Western/COMP Class of 2005 - part 02

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Good idea on scouting other med schools to see what their policies are. Somebody did bring this up to the officers after the meeting. If anyone has friends at another school and can get a hold of that information, that would be really helpful for our letter...
I know that our president was going to look into the matter next week.
 
$hit peeps... I know what you're talking about... and you're getting me thinking you know what.... errgghhh... I like(d) COMP..... UGGHHH... 😕

-A
 
Every school has its problems...so knowing what particular problems a school has is often better than waiting and finding out after you decline other offers and matriculate..

Always better to know the beast before the fight...rather than during the 1st encounter...
 
Actually, you have nothing to worry about. Definitely, every school will have specific problems here and there and/or gripes from the students.. what school wouldn't at all? For every thing there is to gripe about, there are plenty of positives about the school/location/etc.

At any rate, just fill in your information correctly on your scantron and life will be good. 🙂
 
Damn Yosh.. how do you have so many more posts than me? Must've been that thing with DMU-COM.

*Anyway, just wanted to remind visitors to the COMP 2005 thread that Ariel has just started a COMP 2006 thread so stop on by and offer your input when you're taking a break, alright? See y'all around.
 
Well, the MS-II's are challenging us to paintball. It is Nov. 10, a Saturday before a Pharmacology exam.. so not as bad as other courses I suppose. Just reminding you guys in case you never check your e-mails.
 
BTW, you first years better wh00p some a$$... since Nov 10th is my 30th Birthday, I'll be expecting a flag in the mail as a present! 😀

-A
 
Amra,

word of advice...Don't come here. I am sure starting to wish i didn't. All the crap the admin tells you about the school is bull crap. The only good thing about COMP is that it is in California. I'm sure wishing I went to Touro.

Most people that are here will be confined to primary care, not because they want to, but because they have no choice. The professors are still in the "weed out" mode, and try to screw us over. I mean come on, giving two students zeros becuase they miss one bubble? They make test questions WAY harder than they should be (Dr Bales comes to mind). Last year, 10-15 people got kicked out and are suing the school, another ~10 had to take anatomy in Nebraska during the summer, and a few have to repeat the whole year!!

when i was reading the med school diary, the TCOM class averages were high 80's, low 90's. Our averages are 79-82 percent, meaning many people get 70's and below, and there is barely a curve. nearly half the class will get C's. Its hard enough getting a specialty residency as a DO, but try getting one with a 3.0, and a DO.

There is no grade inflation, which is a bad thing. I would much rather have a 3.5-3.7 and ranked in the 50%tile, than a 2.7-3.0 and ranked in the 50tile. So if you're not in the top of the class, which most of us are not, then plan on primary care if you come here.

A school of 1500 students, and no cafeteria! there are a few cool professors, but my chief complaint is the grading system. Small to no curve means nearly half of our class gets C's in each class. Thats Bull ****. I'll admit, i've only been getting the mean on exams, which comes to about a B- average. that leaves me with the option of FP or IM in podunk noname hospitals. For me, coming here was a bad decision. Make sure you know the truth from students before you make a decision.
 
Is this the infamous "YOSH2" that nobody knows?
 
Please see my post in WesternU/COMP 2006...about this yosh2

--John
 
Thanks for the update John..

-Brian
 
Yosh2-

I spent a few days out at COMP when I interviewed (thanks to the original Yosh 😉 )... So I've had the chance to formulate a good opinion of the school.

From talking with a bunch of MS1 and MS2's.. yes, I gather that there is a not quite optimal relationship between faculty and students. Is this a factor I am looking at in deciding which school? Of course. Yet, it is not the deciding factor. I've noticed most schools have the same sort of "rift" - to varying degrees. Doctors are psychosocially speaking non-conformists. So, there will be conflict.

Class averages don't mean anything to me. The only stat that is of concern is class rank (and that if you are going for xxxcompetitive residencies). A lot of factors play into an "Average" that are outside the scope of this post. Passing the boards is my #1 concern... which COMP has a solid trackrecord of... both COMLEX and USMLE.

