COMP vs. TUCOM

[jhug]

BIRD, personally-- and i don't want to offend anyone out there-- personally i liked Western much more. I interview and was accepted to both and western just seemed to be more on the ball. I attribute this greatly to the fact that touro is so new, but also to the fact that they want to expand the school into an undergrad/law/business school. While this is great, it means that--again this is my personal opinion-- it seems that your tuition is going into expanding the school and not so much into you as a DO school student. I thought westerns facilities are nicer- comp.labs, classrooms (western wins this without comparison!--tiered internet connection vs. old movie theater), and i felt the students were much more united and supportive at western--again my opinion--. It seemed to me that touro is still experimenting while western is quite established. Both are in unfortunate areas but it seems western has integrated itself more into the community. Touro has a lot of potential-- but at the moment i would choose western with little/no hesitation. Everyone will have an opinion- but go with the gut feeling you had while interviewing--where did you feel most comfy and where could you see yourself earning your DO degree? I hope this helped, and again, i hope i didn't offend anyone.. i don't mean any of this maliciosly-- just my personal opinion.

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[melancholy]

bird- Excuse me for not going into more detail at the moment (sorry it's been a really long day), but if you'd like to get more comprehensive and detailed answers regarding COMP, you can ask any of us questions on the <a href="http://www.studentdoctor.net/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=001652" target="_blank">COMP 2005 thread</a> or the <a href="http://www.studentdoctor.net/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=001914" target="_blank">COMP 2006 thread</a> as well. There is definitely a wide variety of resources who can answer questions.. from first and second year students to students on rotations and those who have graduated from COMP and have been out working for awhile.

Hope this steers you in the right direction! 🙂

**Opps.. I actually have more time to write so I guess I'll give my input now... heh.

jhug- I appreciate your comments about Western.. especially since I don't get a chance to visit Touro as the interview was a little too long of a wait for me. I think people appreciate posts such as yours. Quite a few posts can never be completely objective and inevitably, people do form their own opinions even if it is just a "gut feeling" after visiting/interviewing at a school. Don't worry about offending anyone.. I've seen much more subjective comments in the past about schools.


Bird- Since I am a first year at COMP, I can comment on one or two things that go on around the school... perhaps the more experienced folks can go into more detail regarding areas such as residency placements. I think our course load is one of the toughest in terms of credit hours and amount of material that has to be learned, at least in the first semester. The curriculum is set up where most of the basic sciences are learned in the first semester and from that point on, we do systems and a few other courses until we hit third year. We definitely do spend a lot of time in class/lab, but it is up to each student whether or not they decide it is better to stay for a particular class or go to a study room to work on another subject. As it is tough getting used to the long hours, I do think it builds sort of a toughness to the rigors of med school and I feel if I can survive that, I'll be able to do fine next semester and the year after that. Preparation-wise, I don't see the courses lagging except for perhaps a small handful, but there are some professors who will definitely make a huge difference when it comes to performing well on their specific areas of the board exams after our second year.

Personally, I feel like I have had a somewhat adequate amount of time to "go out" and have my fun and still have enough time to study. Part of that is the fact that I took the ISAC summer anatomy program (Intensive Summer Anatomy Course), which is a rigorous six-week course during the summer one can use to possibly receive credit for the first semester gross anatomy course (minus the head and neck portion) and even get the chance to become a facilitator for your peers during the first semester. It's a great headstart in my opinion and a lot of work, but ultimately it pays off in some regard. There is a message thread that was started regarding the <a href="http://www.studentdoctor.net/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=001970" target="_blank">COMP's ISAC and SAPP summer anatomy courses</a> in this message board section. (You can click on that link to check it out) I'm not sure that many other med schools have these sort of anatomy programs before the actual year starts...

 

[oceana]

Originally posted by bird:
•I am trying to decide between the two. What are some pro's and con's for either, including profs., life style and residency placements? If you are a current student, that would really help.•••

As a first-year at TUCOM, I can let you know that I have been pretty happy with my choice to attend here. The profs are very willing to accomodate students in any way possible. The first year profs are much better organized than the second year profs, Ive heard. But many students ive talked with feel all the teachers have helped them learn the material good enough to do well in the boards. A postive aspect of the curriculum here is that its systems based, and every class reinforces material you learn in other classes without being repetitive. I also liked that we started clinical courses in our first semester where we learned to take BP/use our scopes/physical exams etc.

I really enjoy that our class is a very social group and we all try to help each other out. Profs have said were a pretty bright bunch of students (but overall arent overly competitive with each other.) TUCOM has a slightly higher Avg MCAT and GPA for their entering classes than COMP, which may be an issue for some applicants. But as one admissions officer said the quality of students admitted says much about the quality of graduates in the future.

Another good thing unique to TUCOM is that the new block schedule here has been working fairly well. We still have to work out some adjustments a few students have suggested. This is where we all get a week of exams every 6 weeks or so. From the second years ive heard that this schedule is WAY better than having to study your butt off every weekend for those monday exams. (Which is similar to what takes place in COMP) Basically the students had no life last year. Anyway, since TUCOM is so new, the adminstration a very open to student input in the development of the curriculum and school. There are tons of student organizations on campus. Overall, i felt TUCOM had a more campus-like atmosphere, which i didnt get from COMP. The staff and students seemed friendlier. And if your into going to SF once in a while,its only 40 min ferry ride away youll be happy here. The location (a former naval base) may get to some folks, but i find living on a island is good for those folks who like to isloate themselves. The island is pretty safe since theres a round-the-clock gaurd at the bridge entrance. Living in vallejo has its pluses/minuses, except there isnt too much to do here. You have to go out to Oakland/SF/walnut creek.

In terms of residency. I dont have too much experience there, except i can reccomend you visit there site (the TUCOM bursars page) that has a link to their match list. Many people got spots in IM and Orthopedic Sug. And many in the bay area. (least one in UCSF, Stanford,and Harvard). So i think the school can help you get to where you wanna go.

The rotations are unqique in that many 3rd years get to go to hospitals out of the bay area. TUCOM seems very flexible in allowing you to do a number of rotations in other hospitals of your choice. We share a few facilities with COMP and we have affiliations with hospitals in Las Vegas, a couple in NY, in Colorado and AZ..to name a few. But i have heard people are able to stay in the bay area for rotations if needed.

I feel the main differences in TUCOM and COMP is the curriculum. And the computer based learning that takes place in COMP. We arent required to have laptops and all the lecture notes are already handed out on paper. And the power pt slides are available for download. Which can be a benefit for some. I also think our course load is much easier in the first semester as compared with the high number of units taken in the first year at COMP. The load gets gradually greater in the subsequent semesters.

