AZCOM or UNECOM....i'm stuck!

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DocJulez

DocJulez

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Ok guys, so i'm stuck.

I was originally ASA'd at UNECOM since i applied so late, but they just emailed me to say the want to accept me today...before the ASA list even got out! anyways, now i'm stuck....

I want to adventually go into sports med.....surgical or not.....not sure yet......and work with a professional team. I've tried to look into matches for this, but i'm not getting a tonne of luck. what do you think?

I'm canadian, so i've got no problem with the cold, thou arizona would definitely be a nice change. also, i'm a lil nervous about UNE being in such a small town.....I want to try to make connections, and I fear I wont be able to do it as well there.

Then again, 250 kids at AZCOM could be bad too....or maybe not. I love meeting new ppl, so it mite just be lots of fun.

I think I already know my decision, but I was wondering if anyone has any imput for me, in case I didnt think of something.

Thanks 😎
 
I'll tell you why:

As you mentioned, class size is a big factor (at least for me it was). UNECOM fosters a small group learning environment which to me is better than a larger school which may have a more competitive student body.
Price - perhaps only a few thousand less a year for tuition(at this point), but one of the advantages of living in a "small town" is that cost of living is a lot less. In the end, and with interest, it adds up. On the small town note, Portland is only 20 minutes away and there is plenty of civilization there should you manage to have a few minutes to lift your face from your studies😉
I personally turned down an interview at AZCOM to go to UNECOM, for a few reasons, one being that it is A LOT closer to home for me.
As far as weather is concerned, you are talking about polar opposites. Maine is definitely cold and snowy in the winter, but actually VERY nice in the summer. Biddeford and surrounding towns are popular vacation spots. UNECOM is literally on the beach.
But if you are looking for a change from Canada, Arizona is it.

As far as what specialty you want to go into, I personally see this as more of a you factor than a your school factor.

Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions. I have not started my classes at UNECOM yet, but I know the area well, have visited many times and know a few current students.
 
Definitely AZCOM. I would go into more but I have a screaming 19 month old on my hands.
 
I think it is good to stick to a region where you would like to practice, so since UNE is in New England, I was told that it would be easier to get a residency in the area (Mass) after graduation. One of the many reasons I am choosing to attend UNE.
 
ppatel1185 said:
I think it is good to stick to a region where you would like to practice, so since UNE is in New England, I was told that it would be easier to get a residency in the area (Mass) after graduation. One of the many reasons I am choosing to attend UNE.
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👍 Ditto
 
ppatel1185 said:
I think it is good to stick to a region where you would like to practice, so since UNE is in New England, I was told that it would be easier to get a residency in the area (Mass) after graduation. One of the many reasons I am choosing to attend UNE.
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I interviewed and was accepted at both. UNECOM and AZCOM are both good schools. I thought that AZCOM was friendlier and I liked their facilities a lot. However, I liked the much smaller class size at UNECOM.None of those are going to make or break your education, so it is really all about where you felt most comfortable.
Also, I think the above statement is something important to consider.
 
I think it would behoove you to send a personal message to DocBill. He is Canadian, and he spent one year at UNECOM before leaving. I'm not sure why, but I think he knows the unique challenges that Canadians face, so I think it would be good for you to talk to him and see what his experiences were at UNECOM.

Either way, I think you can become a good doctor coming out of both schools. For me, weather is a big factor, so I would choose Arizona. Secondly, I think you can probably make more "sports connections" in Phoenix, and that seems to be important to you. If you want to stay and practice in the Phoenix area, or the West Coast, it would probably be better to do residency there, and you may have an edge landing a residency in that location if you go to school there (or so I hear).

So my vote goes to AZCOM, but I think you can attain your goals coming out of UNECOM as well. It all depends on how hard you work. Plus, four years from now, you may find yourself applying to a completely different specialty, you never know!
 
Thanks guys and gals,
u all make valid points.....all ones that i definitely have to consider further.
And pistolpete...i'll def pm docbill, as I think ur right, Canadians do have to deal with a "further challenge".

my other issue is I dont KNOW where i want to practice.....I want to stay in the states, but really, i'll go wherever a pro team will take me. lol. bah...i need to think.

