Choosing TCOM(DO) over Texas Tech(MD)? Advice please.

[DrTroll]

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Hey guys, I’m in a little dilemma right now, and would appreciate any advice that you guys can offer.


I am in the fortunate position to have been accepted by both TCOM(DO) and Texas Tech(MD), and is having a real hard time deciding between the two schools (in all honesty, I might be leaning toward TCOM a little bit at the moment). Do you guys think it is wise for me to forgo a MD acceptance in favor of DO school?


Here’s what I think about the two schools.


TCOM: One of the top DO schools with good reputation, located in big metro area, people there seems really nice and laid back, some impressive brand new facilities.
On the other hand, traditional schedule (8-5 daily) can be a blessing and a curse. DO degree can still be looked down upon by some residency program directors, and I’ve been reading some mixed reviews here on their clinical rotation qualities, if any current MS3 or MS4 can comment on your experience, it’ll be greatly appreciated.


Tech: MD school, block schedule (half day classes), student ambassadors all seems pretty cool and they said there are plenty of research opportunities (might help with competitive residencies time come)
Cons: Lubbock – small city and really far away from all other major metro areas. 3rd and 4th year clinical rotation can even be in even smaller Amarillo and Odessa, not sure of the quality w/o a large patient base. And I got some bad luck on interview day in Lubbock (got very sick the night before, my car also got scratched in the parking lot by some hit-and-run driver)


The costs for the two schools are about the same ($15k-18K) and is really not a factor here.



Thanks for reading this long thread, any advice/thoughts is greatly appreciated!

 

[Iliketoytles]

Hey guys, I’m in a little dilemma right now, and would appreciate any advice that you guys can offer.


I am in the fortunate position to have been accepted by both TCOM(DO) and Texas Tech(MD), and is having a real hard time deciding between the two schools (in all honesty, I might be leaning toward TCOM a little bit at the moment). Do you guys think it is wise for me to forgo a MD acceptance in favor of DO school?


Here’s what I think about the two schools.


TCOM: One of the top DO schools with good reputation, located in big metro area, people there seems really nice and laid back, some impressive brand new facilities.
On the other hand, traditional schedule (8-5 daily) can be a blessing and a curse. DO degree can still be looked down upon by some residency program directors, and I’ve been reading some mixed reviews here on their clinical rotation qualities, if any current MS3 or MS4 can comment on your experience, it’ll be greatly appreciated.


Tech: MD school, block schedule (half day classes), student ambassadors all seems pretty cool and they said there are plenty of research opportunities (might help with competitive residencies time come)
Cons: Lubbock – small city and really far away from all other major metro areas. 3rd and 4th year clinical rotation can even be in even smaller Amarillo and Odessa, not sure of the quality w/o a large patient base. And I got some bad luck on interview day in Lubbock (got very sick the night before, my car also got scratched in the parking lot by some hit-and-run driver)


The costs for the two schools are about the same ($15k-18K) and is really not a factor here.



Thanks for reading this long thread, any advice/thoughts is greatly appreciated!

Tech. I don't want to get into a DO vs MD war here... but as it's been mentioned in other threads... if you have an MD acceptance and it's in-state AND it's a good school (which Tech most certainly is), then you should go for it as it'll save you from potential, although minor, troubles down the road.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Unless you're itching to learn OMM you probably should go with Tech.

 

[DrTroll]

Thanks for the advice. I'm not trying to start a DO vs MD debate in any way, and I'm not trolling in any way either. I'm just trying to see what you guys would do in my position.

