3 New DO Schools: What to consider?!

[Dr Dazzle]

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Hi,

There are a few new DO schools opening this year. I was wondering what things/ risks a potential matriculant to these schools should consider?

Does it really matter which DO school you go to for residency placements like general surgery, orthopedic surgery, anesthesiology and emergency medicine? Currently, I am interested in all these fields. Or is it more about your comlex scores and performance in DO school?

I feel that a new DO school instate which lowers logistical costs of attending but has the same tuition should be preferred over an out of state, older, more established DO school. What are your opinions?

I would prefer pros and cons and all things that should be considered in deciding to attend a brand new school.

Thanks!

 

[willen101383]

Hi,

There are a few new DO schools opening this year. I was wondering what things/ risks a potential matriculant to these schools should consider?

Does it really matter which DO school you go to for residency placements like general surgery, orthopedic surgery, anesthesiology and emergency medicine? Currently, I am interested in all these fields. Or is it more about your comlex scores and performance in DO school?

I feel that a new DO school instate which lowers logistical costs of attending but has the same tuition should be preferred over an out of state, older, more established DO school. What are your opinions?

I would prefer pros and cons and all things that should be considered in deciding to attend a brand new school.

Thanks!

It does matter where you go to some degree. Obviously comlex/usmle performance/3rd year rotation performance is the most important thing. But would you rather go to a school that has an established alumni base, program director familiarity with grads, better rotation sites? Or a school that lacks all of these things? I just wouldnt consider going to a newer school (and in fact I turned down an acceptance to one and reapplied the next year to a more established school). The preclinical curriculum at my school was dicey enough and my school has been around for like 115 years. The curriculum at a new school is going to be iffy...and if you are a student there you are going to have to deal with the administration while it works out all the issues. Just not worth it to me.

Rotation sites are huge, and their quality will make a huge difference to your training. Most newer schools arent going to have as high quality rotation sites...and program directors DO care about this.

 

[dntke1518]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=910424

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

What is the list of the new schools? Does anyone have links for them?

 

[dntke1518]

Marian, Campbell, Southeast Alabama?

 

[MaximusMeridius]

Hi,

There are a few new DO schools opening this year. I was wondering what things/ risks a potential matriculant to these schools should consider?

Does it really matter which DO school you go to for residency placements like general surgery, orthopedic surgery, anesthesiology and emergency medicine? Currently, I am interested in all these fields. Or is it more about your comlex scores and performance in DO school?

I feel that a new DO school instate which lowers logistical costs of attending but has the same tuition should be preferred over an out of state, older, more established DO school. What are your opinions?

I would prefer pros and cons and all things that should be considered in deciding to attend a brand new school.

Thanks!

I would go back and look at match lists for the inaugural classes of the newest schools over the last few years. It will give you some idea of the challenges new schools have. Some new schools do better than others, but if you have a sure-bet acceptance to an established school then why gamble? That being said, these new schools are all still going to teach you how to be a doctor.

 

[Dr Dazzle]

Thanks for the replies guys! Anybody have any links to match lists for newer schools over the past few years?

It does make sense that Program Directors wouldn't be aware of the rotation quality and the types of graduates from a new school. Also, you can never be sure of the organizaiton aspects.

However, aren't away rotations always a possibility? Secondly, most of these schools, and if i'm not mistaken all DO schools focus on primary care type/ general surgery type rotations. For somebody looking into anesthesiology, emergency medicine, wouldn't the DO student have to find other rotations to get more exposure anyways?

Would appreciate more insight from DO students regarding how they dealt with rotations.

 

[Mosonik]

I think the whole debate about new programs is generally over dramatic. ATSU SOMA for instance opened a few years ago, does a curriculum and rotations like no other school in the country and they are learning, testing and matching just fine. This is true of other new schools too. Marian COM is really going to be embraced by Indiana with only one in-state med school and a growing shortage of physicians so that's a good sign for rotations and potential residencies. They also have some impressive leadership already hired (check their website). Alabama also has one other school (I believe) besides the new one being built and the south really embraces these programs... especially DO which emphasizes primary care. Do your research on schools but ultimately as long as you are a good fit in the programs I'm sure youll be happy and become a great doc