From my experience thus far with TOUROCOM, I've grown skeptical. Having the most expensive secondary application fee is not the best way to recruit talented students to a new medical school. And isn't it ironic that the mission of the school is to help increase minority and disadvantaged student representation in medicine, yet charge more than Harvard. Perhaps they're banking on their target audience to receive fee waivers, and the rest to bite the bullet.
Equally concerning is the communication. Every email I receive from TOURCOM is filled with typos and grammatical errors- sentences don't even make sense. This is a med school here- where the best and the brightest go to learn medicine! This isn't a two-year junior college. And, I hear from other students that they received interview emails without the proper attachemnts. Plus there is no clear message from the admissions office regarding the secondary = interview policy.
I'd like to attend TOUROCOM, and I prepared for it- I just want to be certain they are equally prepared...
And an after thought on another post I read- "125th st is as safe as any street in Manhattan." I appreciate your point, but that's a bit strong of a statement wouldn't you think. I'd prefer to sleep the night on Central Park South than on 125th.
This is my take on the secondary fee. You've already been screened and you wouldn't be sent the secondary if you weren't qualified. Many schools send the secondary to every student who applies, and you end up spending $80 when they already know you don't stand a chance (for instance I received the secondary from a top 10 allopathic school within moments after I submitted my AMCAS primary - my chances for acceptance were probably 1-2%, but it's my home state so I was taking a shot). $200 is expensive, but it's by no means money you're throwing away. You were sent the secondary because on paper you're qualified, and they want you to apply. However, even though I can tell you that the primaries are screened before sending secondaries, I can't attest to the secondary = interview with any level of certainty. That could be answered very easily by calling the admissions office and asking them though.
As for the admissions communications, I completely understand that you're first impression probably wasn't the best, and thus far that's the only experience you've had with the school. Our admissions committee is overwhelmed, they didn't expect as many applications as they received last year and made some similar mistakes. Also, as other people have posted, TouroCOM is actually a competitive school to get into even though it's still in its infancy, so they're handling a lot of applications. This is only the second time they're handling interviews, so they haven't worked out every kink. They'll make mistakes. They're human.
I also don't think it is a bold claim at all to say that 125th street is as safe as any other street in Manhattan. Yes, there are nicer areas in the city, there's no question about that and I'm not arguing the opposite. Parts of New York, and Manhattan specifically, are very affluent. That wasn't the point I was making. 125th street is a very busy and active street. It is the cultural and economic center of Harlem. There's no dark alleys, no one selling drugs on the corner, no one getting mugged, no gangs walking down the street, nothing of the like whatsoever. It's lined with businesses upon businesses (and a med school). That being said, I don't recommend anyone walking home alone late at night, not because it's Harlem, but because that's not the safest thing to do in general. But hey, if you want to sleep on the street don't let me stop you, I just don't think it's safe doing that
anywhere.
I'm glad you voiced your opinions and concerns, it is ultimately up to you where you go to medical school and you should pick the place that you feel is the best for you. If you come for an interview and afterwards you think school X is the better fit for you, then I completely recommend that you go to school X. You need to go where you'll be happy and comfortable because you won't do well in medical school if you don't enjoy where you're at.
Don't hesitate to ask any questions you have or voice any opinions. I'll do my best to offer my objective opinions, but then again, simply by nature of attending the school, they will probably be at least somewhat subjective.
Good luck to everyone coming this week for interview kick off week!
