This is NOT a "best DO schools" thread

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0919mmk

0919mmk

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So I am applying DO and MD this summer with less than ideal stats (3.1/36). Just to clear the air, I am genuinely excited about being a doctor, and I don't care if I have MD or DO after my name. I've been shadowing a DO FP doctor for a couple months now, and I think what she does is totally bitchin. OMM is the s**t.

My issue is that I haven't found an easy way to research and compare DO schools, short of SDN. MD has the MSAR and US News. Those are useful tools to gauge where you stand as an applicant, and how competitive grads are in getting good residencies.

Is there a comparable tool for DO schools that I haven't found? I want to know things like a) Which schools have the best boards scores, b) What kind of residencies do students from a given school get in to, and c) How does a given DO school compare with other DO schools? (i.e. "rankings", sorry for uttering that filthy word 🙂)

I know the party line that choosing a school is all about "fit", and I agree with that to a large degree, but if I were to end up, hypothetically/hopefully with a choice between PCOM and some very troubled DO school, I'd like to have a way of comparing and knowing that most people would choose PCOM over the other school.

If you google "best DO schools", the top hit is an SDN thread that is pretty much an argument about fit. I'm not trying to rehash that thread - more interested in an easy way to compare schools. Any suggestions?
 
So this IS a best DO schools thread!
J/K

If given the choice, most people would pick an older DO school than a newer one. That said, some of my favorites are newer school.

I would start by researching their rotation sites.... That, allegedly, can make a huge difference.
 
NurWollen said:
So this IS a best DO schools thread!
J/K

If given the choice, most people would pick an older DO school than a newer one. That said, some of my favorites are newer school.

I would start by researching their rotation sites.... That, allegedly, can make a huge difference.
Click to expand...

Right that's exactly what I heard. I'll do the research, but it would be awesome if all that was sort of tabulated and evaluated in one central location right? I guess there is no such thing...? Or is there a super-secret place where we can get a quick "at-a-glance" view of all the schools?
 
While I was doing my research on schools last year I couldn't find anything like the MSAR. About the best thing that AACOM has is the Medical College Information Book which can be downloaded for free here:

http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Pages/default.aspx

But it doesn't have anything about board scores/rotation sites/ residency placement/etc... All of that you're stuck researching for yourself. I think as a general rule of thumb, the older more established schools tend to be a better; but everyone has a different opinion on that.
 
Tallion said:
While I was doing my research on schools last year I couldn't find anything like the MSAR. About the best thing that AACOM has is the Medical College Information Book which can be downloaded for free here:

http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Pages/default.aspx

But it doesn't have anything about board scores/rotation sites/ residency placement/etc... All of that you're stuck researching for yourself. I think as a general rule of thumb, the older more established schools tend to be a better; but everyone has a different opinion on that.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pdf. So OK, I really don't want to open this can of worms necessarily, but I need a place to start from. All I know right now is that PCOM is considered pretty highly. What are other schools that are "highly regarded" in general where I might start my research?
 
CCOM,KCOM,NYCOM,DMU,KCUMB,PCOM-PA,NSU, and UNECOM.. these are all pretty established schools. However you might want to consider the schools on an environment/location basis as well as a cost basis.
 
LECOM- Erie with a 96 % board pass rate and Lecom- Bradenton with a 100 % pass rate. Many people have negative feelings towards the school because they have "strict" rules (you have to wear a tie to class😱) However, they allow you to choose where you rotate (so if I want to make New York connections I can) they are opening 2 new dental schools which shows the growth and progression of them as an institution, and they have multiple curriculums which accomodate everyones needs.

IMO if you aren't going to a name school such as Harvard or Penn then the difference between Kirksville college of Osteopathic Medicine and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine are so minimal that it is hard to call one better then the other. Choose the school that has what YOU need. AKA if you learn better through Problem based learning LECOM-Erie or NYCOM are probably the # 1 and # 2 best choices for YOU.
 
also, there are a feW decidedly "poorer" schools. it wont be Very hard to find which SchOols they are, as Most people will drop hints.

Avoid the weaker oNes unless they Definitely peRsonally are Very appealing to yoU. Can't Overstate how Major that is.
 
I would also mostly agree with going after the more established ones. I am from a new school. I love it to death. We're in NYC and it's amazing. And we completely blew away expectations with our first graduating class match rates being way above the DO averages. But we were not expected to do that, and you should be preferential to the older schools if all things are even because of that. Exceptions happen (and i guess I lucked out to be in one), but generally more established schools are the way to go
 
state DO schools usually have the best resources. otherwise serenade gave a pretty good list of private ones.
 
