What factored into your decision-making for choosing a school after multiple acceptan

[LWestenhofer]

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I have recently been accepted to three schools (yay- I only applied to four and withdrew my app from one school). I know the school where I felt most at home while visiting, and I know the stats on the schools. I have talked to current students from all. What else factored into your decision-making proccess when choosing between schools? This is such a big decision, thanks in advance for your input...

 

[NjD00]

oh man, yeah that's tough. Going through the same thing here...been accepted to three, still waiting to hear back post-interview from my top 2 choices, and still interviewing.

For me, ranking has been somewhat of a huge chore. First of all I base it on WHERE I FELT BEST, you know, what school just felt like "it", the place I would be happiest and do well. I believe that that should be like 75% of the decision because come on, if you aren't comfortable and happy, you won't do well no matter where it is. After that, to me the next factors are COMLEX pass rates, residency match rates (mostly, how many students get first or second choice), and also clinicals, like what hospitals are affiliated, do you have to move...can you stay in the area...etc. Also really important for me is curriculum. For example, a huge turn-off for me at a couple of schools is the MANDATORY class from 8-5pm EVERY DAY FOR TWO YEARS. Sure I'm fine with going to class and for the most part even enjoy class, but seriously, that seems a little anal. Everyone has some times when you just need to skip for any number of reasons. I don't need to be treated like a kid, I can do well without the school keeping attendance (hell, maybe they'll even start giving detention). Plus, when I interviewed at those places, the students seemed more stressed and they felt like they had a lot less time. class 8-5, eat supper, study 4 hours and its already 10-11pm. When is the free time (i know i know its MED school, but you have to have some time)
SO, I'm looking at some PBL and also at the schools where there is a mixture of class and lab from like 8-2 with some workshops where the majority of classes aren't mandatory.

Finally, location comes into the picture a litte bit, and then finally, money. It's gonna cost a ton no matter where, so I will pick the best school for me, regardless of price. However, say I really LOVE two schools and would be great at either and the price is like $10,000 a year difference; THAT is enough of a difference to consider price.(hell thats $40,000 total, and is basically the tuition of an entire additional year!)

Sorry for these ramblings of a tired and stressed guy waiting for word from my favorite 2 schools but this is seriously how I am breaking it down. Good luck! feel free to PM me

 

[Kuba]

in case you did not see this in the FAQ - http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=3798467&postcount=3

 

[NjD00]

in case you did not see this in the FAQ - http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=3798467&postcount=3

holy crap, that is an excellent post...especially the links at the bottom i had never seen before

 

[harrypotter]

So, I've been hearing about mandatory class but what happens if you don't go? Do you get detention? 🙂 Probation?

 

[Kuba]

So, I've been hearing about mandatory class but what happens if you don't go? Do you get detention? 🙂 Probation?

well, NSU for example, has a 80% attendance policy. If you skip 20% of your classes, no punishment. But if you skip more than 20%, there is a point deduction from your grade in increments of percent. For example, if you attend between 70 and 79 % of the classes, you will lose 2 points from the final grade.

 

[Dr JPH]

I know the school where I felt most at home while visiting,

Thats all it took for me.

 

[MikeyLu2010]

well, NSU for example, has a 80% attendance policy. If you skip 20% of your classes, no punishment. But if you skip more than 20%, there is a point deduction from your grade in increments of percent. For example, if you attend between 70 and 79 % of the classes, you will lose 2 points from the final grade.

its 70% with no deduction for our class...

 

[Kuba]

its 70% with no deduction for our class...

yea, i got confused. I initially put 70% because that is what I heard from students while I was on the interview. But NSU sent us a packet with info in it, and I am looking at it right now and it says 80%.

 

[LWestenhofer]

Thanks for everyone's help-

 

[Hollsky]

Just out of curiosity, and sheer laziness because I'm exhausted at the moment, which schools have a mandatory class rule? I'm hoping OSU doesn't, they're my top pick and I really don't want to deal with that biz.

 

[Hollsky]

By the way, I meant that I'm too exhausted to try and look this stuff up for myself, if anyone was confused about my above post......sheesh, I need sleep.

 

[Dr JPH]

Just out of curiosity, and sheer laziness because I'm exhausted at the moment, which schools have a mandatory class rule? I'm hoping OSU doesn't, they're my top pick and I really don't want to deal with that biz.

Unless things have changed PCOM does not take attendance in the major lecture halls...although an occasional pop quiz or sign in sheet has been known to appear.

 

[NjD00]

I know AZCOM and LECOM-Erie (lecture based) are mandatory

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

By the way, I meant that I'm too exhausted to try and look this stuff up for myself, if anyone was confused about my above post......sheesh, I need sleep.

DMU has madatory OMM lectures but not for the rest.

 

[kaikai128]

well, NSU for example, has a 80% attendance policy. If you skip 20% of your classes, no punishment. But if you skip more than 20%, there is a point deduction from your grade in increments of percent. For example, if you attend between 70 and 79 % of the classes, you will lose 2 points from the final grade.

It is not 80%, it is 70%.
You are required to scan in for each block.
People scan and leave all the time.
Usually they don't enforce the punishment even if you don't scan 70%, you just have to go to the office and say what days you were there to make it up to the 70% mark.
Really...this attendance policy is NOT a big deal. I have said it many times before, but I'm saying it again. If you don't want to come to class...just don't come, nobody really cares.

