Western/COMP Discussion Thread 2008-2009

[French MD]

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For those of you already attending Western can you tell me what health insurance you are using and why...

thanks!

 

[Sassybird]

For those of you already attending Western can you tell me what health insurance you are using and why...

thanks!

Hey French MD, Congratulations on your acceptance. The insurance offered through the school is not good, in my opinion. There are reasonable deductibles, and I believe optional vision and dental, BUT the maximum out of pocket the policy will pay is something ridiculously low, like 100 grand. That is literally equivalent to 2 days in the CCU if something serious happens. And if you opt into the policy half way through the semester, they do NOT prorate. I opted to keep my own private PPO that costs me less per month that has high deductibles, but a reasonable yearly cap on my out of pocket expenditures, and has millions of dollars of coverage if something serious were to happen. I would talk to an experienced insurance agent, and decide what you can afford, and what is important to you. For me, obviously, I have insurance for more worst case scenario than for, say, drug coverage. I hope this helps!!

 

[French MD]

Thanks for the info i will have to do some research.

 

[hoopstaahh22]

for those of you who are either already studying medicine at western or have decided to go to western, what made you decide on the school. In other words, what made you chose western? i'm just trying to get a feel for other people's reactions to the school. thanks!

 

[Dakayus]

For those of you already attending Western can you tell me what health insurance you are using and why...

thanks!

The insurance might even be lower than 100k. It's pretty expensive for what it is and should only be used as a last resort. I have Kaiser and it works alright for me.

 

[spazzz]

The immediate surrounding area of WesternU is ok because they got a police station, fire station, and some security around in the parking lots.

But when I drive home at night, I see all sorts of people just hanging out on the streets, and they don't look friendly. The neighborhoods look trashy and are filled with people I wouldn't trust because they give off the wrong impression. In fact, I never stop to even get gas in the area. If you go to pomona across the 57 fwy where Cal Poly Pomona is, that area is heavily populated with students and much safer at night. Its also farm land, so less residential.

If I get accepted to WesternU (praying to the Gods) I plan on moving to Yorba Linda/Brea/Fullerton area, where its a lot nicer. The houses are huge and more comfortable, something 4 to 5 medical students could easily share and get at a decent price. It also has a good night life with Downtown Brea and Fullerton close by, and only about 20 minutes from the campus which isn't a bad commute at all because its against traffic during morning and night rush hours.

jeez you guys overexaggerate this 110%. IF YOU ARE A VALLEY GIRL or HAVE PERHAPS SPENT YOUR LIFE LOCKED IN A CAGE AND LIVED WITH YOUR PARENTS YOUR ENTIRE LIFE, then yeah, you could be freaked out a bit, but if you have ever lived in a city, ANY real city, not this OC suburb city crap, than you know that you always need to be cautious anywhere you go. I walk home from the library at night with no issues. There were some stolen bikes minor stuff, but exercise caution and don't be a ******* and you won't encounter any problems. If it's such a big deal, go hang out with cows at Podunk U. So you'd rather move to Yorba Linda? Yeah, great nightlife there...😴

 

[ForTheRecord]

Amen to that!

 

[LilSDClimber]

Yep I totally agree!! ITS NOT THAT BAD. (I know I'm just reiterating the post by spazz) Maybe if you're from a small town in the midwest where everyone leaves their doors unlocked at night b/c its so safe....then fine, it could seem dodgey to you.
I lived in La Jolla (which is SUPER nice/safe for any of you that aren't familiar), and even then we had bikes stolen from us. That stuff will happen anywhere. Don't be a ***** and use common sense, lock your stuff!
For anyone reading this thread to learn more about Western..PLEASE don't get scared off by the bitching and moaning about the "sketchy location." I didn't even know people had such negative opinions on the area until I went on sdn....
Good luck to anyone applying! I was torn between COMP and Nova but after I had the acceptance in hand the decision was pretty easy.🙂

 

[spazzz]

i just reread the OG post concerning the safety and that's quite some racial profiling you got going on there....