I'll be back tomorrow after work. Please continue to post folks 🙄

and THANKS!!!!!
 
umm, well, I'm gonna have to go with AZCOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How exactly are we going to have dance parties in our apartment if you are in FREEZING cold maine? lol jk, pick the school that is best for you, BUT it better be AZCOM!
 
dancer2002 said:
umm, well, I'm gonna have to go with AZCOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How exactly are we going to have dance parties in our apartment if you are in FREEZING cold maine? lol jk, pick the school that is best for you, BUT it better be AZCOM!
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Lol. Not to worry. I would have told you if I was planning on ditching you. I just want to hear other ppl's views....more to solidify my decision than anything else!

and clearly "dance parties" is my middle name. seriously....i'll show u my birth certificate
 
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I turned down UNECOM for a few reasons. I visited the school, and it was lovely, but they did not seem to have a lot of space. There were very few facilities. I loved the curriculum, so if systems based is better for you, then chose UNECOM. It's a GREAT school, on a beautiful campus, in a beautiful location (but very cold and icy). They have great partnerships with Maine Medical Center (a very good hospital). Anecdotal, I know, but I spoke with NO ONE in New England that did not have great things to say about the school and the quality of physicians trained therein.

That said, I turned it down to go to AZCOM. There are things about AZCOM that worry me: the newly increased class size is not really a factor for me. I don't care. The rotations for third and forth year are more of an issue for me, but AZCOM has partnerships with some great hospitals, too. They do the discipline based curriculum (which I like). AZCOM students historically score better on USMLEs then UNECOM (I got this from Mr. Gaffney at UNECOM admissions), because UNECOM doesn't stress biochem as much. Maybe you don't want to take USMLEs, though. This may not be an issue for you. Or, you may be able to teach yourself the additional biochem needed. (this is not me).

It's all a crapshoot. Both are good schools. Both have good reputations. You'll be a good physician no matter which one you chose. What do you like best? Hot/cold? Systems based/discipline based? Small, charming New England town/large, sprawling desert town? Both areas have a lot to offer. Both schools do, too. (I'm simultaneously reminding myself of all the things I loved about UNECOM. I must stop immediately or I'll have a panic attack that I turned down the wrong school). Good luck. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Pick the school where YOU will learn the most and feel most comfortable. At this point the question is no longer which school likes you, it's which is the best fit for you, your personality, and your learning style. There is no perfect medical school. They all have little quirks and differences. I found no single school that I loved EVERYthing about. I just chose the one that I liked the MOST. There is no BAD choice here. Don't sweat it.
 
sctx said:
(I'm simultaneously reminding myself of all the things I loved about UNECOM. I must stop immediately or I'll have a panic attack that I turned down the wrong school). .
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I am SOOO glad you say that because I have my own mini panic attacks now and then about whether I made the right decision or not. It helps for me to remember that I would likely have these no matter where I chose to go, since each school has it's own pros and cons
 
ATrain said:
I am SOOO glad you say that because I have my own mini panic attacks now and then about whether I made the right decision or not. It helps for me to remember that I would likely have these no matter where I chose to go, since each school has it's own pros and cons
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ditto. 🙁 i think i just need to stick to one and stop questioning myself. and thanks for the posts guys! keep 'em coming! you're all stating stuff i'm aware of, yet hearing someone else say it really reinforces it, you know? so THANK YOUUUUUUUUU

and to my future classmates, i'm pumped to have dance parties with all of you. 😀
 
You really need to go where it is easiest to maintain a tan. UNECOM? I think not.

I know for my money, I want that AZ sun.
 
DocJulez said:
ditto. 🙁 i think i just need to stick to one and stop questioning myself. and thanks for the posts guys! keep 'em coming! you're all stating stuff i'm aware of, yet hearing someone else say it really reinforces it, you know? so THANK YOUUUUUUUUU

and to my future classmates, i'm pumped to have dance parties with all of you. 😀
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Does this mean you're coming to AZCOM? Bust a move, baby!
 
Go to AZCOM!
 
I dont about AZCOM, but we take our OMM very seriously here at UNECOM. Sports medicine is popular, and this could be a useful tool, if you are interested in incorporating it. AZCOM may be the same way, I just dont know.
 
I am graduating from neither of the schools that you are trying to decide between, but I am going into PM&R and I am very interested in sports medicine. From a third person point of view, if you are interested in night life (which although you have to manage, we all know there is still time to party a bit in med school..and it is important)...Arizona is going to be WAY more exciting...if you are interested in OMM and really want that knowledge base to treat sports related injuries...I would definitely go to UNECOM. They have some of the masters in OMM there, and the students there are amazing people. I personally would choose UNECOM over just about any other school from the OMM perspective. (I write this from being involved in the OMM circuit). I have also heard from fellow DO students that third and 4th year rotations are better organized at UNECOM than Arizona, and with a new school popping up down there, I doubt it's getting any better....hope that helps.

Good luck with your decision.
 
