William Carey (WCU-COM) Discussion Thread 2012 - 2013

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Will WCUCOM reduce the class hours for next year? 28 hours is a killer... but they do have good clinical sites. 🙂

The class schedules seem to be tweaked a little each year as the curriculum grows and improves. I doubt, however, that there will be any significant reduction in class time. You have to be in class to learn all of the material and the volume is already a LOT! Class really isn't bad, in my opinion.
 
Will WCUCOM reduce the class hours for next year? 28 hours is a killer... but they do have good clinical sites. 🙂

I learn a lot by coming to class. The professors tell you important information about the topics and if you are confused or need clarification, you can read th book or email the professors questions. Professors here at WCU are very receptive to emails and have fast response. They have an open door policy which is also nice.

Concerning the rotation sites, majority of them are in MS. There are only a few in LA, 1 in FL, and none in AL. This might change next year, so the might expand more outside of MS.
 
For changes, there probably will be no reduction on attendance policy. However, one of the changes they made for current OMS II's is to have more white space (time not in class, but noted as "self study hours"). The WCU undergrad is what is in control of attendance policy. They require 80% attendance, and the COM has an agreement to adhere to the undergrad attendance policy. It's not necessarily the COM's fault that there is 80% attendance. For the record, there are other medical schools with 85% attendance policies, and some with 100% unless you are dying type attendance. So, WCUCOM is not that bad with attendance.
i don't have a problem so much w/ the attendance policy, but i do have a problem w/ the faculty's enforcement of the policy. they do not have to go out of their way to penalize students for missing class. and if you're wondering, no, they are not mandated to enforce these policies. btw, we received an email from one of our OPP professors regarding students that missed OPP class/lab. not only are they deducting 1 full point for every missed hour out of our final grade, but they're also forcing us to write a 1-page essay on the topic of the day we missed. Yep, we're officially back in high school.
 
Hey guys, I graduated pre-med this past spring, interviewed at 2 med schools (MD)..but was rejected in the summer. I reapplied but have not heard anything yet. The schools said it was my MCAT, which I took for the 3rd time this summer and my score went down from last summer.

My stats:
GPA- 4.0
MCATs, 21, 24, 22
About 200 or so volunteer hours in hospital settings and private practices with local physicians (getting a lot more next semester also)

I recently found out about this school (know someone who was also rejected from med school last year but got accepted here) and am really considering applying.
I know the deadline to apply is March, but would applying right now be looked on as late?
Any advice or help is much appreciated!
PS- I'm a Louisiana resident !
 
The class schedules seem to be tweaked a little each year as the curriculum grows and improves.
i certainly hope the curriculum doesn't continue to grow for the sake of all the pre-meds applying to this school.

You have to be in class to learn all of the material and the volume is already a LOT! Class really isn't bad, in my opinion.
That's exactly what this school wants you to think. Obviously this is not true. Here's my question, do you want to memorize what these professors emphasize in class or do you want to learn what you need to blow away the boards? The answer to this question will become a lot clearer as you progress thru 2nd year assuming your desire is to do more than just pass the boards. At that point your stance on the importance of going to class may be a bit different.
 
i don't have a problem so much w/ the attendance policy, but i do have a problem w/ the faculty's enforcement of the policy. they do not have to go out of their way to penalize students for missing class. and if you're wondering, no, they are not mandated to enforce these policies. btw, we received an email from one of our OPP professors regarding students that missed OPP class/lab. not only are they deducting 1 full point for every missed hour out of our final grade, but they're also forcing us to write a 1-page essay on the topic of the day we missed. Yep, we're officially back in high school.

I can see where you're frustrated, and I'm not trying to discount your experience or irritations. For us, we have that same policy (it's in our syllabus). My thinking is...it's an osteopathic medical school...so yes, there will be emphasis on a clinical course attendance and a way to know you actually studied the material you missed. Do I think OP&P is the single most important course in med school? No. But neither do the faculty...at least they've told us that all the time. Am I planning on doing pelvic counterstrain on a patient in the emergency room? 99.9% sure I won't be doing that. But I do think I will do muscle energy, Still, HVLA...especially if it will help my patients.

I don't feel like the professors are being unfair in wanting you to attend their classes. They have to be there, too...If I had to lecture for 2 hours, I'd want there to be people that at least showed up to be warm bodies in the audience if nothing else. I guess I don't see the problem in the enforcement of the attendance policy, and probably because I know a lot of other places have worse attendance policies. Can I pay attention from 8-3/4 all the time every single day? No, but who can? They're giving our class a lot more white space than your class had. So I imagine that's why I don't feel as disgruntled as you do. Perhaps I'll feel differently after the COMSAE in a month. However, I'm still not blaming anyone for any poor results I receive for anything....if I do badly, it's because I didn't find a way to take care of my own business. The faculty and other students can't learn the material for me.

