William Carey University (WCU-COM) Discussion Thread 2013 - 2014

[DE15C]

---

Members do not see this ad.

am i supposed to handwrite this secondary and overnight it? Or was there a mstake in the email and it's really an online secondary?

I was wondering the same, tried typing on the form and just kept screwing up the formatting.
I would love to know how others did it.

 

[WhovianDO]

I was wondering the same, tried typing on the form and just kept screwing up the formatting.
I would love to know how others did it.

Last year, I just typed directly on the secondary and emailed it back to the admissions office.

 

[wjs010]

Last year, I just typed directly on the secondary and emailed it back to the admissions office.

that's an awesome idea and would save me from mailing. What program did you use to type?

 

[WhovianDO]

that's an awesome idea and would save me from mailing. What program did you use to type?

Just used Microsoft word.

 

[wjs010]

Just used Microsoft word.

what about those check boxes? the cursor won't go in them lol. I'm feeling a little stupid

 

[wjs010]

Just used Microsoft word.

okay forget that last message I'm doing it now. Did you just reply to Donna Day or did you email it to someone else?
thanks for your help btw

 

[WhovianDO]

okay forget that last message I'm doing it now. Did you just reply to Donna Day or did you email it to someone else?
thanks for your help btw

I just emailed it back to the sender. Last year it was someone else, but I think Mrs. Day is handling that this year.

 

[WCUCOMwcPR]

Hello everyone! I am a first year student at the COM and on the welcoming committee this year. Feel free to PM me if you guys have any questions, concerns, etc. We are very excited for the new interview cycle this year and look forward to meeting some of you! If y'all have any general questions, feel free to reply to this and I will try to respond as soon as possible. Good luck everyone 🙂

PS-The welcoming committee is a committee ran by the students, so please do not be scared to ask questions!!

 

[acceptmeplease]

Hello everyone! I am a first year student at the COM and on the welcoming committee this year. Feel free to PM me if you guys have any questions, concerns, etc. We are very excited for the new interview cycle this year and look forward to meeting some of you! If y'all have any general questions, feel free to reply to this and I will try to respond as soon as possible. Good luck everyone 🙂

PS-The welcoming committee is a committee ran by the students, so please do not be scared to ask questions!!

What was the board pass rate for the new third years?

 

[WhovianDO]

What was the board pass rate for the new third years?

I'm not sure if WCUCOMwcPR has the newest numbers, but the last I heard the new board scores were sitting at a 90% pass rate. However, this is before the August scores were released, so that number could change, and depending on how many students took it in August, it could change significantly.

When I was applying, board scores were a factor in my decision to attend WCUCOM. But after speaking with multiple med students in several schools, both allopathic and osteopathic, the consensus seems to be it's more about how you prepare for boards that makes the biggest impact on your score. It's very important to choose a school that will facilitate your learning the material that you will be tested on, but ultimately the responsibility lies with you. With that said, I believe that WCUCOM is doing a great job of preparing students for boards, especially with the new integrated curriculum that they (we) are piloting this year.

 

[CajunMedic]

Nothing but crickets here lately. Anybody got any intel on the interview invite progress?

 

[Drobpharmd2014]

Do you guys/gals think applying WCOM in January is a waste of money? I was originally scheduled for September Mcat test date but cancelled because I did not feel confident. Im planning on sitting for the 1st possible test date in 2014. I am current taking a few Grad courses, I am URM and a Louisiana resident. Any advice?

 

[lcollier7]

Do you guys/gals think applying WCOM in January is a waste of money? I was originally scheduled for September Mcat test date but cancelled because I did not feel confident. Im planning on sitting for the 1st possible test date in 2014. I am current taking a few Grad courses, I am URM and a Louisiana resident. Any advice?

Honestly it's been pretty quite in general for people who applied fairly early in the cycle for this school- being from Louisiana will def help you, but if your only applying to apply to this school I wouldn't but if you considering applying to several other schools and plan on having a pretty competitive MCAT score I say go for it

 

[MakesSense]

Do you guys/gals think applying WCOM in January is a waste of money? I was originally scheduled for September Mcat test date but cancelled because I did not feel confident. Im planning on sitting for the 1st possible test date in 2014. I am current taking a few Grad courses, I am URM and a Louisiana resident. Any advice?

No. I applied just before the deadline in my application cycle. I would not suggest this but it does illustrate that applying in January is NOT too late.

