Confused?? NSU vs. DMU

[redman]

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Do anyone have any thoughts as to which school to attend? The more SDN I read, the more confused I become.

I know I shouldn't be looking at match lists, but dmu does have one of the best among DO schools. However, the biggest unkown for me is the clinical years. It seems to me that NSU may have better clinical sites if someone wanted to live in the same area for the entire two nears and not move at all.

If anyone has any opinion as to which way to go, please share. Thanks.

 

[USArmyDoc]

Personally, I would go with DMU. It is well developed and has a great education. It is also well known within the allopathic and osteopathic world. To me the choice would be simple....but either way good luck to you!

 

[NewNick]

Do anyone have any thoughts as to which school to attend? The more SDN I read, the more confused I become.

I know I shouldn't be looking at match lists, but dmu does have one of the best among DO schools. However, the biggest unkown for me is the clinical years. It seems to me that NSU may have better clinical sites if someone wanted to live in the same area for the entire two nears and not move at all.

If anyone has any opinion as to which way to go, please share. Thanks.

You should do a search for NSU and DMU in this forum. I remember there were somes threads with great info about DMU and NSU.

NSU

Pro:
- Weather
- New facilities
- Rotations are mostly in FL (yeah, they set them up for you), number of people can go to some specialties.
- Early clinical exposure (don't know if it's important)
- Harvey

Con:
- Attendance (can be pro if it's your studying style)
- Dress code (some people don't mind)
- High living cost
- Hurricane 🙂

DMU (this is what learned)

Pro:
- Strong reputation
- New facilities
- Harvey (??)
- No attendance or dress code

Con:
- Rotations are not local (some of them are local, don't know whether people choose to leave)
- Strong emphasis on OMM (can be pro)
- It's in Des Moines (misconception, Des Moines is a big city. It's cold but not boring).

I'll let some other people add more or correct me.

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

NSU

Pro:
- Weather
- New facilities
- Rotations are mostly in FL (yeah, they set them up for you), number of people can go to some specialties.
- Early clinical exposure (don't know if it's important)
- Harvey

Con:
- Attendance (can be pro if it's your studying style)
- Dress code (some people don't mind)
- High living cost
- Hurricane 🙂

Hello,

I just wanted to add something about the Hurricanes. As someone who has lived in Florida all his life, I can tell you firsthand that it's really not as bad as some people sometimes make it out to be. It's not a tornado. It's not a tsunami. Most of the time it's just a prolonged thunderstorm.

I know we're all a little freaked out after the Katrina debacle, but that was definitely an unusual circumstance. Usually, hurricanes just bring a lot of rain, knock out power for a couple days, and toss our palm fronds all over the yard. We light candles, we play board games, we read, we eat food out of cans, we sleep a LOT, and then it's over and we go back to our lives.

I wouldn't worry so much about the hurricanes. What I'd worry about is the summer weather and the high humidity... it gets so hot sometimes that your sweat can't even evaporate! To me, that's the worst part about living in Florida. The good news is that the humid months are only a few months out of the year AND you'll most likely be in an air-conditioned medical school building during most of the time anyway.

If you do decide to come to NSU (I just talked to some NSUCOM medical students and they all love it -- they had absolutely no negative comments) I would recommend that you try to get a place a bit north of the school because they're generally cheaper. The whole Miami/Fort Lauderdale area is a bit expensive obviously (it's a city after all) but if you come north 20-30 minutes the prices are more reasonable.

Just something to think about.

 

[Jamers]

Personally, I would go with DMU. It is well developed and has a great education. It is also well known within the allopathic and osteopathic world. To me the choice would be simple....but either way good luck to you!

**** YEAH...oh ****..sorry, suppose to be impartial here. Umm, never been to NSU, soooo, I am going to have to say DMU...but I would suggest not listening to me...haah.

With all honesty, I chose DMU because it felt "right". After five interviews at all very good schools, DMU just felt like home to me. I really can't make the judgment for you, you have to look at what you want in a school and see what school offers that for you.

 

[misparas]

I interviewed at both schools. I really liked NSU, but for me it took no effort to choose DMU's program over it. Match lists do matter and DMU's is great. It's the second oldest D.O. school and has a great reputation. Tuition is alot less($6000 less if I remember right), and the cost of living is a ton less! $1200 for a one bedroom anywhere near the school is what I was told at NSU. Also, DMU gave me that "wow" feeling.