I wish I knew a good reliable source too, excluding SDN for obvious reasons

I like that you google searched though, wheres the "like" button

Everyone on SDN is going to claim that their school is a "top" school for X,Y, and Z reason. There is also problems with every school. Just because a few students claim LECOM or Touro or PCOM or NSU is the best, doesnt necessarily make it true

However, as a general rule: Older schools are most established...as you already know
 
To tell you the gods honest truth. None of them are that GREAT and if you have college of osteopathic medicine after the name they are all looked at the same. Go to school do well in your classes, do well on your boards, and the this argument wont even matter.
 
0919mmk said:
Right that's exactly what I heard. I'll do the research, but it would be awesome if all that was sort of tabulated and evaluated in one central location right? I guess there is no such thing...? Or is there a super-secret place where we can get a quick "at-a-glance" view of all the schools?
Click to expand...

That would be helpful, if there was a sticky of some sort with all DO information. Not just board pass rates, but also things like rotation sites and how electives and rotations are scheduled. Believe me, I've searched certain schools and still only have a vague understanding of their rotations and scheduling.
 
Premed828 said:
However, they allow you to choose where you rotate (so if I want to make New York connections I can).
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So, would it possible to set up a majority of one's rotations in NY, or would it be a random elective here and there?
 
DocEspana said:
also, there are a feW decidedly "poorer" schools. it wont be Very hard to find which SchOols they are, as Most people will drop hints.

Avoid the weaker oNes unless they Definitely peRsonally are Very appealing to yoU. Can't Overstate how Major that is.
Click to expand...

Hahaha, I can't tell if everyone ignored this or didn't get it but very clever 😉

+1
 
DocEspana said:
also, there are a feW decidedly "poorer" schools. it wont be Very hard to find which SchOols they are, as Most people will drop hints.

Avoid the weaker oNes unless they Definitely peRsonally are Very appealing to yoU. Can't Overstate how Major that is.
Click to expand...

haha awesome! 👍
 
was going to comment before. but didn't want to spell it out. disagree with the first one though.
 
I haven't found a good resource for board scores, rotation sites, ranking academics, etc., but I do believe that doapplicants.com does a great job putting together avg gpa/MCAT/tuition.
 
donkeykong1 said:
was going to comment before. but didn't want to spell it out. disagree with the first one though.
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I've heard a few people say that WV is a locally influential school and has upsides, particularly for opportunities in the region. Yet, the general consensus I have seen is that it is nationally looked down upon as inferior. All of this should be with a huge grain of salt as I'm certain the education is more than sufficient and a person who passes and gets a degree is a doctor. Period. You get out of it what you put in. All that rhetoric.
 
Another thing that you may want to consider is what residencies are affiliated with the school. You can check out all the AOA residencies here:

http://opportunities.osteopathic.org/search/search.cfm

Just looking through it real quick at the competitive residencies:
NSUCOM, PCOM, Western, MSUCOM, OUCOM have large numbers of affiliated spots.
 
Premed828 said:
LECOM- Erie with a 96 % board pass rate and Lecom- Bradenton with a 100 % pass rate. Many people have negative feelings towards the school because they have "strict" rules (you have to wear a tie to class😱) However, they allow you to choose where you rotate (so if I want to make New York connections I can) they are opening 2 new dental schools which shows the growth and progression of them as an institution, and they have multiple curriculums which accomodate everyones needs.

IMO if you aren't going to a name school such as Harvard or Penn then the difference between Kirksville college of Osteopathic Medicine and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine are so minimal that it is hard to call one better then the other. Choose the school that has what YOU need. AKA if you learn better through Problem based learning LECOM-Erie or NYCOM are probably the # 1 and # 2 best choices for YOU.
Click to expand...

The reason some people hate LECOM is not the dress code or the mandatory attendance - those are minor annoyances at worst, and we all know about them before we start. Those who hate the school hate it because they feel that the school acts in bad faith, is unsupportive, repressive, and even occasionally abusive. Most students will be fine: it's a mildly crappy environment for two years, especially if you are used to being at a school where things are allowed or come from a city painted in colors besides gray and beige, but whoever does fine and doesn't bump up against the administration will get by okay and move on to better things (with a smaller debt than if they'd gone elsewhere). No worse than that crappy job you had once... An unlucky few (15% give or take?) will fall afoul of someone powerful but mercurial and be stomped on. A quarter of them might deserve it, but the rest are just unlucky. I would say that, of my class, the majority are disappointed in the school and sort of embarrassed to have gone here (most of their disappointment will probably fade away during the clinical years, to be replaced by a mild indifference). A significant fraction (1/5 maybe?) actually despise the school. A couple of people are happy with it. I think the first-years are a little more kindly disposed to the school. It might be better in other pathways at other campuses, who knows.

