by Jared Rutecki
“A journey of a thousand miles
begins with one step” says the invitation to PreCOM, reciting
the well-known Chinese proverb. Almost half of the Class of 2011
will take those steps this Saturday at PreCOM, the college’s
orientation for incoming students.
PreCOM, which is in its second year, will give 47 students
and 53 family members and significant others the opportunity to
familiarize themselves with the college, the campus, the
osteopathic educational program and the options for living in
Athens. A second PreCOM session, which takes place in April,
will accommodate the remainder of the class.
PreCOM begins in Irvine Hall at
8:30 a.m. when students check in and are measured for white
coats. Light refreshments will be served.
“One of the most important
factors in choosing a medical school is for the student to find
the school that works best for him or her,” says Jill Harman,
associate director of admissions. “PreCOM gives students the
chance to work out some little and some big details before they
begin school.”
“We get students together in
one room, and they can ask all the questions they need to,
face-to-face with the people who can answer them.”
It also provides a final check
for them to make sure that OU-COM is the place for them to
pursue their medical educations. “We want our students to be
happy with choosing OU-COM. This event truly is about providing
our incoming students with a sense of community.”
Including their families, says
Harman, allows students to give family members a chance to see
OU-COM up close and personal and to be involved in their choice.
Students will be introduced to
faculty and staff who will help guide them through their four
years of medical school. At 9 a.m., Dean Jack Brose, D.O.,
will welcome the students and talk about the various kinds of
opportunities at OU-COM, such as research, volunteerism and
community service.
Incoming students will split
from their guests from 9:30 to 10 a.m. While parents and
significant others will be treated to a tour of campus and
Community Health Programs’ Mobile Health Van, students will get
a chance to meet each other during a mock scavenger hunt and
curricula overview. Students will also receive information on
immunizations, insurance and background checks.
This visit will
be the first for most incoming students since their admission
interviews months ago. Students also will be able to look over
housing and roommate options and receive last-minute financial
aid counseling.
“A student who comes to PreCOM
gets the chance to get more things done than somebody who comes
to OU-COM first at the summer orientation,” Harman says. Harman
and Ann Brieck, associate director of Student Affairs,
were the primary planners of PreCOM. PreCOM is probably unique
among D.O. schools.
“We’re not aware of any other
osteopathic college that offers this type of opportunity,”
Harman says.
Students will be able to use a
new Web site (www.oucom2011.com)
to search for roommates, meet classmates and offer useful
information for the incoming class. They also will have the
opportunity to meet current students, who can offer advice on
life in Athens.
“Once you get over the initial
high of being accepted to medical school, PreCOM helps you focus
on these detail-oriented parts of your education,” says
first-year student Mike Schilb.
Students and guests will be
reunited for lunch at Baker University Center. During lunch,
Bradley Finger of the
federally-funded, non-profit organization American Student
Assistance, will speak. “The information on loans should be very
helpful,” Schilb says.
“PreCOM gives everybody the
opportunity to experience the family sense that happens when you
walk through the door at OU-COM,” says Jennifer Lykens, a
first-year medical student who attended PreCOM last year. “The
activities give you a chance to meet the people that you’ll be
around for the next four years of your life.”
- 30 -
News for the weeks of Feb 12 – Feb 24