NSU left me feeling like it was a good program but didn't compare to the older programs out there. I also thought that the attendance policy and swiping cards between classes would be annoying. Maybe the dress code would be bad as well. Those aren't so huge though.

 

[FS-Pro]

DMU does have a Harvey, just to clear that up. And some students were mentioning that they may be getting a new advanced one before our first or second year, class of 2010, at DMU.

 

[jbone]

I interviewed at both schools. I really liked NSU, but for me it took no effort to choose DMU's program over it. Match lists do matter and DMU's is great. It's the second oldest D.O. school and has a great reputation. Tuition is alot less($6000 less if I remember right), and the cost of living is a ton less! $1200 for a one bedroom anywhere near the school is what I was told at NSU. Also, DMU gave me that "wow" feeling.

NSU left me feeling like it was a good program but didn't compare to the older programs out there. I also thought that the attendance policy and swiping cards between classes would be annoying. Maybe the dress code would be bad as well. Those aren't so huge though.

I have to agree here. I interviewed and was accepted at both schools. I really liked NSU but after I interviewed at DMU, it was all over.
Good luck with your choice, you really can't go wrong with either school. It is a personal thing and you should make your own choice based upon where you could see yourself attending and being HAPPY. I just hated the traffic, millions of students, attendance policy, dress code (everyone avoids it and wears scrubs which I think are more ugly than street clothes), cost of living, and my interviewer (Romanian dude) was a prick. Didn't feel as welcome at NSU like I felt at other schools. But like I said, it goes both ways. You really can't go wrong with either school. Good luck. Keep us posted. Maybe I'll see ya at DMU this fall. 👍
(BTW, the students at DMU are sweet. This upcomming class is going to kick some ace. Misparas, jamers, janitor, armydoc, fspro, etc will make the class sweet. Hope to see you there.)

 

[FS-Pro]

This upcomming class is going to kick some ace. Misparas, jamers, janitor, armydoc, fspro, etc will make the class sweet. Hope to see you there.)

Hell ya, i'm stoked to meet all of my classmates in about 5 months or so.

 

[jbone]

Hell ya, i'm stoked to meet all of my classmates in about 5 months or so.

No gunners are allowed though.
I'll have to smack them down like Ike beat down Tina.
("hit me again Ike, and this time, put some STANK on it" name the movie)

 

[Boxer1]

You can live in Des Moines for your first 2 years, and then Ohio for your last 2. DMU has a contract to send 40 students/year to the Ohio CORE, and in the past few years there has been no problem getting a spot here. That's what I'm doing, and I'm getting a well organized, strong clinical education.

 

[Mad Cow]

just some current DMU rotations info from the Dean hisself. he noted that when our class (09) goes out on rotations, he expects that the entire class will have the opportunity to stay in Iowa. Not sure if he meant both years or just one. He mentioned that the school wanted to start keeping rotations close to home to benefit us and local hospitals/clinics because Iowa=brain drain country.

Rotations outside of your home turf can be a benefit for those who want to tour the country and for guest rotations. given the chance to work at sites you are considering as residency locations is a HUGE bonus. residency directors, from what i understand, go with people they recognize and with people that their residents say they can get along with. DMU offers that flexibility.

I love it here and have no complaints. and yes, i have looked for dirt in fingernails. good luck and pm me if you have questions. if i answer, and you come here, you owe me beer.

 

[redman]

Any current NSU students out there that would like to share their experience?

 

[MrBoxy]

Alright,
I am NSU class of 2010. Yep, initial deposit have been made, and I am looking forward toward moving to FLL.

First of all, I like to say that after I got accepted into NSU, I turned down DMU invite as well as the other schools. My reason is simple, I have always wanted to be in Florida (warm weather), and NSU offered me a chance to do so.

I do have tie to DMU, though. The D.O. I shadowed for (the same person that wrote my letter of recommendation) graduated from DMU. And I can tell you that he's very sharp, and his professionalism reflects very well on his alma mater. So of course, I think very highly of DMU, but never in my head where I wanted to be there. My reason is very simple. I hate the cold weather. In Houston, TX., if the weather is in the 50's, it's cold! So, as simple as that, I got into a place like home, and that's the school of my choice.

