1 Nova Southeastern University- College of Osteopathic Medicine Frequently Asked Questions: Is there a limit on how many letters of recommendation I can submit it? No, feel free to submit in as much letters as you like. Please note that the system will only update the first letters received that meet the requirements in Webstar. If you want to know if any extra letters were received, you can contact the admissions call center. When can I submit my application? The Nova Southeastern University DO applications are available on June 1st it is suggested that you apply as early as possible. Can I submit my application before you have received my MCAT scores? Yes, please note that your application will not be complete for review until those scores are on file. When the committee reviews the MCAT, do they take the highest of each subsection or look at the most recent score? The committee does review your scores in each section but they look at your highest most recent overall score. How can I find out the status of my application or if documents are received? Go to WebSTAR (http://webstar.nova.edu) Click Admissions Enter your NSU online application login and PIN View the status of your application or documents received If you have issues reviewing this information online, you can contact the admissions call center at 954-262-1101 or 1-877-640-0218. They are available 24/7. 2 I received a waiver from AACOMAS, can I have my secondary application fee waived also? If you've received a waiver from AACOMAS, then we will process one for you here. The process is indicated below: Complete your AACOMAS application Complete your NSU application (you must pay the $50 application fee). AACOMAS will send a list of all applicants that they have waived the application fees for to the admissions office. If your name is on the list, it gets forwarded to the Bursars office to reverse the NSU application charge off of your account. Depending on when the list is received from AACOMAS, this can take 60 days (estimation) to process your credit. Once you have a credit, you can contact the Bursars office at 954-262-5200 and they will advise you on the timeframe when you will receive the funds. I am reapplying from last year, can you use that application? No, since we are beginning a new cycle you would have to resubmit another application. What is the committee looking for in an application? Below are some of the things that the committee of admissions reviews when they are considering an applicant for an interview; it is in no particular order. Community service and volunteer work- the amount of hours is not as relevant as what you do. They like to see that you have medical experience such has shadowing a doctor or volunteering in a hospital. They like to see how involved you are in the community. Science courses and grades-what you took and how well you did in the course. Letters of recommendation-make sure that the letters are strong and signed or on letterhead (they will not be considered if they are not). MCAT score-the average score is a 28. If for whatever reason you cannot make that score or above, then it is suggested that you submit as much information as you can to enhance your application i.e. publications, additional letters of recommendation, etc. The minimum GPA requirements are to have at least a 3.0 in your science as well as your cumulative GPA. 3 How will I know that my application is complete for the committee of admission to review? Once we have your AACOMAS, NSU Application and MCAT on file your application will begin to be reviewed by the committee. If you have letters of recommendation on file at the time then the committee will review those documents as well. How long does it take to review my application? This time frame can differ depending on when you submit it your application and when interviews are conducted. The latest you will receive communication regarding your status can be in March (please note this is tentative). When and how will I be notified about an interview? If the committee decides to select your application for an interview, they will notify the admissions counselor. The counselor would then immediately send you an email invitation inviting you in for an interview. Is the MCAT a requirement for admissions? Yes, your application will not be reviewed by the committee of admissions without one. Please note: This is also needed if you want to transfer into NSU-COM. Do you have a minimum MCAT score requirement? No, we do have an average MCAT score which is a 28. Do you take January MCAT’s? It is not recommended that you take your MCAT in January (it takes 30 days for the university to receive your MCAT scores). There is a slim possibility that we will receive your scores by the March 1st admissions deadline. 4 I do not have a competitive MCAT, what should I do? Submit in as much information as you can to enhance your application, you can submit the following but it’s not limited to: Extra letters of recommendation, research or publications documents Do you accept international students? Yes, we do as long as they meet the requirements for the program. If you want more information regarding the process for international applicants please contact the Office of International Affairs department below: Phone Number: (954) 262-7240 or 800-541-6682, ext. 27240 Email: [email protected] What is considered a competitive GPA (includes science and cumulative)? A competitive GPA’s for the DO program can start at 3.4 for science, non science and cumulative. How does Nova calculate my GPA if I’ve taken courses at numerous institutions? Nova does not calculate GPA’s; this is done when you submit your information in through AACOMAS. If you have any questions regarding this process please contact AACOMAS at 301-968-4190. Do you accept community college credits or online courses? Yes, as long as the class is from a regionally accredited college/university. This information can obtain this information from the intuition. Do you prefer credits taken from Nova Southeastern University? There is no preference, as long as you take the courses from a regionally accredited school. 