WesternU potential students, PLEASE READ

[JLWesternU2016]

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Members do not see this ad.

Before you chose to attend this school, you need to know the truth coming from current students. We care more about telling you the truth and your success in a medical school than having you be surprised about what you will find out while attending this school.

The school's mentality for education: to "prepare" students for the disorganized world by having a disorganized curriculum and requiring students sort through it. If you cannot learn using their materials, you are on your own to learn it yourself or try to learn from other students. There is little help from professors or from tutors. Many students pay cash for tutors because the school does not have an adequate tutoring service. There is little technological support here. The recorded videos have a constant buzz that you will have to either ignore or find a way to block it.

Most of us students here realize the education here is inadequate but we chose not to speak out because it could jeopardize the reputation of the school and our residency placements. We put up with it because we will be able to be allowed to take the USMLE board exams.

About 20% of the student population attended the masters program that WesternU offers and will be at a great advantage because they have already prelearned much of the material you will be covering for the first time. They will have already had many of the same exam questions that you will be seeing for the first time. It is the opinion of many students that this "master's program" is a way for the school to make more money from students and the government. Many other students also have master's degrees from other reputable medical school programs. Hopefully you meet these students right away because they will share their better educational materials and help teach you subjects that the instructors do a poor job at presenting.

The majority of students do not bother attending classes. If they do, they attend only the required classes (which can be a waste of time). From upperclassmen, we have been instructed to find creative ways to avoid attending these required classes. We have realized that many of our teachers are not worth our time to try to learn from. Many of us use other school's educational resources such as organized packets and their well recorded and presented video lectures. You will have teachers who you have difficulty deciphering what they are saying. You will have teachers who use half of the scheduled lecture time and expect you to learn most of the information yourself. Be careful, some exam questions are based from lectures where the instructor mumbles or rushes over a detail that you will be tested on. Find the study guides from students who have already taken the course and you will save a lot of time by not attending lectures.

The school will initially tell you that you are not suppose to have past exams. You need to find the students with past exams because many exam questions are recycled (because the professors either do not have the time to write other questions or are too lazy to do so). The exams you will be taking are poorly written and not comparable to USMLE Step 1 board exam questions. It is obvious that there was no proof reading before the questions were submitted.

WesternU is located in the armpit of a ghetto named Pomona. This year, two cars have been stolen. There have been multiple car break ins. A family member of a student was held up at gun point during broad daylight. There were two stray bullets lodged into the windows at school. The school does not have adequate security on campus. One would think the very least the school could do is require a badge to gain access into their buildings like most other schools located in a bad part of town. This idea has been brought up numerous times to administrators for the past few years but they have continued to ignore our safety requests. The school is most likely funneling your tuition dollars to Oregon where the school has chosen to expand to.

The wages WesternU pays its administrators is significantly higher than other institutions. The president of the school, Dr. Philip Pumerantz, makes over $559,000 a year and the other administrators are also highly paid based on your tuition. Be prepared to have your tuition be increased during your time here, it has increased significantly over the past year. Once you start school here, you are stuck paying whatever they require you to.

With the obvious student loan bubble about to burst, many students and administrators have wondered what will happen to schools like WesternU and their students that are overloaded with their debt.

Before attending this school and becoming loaded with debt, please consider these issues. If you are prepared to deal with their curriculum and teach yourself, please attend this institution. If you want to listen to what this school claims during interviews and campus tours, please be advised about these obvious problems that the school or some students will not explicitly tell you about. Many of us have questioned if there will be a class action lawsuit against this school.

WesternU has LIED and continues to LIE to students about the resources they do not have and have not had for awhile. It is one thing to not have them period but when they LIE to perspective students about things they do not have and have not had for awhile, this is morally wrong and could bring about a legal situation. They continue to ignore major issues concerning their poor curriculum, inadequate security on campus, almost no technological help... The school could use some huge improvements to say the least as could some other medical schools (most likely not to the same extent as this one).

Ask the current second year student council president and they will tell you how they have given up trying to make any changes because it is a waste of their time because they will not happen. The school is very political. The president and board members are not in touch with the current student needs. Many believe the school has spread itself too thin between the numerous different professional schools and developing the Oregon campus. Messy politics just like our government.