 

[RySerr21]

jeez you guys overexaggerate this 110%. IF YOU ARE A VALLEY GIRL or HAVE PERHAPS SPENT YOUR LIFE LOCKED IN A CAGE AND LIVED WITH YOUR PARENTS YOUR ENTIRE LIFE, then yeah, you could be freaked out a bit, but if you have ever lived in a city, ANY real city, not this OC suburb city crap, than you know that you always need to be cautious anywhere you go. I walk home from the library at night with no issues. There were some stolen bikes minor stuff, but exercise caution and don't be a ******* and you won't encounter any problems. If it's such a big deal, go hang out with cows at Podunk U. So you'd rather move to Yorba Linda? Yeah, great nightlife there...😴

Yep I totally agree!! ITS NOT THAT BAD. (I know I'm just reiterating the post by spazz) Maybe if you're from a small town in the midwest where everyone leaves their doors unlocked at night b/c its so safe....then fine, it could seem dodgey to you.
I lived in La Jolla (which is SUPER nice/safe for any of you that aren't familiar), and even then we had bikes stolen from us. That stuff will happen anywhere. Don't be a ***** and use common sense, lock your stuff!
For anyone reading this thread to learn more about Western..PLEASE don't get scared off by the bitching and moaning about the "sketchy location." I didn't even know people had such negative opinions on the area until I went on sdn....
Good luck to anyone applying! I was torn between COMP and Nova but after I had the acceptance in hand the decision was pretty easy.🙂

FINALLY. some people that agree with me. I was sick and tired of people calling Pomona a ghetto and warning others of their safety. Yeesh.

 

[deleted172531]

finally. Some people that agree with me. I was sick and tired of people calling pomona a ghetto and warning others of their safety. Yeesh.

+1

 

[Dakayus]

Yep I totally agree!! ITS NOT THAT BAD. (I know I'm just reiterating the post by spazz) Maybe if you're from a small town in the midwest where everyone leaves their doors unlocked at night b/c its so safe....then fine, it could seem dodgey to you.
I lived in La Jolla (which is SUPER nice/safe for any of you that aren't familiar), and even then we had bikes stolen from us. That stuff will happen anywhere. Don't be a ***** and use common sense, lock your stuff!
For anyone reading this thread to learn more about Western..PLEASE don't get scared off by the bitching and moaning about the "sketchy location." I didn't even know people had such negative opinions on the area until I went on sdn....
Good luck to anyone applying! I was torn between COMP and Nova but after I had the acceptance in hand the decision was pretty easy.🙂

Lol I also live in La Jolla and it really wasn't hard coming to western. Just live in Chino hills or claremont and you'll be pretty good. From your user name I'm guessing you're a climber, so you should join the western climber's group we have going.

 

[Beadoc]

For those who interviewed on 11/20/08, have you guys heard anything yet?

 

[Dissected]

For those who interviewed on 11/20/08, have you guys heard anything yet?

i think they just put them in the mail yesterday, or at least they were planning to!

 

[Beadoc]

i think they just put them in the mail yesterday, or at least they were planning to!

Thanks for telling me that.

 

[litapita]

I got an acceptance from Western and the letter mentions, in addition to the $1000 deposit and Acceptance Declaration Form, that I have to send in the "enclosed Personal Competencies for Admission and Matriculation Form." However, the letter I got didn't even have that "Personal Competencies" form. What is that form and is it possible to get it online? The deadline to send in my deposit is almost here so I'm in a bind.

 

[LilSDClimber]

Lol I also live in La Jolla and it really wasn't hard coming to western. Just live in Chino hills or claremont and you'll be pretty good. From your user name I'm guessing you're a climber, so you should join the western climber's group we have going.

Did you go to UCSD by any chance? 🙂

I think I might live in Brea/Fullerton....closer to where my bf works. Still not sure though.

You guys have a climbing group?! Awesome!! I'm definitely joining! 👍 Is there a climbing gym or any local places to go bouldering?