Well, yes I agree... Pomona is an interesting place for a medical school. No cafe? There are a bunch of restaurants within driving/walking distance (yes, I walked all over Pomona when Yosh/Tighe were studying). Is COMP's location any different that other urban schools? Actually, COMP is in a much nicer area than a lot of medical schools. Pomona is not as "ghetto" as places in Philly, NY, or Miami (I'm an east coaster - these are the only references I have). As a matter of fact, I thought most of the "bad" things I heard about Pomona going in to the interview where unfounded. This isn't Kansas anymore! 🙄

Regarding the push into family medicine... I've become an expert on clinical education these last 2-3 weeks. My criteria for choosing a school deals specifically with what rotation opportunites there are - and what residencies this can lead to. I've spoken with adcom's, rotation directors, and teaching physicians learning the "System." COMP's clinical schedule actually is open compared to many other osteopathic schools. 5 electives, 3 selectives (38%) are of my choosing. Compare that to LECOM that offers 3 electives and 2 selectives (24%). The only biatch I have is that the blocks cannot be split up (although I wonder if you get more 'selective' roations if you opt in the OMM Fellowship).

Gawd, I am selling the school to myself or what? Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.... 😕

-A

DISCLAIMER: These are my thoughts on my research and experience with COMP. Experience the school for yourself before you take my or anyone else's opinion.

P.S. Yes, I love the fact that it is in Cali.
 
I don't think most of the MS at COMP would agree with this YOSH2 dude. All medical schools have their good and bad aspects. I'm going to COMP for its impressive rotations, board score results and things that really matter.
 
Hi,
Don't let the low class average limit your choices of specialty. I did my interview at Travis AFB (I am in HPSP with USAF), and gpa is not the most important thing. Remember that other med students come from a school with pass/fail system and it's difficult to compare students with different grade systems (in the military, they get applicants from various medical schools). What is crucial is your performance in clinical rotation, interview and your recommendation letters. Class rank and board score is somewhat more useful than gpa alone for them to evaluate you. The most important thing is that you get along with the staffs, and show them that you can handle the work.
Beside, you will get mostly A's and B's during your clinical rotations, and it will boost up your final gpa from the first 2 years of med school.

I am applying for FP residency not because I have an average gpa(I actually have a pretty high gpa), but because I wanted to, and that's what I LOVE to do. Do what you love, because you will be doing it for the rest of your medical career.

And I like COMP. I made good friends in the first two years, and most of my classmate are pretty supportive and helpful.

Pei
WesternU/COMP class 2002
 
COMP is great if you're going into FP. Heck, the weather is great, and its SoCal. You can get an FP residency with a 2.0, but what if you don't want FP? COMP makes it harder by passing out such low grades. They failed so many people last year, over 10% of the class!!

Yes, there are restaurants in the surrounding area, but when you have club meetings, etc to go to, Subway is the only option. When you only have a 1 hr lunch, you don't want to walk 15min each way for food.

Rickmyster, you'd be very suprised at how many other students agree with me, they just don't voice it here. Nearly half the class has a C average.
 
Yosh2-

Ever think of dropping out? I cannot imagine being so unhappy with something and opting to continue to be that unhappy. Life is short. Too short to be miserable.

-A
 
Amra,

I will never consider dropping out. My concern is not with the profession, its with the policy. I want to become a DO, and if I didn't, then i would consider dropping out. Now trying to transfer to another DO school is an option, but considering the fact that I will probably have a few C's on my transcripts wouldn't help. Also, most schools will only accept transfers out of neccessity on behalf of the student, no because "the student just didn't like the school."

I never said I was miserable, i just think the policy here sucks, and if your interested in specializing, reconsider coming here unless you think you can pull out A's. If FP is your thing, go for it.
 
Yosh2,

I mean it in the nicest way when I say...