RE: If you don't like the school, then just leave!
Do you realize the cost and our time reapplying to another school that actually has an adequate education system in place?

RE: This school has the same problems that every medical school has!
I doubt the problems at other schools are nearly to the extent that this school has. Sure most medical schools are located in a bad part of town. Do they at least require a badge to get into the school? Anyone can walk into this school with no questions asked. Two grand theft autos, someone getting held up at gunpoint, stray bullets... They won't tell you about these during interviews. It is very hush hush and they do a good job of sweeping things under the rug.

In the end, find out for yourself about the school you will be attending. Many schools embellish the truth and leave out anything that would turn you off from attending there. Confer with current and past students about their true feelings about the school. You are making a huge decision with both intrinsic and extrinsic costs for a lifetime. Becoming nearly $500,000 in debt is huge especially with the uncertainty of the future of healthcare. Make sure they are the right ones you want to make and set up yourself for success.

The voice of none is stronger than the voice of one
-Anonymous

 

[FrkyBgStok]

This post is great to illustrate that every school school sucks because one person with very few posts comes on an anonymous website and speaks for "the rest of the class."

is there any school that doesn't have a couple of these at this point? cool story, bro!

 

[dudeliness]

This post is great to illustrate that every school school sucks because one person with very few posts comes on an anonymous website and speaks for "the rest of the class."

is there any school that doesn't have a couple of these at this point? cool story, bro!

👍
We've heard this same griping before. Med school is tough, but if hundreds of others are getting through ok, it can't be all that bad...

 

[mashmetoo]

Here's a thought OP. If you actually spent the time to study the material instead of wasting it on writing your propaganda against this school, maybe you wouldn't have so much trouble absorbing the material they present.

Honestly, I'm beginning to think your issue is some kind of psych problem, and not so much the school.

 

[MedPR]

This post is great to illustrate that every school school sucks because one person with very few posts comes on an anonymous website and speaks for "the rest of the class."

is there any school that doesn't have a couple of these at this point? cool story, bro!

👍

However, I love when a "current student" posts these things. Creates a huge buzz on SDN as pre-meds take it seriously.

 

[NurWollen]

I could make the same complaints about every school I have ever attended. No school is perfect, and no one should go to med school expecting to be spoon fed all the info you ever need.

 

[drshark]

Med school is med school, you don't like it -----> drop out. The issues you name are issues people face all the time in undergrad and in graduate schools across america. There are robberies, rapes, suicides, and much more crap going on in undergrad institutions... Western's problems are nothing compared to many colleges.

 

[discowisco]

Lighten up. The guy came on the board to give his perspective on his school. No need to bash the guy in thinking he has some kind of agenda behind his post. He's not complaining its hard or its too much work.

 

[dudeliness]

Lighten up. The guy came on the board to give his perspective on his school. No need to bash the guy in thinking he has some kind of agenda behind his post. He's not complaining its hard or its too much work.

The only problem is that this kind of post has been popping up a lot lately under different new usernames. We're getting kind of irritated with the same squeaky wheel making the same noise.

 

[EmergDoc2B]

I like these posts and think they are valuable in that you get to see another side of the coin. Whether its a small sample size or not I feel its informative. bare minimum these posts point out that the honeymoon of getting into med school can end very quickly.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Lighten up. The guy came on the board to give his perspective on his school. No need to bash the guy in thinking he has some kind of agenda behind his post. He's not complaining its hard or its too much work.

for me, it is annoying because it shows the immaturity in med students. Oh you are mad that med school is hard and they aren't spoon feeding you a dermatology residency? what a nightmare.

and when you come onto the boards and speak poorly of your school, it is not only unprofessional, but it looks poorly on the profession in general and it makes you look like a whiney baby that is mad that he can't have his way. it doesn't make any question the school. it makes people wonder who crapped in their wheaties. if i was going to say what i really thought, i would tell the OP to cross his arms angrily and pout in the corner because he is acting like he needs a timeout. but i didn't, because i am a gentleman.

 

[CRCprofessional]

for me, it is annoying because it shows the immaturity in med students. Oh you are mad that med school is hard and they aren't spoon feeding you a dermatology residency? what a nightmare.

and when you come onto the boards and speak poorly of your school, it is not only unprofessional, but it looks poorly on the profession in general and it makes you look like a whiney baby that is mad that he can't have his way. it doesn't make any question the school. it makes people wonder who crapped in their wheaties. if i was going to say what i really thought, i would tell the OP to cross his arms angrily and pout in the corner because he is acting like he needs a timeout. but i didn't, because i am a gentleman.

