New year new thread. Would love any input from current COB students.
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I'm a current COB student applying to the COM. Any questions are welcomed!
I got a couple if you don't mind
Do you know if the one year program can be switched into the two year program after starting?
If I plan on applying to the COM do I need to submit an aacomas application in the summer of should I just wait until after school starts or when fall grades come out and we meet whatever the gpa requirement is?
How's the weekly class schedule in your opinion?
How difficult is the program to succeed in, to KCUMB standards, 3.5 or higher? And do students that do achieve this gpa as long as they are not obnoxious, have a good chance of matriculating into the medical school even if they dont meet the 501 mcat requirement?
For the fall semester, I'd say a 3.5 or higher is very doable when you focus on schoolwork and have little to no ECs. Most of the time you just need to study the powerpoints and you can do fine (above a B). Biochem's first exam was the only time that I felt necessary to read the textbook. My GPA for the fall was between 3.5-3.6, and my class rank is around the third quarter. So seems like most of us are doing well. As long as you are persistent and have good time management, you can be successful.
The spring semester has been a much different story though. I feel that I have to study much harder to achieve certain grades. There have been so many molecular stuff to memorize and assignments (essays) that took away my study time. Thankfully, only fall GPA counts toward the application...
Regarding the chance of matriculating without a 501- I do not know how good the chance is, but the admissions did say that they value GPA more than the MCAT.
I feel that you have to be outstanding at something and/or be disadvantaged in some situation to compensate for the score. I did not get a 501 and I was still granted an interview - and I think it's most likely that I was very involved in biomedical research and I do have an educational disadvantage. I know someone on another thread who got in without a 501 but had significant leadership experience to compensate.
Hope the above helps! If not, I'd still be happy to explain more and/or answer further questions.
Hey...Is it reasonable to expect an acceptance if one were to check each of the boxes:
501 MCAT (prior to program start)
3.5 GPA in program
No funny business
No monkeying around
It seems like EC's and additional LORs outside of the program are gonna be hard to come by/make time for. My ECs are average and likely wouldn't be vastly improved during the course of the program, so I hope it wouldn't be the factor preventing me from admissions to the COM.
I think it's reasonable to expect an acceptance if all the above were checked, BUT if most of your classmates met the above requirements, the admins are gonna select based on the ECs and/or essays. That being said, your ECs can't be too average...unless you have very convincing MCAT and/or COB GPA. I learned that a current COM student who were in the COB and did not do any ECs during the program and still got in- he made a 4.0 in the program.
Just an update about myself: I got rejected today. Very disappointed... I was expecting at least being waitlisted.
Hey I'm really sorry to hear
I'd assume that if you crush the rest of the second semester and retake the MCAT in June/July...you should hold an acceptance by September. Good luck!
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Thank you for your encouragement!
Unfortunately, the COB program concludes in late June, with the thesis presentation and a cumulative exam that covers a year worth of material. So I don't think retake the MCAT this year is realistic for me... I have actually decided to skip this upcoming cycle and improve my entire package.
Can you tell us more about the thesis presentation portion of the COB requirement. And the differences between the Research Track vs the One Year track for the research portion of the curriculum?
For the fall semester, I'd say a 3.5 or higher is very doable when you focus on schoolwork and have little to no ECs. Most of the time you just need to study the powerpoints and you can do fine (above a B). Biochem's first exam was the only time that I felt necessary to read the textbook. My GPA for the fall was between 3.5-3.6, and my class rank is around the third quarter. So seems like most of us are doing well. As long as you are persistent and have good time management, you can be successful.
The spring semester has been a much different story though. I feel that I have to study much harder to achieve certain grades. There have been so many molecular stuff to memorize and assignments (essays) that took away my study time. Thankfully, only fall GPA counts toward the application...
Regarding the chance of matriculating without a 501- I do not know how good the chance is, but the admissions did say that they value GPA more than the MCAT.
I feel that you have to be outstanding at something and/or be disadvantaged in some situation to compensate for the score. I did not get a 501 and I was still granted an interview - and I think it's most likely that I was very involved in biomedical research and I do have an educational disadvantage. I know someone on another thread who got in without a 501 but had significant leadership experience to compensate.
Hope the above helps! If not, I'd still be happy to explain more and/or answer further questions.
Just a clarifying question. When you say your class rank is around the third quarter. That means you are finishing in the top 25% of your class correct, Not the bottom 25%? Meaning 25% of your class is getting above a 3.5 and the other 75% is getting below roughly speaking...
Just a clarifying question. When you say your class rank is around the third quarter. That means you are finishing in the top 25% of your class correct, Not the bottom 25%? Meaning 25% of your class is getting above a 3.5 and the other 75% is getting below roughly speaking...
Are there any electives you would stay away from because of boring subject, professor is poor, tests are too difficult(too much self teaching), etc?
Sorry guys, my previous post about my class rank was vague. So I meant that I am #75-#80 in my class. Around 75% of the class had a grade equal or higher than mine.
My undergrad GPA's (sci & cumulative) are 3.2-3.4 from a #70-80 nationally ranked university. So even if you are also an average kid, you still have chance to make some improvements.
On a different note- today I just learned that around 30 people in my class earned a 4.0 for the fall semester. Hopefully this generates some hope for all of you.