I have to be honest, some drawbacks to TUCOM is that the administration has many great ideas but sometimes they are slow in implementing them. With all new schools come its growing pains but i feel that TUCOM has alot to offer and will only get better.

You cant do bad with any choice, I can only suggest you pick a place where youll be happy living and where the youll get along the best with your classmates.

Hope this answered a few of your questions.
good luck

 

[bacl0007]

ShellBelle,

I was reading your post and I just wanted to say that it was very informative. I have an interview at TUCOM and was kind of hesitant because the school is soo new. After reading your post, I'm very siked about my future there and look foward to the great opportunities ahead. I have a question in regards to interview dates. They scheduled me for 1/15/01...will this affect my chances for admittance since it's kind of late in the application cycle? Any advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanx

bacl0007

 

[melancholy]

Shellbelle- Thanks for the post on TUCOM. I wish I had the time to make a visit to TUCOM to see what it's like.. maybe one of these days when I am up in the bay area and have time on my hands. I ended up not going to my interview at TUCOM so I missed out on visiting the campus (and the panel interview which I was actually looking forward to!)

I can definitely see differences in the curriculum between our schools. I know that our first semester is really a pain, but starting second semester, we go into systems which gets a lot better because tests only come every few weeks.

As far as administration goes, I'm sure students at every school have little nuisances with their administration. Ours has been receptive for the most part with our suggestions as long as we use the chain-of-command (basically, going up the ladder of responsibility starting with class officers or certain faculty and if necessary, taking it up asst. deans or the dean if necessary in the end). We recently had a resolution regarding a testing policy with one course fixed in a way that definitely benefitted students in our class. During the entire process, I definitely felt that our class came together to provide input and come up with a consummate proposal for the change in policy that we wrote up and discussed with the professor. I'm definitely glad to see that so far, whenever we've seen a change that might be beneficial, it is brought up appropriately by our class representatives.

As far changing the curriculum, the second year class at COMP had a lot to do with reducing the number of credits for certain courses in both of our curriculums. They are working on a lighter curriculum for the first year students by revamping a few classes, but obviously it takes coordination from all the professors involved and we're not sure when it will be fully implemented (or perhaps it will be implemented course-by-course). I sure would've liked easier hours, but I think first semester is the toughest and the schedule isn't too bad afterwards. I'm looking forward to having a little more time to relax. 🙂

 

[oceana]

Originally posted by bacl0007:
•ShellBelle,

I was reading your post and I just wanted to say that it was very informative. I have an interview at TUCOM and was kind of hesitant because the school is soo new. After reading your post, I'm very siked about my future there and look foward to the great opportunities ahead. I have a question in regards to interview dates. They scheduled me for 1/15/01...will this affect my chances for admittance since it's kind of late in the application cycle? Any advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanx

bacl0007•••


TUCOM likes to fill its class to a certain point, by the end of december. So I have heard that getting an interview before then will increase your chances. But getting one after shouldnt significantly affect your chances unless its March/April. But in any sense dont stress over the timing. I interviewd the End of Feb. last year and got in. Timing can help you out if your early, but I dont think it can hinder you. Just focus on your presentation to the panel (that makes more of a difference).

 

[Observe]

Just decline TUCOM and accept WesternU. That will free up one seat for those on the TUCOM wait list. TUCOM is a good school, but WesternU is TOOOOOOOO great a school not to accept. Herrrrrrre I come, Western class of 2006, and can't wait to sign up for SAPP.

 

[Leotigers]

Let's take another view of the TUCOM vs. WesternU debate. I've discussed curriculums and rotations in the past so I won't get into that here. I will say that any discepancy between the two is not on the order of Harvard vs. Ross. The differences are minor enough that one shouldn't choose one over another on that basis. I think that both schools are excellent school, with WesternU being more established.

WesternU has a larger class and thus their will be greater variance in the type of students accepted. About 40% of the students accepted into TUCOM's class of 2005 were from UCs. We also had students who got their Bachelor's at Cornell, Stanford, and Brown University.

<a href="http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/admissions/tucominfo.htm" target="_blank">http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/admissions/tucominfo.htm</a>

The UCs had 5 schools (UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Davis, and UC Irvine) ranked in the top 10 of the nation's public schools. UC Berkeley was ranked as the top public school in the nation. Including all the schools in the nation (public and private), they had six schools ranked in the top 50 (UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Davis, and UC Santa Barbara).

<a href="http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/natudoc/tier1/t1natudoc.htm" target="_blank">http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/natudoc/tier1/t1natudoc.htm</a>

UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and UCLA were the schools with the most matriculating students into TUCOM. The average science GPA for TUCOM is 3.4, overall being 3.5, and average MCAT of 27.

The point that I'm making is that despite having graduated only one class, TUCOM already has an excellent reputation in the Northern California as many of our students do rotations at Stanford, UCSF, and UC Davis. This contributed to our students matching into competitive programs. With regards to WUHS having better rotations? I think that's a silly argument because as any 3rd or 4th year COMP or TUCOM student knows, TUCOM students do as many rotations as they want in the COMP system. The fact is that most of us decided to do rotations in the Bay Area instead.

TUCOM's reputation rises significantly each year. The quality of students that we have reflect this and it is ultimately the quality of the students who wind up in residencies who will determine the reputation of a school. With so many of our students and now residents floating around in competitive allopathic residencies/rotations, we've become a known and respected quantity. Even in Southern Ca, the students who matched in SoCal are doing Emergency Medicine at USC and Internal Medicine at UCI. Most of our grads stay in the Bay.

I don't think that our plans for moving the law school, business school, and undergraduate school will hurt us. Each new school will have its own deans responsible for the program. Having dual degree programs will only attract more people in the future. Plus, we have enough room on the island. 😉 Yes, COMP is more established as is the curriculum, but that doesn't mean that the students will be getting better residencies than TUCOM students. Already this year there are many more applicants from Stanford and UC Berkeley than there were in previous years.

 

[drusso]

As a former Bay Area resident and UC Berkeley graduate, I'm glad to see that TUCOM is doing well. I was offered a spot in their "pioneer class" in 1997, but turned it down because I was intimidated by the "newness" of the whole enterprise. I also interviewed at WesternU (COMP at the time) and really was disappointed by the lack of professionalism that characterized the institution at the time. I think that WesternU is a strong school, but it seemed to lack a certain "polish" that TUCOM has been able to display from the get-go. I hope that TUCOM continues to thrive---I hope that they're able to get some stronger Bay Area rotation sites: Highland Hospital, Santa Rosa Community Hospital, etc would be ideal. I also think that the Central Valley could be an ideal place to set up rotation sites because of the relative poverty and diverse patient population. Is Touro involved in finding sites in Stockton, Lodi, Fresno, or Modesto? These would only be 2-3 hours away. California is definitely big enough for two D.O. schools.