 

[FutureDrB]

I can probably offer you quite a bit of inside advice on this dilemma. PM me if you want. I will say this...as everyone else mentioned above, don't want to get into a M.D. vs. D.O. debate, but to address some of your concerns, Tech does have a ton of research opportunities. Also, you mentioned "patient base". Let me tell you that University Medical Center (UMC) is the only level-one trauma center in the region and it is an awesome teaching hospital. It's where I did all my volunteer work, etc. You'll have access to an extremely diverse patient base and medical experiences. I have a ton of friends here who are med students, RNs, etc. and I can tell you right now that you won't be disappointed. Lubbock is also a great place to be/live. I'm from the Fort Worth area, so I know TCOM as well, well the area anyway. If I had to choose between the two, I would take Tech in a heartbeat. That is also if I wasn't a hardcore D.O.'er. 🙂 Again, feel free to message me if you want to know more about Tech, UMC, Lubbock, or whatever.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Tech for sure.

 

[DrWily]

Tech.

New MD school in the works at UNT siphoning money and resources away from TCOM = 👎

Don't know how true this is.

 

[DrTroll]

New MD school in the works at UNT siphoning money and resources away from TCOM = 👎

Don't know how true this is.

That was my big concern going into interview also, but the impression I got from the faculty is there's a lot of resistant from the faculty, and given that the legislature won't take it up in at least two years, it appears to be dead for now.

 

[drctother]

Definitely take Tech. If OMM at TCOM is similar to my school, most of the class comes in thinking they will enjoy OMM....but than that number significantly decreases to..
3/10 people actually liking OMM
5/10 people dont like OMM because it takes time away from other courses and they complain a lot about OMM
2/10 people dont like OMM because its boring

OMM is an "extra tool" but its useless in many specialties in my opinion.
You should take the MD school simply because should you become interested in a more competitive field (radiology, rad-onc, many of the surgeries, Opth, Derm) you will have a very very heavy uphill journey ahead of you as a DO, where as it will be much easier to match into one of those specialties as an MD.

If those competitive specialties dont interest you, and you are set on some kind of primary specialty....than choose the cheaper of the two schools

 

[FutureDrB]

Tech.

New MD school in the works at UNT siphoning money and resources away from TCOM = 👎

Don't know how true this is.

I'll believe it when I see it. They've been talking about this since I was there in early 2000s.

 

[TwinsFan]

According to a presentation by their faculty, last year UNTHSC had $40M in research with numerous opportunities (it has been 15+M for a long time). I don't think that going to Tech would be a huge advantage over this.

I would go where you feel the most comfortable to succeed (location, curriculum etc.) Plenty of doors are open at both schools, just check their match lists.

 

[DrTroll]

According to a presentation by their faculty, last year UNTHSC had $40M in research with numerous opportunities (it has been 15+M for a long time). I don't think that going to Tech would be a huge advantage over this.

I would go where you feel the most comfortable to succeed (location, curriculum etc.) Plenty of doors are open at both schools, just check their match lists.

Thanks for the info on TCOM research, it's good to know, I must've missed that during their presentations.

In regard to which one I'm most comfortable with, there are things about both schools I like and dislikes. TCOM's location is better, but Tech's curriculum is more appealing... 🙁 that's why it's so hard to make a decision.

 

[costales]

The MD school proposal is probably dead. There was scant support for it in the legislature. As far as Tech vs TCOM, both are solid schools that crank out good doctors. Tech has a tertiary care center, so if you're intent on getting some research there under your belt, then choose Tech. I have nothing but good things to say about my rotations - the hospitals and house staff are great. 3rd and 4th years I know tell me the same thing, so I'm not aware of any systemic issues. The 8-to-5 thing is not really 8-to-5 every day. The actual schedule and attendance policy depend on the professor. The schedule includes time blocks for things like reading assignments ("you can go home now"). Not every professor takes attendance, and PowerPoints and recordings are provided. I myself skipped quite a few lectures in 1st year with little repercussion. TCOM has a rigorous program, but it's also a sociable place, conspicuously lacking in gunner mentality (We save it for the boards LOL).

 

[DrTroll]

Thank you so much for the insight! If you don't mind me asking, how do you feel about the OMM class in terms of hours, qualities, and student feedbacks?

 

[costales]

Thank you so much for the insight! If you don't mind me asking, how do you feel about the OMM class in terms of hours, qualities, and student feedbacks?