Anyway, happy Thanksgiving; and Congratulations to all those who were accepted and got interviews!
 
I've been accepted here, but now I'm a little worried about attending. Allow the negatives are outweighing the positives. I want to pursue surgery, so I will need excellent board scores. I know I can get them studying on my own, but such a new school may not have many resources. Any current students interested in surgery have any input?
 
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I've been accepted here, but now I'm a little worried about attending. Allow the negatives are outweighing the positives. I want to pursue surgery, so I will need excellent board scores. I know I can get them studying on my own, but such a new school may not have many resources. Any current students interested in surgery have any input?

I have feeling that WCUCOM is filing their seat with dumb people. If you cannot do well on your board exam with self study, please do not operate on me. Surgeons are the brightest and the best.
 
I have feeling that WCUCOM is filing their seat with dumb people. If you cannot do well on your board exam with self study, please do not operate on me. Surgeons are the brightest and the best.

Sorry you think I'm dumb. I actually said in my post (that you quoted) that I know I can study on my own and do well on boards. But that doesn't mean other resources aren't helpful. Forgive me for wanting more info on the place that will train me for my future.

P.s. you should ask for board scores and study methods of ALL of your surgeons from now on. 🙂
 
I'm a little worried about attending. Allow the negatives are outweighing the positives.


You started off negative with this school. We both know you are not happy here. So do you and this school a favor, do not attend. Down the road you will be glad.

This will leave the spot open for someone with a positive attitude and sincere to attend this awesome university. We do not need a MD reject that will be piss off having a DO behind their name. I know you from MD thread.
 
You started off negative with this school. We both know you are not happy here. So do you and this school a favor, do not attend. Down the road you will be glad.

This will leave the spot open for someone with a positive attitude and sincere to attend this awesome university. We do not need a MD reject that will be piss off having a DO behind their name. I know you from MD thread.

Lol. Sorry, but you must have me confused with someone else. I've NEVER posted on sdn before today. And I'm not an MD reject, nor will I be pissed off by earning a DO degree.

I was not being negative about the school. After my interview I was actually stoked to receive an acceptance. I loved the atmosphere and staff, and I thought they were doing well for a new school. However, after reading this forum, more specifically, the comments made by current students, I am just trying to get more information.

Not sure why you're attacking me for doing that. Perhaps you're projecting? Maybe not.. Regardless, you have me confused with someone else.
 
i don't have a problem so much w/ the attendance policy, but i do have a problem w/ the faculty's enforcement of the policy. they do not have to go out of their way to penalize students for missing class. and if you're wondering, no, they are not mandated to enforce these policies. btw, we received an email from one of our OPP professors regarding students that missed OPP class/lab. not only are they deducting 1 full point for every missed hour out of our final grade, but they're also forcing us to write a 1-page essay on the topic of the day we missed. Yep, we're officially back in high school.

OP&P is the only class that I have had that enforces the attendance policy to that degree. They will take away one letter grade per hour missed. This is because you cannot learn OMM without being in lab and actually practicing the techniques on your fellow classmates. They do work with us, though. For instance, our class breaks up into two sessions. One half comes in the morning for 3 hrs. and the other half will come in the afternoon for 3 hrs. If there is a conflict and we need to switch to the morning/evening session, all we have to do is find someone to switch with. Lectures are only one hour, so they are not difficult to make it to. Also, OP&P is only ONE day a week. Everyone has their own opinions about attendance, like I said. So know coming in that there is an attendance policy and choose another school if it is not for you.
 
i certainly hope the curriculum doesn't continue to grow for the sake of all the pre-meds applying to this school.


That's exactly what this school wants you to think. Obviously this is not true. Here's my question, do you want to memorize what these professors emphasize in class or do you want to learn what you need to blow away the boards? The answer to this question will become a lot clearer as you progress thru 2nd year assuming your desire is to do more than just pass the boards. At that point your stance on the importance of going to class may be a bit different.

Like all schools, the curriculum will GROW AND IMPROVE each year. I obviously didn't mean grow in hours, I meant develop for the better. I'm pretty sure you knew that's what I was talking about. Also, I don't want anyone to think anything. I am just giving my personal opinion and personal experience. I know everyone is different and has different learning styles. I understand that some people don't get as much out of class time as I do, but I was just simply stating an opinion. The pre-meds should be able to get various opinons. I will pass my boards, because I will incorporate the knowledge I've gained in class, apply my own study practices, and use the resources the school provides (first aid, ect.).