The board pass rate may not say what you think it does: no one is allowed to take the boards who they think will not pass; there are several exams you have to take at the end of your second year, and failing anyone of them means you get pulled from your first rotation and put on a strict study schedule for late boards (and more tests beforehand to make sure you're ready). It's actually a pretty good idea, since it keeps people from wasting their first chance on a test they won't do well on, but it does not say anything about the quality of the education. I'm in PBL, so the preclinical education I got depended entirely on how much I could teach myself.

The rotation sites change all the time, but you should be able to do mostly (3/4, including electives) New York area ones, Dharma: it depends on how many other people want the same area.

Bottom line - I'm not sure that LECOM belongs on any Best DO Schools thread.
 
Fair enough, you're a student there so you would know more. However, I know about 10 people up there (I know not alot but just saying) and all of them seem pretty happy with the choice they made.

I just feel they approach things in a different manner then the other schools. They seem to approach thing in a much more "Professional" way. You are here to learn a trait, learn it and go off and do it. Where other schools seem to be more traditional and want you to embrace there school. Most like the latter but I think people can tolerate the former.

As far as best DO school. They ALL provide you the same oppurtunity and I feel strongly that if you graduate a DO you are put on the same playing ground whether you graduate from KCOM, PCOM, LECOM, RVU-COM, or TOURO-COM.
 
DuxburyPembroke said:
The reason some people hate LECOM is not the dress code or the mandatory attendance - those are minor annoyances at worst, and we all know about them before we start. Those who hate the school hate it because they feel that the school acts in bad faith, is unsupportive, repressive, and even occasionally abusive. Most students will be fine: it's a mildly crappy environment for two years, especially if you are used to being at a school where things are allowed or come from a city painted in colors besides gray and beige, but whoever does fine and doesn't bump up against the administration will get by okay and move on to better things (with a smaller debt than if they'd gone elsewhere). No worse than that crappy job you had once... An unlucky few (15% give or take?) will fall afoul of someone powerful but mercurial and be stomped on. A quarter of them might deserve it, but the rest are just unlucky. I would say that, of my class, the majority are disappointed in the school and sort of embarrassed to have gone here (most of their disappointment will probably fade away during the clinical years, to be replaced by a mild indifference). A significant fraction (1/5 maybe?) actually despise the school. A couple of people are happy with it. I think the first-years are a little more kindly disposed to the school. It might be better in other pathways at other campuses, who knows.

The board pass rate may not say what you think it does: no one is allowed to take the boards who they think will not pass; there are several exams you have to take at the end of your second year, and failing anyone of them means you get pulled from your first rotation and put on a strict study schedule for late boards (and more tests beforehand to make sure you're ready). It's actually a pretty good idea, since it keeps people from wasting their first chance on a test they won't do well on, but it does not say anything about the quality of the education. I'm in PBL, so the preclinical education I got depended entirely on how much I could teach myself.

The rotation sites change all the time, but you should be able to do mostly (3/4, including electives) New York area ones, Dharma: it depends on how many other people want the same area.

Bottom line - I'm not sure that LECOM belongs on any Best DO Schools thread.
Click to expand...

I've seen a few of your posts and you bash LECOM just about as hard as anyone I've seen on here, but I've also noticed that you're at Seton Hill. From what I've heard Erie, Bradenton, and Seton Hill are three completely different beasts. I wonder how much of your post reflects Erie and Bradenton. Also, you chose PBL (by going to Seton Hill), so teaching yourself shouldn't have come as too much of a surprise. I also wonder if any of your issues are related to growing pains, seeing as you were one of the first classes to go to Seton Hill. I'm sure you'll say the administration is the same at all three, and I also know you're there and I'm not, meaning you opinion means more than mine, but you really portray LECOM as the worst school on the face of the earth sometimes. I can't speak for Seton Hill, but I know plenty of people at Erie that were happy with their decision, including a few attendings I shadowed. I just hope when I get there, it's not as bad as you say it is.
 
DocEspana said:
also, there are a feW decidedly "poorer" schools. it wont be Very hard to find which SchOols they are, as Most people will drop hints.

