No KCOM yet??
ATSU-KCOM
Curriculum: Im two years removed from Kirksville, so this may be a bit dated. Standard systems based curriculum with some PBL type experiences mixed in, especially with the pathology course. OMM during first year was usually 3-4 days per week with an hour or two hours per day, depending on what lab was going on. Strong courses while I was there were OMM, anatomy, phys, biochem, and pharm (they changed the pharm course while we were there to develop a team based learning experience
.it was kind of rough but the faculty are really good and I learned a lot.) Courses I would consider weak were mostly limited to Histo, but I dont know if its changed. Other courses were very good also, just not as strong as above. Also, the neurosciences course was very good. Most days consisted of lecture in 8-12, labs or maybe more lecture in the afternoons. Some days you got the afternoons off. Most tests were 7:30 in the morning. Textbooks were rarely needed, never bought one for biochem. Notes are very detailed and noteservice is a very good resource, all lectures are recorded on tape.
Location: Well, what can I say about Kirksville. If youve never been in a small town it may be a culture shock but having also gone to undergrad in Kirksville, its a nice town with plenty of outdoor (i.e. parks) opportunities to get away. 3 hours from St. Louis or Kansas City, 1.5 hours from Columbia, MO. Small town = plenty of time to focus on studies.
Cost: Middle of the road for DO schools, typical private school tuition. It usually goes up every year, but whose doesnt? Id say MO students were in the minority, plenty of good scholarships, just not for MO students in particular.
Faculty: Very good faculty, for the most part. OMM, phys, biochem, anatomy faculty are very good. However, the best anatomy guy I have ever known is leaving to head the department at the new school in the northwest. He headed the anatomy department in Kirksville, the best neuroanatomy teacher you will ever come across. I have never had a better teacher/professor in every course I have ever taken. I dont know about other change. The clinical faculty was good when I was there, but I again dont know if its changed. Perhaps some input from a current OMS I or II?
OMM: Very good faculty, very structured program. It was not my strong suit by any means but they make sure you know your stuff. A very intensive program. I again dont know if theres been any change with the faculty.
Reputation: The original school of osteopathic medicine. Its one of the most respected osteopathic medical schools in the country. Its students are received very well with both allopathic and osteopathic post-graduate training programs. Its constantly ranked very high with regards to primary care medical training, although many students choose other non-primary care specialties with very good success.
Clinical Rotations: Clinical rotations at KCOM is a bit like a pot-luck dinner, lots of options. The base site in Kirksville, MO is Northeast Regional Medical Center. While not the biggest of hospitals, it has a wide referral base as it sits pretty much alone in northeast Missouri. KCOM has a few residencies through the hospital. Kirksville can only support about 10 students from each class for rotations, so the majority of students complete their rotations at other sites across the country. In the winter of second year, KCOM students go through a match to determine where they finish their 3rd and 4th year training. The sites range from a variety of locations throughout Missouri to Arizona, New Jersey, Florida, Iowa, Illinois
just to name a few. The school is pretty good about setting up pilot sites for those who want and try to get closer to home for 3rd and 4th year. Some of the rotation sites are small and you dont get the didactic and structured feel like in a larger teaching institution, but you can work one on one with attendings and get a ton of hands on experience. I cant speak for every site and Im sure the experiences differ but you get the chance to research the best option for you before you match. The third year requirements are pretty much set in stone, but there is plenty of opportunity for electives in fourth year.
Housing: There are some apartments located on campus but I strongly advise requesting a reservation as soon as you get accepted as they go quickly. Apartments and houses in Kirksville are extremely cheap but be careful as some landlords in town will take you for a spin in their dump of a dwelling. There are a lot of apartments and duplexes within a short walk of campus.
Study areas: This has changed I am sure as KCOM has just completed a brand new 12.5 million dollar technology center so I am sure there are plenty of good study centers. I also highly advise the library at Truman State University in Kirksville as there are plenty of private desks throughout the library that make for perfect studying.
Social scene: Everyone likes a break now and then. There is a small bar scene in Kirksville to support the undergrad and KCOM community. The number of restaurants is limited but most are pretty good. There is a small rec center for good energy expenditure and there are plenty of good outdoor hiking and biking opportunities. KCOM also puts on a pretty good intramural sports program for all associated with KCOM.
Board Prep: While I was there, your tuition covers a Kaplan review course, complete with review books and an online Q-book. They bring in guest lecturers to review certain major topics like micro and phys. If you like to study like that, its a good resource. I dont know what the pass rate for our school was this past year, but it was pretty good (the ATSU-KCOM website has more specific info)
Misc: KCOM has expanded to incorporate their new IT center with six robotic patient simulators and a new library, OMM lab, small group rooms, etc. The school has been there for a while, but everything is kept up well and most clinicians that teach have their offices right there on campus. Some of these categories might be somewhat vague, but if you are looking for more specific/honest student info, just send a post and Ill be happy to reply or find out some info. Overall grade for KCOM = A-.