[picture crying infant] waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

NOTE TO ALL PERSPECTIVES: This school is fine. It'll get you where you want to go if you work hard enough (isn't that the case at every school??) The so called "policy disputes" are only as big of a problem as you make them.

Just my 2cents...

Greg
MSI WU-COMP
 
Policy always sucks. Even in other schools. Why don't you change it? Otherwise the only other alternative is to accept it. If it really sucks, then you and all your unhappy friends should voice it with passion here and on campus. I never thought that medical education would be cake walk--it's a challenge and that's why I chose to enter this field. I hope you feel the same way.
 
Yosh2,
I am a second year at COMP and I know many people who get A's. So, reality is that if you are not, you lack the work ethic or you lack the ability. Either way, your complaining about administration and policies makes you look petty and bitter. The administration here does disappoint sometimes, but I am very satisfied with the school as a whole. I am still undecided about specialty choice, but I know from looking at past match stats (available at do2004.com) that this school will not prevent me from pursuing any specialty I choose.

One final word- Yosh2- hiding behind a nickname and throwing out unsubstantiated claims and opinions veiled as fact is cowardly. If you believe what you say as strongly as you claim, I encourage you to take credit for your messages. And feel free to come upstairs and find me anytime if you want discuss any of these issues in more depth.

Sincerely,
Dan Bruch
 
Thanks for the support fellow COMP'ers.. alumni and current med students. I have a feeling I know who YOSH2.. it is not hard to figure out who is always speaking his/her mind in and outside of class. This reminds me of that "Alex" person who is supposedly in the DO 2004 class. I am quite aware that there are always going to be people that are unhappy for whatever reasons, but like I posted in the past, what happens in the future depends on how you handle the situation and make the best of it. To me, I feel that your present actions and words will stick with you and perhaps fairly represent how you will be in the future in the profession.

Where do you get the idea that so many of the class are averaging a C? I think our test averages are just fine. Do you think you would be that challenged at a school that averaged extremely high scores for their hardest courses? It is true that to get into certain specialities, you have to do that much better.. but I would surmise it is a simliar situation for graduates of any other medical school. If you have what it takes, then you'll get to where you want to go eventually.

You mentioned the number of people who had to retake anatomy during the summer in Nebraska. Aside from taking our their free months to retake anatomy, if they had received A's during the summer, that's exactly what would go on their transcript. Not bad.

Cafeteria? Well, apparently they are working on plans for on-campus housing although it will probably be awhile before that is in effect. There are plenty of places to eat within walking distance for lunch to me and if you have a car, there are even more options. Besides, quite a few people bring their lunches anyway. (You should try cooking in awhile.. I've adjusted to the schedule and it has saved some money as well as improved my eating habits). Oh yeah.. if you were a student at a highly-ranked school like Johns Hopkins, good luck finding all sorts of safe places to eat within walking distance. That being said, it _would_ be nice to have a cafteria, but it is not too big a deal to me. I've always thought of opening up an In and Out along our "street" and making some big bucks... although a coffee shop would be easier and probably more suited.


Regarding the two students in biochem, if there is no policy change, worst case would be remediating the course... you have to fail 25% of your credits to drop the year. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.

Anyway, it's a long night.. time to study and go to the Halloween party. When I think about the long run, I would rather have a physician who has been tested and endured hardships than someone who has psychologically had an easier time due to grad inflation.. only to stumble when life starts throwing curveballs left and right. Work hard to stay caught up with the classes and we will all get through the semester just fine.

(Sorry for the piecemeal response.. not thinking very organized at the moment).

YOSH2- After taking a step back, I have to apologize... friends pointed out, correctly, that you definitely should be able to voice your opinions about the school here. Anything posted here DOES contribute to give applicants another venue to help decide which school they might want to attend. I guess my biggest concern is when people will start off comments by saying, "don't come to this school." Good luck studying for microbio on Monday.
 
i deffinitely have a much better than C average.

sorry for boasting...i went through a little ego trip. 😉

~pyo
COMP '05
 
Two more people quit last week. Whats the toll so far? I know several others that left earlier, including our previous academic officer. It just seems like they are still trying to weed us out. There are quite a few students that are very borderline in a few classes. why accept us if they want to kick us out?