5 How do I apply for the DPM to DO track? Complete the DO online application, there is a question that asks “Are you applying for Advanced Standing based on a previously earned Podiatry, Dental, or other First Professional Degree?” indicate “Yes”. This is what will be reviewed to see if you’re interested in the program. A nonrefundable application fee of $50 Official transcripts from the registrars of all colleges and universities attended Two letters of evaluation from doctors of podiatric medicine, at least one of whom is a faculty member of the podiatric residency program you are enrolled in A letter of evaluation from a physician The deadline date for submitting the application and all supporting documents to NSUCOM is March 1. All documents should be sent to the above address. For additional information regarding this process, please contact Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH at [email protected] Some Potential Benefits for Podiatric Physicians Acquiring the NSU-COM DO Degree and Obtaining an Unrestricted Practice License Expanded knowledge and skills in performing physical examinations. Added knowledge and skills as well as a license to manage the growing number of podiatric patients with concurrent medical problems. Potential to perform physical examinations for other podiatric physicians in hospitals that require a fully licensed physician to do so or that limit the privileges of podiatric physicians in this area of patient assessment. Such dually trained podiatric physicians (DPM/DO) also have a better understanding of the stresses of podiatric surgical procedures on a patient than those physicians without such podiatric medical knowledge. Potential added attractiveness of DPM’s with a DO to managed care organizations. Potential added benefit in the process of acquiring hospital privileges at those institutions that still restrict privileges for DPM’s. Added confidence by some patients, especially those with concurrent health problems. Avoid borderline issues regarding the legal scope of podiatric medical practice. For example, the DPM/DO would be able to perform surgery in anatomic areas in which they have received training but are restricted by state statute. Currently, DPM graduates of podiatric residency programs may have been trained to do ankle surgery or perform amputations. However, they may not have the legal right to do so in those states that prohibit this type of 6 intervention. Similarly, there would not be an issue concerning patients who may have skin, soft tissue lesions, or bony conditions that are partly above whatever the anatomic line is for the legal scope of practice for DPMs in the state one practices. Potential to enhance relationships with DO’s and MD’s to a greater degree including increased ability to receive referrals from them. Eligibility for membership in the American Osteopathic Association and the American Medical Association. Graduate of an American medical school from a program approved by an American medical association (i.e., American Osteopathic Association). Eligible for higher pay than DPM’s from the various federal services ( i.e. military, Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, Department of Veterans Affairs) Eligible for a number of insurance packages only available from certain medical organizations to licensed MDs or DO’s. Potentially eligible for higher reimbursement from managed care organizations that discriminate against non-MD’s/DO’s for the same procedures /services performed. Enhanced opportunity for student loan forgiveness (tax free) when practicing in underserved areas How do I apply for the DO/DMD program? Students must be accepted by the college they applied to in order to be considered for the D.O. /D.M.D. Dual Degree Program. Upon acceptance to the respective college, students expressing an interest in the D.O. /D.M.D. Dual Degree Program will be contacted and invited to interview. Only a select number of motivated students who have attained the highest academic standards and embody the spirit of this collaborative initiative will be considered. You need to complete either the MCAT or DAT test. Can I see where recent graduates place? Yes, please follow the below steps: Go to http://medicine.nova.edu On the far left hand side, Click on “Alumni Affairs” Under Alumni Affairs, choose “Recent Graduate Placement” Whether your goals lie in primary care or a specialty, you’ll have more choices than your MD school counterparts. Only graduates of DO schools can participate in both allopathic and osteopathic residencies. 7 What hospitals do the students do their rotations at? Please visit the below website for a list of core clinical rotation sites. http://medicine.nova.edu/do/clinical_rotation.html How much does the program costs? Tuition and fees vary each year for the program. If you want to check the latest costs, please visit the below link or call 954-262-3380. http://medicine.nova.edu/do/admissions/tuition_fees.html Where can I get more information about housing? You can contact housing or visit their website below. Campus Housing Phone: 954-262-7052 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.nova.edu/studentlife/oncampus.html