Looking back, OMM wasn't that bad timewise, averaging maybe 3 hrs/wk in 1st year but ending much earlier in the semester than other classes. The exams required some reading and a bit of memorization. We had a pretty good director and residents, and learned some pretty useful techniques. At first I kinda treated the class like PE ("Just do what the coach says"), but I think most of us liked the labs and toward the end did gain an appreciation for aspects of it.

 

[AustinLAS]

I'm curious if anyone knows what the USMLE Step 1 average is for TCOM?

 

[costales]

I'm curious if anyone knows what the USMLE Step 1 average is for TCOM?

Med schools have an agreement not to publish USMLE stats - so that every school can claim they have an above average score.

 

[DrTroll]

I don't think TCOM officially calculate the USMLE step 1 average, I was told during interview that they don't collect USMLE score data from students, only that of COMLEX. But somehow, they also said the passing rate for USMLE step 1 is 94%, and COMLEX 99.4%.

 

[DrTroll]

Med schools have an agreement not to publish USMLE stats - so that every school can claim they have an above average score.

That explains a lot 👍

 

[AustinLAS]

Good to know...thanks! And good luck wherever you end up...I almost started one of these threads, but PLFSOM vs TCOM. So this thread really helps me out too. I was prematched at TCOM only, so all I can do is put in my rankings. Congrats at getting prematched to Tech Lubbock and TCOM!

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Med schools have an agreement not to publish USMLE stats - so that every school can claim they have an above average score.

Well that and the fact that non-USMD students take the USMLE and lower the average. I mean it's not uncommon for a lot of MD schools to have averages in the 240s.

 

[coughsyrup]

during my interview, i was told that the usmle average score was just below the national average.

 

[thomas1]

Is there anything official for 2011. This is what they officially said last year which someone posted:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=8993233
The TCOM class of 2010 also achieved a 93.7% percent pass rate on the USMLE Step I, which is above the national average of 92.9% for performance on the USMLE I by all test-takers.

 

[dntke1518]

Med schools have an agreement not to publish USMLE stats - so that every school can claim they have an above average score.

Hmmm... DMU gave me their pass rates for the USMLE when I attended my interview there.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Hmmm... DMU gave me their pass rates for the USMLE when I attended my interview there.

Did they tell you their average score? A Pass rate is nice, but most schools freely give that out, they however rarely give out their average scores or percentile scores.

 

[willen101383]

Go to texas tech dude. This is coming from a DO student at a top DO school. Just not worth the extra aggravation. The education is the same and you will more than likely get the exact same grades/board scores at either school...but the extra crap you have to put up with makes this a no brainer in my opinion.

 

[DrTroll]

Go to texas tech dude. This is coming from a DO student at a top DO school. Just not worth the extra aggravation. The education is the same and you will more than likely get the exact same grades/board scores at either school...but the extra crap you have to put up with makes this a no brainer in my opinion.

Do you mind elaborate a little bit on what extra aggravation/crap you need to put up with? Thanks.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Do you mind elaborate a little bit on what extra aggravation/crap you need to put up with? Thanks.

Probably OMM and having to take both board exams.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Probably OMM and having to take both board exams.

A slightly malignant AOA is also always a reason to be discontent.

 

[DrTroll]

A slightly malignant AOA is also always a reason to be discontent.

Are you referring to all the new schools opening up with AOA's blessing?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Are you referring to all the new schools opening up with AOA's blessing?

I suppose that may be part of the reason, but there are other reasons, mostly the desire to remain a separate entity to retain power at the discontent of many DO's.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

A slightly malignant AOA is also always a reason to be discontent.

True, true. This as well.

 

[manubrium]

i matched at foster but decided to stay in dfw and matriculate at tcom
i have zero regret, tcom is a great school
it was a personal preference regards location. el paso is an interesting place to visit, but too far from civilization for me. plus 4 yrs is a long time.

