LEBANON Yes, medical school requires long hours of classes and even more hours of independent study, but first-year COMP-Northwest student Whitney Stewart said a big surprise was that its also fun.

I really wish someone would have told me how much fun medical school would be, Stewart told 20 prospective COMP-Northwest students recently.

Up to 50 prospective students visit the campus each month, according to Jeannie Davis, assistant director of admissions.

COMP-Northwest receives applications from 3,000 students and interviews 300 to select the final 106 each year. The average student has a 3.6 college grade point average and scored a 28 on the MCAT.

The college will graduate its first class next spring.

Panelists ate lunch with a group of students and candidly talked about why they chose the new Lebanon college. They also answered questions such as, What is there to do in such a small town?

Then, the applicants took a tour of the campus and had interviews with staff and community members. They also tried on white lab coats and had their individual photos taken, in the event they are accepted into the program.

It is a two-way street prospective students have to like COMP-Northwest, and faculty have to believe the applicant will be a good fit.

Stewart, a married student from Bend, was joined by Jesse Lee from Portland, Phillip Grenz of Salem, Rika Mehndiratta of Portland and Kirsten Walton and Bryce Arnold from small towns in Idaho.

All said COMP-Northwest was a perfect fit for their personalities, and Walton encouraged the prospective students to, find the medical school that fits your personality. Its important that you find a place where you will succeed.

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A family feel at COMP-Northwest