ATSU vs LECOM erie

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the curriculimn differences are the most important factor that should go into your decision since the one school you are accepted too is LECOM in their IS pathway.

would you like studying on your own? or prefer a more structured environment?

then I would go on school feel. If you liked one SIGNIFICANTLY more than the other.

Then, if you could do either curriculumn, would be happy at both schools the same, then I would put tuition into the equation. actually I would put tuition into the equation ALOT. Even if I liked one school just a little bit more than the other but the other was cheaper I would still go with the cheaper school. I must have fell in LOVE with the other school to pick a school that is more expensive.

Both schools are very good.

LECOM does not pay for their rotation sights and offers you a lot of freedom. Some people like that, some people dont

KCOM has rotations that are very well established, obviously, and I am not too sure on the freedom students have their. I am sure you have a good amount of elective time however, but I think it is more structured. ie they tell you were to go have hospital rotations set up for you already.


I forgot location. I have never been to erie but according to the CIB its urban.

Kirksville is pretty rural.

Its all on your preference man. we cant really help you much unless you tell us more. It shouldnt be a difficult decision for most because the differences between the schools are so VAST. so based upon personal preference you should figure out which one to go to easily.

BOTH are great med schools and will train you to be a good doc
 
Look at the Thread a few threads down that is titled "Sketchiest DO schools" or something like that, people are talking about ATSU.
 
Sloo0 said:
Look at the Thread a few threads down that is titled "Sketchiest DO schools" or something like that, people are talking about ATSU.
Click to expand...

They're talking about ATSU-SOMA, not ATSU-KCOM. They're very different.

That being said, the guy bashing SOMA is really under-informed, and comes off as the type of person who can't understand that just because he didn't like it, others can like it. He probably didn't make any effort to research the school before he interviewed, which says a lot about how much stock one should put in his judgements IMO.

I for one am 100% excited to be going to SOMA, I've been targeting this school for about 3 years and the curriculum is right up my alley.
 
Dr Yiot said:
the curriculimn differences are the most important factor that should go into your decision since the one school you are accepted too is LECOM in their IS pathway.

would you like studying on your own? or prefer a more structured environment?

At LECOM Erie you also have the option to go from ISP to LDP (which they say is the easiest pathway change). So if you figure out that you want more structured then you could get that. However, I'm assuming you DECIDED to put ISP as your first choice and found it to be attractive.

As far as a hearsay stand point; two of the physicians I shadowed went to ATSU and were very pleased. One said they liked not having a dress code, the other said "they take care of you" - whatever that means...
Click to expand...
 
ATSU is a sketchy, shady school....you should definitely choose LECOM..it's got to be better....I don't need any facts, opinion will suffice....oh, did I mention I'm waitlisted at ATSU? :meanie:....haha...best of luck with your decision!
 
I just made this decision myself and chose LECOM. I liked the PBL curriculum, the city was bigger (something like 200K metro), great facilities, good residency opportunities, good match, and awesome tuition.

I'm not saying that KCOM doesn't have any or all of those things, but just giving reasons why I thought LECOM would be a good fit for me.
 
Journey2become said:
Dr Yiot said:
the curriculimn differences are the most important factor that should go into your decision since the one school you are accepted too is LECOM in their IS pathway.

would you like studying on your own? or prefer a more structured environment?

At LECOM Erie you also have the option to go from ISP to LDP (which they say is the easiest pathway change). So if you figure out that you want more structured then you could get that. However, I'm assuming you DECIDED to put ISP as your first choice and found it to be attractive.

As far as a hearsay stand point; two of the physicians I shadowed went to ATSU and were very pleased. One said they liked not having a dress code, the other said "they take care of you" - whatever that means...
Click to expand...
thats really good to know.

either way its a very personal decision. the schools are fairly different so he just needs to pick where he would be happiest.
Click to expand...
 
Okay...so i actually did NOT list ISP as my first choice, but my last one, and apparently it is really easy to switch so I am not that concerned about pathway

To me, LECOM just felt a little...weird? The strict rules (no bottled water, dress code, etc) made it feel a little like a catholic high school rather than a medical school...but that is a small factor

Tuition is not a consideration for me, so here is my pros/cons list, and i would love any input...

KCOM
Pros:
-everyone seemed VERY happy, large feeling of collaboration and class cohesion
-technology...taped lectures, advanced OMM and simulation facilities
-varied curriculum...mix of lectures, PBL, labs, patient simulation, etc
-reputation
Cons:
-it is in kirksville...i am from suburban ct and have been living in stl for 5 years so a town so small is a bit daunting, but really...its only 2 years
-HUGE emphasis on PC...i am not interested in PC and apparently about 70% of KCOM grads match to PC vs. about 50% of lecom grads

LECOM
Pros:
-more "urban"...BUT it also snows like, 364 days a year...
-impressive match statistics and pass rates
-closer to home
Cons:
-rules...not a fan
-class seems dvided...not much interaction between the kids in PBL, ISP and LDP


So, i have about equal pros and cons for both. The one thing I would love more info on is rotation sites...i know that with lecom you have a lot of freedom to set up your own rotations, but i dont know if this is a pro or con...also, im not sure what the rotation structure/what the sites even are at KCOM...

any feed back on this would be much appreciated!

thanks everyone for your eagerness to help!
 
also...journey2become

what does this mean?

