WVSOM Discussion Thread 2009-2010

[tele turnin]

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do you only receive a secondary from WVSOM if you are selected for an interview, or am i way up in the night here thinking of some other school that does this?

 

[missDO]

do you only receive a secondary from WVSOM if you are selected for an interview, or am i way up in the night here thinking of some other school that does this?

That's correct. You'll first receive an email asking if you're still interested in an interview, then they'll follow up with the official email dictating your interview date, along with the secondary app information attached or embedded.

 

[medschoolicome]

Hi guys,

I'm really enjoying reading everyone's info about WVCOM! For those of you who have interviewed already, could you give me a litte information of your day there and how the interview went and what questions were asked? This will be my first med school interview so I am trying to get a grip on what it will be like! Also, what are my chances of getting into WVCOM with having an interview in October?

 

[missDO]

Hi guys,

I'm really enjoying reading everyone's info about WVCOM! For those of you who have interviewed already, could you give me a litte information of your day there and how the interview went and what questions were asked? This will be my first med school interview so I am trying to get a grip on what it will be like! Also, what are my chances of getting into WVCOM with having an interview in October?

There's a thread on here that has a bunch of questions, I think, unless I had gotten them from a different resource...I can't remember! Anywho, I did save a word doc with all the questions I had extracted from the unknown source...I've pasted them below. They were provided by post-WVSOM interview students.

Why DO?
Why WVSOM?
What are my hobbies and how will I deal with the stress of Medical School?
What kind of physician do I want to be (family practice, specialized, etc.)?
Describe my clinical experiences.
Have you ever been to a small town like this before?
What will be the hardest part about medical school?
Tell them why I chose my undergraduate major.
Why do you want to be a doctor?
You're living in a metropolitan area, what is your interest in rural medicine?
Tell me about yourself.
What other schools have you applied to this year?
What do you see yourself in 15 years?
Tell us more about your shadow experience.
What is going to be the most difficult thing during the first year at WVSOM?
When did you learn about WVSOM and why did you choose to apply?
What will be your hardest adjustment/transition - how will you handle it?
What were your best and worst shadowing experiences?
Would you consider yourself an MD that does manipulation or a chiropractor that can dispense medication?
Explain an instance during your shadowing when you knew you wanted to go into medicine and one where you thought you weren't so sure.
What/who are you depending on while in medical school?
What concerns do you have about starting medical school?
If you're in a grocery store and a patient comes up to you with a problem in their leg, what do you do?
Same as above, but they asked it three times with small changes (you have a party to get to, you have 10 min. to get what you need).
What size area do you want to practice in?
Do you think the only point of learning is to prepare for tests?
Besides WVSOM, what brings you to the Lewisburg area?
What do you like to do outdoors?
What do you think is the most important biomedical advancement of the last decade?
What do you think is the difference between Osteopathic and Allopathic medicine?
Would you stay in West Virginia once you finished school?
What are the big challenges and issues facing physicians today?
Can you describe what you do in your research?

For me, personally, my questions were super basic. Why DO? Why WVSOM? What do you do for fun? Do you want to practice in WV? ...and a few other "easy" ones like that. The only harder/unexpected question I got was "tell us why you have some lower grades--Bs/Cs--for your science classes?"

I really should've been prepared for this, seeing as I do have a handful of C's on my transcript, but I just didn't expect it to be asked! I suppose, as a forewarning, if any of you fall into that category, try your best to think of a solid response to that. Otherwise, the interview day was super laid back, more of a conversation, and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.

Hope that helps! Good luck to all 🙂

PS...October = late? Absolutely not. I interviewed April 3rd...though, the class was full. I would personally guess that by October, less than half of the allotted acceptances have been given out.
PPS...WVSOM, not WVCOM...something you wouldn't want to mix up in your interview 😉

 

[Isa84]

I had pretty much the same questions as missDO (were we interviewed by the same people?...I can't remember if you were in the morning or the afternoon group), including the question about some of my lower grades and what am I going to do to prevent getting lower grades in med school. They have also asked if I see myself living in lewisburg and if I want to move back to my home state after school.

There's a thread on here that has a bunch of questions, I think, unless I had gotten them from a different resource...I can't remember! Anywho, I did save a word doc with all the questions I had extracted from the unknown source...I've pasted them below. They were provided by post-WVSOM interview students.

