VCOM/Bluefield OMABS Winter 2024

[atl1998]

Hi everyone!
I just received my acceptance email today for the SMP Bluefield/VCOM D.O. OMABS (Online Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences). I've seen a few other discussions for the On-Campus MABS program and just thought I'd create this in case others are looking for some more updated info on the program since everything I found was from last year. If anyone else comments, I want to create a GroupMe specifically for others doing the Online program. Just drop a comment saying hello if you're interested!

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[Dochopeful13]

Hi everyone!
I just received my acceptance email today for the SMP Bluefield/VCOM D.O. OMABS (Online Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences). I've seen a few other discussions for the On-Campus MABS program and just thought I'd create this in case others are looking for some more updated info on the program since everything I found was from last year. If anyone else comments, I want to create a GroupMe specifically for others doing the Online program. Just drop a comment saying hello if you're interested!

When’s the start date for this program?

 

[atl1998]

When’s the start date for this program?

From what I've found on the website, it's set to begin January 2nd, 2024. I am responding to your message now, btw!

 

[DOhopeful008]

Hi everyone! I am a current OMABs student almost done with the fall semester. If there are any questions feel free to ask.

 

[cadaverlabjunkie]

Hi, I’m applying to start the online program in January. I was wondering how common it is for someone to get accepted to MD school afterwards (considering this is through a DO school)? Also, is it a self paced program? I was wondering how it would work with the med school application cycle next year. If I don’t finish until September (9 months), wouldn’t that be kinda late in the cycle to apply to med school?

 

[DOhopeful008]

Hi, I’m applying to start the online program in January. I was wondering how common it is for someone to get accepted to MD school afterwards (considering this is through a DO school)? Also, is it a self paced program? I was wondering how it would work with the med school application cycle next year. If I don’t finish until September (9 months), wouldn’t that be kinda late in the cycle to apply to med school?

The professors pre-record lectures and you watch them at your own pace but you have an exam every week so it’s good to have some sort of schedule. There are also two checkpoints for benchmarks. If you are meeting the benchmarks at the first check point halfway through the program you’ll apply for the current cycle but if you don’t make benchmarks until the end of the program you’d apply for the next year instead.

 

[wretchedscrivener]

The professors pre-record lectures and you watch them at your own pace but you have an exam every week so it’s good to have some sort of schedule. There are also two checkpoints for benchmarks. If you are meeting the benchmarks at the first check point halfway through the program you’ll apply for the current cycle but if you don’t make benchmarks until the end of the program you’d apply for the next year instead.

Do you know of any students who have been admitted to VCOM through the OMABS program? Or if there is any info about an acceptance rate since they don't do the guaranteed admission?

 

[jungleboi]

Hi everyone! I am a current OMABs student almost done with the fall semester. If there are any questions feel free to ask.

Hey! I’ve recently been accepted to the OMABS program for the winter term. I was wondering are the grades solely from exams or are there other components? Also are all of the exams based solely on the lectures and PowerPoints?

 

[DOhopeful008]

Hey! I’ve recently been accepted to the OMABS program for the winter term. I was wondering are the grades solely from exams or are there other components? Also are all of the exams based solely on the lectures and PowerPoints?

It depends on the subject but yes grades are primarily based on exams and 5% comes from a weekly discussion. So far health policy and biostatistics are the only courses I’ve had with other assignments. Most of the professors do a great job of solely basing exams off PowerPoints so you don’t have to spend a fortune on textbooks. The only complaint I’d have is for nutrition. The exams are much more specific then the lectures which can be challenging.

 

[DOhopeful008]

Do you know of any students who have been admitted to VCOM through the OMABS program? Or if there is any info about an acceptance rate since they don't do the guaranteed admission?

As of now 100% of OMABS has been accepted if they received an interview invite.

 

[juliealbright]

Hey! I’ve recently been accepted to the OMABS program for the winter term. I was wondering are the grades solely from exams or are there other components? Also are all of the exams based solely on the lectures and PowerPoints?

do I understand the linkage is not as good for online? can you clarify that and if you know if anyone in the online program was admitted to the osteopathic program? thanks

 

[juliealbright]

As of now 100% of OMABS has been accepted if they received an interview invite.

also, what percentage of the OMABS have received an invite?