 

[ronicajay]

Did you go to UCSD by any chance? 🙂

I think I might live in Brea/Fullerton....closer to where my bf works. Still not sure though.

You guys have a climbing group?! Awesome!! I'm definitely joining! 👍 Is there a climbing gym or any local places to go bouldering?

I'll be joining the climbing group too!

On the topic sort of, are there good places to go road biking?

 

[ronicajay]

To those recently accepted, join us on Facebook!

 

[French MD]

my boyfriend is from the area, he says go up mountain ave in claremont (claraboya) there are trails that take you all the way to san dimas.

more to come later... I would be down to discover some trails!

I'll be joining the climbing group too!

On the topic sort of, are there good places to go road biking?

 

[coffeeeandtea]

So I moved up my interview up from feb to dec 16th!!! anyone else interviewing that day?🙂

me me me!! i'm pretty excited and nervous, it'll be my first one.. i hope i don't mess up any tips?

 

[melv55]

me me me!! i'm pretty excited and nervous, it'll be my first one.. i hope i don't mess up any tips?

the first one is always exciting!! just go through interview feedback and sort-of know how you will answer the typical questions (why medicine/why DO/why western), and get a feel for the questions western asks...

other than that- relax, eat a good breakfast, have fun with it! remember they have already decided you are academically capable, so just show off who you are now! 🙂

PM me if you want to ask anything else!

 

[WestHaven626]

how filled up is the class already would you say?
i applied around November, and my transcripts were received to AACOMAS about end of November. I called Western yesterday (Dec 8) and they said they haven't received my application, and that winter break will come soon, so they'll have 2 weeks off....so how late in the game am i?

 

[RySerr21]

me me me!! i'm pretty excited and nervous, it'll be my first one.. i hope i don't mess up any tips?

TIP:

relaaaaaaaaaaaaax 😀

Seriously tho. Its a very chill interview. They arent going to grill you. Just be confident and enjoy the day.

 

[coffeeeandtea]

TIP:

relaaaaaaaaaaaaax 😀

Seriously tho. Its a very chill interview. They arent going to grill you. Just be confident and enjoy the day.

haha thanks, i hope not T_T at least it's close to where i live, though, so that's one less thing to stress about...

 

[viciouz]

wow you guys can say all you want. I went to starbucks for like 10 minutes this past Thursday (right before I left to vegas and go to my Touro-NV interview)... and came back to my car only to find a broken window with my backpack and laptop missing.

Its still a freaking a bad area. The school is great hands down, if you get accepted, GO THERE. They have security and everything, but I swear when it turns dark, I would not walk down the street alone.

@ SPAZZ: yorba linda is a nice community to live in and only minutes from downtown fullerton where the nightlife is great, just in case you were wondering.

 

[iluvmed&ba6eekh]

I also managed to change my interview to Dec. 16th, and I can hardly wait. For those of you also interviewing that day, good luck, and see you guys there! 😀

viciouz, sorry to hear about your car/backpack/laptop...that really sucks. I'm pretty sure I was at that same interview with you at Touro, hope that went well for you!

 

[viciouz]

Anyone who interviewed on Nov 20th hear back yet? They were supposed to send out decisions this past Friday/Monday.

 

[melv55]

I also managed to change my interview to Dec. 16th, and I can hardly wait. For those of you also interviewing that day, good luck, and see you guys there! 😀

viciouz, sorry to hear about your car/backpack/laptop...that really sucks. I'm pretty sure I was at that same interview with you at Touro, hope that went well for you!

awesome- see you there! i am so excited!

 

[Dissected]

Anyone who interviewed on Nov 20th hear back yet? They were supposed to send out decisions this past Friday/Monday.

Thats what they told me too, I haven't gotten anything in the mail...yet

 

[iluvmed&ba6eekh]

how filled up is the class already would you say?
i applied around November, and my transcripts were received to AACOMAS about end of November. I called Western yesterday (Dec 8) and they said they haven't received my application, and that winter break will come soon, so they'll have 2 weeks off....so how late in the game am i?