First, I'll say I know nothing about AZCOM. But Arizona sounds really nice.
UNE really impressed me on my interview day there. People seem really supportive of each other, and the facilities are a lot better than you'd expect. The small class size and being only 2 hrs from Boston, plus near skiing, the beach, fresh lobster, whatever - I'd go there. But I'm from New England, too.

Don't choose a school thinking it's going to give you a better chance in one specialization than another because it isn't really true, and you have a reasonably good chance of changing your mind about what you want to specialize in anyway!
 
wholehealth said:
I am graduating from neither of the schools that you are trying to decide between, but I am going into PM&R and I am very interested in sports medicine. From a third person point of view, if you are interested in night life (which although you have to manage, we all know there is still time to party a bit in med school..and it is important)...Arizona is going to be WAY more exciting...if you are interested in OMM and really want that knowledge base to treat sports related injuries...I would definitely go to UNECOM. They have some of the masters in OMM there, and the students there are amazing people. I personally would choose UNECOM over just about any other school from the OMM perspective. (I write this from being involved in the OMM circuit). I have also heard from fellow DO students that third and 4th year rotations are better organized at UNECOM than Arizona, and with a new school popping up down there, I doubt it's getting any better....hope that helps.

Good luck with your decision.
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Hi,
First of all, thanks everyone for posting. I cant say that you're making this decision easier for me, but you're definitely helping weigh my pros and cons, so I appreciate that. Thank you again.

Secondly, Wholehealth, while I do know I am interested in OMM and have every intention of using it in my practice (one of the main reasons I went the DO route), I'm curious to know why you're saying if I want to learn it I should go to UNECOM. Are they really that much better than the other schools? cuz if they are....well good for them, but that doesnt look too great for the other COM's.

Nightlife is relatively important for me. I'm not really a big city girl, but I went to university in a big city, and i'm not sure i'd be comfortable going back to a small town. I need a bit of madness, otherwise my life becomes very one-track, and I'm afraid I might burn out faster. But I do want that excellent knowledge base for OMM. I KNOW i want to do sports med (either through ortho or PM&R....havent quite decided yet). I agree, that one school isnt going to necessarily prepare me better for this field, but I really want to try to figure out which school will be able to help me MORE. also, i do want to write the USMLE....incase I go back to Canada at some point in time.
So this is my list thus far:

UNECOM --> small class size, great location, systems based, amazing OMM, better organization for rotations

AZCOM --> also great location, bigger city = possibility for better connections, better board scores (Comlex AND Usmle's), newer facilities

so, have I missed anything????
 
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ah Julez... we all know the decision should really come down to which school provides the better big brother...

just playin, good luck with tha choosin
 
DocJulez said:
Lol. Not to worry. I would have told you if I was planning on ditching you. I just want to hear other ppl's views....more to solidify my decision than anything else!

and clearly "dance parties" is my middle name. seriously....i'll show u my birth certificate
Click to expand...
wait, wait..... SO you are Doc. dance party Julez?
 
rose351 said:
wait, wait..... SO you are Doc. dance party Julez?
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HAHAHHAHA.
yup. thats exactly it. Its a wicked name, i know. thats because i'm awsome. 👍


ah Julez... we all know the decision should really come down to which school provides the better big brother...

just playin, good luck with tha choosin
Click to expand...

oh you're right. how could i forget something so important!?!?!?!??!?! and i suppose that really depends. if i do attend one said school, will i indeed receive said better big brother? 😎
lol



hey, everyone. i know this is gonna sound like SUCH a dumb question. but i dont fully understand what "systems-based" curriculum is......Canadian schools dont have that......at least i dont think we do 😕.

anyone? care to enlighten me? ........come on......i'll teach you how to break dance.....👍
 
hey! coming from another canadian girl. I am pretty sure ALL canadian schools are system based, except Mac, which is PBL- and it is considered the most progressive. System based just means you learn things system by system- or that is my understanding. Correct me if I am wrong of course, but I think it is the traditional way of teaching medicine
 
EhCdnGirl said:
hey! coming from another canadian girl. I am pretty sure ALL canadian schools are system based, except Mac, which is PBL- and it is considered the most progressive. System based just means you learn things system by system- or that is my understanding. Correct me if I am wrong of course, but I think it is the traditional way of teaching medicine
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lol. good to know. i went to MAC so clearly only thing i know is PBL. which i do NOT want in med school. so if systems based is normal, whats the difference btwn that and didatic (lecture based). grrrrr, why cant everyone just teach the same way!?!?!?!?

oh, and EhCdnGirl, i'm gonna send you that info tomrrow if thats ok. i gotta get it together and i'm exhausted rite now.....and thus very lazy. HOPE THATS OK!!!!!
 
