visiting schools

[SN3]

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During my spring break I plan on visiting a couple of podiatry schools as I am planning on applying in the fall. I am a bit curious though, as to if this is a common thing to do. I never hear any pre-med, vet, optometry, etc. students at my current university talking about visiting potential graduate schools. Is this seen as "counting your chickens before they hatch"? I know that when you are granted an interview at these programs they give you a tour, but do many people take tours before applying?

 

[janV88]

I visited Scholl the summer before I applied. It was a great experience and I HIGHLY recommend visiting schools if you can.

I know a lot of pre-med, pre-opto, etc. who visit schools before applying. Usually it is during an open house or with their pre-professional group but I have also heard of people visiting solo. Don't be afraid of admissions thinking less of you. In my opinion, I think they enjoy having people visit. That was the vibe I got when I scheduled my visit at Scholl.

 

[SN3]

thats good to hear. Thanks!

 

[dtrack22]

If one of your chickens is carrying at least a 3.0 GPA and the other chicken has above a 22 on the MCAT (writing score isn't too important IMO) then I would say count away...Have fun 👍

 

[Sig Savant]

What schools are you going to visit?

 

[SN3]

well, I live in St. Louis so I was planning on visiting OCPM and Scholl, since they aren't too far away to drive to. However, I just got an email back from OCPM saying they only conduct tours for applicants who have applied 🙁 They directed me towards a "pre-professional intership" program, but its 1-2 weeks so im sure that would be a bit expensive (the program is free but you pay housing and meals). Also, most of it sounds like observing different types of procedures, which is something I can do at home for free. You do spend a little time at the school, but I am really just interested in spending a couple hours there, just to get a feel for the place.

 

[ldsrmdude]

We have had some students come out on their own or with their parents, and have given them a tour of the campus. It has only happened a few times that I know of, and if the admissions dept says that they don't offer tours unless you are applying, it may be worth it to email the Dean and ask them. They may just tell you to ask the admissions, but they may be able to work it out if they know that you are interested.

 

[SN3]

Does anyone think it is strange that OCPM won't let me tour before applying? I feel pre-rejected, lol. Is their campus not very impressive? Are they afraid that if I tour it now I won't apply there? The vibe i'm getting from them is that they feel like I could be wasting their time.

 

[Sig Savant]

Yeah, I'd go to a school that actually wants you to come visit. If they don't care about you now, I wonder how it will be in a year. You'd think they would at least try to make you feel welcome. Check out the other schools.

 

[215353]

Does anyone think it is strange that OCPM won't let me tour before applying? I feel pre-rejected, lol. Is their campus not very impressive? Are they afraid that if I tour it now I won't apply there? The vibe i'm getting from them is that they feel like I could be wasting their time.

I may get flamed by current OCPM students for this but OCPM is a very "money" driven school. They prob don't want to give you a tour because they want you to do their pre-matriculation program. They just want your cash.

As for the campus, it is very nice. The facilities and building are also very nice. It's like hotel basically. I will def give it up to OCPM in those categories.

 

[damhsoir]

I may get flamed by current OCPM students for this but OCPM is a very "money" driven school. They prob don't want to give you a tour because they want you to do their pre-matriculation program. They just want your cash.

As for the campus, it is very nice. The facilities and building are also very nice. It's like hotel basically. I will def give it up to OCPM in those categories.

Are you referring to their summer internship program? I did it 2 years ago...it was a good experience and it was FREE. 🙂 If anything they lose a ton of money on their interns. We were given gas cards to drive to the foot&ankle clinic, taken out to lunch 3x, had dinner with one of their trustees, and had free breakfast in the caf everyday. Instead of having to pay the $500 deposit they only required $250 for students that interned. Too bad I couldn't write that deposit off as a donation since I chose to go to pod school elsewhere.

 

[215353]

Are you referring to their summer internship program? I did it 2 years ago...it was a good experience and it was FREE. 🙂 If anything they lose a ton of money on their interns. We were given gas cards to drive to the foot&ankle clinic, taken out to lunch 3x, had dinner with one of their trustees, and had free breakfast in the caf everyday. Instead of having to pay the $500 deposit they only required $250 for students that interned. Too bad I couldn't write that deposit off as a donation since I chose to go to pod school elsewhere.

I stand corrected...i thought i read of a program where students just shadowed other current students. They had to pay a fee for the program and were responsible for their own food, etc. I figured this is what OCPM wanted the OP to do so they could make some money instead of just showing him around the school.

 

[SN3]

Their website says "There is no cost for the internship program itself. However, prospective interns should understand that some expense is incurred due to transportation and living expenses (housing and meals)." So it is not completely free, right? It also describes the program by saying "A typical day includes open clinic observations and department rotations with OCPM students and faculty clinicians." To me it just sounds like shadowing.

 

[damhsoir]

Their website says "There is no cost for the internship program itself. However, prospective interns should understand that some expense is incurred due to transportation and living expenses (housing and meals)." So it is not completely free, right? It also describes the program by saying "A typical day includes open clinic observations and department rotations with OCPM students and faculty clinicians." To me it just sounds like shadowing.

No it's not completely free. You have to pay for transportation there and back and for a few meals. Some of the interns stayed with OCPM students during that week (I stayed with my parents in Cleveland). I'm pretty sure those students were given a gift card or check for hosting the interns. Pretty sweet deal, huh?

The shadowing was pretty boring...mostly nails and debriding wounds. BUT we were able to talk to 3rd/4th year students about the application process, what they thought of OCPM and other schools, clerkships and residencies, etc. We even had a mock interview with Dean Lott, which helped me prepare for the real thing. 👍