 

[Dochopeful13]

do I understand the linkage is not as good for online? can you clarify that and if you know if anyone in the online program was admitted to the osteopathic program? thanks

Why do you say that?

 

[juliealbright]

Why do you say that?

from what I read on the application website-I inferred you apply like all other applicants and are reviewed like them

 

[Disease]

It depends on the subject but yes grades are primarily based on exams and 5% comes from a weekly discussion. So far health policy and biostatistics are the only courses I’ve had with other assignments. Most of the professors do a great job of solely basing exams off PowerPoints so you don’t have to spend a fortune on textbooks. The only complaint I’d have is for nutrition. The exams are much more specific then the lectures which can be challenging.

Would you say you've had a fairly straightforward time in the course? If you just study the PowerPoint & other provided materials, you'll do well? I've read elsewhere that many people leave the course. Why do you think that is?

 

[StudentDOcter]

Do you know of any students who have been admitted to VCOM through the OMABS program? Or if there is any info about an acceptance rate since they don't do the guaranteed admission?

As long as you meet the benchmarks you will earn an interview and as long as you prepare like you would for any interview, show interest in the school, and don't say anything crazy you will 100% get in. I'm close with the director of the program and I'd say the acceptance rate is 98-99% with the 1% being a couple of people who said some outlandish things in interviews from what I heard. Although they didn't get accepted to VCOM the program has strong connections to others schools so they will get you an interview and accepted elsewhere, which was the case for all those students.

 

[StudentDOcter]

do I understand the linkage is not as good for online? can you clarify that and if you know if anyone in the online program was admitted to the osteopathic program? thanks

I'm in the online program and earned a 4.0 GPA. As long as you meet the benchmarks you will 100% get an interview and get accepted. If you do exceptionally well, they will already know about you when you go there on your interview day since you stand out (which is what happened in my case). I felt very at home when I was there in person and cant wait to finally start year 1 in July. All in all, linkage for the online and in person are exactly the same, you just need to prove that you can handle the courses.

 

[StudentDOcter]

Would you say you've had a fairly straightforward time in the course? If you just study the PowerPoint & other provided materials, you'll do well? I've read elsewhere that many people leave the course. Why do you think that is?

I know this question wasn't directed at me but I'd like to answer if that's okay. My time in the course has been very straight forward but do understand that this is like undergrad where some classes are easier/harder than others and some professors may be better/worse than others. I did not purchase any outside material or books even though some classes said they were mandatory and I got a 4.0. You only need the power point lectures to study and do well. When you first enter the program you are told that you are NOT expected to work. I quit my job but I know a few people in the program who kept theirs or went part time. If you do work you must understand that you wont have as much time to study in a very rigorous program where you're expected to study daily and will lead to an excessive amount of stress. All those that are working don't have a good GPA. I think this is part of the reason people drop out early on. They realize that these are basically medical school classes and they don't have enough time in the day and would rather work or have too many duties outside the program to do well. Some might have the time and may just find it too hard and too stressful. The possibilities are endless. How you feel in the program and what you can handle, how good you are with time management, how efficient you are with studying are all subjective.

 

[Disease]

I know this question wasn't directed at me but I'd like to answer if that's okay. My time in the course has been very straight forward but do understand that this is like undergrad where some classes are easier/harder than others and some professors may be better/worse than others. I did not purchase any outside material or books even though some classes said they were mandatory and I got a 4.0. You only need the power point lectures to study and do well. When you first enter the program you are told that you are NOT expected to work. I quit my job but I know a few people in the program who kept theirs or went part time. If you do work you must understand that you wont have as much time to study in a very rigorous program where you're expected to study daily and will lead to an excessive amount of stress. All those that are working don't have a good GPA. I think this is part of the reason people drop out early on. They realize that these are basically medical school classes and they don't have enough time in the day and would rather work or have too many duties outside the program to do well. Some might have the time and may just find it too hard and too stressful. The possibilities are endless. How you feel in the program and what you can handle, how good you are with time management, how efficient you are with studying are all subjective.

Hey, I very much appreciate you responding and providing insight. That's very good to hear that you can do well with just PowerPoints.

I currently work 9hrs a day with a 2hr commute round trip totaling 11hrs. I'm quitting my job for this course so it's comforting to know that we can succeed if we put in the time and effort.

Congrats on that 4.0!