Why DO?
Why WVSOM?
What are my hobbies and how will I deal with the stress of Medical School?
What kind of physician do I want to be (family practice, specialized, etc.)?
Describe my clinical experiences.
Have you ever been to a small town like this before?
What will be the hardest part about medical school?
Tell them why I chose my undergraduate major.
Why do you want to be a doctor?
You're living in a metropolitan area, what is your interest in rural medicine?
Tell me about yourself.
What other schools have you applied to this year?
What do you see yourself in 15 years?
Tell us more about your shadow experience.
What is going to be the most difficult thing during the first year at WVSOM?
When did you learn about WVSOM and why did you choose to apply?
What will be your hardest adjustment/transition - how will you handle it?
What were your best and worst shadowing experiences?
Would you consider yourself an MD that does manipulation or a chiropractor that can dispense medication?
Explain an instance during your shadowing when you knew you wanted to go into medicine and one where you thought you weren't so sure.
What/who are you depending on while in medical school?
What concerns do you have about starting medical school?
If you're in a grocery store and a patient comes up to you with a problem in their leg, what do you do?
Same as above, but they asked it three times with small changes (you have a party to get to, you have 10 min. to get what you need).
What size area do you want to practice in?
Do you think the only point of learning is to prepare for tests?
Besides WVSOM, what brings you to the Lewisburg area?
What do you like to do outdoors?
What do you think is the most important biomedical advancement of the last decade?
What do you think is the difference between Osteopathic and Allopathic medicine?
Would you stay in West Virginia once you finished school?
What are the big challenges and issues facing physicians today?
Can you describe what you do in your research?

For me, personally, my questions were super basic. Why DO? Why WVSOM? What do you do for fun? Do you want to practice in WV? ...and a few other "easy" ones like that. The only harder/unexpected question I got was "tell us why you have some lower grades--Bs/Cs--for your science classes?"

I really should've been prepared for this, seeing as I do have a handful of C's on my transcript, but I just didn't expect it to be asked! I suppose, as a forewarning, if any of you fall into that category, try your best to think of a solid response to that. Otherwise, the interview day was super laid back, more of a conversation, and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.

Hope that helps! Good luck to all 🙂

PS...October = late? Absolutely not. I interviewed April 3rd...though, the class was full. I would personally guess that by October, less than half of the allotted acceptances have been given out.
PPS...WVSOM, not WVCOM...something you wouldn't want to mix up in your interview 😉

 

[missDO]

I had pretty much the same questions as missDO (were we interviewed by the same people?...I can't remember if you were in the morning or the afternoon group), including the question about some of my lower grades and what am I going to do to prevent getting lower grades in med school. They have also asked if I see myself living in lewisburg and if I want to move back to my home state after school.

I interviewed in the afternoon...you were the morning, right? I was second to last! Lots of sitting and waiting. Still, even though I was more nervous than I've ever been in my lifeee, and I rarely ever get nervous for anything, I still felt comfortable and laid back with the interview panel. Very easy day!

 

[Cybii]

Got my ID and PIN number on Monday, checked my status and it is "decision pending."

So roughly how long did it take for WVSOM to decide about whether or not you are invited for an interview?

 

[koojo]

Hello all! Congrats on those who have interviews at WVSOM. I am currently in the 2013 class and WVSOM is truly a great place to study medicine.

As far as the interview process, what REALLY helped me was to go through all the WVSOM interview feedback pages (here on SDN) and copy down all the questions that you can find. Then write your responses to those questions as if you were answering them at the interview. Read and reread your answers a few days before the interview and you will feel a lot more comfortable in there. I guarantee at least one or two of their questions you will have come up a perfect answer for. Obviously don't sound 'rehearsed' at the interview, but it will make it easier to answer questions.

I'll probably see some of you at lunch at your interviews!

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate ask. Good luck!

 

[teacherman84]

Got my ID and PIN number on Monday, checked my status and it is "decision pending."

So roughly how long did it take for WVSOM to decide about whether or not you are invited for an interview?

I got the email on 8/14 and am still waiting...so get comfortable.
Look at the interview invite thread for more info as people get invites.

wvsom: Not so calm now (ii:7/31, oos), djd2187 (c:7/10, ii: 8/3, i: 9/18 oos), labgirl (ii:8/4, i:9/30 oos), wishintobedoc (i: 9/16, oos)

This is what is listed as of now...it took djd a little less than a month so expect about the same I guess.

