Was wondering if anyone has applied to the UMKC program? Also wondering if anyone is already there, if so how is the program and how is it living in KC?
Re: UMKC
Posted by Utah AA on August 16, 2011, 4:17 pm, in reply to "UMKC"
Program is one of the top among AA programs....and KC is awesome!
But I already told you that...
Re: UMKC
Posted by Question on August 16, 2011, 7:49 pm, in reply to "Re: UMKC"
Then which program is among the bottom??? There's only so few and everyone claims to be among the top. Hmm...
Re: UMKC
Posted by SteveC on August 16, 2011, 7:59 pm, in reply to "Re: UMKC"
Each program is going to be a different fit for each person. Some programs may fit you well and will be great and others may not fit you as well. I feel you will get a good education at whatever location you choose attend.
Re: UMKC
Posted by UMKC 2012 on August 17, 2011, 10:22 am, in reply to "Re: UMKC"
I have to disagree with SteveC. I cannot get into specifics, but some of the rotations in the Midwest that I have done this year are no longer taking students from other programs (who they previously held affiliation agreements with) because their students were so bad.
Translation=some students from some programs suck so bad and are so ill prepared for their clinical year that hospitals and anesthesia groups are no longer accepting them as AA students.
Now, does this mean that you will suck if you go to one of these programs? No. But what it does mean is that it's going to be harder to get good quality clinical rotations where you may want to work/job offers in those locations. I can tell you that a few anesthesia chairs (again, in the Midwest) have told me that they pretty much only want to hire students from certain schools because their students are the best clinicians they have had. Students from other programs-the programs they have cancelled their agreements with-likely wont even get an interview for a position should one become available. The unfortunate part of this is that its not even that students fault, its his/her predecessors.
My advice to you applicants: Find out about the clinical affiliations your potential school has when you interview. If they are not affiliated in a state you would like to work in, ask if that is a possibility. You dont want to be in a situation where you have anesthesia groups canceling your schools affiliation agreement because the skill level of the class above you is sub-par.
One last point: there most definitely is a difference between the schools that only take the MCAT and the schools that also take the GRE. I cant speak for Case, but I do know students that go there, and they are awesome clinicians! At UMKC you will have the opportunity (key word here-you still have to prove yourself) to do spinals and epidurals in your first 6 months, Central lines and Swan placement in your second semester and do hearts with an anesthesiologist, one-on-one, throughout your first year. There are some exciting things happening at UMKC and with only 2 semesters left before I graduate, I can tell you I dont regret it for a second. Ive had the most incredible education and opportunities here to become a great AA! But there are definately differences between me and my skill level and those students who were so bad they got their schools clinical agreement cancelled.
Im just sayin....
Re: UMKC
Posted by Utah AA on August 17, 2011, 10:14 pm, in reply to "Re: UMKC"
WOW. I don’t even know how to respond to all this negativity by a fellow student. I really thought all of our UMKC students had more class than to make a post like this one. The negativity and degrading of other future AAs is not acceptable.
I'm not sure who this 2nd year student is but let me emphatically say that he does not represent the student body of AAs at UMKC. I for one, have many friends at Nova, and met other AA students from all of the other schools at the AAAA meeting this past April. Even though I am just in my first year here in KC, I think no matter where you go, or what entrance test you take, you choose your own destiny. You can become a great anesthetist or you can become an attrition statistic because you didn't choose to apply yourself correctly. But those who I was able to interact with really impressed me. We all are part of a great profession with great potential. AA students who are negative only bring down our profession.
I think every school has awesome students; we (and I would guess UMKC2012) do not know the circumstances behind whatever took place in this midwest city he/she talks about. And there is a lot of misinformation being thrown around here by everyone. But, when it comes down to it, every school is accredited by CAAHEP and every AA has to pass national boards.
Were in a great profession! I think those who have egos just need to check them at the door. We’re supposed to support each other. That person you are calling out is your colleague. Enough with the negativity! We do not need those kinds of attitudes in our profession.
Re: UMKC
Posted by Nova AA on August 17, 2011, 11:07 pm, in reply to "Re: UMKC"
Well put.
Re: UMKC
Posted by NovaAATampa on August 18, 2011, 10:30 am, in reply to "Re: UMKC"
Agreed!!!
Re: UMKC
Posted by NovaAATampa on August 17, 2011, 6:33 pm, in reply to "Re: UMKC"
Wow... I'm actually really offended by your post. And just to defend my program I would like to tell you that... 1) I did (and other students) regional anesthesia techniques including spinals, epidurals and regional blocks during my first week at my hospital rotation. 2.) I am going to do clinical rotations MIDWEST including one of the BEST children's hospitals in the country. 3.) Does your program offer an international rotation? Nova Tampa is sending students to the United Kingdom this year (myself and another student) for two months for a clinical rotation.
So speak for your own program and stop trying to put down other programs. All of the programs are graduating great clinicians so please refrain from speaking your petty comments about how your program is so superior to every other program!
One more point... Taking the MCAT doesn't make you a better clinician. Performing in the OR does!!! So I'll take my GRE and show you how it's done.
Re: UMKC
Posted by Nova AA on August 17, 2011, 5:44 pm, in reply to "Re: UMKC"
Well Gosh, whaddya expect...
Lets see...where to start...
How many students have graduated from UMKC? 4? I know that's a whopping sample size and all, but I'd say its just a bit premature to crown UMKC the 'Lord of the AA programs.' Its fantastic that you love your program and feel you are getting a great education, but you might want to tone down the ego a bit. And I would hope that there are "definItely differences" between the skill level of MOST AA students and those that end up losing rotations for their program. (Note: I was only able to fix the spelling error in your quote because I did well on the verbal section of the GRE.)
The quality of the AA has nothing to do with the entrance exam they took to get into school, and everything to do with the time and effort they put in during the program and in clinicals.
Now excuse me, I gotta prepare for my cases tomorrow at my midwestern hospital...
Re: UMKC
Posted by P on August 17, 2011, 5:09 pm, in reply to "Re: UMKC"
"One last point: there most definitely is a difference between the schools that only take the MCAT and the schools that also take the GRE"
Oh thanks for pointing this out, I guess I will go ahead and drop out of school since taking the GRE vs MCAT obviously defines your career and clinical abilities.
Re: UMKC
Posted by Pablo on August 17, 2011, 4:00 pm, in reply to "Re: UMKC"
Wow, slamming the other schools online anonymously. That's awesome. Obviously, UMKC is the superior program.
You think UMKC is the only program where first year student can place central lines, PA caths, and perform neuraxial anesthesia? The anesthesiologists never even asked for my MCAT score when I did some of these.
Grow up. Its hard enough dealing with some of the malignant CRNAs out there without agueing with other AA students over who's better.
Furthermore, I conclude that MY program is clearly the superior program based on hearsay, anecdote, and my own narcissism and UMKC and the "non-GRE" programs are inferior/s.
Re: UMKC
Posted by Gosh on August 17, 2011, 12:02 pm, in reply to "Re: UMKC"
Prepare for the onslaught of the defensive by Nova AA, Pablo, MrSandman, SteveC
Re: UMKC
Posted by Pablo on August 17, 2011, 4:01 pm, in reply to "Re: UMKC"