I think that expanding the campus to include other programs and possibly an undergraduate program is a good thing as it will attract a diverse faculty to participate in the medical program. There is certainly no shortage of academic types in the SF Bay Area. Still, biomedical research is the coin of the realm for medical education and D.O. schools are sorely lacking in this area. I'm skeptical that Touro can build a viable biomedical research enterprise to sustain its long term survival with essentially three research powerhouses in the vacinity: Berkeley, Stanford, and Davis.

Maybe Leotigers could share his/hers perspective on this...

 

[jhug]

This is a question that has been eating at me-- and i debated asking but in the end i want to know- did any of you, attending touro or not, feel deceived by the little book/web site providing details of the school? They talk of "breathtaking views of the city"--the only thing breathtaking to me was the fact that all but 3 buildings are closed/run-down. Also, they talk of "the island"-- you cross a bridge to get to touro but that is NO island- it is a finger of land that sticks out in a bay. Finally, they have this list of some 150-200 clinical faculty-- nearly half do's and half md's-- unless the tour i had was REALLY insufficient, i saw/heard of maybe 20 faculty TOTAL! i don't want to harp on touro or sound super negative about the school-- i just felt very deceived, and felt that it was done intentionally. On paper the school was amazing- in person it was a dissapoitment. Again, my intention is not to offend anyone, i sincerely want to know if any felt the way i did.

 

[Leotigers]

Jhug, this is the second time I've read of your deception regarding TUCOM. Obviously, you haven't seen enough websites about medical schools, residencies, and job offers. They always try to sell the city and tell you about all the positives and leave out the negatives. I thought this was just something everyone knew. Besides, I don't think the Bay Area really needs to sell itself. While you may not be particularly fond of what you saw, many people do LOVE Northern California. Yes, the Island is not a resort, but afterall, it is officially called MARE ISLAND even before TUCOM arrived. I'm not really sure what your point is.

To be honest, I can't even find which section you are talking about on the website. However, you should never go by what the school tells you about the area. Do you think Hopkins, Temple, and the like go into great detail about the neighborhood? Besides, have you considered that no one feels deceived by the desciption because: a)They don't rely on any school or program to tell them about the area b)Even without a description people know that the Bay Area is one of the best places to live.

While on my residency interviews, I always found it amusing how people tried to sell the city towards the end of the interview. I never really listened to that part of the presentation. You need to GO there and form your own opinions or rely on what other family/friends tell you. FYI - many people (especially from UC Berkeley and UC Davis) choose TUCOM because of location rather than something spectacular about the curriculum. Somehow, I don't think they really read or felt deceived by the description of area.

I can't believe I even need to defend the Bay Area. WesternU also gets a lot of negativity about their location. Personally, I love SoCal and while Pomona wouldn't be my top choice in terms of cities to live in, who cares? I don't have to live there and it's fairly close to many area of SoCal that I do love. The point is that take anyone on the street and ask them where they'd rather live: Northern Ca, Southern Ca, Missouri, or Arizona. Besides, if Arizona's location is so much better, why is it that no one sticks around there for residency? I find it amusing that more people go to CA than AZ for residency from your school. 😛 I guess in this case, it's better not to put a description on the web?

With regards to faculty, this is true of many schools and residency programs too. They list everyone affiliated with the program in the hostpitals you rotate and anyone affiliated with the program. I'm not sure what your point is. Did you expect all the physicians to show up at school for your interview? They are all at the hospitals supervising the 200 or so students we have on rotations. 😕 I'm not sure what your point was.

I think you made a fine decision regarding AZCOM. I think it is an excellent school with a great track record for residency placement. What I do question is your reasons for excluding certain schools. In four years, when you interview for residency, the same thing will occur. You can't just go by what the brochure says about the area. If that were the case, you might actually believe that there's a better place to live in the world than California. 😉

 

[Leotigers]

Originally posted by drusso:
As a former Bay Area resident and UC Berkeley graduate, I'm glad to see that TUCOM is doing well. I was offered a spot in their "pioneer class" in 1997, but turned it down because I was intimidated by the "newness" of the whole enterprise. I also interviewed at WesternU (COMP at the time) and really was disappointed by the lack of professionalism that characterized the institution at the time. I think that WesternU is a strong school, but it seemed to lack a certain "polish" that TUCOM has been able to display from the get-go. I hope that TUCOM continues to thrive---I hope that they're able to get some stronger Bay Area rotation sites: Highland Hospital, Santa Rosa Community Hospital, etc would be ideal. I also think that the Central Valley could be an ideal place to set up rotation sites because of the relative poverty and diverse patient population. Is Touro involved in finding sites in Stockton, Lodi, Fresno, or Modesto? These would only be 2-3 hours away. California is definitely big enough for two D.O. schools.

I think that expanding the campus to include other programs and possibly an undergraduate program is a good thing as it will attract a diverse faculty to participate in the medical program. There is certainly no shortage of academic types in the SF Bay Area. Still, biomedical research is the coin of the realm for medical education and D.O. schools are sorely lacking in this area. I'm skeptical that Touro can build a viable biomedical research enterprise to sustain its long term survival with essentially three research powerhouses in the vacinity: Berkeley, Stanford, and Davis.

Maybe Leotigers could share his/hers perspective on this...

You're right. I don't think TUCOM will ever get around to building a viable biomedical research enterprise. It's too bad that research of any sort isn't a greater priority at all DO schools, except a few. I met your dean at our graduation and he's a really enthusiatic individual with impressive credentials. Building a multi-milltion dollar research center like TCOM just did won't happen any time soon at TUCOM, if ever. TCOM is definitely one of the top DO schools. Now if you could only convince your dean to move the school to Berkeley, CA. 😉 Our dean is an Orthopedic Surgeon so he is quite stubborn and things get changed very slowly as a result. He has his own vision for the school, and right now research isn't a priority. However, I think TUCOM can survive long term despite the lack of quality research. There will always be people who want to stay in CA for medical school and there is no shortage of qualified applicants in CA. Having UCSF, Stanford, and UC Davis so close actually works out well for those wanting to do research. Many students have particpiated in research there and let's face it, many schools will never compare to Stanford and UCSF.

I know many alumni who feel a great sense of loyalty to the school and I am certain they will return after residency to TUCOM or help in some way with its future. Many people who graduate from TUCOM will probably go into allopathic residencies in the Bay Area. I think we will start reaping additional benefits of this in the future. With TUCOM grads in residency, on faculty, or in practice, we will have a great network.