Avoid the weaker oNes unless they Definitely peRsonally are Very appealing to yoU. Can't Overstate how Major that is.
Click to expand...

You're awesome :laugh:
 
HockeyDr09 said:
I've seen a few of your posts and you bash LECOM just about as hard as anyone I've seen on here, but I've also noticed that you're at Seton Hill. From what I've heard Erie, Bradenton, and Seton Hill are three completely different beasts. I wonder how much of your post reflects Erie and Bradenton. Also, you chose PBL (by going to Seton Hill), so teaching yourself shouldn't have come as too much of a surprise. I also wonder if any of your issues are related to growing pains, seeing as you were one of the first classes to go to Seton Hill. I'm sure you'll say the administration is the same at all three, and I also know you're there and I'm not, meaning you opinion means more than mine, but you really portray LECOM as the worst school on the face of the earth sometimes. I can't speak for Seton Hill, but I know plenty of people at Erie that were happy with their decision, including a few attendings I shadowed. I just hope when I get there, it's not as bad as you say it is.
Click to expand...

I know it probably seems like bashing. It's true that I am among the more discontented - and it's also true that the problems my class had are not all problems that the next class had or problems that Bradenton or Erie have. I know students at Erie who hate it, but most of those I've met (~30) fall into the 'indifferent' category. Most of the dozen students I've met from Bradenton are quite happy with it. HockeyDr09, your experience is guaranteed to better than my class' was! And if you keep your head down and don't stick out too much, you can be in the majority and avoid getting roughed up. Congratulations on getting into medical school! I do hope that you love it - and at the end of the day, you'll be a doctor no matter where you go.

I have no problems with PBL and teaching oneself - that's one of the best things about the school. Most of the academic growing pains will work themselves out eventually, but the disregard that the administration up in Erie shows us will probably not. And the people in charge of the whole show will definitely not change. The technical limitations at Seton Hill will remain as well - I doubt they are going to take money away from their dental school projects or whatever else is coming up in order to improve internet access or install outlets in the lecture hall.

Sorry for the mild hijack, OP, this thread shouldn't be about LECOM... I'll go back under my rock now!
 
When looking at DO schools, you really have to check the "fit". A good many of these schools are in certain place that make them fall off the "id like to attend" list rapidly. A good many schools are in rural locations. A few except nearly all students in state. A few cost more than you want to pay(harder to fathom when applying). Some don't do very much research. Most of this you can find in the AACOM pdf that was posted. If you are doing a numbers obsessed comparison of board scores and match lists only, you might miss out on an a great opportunity... for instance NSU offers a nearly free MPH with your degree and lecom offers lots curriculum models.

Unfortunately there aren't too many good side by side comparisons of schools in easy to use format. I glanced at the US News and world report 163 Best Medical School and there seemed to be a few factual errors there also.
 
Its not a hijack if it's useful info, which this definitely is. 👍 It is genuinely hard for pre-meds to get a feel for these schools without a centralized resource, so all the info in this thread is about as useful a resource as I have found, period! Thanks to all who are contributing info.

AMT, I understand that "it's all about fit", and that "you get out what you put in" etc., but you know, all other things being equal, it's still good to hear from current students that "X school is not working for me for these reasons" or "Y school is widely regarded as a top 5 school." That stuff really is helpful to those of us wading in to this with little/no familiarity with these programs.
 
DocEspana said:
also, there are a feW decidedly "poorer" schools. it wont be Very hard to find which SchOols they are, as Most people will drop hints.

Avoid the weaker oNes unless they Definitely peRsonally are Very appealing to yoU. Can't Overstate how Major that is.
Click to expand...

props for this also. I freely admit to being dumb and thinking that you were simply typing strangely 🙂
 
I'm a former LECOM-Erie post bac student and will be a first year this year and I love it. What other DO school has three hospitals in their city with very little competition for rotation spots from other medical schools. The school has great research opportunties, which some of the other DO schools do not have.

I also interviewed at a few other schools and I feel LECOM is the best choice for me.


I had a rough time my first semester as a post bacc and was a little angry at first, but I should have been only angy with myself not them. I feel that I'm receiving a great education. My aunt is a graduate of Cornell MD and she is very pleased with what I'm doing at LECOM.

People hate LECOM due to rules, which I don't understand. You know of them when you apply!!!!!

My two cents on LECOM-SH is that I wouldn't go there. It kind of gets put into the background of Erie and Florida.
 