 

[DrTroll]

i matched at foster but decided to stay in dfw and matriculate at tcom
i have zero regret, tcom is a great school
it was a personal preference regards location. el paso is an interesting place to visit, but too far from civilization for me. plus 4 yrs is a long time.

Location is definitely a plus for TCOM. Is there any other factors that tilted your decision toward TCOM instead Foster?

 

[dntke1518]

Did they tell you their average score? A Pass rate is nice, but most schools freely give that out, they however rarely give out their average scores or percentile scores.

touche salesman... that makes more sense lol.

 

[willen101383]

I dont really want to go in specifics because its sort of unprofessional to do so in a public forum like this. As a whole I really like my school. The profs are great, the teaching is great, its great going to school that is as regionally respected as mine. I am a non trad and had to work really hard to turn my life around grades wise, and my school recognized that I had potential and took the chance on me (and I havent disappointed)....so I am totally grateful for all of this.

However there are are some things you need to realize. OMM is going to be a small but disproportionate pain to deal with if you end up not liking it. Some people love OMM and that is great, but if you find that you dont really enjoy OMM, dont think you are good at it, and just dont see yourself continuing to use it after graduation, its going to be a rough time for you.

Second, the boards issue. Not a huge deal because with all intents and purposes, if you study for COMLEX you are studying for the USMLE...and whats another 500 and a day wasted in the grand scheme of things. Obviously you dont NEED to take the USMLE, and many allo programs will consider just the COMLEX score...I just really dont see why you wouldnt take it if you had any inkling that you would want to apply to allo programs.

Third is the matching issue. Coming from a school like mine, if you do well you are generally going to match into your specialty of choice. But across the board it is going to be harder to match. We all know this and its common knowledge. To put it in the words of a close (frustrated) friend of mine " it just sucks knowing that we are doing more work than MD students, but will be penalized for it in the long run."

I agree with serenade with regard to the AOA issue. I feel as though the AOA is more concerned with upholding its image at this point and isnt really focusing on what is best for future DOs. There are so many things that need to be changed about the system that would really be great, but are really not being considered at all. Rather than acknowledging the fact that most modern DO grads will never perform OMM again, and perhaps taking the focus OFF OMM; they continue to tout OMM like its this magical thing that it really isnt. The focus needs to be on using OMM as a rare adjuvent treatment, rather than this all encompassing cure for everything. I could really go on and on about this for hours, but I think many others around here share at least some of my opinions on the AOA and DO school in general.

Again, either choice you are going to end up as a great, most likely equally trained doc. I think the education I am getting is superb. But if you have the choice to go to an MD school, I just cant recommend going the DO route. Obviously if we are considering a carribbean/IMG situation I would never advocate that over an American DO program.

 

[willen101383]

I suppose that may be part of the reason, but there are other reasons, mostly the desire to remain a separate entity to retain power at the discontent of many DO's.

I get that DOs have a rich heritage in the history of modern medicine, but in this day in age there is no reason for a separate degree, and separate residencies. There are more pressing issues facing medicine, and THAT stuff needs to be focused on....not keeping DOs and MDs separate. Modern day DO grads dont think of themselves as different than MDs as a whole. I most certainly dont think I am any different than any other MD student on the planet.

 

[veraisme]

I was in your shoes exactly 3 years ago (class of 2013), with those same 2 offers and was also leaning towards TCOM at first. I have to say this is going to be a decision that you should make based on your own wants and needs and no one elses. When I asked people for my own decision, the overwhelming response was Tech, BUT it was not b/c of any of the reasons I thought that made Tech the right choice for myself. I think without a doubt you would enjoy where you will be because you are taking the time to think through the decision. I had a really hard time making the decision and even cried when I called up TCOM to let them know. BUT I know that I made the right choice, and have enjoyed my time at Texas Tech a lot. feel free to PM if you have any ?'s. and i'm at the Permian Basin/Odessa campus so I can shed some light on our clinical clerkships (i think they are great).