You know, I was in a situation not too long ago where I read some rumors on SDN regarding another school (not Western) and was contemplating withdrawing my ii due to these rumors. However, I decided to consult with another student who I was in contact over email prior to my interview to get some more information. He confirmed the rumors and some of his own unhappiness with the school.

What I'm trying to say is that although, yes, this person is one who is complaining about the school and that can be construed as 'unprofessional,' that doesn't mean that others don't also feel this way and may not be voicing their concerns. I don't know if what he is saying is true, but at least it opens up the possibility of being more informed prior to getting too deep in the situation and deciding to attend. Take the information with a grain of salt and do some of your own inspecting if you find it concerning. No need to attack...

 

[dntke1518]

I like these posts and think they are valuable in that you get to see another side of the coin. Whether its a small sample size or not I feel its informative. bare minimum these posts point out that the honeymoon of getting into med school can end very quickly.

But this "side" of the coin is continuously repeated by someone who seems to not want to take responsibility for their medical education and wants to blame the institution that they chose to attend.

 

[Mosonik]

I think the most valid point made here is in regards to the student loan bubble and costs of attendance. On a personal level I feel most peoeple are too comfortable and justify taking such large quantities of money out for school. That isn't to say don't do it (I am), but don't just dive into 240k+ of loans without being sure of the decision to commit to med school and if given the choice between the most expensive schools in the country (with 50k+ a year in tuition) explore all your options first!

As for the comments by the OP in regard to the Masters. I don't think there is any hidden agenda in regards to it being a money maker. WesternU, along with any other med schools with them, use it to supplement income for the med school. It's not shady, its just business management, allowing them to balance the budget/make profit and keep tuition costs lower. And I dont know why the OP would complain about Masters program students having a leg up on the curriculum, they spent an extra year of time and money to learn it, its no short cut or unfair advantage they just committted themselves earlier and longer to the material.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

What I'm trying to say is that although, yes, this person is one who is complaining about the school and that can be construed as 'unprofessional,' that doesn't mean that others don't also feel this way and may not be voicing their concerns. I don't know if what he is saying is true, but at least it opens up the possibility of being more informed prior to getting too deep in the situation and deciding to attend. Take the information with a grain of salt and do some of your own inspecting if you find it concerning. No need to attack...

there is an enormous difference between saying, "Western has its goods and bads and here are some of the bads that you should consider" vs. "Ermagerd Western is the devil and they will screw you in your face." You can raise concerns by being professional, but threads like this aren't professional. They make med students look like they think it isn't good enough that they are among the smartest and brightest 10% of the world.

 

[CRCprofessional]

there is an enormous difference between saying, "Western has its goods and bads and here are some of the bads that you should consider" vs. "Ermagerd Western is the devil and they will screw you in your face." You can raise concerns by being professional, but threads like this aren't professional. They make med students look like they think it isn't good enough that they are among the smartest and brightest 10% of the world.

I can see your point.

 

[EmergDoc2B]

But this "side" of the coin is continuously repeated by someone who seems to not want to take responsibility for their medical education and wants to blame the institution that they chose to attend.

understood, but its this persons reality.

 

[Mehd School]

for me, it is annoying because it shows the immaturity in med students. Oh you are mad that med school is hard and they aren't spoon feeding you a dermatology residency? what a nightmare.

I don't think this is necessarily fair. OP didn't say anything about western giving him/her an academic disadvantage. He/she basically just said there is a bunch of extra B.S. to go along with attending the school. I didn't read anything in the post complaining about rigor, but more efficiency and the most important dilemma to me: Student safety.

These are things that I will consider very dearly when I'm applying in June. While I don't expect to be spoon fed the information, if I'm paying $50,000 a year for school, I don't think it's out of line for me to hope the school has streamlined the process somewhat.

And I don't know about you, but I won't live in a place I don't feel safe in if I can help it. Perhaps this is the same person chiming in again that had the thread before, but perhaps it's a different person with another throwaway account that's attempting to keep their anonymity in tact.