HockeyDr09 said:
I've seen a few of your posts and you bash LECOM just about as hard as anyone I've seen on here, but I've also noticed that you're at Seton Hill. From what I've heard Erie, Bradenton, and Seton Hill are three completely different beasts. I wonder how much of your post reflects Erie and Bradenton.
Click to expand...

For starters, I had to register a new user name to post this. That should tell you something. Members of our student body have nearly been expelled for innocuous Facebook comments, yet a number of cheaters have received a slap on the wrist or less. This occurs because everything that is done at LECOM has LECOM's appearance and LECOM's legal CYA motives in mind. Cheating is rarely 100% provable, and expulsions or suspensions from cheating could risk a lawsuit. Facebook comments, however, are 100% provable.

The 100% pass rate is not a good thing at LECOM, but rather a way to look good. In order to attain the 100% pass rate, LECOM has no problem wasting many days of the class's time. You could ace 5 diagnostic exams, but you still have to take the next 5 to prove to LECOM that you are okay for your boards.

There is only one person in the administration that has any power, and everyone else is just trying to stay under the radar. Fortunately for LECOM Bradenton, they have their own dean, and a decent amount of autonomy from Erie.

The pre-clinical education is okay if you're not looking for tons of support from great faculty. I was fine with this. I have never been one to go to professors for help. The problems become apparent when it comes time for clinical rotations. Everything is done in a way that is administratively easiest for LECOM. You're not to contact anyone regarding rotation questions, they're "too busy." Rotation schedules are not set up in such a way to give you the best education, or good elective opportunities. Hospital sites are mostly poor, but there are a few decent and actually good sites available if you're lucky/flexible geographically.

Even if you decide to deal with the above due to the cheap tuition(perhaps a fair choice), you then have to deal with the scariest part of LECOM. If you misstep in any way LECOM will be the last place to look for an advocate. Any small mistake (that is provable) will be grounds for dismissal or at least a serious black mark on your permanent record. Both of these would be terrible for your career. By attending LECOM Erie or Seton Hill, you may get a decent education for cheap, but you're making a big gamble.
 
I would just like to reply to DocEspana's comments about WVSOM; you seem to talk a lot about the poor reputation this school has. I am a student at WVSOM, and I have no idea what you are talking about. You appear to be in your pre-clinical years at a school in NYC, so I'm wondering exactly how you came to be an expert on WVSOM. Not many WVSOMers frequent SDN, so you couldn't have gotten a very good sample size of opinion from what you've read here (whatever that may be). I'm a third year who has been out on rotations, worked with alums, and frequented national conferences but have never witnessed the finger pointing and jokes you keep insisting the school draws.

Anyway, I just wanted to let pre-meds know they should explore WVSOM if they are interested, and don't listen to DocEspana's misinformed ramblings. Don't leave WVSOM off the list of the established, stronger schools (which is often done) - it's been open since 1972.
 
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DocEspana said:
I've heard a few people say that WV is a locally influential school and has upsides, particularly for opportunities in the region. Yet, the general consensus I have seen is that it is nationally looked down upon as inferior. All of this should be with a huge grain of salt as I'm certain the education is more than sufficient and a person who passes and gets a degree is a doctor. Period. You get out of it what you put in. All that rhetoric.
Click to expand...

When I interviewed there I was really impressed. Best facilities out of all the schools I interviewed at. I think the reputation is what it is because they have a local bias, and a huge emphasis on family practice and rural medicine. Things that don't always attract the most competitive applicants. I probably would have accepted there if the out of state tuition wasn't so ridiculous.
 
I dont understand all this stuff about which school is the best fit. I dont even know what that means. I just went to the best school i got into and its been working out so far.

Anyway i think the best schools are either state schools(MSUCOM, TCOM, OUCOM) because they have the best resources or the original 5 schools(KCOM, KCUMB, PCOM, DMU, CCOM). There is something to be said for having been around for 100+ years. Also, the original schools have the largest alumni bases and a larger percentage of Osteopathic program directors went to these schools. Also, PCOM, CCOM, and to some extent KCUMB are in larger cities with lots of residency programs that have a history of taking DO's for residency.