Other than that, thanks for your opinon. I hope you have an amazing day! 🙂
 
Hey guys, I graduated pre-med this past spring, interviewed at 2 med schools (MD)..but was rejected in the summer. I reapplied but have not heard anything yet. The schools said it was my MCAT, which I took for the 3rd time this summer and my score went down from last summer.

My stats:
GPA- 4.0
MCATs, 21, 24, 22
About 200 or so volunteer hours in hospital settings and private practices with local physicians (getting a lot more next semester also)

I recently found out about this school (know someone who was also rejected from med school last year but got accepted here) and am really considering applying.
I know the deadline to apply is March, but would applying right now be looked on as late?
Any advice or help is much appreciated!
PS- I'm a Louisiana resident !


Hi! I would definitely apply ASAP, but you are certainly NOT late 🙂 As soon as you get your application in to WCU COM, I would give Dr. Weir a call. If you let him know that you are extremely intersted in the school, he will probably send a secondary pretty quickly. Once you get your secondary in just keep in touch with him, and I'm sure you will get an interview soon afterwards. Be sure to express your interest in the school and the area. Your stats look good.

I look forward to hearing of your success! 🙂
 
You started off negative with this school. We both know you are not happy here. So do you and this school a favor, do not attend. Down the road you will be glad.

This will leave the spot open for someone with a positive attitude and sincere to attend this awesome university. We do not need a MD reject that will be piss off having a DO behind their name. I know you from MD thread.

WakiHo you do an excellent job of showing the type of people that WCUCOM fill their seats with. If you are a advocate for this school you would do better not attacking potential applicants when they have concerns. This is my advice:

DO NOT COME HERE UNLESS YOU CAN'T GET IN ANYWHERE ELSE, does this make me look bad for coming here......It sure does, but I would rather other people avoid making the same mistake. Also I have no idea why members of the welcoming committee that post/ follow this thread have not commented on WakiHo's comments.
 
Hi! I would definitely apply ASAP, but you are certainly NOT late 🙂 As soon as you get your application in to WCU COM, I would give Dr. Weir a call. If you let him know that you are extremely intersted in the school, he will probably send a secondary pretty quickly. Once you get your secondary in just keep in touch with him, and I'm sure you will get an interview soon afterwards. Be sure to express your interest in the school and the area. Your stats look good.

I look forward to hearing of your success! 🙂
Awesome! I should be sending my application early next week..just waiting on my transcript! And I will be sure to give Dr. Weir a call! Thank you so much!!
 
WakiHo you do an excellent job of showing the type of people that WCUCOM fill their seats with. If you are a advocate for this school you would do better not attacking potential applicants when they have concerns. This is my advice:

DO NOT COME HERE UNLESS YOU CAN'T GET IN ANYWHERE ELSE, does this make me look bad for coming here......It sure does, but I would rather other people avoid making the same mistake. Also I have no idea why members of the welcoming committee that post/ follow this thread have not commented on WakiHo's comments.

Telling prospective applicants to not come here unless they can't get in anywhere else is a bad advice. If you are not going to like a school, why come here to spend money to bash it all the while knowing that this school is not right for you.

I would advise prospective applicants to come to WCUCOM not as a last resort but come here because they genuinely want to come. Find out all of the pros and cons abut WCUCOM and make the decision. You are going to spend a lot of money at a school, might as well be a school that you will enjoy for 4 years. Good luck to all applicants.
 
Complete 11/19/12, interview invite on 11/20/12 for 1/11/12

Congrats on the interview invite. Remember to get your forms filled out so that a welcoming committee member can contact you. Looking forward to meeting you then at your interview.
 
i don't have a problem so much w/ the attendance policy, but i do have a problem w/ the faculty's enforcement of the policy. they do not have to go out of their way to penalize students for missing class. and if you're wondering, no, they are not mandated to enforce these policies. btw, we received an email from one of our OPP professors regarding students that missed OPP class/lab. not only are they deducting 1 full point for every missed hour out of our final grade, but they're also forcing us to write a 1-page essay on the topic of the day we missed. Yep, we're officially back in high school.

I have to disagree with you on this. OPP only meet once a week and if you are not committed to coming to class, then you deserve to face the consequences. This class attendance policy is clearly stated in the syllabus. 100% attendance is the only way you can learn OPP well. If you know you cannot make it to a class, the professors are more than willing to accomodate it if you let them know ahead of time.
 
Texasguy, thanks for the reminder. I just filled out the form. I'm really excited about WCU.
 
I have to disagree with you on this.
Well of course you disagree, that's a given. You're a puppet of the William Carey machine.