 

[WhovianDO]

Do you guys/gals think applying WCOM in January is a waste of money? I was originally scheduled for September Mcat test date but cancelled because I did not feel confident. Im planning on sitting for the 1st possible test date in 2014. I am current taking a few Grad courses, I am URM and a Louisiana resident. Any advice?

It's definitely not a waste of money, but a lot of variables are going to come in to play with a later application. If you take the January administration of the MCAT, your scores will not be available until February. There will not be as many seats available at that point, but if you do well on the MCAT and your GPA is on par, then you should be ok. Being from Louisiana is a plus. If you show that you identify with the WCUCOM mission, then you should get an interview.

 

[JC719]

Do any of you current students know what the interview:acceptance ratio is? Just got an II this morning for November 15!

 

[Enforrcer]

I am currently a second year student at WCUCOM and after acceptance we were told that we had a 1:20 chance, 2,0000 applicants with around 100 being accepted. If you get a secondary ( which they don't send out many) from what I've heard your chances are improved to 1:4. As far as interviews, if you get one your pretty much in i would guess 80% acceptance.

 

[PediDoc12]

Withdrawing my application! Hoping my interview spot will go to one of you! Good Luck!!!

 

[wjs010]

This thread seems dead so I'll inform a little. Received an ii yesterday for nov 11. I'm a Louisiana resident and was complete about 2 weeks ago. Good luck people!

 

[DE15C]

Received ii today for Dec. 2.
First ii of the cycle!!!!!!!!

 

[EMDO2018]

I am applying here. I am an in state applicant, urm with 28 mcat 3.4 gpa. I have a few questions for 3rd or 4th year students currently attending this school. WCU is my number one choice, I really want to go here more than anything.


1. How are the rotations during 3rd and 4th year? What are the quality of the rotation sites?

2. Did you feel prepared for the boards and are class test written in board style?

3. How did the current 3rd years do on their boards, compared to the 4th years?

 

[WCUCOMwcPR]

I am applying here. I am an in state applicant, urm with 28 mcat 3.4 gpa. I have a few questions for 3rd or 4th year students currently attending this school. WCU is my number one choice, I really want to go here more than anything.


1. How are the rotations during 3rd and 4th year? What are the quality of the rotation sites?

2. Did you feel prepared for the boards and are class test written in board style?

3. How did the current 3rd years do on their boards, compared to the 4th years?

I am not a 3rd or 4th year so I cannot speak for them. However, I have heard positive things about the rotation sites for 3rd years. Fourth year rotation sites depend on where you set them up. Obviously, I cannot answer the second question quite yet. Finally, the results for the Step 1 taken by third years has not yet been disclosed because some have not even received their scores back yet.

Hope this helps some! Good luck!

 

[wjs010]

Can anyone describe the interview and questions asked?

 

[WhovianDO]

Can anyone describe the interview and questions asked?

My interview was the most relaxed interview I had ever been on. As for the questions.. go to the interview feedback section on SDN. I checked it out before my interview and it was a pretty good indicator of what was asked.

 

[WCUCOMwcPR]

Can anyone describe the interview and questions asked?

I agree with DrWho. The interview questions were pretty typical medical school questions. The basics to the interview are to know what you want, know what your strengths are, know what your weaknesses are, and be able to answer confidently and honestly. Remember, if you got an interview then they like you. The interview is to "seal the deal" in my opinion or to address any weaknesses. I prepared with the "typical" questions and felt well prepared. Good luck! Feel free to PM me if needed!

 

[wjs010]

Does WCU really only accept 100 students? Ouch

 

[WhovianDO]

Does WCU really only accept 100 students? Ouch

I believe it was close to 3,000 applicants for my class and 108 acceptances (don't quote me) WCUCOM only accepts about 100 students, so I think the others came from the associated masters program. In any case, it's a numbers game.

 

[MakesSense]

I am applying here. I am an in state applicant, urm with 28 mcat 3.4 gpa. I have a few questions for 3rd or 4th year students currently attending this school. WCU is my number one choice, I really want to go here more than anything.


1. How are the rotations during 3rd and 4th year?

I have loved the rotations so far. In the overwhelming majority of sites, you have no residents in front of you and you are on the "front line". Also, there is a 1:1 ratio of student to preceptor. This means that you cannot "hide" and are given a great opportunity to learn. You will see a lot of "horses" and learn them well but not so many "zebras"

2. What are the quality of the rotation sites?

The hub sites are in various sites across the state, as well as in other states There are no glamour spots as most sites are community sites. From what I have seen, these sites are thrilled to have medical students there from the physicians on down.

