CCOM vs. MSUCOM!? HELP!

[daisydukers]

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I have been accepted to both schools recently and am having a really hard time making a decision on where to go. At MSUCOM I would get in-state tuition and they focus on primary care, which is what I am interested in. I know they have a very good program. However, I've always loved CCOM because of clinical rotations in the city, high-tech facilities, comfortable atmosphere and learning environment (I love that they have their library!), and CCOM's staff emphasis on student success (student support services). I just don't know if all of those reasons to go to CCOM over MSUCOM are worth the extra $20,000 a year. 😕

I also know that MSUCOM trains doctors to stay in Michigan and I don't have any desire to live here in the long run. I want to get out eventually. Comparing the match lists, MSUCOM has over 80% of their matches staying in Michigan and CCOM has less than 50% staying in Illinois. So if I want to go out of state for residency, would my chances be better if I attend CCOM?

Any advice regarding both schools would be appreciated. Specifically information on residency matching, clinical rotations, emphasis on omm and osteopathic philosophy (which is REALLY important to me), educational resources, board exam prep, etc would be helpful.

Also, my boyfriend of 4 years is attending law school in Chicago next year and we've had a little experience with long distance before but nothing to the extent of 4 years (at most 8 weeks). So any advice regarding long distance relationships in medical school would also be helpful. But if I go to CCOM we would get an apartment in Downers Grove and he would commute. So it's another incentive to going there.

Thanks in advance! 🙂

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I have been accepted to both schools recently and am having a really hard time making a decision on where to go. At MSUCOM I would get in-state tuition and they focus on primary care, which is what I am interested in. I know they have a very good program. However, I've always loved CCOM because of clinical rotations in the city, high-tech facilities, comfortable atmosphere and learning environment (I love that they have their library!), and CCOM's staff emphasis on student success (student support services). I just don't know if all of those reasons to go to CCOM over MSUCOM are worth the extra $30,000 a year. 😕

They aren't

 

[cliquesh]

Go to MSU, unless you want to marry that guy for sure, because 4 years of long distance is not going to turn out well.

 

[Lijia4]

They aren't

Agreed.

As for the long distance thing, if it is meant to be, it will work out. My boyfriend and I have been in in a long distance relationship for the last 2 of 3.5 years while he's been in working in Seattle. The time difference and both of our very busy schedules is super hard, but we've made it work. We travel back and forth when we can and keep in touch via all the technology available these days (which is still hard because he gets off work when it's 3 am here). It's very doable, especially since he'll only be in Chicago. You both will be very busy anyways--and in some ways I've found that the time apart is a blessing because there are less distractions.

Also--MSUCOM is also very supportive of their students in terms of helping them achieve academic success 🙂

 

[PlayUltimate15]

LOL! I was making this exact same choice back in December and I remember how stressful it was for me. I'm from the Detroit-metro area and being near my family for the next 4 years was a major plus for me. However, I go to school just north of Chicago now and I love the city. Public transit makes it easy to go into the city often and I'm part of a young adult group at an awesome church downtown. However, as you know, Downers Grove is NOT Chicago, and public transit from DG to the city is not nearly as easy (ie, the el doesn't go that far west). Plus, I hear we'll be pretty busy in medical school =D.

Here's a list of factors which I took into account. I'm willing to elaborate on any of them (in terms of my thought process) if you would like.

Tuition - Cheaper at MSU
City - Downers Grove (Chicago nearby) vs. East Lansing
University - MSU (huge, tons of resources) vs Midwestern (small, healthcare only)
Schedule for first 2 years - Summer semester at MSU, more break at CCOM
Rotations - Michigan vs. Chicago
- Note: Chicago does sound like a more awesome area for rotations but remember you will be contending with Chicago traffic to get to hospitals all over the city. Also remember that approximately 1/3 of DO residencies are located in MI and the opportunity to "show" there may eventually be beneficial. Regardless of where MSU-COM students end up, 90% of them get their first-choice residency. That is HUGE.
Students - I got great "vibes" from students at both schools. I've visited each school twice and they were my first choice schools prior to applying. Seems like great support networks in both locations.