 

[Kuba]

It is not 80%, it is 70%.
You are required to scan in for each block.
People scan and leave all the time.
Usually they don't enforce the punishment even if you don't scan 70%, you just have to go to the office and say what days you were there to make it up to the 70% mark.
Really...this attendance policy is NOT a big deal. I have said it many times before, but I'm saying it again. If you don't want to come to class...just don't come, nobody really cares.

It is 80% for the class of 2011 unless they made a typo on the info they sent us.

 

[scpod]

What else factored into your decision-making proccess when choosing between schools? This is such a big decision, thanks in advance for your input...

There were a bunch of things...

Weather-- I like it hot
Tuition-- Would rather not spend a fortune
Curriculum-- Love PBL to death

But...most important was really the feeling that I got from the faculty, staff, and students. I firmly believe that you will perform better in an environment where you feel comfortable. I don't care how great the reputation is or how high the board scores are, if I have to spend 8 to 5 in class, pay 35,000 in tuition, walk out into snow, and work with a bunch of asses, then I'm not gonna be happy. I'm also not gonna do well.

 

[MikeyLu2010]

oh man, yeah that's tough. Going through the same thing here...been accepted to three, still waiting to hear back post-interview from my top 2 choices, and still interviewing.

For me, ranking has been somewhat of a huge chore. First of all I base it on WHERE I FELT BEST, you know, what school just felt like "it", the place I would be happiest and do well. I believe that that should be like 75% of the decision because come on, if you aren't comfortable and happy, you won't do well no matter where it is. After that, to me the next factors are COMLEX pass rates, residency match rates (mostly, how many students get first or second choice), and also clinicals, like what hospitals are affiliated, do you have to move...can you stay in the area...etc. Also really important for me is curriculum. For example, a huge turn-off for me at a couple of schools is the MANDATORY class from 8-5pm EVERY DAY FOR TWO YEARS. Sure I'm fine with going to class and for the most part even enjoy class, but seriously, that seems a little anal. Everyone has some times when you just need to skip for any number of reasons. I don't need to be treated like a kid, I can do well without the school keeping attendance (hell, maybe they'll even start giving detention). Plus, when I interviewed at those places, the students seemed more stressed and they felt like they had a lot less time. class 8-5, eat supper, study 4 hours and its already 10-11pm. When is the free time (i know i know its MED school, but you have to have some time)
SO, I'm looking at some PBL and also at the schools where there is a mixture of class and lab from like 8-2 with some workshops where the majority of classes aren't mandatory.

Finally, location comes into the picture a litte bit, and then finally, money. It's gonna cost a ton no matter where, so I will pick the best school for me, regardless of price. However, say I really LOVE two schools and would be great at either and the price is like $10,000 a year difference; THAT is enough of a difference to consider price.(hell thats $40,000 total, and is basically the tuition of an entire additional year!)

Sorry for these ramblings of a tired and stressed guy waiting for word from my favorite 2 schools but this is seriously how I am breaking it down. Good luck! feel free to PM me

couldnt agree more...go where you will be HAPPY you will learn more efficiently and things will go more smoothly

 

[kaikai128]

It is 80% for the class of 2011 unless they made a typo on the info they sent us.

They made a typo. The policy was recently changed to 70%, they probably just didn't update their material. There is NO WAY they are going to raise it back up to 80.

 

[Kuba]

They made a typo. The policy was recently changed to 70%, they probably just didn't update their material. There is NO WAY they are going to raise it back up to 80.

Itd be great if that was true. Not that the policy bothered me at all anyway, but its still nice not to have punishment in case 21% of class is a waste of time. The thing is that they sent us a complete outline of the attendence policy. And it says 80% about 3 times, and it says that 70-79% is -2 points, 60-69 is -5 points, 50-59% is -10 points, and 48% or less is an F. So it would have to be a pretty big mess up in order for this to be a mistake on their part.

 

[Jamers]

I have recently been accepted to three schools (yay- I only applied to four and withdrew my app from one school). I know the school where I felt most at home while visiting, and I know the stats on the schools. I have talked to current students from all. What else factored into your decision-making proccess when choosing between schools? This is such a big decision, thanks in advance for your input...

The level of hottness is what should be be the major factor for any school. 😍 😍 😍

 

[Orthodoc40]

Says the person in Iowa?!!!?
Perhaps this is not in reference to weather?!! 😉

 

[scpod]

The level of hottness is what should be be the major factor for any school. 😍 😍 😍

Yeah...we haven't had a good T&A discussion on here in a while.

 

[Kuba]

Yeah...we haven't had a good T&A discussion on here in a while.

I vote for T 🙂

 

[scpod]

I vote for T 🙂

I kinda like A !!!! 😀

 

[LWestenhofer]

Well, since I am a married female T & A are not MAJOR factors in the decision-making process, however, I guess I did open myself up for that one. 😛 You guys make me laugh. I appreciate the earnestness of everyone's responses... yeah, that's it, earnestness...👍

 

[NjD00]

I sense the need for a "DO School Hotness" poll