Transfer to an allopathic program at the end of your second year.
Spreading a little Christmas cheer, are we?
Congratulations to everyone who got in to AZCOM! I'm a first year medical student at AZCOM and am enjoying the program tremendously. I might add, I started in fall '07 but had to take a leave of absence for a variety of reasons. So I have experienced the smaller class as well as the new, larger class. A couple of comments for you, for what it's worth.
First of all, PLEASE PLEASE disregard the troll. AZCOM is a fine program and many of its graduates go on to competitive residencies such as surgery and anesthesiology. The faculty is outstanding, very approachable, and very enthusiastic about their fields. AZCOM has a good reputation around the country, and for good reason. Don't worry; you'll be fine here.
The 250 person class is new this year, expanded from 150 last year. In reality, most of the first year science courses include DPM students so it's more like 300. We were apprehensive at first about the numbers, but it's turned out to be OK. It's just more people, that's all. It's taken the administrative folks a while to adjust, though; some of the lines at orientation were rather long, and they kept running out of forms. But I think by next fall they will have these problems ironed out. Anyway, the larger class has worked out pretty well. It's a little less intimate than the smaller class, but we make up for that in spirit and enthusiasm. If any of you interviewed on October 31 you will have seen a lot of us in costumes. I was that weird guy wearing a kilt who came up and talked to you in the cafeteria.
The class of 2012 has its own website, started by an enthusiastic MS1 who is now the class president. It's been an outstanding resource and many people have contributed useful study materials. Some students have come up with their own Powerpoints and PDFs of the material for self-testing, some of it quite professional. There are also lots of links to other websites as people discover them. Hopefully we'll be able to pass a lot of this material on to you, and perhaps you'll add to it as well.
The new auditorium was completed in time for white coat day, so we have used it once, and we will move there in January, so we're told. It's a nice facility but they forgot to install power outlets for laptops. I can't comment much further since it's so new.
The new exercise facility should be completed very soon, and that's going to be a great improvement over the teeny little existing workout room.
The library expansion is done, and there's more space now. They expanded into what used to be the administration offices, and the Deans have moved over to the new Glendale Hall.
Be aware that this is not a school that emphasizes computers. They don't provide wifi in lecture halls at this time, though it is available in the library and cafeteria. You will want a computer for various purposes but it's definitely not a requirement so don't stress over having one the first week.
They're trying to make more time for board exam prep, and I think your class will start 2nd year a little sooner. Note also that AZCOM front-loads the heavy science stuff during 1st and 2nd quarters to give you more time in 3rd quarter to study for the boards.
You will not need to buy most of the textbooks. The only ones you'll want to own are the Netter's Anatomy (comes with membership in SOMA) and a couple of the board review books like BRS Physiology, BRS Biochemistry and BRS Anatomy. These books are all available in the library as well.
Try to get an apartment on campus. It's a good deal, with reasonable rents, cable/internet included, and no driving--5 minute walk to class. Next nearest is the two complexes across the street; they're not the cheapest, but they're nice and convenient. There are a lot of affordable apartment complexes within 3-4 miles of the school but just bear in mind that you will need to drive (or bike), and that's time out of your day. If you're a family, you might prefer a house, and right now is a great time to buy; we bought a house a mile south of the campus and we love it. ziprealty.com is a good resource to get a feel for the market, and it's not too early to start looking, since it really takes a few months to get to know the housing market especially if you're from out of town.
Anyway sorry for the overly long and probably boring posting. We're on break right now and I'm going nuts on the computer, though I do need to be studying some biochem and anatomy. Good luck to everyone who is still applying and to all who have gotten an acceptance, enjoy your last few months of freedom before the wildest ride of your life begins!