Your situation is complicated by a man. It sounds like you are leaning toward CCOM for that reason, but that is just my interpretation. I chose MSUCOM and although it was a hard choice, I haven't looked back. It's a great school with a great reputation. Then again, so is CCOM. You have great options in front of you!

If you have any questions for me please feel free to ask!

 

[CascadaFan]

LOL! I was making this exact same choice back in December and I remember how stressful it was for me. I'm from the Detroit-metro area and being near my family for the next 4 years was a major plus for me. However, I go to school just north of Chicago now and I love the city. Public transit makes it easy to go into the city often and I'm part of a young adult group at an awesome church downtown. However, as you know, Downers Grove is NOT Chicago, and public transit from DG to the city is not nearly as easy (ie, the el doesn't go that far west). Plus, I hear we'll be pretty busy in medical school =D.

Here's a list of factors which I took into account. I'm willing to elaborate on any of them (in terms of my thought process) if you would like.

Tuition - Cheaper at MSU
City - Downers Grove (Chicago nearby) vs. East Lansing
University - MSU (huge, tons of resources) vs Midwestern (small, healthcare only)
Schedule for first 2 years - Summer semester at MSU, more break at CCOM
Rotations - Michigan vs. Chicago
- Note: Chicago does sound like a more awesome area for rotations but remember you will be contending with Chicago traffic to get to hospitals all over the city. Also remember that approximately 1/3 of DO residencies are located in MI and the opportunity to "show" there may eventually be beneficial. Regardless of where MSU-COM students end up, 90% of them get their first-choice residency. That is HUGE.
Students - I got great "vibes" from students at both schools. I've visited each school twice and they were my first choice schools prior to applying. Seems like great support networks in both locations.

Your situation is complicated by a man. It sounds like you are leaning toward CCOM for that reason, but that is just my interpretation. I chose MSUCOM and although it was a hard choice, I haven't looked back. It's a great school with a great reputation. Then again, so is CCOM. You have great options in front of you!

If you have any questions for me please feel free to ask!

^ This. I loved CCOM and both of my uncles are graduates of the school. One big reason why I choose MSUCOM (other than those that Play listed above) is the name.

When I interviewed at CCOM I asked the gentlemen at the front desk of the hotel I was staying at if he knew where CCOM/MWU was located (it was literally 1 block away) and he said he never heard of it. I know people in the medical community know of CCOM for sure, but EVERYONE knows of MSU, just makes the "oh where did you go to school?" question you're bound to get asked that much easier!

But I loved both schools, I just couldn't find a good reason why I would pay so much more money when I could get the same education at MSUCOM.

 

[daisydukers]

Thanks for responding to my post, you guys. 🙂 I really appreciate your advice.

But there's so many doctors, medical students, friends, and family that tell me, "Go where you'll be happiest. That's where you'll succeed. The money will get paid off and should be a last priority on deciding where to go for med school." But then I have the logical people, like you guys, telling me it's not worth it and I should be in the least debt as possible.

Is there anyone who can respond that attends CCOM so I can get both sides?

Also, I am completely open to doing a primary care loan repayment program anywhere in the U.S. that is underserved. Does anyone know about or taking advantage of the National Health Service Corps scholarships and loan repayment programs? Any other similar programs?

 

[PlayUltimate15]

^ This. I loved CCOM and both of my uncles are graduates of the school. One big reason why I choose MSUCOM (other than those that Play listed above) is the name.

When I interviewed at CCOM I asked the gentlemen at the front desk of the hotel I was staying at if he knew where CCOM/MWU was located (it was literally 1 block away) and he said he never heard of it. I know people in the medical community know of CCOM for sure, but EVERYONE knows of MSU, just makes the "oh where did you go to school?" question you're bound to get asked that much easier!