 

[FutrDr. Watson]

No offense "Bird", but I really dislike these type of questions. I first should say that I'm in the Class of 2005 at Touro. Now, I lived all my life in Upland, Ca (only 10-15 minutes from Western) and I had to choose between Western and Touro (and AZCOM but that was a 3rd option). So I would say I was in the same boat as you. I'm very happy with my choice to go to Touro and to be honest I probably would be just as happy to go to Western. I know people that are going/went to Western and they are overall happy there and the same goes for Touro. Both schools have negatives (what school doesn't) but I wouldn't listen to what others say, instead go with your heart (seriously). This might sound weird but seriously when you add it all up it just comes down to YOU. Western is the school responsible for making me want to become a DO, but I just felt I fit in better at Touro. That was the MAIN reason why I chose Touro; I felt I would be able to study and learn medicine optimally at Touro. I also thought it would be a good idea not to live to close to home 🙂

Lastly, I can't stand the school bashing others give on this site; it's so immature and it tells me people are still in the days of High School in choosing undergrad. For that matter, the DO community needs to stick together and back each other up.

Good luck on your choice and what I can tell you is that you are going to go to a great school no matter which one you choose.


Just for Laughs when is Touro going to be considered as "established" and not "new."

 

[melancholy]

FutrDrWatson- I agree with you regarding these questions being brought up.. I'm sure you understand that some people have not had as much exposure to these questions and debates and there were plenty of us that had to make that choice between which school to send our deposit to in the end. I think if we stay on SDN long enough we will still be answering the same questions long past our residencies.. heh. 😀

That being said.. you said Western piqued your interest in osteopathy.. did you happen to attend OMAC (the osteopathic medicine awareness conference held at Western)? That was a great intro for a lot of people including me although I wish more people around the U.S. had a chance to visit conferences like that to gain more exposure to our profession as a whole.

Anyway, it's late.. just stopping by to say hi and read up a bit. Maybe we'll meet each other at the next AOA convention (Vegas, right? Hehe..)

 

[FutrDr. Watson]

Yep, I went to the OMAC once and Western also came out to speak at my college about Osteopathy. The only reason why I still come on SDN is that I appreciated the help I got from others on this site but I really dislike the bashing. I'm not sure where the next AOA meeting is but I like the idea of Vegas 🙂

Take Care

 

[Leotigers]

Originally posted by FutrDr. Watson:
Yep, I went to the OMAC once and Western also came out to speak at my college about Osteopathy. The only reason why I still come on SDN is that I appreciated the help I got from others on this site but I really dislike the bashing. I'm not sure where the next AOA meeting is but I like the idea of Vegas 🙂

Take Care

I'm sorry if I've gotten defensive on this site lately. I used to post frequently about COMP and TUCOM last year. I think I was pretty fair to both schools. I started to get frustrated by some of the criticism that some people have made about TUCOM, which seemed pretty silly to me. Very few TUCOM students actually post on this site, so I guess I was just tired of reading all the negatives from other medical students. Things I would see frequently would be how much less prepared our student were on rotations than TUCOM, how ugly the Island was, how unorganized the school was, how deceptive the school was in its representation, and so forth. If any one of us wanted to, we could all bash each other's schools with what we've heard and what we've seen. The truth is that none of us really truly knows what each other's school is like. All we can really do is provide the positives and negatives about our own school and why we chose to attend. Lately, I've been guilty myself of going beyond this too.

I think what it boils down to is that these topics arise because a majority of students at TUCOM and COMP have a choice. If you got into TUCOM, you most likely got into COMP and vice versa. I liked NorCal and felt that there were more opportunities for the school and students to thrive there. Despite the fact that UCSF and Stanford is here, I've felt that it's been a nonissue. Stanford and UCSF medical students are generally regarded in an entirely different class even against most of the allopathic medical schools. Therefore, no one really compares us to them and their students know how highly regarded they are. It's not like we are really competing for the same residencies. In SoCal, there's UCI, UCSD, USC, Loma Linda, and UCLA. There are opinions floating about COMP students vs. Allopathic students, UCI vs. UCLA, LL vs. the other CA schools, and so forth. In practice, these become nonissues, but as a pre-med I didn't feel like this was something I wanted to deal with. Maybe it really wasn't an issue and COMP students do get competitive residencies in SoCal, but those were some of my thoughts at the time. My guess is that it really isn't an issue anymore and even during my short career as a DO student/DO, I've seen a lot of changes in CA. I've met a lot of successful graduates from COMP in competitive allopathic residencies and many of them have helped me tremendously as a medical student. There was no TUCOM vs. COMP in their mind, just the fact that I was a DO and they wanted to help me out. They went out of their way to teach me, offered me places to stay during interviews, and offered to make calls on my behalf. The students at COMP and TUCOM are really not that different and I don't think any of us should feel superior to the other. I think we should help each other in any way we can and my apologies if I didn't convey that feeling lately.

 

[jhug]

Leotigers--and everyone else-- i sincerely hope that i have not offended you, that was never my intention. I agree with you that it is important that we all pull together to better osteopathic medicine and i also recognize that, in a short time from now, it is very likely that we will be working side by side on a case. I think the best thing to do is to let this die 🙂 --and you have no need to defend the bay area- my wife is from saratoga (bay area) and my main concern was not the area as you suggested- but more the curriculum and style of the school- i couldn't/wouldn't pick a school based of where it was, but more what it is doing. That is a 100% personal thing- i'm not trashing on touro, it just didn't fit me. It is a great school with an amazing potential and i anticipate working with you/grads from there in the future. Again, i hope i didn't offend you and i wish you the best of luck on all your endeavors! 😉

 

[darly]

As I read the replies to bird's post, I had to laugh. I realize that things haven't changed a bit since two years ago. Two years ago, there were also debates on Western vs. Touro. Many people back then deemed Touro as being unestablished and new, and I guess people still do.

I am a second year at TUCOM, and I have to say that I don't regret it one bit. I feel that the quality of my education here is the same, if not better than other schools. The professors here are very friendly, and they are willing to make time for any student.

I also live on Mare Island. Contrary to what people say, I think this is a perfect place to have a school. Rent is cheap, the island is safe, and it's very convenient. Believe me, when you have to get up by 8am after studying until midnight, you'll definitely appreciate that you apt is only two minutes from school. I've also started to appreciate the Bay Area. There's so much to do up here! You can go into San Francisco (40 mins), Berkeley (20min), and Napa Valley(&lt;20 min). Mare Island is a great place to have a school.

I guess some people are worried about the rotation sites that Touro is affiliated with. There are plenty of sites. Touro is currently trying to expand their network in the Bay Area, Southern California, and other states. We have rotation sites in Downey, Long Beach, Chino, San Jauquin, San Pablo, San Francisco, Napa Valley, Las Vegas, New York, Arizona, Oregon, and Colorado. We (the second-years) just had our match, and most people got their first or second choice.