 

[Mehd School]

But this "side" of the coin is continuously repeated by someone

Am I missing something? How do we know 100% that this isn't a different person experiencing similar things to the post before him/her?

 

[cliquesh]

Am I missing something? How do we know 100% that this isn't a different person experiencing similar things to the post before him/her?

The wording and grammar are pretty similar..almost identical.

 

[TriagePreMed]

The voice of none is stronger than the voice of one
-Anonymous

Quoting the group anonymous. That's hilarious.

 

[JGimpel]

Looking back, I wish more people would have come on this site to give their honest opinion of their experience at their school in an effort to warn others like myself so that we could get the whole picture. I appreciate the OPs efforts, no matter how many times, probably under the same username, he posted it. I'll try and add my own experience in the same spirit of helpfulness:

Touro NorCal: OMM lab underground in what looks to be an old bunker where you hit your head if you get too aggressive with HVLA. Campus on an abandonded shipyard that looks right out of The Walking Dead. Asbestos anyone? A girl was jogging outside in the middle of the night in a pitch black area on a road through a large abandoned area with nobody around for miles. She was in denial.

Western in Pomona: Ghetto-fabulous neighborhood and housing is offered right across at the Hague or something. The school is doctor-factory-ish on a strip mall with old paint and even older buildings. It would be nice if there was a coffee shop or a place to get a sandwich in this strip mall school, but that requires going down the street and braving the neighborhood. It looks really, really bad. The place has a good reputation but it's history has strange versions of administration and the surrounding neighborhood. The technology here sucks.

Touro Nevada: Doctor-factory in the middle of car dealerships and other factories. Vegas is Vegas and the neighborhoods around the school are all far away from the school, so you'll need a car, but the buildings around it have enough security that you should be fine leaving your stuff there at night. The inside is like an old high school, creaky lockers and all and has lots of refrigerators in the lunch room if that makes any difference. Yes, your friends will want to use your place whenever they're in town. Make them get their own place for the weekend and keep your keys to yourself.

Now to the Midwest: Lots of DO schools, most in rural settings that you never would have thought to visit, much less live in. You'll have to make peace with the fact that this is all you'll have for 2-4 years, depending on where you go. You'll probably end up starting a relationship with someone at school and the chances are you'll be married if you can stick it out with them for a few years. These aren't "sleep-around" kind of schools and the locals won't like you the first few times you interact with them.

PCOM: Cold town, cold school, inside and out. Tension in the air, arrogant staff. Probably really good career options when you get out of there, but you have to deal with a ton of gunners on the way up.

I could go on, but the moral of the story is scope the area out either the night before you go there or right after your interview. Get "lost" on your way to the bathroom and see what you can find out from other students that point you back in the right direction. Some students somehow knew they were being watched but shook their head really quick or laughed out "get out while you can!" You just spent over $500 on this trip, but knowing what your gut feeling is at your interview will help you a great deal later on.

You're mostly on your own in any medical school as far as learning the material, so have a couple mini-study groups that meet at different times and get each other through the material. Some schools give you far more support than others, so ask about help for students that "fall behind," they'll know what you're asking about and this answer should rank highly on your list of reasons to go or not to go to that school.

Thanks again to the OP.

 

[Goro]

I'm not on Faculty at COMP, but in reading this post, I think "whine whine whine".

So you have some bad professors? Deal with it. Every school does, even mine. I've met COMP graduates, and even know some of them who are now teaching in DO schools, and they're fine people and educators. Fine clincians too.

Take it up with Administration instead of an anonymous message board.

Before you chose to attend this school, you need to know the truth coming from current students. We care more about telling you the truth and your success in a medical school than having you be surprised about what you will find out while attending this school.
-Anonymous

 

[Goro]

Concur...U Chicago is in the middle of the worst slum in the US, and Yale is an armed camp.

Med school is med school, you don't like it -----> drop out. The issues you name are issues people face all the time in undergrad and in graduate schools across america. There are robberies, rapes, suicides, and much more crap going on in undergrad institutions... Western's problems are nothing compared to many colleges.

 

[LaCroix09]

I know literally nothing about this, and therefore don't have an opinion either way, but I think that it's funny that all of the people bashing the OP are keeping this topic bumped to the top of this sub for all to see.