"either way its a very personal decision. the schools are fairly different so he just needs to pick where he would be happiest."

i guess i want the differences elucidated...if there are further differences than i listed above please let me know 🙂
 
hcomet said:
...also, im not sure what the rotation structure/what the sites even are at KCOM...

any feed back on this would be much appreciated!

thanks everyone for your eagerness to help!
Click to expand...

I don't know them all, but I do know that KCOM students can rotate in Utah. All the Utah faculty on KCOM's website appear to be based out of IHC so I'd imagine you spend a lot of time in IHC facilities. IHC is excellent health care, and has a sterling reputation in the community. Many University of Utah students rotate through IHC facilities too.

I don't think you could have a better system to work with in the intermountain west (Utah, Idaho, North Nevada, Wyoming, and Montana).

http://intermountainhealthcare.org/Pages/home.aspx

Check them out.
 
Understood. Actually Dr. Yiot said that and a misquote happened somewhere in there.
I didn't even apply to KCOM, and the main reasons were $$$ and rotation sites. Not that there is anything wrong with KCOM rotation sites - they are just not in the locations that I wanted to end up working in (the second is a minor issue, but it makes it easier that LECOM has ties with locations with higher Latino communities. Which is ultimately where I want to be). Mainly I was agreeing that it was a very personal decision - as you can see that it was for me.

Also, I found it strange that you got into ISP when you chose it last!!! I have seen a few people that put PBL got into ISP since PBL was full. I wonder what happened with your application.

One of the Pros you didn't mention for KCOM is the whole prestige thing for going to the first DO medical school... I didn't care about that at all. It is a big deal for some people though.

I'm not a big fan of rules either - I need a whole wardrobe change! I just figured that the medical community is full of do's and don't so I would just get an early start on it (trying to think positive 😉)


hcomet said:
also...journey2become

what does this mean?

"either way its a very personal decision. the schools are fairly different so he just needs to pick where he would be happiest."

i guess i want the differences elucidated...if there are further differences than i listed above please let me know 🙂
Click to expand...
 
hcomet said:
Okay...so i actually did NOT list ISP as my first choice, but my last one, and apparently it is really easy to switch so I am not that concerned about pathway

To me, LECOM just felt a little...weird? The strict rules (no bottled water, dress code, etc) made it feel a little like a catholic high school rather than a medical school...but that is a small factor
this is a very personal preference that I don't know if it should be the primary factor in makingyour decision. A lot of students dont like it, some dont mind, some would actually like it(myself included). But if all else was equal between schools ie. tuition then I would bring this into the equation.

Tuition is not a consideration for me, so here is my pros/cons list, and i would love any input...(imo tuition should always be considered, but to each is own)

KCOM
Pros:
-everyone seemed VERY happy, large feeling of collaboration and class cohesion
-technology...taped lectures, advanced OMM and simulation facilities
-varied curriculum...mix of lectures, PBL, labs, patient simulation, etc
-reputation
Cons:
-it is in kirksville...i am from suburban ct and have been living in stl for 5 years so a town so small is a bit daunting, but really...its only 2 years
this is a huge factor to consider because it could possibly affect your performance in school. if you see yourself going nuts over bieng in kirksville then i would take this into account.
-HUGE emphasis on PC...i am not interested in PC and apparently about 70% of KCOM grads match to PC vs. about 50% of lecom grads
(this is a factor that shouldnt be given any thought whatsoever. Matchlists can vary significantly from year to year based on what the seniors in the graduating class where interested in. Most schools say their missions statement is to produce primary care physicians. Hell even LECOM has a PCSP pathway just for that purpose. More important is rotation sites and schedules. How much elective time etc. I can gaurentee you that KCOM has some amazing rotations having been around for 120 years or so, the school is extremely well established and is probably one of the top DO schools in the country without a doubt. you should not worry about specializing coming from any school but especially from this one. Its mostly up to you, whether youll have the grades, board scores etc. this goes for whatever school you attend.

LECOM
Pros:
-more "urban"...BUT it also snows like, 364 days a year...
-impressive match statistics and pass rates
-closer to home(IMO this should be considered if you want/need that family closeness)
Cons:
-rules...not a fan(could be consideres also, if it makes you miserable, but should not be given a TON of weight IMO
-class seems dvided...not much interaction between the kids in PBL, ISP and LDP(exactly what I was saying before, can you see yourself in this schools type of curriculumns. It works very well but I think it takes a certain type of student, I myself personally can see myself kicking butt in it but I know that I also like to have structure too.)