I don't know much about residency programs, but I saw the match list last year. It seems like people got into good programs. The ultimate factor in being aceepted into a residency program is not what school you went to or what grades you get, but how the hospitals view you as a person.

Lastly, I'd like to say that the people at Touro are great! I get along with my roommates very well and have made great friends over the last two years. People are definitely united here. Personally, I enjoy the smallness of Touro's class. I think we were able to get to know each other better this way.

Bird, I think you should choose the school where you'll be happiest. Med school is hard enough. You don't need any unnecessary worries. I am just giving you my perspective of Touro. Good luck with whatever decision you plan to make.

 

[FutrDr. Watson]

Amen Leotigers Amen

 

[melancholy]

Folks,
You know what.. even if others may not agree with my sentiment, I am glad that you TUCOM'ers are talking about your school. I think if people end up making the right decision on what school best fits them it will help everyone in the end. If someone ends up going to TUCOM rather than COMP, that's another spot opened for someone that feels they fit in at COMP and vice versa.

You mentioned a couple of rotation sites down here in southern California.. most likely you will see a few COMP'ers before you're done with rotations and possibly during residency as well. I suppose between TUCOM and COMP, there are plenty of Californians who originate from Northern or Southern Cali.. so in the end I think it would balance out anyway.. heh.

Leotigers- I've always remembered your posts regarding TUCOM and COMP.. I'm sure you DO get tired of responding to these supposed "debate" questions all the time, but I appreciate your input and experiences in the matter. Personally, I think SDN has made a serious difference in allowing me to make much more informed decisions than without. I have to wonder how much of a difference the advice on SDN has made in helping people (even just through moral support) get accepted into med school...

 

[CDM14]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to know if anyone could compare COMP and Touro for me. I liked both places and do not know which one I should attend. I am interested in hearing more about clinical rotations, housing options, professors and overall opinion of the schools in the medical community.

Thank you for your help!

 

[CDM14]

TO TOURO ER:
Thanks for your info, I would love to hear more about the rotation process at TUCOM if you get a spare moment. Your impressions were the same as the ones that I had at first glance, the students at TUCOM just seemed a bit happier (which is very important to me).

Thanks again...

 

[Dancer]

Try doing a search about this. It's been discussed several times. Good luck...

 

[jhug]

COMP-- no question!! I'm going to azcom so i think i'm pretty neutral on this but comp, in my opinion, is much more organized- internally and externally!

 

[whatsup]

I agree with JHUG . If it is between TUCOM and Western, it is Western without a single doubt. TUCOM may spin its negatives in a different light trying to make it looks like positive, I do not buy it. The most convincing evidence between the two schools is look at the residence matching. Western has about 95% matching rate, with some graduate going to top notch institutions, specialty fields. TUCOM's matching? no comment. Browse <a href="http://www.interviewfeedback.com" target="_blank">www.interviewfeedback.com</a> at TUCOM's remark section. A TUCOM student entered a web site to display TUCOM's matching. I like to know what % of its student got matched??? Only 50 something students got matched, what about the other students?

 

[Careofme]

Hey "Whatsup"-

TUCOM actually DOES claim to have a residency match of 95% also at top notch institutions...so equal residency match considered, which is better now?

 

[whatsup]

Hey Careofme,

Seeing is believing. •••quote:•••Browse <a href="http://www.interviewfeedback.com" target="_blank">www.interviewfeedback.com</a> at TUCOM's remark section. A TUCOM student entered a web site to display TUCOM's matching. I like to know what % of its student got matched??? Only 50 something students got matched, what about the other students? ••••Since TUCOM had more than 60 students in its graduation class, the matching % CANNOT be 95%. TUCOM can claim what it wants, but I do not have to believe it. Sorry. When you look at Western's web site, you can see who was matched at where, and what specialty fields. It's much more credible, and more impressive.

 

[Leotigers]

<a href="http://mcwmd.com/a/matchlist.htm" target="_blank">http://mcwmd.com/a/matchlist.htm</a>

<a href="http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/admissions/tucominfo.htm" target="_blank">http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/admissions/tucominfo.htm</a>

1. Touro University (Official Results):
a. <a href="http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/registrar/AMA%20Results.htm" target="_blank">Allopathic Match</a>
b. <a href="http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/registrar/AOAMatch.htm" target="_blank">Osteopathic Match/Out-of-Match</a>
2. <a href="http://student.westernu.edu/aecuenca/DO2004/COMP2001Matchresults.htm" target="_blank">Western University (Unofficial Results)</a>

I try not to get too involved with these debates about WUHS and TUCOM. However, I think someone needs some clarification about what's up. TUCOM graduated 63 students from its first class and every single person obtained a residency and 24/27 people got one of their top three choices in an allopathic residency. Gee, Peds at Stanford, Anesthesia at Columbia, PM&R at Harvard, Emergency Medicine at USC, and tons of allopathic IM matches in the Bay Area. I guess all these matches just pale in comparison to the illustrious history of COMP. If you take into consideration that this was TUCOM's first graduating class and that no program director had ever even met a TUCOM grad, it actually is quite embarassing for COMP. How much longer has COMP been around and what does it really have to show for it. Tons of matches into its own Osteopathic FP program? Give me a break! TUCOM has a higher average GPA, MCAT, 40% of its students from a UC, and a better location.

Yes, COMP does have more residency programs and rotation sites, but none that I would EVER want to rotate through. TUCOM students have access to all the rotations at COMP, but many choose not to rotate there. Why the heck would we when we can do rotations at nearby sites at Stanford, UCSF, or UC Davis. Fine, they're not ours but they are closeby and we can and do take advantage of that fact.

With regards to TUCOM exagerrating its GPA and MCAT (I think this comment was made on another thread, but I have only enough energy to post here), are you suggesting that TUCOM is lying? How can you inflate the GPA of matriculating students? If the admininstration wanted to do that, they could've cited the average GPA and MCAT of accepted students rather than those who matriculated. Many schools commonly do that to inflate their average GPA and MCAT. If you want to talk about inaccuracy, perhaps you should refer to COMP's commonly cited match. First of all, there is no Anesthesia residency at Pacific Hospital. Secondly, please tell me which COMP student matched at UCSF for an Anesthesia residency. This sure is news to the Anesthesia residents I know there. Thirdly, fourthly, and so forth. I hope none of you are basing your decision on this unofficial (to put it kindly) match list. I know many people from the class of '01 at COMP and they have verified the inaccuracy of that list. Why don't you ask the faculty at COMP to post official match results, average GPA and MCAT scores, and which schools their students come from? As a new school who has only graduated one class, at least we have nothing to hide. Plus, our matches will only get better every year.