While I was in FLL, I stayed a total of 3 days to check out the living condition, and I loved everything about it. The sun, the beach, and the lifestyle is awesome. People say that you lose the best part of your youth when you commit to medical school. If that is true, then I'll take my chance and spend my youth in Florida. I like to spend my free time, if any, to go snorkling, deep sea fishing, and scuba diving. I know I won't be able to do that in Iowa.

So, i'm not downing DMU, but I do want to speak out that NSU is an awesome place to be. 🙂

BTW, the week before my flight to DMU, I checked out the weather, and it was 8 degree, and 2 degree with wind chill factor. Hehe, that's when I pick up the phone and canceled my flight. I've seen snow twice in Houston, and twice is enough.

 

[Redneck]

MrBoxy,

You frequently bashed the cold weather of Iowa. So I now offer the other side of the coin...

With cold weather and snow you can enjoy many things. A simple one hour outing with a garbage can lid and a hill and you have instant sledding fun. Or your walking back from class and the elementary kids pelt you perfectly with a nice powdery snow ball right in the back. So you join in and show 'em what a real fight is all about. You get the joy of feeling like a kid again. You can build things with the snow, or make snow angels. The extreme quiet of a softly falling snow storm is a sensation like no other, almost poetic in its silence. White Christmas, need I say more? Christmas tunes are that much more enjoyable with cold and snow. Warm beverages like hot chocolate, tea, and coffee just taste better when it's cold out. Snuggling with a SO is more enjoyable when you are keeping each other warm. Empty parking lot with fresh snow and a truck = FUN (you fish tail and slide all over the place). During the winter people are just friendlier for some reason. Ever play football or other sports in the snow? Now that's fun! You can enjoy a fire during the cold. Ever try sitting in front of the fire in the tropics? It's pointless and makes you sweat. Deer hunting has its perks in the snow, but 70 degree weather in florida means you have to process your meat immediately without letting it hang. Ice fishing --> friends + Beverages + plus a stick/line/shiny hook = one heck of a good time. Mom's quilt and a good book, you can't do that in the deathly heat. Less worries of poisonous critters, less risk of malaria and other horrible parasites. If your light skinned, your less likely to be uncovered and indoors a bit more, so I keep from burning since I only have two conditions burnt and unburnt (no tanning intermediate...thanks mom and dad). Swimming in the waters in a northern climate during the summer mean less animals to kill you - for instance no snakes, no aligators, no sharks - just friendly fresh water. If Iowa is like the time i've spent in minnesota, bring on the fish fry baby, FISH FRY! Big meat sale at the grocery store, no room in the freezer, no worries, buy it and stash your meat in the snow bank outside. I'm not sure but it might be possible some times to see the northern lights from Iowa - those always make you feel like a little kid in awe. And yes, for the guys, I will say it, how can you not like to write your name in the snow?!?? So incredibly childish, but so incredibly joyful. So in summary for all you snow/cold haters out there I say you don't know what your missing. Bring on the cold and keep your relentless heat!

 

[somnolent]

MrBoxy,

You frequently bashed the cold weather of Iowa. So I now offer the other side of the coin...

...And yes, for the guys, I will say it, how can you not like to write your name in the snow?!??

I had to wait until the end of your long, but true, post to get to one of the main reasons why I enjoyed growing up in ND, except for the fact that the constant wind was an obstacle to that trick....

 

[MrBoxy]

RedNeck,
I'm glad you love Iowa. It sounds like you enjoy the snow very much, and no doubt it is the place for you to be. But I didn't write to tell people to avoid Iowa, I wrote to give people the different perspective of NSU vs. DMU. My point is, some people prefer DMU, some prefer NSU...all for different reasons.

It sure sounds fun with the things you can do in the snow, and Iowa might make a great place for a short vacation. But, being there for a duration of 2 years or longer just isn't for me. Like I mentioned, I prefer Florida. And that is simply my personal preference.