DocJulez said:
lol. good to know. i went to MAC so clearly only thing i know is PBL. which i do NOT want in med school. so if systems based is normal, whats the difference btwn that and didatic (lecture based). grrrrr, why cant everyone just teach the same way!?!?!?!?

oh, and EhCdnGirl, i'm gonna send you that info tomrrow if thats ok. i gotta get it together and i'm exhausted rite now.....and thus very lazy. HOPE THATS OK!!!!!
Click to expand...
No, no, systems based is a type of didactic (lecture) based school. In some schools, you learn all about biochem in all the systems. Then you learn all about pharmacology in all the systems. Then you learn all about immunology in all the systems. Then you learn... get the picture?

In systems based, you learn all the relavant information about the musculoskeletal system. Then you learn all about the cardio system. Then respiratory. Then lymphatic... etc, etc.... So systems based is EXACTLY what you want. It will make the most sense.
 
I am not sure where some people get their info here, but I can tell you as a second year student at UNECOM that our school turned down an offer from Maine Medical Center to partner with them or something to that effect. MMC is now partnered with Tufts University and we lost out.

I met a 4th year from AZCOM and he was responsible for scheduling his 3rd and 4th year rotations. UNECOM sets tracks for 3rd year, and 4th year you do the same as AZ. For the most part, it doesn't matter where your school is. You can do rotations and you will showcase with the hospital where you want to do your residency. The AZCOM student seemed well versed and educated in OMM. I can't see why UNECOM is superior. Our system is found in other schools, though not all.

I was in TX this summer with all the other Air Force Scholars and talked with students from other COM's. UNECOM will teach most of all the techniques in the first year. Other schools do not. NYCOM has a great lab for what it is worth.

DocBill will be able to support what I say here: UNECOM has issues with looking out for and listening to the student. Ask him about his experience(s).

ATrain, I am quite baffled at your perception of UNECOM...

Good luck with your decision and if you have any more questions about UNECOM I would be more than glad to shed some light.
 
Now menardst, you know that's not quite how the MaineMed thing went... UNECOM just flat out never responded to the RFP, and thus never even competed for the partnership with MaineMed. By the Dean's own choice. Well, the former Dean never did anything about it, and the interim Dean was pretty much behind the 8-ball by the time she got here... anyway. UNECOM just flat out dropped the ball and never even put in for consideration for the partnership. And so MaineMed now has a partnership with Tufts.
 
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DocJulez said:
HAHAHHAHA.
oh you're right. how could i forget something so important!?!?!?!??!?! and i suppose that really depends. if i do attend one said school, will i indeed receive said better big brother? 😎
lol
Click to expand...
I'm workin on it...worst case you can always have a different sibling adopt you.
 
So, i'm reviving my own thread solely to say i've officially made my decision and will be attending AZCOM next year.

Thank you to everyone who gave advice, as i did take every piece of it into consideration. but after a long one on one with myself, more than my head, my heart said go to arizona. thus, i will 🙂

i just cant turn down spring training and a pool in my backyard 😉

anyways, anyone on the ASA list for UNECOM, a spot will be opening up for you soon.......and on that note, does anyone know how to turn down a school? do i have to send them a letter in the mail? i would assume an email would NOT be sufficient.

Thanks again! i'm so excited!!!!!!
 
email would actually be fine and more expedient. If you wish, send them an email and tell them you'll follow up with a written letter via USPS.
 
DocJulez said:
So, i'm reviving my own thread solely to say i've officially made my decision and will be attending AZCOM next year.

Thank you to everyone who gave advice, as i did take every piece of it into consideration. but after a long one on one with myself, more than my head, my heart said go to arizona. thus, i will 🙂

i just cant turn down spring training and a pool in my backyard 😉

anyways, anyone on the ASA list for UNECOM, a spot will be opening up for you soon.......and on that note, does anyone know how to turn down a school? do i have to send them a letter in the mail? i would assume an email would NOT be sufficient.

Thanks again! i'm so excited!!!!!!
Click to expand...
So it was the spring training and pool huh?
 
Ki45toryu said:
wait, real quick....can you pull the knife outta my back?
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HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHA

awwwww, i LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE the fact that i'm gonna get to hang out with you too! as long as u'll have dance parties with me. k?
 
badapplestix said:
You take one admission and give me the other 🙂
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hahahhaha
deal.
mailing address please? i'll send it to you priority post, just so it arrives on time lol
 
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