Do I believe that TUCOM is a much better school and you will match better here? No, but I certainly do not think COMP is either. The fact is that I really don't understand these debates about NYCOM vs. PCOM or TUCOM vs. COMP. The truth is that 99.9% of the public does not know the difference and 99% of allopathic residency directors do not know either. We're not talking about Hopkins vs. Meharry here. If there was any situation in which you should choose a school based upon where you feel comfortable, where your support network is, or where you want to live, it should be with osteopathic medical schools because these differences are more subtle. Unless you want to do an osteopathic residency, a majority of the PDs do not know the difference between our schools.

P.S. You really should learn a little more about the match process rather than to state really stupid things like "Since TUCOM had more than 60 students in its graduation class, the matching % CANNOT be 95%. TUCOM can claim what it wants, but I do not have to believe it. Seeing is believing." Maybe you should get some glasses buddy, because I don't know what the heck you are seeing. Almost all osteopathic grads match into a residency so that's kind of a stupid point. I think if we can manage 24/27 of our students getting their top three choices in the allopathic match and every single person matching, we might be able to do okay in the osteopathic match as well. I'm sorry, did you assume that since only 27 students applied for the allopathic match that the rest didn't match. Do you even know that there are two different matches (one by NMS and the other through ERAS). Is this what you call "seeing is believing"? If I gave you pink tinted sunglasses would you believe the world is pink? I hope you're not entertaining a research career.

 

[Thumper]

Thanks for your post, ER. I really wish I knew more about TUCOM to defend it as you did, but it made me feel better knowing that I had made the right choice in deciding to attend here.

 

[jhug]

PERFECTLY PUT!!!! Thank you so much for the clarity and simplicity of this comment!! if only this would end these debates!

 

[jhug]

sorry, i forgot to paste the comment! 🙂

•••quote:••• you should choose a school based upon where you feel comfortable, where your support network is, or where you want to live ••••

 

[iknowwhatsup]

Where are you looking fo the match results?

Look here for TUCOM 2001 Match results

<a href="http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/registrar/AOAMatch.htm" target="_blank">http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/registrar/AOAMatch.htm</a>
<a href="http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/registrar/AMA%20Results.htm" target="_blank">http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/registrar/AMA%20Results.htm</a>

The Class of 2001 had a 1% not matched rate 1st round, but all students placed during the scramble. 😀

•••quote:•••Originally posted by whatsup:
•Hey Careofme,

Seeing is believing. •••quote:•••Browse <a href="http://www.interviewfeedback.com" target="_blank">www.interviewfeedback.com</a> at TUCOM's remark section. A TUCOM student entered a web site to display TUCOM's matching. I like to know what % of its student got matched??? Only 50 something students got matched, what about the other students? ••••Since TUCOM had more than 60 students in its graduation class, the matching % CANNOT be 95%. TUCOM can claim what it wants, but I do not have to believe it. Sorry. When you look at Western's web site, you can see who was matched at where, and what specialty fields. It's much more credible, and more impressive.•••••

 

[iknowwhatsup]

Excellant return...at least someone knows what the heck they are talkin about...Thanks

sjm

•••quote:•••Originally posted by ER:
•<a href="http://mcwmd.com/a/matchlist.htm" target="_blank">http://mcwmd.com/a/matchlist.htm</a>

<a href="http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/admissions/tucominfo.htm" target="_blank">http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/admissions/tucominfo.htm</a>

1. Touro University (Official Results):
a. <a href="http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/registrar/AMA%20Results.htm" target="_blank">Allopathic Match</a>
b. <a href="http://209.209.34.25/webdocs/registrar/AOAMatch.htm" target="_blank">Osteopathic Match/Out-of-Match</a>
2. <a href="http://student.westernu.edu/aecuenca/DO2004/COMP2001Matchresults.htm" target="_blank">Western University (Unofficial Results)</a>

I try not to get too involved with these debates about WUHS and TUCOM. However, I think someone needs some clarification about what's up. TUCOM graduated 63 students from its first class and every single person obtained a residency and 24/27 people got one of their top three choices in an allopathic residency. Gee, Peds at Stanford, Anesthesia at Columbia, PM&R at Harvard, Emergency Medicine at USC, and tons of allopathic IM matches in the Bay Area. I guess all these matches just pale in comparison to the illustrious history of COMP. If you take into consideration that this was TUCOM's first graduating class and that no program director had ever even met a TUCOM grad, it actually is quite embarassing for COMP. How much longer has COMP been around and what does it really have to show for it. Tons of matches into its own Osteopathic FP program? Give me a break! TUCOM has a higher average GPA, MCAT, 40% of its students from a UC, and a better location.

Yes, COMP does have more residency programs and rotation sites, but none that I would EVER want to rotate through. TUCOM students have access to all the rotations at COMP, but many choose not to rotate there. Why the heck would we when we can do rotations at nearby sites at Stanford, UCSF, or UC Davis. Fine, they're not ours but they are closeby and we can and do take advantage of that fact.

With regards to TUCOM exagerrating its GPA and MCAT (I think this comment was made on another thread, but I have only enough energy to post here), are you suggesting that TUCOM is lying? How can you inflate the GPA of matriculating students? If the admininstration wanted to do that, they could've cited the average GPA and MCAT of accepted students rather than those who matriculated. Many schools commonly do that to inflate their average GPA and MCAT. If you want to talk about inaccuracy, perhaps you should refer to COMP's commonly cited match. First of all, there is no Anesthesia residency at Pacific Hospital. Secondly, please tell me which COMP student matched at UCSF for an Anesthesia residency. This sure is news to the Anesthesia residents I know there. Thirdly, fourthly, and so forth. I hope none of you are basing your decision on this unofficial (to put it kindly) match list. I know many people from the class of '01 at COMP and they have verified the inaccuracy of that list. Why don't you ask the faculty at COMP to post official match results, average GPA and MCAT scores, and which schools their students come from? As a new school who has only graduated one class, at least we have nothing to hide. Plus, our matches will only get better every year.

Do I believe that TUCOM is a much better school and you will match better here? No, but I certainly do not think COMP is either. The fact is that I really don't understand these debates about NYCOM vs. PCOM or TUCOM vs. COMP. The truth is that 99.9% of the public does not know the difference and 99% of allopathic residency directors do not know either. We're not talking about Hopkins vs. Meharry here. If there was any situation in which you should choose a school based upon where you feel comfortable, where your support network is, or where you want to live, it should be with osteopathic medical schools because these differences are more subtle. Unless you want to do an osteopathic residency, a majority of the PDs do not know the difference between our schools.

