SOMETHING TO CONSIDER WHEN APPLYING TO WCUCOM:
It may not be a big deal to you NOW since your top priority is to get into medical school, but WCUCOM has an 80% attendance policy in most classes and 100% in others. I did not even think about the potential consequences of this before applying because I was so focused on getting in, but I wish I would have. When classes do start your top priority will probably be to learn as much as you can so that you can do well in the class and be prepared for board examinations in the future. Most of you will then realize how important every second of your time is. You will probably also feel that you are in class for far too long each day, a well-known problem at WCUCOM. In my experience I have found that the two or more hours of required class time every time the class meets is better spent reading, rehearsing, and studying in small groups. After paying so much for tuition I feel like the student body should have some say on issues that will have a large impact on their academic success. Unfortunately, we do not.
Some may say that it is unprofessional for me to say negative things about this school. If it is unprofessional to warn potential applicants about policies that may negatively affect their academic success then so be it. It would be like failing to warn a fellow soldier about a mine field in which he or she is about to walk through.
Please take some time to reflect on what I have said. I also want to apologize for not posting this sooner.
For those of you applying and find this post concerning, and to Member992:
Yes, we have 80% attendance policy. Yes, it's tiring sometimes to go to class that much. Member 992, it's appreciated that you posted this in a way that does not tear down WCU COM, but simply voices your opinion. That being said, we recently had a COCA team visit us, and they genuinely listened to our concerns and took action on the attendance, lecture schedule, etc. that seemed overwhelming to our two classes. It appears that there will be some changes that will lessen the amount of scheduled lecture time. So, with all due respect, we are getting a say in this school and what goes on with us.
Secondly, I want to say this, as part of my own opinion: this is medical school. We
were told about the mandatory attendance policy, at least the current OMS I class was (it was in the school's handbook). Besides that, 80% in some classes gives you a lot of absences (ex: biochem has 60 class days...so that gives ~12 absences in that class--much much allowed than in any undergrad course I took). Some classes are tiring to go to, absolutely. But, it could be a lot worse. I think VCOM has 100% mandatory attendance, and has assigned seating. At least we are not treated like first graders in that respect. We get to choose where we sit and can change seats!
Yes, Osteopathic Principles & Practices is 100% mandatory. But that's not to say if you are really sick the professors will make you stay, I've seen them tell people to go home and get rest. The fact is, I wasn't expecting to have to go to class only some of the time. I still get a lot done, and learning to power nap. Yes, the OMS II class has it harder than the OMS I class does. Thanks to the OMS II class, our (OMS I) class has a lot better scheduling and other things in place that are helping us out. And, yes, I feel bad for the OMS II class for areas that aren't changing for them and how overwhelmed they are.
We are working on getting note taking services going, and you can record the lectures if the teacher allows it. They just don't like it being posted on the internet to the world.
If you are applying to medical school thinking it's going to be sunshine and puppies the entire time, you are kidding yourself. This is the most challenging thing you'll ever do. And life does not stop because you are in medical school. But it's doable. Not only is it doable, but it is completely possible to do really well in medical school.
WCU COM is a great school. We have problems, yes. They're working on them. We have faculty that not everyone gets along with, but that goes in every part of life. It seems rare that you are in a work/school/any environment where you will like every single person that is there, and will never get annoyed with those people. I listen to other students from other schools and we all have things to gripe about, just for griping's sake. We're under a ton of stress and overwhelmed a lot. It's getting better. But I wouldn't go to another D.O. school over WCU COM even knowing the frustrations that we have now. It's hard being part of the first classes to go through the school. But, IMHO, it's very worth it. It's really exciting, and there are faculty that listen to us and do their best to make life as easy as they can manage for us.
To add to my freak-out mode, does anyone know of a case where someone got flat-out denied? Obviously it happens, there's just very little talk of it.