If not those schools i would also look at some of the other schools that have been around pre-late 1990's like NYCOM, NOVA, UNECOM, etc. When i was picking schools i tried to avoid schools that were founded in this century and branch campus schools. Also, i didn't apply to any for profit schools.
 
pbler1 said:
For starters, I had to register a new user name to post this. That should tell you something. Members of our student body have nearly been expelled for innocuous Facebook comments, yet a number of cheaters have received a slap on the wrist or less. This occurs because everything that is done at LECOM has LECOM's appearance and LECOM's legal CYA motives in mind. Cheating is rarely 100% provable, and expulsions or suspensions from cheating could risk a lawsuit. Facebook comments, however, are 100% provable.

The 100% pass rate is not a good thing at LECOM, but rather a way to look good. In order to attain the 100% pass rate, LECOM has no problem wasting many days of the class's time. You could ace 5 diagnostic exams, but you still have to take the next 5 to prove to LECOM that you are okay for your boards.

There is only one person in the administration that has any power, and everyone else is just trying to stay under the radar. Fortunately for LECOM Bradenton, they have their own dean, and a decent amount of autonomy from Erie.

The pre-clinical education is okay if you're not looking for tons of support from great faculty. I was fine with this. I have never been one to go to professors for help. The problems become apparent when it comes time for clinical rotations. Everything is done in a way that is administratively easiest for LECOM. You're not to contact anyone regarding rotation questions, they're "too busy." Rotation schedules are not set up in such a way to give you the best education, or good elective opportunities. Hospital sites are mostly poor, but there are a few decent and actually good sites available if you're lucky/flexible geographically.

Even if you decide to deal with the above due to the cheap tuition(perhaps a fair choice), you then have to deal with the scariest part of LECOM. If you misstep in any way LECOM will be the last place to look for an advocate. Any small mistake (that is provable) will be grounds for dismissal or at least a serious black mark on your permanent record. Both of these would be terrible for your career. By attending LECOM Erie or Seton Hill, you may get a decent education for cheap, but you're making a big gamble.
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scary stuff. I've heard similar things about not crossing the administration as well at LECOM, but I'm sure you'll laugh this off in a few years when you are a succesful practicing physician. The school also has solid match so what they are doing clearly works out in the long run. A lot of schools have really bad administrations- at Nova, while the staff seems to mean well and be friendly, they apparently do absolutely nothing to help out students who need to scramble, and you're on your own if that happens (unlike many schools who have dozens of staff working the phones as advocates and making calls within minutes to help find a spot)

I think it's generally good advice at ANY school to stay off the radar, pass your classes, and focus on learning material oneself. Sort of like sucking it up when you get berated on rotations by a surgeon or yelled at ufairly for something that wasn't even your fault...one retort could permanently stain or fuk up the rest of your career, so it's best to play (and understand) the game.
 
I'm starting this year at Western University (COMP) so please take my vote for Western with a grain of salt. That being said, I got in to 5 schools and cancelled several interviews after getting my Western acceptance. Objectively speaking, for competitive west coast residencies, I think it is the best DO school out there, which is why I chose it. The rotation sites are awesome and you rotate with UC Riverside, UC Irvine, and Loma Linda students at some major academic centers. All students I spoke to, even those posting anonymously on this forum, are very happy.
 
SFO-IST said:
I'm starting this year at Western University (COMP) so please take my vote for Western with a grain of salt. That being said, I got in to 5 schools and cancelled several interviews after getting my Western acceptance. Objectively speaking, for competitive west coast residencies, I think it is the best DO school out there, which is why I chose it. The rotation sites are awesome and you rotate with UC Riverside, UC Irvine, and Loma Linda students at some major academic centers. All students I spoke to, even those posting anonymously on this forum, are very happy.
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👍
 
WDeagle said:
I dont understand all this stuff about which school is the best fit. I dont even know what that means. I just went to the best school i got into and its been working out so far.

Anyway i think the best schools are either state schools(MSUCOM, TCOM, OUCOM) because they have the best resources or the original 5 schools(KCOM, KCUMB, PCOM, DMU, CCOM). There is something to be said for having been around for 100+ years. Also, the original schools have the largest alumni bases and a larger percentage of Osteopathic program directors went to these schools. Also, PCOM, CCOM, and to some extent KCUMB are in larger cities with lots of residency programs that have a history of taking DO's for residency.

If not those schools i would also look at some of the other schools that have been around pre-late 1990's like NYCOM, NOVA, UNECOM, etc. When i was picking schools i tried to avoid schools that were founded in this century and branch campus schools. Also, i didn't apply to any for profit schools.
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OSU-CHS and WVSOM are other good state schools to apply to. I wouldn't apply to OUCOM unless I was an Ohio resident because of the contract.
 