Current stats for COB class of 2017 admission:
"65-66 interviewed (on 3/14 or 3/15)
23 accepted to KC
14 accepted to Joplin
29 got waitlisted (rejections may be included)"
All the above came from a classmate.
P.S. last year during this time 27 out of 40-45 interviewed got accepted. See how the numbers grow.
God damn. This years COB cohort must be really smart / hard working...seems like ~80% or more has the 3.5 GPA and up to 66% got the interview. Hopefully, they don't look at those numbers and jack up the curriculum for next year!
Do you know any stats of people getting in without the 501 MCAT?
Sorry I do not. Try to reach the 501... for the best chance!
Did they give you feedback after the interview of what to improve upon?
I asked after the rejection and they suggested to improve my entire package- MCAT, interview skills, community service, etc.
Below is a summary of the email:
Comments that I think applicable to current COB students specifically:
- Involve with the KC community. The student affairs office might be able to give you some ideas or ways to get involved.
- Highly recommend applying early in the cycle for next year. Recommend to apply prior to September 15; to at least hit the submit button on AACOMAS by then. That gives you some time to add experiences, finish the master’s program here at KCU, and look to retake your MCAT.
- Reach out to the 2 learning specialists at KCU. They can help with some areas of your application and your re-application. One area to talk with them about is your interview skills. They can certainly provide some tips and maybe mock interview situations to help you feel more comfortable.
- You can reach out to those learning specialists after graduation. Your email account access will be deleted after graduation, but you are welcome to still contact them.
- As for retaking the MCAT, highly recommended speak with the 2 learning specialists about a schedule of study for the test. Taking more than [3 times] is something KCU looks at when reviewing applications.
- Recommend to have a good 6 months of study before taking the MCAT again. The last time it is offered is September so that leaves you with very little wiggle room for study.
- Do not give up hope and start to let your grades slide in the biosciences program.
- Once you graduate from the program, ***the guarantee of an interview is not offered. ***
- KCU does offer preference in the process for graduates of KCU programs. If you apply again, ***please let [the admissions] know and keep an eye out for communications.*** You are always welcome to email [them] with any questions through the process.
Comments that I think applicable to general applicants:
- Check in your daily life and the things you enjoy doing to see if there are any opportunities to get involved.
- My question: Suppose that I spend 6 months to prepare for the MCAT as you suggested, and do not do any ECs during this time frame so that I can completely focus on studying. Would this appear negative for the admissions? In the secondary there was a question about multitasking, so I'm wondering if the admissions may question my ability to handle multiple obligations.
The answer I got: You are right about the multi-tasking but you do need to concentrate on the mcat prep. You can possibly combine the two and take a time on a “day off” study time to do community service.
Hey thank you for your information and the time you have taken to provide us with this invaluable information/insight into the program.
My generalized comment regarding your situation is that allotting 6 months for dedicated mcat studying is excessive. As future DO students, we will be bombarded with standardized exams. Possibly even more so than MD students with the likelihood of having to write both COMLEX + USMLE. You won't receive a fraction of dedicated study time for any of the steps and they will make the MCAT look like a high school exam.
You certainly don't lack any of the prerequisite knowledge and judging by your performance in the COB, you possess the ability understand higher complex material. I would say, all you have to do is find your confidence and practice! good luck!
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Can you explain what a conditional acceptance is vs being on the waitlist?
This question has probably been asked but what is the dress code for student accepted day?
Can you explain what a conditional acceptance is vs being on the waitlist?
You can email Gia at Century Towers Apartment, or you can post in COB or COM's Facebook groups.Hey guys.
I realize this is pretty late in the game, but is anyone here looking for a roommate for 2017-2018? Or does anyone know of a good resource to go about looking for an available place? Thanks for the help.
I'm a current COB student applying to the COM. Any questions are welcomed!
Hi,
I'm also a current COB student. I know I'm seeing this a little late but I just wanted to follow up on your question as I currently hold a conditional acceptance. Anyone that gets "accepted" to COM from COB is considered to have a conditional acceptance. All this means is that you have to successfully graduate from the program with a GPA of a 3.5 or higher, pass the cumulative exam, pass the scientific seminar course, and receive a letter from the dean saying you are in good standing (basically they check in with the dean to make sure you attended all required events and haven't gotten in trouble or anything, there is nothing you have to do for this).
Also, I would like to add that this program is very doable if you are dedicated to it. The class average GPA after the fall semester was a 3.7. If you get a 90 or higher in any course it is considered a 4.0 (there are no pluses/minuses for there A range, only for B's and below). I started this program with a science GPA of a 3.4 and am ending the program with a 4.0. I think this is an invaluable program and prepares you exceedingly well for medical school.
One final word, they are constantly changing the curriculum for the program. With that being said, I've heard rumor of the scientific seminar course changing and them doing away with presentations and having you guys write a thesis paper instead. Again, who knows what will actually happen so don't count on anything prior to the course.
Was it a good programme? Would you recommend it? I got rejected from KCU-COM, and got an e-mail to apply to this KCU one year or two year programme. At face value, it just looks like a money grab for them since I probably don't meet the requirements to attend a medical school, anyway.
cGPA = 3.20
sGPA = 3.21
MCAT = 126-124-126-126 (502)