AZCOM vs. SOMA

[jennyybennyy]

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There's a lot of outdated info on these schools so relatively recent feedback is much appreciated!

What are the pros and cons of the two?

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[AlteredScale]

Moving to ssd.

 

[Rekt]

I'd go with AZCOM. It's arguably a better school, although ridiculously expensive. You have to keep in mind you'd likely be moving after first year for SOMA unless you secured their Phoenix site. If you care to stay in AZ that is.

 

[jennyybennyy]

Arguably better, alright.. I have to decide by the 8th haha that's the SOMA deposit deadline and I'm leaning towards AZCOM but am torn between the two still.

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[Dustbowl12]

SOMA....save that money

 

[jennyybennyy]

I'm not worrying too much about the tuition difference because my parents are paying and really don't want me to decide based off the tuition... is AZCOM really that much better at preparing for COMLEX?

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[Rekt]

I'm not worrying too much about the tuition difference because my parents are paying and really don't want me to decide based off the tuition... is AZCOM really that much better at preparing for COMLEX?

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Oh, then AZCOM hands down.

 

[ortnakas]

The curricula are TOTALLY different at these two schools. Do you prefer SOMA's community campus model or AZCOM's more traditional curriculum?

 

[SLC]

SOMA gets my vote, loved the curriculum, excellent for board prep. Have had numerous comments in residency that I clearly got a first rate education in medical school.

 

[jennyybennyy]

The curricula are TOTALLY different at these two schools. Do you prefer SOMA's community campus model or AZCOM's more traditional curriculum?

The idea behind SOMA's curriculum sounds great but I don't have any experience with problem solving based learning. I've heard either you love it or you hate it and though I'd like to be the type to handle learning all the material that way, I don't think I would be able to adjust, or that is my concern. I've had years of experience with lecture based learning and it would be the safer way to go with something so significant.

Does the AZCOM curriculum prove to be an obstacle or have key weaknesses in any sense?

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[SLC]

The idea behind SOMA's curriculum sounds great but I don't have any experience with problem solving based learning. I've heard either you love it or you hate it and though I'd like to be the type to handle learning all the material that way, I don't think I would be able to adjust, or that is my concern. I've had years of experience with lecture based learning and it would be the safer way to go with something so significant.

Does the AZCOM curriculum prove to be an obstacle or have key weaknesses in any sense?

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SOMA isn't PBL, it's lecture based. The only difference curriculum wise is the order in which the material is presented to you. It's all delivered by organ system and in the context of clinical problems (which may be where the confusion comes from).

As an example, your clinical problem for the week might be nausea/vomiting. You'll learn anatomy, physiology, biochem, microbiology, etc. etc.

Makes taking the boards more natural since multiple subjects are pulled into boards style question stems.

 

[jennyybennyy]

Yeah, I've heard that it's organ system based which should be beneficial, but I hate the idea of moving after first year without knowing where I'd be going ahead of choosing the school.

If AZCOM supposedly does well on the boards then I should be okay in terms of taking the boards, right?

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[jennyybennyy]

Also, the deposit for SOMA is due tomorrow... should I stick to my guns and go with AZCOM... hard decision for me to make.

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[SLC]

Yeah, I've heard that it's organ system based which should be beneficial, but I hate the idea of moving after first year without knowing where I'd be going ahead of choosing the school.

If AZCOM supposedly does well on the boards then I should be okay in terms of taking the boards, right?

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Absolutely, you can do well on the boards anywhere. I just think that SOMA teaches you to think the way a doctor does (the way you should to do well on boards) from day one. But you're right in that you'd be taking a risk in not knowing where you'd be for years 2-4.

Tough choice, but if I'm being honest, I think you can't go wrong with either.

 

[jennyybennyy]

AZCOM it is, for me! Thanks for the advice and honesty, much appreciated 🙂

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