Worth it?

[desijigga]

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I just got an email for an interview from AZCOM.

Currently my top choice is KCOM (unless I get off the wait-list from MSU). I really liked KCOM and have been preparing my mind to live in rural Kirksville for the past couple months.

I am just confused right now, should I drop more money for the AZ interview? Do I stand a chance to get in there this late in the cycle? I have heard good and bad things about AZCOM, but it will be good to live in Glendale and a warm climate. But I will be so faaarrrr!!! from MI and my family.

Advice guys!!!

 

[JShineDoc]

If you dont have any acceptances yet dont pass up any interviews. If you get an accept at one of those other schools then you can cancel that interview.

 

[desijigga]

Yep already got 2 of them, KCOM and WVSOM. I only paid the deposit for KCOM. I am still waiting on MSU.

 

[DrMidlife]

If you love hot weather, in my view that's a perfectly legitimate reason to go interview there. Really though it'll be tough to be in Glendale between now and Feb 3...

But if you collect a 3rd acceptance, are you going to use tuition as a decision point? AZCOM is $42k, quite a bit more than your other two. Are you going to use 3/4 year rotation support as a decision point? You'd be in a guinea pig class, with 100 more students to place.

So if these things (or whatever else you discover) would keep you from actually going there, then don't go to the interview. Go to AZ on vacation next winter.

My $.02. Best of luck to you.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

If you've got the cash, it might be worth checking out. Keep in mind that they're expanding their class size to like 10,000 people, so that may or may not be a significant issue. KCOM has their program down pat, and they've been doing things the right way for a long time. Plus, I think that they give you the opportunity to go back to Michigan for your rotations if you want. Pretty sure that is one of their sites.

If money is tight, you've got an acceptance that you can't go wrong with.

 

[rddoms]

The only thing I wish were different about KCOM is the distance from my home. Save some scratch, take the KCOM seat (unless AZCOM is your top choice). If you want to be closer to your family, KCOM is the pick for you (unless MSU works).

 

[UCDavisdude]

.

 

[bioteach]

I was accepted at both AZCOM and KCOM. I had to decide between the two this past Dec 15 deadline. My deposit went to KCOM without hesitation. I liked the AZCOM campus a lot, but that 100 student increase in one year is RIDICULOUS. At my AZCOM interview I asked what they are going to do for rotations for that sudden of a class size increase and the response was basically, "you don't need to worry about that yet, its over two years away" - which solidified my opinion that they have no idea.

If you are interested in the area, you could always do KCOM rotations down in AZ in years 3/4. My personal opinion would be KCOM all the way.

 

[EEL08]

Desi, I'm going to be at/near AZCOM. Need I say more? 😉

 

[Nasem]

I dunno man, I mean Kirksville is about a 10 hr drive to lansing, Mi, which is sort of doable on family gatherings (thanksgivin, xmass, newyears, etc)

if you move to arizona, your going to have to take a plane ticket everything, I dunno how you feel about planes, but I personally HATE them.

I have family members who used to live in Mi, they moved to Arizona about 2-3 years ago, here is what they say "Nasem, on a hot summer day (over 110-120 deg), you can literally cook some scrambled eggs on the concrete drive way" lol

 

[Lokhtar]

"you don't need to worry about that yet, its over two years away" - which solidified my opinion that they have no idea.

That is a ridiculous answer - and incidentally, the same answer that Stewart School of Medicine gives.....

From here

Q: Where are the clinical rotations being done?
A: Clinical rotations are the least concern of a new applicant to medical school. A new medical student, just beginning their medical school basic science instruction, has 16 months in the accelerated Stewart University M.D. program, before they are eligible to take the USMLE step 1 exam.


I wouldn't take the chance - go to KCOM, if you have an acceptance already.

 

[desijigga]

Thanks for your input guys, after discussing with my family I am leaning towards just canceling the interview. I guess I will just have to dwell over it over the weekend.

What sucks on their interview scheduling site is that you have to accept or decline the interview even before having a chance to look at the available dates. I was hoping to see what choices I have, so maybe If there is a day that fits my work schedule, I might go. Blahh!!!

 

[PistolPete]

Thanks for your input guys, after discussing with my family I am leaning towards just canceling the interview. I guess I will just have to dwell over it over the weekend.

What sucks on their interview scheduling site is that you have to accept or decline the interview even before having a chance to look at the available dates. I was hoping to see what choices I have, so maybe If there is a day that fits my work schedule, I might go. Blahh!!!

Just go ahead and schedule it. Comparing AZCOM to KCOM might be well worth the money you'll spend on travel, as you'll have a good feel for how the schools differ. You'll be at one school for several years (minimum 2, maybe 3). Plus, if you find that you really don't want to interview there, you can just withdraw your application or cancel the interview (on the website, I think. Or at the worst, you could just call them). I liked having the opportunity to interview there. The campus and weather were nice, but most other things were a world of difference from DMU. Just my $0.02. Good luck, and congrats on being an MS-0!!!😀

 

[bioteach]

That is a ridiculous answer - and incidentally, the same answer that Stewart School of Medicine gives.....