Kate6058 said:
I would just like to reply to DocEspana's comments about WVSOM; you seem to talk a lot about the poor reputation this school has. I am a student at WVSOM, and I have no idea what you are talking about. You appear to be in your pre-clinical years at a school in NYC, so I'm wondering exactly how you came to be an expert on WVSOM. Not many WVSOMers frequent SDN, so you couldn't have gotten a very good sample size of opinion from what you've read here (whatever that may be). I'm a third year who has been out on rotations, worked with alums, and frequented national conferences but have never witnessed the finger pointing and jokes you keep insisting the school draws.

Anyway, I just wanted to let pre-meds know they should explore WVSOM if they are interested, and don't listen to DocEspana's misinformed ramblings. Don't leave WVSOM off the list of the established, stronger schools (which is often done) - it's been open since 1972.
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Hottpants89 said:
When I interviewed there I was really impressed. Best facilities out of all the schools I interviewed at. I think the reputation is what it is because they have a local bias, and a huge emphasis on family practice and rural medicine. Things that don't always attract the most competitive applicants. I probably would have accepted there if the out of state tuition wasn't so ridiculous.
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Ugh. This again. Okay, when I'm not on these boards I'm in charge of student advocacy for two different committees, a NY state one and a National one. The first one is not important to this conversation since it's NY specific, but it allowed me to get the second one. I handle student advocacy and legislation for all the osteopathic schools in America. I've met with plenty of WVSOM students in person and it was my job to know their frank opinions on the matter. They felt the school is so-so but extremely influential in the area. If you don't like it, take it up with your student leadership. It's was about center of the pack for complaints (and is nothing like the horror stories I hear from some schools). I never met anyone who *loved* the school, but also no one who hated it. They just had general complaints, cost and insular quality of their regional bias being among them. About three months ago there was some list of top DO schools where WVSOM was #3 and all of the students came out of the woodwork (as well as many casual observers) to trash it and comment that it didnt deserve that rank. Since that thread it's been a punchline on the board. But I can honestly say that your student leadership feels you're a rather regular school. (not a bad thing!!)

So yea. I may be the most well informed person who has never set foot on your campus. I can't trump the opinions of any students, because I've never even seen the campus. But I like to think my opinions (a reflection of your leaderships opinions) have some validity. :laugh: and no: I didn't expect you to know any of this about me. Its why I'm laughing happily about being called out and don't mind it at all. No one expects someone online to have actual credentials, and I would do the same in your shoes.
 
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DocEspana said:
Ugh. This again. Okay, when I'm not on these boards I'm in charge of student advocacy for two different committees, a NY state one and a National one. The first one is not important to this conversation since it's NY specific, but it allowed me to get the second one. I handle student advocacy and legislation for all the osteopathic schools in America. I've met with plenty of WVSOM students in person and it was my job to know their frank opinions on the matter. They felt the school is so-so but extremely influential in the area. If you don't like it, take it up with your student leadership. It's was about center of the pack for complaints (and is nothing like the horror stories I hear from some schools). I never met anyone who *loved* the school, but also no one who hated it. They just had general complaints, cost and insular quality of their regional bias being among them. About three months ago there was some list of top DO schools where WVSOM was #3 and all of the students came out of the woodwork (as well as many casual observers) to trash it and comment that it didnt deserve that rank. Since that thread it's been a punchline on the board. But I can honestly say that your student leadership feels you're a rather regular school. (not a bad thing!!)

So yea. I may be the most well informed person who has never set foot on your campus. I can't trump the opinions of any students, because I've never even seen the campus. But I like to think my opinions (a reflection of your leaderships opinions) have some validity. :laugh: and no: I didn't expect you to know any of this about me. Its why I'm laughing happily about being called out and don't mind it at all. No one expects someone online to have actual credentials, and I would do the same in your shoes.
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Okay, I'm actually part of the current student leadership, and if you're talking about being at SOMA or AACOM this year or last or something, then I definitely have worked with the people you would have met. I would agree that most people say the school is just fine and that's that. I don't really know what else you can say about most of the established DO schools... they run a system year after year, give you a solid education, and put out plenty of doctors into plenty of specialties in various locations (yes, WVSOM puts out lots of family medicine docs, but I don't see that as any kind of negative as some people do, as it is part of the school's focus). I mean, what's so great about CCOM or Western or DMU or whatever? I'm just randomly picking names here... but I'm not sure what, besides the thoughts of some random people on SDN, would make WVSOM stand below these schools. As for the thread on here bashing its ranking, are you talking about this thread? It cites a study by AACOM ranking WVSOM as #5 in a list of responding matriculants who stated reputation as a top reason for attending their school. I'm not saying WVSOM is the best school out there, I'm just defending it being lumped in a pile of crap at the bottom of the barrel of DO schools.

