNSU for the positive remarks about VCOM. I agree that we have an extraordinary opportunity. I am so excited, and I have been back to the school since the interview, and the enthusiasm exists always. The faculty is so great! They also love the first year class...full of risk takers, which makes for some interesting personalities. One of the staff members said this school is a dream come true, and a dream to work at. It's nice to hear that the faculty is happy there, and the students only say that they love being there.

Ok, off my soapbox, I guess the hokie spirit has got a hold on me already.

Talk to you all soon....
 
This week......VCOM has gotten the go ahead for a second building. It will have labs for research for the profs AND.... a dental school.😀

Our school is really going to be great:clap:
 
Hi Amy B and other VCOMers,

Have you guys started to look at housing?

I looked up at where VCOM was located, and it's located in a research center (?); surrounded by research companies. Because of this, can I conclude that the safety of the area is pretty good?
 
Blacksburg is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO safe. I wouldn't worry about it at all. The only time they really seem to have problems is VA Tech game nights if they play a big rival. It is a very safe place.

Imagine a map and you are looking down at it. VCOM is on the left edge and then you have a number of buildings to the right of it and those buildings, that look like office buildings are the research center. They are comprised of small research companies that lease space from the corporate research center. They literally look like a bunch of office buildings. Very nice, clean and safe.

No worries!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been house hunting, but I have a family and we are going to buy a home. I know others are locking in apartments in the area. So anyone looking for housing start now. They fill up fast so make your move as soon as you can. I think you can place an apartment on hold for August.
 
Hello everyone- I got my acceptance letter today🙂🙂🙂 I'm sooo excited and RELIEVED! This was my number one choice... Thank God I got in!

Amy B- I'm also looking to buy a house there- my siblings will be attending VT for undergrad and we feel it'd be cheaper than renting. Any suggestions? I was looking at houses on Ellet Road (located fairly close to VCOM)- actually I haven't actively started looking since I JUST found out about getting in- I"ll definitely try to post some suggestions as soon as I check places out.

Peaaaaaaaaace!
 
What kind of sites does VCOM have for rotations? I really like VCOM, it is my number one choice. Good area, good school, still in the south, less than 300 miles from home, and CWP friendly.
 
I'm not looking to buy anything. Has anyone looked at apartments to rent in the area?? Also, does anyone know if there are people looking for roommates? I can't decide if I want to go ahead and get my own place or look for a roommate.....
 
JKDMed, I think there is a group of about seven core hospitals for rotations. I was told that all were within an hour and a half drive from Blacksburg. Check out the website I think there is a link for hospitals.
 
Welcome to our class DesiQ. I sent you a PM.

JKDMed, VCOM has set up the rotation sites in the area as wholehealth has said. Check out their new catalog on the web page and it has them listed, plus it has all the classes and their descritptions and the list of rotations and how long you are in each one.
 
Originally posted by JKDMed
What kind of sites does VCOM have for rotations? I really like VCOM, it is my number one choice. Good area, good school, still in the south, less than 300 miles from home, and CWP friendly.

What does CWP stand for?

VCOM seems like it will be an exceptional program with all the best to offer.
 
I received my acceptance letter from VCOM today! I was very impressed by the school, the faculty, the students, the short- and long-term plans, and the facilities when I interviewed earlier this month, so I'm quite happy to have been offered a spot.

The only thing I don't like is that I have to pay the $1,000 non-refundable fee while I wait to hear from other schools and decide on the school that is right for me. VCOM is not my first choice school, but I also know that I would be happy there should I attend. Although I understand that they want a commitment from students, I think it sucks that the fee is so high. Fortunately, I work full-time and the money isn't a problem, but some people can't come up with the money that quickly. What are they supposed to do, especially since nobody mentioned this until interview day? You can't just find $1,000 under the seat cushions of your couch in a few weeks' time.

Anyway, I'm thrilled and honored to be accepted at VCOM. The enthusiasm that the faculty have for their school has already rubbed off on those of you who are definitely attending in the fall, and that's impressive!
 
I completely agree with you about the $1000. I'm in school full time right now and I'm having to borrow the money from my parents to send it in. I had assumed that I could use loans for all of school. My pre-med advisor told me to call them and tell them yes and they will hold my spot while I look at other schools. It didn't seem like that to me at the interview though but it might work. I was supposed to interview at Kirksville but the interview would be after my money deadline at VCOM. I didn't want to take any chances so I just accepted VCOM since those were the only 2 I applied to and I liked it. Good luck!
 
Originally posted by Clemson Doc
I received my acceptance letter from VCOM today!

The only thing I don't like is that I have to pay the $1,000 non-refundable fee while I wait to hear from other schools and decide on the school that is right for me.

Congrats on your acceptance:clap: :clap: If you decide to come to VCOM I think you will have a great experience andI think we are going to have an awesome class.

As to the deposit.... When is it due for people now. I know when I was accepted in Oct I had till Dec to send in the money. How long do you all have? DO schools have high deposits to keep people who are waiting for MD acceptances for holding their seats. At least that is what the general consensus seems to be.
 
I gt my acceptance letter on Jan 12 and I have until Jan 30 to send in the deposit.
 
Could the new VCOM students please post their stats? I really like this school, but am becoming anxious as the application cycle approaches. Thanks.

If you're not comfortable, which would be odd since you got in, please PM me.
 
Hey JKDMed,
You should e-mail Megan Price and ask her what your chances are, in a professional way, of course. I did, and she was very honest with me. I am telling you, this school operates in such a caring way toward the students, and the more you are in contact with them, the more they remember you...etc... If you really like the school, your grades are average, you have a genuine interest in osteopathic medicine, and you're from the southeast, you have such a great chance of getting in..Keep the faith.
 
My cumulative after this semester will be a 3.3x. My science GPA could be anywhere from a 3.2x to a 3.4x, depending upon how I fare. I intend to take a science or two in the summer, contingent upon my performance this semester.

My stats aren't ****ty, but they're a tad below the average for VCOM. However, I am in the south east.
 
You will be fine. My stats were close to yours. My last 60 hours were very strong, and I have some interesting life experiences that came up in all of my interviews. Seriously, send Megan an e-mail. If you need her address, let me know.🙂
 
I have it. I contacted her a month or so ago about the LOR situation. I don't have a comittee, and their website made no mention of an alternative.

The problem is that I have no special life experiences. I graduated high school and went to college; that's about it. I do some pseudo-interesting things, but nothing that will really make me stand out. I fear I'm doomed to mediocrity.

I will email her closer to April.
 
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