 

[Kneige]

I received the email about receipt of AACOMAS app on 8/14 and got the interview invite on today on 9/3. So the wait was pretty long. Hope it helps.

 

[teacherman84]

I received the email about receipt of AACOMAS app on 8/14 and got the interview invite on today on 9/3. So the wait was pretty long. Hope it helps.

Are you in state, from the app region, or none of the above?

 

[not so calm now]

Maybe I should have clarified in the interview invite thread. I finished AACOMAS ~6/1, got colorful PIN and ID# email 7/9, and interview invite email 7/31 (the status changed on 7/30 though).

 

[Kneige]

Are you in state, from the app region, or none of the above?

I'm OOS and not from the app region either. But I wrote about my intention to go into primary care in my personal statement. Maybe that was why..

The waiting is always so hard..hang in there!

 

[PunkmedGirl]

So WVSOM shows preference to applicants from the Appalachian region??

 

[beckhunter116]

I've looked on WVSOM website but I don't think I could find a list of the hospitals that 3rd and 4th years typically rotate through. Does anyone know where to find this information?

Does anyone know how many of our rotations we can schedule besides our electives?

Basically any info on the clinical years would be great!

 

[missDO]

So WVSOM shows preference to applicants from the Appalachian region??

I think to some extent this is the case, but I am not 100% on that.

I've looked on WVSOM website but I don't think I could find a list of the hospitals that 3rd and 4th years typically rotate through. Does anyone know where to find this information?

Does anyone know how many of our rotations we can schedule besides our electives?

Basically any info on the clinical years would be great!

You can find all this info in WVSOM's Catalog. It's at this link:

http://www.wvsom.edu/_pdf/collegecatalog.pdf

Pages 13-16 talk all about the clinical years--locations, electives, etc. During the years, you have 15 pre-determined rotation categories, then there are 14 weeks allotted for electives, and 10 weeks for vacation. If you go to the pages I mentioned, you can read all about it in detail. Hope that helps! The catalog is a great resource for all kinds of things.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I think to some extent this is the case, but I am not 100% on that.

Thank you.

 

[missDO]

Do keep in mind tho...I'm personally from CT, though my whole family is from WV so I was able to convey that to the adcom. There are a ton of kids I've spoken to, however, who are from no where near the Appalachians.

 

[forrealz]

what's the IS tuition policy like? can you start school, attend first year and qualify for IS tuition the next year? ~$50,000 seems a lot, I hope there is a way around it.

 

[missDO]

what's the IS tuition policy like? can you start school, attend first year and qualify for IS tuition the next year? ~$50,000 seems a lot, I hope there is a way around it.

No, there's not unfortunately.

I was personally hoping that I could obtain it since I have this whole year off before I start school (I was part of the 08-09 application cycle and got accepted for 2010 entry fyi) but you have to have lived in WV for one year prior to APPLYING.

One loophole I learned on here: if you marry a WV resident, you can become eligible for instate tuition. Other than that, I think we're stuck with the 50k 🙁

 

[Razbrygrl3]

Hi all! My name is Alicia Isom. I'm a second-year at WVSOM and president of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) here. I wish you all the best of luck on all of your applications and interviews! If you have any questions about applying, interviews, SOMA, or anything else about WVSOM, feel free to post your questions up here or e-mail me at [email protected]. There are lots of exciting, new changes going on with the school and the curriculum, so things will likely be different for the incoming class compared to the way they are now. I’m sure the wonderful staff in the Admissions Office can tell you all about that if you come for a campus visit or an interview.

So WVSOM shows preference to applicants from the Appalachian region??

Part of the mission statement for the school is to train primary care physicians for rural Appalachia, specifically WV. But the vast majority of students are actually from out of state and many of us don’t know if we want to go into primary care or stay in WV. So it’s not the end all or be all for being accepted. It may help you if you plan on going into primary care and will stay in WV, but I don’t think it will hurt you if you don’t.

I've looked on WVSOM website but I don't think I could find a list of the hospitals that 3rd and 4th years typically rotate through. Does anyone know where to find this information?

Does anyone know how many of our rotations we can schedule besides our electives?

Basically any info on the clinical years would be great!

