AZCOM vs KCUMB...please help

[drmovieman03]

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I have read all of the posts regarding this, but I wanted to ask as well. I have been accepted at KCUMB, live here, and very familiar with the school. I am in the Masters Program here at KCUMB.

I just got an interview at AZCOM.

I have lived in CA and I love it. I want to practice medicine in Southern CA. So I think AZCOM will be a good fit. However, I am so well integrated at KCUMB and I really like the environment, faculty, students, and the systems based learning.

Rotations at AZCOM include CA
Rotations at KCUMB do not

KCUMB is a great school.
I think AZCOM is a good school as well...but I don't really know.

another thing....KCUMB offers an MBA program concurrently with med school.

any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sinfest]

If you have the time and money it couldn't hurt to go on the interview.

 

[megathunder]

Like sin said, just go on the interview and see if you get accepted first. I had no idea any schools were still interviewing at this point. It's so late in the game getting accepted isn't a certainty so take it one step at a time.

 

[tman1820]

Like sin said, just go on the interview and see if you get accepted first. I had no idea any schools were still interviewing at this point. It's so late in the game getting accepted isn't a certainty so take it one step at a time.

Gotta agree. AZCOM seems to be a great program, but interviewing this late is a toss up. It definitely is the better program if you want to do you rotations out west, but don't forget doesn't AZCOM let you choose your rotation site once you're accepted now? You might not be able to get the CA spot's since, I would assume, those fill up the fastest. Also, you always have elective rotations, so you can always head out to Cali during those at both schools. Location wise, Phoenix metro is a lot more appealing to me than Kansas City, but that's only my personal preference. I'd say go to the interview and check it out. You can typically fly into PHX pretty reasonably and rental cars out there are cheap so, I would go and see if you like it, especially if you are interested...You don't want to go through life thinking "what if"...so just do it, and then decide if they give you a spot!

 

[megathunder]

Location wise, Phoenix metro is a lot more appealing to me than Kansas City, but that's only my personal preference.

Exceeeeeept that downtown Phoenix is 22 miles away from AZCOM and KCUMB is 1.5 miles from downtown KC. I have nothing but great things to say about both schools, don't get me wrong, but AZCOM's location in Glendale, AZ isn't one of it's major selling points.

As far as your point about rotations, however, you're completely right. AZCOM has outstanding core rotation sites in So. Cal. I've looked at them personally and, being an EMT that regularly transports to hospitals all over LA and Orange County, I honestly thought they were even better than most of Western's.

[EDIT]Also, just a note for future searches, Kansas City is an AWESOME city! I can definitely understand the ignorance as a former CA kid who knew nothing about the midwest or life outside the So. Cal bubble, but if you get the opportunity to interview at KCUMB go and see what it's really about! It's an amazingly cultural place with a great live music scene, barbecue that's the best in the nation, and great nightlife in the Power and Light district...all a 5 minute cab ride from campus. Not to mention we have the Chiefs who were AFC West champs last year playing just 7 miles away from campus. It's a really fun place to be and unless you visit or have heard about it you'd really have no idea.

 

[tman1820]

Exceeeeeept that downtown Phoenix is 22 miles away from AZCOM and KCUMB is 1.5 miles from downtown KC. I have nothing but great things to say about both schools, don't get me wrong, but AZCOM's location in Glendale, AZ isn't one of it's major selling points.

As far as your point about rotations, however, you're completely right. AZCOM has outstanding core rotation sites in So. Cal. I've looked at them personally and, being an EMT that regularly transports to hospitals all over LA and Orange County, I honestly thought they were even better than most of Western's.

haha...yeah the phoenix area is huge and spread out, so Phoenix shouldn't really be the selling point, at least for the first 2 years...but I still like the desert look and kind of the cookie cutter, new construction/planned neighborhood look that is pretty much everywhere out there. Plus the highway system seemed pretty efficient and getting around was pretty quick...compared to what I'm used to, but I suppose anywhere is easier to drive around than Boston and New York...haha...

Plus, being from the Northeast, I am inclined to run from winter weather when given the chance.

Both are great programs...KCUMB has awesome match lists, AZCOM does too, plus you have the backing of Midwestern, so that's pretty much a draw too...so I think it really comes down to location and curriculum style.

 

[NurWollen]

If you want to practice medicine in California, maybe you should stop and think and see if medicine is really right for you... you'll make a horrible doctor. Just kidding, just kidding. I am from SoCal and it's just not my cup of tea. I would definitely go to the AZCOM interview. You might just fall in love with Arizona. But if California is your thing, I think AZCOM might get your foot in the door. Good luck with the interview, and I am sure you'll be a fine physician. And congrats on the acceptance!

 

[drmovieman03]

Well, I have scheduled the interview and booked a flight. I get there Saturday afternoon and leave Monday night. If anyone from AZCOM wants to show me around town that would be great.