Wow peoples, it's okay...it's really not that bad.
I just used khakis as one example, but yes, we are expected to wear an OLD pair of pants to lab. So instead of having scrubs or sweatpants we change into pants and whatever T-shirt we want. And like PCOM, our lab coats have all types of sayings and nicknames on them. You also have to realize that we run things different for lab than most schools. I would go into it, but it takes too long to explain. I posted about it in a thread on LECOM interviews. Essentially we are only truly dissecting every month or so (for a week), and then the remainder of the time we prosect.
As for the dress code...again, it's not that bad. The guys have it the worst, and the girls seem to get away with less professional dress. However, it really is nice to see students walking around the school in professional dress. Is it a hassle? Yes, at times. But each school has its own character. LECOM's is one of a professional, most classical dress (and NO, of course, this does not mean that the person IS professional...it's just the dress). There's no sense in arguing about how stupid it is. It's just unique. We all knew what we were getting into. (Honestly, it's just the changing back and forth for labs that is a pain)
LECOM is pretty well organized I would say. There could always be improvements, but that's the case anywhere I think. There are a lot of changes this year to the school-a brand new building, adding more students to each learning pathway and opening a school of pharmacy next week. This school's been through a lot this year, and the change is good. Improvements were made to the curriculum from last year and the faculty is very accomodating in making sure things are working out okay for us.
I don't want people interviewing or considering application to LECOM to be discouraged by the dress code and attendance policies. Talk to students and find out about things. The school has a LOT to offer its students.
NJDO
PS...I feel like a lot of medical students make a big deal about wearing scrubs. I guess they're comfortable, but so are sweatpants or a good pair of jeans. Just my opinion