Also, do you agree that there is very little to no curve, and if there is 80% average, approx half people will recieve C's in each class.

Melancholy, thanks for letting me voice my opinion, becuase I feel its a valid opinion, and shouldn't be sensored. If the school policy sucks, i'm gonna say it sucks.
 
YOSH2,
If you assume that approximately half the class get C's on test, is it safe to assume that half get A's? That's probably not the case.. so I think the majority of us get around a low to mid B. Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of test statistics to compare.. with biochem being the most recent one posted.

I too know a few people that left.. but some left for reasons other than school being too tough to manage. You mentioned several others? I'd like to know if you have a rough number...
 
I know my methodology is not exact, but if you look at an average, and a standard bell curve, approx half score above that, and half score below that. That was my reasoning behind saying half people will get C's and below. The other half will get B's and above.

Even with a low to mid B average, thats still not too high. Lets say there was an average student that got the mean on most exams, that would give him B's to B-'s, and that would average out to approx a 3.0. Is that a great GPA, in my book, not really.

When AMA residencies, which most of us will have to get becasue there are not enough AOA residencies, have to choose, they will choose an average to below average MD student over a average DO student in most, if not all cases.
 
ok. from what i know 3 or 4 people dropped out. i know for a fact that 2 of them were balancing a job with school or were one of those last minute acceptance students that couldn't make an easy transition from a long move and accomodate his family.

COMP is not kicking anyone out. you either fail out on your own account because you were screwing around in class (meaning you are simply not ready for medical school) or there or other extenuating circumstances. the material is not hard, it's just how well you can balance your work load. everyone here is conceptually capable of handling the material, you just need to perform up to your own expectations.

YOSH2-if you want to do something other than general medicine, get good grades and do well on boards, it's as simple as that. don't compare yourself to average because that's just "average," not a real indication of how you may perform. if by chance you can't get good grades no matter how hard you study, maybe it's time to realize and come to terms with your academic limits. do you honestly think it's easier anywhere else? and why complain? if you're not doing well, do something about it. don't start pointing fingers at people (administration) who are not responsible for your ability to study or take an exam.

suck it up.

~you know who i am.
 
duuuuuuuude, nothin wrong with gettin C's man, some of us DO work our asses off and still only manage to be average. Gettin a C has nothin to do with the school administration or policy, it's between you and the test. Anyway, the party last night was phat.........and i want to give a shout out to the SuperWoman on the stage.....you go girl!!!!
 
How many superwoman's were there? I know one from PharmD who was there..
 
Pyoj: Amen!
 
Wow, this post alone is greater than last year's post together for this forum.
 
Man, nearly half the people are getting 70's and below on each test, and if they're all screwin around then we got a crappy class.

What I understand from reading your earlier post about you doing "above a C average" is that as long as you're doing well above the mean, then who cares about the rest of the people right? We don't need to change anything because you're getting the A's. The fact that many people get C's doesn't bother you, and that bothers me. It just goes to show that many people in our class claim that there is "cohesiveness", but really many are out for themselves. Everything is fine, as long as i'm doing fine is that attitude on this board.

If I had a 4.0 average, but the average was a 2.7-3.0, i'd be upset. The fact that people one this board are saying everything is fine when the average is so low and there is no curve really sucks. I've been saying this all along, and it has become reinforced even more now...our class stinks!
 
Originally posted by YOSH2:
•We don't need to change anything because you're getting the A's. The fact that many people get C's doesn't bother you, and that bothers me.