For third year, you have to do your clerkship rotations at the statewide campus sites. But for fourth year, you decide where you want to go for all of your rotations. You still have to meet all of WVSOM’s requirements as far as what rotations you take and the length of time you have to spend in a specific rotation, but you’re basically free to schedule your rotations and go wherever you want to fulfill those requirements.

Hope this helps! Don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any specific questions. Good luck to everyone! 🙂

 

[beckhunter116]

Thanks for the info!

 

[premedinohio]

I have been "decision deferred" because my MCAT score is a 21. Is there any hope of me moving from that status and being offered an interview at WVSOM?? My gpa is pretty good, 3.25s 3.4c. and I have great extracurriculars, job experience, and shadowing.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[beckhunter116]

I am wondering if anyone has received an interview invite without having sent in there LOR?

 

[missDO]

I am wondering if anyone has received an interview invite without having sent in there LOR?

Yep, I received mine before I had sent my letters in. I had them forwarded to WVSOM right after I got the invite. But, my DO letter had already been mailed...all of my my pre-med packet, including the 3 science, 1 non-science, 2 professional, and the pre-med committee letter, were sent post-invite.

 

[tele turnin]

Yep, I received mine before I had sent my letters in. I had them forwarded to WVSOM right after I got the invite. But, my DO letter had already been mailed...all of my my pre-med packet, including the 3 science, 1 non-science, 2 professional, and the pre-med committee letter, were sent post-invite.

wow, that's a good amount of letters. what are the letter requirements for the secondary?

 

[beckhunter116]

wow, that's a good amount of letters. what are the letter requirements for the secondary?

I believe the only required letters are a DO letter (may just be physician letter) and a pre-med committee or advisor letter.

 

[missDO]

I had so many because that was what my pre-med office required in order for them to write the pre-med committee letter on my behalf...which, as stated above, is the only thing that most schools require besides the DO letter. So, I unfortunately had no choice but to get all those! Pain in the butt.

 

[missDO]

PS...they do require a DO letter at WVSOM. I'd advise having them all sent in before your interview date; but on my day, there were a handful of students who's LORs, either DO or committee letter, weren't at the office. The staff kind of went down a list and told everyone what they were missing, and to get them in asap. In short, if invited, def be on top of getting them promptly forwarded to their office before the day of your interview. Makes you look much more organized and responsible to have it already taken care of, especially since that's what they'll ask of you when they invite you for the intervew--to have them all in before your interview date.

 

[not so calm now]

So excited about interviewing here next week! Anyone else interviewing then? Is this going to be their first interview week?

 

[not so calm now]

I have been "decision deferred" because my MCAT score is a 21. Is there any hope of me moving from that status and being offered an interview at WVSOM?? My gpa is pretty good, 3.25s 3.4c. and I have great extracurriculars, job experience, and shadowing.
Thanks for the feedback.

Retaking the MCAT looks like a good bet.

 

[premedmind]

Got my interview invite. Should I include anything special in the interview acceptance reply letter?

Oh and for the supplemental...I noticed there is a little box for you to put your essay into...can we instead attach a separate piece of paper for our essay?

 

[teacherman84]

Did anyone have any luck rescheduling with them? I got the interview invite today and it says absolutely no rescheduling. My interview is set for the 26th and my wife is due that day...I think that would be a good reason to have to reschedule.
Anyone had any luck with this? I love the area and would hate to give up a shot with them.

 

[missDO]

Did anyone have any luck rescheduling with them? I got the interview invite today and it says absolutely no rescheduling. My interview is set for the 26th and my wife is due that day...I think that would be a good reason to have to reschedule.
Anyone had any luck with this? I love the area and would hate to give up a shot with them.

The invite is a bit scary, I know they say absolutely no flexibility...but it's realllly not that true. I know a few people who rescheduled. They do that more so that everyone doesn't attempt to reschedule for whenever they want. Call the admissions office first thing Monday morning and tell them your situation, and I'm willing to bet they'll be more than understanding and happily reschedule for you 🙂 Good luck, hope all goes well...and congrats on your newborn to come!

 

[175961]

my email greeted me with an invite today😀 w00t!!1!!

 

[missDO]

Got my interview invite. Should I include anything special in the interview acceptance reply letter?