3. Did you feel prepared for the boards and are class test written in board style?

In reference to the board style questions, not so much for the first two classes but I believe that this has been addressed. You need to ask a current first or second year student. With regards to board preparation, they gave us all the material we needed but there could have been improvements on what was emphasized.

4. How did the current 3rd years do on their boards, compared to the 4th years?

I know there has been improvement over the first class but do not know how much

Hope this helps!

 

[wjs010]

after looking at the handbook, I see WCU had discipline-based curriculum. Can someone please elaborate on what that is? To me, it seems like it's just taking each subject and lecturing on it as separate entities. Is this the same curriculum as when the students' board scores were low, or have they changed it to something else now? thanks

 

[WhovianDO]

after looking at the handbook, I see WCU had discipline-based curriculum. Can someone please elaborate on what that is? To me, it seems like it's just taking each subject and lecturing on it as separate entities. Is this the same curriculum as when the students' board scores were low, or have they changed it to something else now? thanks

The curriculum is no longer discipline-based. It is now systems-based and we are on a block schedule. We now have integrated exams that consist of Doctoring Skills, Medical Physiology, Histology, and Medical Biochemistry. We also have Clinical Anatomy (gross anatomy+embryology+neuroanatomy), Osteopathic Principles and Practices (OMM/OMT), and Medical Genetics that are not integrated. These courses are stretched out over the entire first year, and are on blocks focused on a system (cardiovascular, GI, etc). Except for Medical Genetics which is only taken the first semester, and we pick up General Pathology the second semester. The courses are integrated with respect to content covered at a given time. Also, our exams are designed to mimic board exams (timing, computerized, clinical vignettes).

 

[cjones92]

It's a little quiet around here, and since I finally made an account, I'll give you guys an update.

I received an interview invite here on 9/24. My actual interview date is 10/18 (this friday)! I'll let you guys know how it went if I can remember to come back and post. 😛

 

[DE15C]

I'm having trouble reading that, maybe if you put it in a giant purple font....

...or blue...

 

[TeddyBoomBoom]

I'm having trouble reading that, maybe if you put it in a giant purple font....

lol

However, I am interested in hearing more.....

 

[ToKingdomCome]

I interviewed at the school and I liked it but all the first and 2nd year students told me not to come here. They mentioned their first time pass rate for 1st year was 74% and 2nd year was 71%.

They also informed me that they keep changing the curriculum and no one knows what's going on. It is NOT integrated like they are advertising it is. It is just multiple classes with exams all on the same day.

this kind of frightens me. i got accepted to a new school, CUSOM, and id really hope i wont have to experience anything like this.

 

[cjones92]

Well, I interviewed today and the first and second year medical students I spoke to loved it there... All of them told me they would not have chosen differently. From what I hear those board percentages are expected for a new school, but I'm not claiming to be an expert on that.

They talked about the changes to curriculum, but none of them acted clueless about the situation. They said it wasn't entirely integrated for them but that it was supposed to be all worked out for the incoming class.

Just my two cents. =)

 

[WhovianDO]

I'm a first year and I love being here. The curriculum has a few hiccups, but they are definitely being addressed as they come up. I think there is some confusion about what is actually integrated. It's not the courses themselves that are integrated, where you attend lectures on different topics and take a single exam that counts as your grade, but rather, it is the content that is integrated, where each course is covering the same or similar topics from different perspectives.

Also, I want to mention again that the second year board scores are not in yet. From the scores they have so far, the pass rate is higher than the inaugural class, which was a 74% I think.

For me, I am very happy here. I would make the decision again in a heart beat. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Just remember to choose a school that is best for you. Med school is what you make it.

 

[WCUCOMwcPR]

I interviewed at the school and I liked it but all the first and 2nd year students told me not to come here. They mentioned their first time pass rate for 1st year was 74% and 2nd year was 71%.

They also informed me that they keep changing the curriculum and no one knows what's going on. It is NOT integrated like they are advertising it is. It is just multiple classes with exams all on the same day.

It is unfortunate that you had this experience. However, I find it very hard to understand where these numbers came from. It has not been announced what the results were for the third year's Step 1. Even as a committee member, I tried to get these numbers to better serve you guys and was unable to.