100% attendance is the only way you can learn OPP well.
For you maybe. But everyone learns differently. I'm willing to bet you right now, my performance in that class, both lecture & lab, will not change one bit if I never showed up to another class.

OPP only meet once a week and if you are not committed to coming to class, then you deserve to face the consequences.
Don't care how many times a class meets per week. If i don't get anything out of it, it's worthless to me. Just b/c i don't abide by their preferred method of learning, i should be punished? Just b/c it’s a rule doesn’t make it right.

If you know you cannot make it to a class, the professors are more than willing to accomodate it if you let them know ahead of time.
By making you write an essay on the topic you missed. These are the same people that gave students detention last year around finals time for missing class. Literally, people were being held up in the OP&P lab for hours in direct correlation to how many hours they miss.

Here's a little insider information for the pre-meds out there. As a student here, we are constantly being scrutinized by the faculty & admin. And they love to go out of their way to send emails berating us about 'professionalism' anytime we do anything that doesn't conform to the way they want things done. But never once, do they reflect back on their own actions to determine whether it was warranted or even, dare I say, professional. How is it professional to force students into detention in a crowed lab half the day b/c they ‘miss class,’ when they had finals to study?
 
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WakiHo you do an excellent job of showing the type of people that WCUCOM fill their seats with. If you are a advocate for this school you would do better not attacking potential applicants when they have concerns. This is my advice:

DO NOT COME HERE UNLESS YOU CAN'T GET IN ANYWHERE ELSE, does this make me look bad for coming here......It sure does, but I would rather other people avoid making the same mistake. Also I have no idea why members of the welcoming committee that post/ follow this thread have not commented on WakiHo's comments.

Wow---I will say something on this:
WakiHo, I don't care how upset anyone makes you one here.... MD reject? really?....Sigh. This thread is out of control. I'm done posting on this thread, mainly because I have no more time, but I'd like to put out there that I don't agree with crappy statements like "MD reject"... Good luck with rotations FSARA and Member992
Good luck applying to all prospective students, and good luck wherever you end up going!
I like WCUCOM, it has problems, but I feel like I have a shot at being a great physician soon. Go where your gut tells you to go, ad make the best of it. Don't expect anything to be easy, it's medical school. 🙂
 
Just received my II today and confirmed the date 1/25.
I paged through the posts and didnt see a specific interview style. Is the interview open file? or?

Thank you in advance!

stats:
c3.21, s3.54 27P MCAT
 
It is an open file. But even if it was a closed file, the interviewers would know your background. WCU does a good job on knowing those that they interview.
 
It is an open file. But even if it was a closed file, the interviewers would know your background. WCU does a good job on knowing those that they interview.

Exceptional, thank you. No one knows my story better than me. 🙂
 
You started off negative with this school. We both know you are not happy here. So do you and this school a favor, do not attend. Down the road you will be glad.

This will leave the spot open for someone with a positive attitude and sincere to attend this awesome university. We do not need a MD reject that will be piss off having a DO behind their name. I know you from MD thread.

Your previous comments have made the student at our school look harsh and unprofessional. I understand you we're trying to take up for the school, but lets keep the comments classy and nice. 🙂
 
Just received my II today and confirmed the date 1/25.
I paged through the posts and didnt see a specific interview style. Is the interview open file? or?

Thank you in advance!

stats:
c3.21, s3.54 27P MCAT

Be sure to look through your information packet and fill out the welcoming committee survey. A few students would love to speak with you before your interview and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you soon 🙂
 
Be sure to look through your information packet and fill out the welcoming committee survey. A few students would love to speak with you before your interview and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you soon 🙂

I will definitely fill out the survey and I'm looking forward to my interview. 🙂
 
Just received my II today and confirmed the date 1/25.
I paged through the posts and didnt see a specific interview style. Is the interview open file? or?

Thank you in advance!

stats:
c3.21, s3.54 27P MCAT

Looking forward to meeting you on 1/25 at your interview. Good luck! :luck:
 
I am hoping for an interview at WCU - COM.
Stats:
cGpa = 2.89
sGpa = 3.12

Post Bac GPA = 3.3
MCAT - 25

Graduated college in 1998 with extremely low GPA. Been a Southern Baptist missionary for several years. Worked several years into Pharmaceutical sales and fell in love with clinical medicine. Been working full time and taking classes, GPA has been getting better as the classes have gotten harder.

Please give some feedback as how I should proceed to gain an interview?
 
