I am also a first year at ACOM and wanted to give my list of pros and cons. Let me know if you have any questions.
Pros:
-Clinical rotations. ACOM is as good as it gets with respect to clinical rotations, and they are always trying to expand more sites into the tri-state area (AL,FL,GA). Theyve been working on the sites well before the first class enrolled and it is paying off. ACOM has first dibs on rotation spots in AL.
-Curriculum and professors. I can already tell that the format the first two years for classses and our professors are top notch. Its well thought out.
-Location. While Dothan is not a huge city, it has everything you need. It doesn't destract you from studies, but is close to places like Panama City Beach and ATL.
-Student body. Everyone is helpful, including the 2nd years. Makes for a relaxing atmosphere since there doesn't appear to be any gunner problems.
Cons:
-MANDATORY ATTENDANCE. In just the first week alone, we had so much time to study taken away by having to sit in lecture. I do not do well with lecture and prefer to study alone but I have zero say in the manner since this is the first class theyre going to actually crack the mandatory attendance whip on. 80% of non-mandatory flagged lectures and 100% everything else (small group, IS, labs, mandatory tagged lecture) There are online lectures (DSAs) that are supposed to lighten the time in class, but its still far too much time in lecture. If you learn like me, I highly recommend thinking twice about ACOM if youre also accepted to school without mandatory attendance.
-Newer school
-House rental market is weak (but on campus apartments are solid for single students)
TL;DR: ACOM is awesome! Come here unless you hate attending lectures.