 

[JLWesternU2016]

WesternU has LIED and continues to LIE to students about the resources they do not have and have not had for awhile. It is one thing to not have them period but when they LIE to perspective students about things they do not have and have not had for awhile, this is morally wrong and could bring about a legal situation. They continue to ignore major issues concerning their poor curriculum, inadequate security on campus, almost no technological help... The school could use some huge improvements to say the least as could some other medical schools (most likely not to the same extent as this one).

Ask the current second year student council president and they will tell you how they have given up trying to make any changes because it is a waste of their time because they will not happen. The school is very political. The president and board members are not in touch with the current student needs. Many believe the school has spread itself too thin between the numerous different professional schools and developing the Oregon campus. Messy politics just like our government.

RE: If you don't like the school, then just leave!
Do you realize the cost and our time reapplying to another school that actually has an adequate education system in place?

RE: This school has the same problems that every medical school has!
I doubt the problems at other schools are nearly to the extent that this school has. Sure most medical schools are located in a bad part of town. Do they at least require a badge to get into the school? Anyone can walk into this school with no questions asked. Two grand theft autos, someone getting held up at gunpoint, stray bullets... They won't tell you about these during interviews. It is very hush hush and they do a good job of sweeping things under the rug.

In the end, find out for yourself about the school you will be attending. Many schools embellish the truth and leave out anything that would turn you off from attending there. Confer with current and past students about their true feelings about the school. You are making a huge decision with both intrinsic and extrinsic costs for a lifetime. Becoming nearly $500,000 in debt is huge especially with the uncertainty of the future of healthcare. Make sure they are the right ones you want to make and set up yourself for success.

 

[Kahuku Monkey]

Personally I hope more and more of these posts come up, for all the schools I have applied to. That way those foolish enough to be scared away by bad professors and auto thefts will give me a better chance to be accepted. Anyone ever been to USC? UT Austin? University of Illinois? Or about half the community colleges in the US? Not the best neighborhoods. Crime is also a regular part of student life at most campuses, so get over it. Bad professor? Go whine on rate my prof. As any good drill sergeant would say at this point..."suck it up and drive on!"

 

[dudeliness]

The wording and grammar are pretty similar..almost identical.

👍

 

[MusicJunkie]

.

 

[Mehd School]

The wording and grammar are pretty similar..almost identical.

After reading through this again....you're completely right.

 

[pattr]

OP, not trying to be confrontational but what I don't understand is why you don't just update your other thread with these additional qualms/complaints about your school. I don't get why this warrants a new thread??

TBH I think if you tried to focus less on all the negatives at Western and more on the positives (that once you graduate, you're going to be a physician from a well-recognized DO school, for instance) and on learning the curriculum/studying for boards, all these things would seem very small.

Life could be much much worse. A lot of us have the same problems at our schools... it's just part of being a medical student. It's not always fair or right but it's simply the reality of the situation.

 

[kindasorta]

I don't know anything about this school, but I do find it slightly humorous that every jumps to the school's defense. They start reciting the same ole same ole "no school's perfect", "whine whine whine", etc. It's this precise syndrome that insulates many schools from ever having to respond to their own flaws and can basically lord over their students once admitted.

They realize that most people are to afraid of either ruining the reputation of the school they'll hold a degree from, afraid of getting discovered and having the administrative wrath fall down upon you (I'm talking to you KCUMB), afraid of not getting a residency because the residency world will discover your school is crap, etc.

And for those that do voice the problems, the school knows everyone will chime in harmony and attack the messenger.

 

[dudeliness]

I don't know anything about this school, but I do find it slightly humorous that every jumps to the school's defense. They start reciting the same ole same ole "no school's perfect", "whine whine whine", etc. It's this precise syndrome that insulates many schools from ever having to respond to their own flaws and can basically lord over their students once admitted.

They realize that most people are to afraid of either ruining the reputation of the school they'll hold a degree from, afraid of getting discovered and having the administrative wrath fall down upon you (I'm talking to you KCUMB), afraid of not getting a residency because the residency world will discover your school is crap, etc.

And for those that do voice the problems, the school knows everyone will chime in harmony and attack the messenger.

I have no problem with someone airing the dirty laundry. Just make your statement of the bad things and leave it at that. No need to continue to start new threads going on about the same things over and over. THAT'S what I have a problem with, not with expressing problems in general.