The fact that people one this board are saying everything is fine when the average is so low and there is no curve really sucks. I've been saying this all along, and it has become reinforced even more now...our class stinks!•
Click to expand...

you want changes? then do something about it. be more proactive. stop sitting around posting pathetic messages and step up to the class. it's people like you i have problems with. can you tell you are starting to irritate me with your annonymity?

so what do you want me to do, get C's because you are? sorry buddy, i'm not into that. you know what? it does bother me that people struggle to get the average. but what do you want me to do, take the test for them? be realistic. our class has been averaging about an 80 and from what i gather we've been performing much better than last years class. this says a lot to me. you seem to be the only one that thinks our class sucks. makes me question how well you've been interacting with other students at this school...you sound miserable to me...

bring it.
~me
 
Bring what?

Very true. I don't "hang around" with too many people in our class. With very confrontational people such as yourself, do you wonder why?

I post my opinion, and you want me to "bring it on." Are you serious? Have you got something to prove by trying to challenge me to something? I'm still trying to figure out what i'm suppose to "bring on." haven't quite figured out what your challenging me to. I'm not going to give in to your petty game to insulting back in forth, which is exactly what you want from me.
 
I'm starting to thing this is one huge joke...

Anyway, everyone sign up for paintball? Nov. 10th!!
 
I think YOSH2 is suffering from a serious case of penis envy...
 
YOSH2- I thought Pyoj's comment to "bring it" referred more towards challenging yourself rather than challenging him to anything. Regardless of who is trying to be confrontational, we need to get along and not always have a competitive nature towards each other. The second year class learned to work together and it has benefited them greatly... I think we are on the right track, but first semester _always_ has bumps along the way just like they did.

I don't care for eliciting responses or anything, but I would like to see everyone get to wherever they want to go.. and get along as well. Doesn't matter if you don't hang out with all that many people.. as long as you have a group of friends you can hang out with once in awhile to destress with that's cool.
 
I was wondering what the current students did about living together. Are most of you guys living by yourselves or do you guys live together. Also, does the school provide a list of students living together?
 
I met my roomate at our interview...and other people found roomates through the SDN board. The school also has a form you can fill out if you are looking for a roomate, and you can read other people's forms, and call ones you are intersted in...

Hope this helps...
 
gwarner: "I think YOSH2 is suffering from a serious case of penis envy..."

Do you guys see why i have a very low opinion of the people in our class. I try to help prospective students by giving them an alternative view, and not sugar coat everything. Then i get insulted. Grow up. When another doctor doesn't agree with you on the wards, are you going to say he has a small penis? Or call him out and tell him to "Bring it on." Gees.

gwarner, i have no idea who you are, but you need to mature a little, and act like the physician you will be. I hope i never meet you or work together.

To prospective students: Another reason not to go to COMP. the students will insult you if they don't agree with you.
 
Can we please then discuss my issue of asking you to please use a different name, aside from some Yosh deritive???

If we are all about maturity and being upfront about things..then lets begin by assuming our own identity, and respecting your fellow classmates request to change your SDN id name....

I am all for you voicing your opinion..and even though I don't agree with it..I would support your right to voice it.

In that light, if you stand behind what you are saying...then OWN your ideas and statments...instead of hiding and having people think that it is me posting...

I told you before it is unappreciated, and asked you... to please change the screen name seeming to no avail..

If want respect from your fellow classmates...trying showing some...

Can we really ask for something that we ourselves aren't willing to give??


Thanks...

Sorry that everyone has to read this bull****...but since we are all posting publicly...might as well let my opinion be voiced..
 
YOSH2- Even though the COMP folks that post on here are representatives of COMP, that doesn't necessarily mean we are a total representation of the students that go to the school. I admit the SDN crew is a good mix of people though and I like most of them (most of the time 😛 ). That being said, general statements about students at COMP should probably be more specifically directed at the student(s) that made them. I know your comments were mostly directed towards one or two people on SDN, but I think you should reserve general comments about our class until you get to know more of us... esp. when making recommendations to those who are interested in our school. I think you'll learn that as we progress in our careers, it becomes very easy to offend people with broad statements, so it pays to be specific.

Are we sugar-coating everything we say on here? If we were "sugar-coating", we probably wouldn't be mentioning such concerns as biochemistry profs, anatomy grades, etc. No one is denying anything stated here, but I think we try to put things in perspective next to other medical schools.