I am hoping for an interview at WCU - COM.
Stats:
cGpa = 2.89
sGpa = 3.12

Post Bac GPA = 3.3
MCAT - 25

Graduated college in 1998 with extremely low GPA. Been a Southern Baptist missionary for several years. Worked several years into Pharmaceutical sales and fell in love with clinical medicine. Been working full time and taking classes, GPA has been getting better as the classes have gotten harder.

Please give some feedback as how I should proceed to gain an interview?

Ok I'm not sure how far you are into applying, but first you should fill out your AACOMAS and get that submitted ASAP. I'm sure you've already done that, but if you haven't that should be the number one priority. If you have already submitted and you are complete but haven't received a secondary application, I would encourage you to give Dr. Weir a call to express your interest in the school. Since you have been a missionary, it shows you are willing to serve the under-served, which is important. WCU COM is EXTREMELY accommodating to "non traditional" students, so your background will really help you stand out! 🙂 if you have received a secondary and turned it it and still haven't received an interview, I would still give Dr. Weir a call or shoot a quick email. It is important that you express your interest in the school and show that this is where you want to be.

I hope this helps and I hope you get that interview soon!! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help!
 
As soon as your fill out your survey and send it in, we will connect with you in case you have any questions prior to your interview. We look forward to talking to you and congrats on your interview!! 🙂
Submitted the welcoming committee information on Monday. Greatly looking forward to meeting students and learning more about WCU 🙂
 
Ok I'm not sure how far you are into applying, but first you should fill out your AACOMAS and get that submitted ASAP. I'm sure you've already done that, but if you haven't that should be the number one priority. If you have already submitted and you are complete but haven't received a secondary application, I would encourage you to give Dr. Weir a call to express your interest in the school. Since you have been a missionary, it shows you are willing to serve the under-served, which is important. WCU COM is EXTREMELY accommodating to "non traditional" students, so your background will really help you stand out! 🙂 if you have received a secondary and turned it it and still haven't received an interview, I would still give Dr. Weir a call or shoot a quick email. It is important that you express your interest in the school and show that this is where you want to be.

I hope this helps and I hope you get that interview soon!! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help!

Thanks SO much for your feedback. Emailed Dr. Wier, will call tomorrow, and next week and next week and the next week and..... you get the picture. LOL

Thanks !
 
Thanks SO much for your feedback. Emailed Dr. Wier, will call tomorrow, and next week and next week and the next week and..... you get the picture. LOL

Thanks !

No problem! Good luck and hopefully you will receive an interview in no time! Keep us updated! 🙂 :xf:
 
I never even received a secondary here unfortunately 🙁, so should I just consider myself rejected? Any help is great
 
I never even received a secondary here unfortunately 🙁, so should I just consider myself rejected? Any help is great

First I would try to contact the school and ask to see if yor application is complete. Then if it is, then ask them to see if you are likely to receive a secondary application or not. WCUCOM is very selective in who they send out secondaries to. They do not want to waste their time or yours by sending out a secondary and later reject you post-secondary. Good luck in your journey.
 
I never even received a secondary here unfortunately 🙁, so should I just consider myself rejected? Any help is great

Yes, like texasguy said, be sure to contact them to see if everything is complete. Let them know that you are really interested in the school. 🙂
 
I am hoping for an interview at WCU - COM.
Stats:
cGpa = 2.89
sGpa = 3.12

Post Bac GPA = 3.3
MCAT - 25

Graduated college in 1998 with extremely low GPA. Been a Southern Baptist missionary for several years. Worked several years into Pharmaceutical sales and fell in love with clinical medicine. Been working full time and taking classes, GPA has been getting better as the classes have gotten harder.

Please give some feedback as how I should proceed to gain an interview?






maybe I can help since I have been where you are, except for the missionary part, and started this process later in life than you are.

I took as many hours as I could while working full time. It usually averaged about 9 hours/semester. Almost all of my classes were Senior/Graduate level courses.
If you need any more specifics, then you can PM me.

DO TALK WITH DR. WEIR!!!! Get his input on what you need to become a good candidate for admission. This is what I did when I applied for the inaugural class at WCU. (I knew that I was not competitive in that cycle.) He told me what I needed to do and I did it. I was accepted to the 2nd class at WCU-COM.
 
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i don't know what to think about that. pretty shocking.
 
i don't know what to think about that. pretty shocking.

I agree. The article only gives us one side of the story..that of the disgruntled employees.

What are we as the entering class supposed to think about this? This is our future. I would really like to attend WCU, but not at the expense of an accredited education.
 
I agree. The article only gives us one side of the story..that of the disgruntled employees.

What are we as the entering class supposed to think about this? This is our future. I would really like to attend WCU, but not at the expense of an accredited education.

especially when i'm about to drop $3K by next friday.
 
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