P.S. You really should learn a little more about the match process rather than to state really stupid things like "Since TUCOM had more than 60 students in its graduation class, the matching % CANNOT be 95%. TUCOM can claim what it wants, but I do not have to believe it. Seeing is believing." Maybe you should get some glasses buddy, because I don't know what the heck you are seeing. Almost all osteopathic grads match into a residency so that's kind of a stupid point. I think if we can manage 24/27 of our students getting their top three choices in the allopathic match and every single person matching, we might be able to do okay in the osteopathic match as well. I'm sorry, did you assume that since only 27 students applied for the allopathic match that the rest didn't match. Do you even know that there are two different matches (one by NMS and the other through ERAS). Is this what you call "seeing is believing"? If I gave you pink tinted sunglasses would you believe the world is pink? I hope you're not entertaining a research career.•••••

 

[dlbruch]

ER,
Your opinions and information on TUCOM are welcomed, I am sure, for those who are trying to make an informed choice between the schools. I am disturbed, though, about your negative and insulting comments and implications regarding COMP. It is understandable that you would be perturbed by the one or two posts that took a shot at your school, but responding with more jabs at COMP is unwarranted. I am a COMP student who is satisfied with the education I am receiving and optimistic about my rotations and residency prospects. Lets get away from the eye-for-an-eye approach and simply share what we know and what we like about our schools. Ours is an honorable and respectable profession. Let's keep it that way.

Respectfully,

 

[go GOP]

This directed to ER's comments.

It is a little disconcerting to see that "seemingly" professional student can make such bold and subjective statements about an instition on a "he said/she said" foundation. However it does not surprise me--I saw your same post last summer (either that or you have borrowed someone elses verbatum statement). It seems that you have not taken the time to do credible research on your own.

Your argument is of the same class "my dad can beat your dad up." I stopped that argument when I was about seven years old.

For a school that is sub-par (as ER profers), our 3rd year class has recieved a relatively high number of transfers from Touro. Our rotations are excellent and considered strong by other institutions for the 3rd and 4th years. As far as your argument about rotations at Stanford, UCSF etc., several of my friends will be doing their's at these institutions along with USC and UCLA. In fact, I will be doing a fellowship in Washington, DC. I will also be able to do rotations at University of Virginia, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic and Georgetown.

Further, the last time I checked, over 60% of our class attended UC Berkely, UCLA, University of Michigan, and University of Virginia. These are the four top-ranked public universities in the United States. Unfortunately, you are talking about median gpa and mcat scores that have not been updated for at least two years. I happen to know that the averages for my class were much higher.

Having spoken with many graduate education and residency directors, the answer is almost always the same. Since there are no bad medical schools in the United States, the programs are not so much interested in where you went to med school. They want to know how well you did and what your life experiences can offer to make it a better program. Your education and where you want to do your residency program is in your own hands and who you know. Further, those that I have talked to that have had COMP grads in their programs have had nothing but the highest regard & respect for them. In fact, even in Washington, DC, some of the greatest doctors I have known were COMP grads. That is one reason I selected to go here--WUCOM produces great physicians.

You can minimize COMP's match list all you want, but I happen to know the people who matched at Jackson Memorial, Johns Hopkins, Yale, and UCSF--yes these people really do exist--they happen to be doing thier rotating internships now. This may account for the fact that your acquaintences at UCSF do not know them.

I suggest that you take the time to worry about your own education and career and stop making perjorative comments that are drawn from insecurity. It is easy for a school to get to the top quickly by coat-tailing. When the trail is already blazed, the vast majority of the work is already done.

After two years here, I would not go anywhere else for my medical education.

As far as your argument about location. You may have me there. Coming from Northern Virginia/Washington, DC. Pomona and the Los Angeles Metro Area are the ugliest places I have ever lived--I can't wait to get back east where the forest is lush and green, there are four seasons, and people understand politics. The truth is that it is all relative--everyone has their own preference.

 

[Forensic Chick]

Hello everyone,

I am a native Californian and I'd love to stay in California for medical school. I am applying to both Western and Touro and I was looking for some inside information on both schools. I know the basics - mostly from the webpages/AAMC official guide, etc - but I was very curious as to how the students feel there, the atmosphere and third/fourth year rotations.

Thanks in advance!

-Michelle-

 

[jhug]

michelle, there was quite a few posts on this very topic not too long ago-- i'm not sure how to do it but if you can find a way to search that may be of help to you. i was accepted to both but will end up going to azcom-- my personal feelings were that western has the definite advantage over touro at the present time. western just seemed more established/put together. Touro had too much of a deserted base feel to me and too eager to expand the school before the DO program was fully established. these are just my feelings, there are many who are totally happy there and fit in well with the program. in the end, you are in a win/win situation. Both schools will give you a great education and put you where you want to go.

 

[SoCal]

I know this has been around before, but is anyone else going through this decision, or have gone through this choosing process? Time is running out, as well as $$$. Both schools seem to have their pros and cons. I know everyone says go where you feel comfortable, but besides that any other opinions...and I know they are just opinions, but bring them on. Thanks

 

[nycom2005]

not a fan of TUCOM

 

[SoCal]

OK...anyone else want to take a shot at this one? I am looking for honest opinions only. Unexplained opinons help no one. Thanks

 

[Dagny]

I remember TUCOM did not give me much time to make a decision, so I'll try to help. While I was accepted to both schools, I chose another osteopathic school. I weighed my information carefully before making a final decision, as I'm sure you'll want to do.

I made a list of what things were important to me in each school, and saw how each school, including TUCOM and Western compared on each of my items. A lot had to do with how I felt at the school, and whether I thought I could fit in with the students and the atmosphere. I also had questions about rotations, which Dr. Haight was very quick and happy to answer.

I also asked alumni and current students from Western University what they liked and didn't like about the school. Once I made my decision, I was surprised by how much feedback students on this forum gave about the policies and unhappiness about certain issues with their school. I'm sure you can find it in old threads, if you haven't seen it already.

Have you lived in either area? I had lived in both, so I can answer questions about that if that matters to you, and you're interested.

The reputation of the school once I graduate mattered to me, so I looked at the number of years each school was established. I looked at medical school as a way to help me get into a good residency.

Also, it mattered a lot to me how I was treated during the interview. There was a big difference in the way Western and Touro interviewed me, and I felt that said something about the way the professors approach students, and also how much stress they felt a student should go through during the interview. That's just me.

I looked at how high the student's attrition rate was.

So that's the general information. If you want me to answer specific points about each school, please PM me, and I'll get into specifics without offending either school's admission's committee or students. I would try to talk to alumni from each school.

Good luck, and congratulations.

 

[gubernaculum]

Not much of a comparison. One school has been around for more than 25 years, and the other only 4 years. One has unbelieveable rotations, the other doesn't. One promises you the world and delivers about nothing...the other just gives you a good education. WUCOM is what you imagine to be a medical school. The other...well...ask the students. WUCOM has alot of scholarships...the other takes your $$$. Good luck to your decision.