Oh and for the supplemental...I noticed there is a little box for you to put your essay into...can we instead attach a separate piece of paper for our essay?

I attached a separate page for mine. As for the reply, I would just express your gratitude for the opportunity, and that you're looking forward to learning more and visiting the campus.

Congrats on the invite!

 

[tele turnin]

i read in the college CIB that WVSOM accepts letters via interfolio. however, i have tried WVSOM, West Virginia, and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and can't find it on there. I haven't been invited for an interview, but I am preparing deliveries now to be sent to schools when/if required. I can't access interfolio at work so I will have my wife basically just log on and hit send. Any info/help on this one? I must be blind I guess because I couldn't find it.

 

[teacherman84]

i read in the college CIB that WVSOM accepts letters via interfolio. however, i have tried WVSOM, West Virginia, and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and can't find it on there. I haven't been invited for an interview, but I am preparing deliveries now to be sent to schools when/if required. I can't access interfolio at work so I will have my wife basically just log on and hit send. Any info/help on this one? I must be blind I guess because I couldn't find it.

You'll have to type in their address and send it to them by mail I suppose. I guess you could put in their email and send it that way but I would check with admissions first.

Im glad you posted this because I rechecked mine and they were sent to WSUSOM in Morgantown, the allopathic school.

 

[Belladonna227]

I used Interfolio and had to select sending it by mail. They invited me for an interview a week before my interview was scheduled and because of some paperwork snafus, they didn't have any of my secondary, and the Interfolio documents actually arrived 30 minutes before my interview. So, that is a good way to go. Congrats and good luck!!! 🙂

 

[BassCaster]

Anyone interviewing on the 18th this week? Found a Briers Hotel for $69/night. Will be driving in from Chicago and wanted to see if anyone wanted to split the cost? I can drive you to and from the airport/school. 24/Friendly/No criminal records 🙂 I'll be staying from Wednesday-Friday. If you're on my way back to Chicago, I can even drop you off lol. Seriously don't want to spend $154 (including tax) for a hotel room. Let me know!

 

[cmfandjrb]

Interviewed yesterday, accepted this morning! I knew I was really interested in the school prior to the interview, but WVSOM more than won me over and has moved to my top choice

 

[missDO]

Interviewed yesterday, accepted this morning! I knew I was really interested in the school prior to the interview, but WVSOM more than won me over and has moved to my top choice

That's awesome! Welcome to the Class of 2014!!! Congratulations 🙂

 

[Isa84]

What a quick turn around time! Congratulations!!!!🙂

ps. Should we create a facebook profile for Class of 2014?

Interviewed yesterday, accepted this morning! I knew I was really interested in the school prior to the interview, but WVSOM more than won me over and has moved to my top choice

 

[missDO]

What a quick turn around time! Congratulations!!!!🙂

ps. Should we create a facebook profile for Class of 2014?

Yes! I've been hoping someone would make one soon! Do it!

 

[noke]

I can do it when I get off work... Slackers..

 

[missDO]

Ok, I'll make a WVSOM Class of 2014 thread on here! Let us be slackers for a liiiittle while longer...next August our slacker-days are over!

 

[noke]

OK guys, the facebook group is up and running. Just search for "WVSOM 2014" and you should be set... I'll try to keep up with it the best I can but let me know if you want to administrative rights to help update/edit it!

-Devin

 

[BassCaster]

Just got into Lewisburg. Anyone want to hangout tomorrow? I can drive us around. Lets check the school/town out!

 

[Grey Wind]

so just how rural is this school? i wiki'd the town and i believe the census said it was less than 10k people. that is definitly rural. are there any larger towns nearby?

 

[BassCaster]

Got in yesterday and it's very rural. It's kind of hard to describe. If you exit the campus and turn right, there are plenty of restaurants (chinese buffet, ruby tuesday, shony's), shopping centers (walmart, lowes), hotels (brier inn, holiday in, super 8). However if you go left, it's all hilly/curvy roads leading to plantation like homes with pillars, wooden shacks, 1960's trucks,bars (from the outside it looked like a dive bar), and old wild west like mom and pop shops. Basically, just google the music video "Justin Moore-Small Town USA." At least, that's the kind of feeling I got. Did I say I LOVE IT? It's beautiful here. I spent the entire day near the Greenbrier River and drove up to a high peak in the mountains and watched the sun set.