From here

Q: Where are the clinical rotations being done?
A: Clinical rotations are the least concern of a new applicant to medical school. A new medical student, just beginning their medical school basic science instruction, has 16 months in the accelerated Stewart University M.D. program, before they are eligible to take the USMLE step 1 exam.

That's EXACTLY what I thought, too!!! As he was saying it I had to double check my packet, make sure I was indeed interviewing at AZCOM not with ol' Chancellor Stewart!

 

[Halloweenie]

would you mind posting them, desjigga? 😳
i'm on hold at azcom...trying to see where i stand in line....

 

[karizma098]

I just got a reminder from AZCOM to schedule for an interview yesterday as well..i had gotten an interview invite a while ago and completely forgotten about it...I'm accepted at LECOM-erie and on hold at CCOM and loyola..I was originally not going to go to the AZCOM interview bc of the gossip about the new administration and clinical rotations, but i decided i'm just going to go and see for myself. I'll be interviewing this wednesday....

i say go and at least interview - thought its farther from your family you might end up liking it more , it's better to keep ur options open. I also don't want to go far from my family and girlfriend, but I figure, the more options, the better..so i'm gona go.

BTW - airline tickets out of chicago are through the ROOF!!!!!! so book fast.
👍

 

[slim78]

They have a lot of openings for this next week because a lot of people changed their date due to the extra costs surrounding superbowl weekend. If you can make it next week now then you should call and try to get a spot.

I was originally scheduled for the 4th of February, but my work decided I needed to come in that day. So I called to get different date and they said either next week or in April. Now I'm going to be at Touro-NV on Monday and AZCOM on Tuesday.

 

[desijigga]

would you mind posting them, desjigga? 😳
i'm on hold at azcom...trying to see where i stand in line....

If you click on my mdapplicants profile under my signature it will give you all the details about my stats and ec's.

My gpa is below avg. and MCAT is average. I was initially put on hold at AZCOM also, good luck.

 

[bravotwozero]

I'd scrap the AZCOM interview. Clinical rotations should be THE most important factor when applying to a medical school. In that respect, AZCOM, with their shady answers, and an unjustifiable class size increase, leaves a lot to be desired, and simply can not compare with KCOM. Add to that the annual 40k tuition, which is another reason not to attend the school.

 

[DOMb]

i dont see what the big deal is about the class size increase. Many if not most of the DO schools are 200+ anyways. Dont worry about things like class size, and concentrate more on if you are compatible with the schools environment and if the programs curriculum fits your style. The school has its kinks, but there are enough rotations for everyone, yes even ward based. So check it out for yourself, and dont take advise from people who base their knowlege about a program based on hearsay, and actually have no concrete basis for even giving advise about a program. Good luck with your interviews, med school is both rewarding and taxing so pick the right program for YOU. 👍

 

[bravotwozero]

The school has its kinks, but there are enough rotations for everyone, yes even ward based.

Says who? And where are these rotations? Many people who interviewed at AZCOM asked this question, and were not given a conclusive answer.

 

[dancer2002]

i dont see what the big deal is about the class size increase. Many if not most of the DO schools are 200+ anyways. Dont worry about things like class size, and concentrate more on if you are compatible with the schools environment and if the programs curriculum fits your style. The school has its kinks, but there are enough rotations for everyone, yes even ward based. So check it out for yourself, and dont take advise from people who base their knowlege about a program based on hearsay, and actually have no concrete basis for even giving advise about a program. Good luck with your interviews, med school is both rewarding and taxing so pick the right program for YOU. 👍

I agree! Decide for YOURSELF if you like it and if you trust that you will get the education you are seeking from the school rather then depending on what other people say. What is good for some is not for another. All the criticism AZCOM on here from pre-med students did not sway my opinion of the school. It is best to see where you feel like you'd fit! You will get a good education wherever you go, just make sure that is where you are happy. Not where students on SDN that you don't really know think you would be happy. Good luck with whatever you do! Oh, and in response to the person that said KCOM is a 10 hour drive to MI: It would cost nearly as much in gas both ways as a roundtrip flight from AZ to MI would be and the travel time is cut in half (less then 5 hour flight). Just thought I would add that in if it really is a concern about being able to get home quickly?

 

[DadAndPreDOinMO]

Yeah that's all great that you have to pick the school that is the right fit for you, however, there is no way that a school that significantly increases class size and has NO ANSWER for the question regarding plans for rotations for this much larger pool of students would EVER be the right fit for me personally. Take it for what it's worth.
Just my two cents.
Just think back to how amazing the new OMM lab was on your tour, and the match list is awesome and the rotation sites are ample at KCOM. I may be a little biased, but it is what it is; I just don't think that you could go wrong with KCOM, but at AZCOM you would be a guinea pig.