Does it say on your AACOMAS application that you're verified? Verification starts once they receive all of your materials, including your transcripts. Once your application is verified, it takes 1-2 weeks for Western to receive your application. Maybe with the holidays, this may be different, but don't let that discourage you. There are plenty of people who apply at this stage and end up getting accepted.

The best thing you can do right now is get a head start on your secondary essays, so that you can send off your secondary as soon as you receive it. Here's a link to all the secondary prompts (courtesy of Chocolate Bear's signature 😀):

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=7121833&postcount=528

Best of luck!

 

[viciouz]

Thats what they told me too, I haven't gotten anything in the mail...yet

I literally check my mail every day... WTF... where is my acceptance letter

 

[WestHaven626]

Does it say on your AACOMAS application that you're verified? Verification starts once they receive all of your materials, including your transcripts. Once your application is verified, it takes 1-2 weeks for Western to receive your application. Maybe with the holidays, this may be different, but don't let that discourage you. There are plenty of people who apply at this stage and end up getting accepted.

The best thing you can do right now is get a head start on your secondary essays, so that you can send off your secondary as soon as you receive it. Here's a link to all the secondary prompts (courtesy of Chocolate Bear's signature 😀):

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=7121833&postcount=528

Best of luck!

Thanks for the info...appreciate it.

 

[Dakayus]

I got an acceptance from Western and the letter mentions, in addition to the $1000 deposit and Acceptance Declaration Form, that I have to send in the "enclosed Personal Competencies for Admission and Matriculation Form." However, the letter I got didn't even have that "Personal Competencies" form. What is that form and is it possible to get it online? The deadline to send in my deposit is almost here so I'm in a bind.

The form just says "I can use my hands, feet, etc and are not limited in any way" A lot of the deadlines can be extended provided that you talk to Natalie except for the money. They're pretty firm with that one. I think one of my classmates was late on it by 1 day and so they were put on waitlist or something really long and complicated.

 

[Dakayus]

I'll be joining the climbing group too!

On the topic sort of, are there good places to go road biking?

Lol yes I did go to UCSD (Marshall kid here!).
As far as road biking, there's a few trails a bit north east of school maybe 5-10 miles away. I don't know too much about it, but a lot of people bike to school from claremont and where ever else. There's a triathlon club so I'm sure they'd know.

Oh yeah so there's 2 gyms we go to both of which are Hanger 18. So the one in upland is about 5 miles from school and the other one in Riverside is about 20 ish I think. The one in riverside is nicer, but I hate driving so I never see it haha. Yeah I'd say the bulk of us just boulder and we do a little leading and line. Also some of us take trips to J-tree and some other place. (I just started so I don't really know too much). Um I'm not sure about how good everyone is, but there's 1 guy who does V8's, 2 that do V6's, and the rest of us does all the lower stuff.

 

[Dakayus]

how filled up is the class already would you say?
i applied around November, and my transcripts were received to AACOMAS about end of November. I called Western yesterday (Dec 8) and they said they haven't received my application, and that winter break will come soon, so they'll have 2 weeks off....so how late in the game am i?

Sorry for the tons of posts, I don't read very thoroughly and whatever I see I just reply to if no one knows the answer. You're not technically late, but as long as you got good numbers, you're in the running. It's best to be early, but late's better than nothing.

 

[Beadoc]

I interviewed on 11/20 and got my acceptance letter today😀😀😀. Hope you guys all got in as well.

 

[Dissected]

someone's getting my spot 🙂

I vote.....Sithr!

 

[gandhic541]

I DID TOO!!!! Well I interviewed 21st but CONGRATS! woohoo we're made. Do we have a facebook group yet kids??

 

[French MD]

congrats to everyone that got in!!!

we have a facebook go to the Western class of 2013 thread the link is there...

I DID TOO!!!! Well I interviewed 21st but CONGRATS! woohoo we're made. Do we have a facebook group yet kids??

 

[deleted172531]

someone's getting my spot 🙂

I vote.....Sithr!