But I loved both schools, I just couldn't find a good reason why I would pay so much more money when I could get the same education at MSUCOM.

Oh man, we are so on the same page! When I was telling people about the schools I was choosing between it went something like this:

Me: Well, I'm deciding between the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University... and MSU.

It's nice to be able to tell people I'm going to Michigan State next year. The name recognition is awesome, but obviously not the most important factor.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Also, I am completely open to doing a primary care loan repayment program anywhere in the U.S. that is underserved. Does anyone know about or taking advantage of the National Health Service Corps scholarships and loan repayment programs? Any other similar programs?

NHSC is highly competetive and I beleive they take into account how much tuition they'll be paying back, when they are selecting you of course this is for the scholarship. Additionally there are plenty of states that have repayment option after you've already went through school/residency. Be aware that with the way the economy is going many states are currently running out of money for loan repayments and this may not be the best idea to bank on them being there. Also politics are changing the face of healthcare and there is no telling what/if repayment any options are going to be available 7-8 years from now.

 

[aaapowercat]

I think that CCOM would give you the best chance of landing a residency anywhere in the country since about half of their students place out of state. Plus you'd be able to experience the great city life of Chicago. About 80% of MSUCOM's students stay in Michigan and it would be horrible if you were trapped there.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I think that CCOM would give you the best chance of landing a residency anywhere in the country since about half of their students place out of state. Plus you'd be able to experience the great city life of Chicago. About 80% of MSUCOM's students stay in Michigan and it would be horrible if you were trapped there.

So does anyone actually think these students stay in-state because they are "trapped" or more likely the scenario 90+% of these students are Michigan residents and choose to stay in Michigan; whereas CCOM residents aren't necessarily Illinois residents? I thought this would be common sense but there have been a couple posts in this thread that make me think, "maybe not".

 

[Lijia4]

So does anyone actually think these students stay in-state because they are "trapped" or more likely the scenario 90+% of these students are Michigan residents and choose to stay in Michigan; whereas CCOM residents aren't necessarily Illinois residents? I thought this would be common sense but there have been a couple posts in this thread that make me think, "maybe not".

LOL I was waiting for someone to say something...

 

[GForce14]

So does anyone actually think these students stay in-state because they are "trapped" or more likely the scenario 90+% of these students are Michigan residents and choose to stay in Michigan; whereas CCOM residents aren't necessarily Illinois residents? I thought this would be common sense but there have been a couple posts in this thread that make me think, "maybe not".

Msu students stay in Michigan cause most kids going there are from Michigan...that oos tuition is ridiculous...

Ccom generally attracts students from across the country so people might try to match closer to home...

 

[Everglide]

Both schools are top notch. I'm a first year student at MSU so here comes a very bias view:

MSU has great student support. This is evident with the amount of staff and resources they dedicate to make sure you succeed in academics and stay sane.

MSUCOM has over 80% of their matches staying in Michigan and CCOM has less than 50% staying in Illinois. So if I want to go out of state for residency, would my chances be better if I attend CCOM?

How many of them doing osteopathic residencies end up coming to Michigan I only mention this because there is a huge amount of AOA residencies in Michigan, one of the reasons why people from MSU stick around in the state with tons of connections to residency programs. Plus people like staying near home. If you wanted to leave, you have more than enough opportunities and time for out rotations come year 3-4. I imagine if you were interested in matching in the Illinois area then CCOM would certainly help.

Board scores are identical. I don't know what the OMM program is like at CCOM but we have a ton of well respected faculty, however imo it isn't taught intensively - 2 hours/week for five semesters. There are a lot of electives to get involved for it if you have a true interest, ask about them on your tour.

Also it's not worth 120k principle debt. Especially if you're interested in primary care - debt can definitely influence your specialty choice. Believe me, money IS important when you're looking at $100,000++ in debt.