 

[kindasorta]

I have no problem with someone airing the dirty laundry. Just make your statement of the bad things and leave it at that. No need to continue to start new threads going on about the same things over and over. THAT'S what I have a problem with, not with expressing problems in general.

What do you care?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Deja vu...

 

[ACOM2017]

Go Niners.

 

[abolt18]

I don't know anything about this school, but I do find it slightly humorous that every jumps to the school's defense. They start reciting the same ole same ole "no school's perfect", "whine whine whine", etc. It's this precise syndrome that insulates many schools from ever having to respond to their own flaws and can basically lord over their students once admitted.

They realize that most people are to afraid of either ruining the reputation of the school they'll hold a degree from, afraid of getting discovered and having the administrative wrath fall down upon you (I'm talking to you KCUMB), afraid of not getting a residency because the residency world will discover your school is crap, etc.

And for those that do voice the problems, the school knows everyone will chime in harmony and attack the messenger.

What happened with KCUMB?

 

[Kahuku Monkey]

Comparing the neighborhoods of Compton and Austin, where UT is situated, is a huge stretch.



You think USC is in Compton? Better axe somebody! In addition to that, if you have ever been to UT Austin you'll know that while the campus is one of the most beautiful in the nation, just off campus are plenty of areas you don't want to be alone in the middle of the night. Both schools are located near downtown in urban areas and crime is going to happen. Anyway, the point was that all schools have their pros and cons, and some may have more problems than others but no school is immune.

 

[kindasorta]

What happened with KCUMB?

I don't know the details, but if you search around here you'll see that they spent time on this site in an effort to figure out who wasn't towing the company line and threatened them with "unprofessionalism" (ie: med schools way of kicking you out for no good reason).

 

[DrBumblebee]

OP, think about this way: you'd be in their habitat for only 2 years to get a prep-course for COMLEX (and USMLE, if you'd prefer.) Time would fly by before you've even realized. So, stop crying and gather your self-esteem. Pomona in California isn't a city in the 3rd world or in the Caribbean. It's American soil. You'll be surrounded with everything you've been accustomed to. I'd ever give a **** if the administration sucks or not. I'd only concentrate on passing the boards and moving on.

I sometimes suspect that this type of posts might have been written by people from Caribbean med schools' marketing agencies in an effort to discredit the US osteopathic medical schools.

 

[AMDG83]

The recorded videos have a constant buzz that you will have to either ignore or find a way to block it.

That's probably the only thing worth noting from the OP's post. It's kinda annoying at first but it hasn't stopped me from listening to them. Gluck OP!

 

[pre med 2014]

I don't know the details, but if you search around here you'll see that they spent time on this site in an effort to figure out who wasn't towing the company line and threatened them with "unprofessionalism" (ie: med schools way of kicking you out for no good reason).

This is pretty scary

 

[Night Hawk]

.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Sort of what happened with ACOM with the poster who shall not be named earlier this cycle, lol

I still think Dr.Mom and Dr.Lee need to update the TOS and Guidelines of this site to protect the privacy of individuals on this site.

 

[JGimpel]

There will always be noobs that don't realize how much personally identifying information they're giving away when posting on SDN. They will complain that "I interviewed at X school yesterday and was really impressed by their Y, but the lady at the front desk was a total b@#%h about leaving my bag up front with her." They may also say that there school is "constantly letting the students down with Z and that's why I filed a complaint with the AOA last week regarding this."

Maybe they would say that they "farted during their general surgery rotation in hospital 'a' last month and the surgeon had to do an emergent colostomy because he thought the bowel was perforated, hahahaha." These are dead giveaways to anyone that pays even the slightest attention to these boards and I always try to remind people that schools have certain staff that dedicate some of their time every week to search for anything with their name in it and do their best to find out whom said what.

This is a great site for all kinds of medical worker bees to come and share ideas, but the TOS can't protect you from yourself. If you openly threaten people, your account will be shut down long before the authorities have to become involved. If you call out people or schools by name and they can't go through and identify the individual that said something, everyone that was there on a certain day or rotation, unfortunately, everyone that was there could be penalized if they can't narrow it down any further. This goes for Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and the rest.

