Rocky Vista University - Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine Interview Feedback Summary
Billings, MT
Osteopathic Medical Schools | Private For-Profit
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Overall, how satisfied are you with this program?
What was the zip code of your residence in high school?
| Response Avg | # Responders |
|---|---|
| 14,108.00 | 1 |
What do you like most?
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The pre-clinical year of education are well structured and do an excellent job overall incorporating physiology and an introduction to clinical medicine. The two pass system of curriculum is well planned out an prepares on well for boards and clinical practice. The incorporation of osteopathic tenants and OMT into the first two year of teaching is done very well, with students coming away with an extraordinary foundation in OMT, if one chooses to follow through with this practice. The student affairs department does an amazing job of fostering connections and engagement on the campus, and are your advocated throughout your education.
What do you like least?
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The clinical education years are poorly planned out and there is very little support from this office offered to students. There are an extremely limited number of rotations within the state of Montana despite the two large hospitals located within Billings as a result of the school's inability to secure affiliations with these locations. As a result, students are spread out mostly amongst Wyoming, South Dakota, Idaho in addition to many one-off rotations in states such as New York, Alaska, New Orleans, Hawaii, Arizona, Illinois, and several others. There are essentially no housing or travel resources provided to the students by the school, despite the constant travel throughout the year. There are very limited year-long placement opportunities in Tucson, Brooklyn and Chicago. There is essentially no ability for the students to have any input as to where they will be for the year, with many moving between cities and states every 4 weeks. There are frequent break-downs in communication between the Clinical Education departments and rotation sites, commonly with incomplete affiliation agreements or miscellaneous paperwork once students arrive at the sites. There has been very little accountability on the part of the Clinical Education department when it comes to these missteps, with students concerns being pushed aside or them being told to take these instances as "opportunities to learn patience and professionalism". There is much room for improvement within the clinical years of education and hopefully higher standards will be set by administration for this department, in order to match the quality of education the pre-clinical years at MCOM were able to provide.
Does the student body seem cooperative or competitive?
Does the environment seem supportive for underrepresented minorities?
Does the environment seem supportive for lesbian/gay/bisexual/transsexual students?
Does the environment seem supportive for married students?
Does the environment seem supportive for students with disabilities?
Does the environment seem supportive for older/non-traditional students?
Do you/did you feel well prepared for your board exams?
How approachable are faculty members?
What are the facilities and clinics like (old/new, well maintained, etc.)?
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The facility is brand new and wonderfully maintained. As issues arise they are quickly corrected and with frequent input from the student body.
How do students from this program do after graduation - are they adequately prepared for practice?
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Unknown... first graduating class will be 2027.
What are rotations like?
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A mixed bag... it is dependent upon the preceptor and largely your clinical coordinator as to how well your third year will go. There are amazing opportunities to learn, however there are frequent impediments to our education due to the Clinical Education departments poor communication and a lack of organization. There is also a general lack of acknowledgment on the part of this department that MCOM students are to be considered active partners in our education... a model which is heavily emphasized during the pre-clinical years. Ultimately it is up to us, the students, to advocate for ourselves on rotations. If you go in open minded and ready to learn you will find opportunities to develop great clinical skills... it just might take a little more effort on our parts to create those opportunities.
How do students from this program do in the Match?
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N/A
Any other information you want to share?
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Montana is a beautiful location for your pre-clinical years. The MCOM educational experience is truly one of a kind... the pre-clinical years were some of the best years of education I have ever received. If I had to do it over again, I would not change my decision. The culture of the pre-clinical years at MCOM is truly special and is guaranteed to grow exceptional doctors, if one fully immerses themselves in it.
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