Thanks for the vote DoktorB.😀 I wish it were that simple!

Where did you decide to attend?

And congrats to the latest round of accepted peeps.

 

[viciouz]

I hope mine comes in the mail today... ::

 

[Dissected]

Where did you decide to attend?

Check the sig.

 

[qtpig]

just found out i got intoday @ western - yay!
ugh, the decision boils down to dmu vs. western. i was 85% dmu, now im 60% dmu. i like them both very valid different reasons...any insight?

 

[deleted172531]

Check the sig.

haha..That would mean I would have to change my settings to show signatures. Waaaay to much work.

 

[escabatum_rip3]

So, I just got my call to interview today ^_^
I think they might have had a recent cancellation because she gave me the option to do Dec. 17th, or two days in February... I couldn't do the 17th because my suit is still in norcal with my family from Black Friday shopping... and I think I still need to buy a pair of shoes...

I'm planning on calling and/or emailing them to see if I can get the day moved any earlier - to sometime in January hopefully. It's my first choice, hopefully they'll try to help me out!

I am super paranoid when it comes to how I am supposed to dress for these things, anyone have any suggestions or pictures from their interview day? It would really help me out! The day I tentatively have is February 12th, anyone else have that day? Congrats to everyone accepted so far!

Also, anyone know if a lot of students live in La Verne? I know it's about 20 minute commute, but my bf's family lives in La Verne and it's a safe area, so I was considering living somewhere in that area if I got accepted...any thoughts?

 

[CorduroyGlance]

So, I just got my call to interview today ^_^
I think they might have had a recent cancellation because she gave me the option to do Dec. 17th, or two days in February... I couldn't do the 17th because my suit is still in norcal with my family from Black Friday shopping... and I think I still need to buy a pair of shoes...

I'm planning on calling and/or emailing them to see if I can get the day moved any earlier - to sometime in January hopefully. It's my first choice, hopefully they'll try to help me out!

I am super paranoid when it comes to how I am supposed to dress for these things, anyone have any suggestions or pictures from their interview day? It would really help me out! The day I tentatively have is February 12th, anyone else have that day? Congrats to everyone accepted so far!

Also, anyone know if a lot of students live in La Verne? I know it's about 20 minute commute, but my bf's family lives in La Verne and it's a safe area, so I was considering living somewhere in that area if I got accepted...any thoughts?

I'd get the suit overnighted and go buy some shoes tonight. If this is your first choice, you'd be a fool to delay anything within your control. Seriously.

 

[escabatum_rip3]

^^^It's not just that, I haven't had any time to practice or prepare - I wasn't expecting any interviews this month, since the other two DO schools to give me interviews both offered them for early-mid January. I'd rather be prepared and get used to the suit, potential questions, get feedback, etc. than rush it and do a poor job. I haven't even gone to ONE interview yet, I don't want my first to be my most inexperienced and with the most important school. I'm not that eager to get waitlisted or rejected - thanks.

 

[gobruins2007]

^^^It's not just that, I haven't had any time to practice or prepare - I wasn't expecting any interviews this month, since the other two DO schools to give me interviews both offered them for early-mid January. I'd rather be prepared and get used to the suit, potential questions, get feedback, etc. than rush it and do a poor job. I haven't even gone to ONE interview yet, I don't want my first to be my most inexperienced and with the most important school. I'm not that eager to get waitlisted or rejected - thanks.

i found out one business day before my interview at another school that i could interview that day. (it was a friday and i was out of town all weekend, with a monday interview, but it was only an hour from home)

i had to still get a shirt and shoes, but i wasnt going to pass it up. just read over your app, and be YOURSELF! Interviews arent supposed to be tests, they are to find out who you are, and how you handle things. the sooner the better.

 

[escabatum_rip3]

I'm just going to try to get a January interview day - If I rush it or don't feel prepared, I won't be able to be confident or myself. People cancel or reschedule enough that I might be able to get one in January. I'm not a person that does good on short notice, either. ... but who knows, we'll see, now I don't know what to do..