Can't choose a school...

[PatchAdamsFan]

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As of late, I have been accepted to CSPM and DMU. Going by the threads, the tuition is a considerably big factor in choosing a school, and CSPM is giving me a HUGE (like half-tuition) yearly scholarship, and it's close to home. The problem I have with the school is that it doesn't feel like a 'school' to me. The debt will be significantly lower, but the location and inner school doesn't quite appeal to me, with the exception of the booming clinics. I really enjoyed the school feel of DMU with its huge student body and big, modern classrooms. I understand that this is a small aspect of a 'personal feel' for a school, but is it something to go on, and is the cheap tuition worth going to a less comfortable school? I know that some parts may grow on me in the future, and BTW CSPM is a great school as well.

 

[rushrhees]

Would you be living at home if you went to CSPM, because keep in mind that the cost of housing at CSPM will eat up a lot of savings the scholarship would offer. Honestly I would go to DMU, but that is just my two cents.

 

[SLCpod]

As of late, I have been accepted to CSPM and DMU. Going by the threads, the tuition is a considerably big factor in choosing a school, and CSPM is giving me a HUGE (like half-tuition) yearly scholarship, and it's close to home. The problem I have with the school is that it doesn't feel like a 'school' to me. The debt will be significantly lower, but the location and inner school doesn't quite appeal to me, with the exception of the booming clinics. I really enjoyed the school feel of DMU with its huge student body and big, modern classrooms. I understand that this is a small aspect of a 'personal feel' for a school, but is it something to go on, and is the cheap tuition worth going to a less comfortable school? I know that some parts may grow on me in the future, and BTW CSPM is a great school as well.

Why would you say CSPM doesn't have a school feel to it?

Have you made your pro/con list yet?

 

[iVTECdailyy]

"Booming" clinic is what will separate you from other students once you start clerkships and eventually in residency. Your podiatry knowledge comes mainly from numerous exposures to different procedures.

 

[PatchAdamsFan]

Rushrhees, I won't be living at home, but with calculations it will still be quite cheaper.

SLCpod, I'll PM you in a bit regarding what I meant, and a rough pro/con list I made!

iVTECdailyy, I fully understand this is the case, yet one of the con's is that the very early exposure isn't particularly high-end cases, as well as it leaves no room to study for boards (they give no time, which may contribute to the poor pass rates).

 

[pacpod]

Stick with the pros and cons list. People can give you their thoughts all day but in the end you have to be happy with that location for the next 3 years at minimum.

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[iVTECdailyy]

Rushrhees, I won't be living at home, but with calculations it will still be quite cheaper.

SLCpod, I'll PM you in a bit regarding what I meant, and a rough pro/con list I made!

iVTECdailyy, I fully understand this is the case, yet one of the con's is that the very early exposure isn't particularly high-end cases, as well as it leaves no room to study for boards (they give no time, which may contribute to the poor pass rates).

I did hear about this "no time to study" factor which I believe is ridiculous. Why would the school do that to the students? If this is the case, I would not choose to go to that school. I heard they were changing this though?

My comment was only in response to the "booming clinic" factor. I feel that this is one of the most important factors. However, one must first pass the boards to move on to this step.👍

 

[Zalligan]

Is it a 4 year scholarship? I didn't realize any schools offered those. As far as I know, they're first year scholarships that are renewable based on certain criteria. I wouldn't count on getting them all 4 years if that's the case. My .02 Also as already stated, CoL will be significantly higher in CA.

As for clinic volume, several pods I've talked to have said don't let that be a deciding factor in your school choice. In 3rd and 4th year you won't need "high volume" as you're just trying to get everything done right. Having a 20 patient load/ day won't do you any good if you can only see and document 5-10/ day effectively as a student. High volume can wait for residency. Gotta crawl before you can walk and walk before you can run.

 

[iVTECdailyy]

.

 

[SLCpod]

Stick with the pros and cons list. People can give you their thoughts all day but in the end you have to be happy with that location for the next 3 years at minimum.

Best of luck with your decision.

Agreed.

Isn't it great that you have to make a decision?

In regards to pass rates, aren't there some schools who don't allow some students from taking boards the first time in order to boost their first time board pass rates?

 

[PatchAdamsFan]

Yup, I agree that it my own decision, but I wanted to get a small sample of other 'thought processes', which may give me factors I haven't looked at, or different views of similar issues in general.

 

[Zalligan]

In regards to pass rates, aren't there some schools who don't allow some students from taking boards the first time in order to boost their first time board pass rates?

There was talk of this back in the fall. Can't remember if it was a disgruntled ex-pod student or if it held water. IIRC it was Western and they were doing it to inflate their pass rate to get accreditation. Don't quote me on that though.

 

[cspmstudent]

"Booming" clinic is what will separate you from other students once you start clerkships and eventually in residency. Your podiatry knowledge comes mainly from numerous exposures to different procedures.

👍 Clearly I am biased.

 

[Ferocity]

Go with the cheapest option

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Half tuition will save you what, 45k? Not even? Yeah that's a lot of money, but pod school will cost you nearly 200k, and it will be your future career/life. Don't you want the best education/experience you can get? If you pay off your loans over 30 years, that's only an extra like 2k a year, and if you're making ~150k.... barely noticeable.

Cost of Living at DMU will be significantly lower, and as Zalligan mentioned, I am 99% sure any renewable scholarships are only renewable if you meet certain criteria. With that in mind, I wouldn't plan on getting the renewable unless you are absolutely positive you won't accidentally get sick/screw up one test while you're there.

Ask a law student about how well renewable scholarships work...

 

[ManUnderFire]

Go with the cheapest option

Agreed...with a few caveats. There are only 1 or 2 pod schools that come to mind that have major flaws in their program (none of which you mentioned). All others WILL provide you with the tools you need to succeed. Of course, if you're experience was horrible at any particular school, don't go there....even if tuition was waived!

Having attended two schools with a fantastic 'campus' feel, I can understand your sentiment in wanting to preserve this feeling. One of the schools I attended had a second campus that was a cluster-f8ck of buildings inconveniently located around downtown-I would definitely not have enjoyed my undergrad experience as much if that was my campus.

Mind you, when you're nose deep in notes, you won't have time to enjoy the greenery anyway. Pod school ain't undergrad, that is for sure. Choose wisely-but don't let either your 'gut feeling' or 'pro-con list' solely dictate your future. Most times, my best choices are made when I use them in tandem.

 

[dyk343]

Go with the cheapest option

👍 Debt sucks.

 

[SuperFeisty]

Half tuition will save you what, 45k? Not even? Yeah that's a lot of money, but pod school will cost you nearly 200k, and it will be your future career/life. Don't you want the best education/experience you can get? If you pay off your loans over 30 years, that's only an extra like 2k a year, and if you're making ~150k.... barely noticeable.

Cost of Living at DMU will be significantly lower, and as Zalligan mentioned, I am 99% sure any renewable scholarships are only renewable if you meet certain criteria. With that in mind, I wouldn't plan on getting the renewable unless you are absolutely positive you won't accidentally get sick/screw up one test while you're there.

Ask a law student about how well renewable scholarships work...

Half tuition is $15,000ish a year. 60,000 saved of a possible $200,000? Graduating with $140,000 in debt is a significantly lighter burden than $200,000 (especially for students who still are carrying undergraduate loans). I will agree with Max that you shouldn't "bank" on getting a half scholarship (you won't know how hard school is until you actually attend), but I disagree with his assumption that somehow DMU has the "best" education. Ultimately it comes down to where you want to go. I am certain EVERY school offers plenty of opportunities for education, research, or extracurriculars. Success is dependent on the student not the institution.