 

[Lokhtar]

I agree! Decide for YOURSELF if you like it and if you trust that you will get the education you are seeking from the school rather then depending on what other people say. What is good for some is not for another. All the criticism AZCOM on here from pre-med students did not sway my opinion of the school.

Again, if rotations are not a problem - why are they evasive about it, and I'd be happy to hear from the students of the school themselves regarding how they plan to accommodate 100 extra students.

 

[MossPoh]

I am not sure about the 100 student increase thing, but it isn't usually as big of a deal as people think it is. When designing a school they tend to plan it around a certain student population and then start at a fraction of the amount and keep it that way for a couple of years. They tend to do gradual increases, and then when stuff feels completely set up they just bump the amount up. Granted, AZCOM's run was a little longer. FSU you did a similar thing. I am pretty sure it was less than 100, but still a pretty big number...60 or so I think. (think being the key word) They have no problems and stuff seems to be running smoothly. My guess is that not too much will change from the way things are, except for the class size. It is tough to interpret what was intended by the don't worry about it comment considering I didn't hear it and it is being forwarded through a message board.

 

[dancer2002]

It is tough to interpret what was intended by the don't worry about it comment considering I didn't hear it and it is being forwarded through a message board.

I agree, I did not hear that either. I have heard answers from current students about a meeting their class just had about rotation sites. At my interview, I was given answers about ward and preceptor based rotation sites and I KNOW that a medical school will not set themselves up for failure, so they WILL have rotation sites for all their students. If their students don't have rotations, then the school looks bad. It surprises me at how intelligent students entering medical school listen to a few comments, again from people they DON'T know on SDN, rather then go investigate and decide for themselves. Also, coming from Arizona, I am well aware that the immediate area is growing faster then the 100 student increase. There have been about 4 new hospitals in this area in the past 3 years and more will be finished within the next two years. I do not know the point of the person that said that comment about it not mattering? That does not seem right, and I would be concerned if I had heard it as well. But since I did not, and have heard so many other things, and SEEN other things (I see newspaper articles in the local paper about how the dean at AZCOM has secured rotation sites at specific hospitals in town that use to be reserved for U of A students, I can assume that the person meant not to worry because there ARE plenty of rotation sites available. Again, I did not hear the comment and do not understand why someone would say that when I have heard so many other things about rotations.

 

[DrMidlife]

Pardon the narcissism, but I'm going to quote myself. Here's what I'll be looking for when I interview at AZCOM at the end of February:

"...I'm listening for clues that [the dean] and his/her staff are losing sleep, bribing congressmen/women, schmoozing local/state officials, taking hospital administrators to lunch, driving around in a '72 Pinto looking for understaffed rural hospitals, and otherwise WORRYING THEIR FANNIES OFF about where their students are going to be successful and happy. I want this worry to start 10 years ago, not when the first [expanded] class is in its second year...Really I base a lot on how worried, tired, aware and still-passionate the dean, directors and faculty are."

You can assume I'll pull out the rude Q&A. And that I'll report back here.

 

[EEL08]

Pardon the narcissism, but I'm going to quote myself. Here's what I'll be looking for when I interview at AZCOM at the end of February:

"...I'm listening for clues that [the dean] and his/her staff are losing sleep, bribing congressmen/women, schmoozing local/state officials, taking hospital administrators to lunch, driving around in a '72 Pinto looking for understaffed rural hospitals, and otherwise WORRYING THEIR FANNIES OFF about where their students are going to be successful and happy. I want this worry to start 10 years ago, not when the first [expanded] class is in its second year...Really I base a lot on how worried, tired, aware and still-passionate the dean, directors and faculty are."

You can assume I'll pull out the rude Q&A. And that I'll report back here.

Hey what date is your interview?

 

[bioteach]

It is tough to interpret what was intended by the don't worry about it comment considering I didn't hear it and it is being forwarded through a message board.

Maybe the professor that told me that meant all the best with it, but the "don't worry your pretty little head about grown up business" attitude during the interview wasn't going to impress me considering I already had multiple acceptances. Perhaps I misunderstood. AZCOM impressed me in every other way - COMLEX pass rates, facilities, student body, on-campus clinic. Maybe they'll come through with 250 awesome rotation sites.

 

[DrMidlife]

Pardon the narcissism, but I'm going to quote myself. Here's what I'll be looking for when I interview at AZCOM at the end of February:

"...I'm listening for clues that [the dean] and his/her staff are losing sleep, bribing congressmen/women, schmoozing local/state officials, taking hospital administrators to lunch, driving around in a '72 Pinto looking for understaffed rural hospitals, and otherwise WORRYING THEIR FANNIES OFF about where their students are going to be successful and happy. I want this worry to start 10 years ago, not when the first [expanded] class is in its second year...Really I base a lot on how worried, tired, aware and still-passionate the dean, directors and faculty are."

You can assume I'll pull out the rude Q&A. And that I'll report back here.

I'm not going to AZCOM now that Nova loves me. But feel free to use my worry template, above.