This has been a public service announcement by everyone's favorite CEO.

 

[Siggy]

The school's mentality for education: to "prepare" students for the disorganized world by having a disorganized curriculum and requiring students sort through it. If you cannot learn using their materials, you are on your own to learn it yourself or try to learn from other students. There is little help from professors or from tutors. Many students pay cash for tutors because the school does not have an adequate tutoring service. There is little technological support here. The recorded videos have a constant buzz that you will have to either ignore or find a way to block it.

Meh, the curriculum is what it is, and unlike the class of 2013 and 2014, you knew it when you signed on the line.

As far as the buzz, I don't know. Apreso/Echo was fine during my preclinical years... when it worked (it generally did, Blackboard, which had the links, crashing was much more common, and unlike Apreso, didn't reset itself automatically).

About 20% of the student population attended the masters program that WesternU offers and will be at a great advantage because they have already prelearned much of the material you will be covering for the first time. They will have already had many of the same exam questions that you will be seeing for the first time. It is the opinion of many students that this "master's program" is a way for the school to make more money from students and the government. Many other students also have master's degrees from other reputable medical school programs. Hopefully you meet these students right away because they will share their better educational materials and help teach you subjects that the instructors do a poor job at presenting.

You mean like every other SMP out there? Granted, it gives students a second chance at increasing their stats, but schools aren't offering them out of the goodness of their hearts either.

The majority of students do not bother attending classes. If they do, they attend only the required classes (which can be a waste of time). From upperclassmen, we have been instructed to find creative ways to avoid attending these required classes. We have realized that many of our teachers are not worth our time to try to learn from. Many of us use other school's educational resources such as organized packets and their well recorded and presented video lectures. You will have teachers who you have difficulty deciphering what they are saying. You will have teachers who use half of the scheduled lecture time and expect you to learn most of the information yourself. Be careful, some exam questions are based from lectures where the instructor mumbles or rushes over a detail that you will be tested on. Find the study guides from students who have already taken the course and you will save a lot of time by not attending lectures.

You act like WU/COMP is something special in this account? You must be new here (sockpuppet account notwithstanding)

The exams you will be taking are poorly written and not comparable to USMLE Step 1 board exam questions. It is obvious that there was no proof reading before the questions were submitted.

In other words... it prepares you for the poorly written COMLEX Level 1 questions?

WesternU is located in the armpit of a ghetto named Pomona. This year, two cars have been stolen. There have been multiple car break ins. A family member of a student was held up at gun point during broad daylight. There were two stray bullets lodged into the windows at school. The school does not have adequate security on campus. One would think the very least the school could do is require a badge to gain access into their buildings like most other schools located in a bad part of town. This idea has been brought up numerous times to administrators for the past few years but they have continued to ignore our safety requests. The school is most likely funneling your tuition dollars to Oregon where the school has chosen to expand to.

Meh, can't complain. I did my SMP at a school in a bad area of a major East Coast city. The university had it's own police department with a substation at the medical school campus (among other schools (i.e. pharm, MPH, grad bio, etc) at that specific location), card swipe, etc. It didn't help the classmate that got mugged walking to his apartment 2 streets behind campus though. Also, one does not just drive in that city. There's the T for that (not so subtle hint).

 

[Siggy]

Pomona in California isn't a city in the 3rd world or in the Caribbean. It's American soil.

I'd suggest you take a drive through the neighborhoods South of Mission BLVD. Lock your doors, roll up your windows, and keep all arms and legs inside the vehicle until out of the area.

 

[Siggy]

I still think Dr.Mom and Dr.Lee need to update the TOS and Guidelines of this site to protect the privacy of individuals on this site.

...but you can't use my posts against me... it's in the TOS


Administration:

 

[dudeliness]

...but you can't use my posts against me... it's in the TOS


Administration:

Ha ha! Lol

 

[DrBumblebee]

I'd suggest you take a drive through the neighborhoods South of Mission BLVD. Lock your doors, roll up your windows, and keep all arms and legs inside the vehicle until out of the area.

You wanna wander around just to get your head into trouble? Don't sweat it. Sky is the limit.

La Verne, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga are some of the finest places that are close to the school, where you can live while you're a student at WesternU/COMP.

Honestly, I couldn't get your point in recommending to drive through some problematic areas of the city.