I have to admit that I haven't been used to people who are very "vocal" with their opinions, but it's something I have eventually gotten used to. (take hanging around with Yosh for a few days straight for example.. heh) I have no doubt I will have future colleagues and superiors who are just as strong-willed and opinionated. Insults and jokes.. are better left outside the "ring" although I can understand venting on message boards once in awhile as a way of blowing off steam. I think gwarner's "penis envy" statement was more of a jab than anything else if you notice the smiley face next to his posting date/time.


On a lighter note...
Kostarringme- Since I was currently working about 45 minutes away, I merely went onto a few apt. search sites on the internet and visited one or two places. The school will eventually have a record/file of incoming students who want roommates. They also have a few catalogs of apartments in the surrounding areas to peruse.. these catalogs you can easily pick up at nearby grocery stores though. My best suggestion is probably to search on the internet, check out a catalog or two, ask current students (you can ask for opinions on SDN) about where they are living, and just come on over and spend a day looking around if you can spare the time. We all live in different areas.. nicer ones, less nicer ones that are right across the street from school, farther ones, etc. I think between the people that follow this thread, we can comment on quite a few places to live in different price ranges. If you need help with living accomodations while you're visiting, we can probably help with that too.


Yosh1- whatever the reason for Yosh2 being that name, he/she is stuck with it.. so I guess we will just have to deal with the name whether we like it or not. Maybe our classmate will eventually pick a new name like Yoda did.


Who is earlyeditiondude? Duuuuude, I thought puppyluv was a girl.. heh.
 
Had a great time at the driving range then discovering Korean restaurants and golf shops around the Rowland Heights area today after a long afternoon of lab and a long week in general. Where were you, Vince? SammyK seems to be my good luck charm..
 
Just wanted to let everyone out there who's thinking of coming to COMP that this school was my 1st choice,and I have no complaints so far.

It is very natural for any school to have a few students who's not happy with where they are. Take the NYCOM a while back; student with the id NYCOMdepressed (something like that). She was really, I mean really DEPRESSED about where she was at and all that. Whatever happened to her anyway?

Even though I'm not one of those "A" students, I'm really happy with the program and my fellow classmates here.

In summary, if you're considering this school, don't let just one poster deter you of a great opportunity for your med school education. Look at the majority of the posters here.


So how many people signed up for the paintball?


Eddie H.
 
*** In case anyone strangely checks SDN but not their school e-mail, our Microbio exam on Monday will stay at 8 am. I guess we will have a really long lunch then. 🙂 ***

Innerpower- I still need to go buy a racquet for raquetball sometime. You know, the courts at the Diamond Bar LA Fitness don't seem to be too busy as the LaVerne and Chino Hills ones are during primetime. That being said, the bball court there isn't as crowded either. I recall going on a weekday night (not Friday) around 6-7pm and there was no waiting at all.
 
The driving range was a good time. And they say med. students have no life..... 😛 The blister on my hand apparently my choke-hold like grip is not all its cracked up to be though.....

Melancholy- I think your ready for an actually game. I see no reason the lack of a putter should hamper your game. Remember if you hit a hole in one, who needs a putter? Clubs should have multiple uses, if you recall my driver sometimes acts as a very short range wedge...
 
looking back, i realize i shouldn't have said our class sucked.

I was just referring to pyoj's comment of how "if you're doing bad, then your just don't have it or goofing around." nearly half the class are getting C's on any test, and if half the class is goofing around or "don't have what it takes", then somethings wrong with the quality of our class.

Our whole class doesn't suck, only the few that seem out for themselves.
 
melancholy

You shouldn't worry about the racket, for I have a pair at home. We should definitely play a round or two.


pyoj

15-2

Take that! 😀
 
Melancholy - RE: Driving Range Before I left lab I tried to find you or Pyoj and couldn't, so I didn't know what was up....and no one called me.....and I didn't know where that range was in Claremont....I only know of one in Chino....catch me next time....
 
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