My point is, you seem to have turned those students' "general complaints" into a really strong opinion about it to go as far as to equate it to being as "poor" as Rocky Vista, a brand new, controversial, for-profit institution that has yet to graduate a single student. This is ridiculous:

also, there are a feW decidedly "poorer" schools. it wont be Very hard to find which SchOols they are, as Most people will drop hints.

Avoid the weaker oNes unless they Definitely peRsonally are Very appealing to yoU. Can't Overstate how Major that is.
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Your position on whatever committee you serve doesn't exactly give you "credentials" to make such massive judgments. You just sound pompous to me. Sorry.
 
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Kate6058 said:
Your position on whatever committee you serve doesn't exactly give you "credentials" to make such massive judgments. You just sound pompous to me. Sorry.
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No. just making a joke. Haha. Did not mean to get everyone so uptight. I pointed out my personal opinion, buit from working with your SOMA and AMA leadership, is that people seem to think its a rather average school across the board. Lets try to seperate playing to the audience for a joke (and solely a grammar gag at that) from when I later clarified how I actually felt.

also lets cool it with the serious comments that treats RVUCOM like an anathema. It looks, on paper and in personal conversations with the students, like a school that is going to actually put out some really strong students. And it kills my online persona to say this because I've made more RVUCOM jokes than anyone, but the reality is its gonna prob end up being better than a few of the established schools because the established schools have become so complacent and blah while its trying crazy new things (no. not referring to for-profit. I mean its actual curriculum). of course thats a time will tell thing.

I just wanted to cool everyone down and point out that all my serious comments have shown that its a middle of the road school by the accounts I hear (which is not a bad thing when youre talking about medical schools and using student comments as the gauge). If people are getting worked up over a joke then 1) I'm sorry. My intent was to amuse, not annoy. and 2) get used to it, because I'm definitely not the only person making these jokes on this board at WVSOM's expense.
 
Kate6058 said:
Your position on whatever committee you serve doesn't exactly give you "credentials" to make such massive judgments. You just sound pompous to me. Sorry.
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I'm going to have to agree with this. I do appreciate your input DocEspana, but you may want to lighten up a bit. After that droid vs iphone thread awhile back, I've been a little apprehensive of "what you've heard". I'm not trying to attack you, you do contribute a ton of useful information.
 
HockeyDr09 said:
I'm going to have to agree with this. I do appreciate your input DocEspana, but you may want to lighten up a bit. After that droid vs iphone thread awhile back, I've been a little apprehensive of "what you've heard". I'm not trying to attack you, you do contribute a ton of useful information.
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The thread where put my foot in my mouth and I said all droids are 4g compatible in my first post and you pointed out having a 4g receptor doesnt mean its compatible... and i realized you were right in my very next post? :laugh: IDK maybe I'm remembering it differently than you. No worries though.

I'm gonna leave this entire comment by the WVSOM students alone. They should defend their school. I encourage that. Just next time you have a clear joke by someone with absolutely no facts or background information (which I totally understand getting under your skin) and a much more nuanced and much more positive comment by the same person; which admits to drawing on conversations with students and contradicts the joke..... embrace the reasoned comment. Dont quote the joke and make your response about that. Clearly its a joke. I didnt even defend it at all once people complained. I just noted it was a punchline for the sake of playing to the common biases. Rip me for my actual thoughts (and I'm sure you can)

P.S.: I really do wish all droids were 4G capable.
PPS.: Just realized that people may not like that I said "a regular school". At the medical school level being a regular school is a good thing. So what if you're not swimming in acollades, you're also avoiding the pitfalls many other schools have and have a regional niche. Regular is a good thing to me.
 
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we should have known that this thread was heading here way back from the first post and someone should have posted a photo like this:

attachment.php
 

Attachments

Does anyone else remember a thread (was started a while back) where DO students were reviewing their schools? I recall it being very helpful for me when I was choosing DO schools to apply to.

It went something like this:

COM

Curriculum: A-
Location: B
Tuition: C+
Cafeteria food: A
Rotation sites: A-
...etc

Overall grade: A

Can someone post that up for the OP. Can't seem to find it.


Edit: nvm. Here it is http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=407104

Some of this will definitely be outdated.
 
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