 

[miles333]

hi guys, I was faced with the same decision about 3 years ago. I was admitted to Touro first. I had forked over > 2000 bucks and my housing was completely set up on-campus. At the last minute, COMP admitted me. I decided to stay in southern Cali because of location and family. Another big sway was the fact that Western's been around since I was born- compared to Touro, which had not even graduated their first class at that time. Though COMP has issues with administration, curriculum etc... I'm sure they have a more solid foundation established than Touro. During my interview at Touro, they emphasized the fact attending their school was an opportunity to mold the politics and curriculum since it was still at the duckling stage. They said it was perfect for students who are proactive and motivated to make changes. Honestly, I think that med school is overwhelming during the first year. The last thing you want to do is fumble around with administration, you just want to pass your classes and get a little sleep! So I guess you really have to think about what region you want to live in and if you want to deal with a possibly unstable curriculum. Also, I have heard that Touro has difficulty finding 3rd year rotations in the bay area.

 

[Luwi25]

Hi guys!🙂

I really wanted to apply to TUCOM early decision but do you know if there is a cut-off GPA and MCAT for applying early decision? If so, could someone tell me what that CUT-OFF is? Just want to make sure that I make the cut.

Also, of all the TUCOM and COMP acceptees and current students, could I get a range of your average GPAs (science and regular) and average MCAT. I just wanted to know where I would fall in that since I will be submitting my application in a couple of months here.

Thanks a bunch! 😀

 

[npdoc28]

I'm an MS1 at Western and I believe our class's average was 9 on the MCAT, and I don't know about the GPA.

 

[Adapt]

I've decided to write this post to tell you why, at least in my opinion, COMP is better than TUCOM...

Reputation:
COMP - It was founded in the early 1970s. Thus, COMP is pretty much established.

TUCOM - It was founded in 1997 so it is not that established. It has only graduated 3 or so classes.

Clinical education:
COMP - They have lots of affiliations with hospitals in southern CA including Arrowhead in Colton which is owned by the UCI medical school. You can do all your rotations in southern CA in cities such as Downey, Colton, Long Beach, etc. You also work alongside med students from UCI and other southern CA MD schools. Thus, the clinical education must be top notch.

TUCOM - I specifically asked about the 3rd and 4th years of TUCOM at my interview and they said that there aren't enough spots in the SF region to accomodate all students. What this means is that students have to travel away from that region to do their rotations. They have to go all around CA, across the nation to the east, to Las Vegas, etc.

Residency:
COMP - If you want to get a residency in California, and if you do a search on freida and look at the residents, almost all the DOs that you would find are graduates from COMP. In fact, particularly in primary care, some DOs head the residency programs and they are graduates of COMP. There have also been matches outside the state including at the Mayo clinic for surgery. Enough said.

TUCOM - I can't say too much about the list since I have not really researched it. It may or may not be comparable to COMP's.

Location:
COMP - It is located in southern CA where the weather is great. It kind of is in a bad neighborhood but most students live in the surrounding neighborhoods which are nice. It is about 40 minutes away from Hollywood and Los Angeles in car on the freeway.

TUCOM - The weather is also nice. It is located on an island. You have to have a permit to enter the island. To get to San Francisco, the nearest main city, you have to walk to the pier, take the toll ferry, and then you're there. That takes about an hour and a half. There is not much else to do around the area. There is a dorm so that is a plus.

Facilities:
COMP - The campus itself looks ok. I thought the facilities were really nice and modern. All the seats have ethernet connections since you have to have a laptop. The anatomly lab looked nice as well.

TUCOM - The campus looked ok although it is an old navel base so it still has that look, a bit dreary. Inside, it looks ok. The anatomy lab was nice.

Conclusion - Thus, in my opinion, I believe COMP beats TUCOM in reputation, clinical education, placement in residency, and location. I think it's a tie in facilities.

I know I may be flamed by fellow TUCOMers but once again it is my opinion and it is subjective. I am just explaining why I believe COMP is better than TUCOM.

 

[that dr. jack]

i was comparing the curriculum for both, and you have to admit that TUCOM has a more diverse curriculum with classes such as medical spanish (which i've heard COMP is trying to start), medical ethics, and other really cool electives. the curriculum just seems much more modern than COMP's, even though both have systems-based classes.

also, even though COMP has what seems to be more elective rotations, TUCOM has some "required" rotations that the students still get to choose, ie: primary care, specialty. lots more sugical rotations, which i think is a great idea if D.O.s want to break further into surgical fields. yes, i know this is tantamount to sacrilege in your mind, but personally i like all the options in front of me before i decide. COMP does have a lot more hospital sites (especially places i've worked at- i saw the list and i was like "i've been there, and there, and there..." nice to see places you are already comfortable with), but it's also been around a lot longer.

TUCOM may be newer, but it's doing really well on boards or matching. i can't find board info for COMP, but neither match list is better, in my opinion. they both have a pretty good distribution of osteo and allo residencies in the places and fields one would expect. TUCOM had more sugical residencies in 2003, but COMP has more Cali residencies. for such a new school, TUCOM is really doing some impressive stuff. COMP has nicer facilities, and is right by the train tracks! i heart trains, and tend to stare at them like i was 6-year-old when they go by. now that's a plus for COMP.

in terms of anything coming from any US NEWS, i could give a sh7t. my friend was going on and on about TUCOM having the #1 blah blah blah, but i was below both their average GPA and MCAT scores, so it looks like it doesn't matter as much as it would seem.

all in all, i like them both. if i get into COMP, i will have about two days at the most to decide between the two. it really doesn't matter in the end where you go, but hey, pissing matches are my guilty pleasure just like anyone else.

 

[Adapt]

Originally posted by that dr. jack
i was comparing the curriculum for both, and you have to admit that TUCOM has a more diverse curriculum with classes such as medical spanish (which i've heard COMP is trying to start),

COMP has electives allowing you to practice in Mexico. My FP who graduated from COMP did this.

At my TUCOM interview, Dr. Haight did say that TUCOM lacked diversity of students whereas COMP is very much ethically diverse. If it's spanish you want to improve on, COMP will definitely help you more than TUCOM, just based on patient demographics alone.

 

[wamedic]

One also needs to take into account the quality of didactic education in your first 2 years, in addition to the other factors that Slickness compared. I feel that a school?s attrition rate speaks volumes about how a school treats it?s students as well. I have not formed an opinion on one school vs. the other yet, as I have only interviewed at Touro so far (scheduled for COMP on Tuesday).

 

[Adapt]

Originally posted by wamedic
One also needs to take into account the quality of didactic education in your first 2 years, in addition to the other factors that Slickness compared.

True. However, it is hard to gauge which one is better. I feel the two would be basically the same and it is more up to the student and how much he/she puts into studying.