So, i have about equal pros and cons for both. The one thing I would love more info on is rotation sites...i know that with lecom you have a lot of freedom to set up your own rotations, but i dont know if this is a pro or con(has been discussed a lot here. there are some great LECOM alum and 3 or 4th year med students on the site. get in touch with them. the consensus is some people like it some dont because although you have freedom you have to set up all of your away rotations yourself. If your the person that, again, wants structure than this may not be for you.)...also, im not sure what the rotation structure/what the sites even are at KCOM...(I would def. research this more for yourself but ill reiterate. KCOM is extremely well established so you will be rotating in some awsome places.

any feed back on this would be much appreciated!

thanks everyone for your eagerness to help!
Click to expand...
Hopefully I helped you out. Either way your going to be a doctor one day so congratulations. You should definitly hit up the pro's and cons of your DO school thread. If I didnt have class In 10 minutes I would look for the link for you. If I get some time later Ill try and find it. Try searching for it. Great thread.

oh and GOOD LUCK. let us know what you decide.
 
hcomet said:
Okay...so i actually did NOT list ISP as my first choice, but my last one, and apparently it is really easy to switch so I am not that concerned about pathway

To me, LECOM just felt a little...weird? The strict rules (no bottled water, dress code, etc) made it feel a little like a catholic high school rather than a medical school...but that is a small factor

Tuition is not a consideration for me, so here is my pros/cons list, and i would love any input...

KCOM
Pros:
-everyone seemed VERY happy, large feeling of collaboration and class cohesion
-technology...taped lectures, advanced OMM and simulation facilities
-varied curriculum...mix of lectures, PBL, labs, patient simulation, etc
-reputation
Cons:
-it is in kirksville...i am from suburban ct and have been living in stl for 5 years so a town so small is a bit daunting, but really...its only 2 years
-HUGE emphasis on PC...i am not interested in PC and apparently about 70% of KCOM grads match to PC vs. about 50% of lecom grads

LECOM
Pros:
-more "urban"...BUT it also snows like, 364 days a year...
-impressive match statistics and pass rates
-closer to home
Cons:
-rules...not a fan
-class seems dvided...not much interaction between the kids in PBL, ISP and LDP


So, i have about equal pros and cons for both. The one thing I would love more info on is rotation sites...i know that with lecom you have a lot of freedom to set up your own rotations, but i dont know if this is a pro or con...also, im not sure what the rotation structure/what the sites even are at KCOM...

any feed back on this would be much appreciated!

thanks everyone for your eagerness to help!
Click to expand...

Let me know what rotation site questions you have about kcom.
http://www.atsu.edu/kcom/clinical_rotations/index.htm
 
Since I am a pre-med still, I am curious about how these rotation sites work. Do you pick a place and do multiple rotations at one place, or are you around the country all of your 3 & 4th years?
 
hcomet said:
To me, LECOM just felt a little...weird? The strict rules (no bottled water, dress code, etc) made it feel a little like a catholic high school rather than a medical school...but that is a small factor


LECOM
Pros:
-more "urban"...BUT it also snows like, 364 days a year...
-impressive match statistics and pass rates
-closer to home
Cons:
-rules...not a fan
-class seems dvided...not much interaction between the kids in PBL, ISP and LDP


So, i have about equal pros and cons for both. The one thing I would love more info on is rotation sites...i know that with lecom you have a lot of freedom to set up your own rotations, but i dont know if this is a pro or con...!
Click to expand...

In terms of rules...yes they are annoying, but during clinical rotations you'll have to wear a shirt & tie / "dress clothes" - so you can look at it as getting ready for rotations (ish). The no food/drink can be tough, but there's always time between lectures to grab a quick coffee and power-chug it to get through the next lecture.

Even though the class may seem divided, on friday nights and after big exams everyone goes out regardless of pathway and we all interact. During anatomy everyone is helping each other out with studying since we all do the same thing.

Snow....lots of it....they don't call it "dreary Erie" for nothin' ! Plus side - it's only for two years and there isn't any nice weather to distract you from studying 😱

Rotation sites - not as much "freedom" as you may think. The entire class gets split into different rotation groups and you select your rotations within these groups. An alternative is to do all your rotations at one hospital. The only rotations you truly select yourself are your electives and selectives (and I think that is pretty similar to everywhere else).

PM me with any specific questions about LECOM you may have.
 
So I've decided to go with KCOM...i cant pinpoint exactly why, but it just felt more "right" when I was there than LECOM...and i think in the end it really makes a difference where you feel the most comfortable. So, I went with that gut feeling, because honestly, they are both GREAT schools 🙂

Thanks for all the help!!
 
hcomet said:
So I've decided to go with KCOM...i cant pinpoint exactly why, but it just felt more "right" when I was there than LECOM...and i think in the end it really makes a difference where you feel the most comfortable. So, I went with that gut feeling, because honestly, they are both GREAT schools 🙂

Thanks for all the help!!
Click to expand...

It's a relief to finally make a decision isn't it?!
Congrats on your multiple acceptances!
 
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