The curriculum is constantly changing to better serve each incoming class. The fourth year's experiences are going to be different than a first years. I was accepted to other schools and I chose William Carey. I do not regret my decision at all. I think there are many well educated and dedicated people working at WCUCOM and the curriculum changes are their way of serving us and this community.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to PM me. Once again good luck to all of you and I hope you find your "fit" during this cycle.

 

[vcraptor15]

Hey guys I just received the secondary yesterday, Do you think it would be too late to submit it? And do you think i have a shot with a 3.51 sgpa and 25mcat (9PS, 7V, 9BS)

 

[wannabeadoc2]

Hey guys I just received the secondary yesterday, Do you think it would be too late to submit it? And do you think i have a shot with a 3.51 sgpa and 25mcat (9PS, 7V, 9BS)

Definitely the sooner you get it in the better. From what I understand, WCU is pretty selective when it comes to sending secondaries and interviews. It's worth a shot but don't put it off.

 

[WhovianDO]

Hey guys I just received the secondary yesterday, Do you think it would be too late to submit it? And do you think i have a shot with a 3.51 sgpa and 25mcat (9PS, 7V, 9BS)

Go for it! If you got the secondary, they already screened your app and are ready to extend the interview invite. WCUCOM is very selective with regards to the secondary. Do well in your interview and you will get an acceptance.

 

[Mehd School]

About to submit the secondary....did anyone else just fill in the secondary on word and email it back? I'm hesitant to do this because there are explicit directions on the first page, but if others have done it successfully...

I guess I'll email back a PDF of my secondary and then mail a paper copy alongside my check.

 

[WhovianDO]

About to submit the secondary....did anyone else just fill in the secondary on word and email it back? I'm hesitant to do this because there are explicit directions on the first page, but if others have done it successfully...

I guess I'll email back a PDF of my secondary and then mail a paper copy alongside my check.

Last year I filled it out on word and emailed a copy to them. I mailed a check separately.

 

[jhu6569]

Second class to take COMLEX (Class of 2015)? First-time COMLEX I pass rates are increased significantly. Cannot provide actual data due to incomplete results available and obvious confidentiality concerns.

Bottom line here, for me as a founding faculty member? WCUCOM is dedicated to graduating DO physicians of the very highest caliber, competitive with ANY primary care physicians in the practice of medicine.

Prospective applicants! Investigate us, call us, visit us. We have a very competitive package to offer and we are committed to becoming the very best in the arena of effort. Yep, we remain a "newbie" on the market, but one corollary of that fact means that we remain energetic, adaptable, and hungry for long-term success. We seek students with the same attitude.

Note here please! This post represents a purely personal opinion of a senior faculty member. This post has not been vetted in any fashion by organizational oversight. However - I stand by my declarations and KNOW that I represent the general attitude of admins, staff, faculty, and students here at William Carey.

 

[vcraptor15]

Hey guys! Thanks a lot I appreciate the input! Sent in the secondary today!! Hopefully things turn out well!

 

[luckywong]

Still haven't received for secondary application invite. AACOMAS released on 09/10. I got replies from every school i applied except this one. Should I wait a little more? or call n see if I am already rejected or something happened?

 

[cjones92]

Still haven't received for secondary application invite. AACOMAS released on 09/10. I got replies from every school i applied except this one. Should I wait a little more? or call n see if I am already rejected or something happened?

They didn't send a secondary to me right away either. It doesn't hurt to ask, though.

 

[mud91]

How long did it take to receive an ii once you receive the receipt in mail? Is the application complete once you receive the receipt in the mail? If not, did they send a complete email? It would be great if someone can provide a timeline before they received an ii!

 

[cjones92]

How long did it take to receive an ii once you receive the receipt in mail? Is the application complete once you receive the receipt in the mail? If not, did they send a complete email? It would be great if someone can provide a timeline before they received an ii!

I dropped off my secondary in person, so I don't know about the receipt in the mail. You will not get an application complete notification, but you can call them to find out if it is complete. It took about a week from the time my file was complete to get an ii. Bear in mind I was in the second group to interview here, so the response time may be longer for those later in the cycle.

 

[anatomyjunkie]

Been lurking on this thread a little while. Sent my secondary in 4 weeks ago and haven't heard a peep for an interview (sgpa 3.45, cgpa 3.52, mcat 28). Should I be receiving a post-secondary rejection letter soon? I was really hoping to be extended an ii...

 

[TeddyBoomBoom]

I'll be staying in Hattiesburg on the 31st (Halloween) for an interview on the 1st. If anyone is in town and wants to meet up for dinner or something, just PM me!