 

[FS-Pro]

RedNeck,
I'm glad you love Iowa. It sounds like you enjoy the snow very much, and no doubt it is the place for you to be. But I didn't write to tell people to avoid Iowa, I wrote to give people the different perspective of NSU vs. DMU. My point is, some people prefer DMU, some prefer NSU...all for different reasons.

It sure sounds fun with the things you can do in the snow, and Iowa might make a great place for a short vacation. But, being there for a duration of 2 years or longer just isn't for me. Like I mentioned, I prefer Florida. And that is simply my personal preference.

Sounds like Redneck needs to throwa snowball at Mr. Boxy.

 

[Redneck]

Won't do any good. That florida heat will melt it before it gets to him. I hear they don't need frying pans there either. They can fry eggs right on the sidewalks...

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

[Redneck]

On a serious note, hot streets and sidewalks bite. Have you ever gone to fetch some mail or walk to a next door neighbors without shoes on? Those few yards are capable of doing some serious damage, which can be mitigated by a northern climate. But no Mrboxy I respect you opinion and love of heat. Not every one can live up north. There wouldn't be room for us all. Also I was just wanting to share the eskimo opinion. I felt it was a bit underrepresented. Best wishes.

 

[USArmyDoc]

Go with DMU.

 

[cadence]

This may sound silly, but go where you think you can learn the best and what will make you the best physician. Sometimes that means finding a smaller town to live in, sometimes that means finding the most high tech place you can, and others it means that you want to have smaller class size. It could be the difference between wearing a tie to class or listening to lectures while bumming around in sweats. If you are worried the most about match lists and reputation you are not focusing on what is important, the medicine. Go where you think you will comfortable and where you feel you can learn. Also, don't worry about cost of living too much. You will already be taking out insanely huge loans anyway, what's another few grand here and there. (and if you don't need the loans, you need to share 🙂 )

(and before anyone says anything, yes match lists can be representative of how well a school prepares you, but that means squat if you aren't in the right environment to help you learn)

 

[kutiecg]

MrBoxy,

You frequently bashed the cold weather of Iowa. So I now offer the other side of the coin...

With cold weather and snow you can enjoy many things. A simple one hour outing with a garbage can lid and a hill and you have instant sledding fun. Or your walking back from class and the elementary kids pelt you perfectly with a nice powdery snow ball right in the back. So you join in and show 'em what a real fight is all about. You get the joy of feeling like a kid again. You can build things with the snow, or make snow angels. The extreme quiet of a softly falling snow storm is a sensation like no other, almost poetic in its silence. White Christmas, need I say more? Christmas tunes are that much more enjoyable with cold and snow. Warm beverages like hot chocolate, tea, and coffee just taste better when it's cold out. Snuggling with a SO is more enjoyable when you are keeping each other warm. Empty parking lot with fresh snow and a truck = FUN (you fish tail and slide all over the place). During the winter people are just friendlier for some reason. Ever play football or other sports in the snow? Now that's fun! You can enjoy a fire during the cold. Ever try sitting in front of the fire in the tropics? It's pointless and makes you sweat. Deer hunting has its perks in the snow, but 70 degree weather in florida means you have to process your meat immediately without letting it hang. Ice fishing --> friends + Beverages + plus a stick/line/shiny hook = one heck of a good time. Mom's quilt and a good book, you can't do that in the deathly heat. Less worries of poisonous critters, less risk of malaria and other horrible parasites. If your light skinned, your less likely to be uncovered and indoors a bit more, so I keep from burning since I only have two conditions burnt and unburnt (no tanning intermediate...thanks mom and dad). Swimming in the waters in a northern climate during the summer mean less animals to kill you - for instance no snakes, no aligators, no sharks - just friendly fresh water. If Iowa is like the time i've spent in minnesota, bring on the fish fry baby, FISH FRY! Big meat sale at the grocery store, no room in the freezer, no worries, buy it and stash your meat in the snow bank outside. I'm not sure but it might be possible some times to see the northern lights from Iowa - those always make you feel like a little kid in awe. And yes, for the guys, I will say it, how can you not like to write your name in the snow?!?? So incredibly childish, but so incredibly joyful. So in summary for all you snow/cold haters out there I say you don't know what your missing. Bring on the cold and keep your relentless heat!

lol..very interesting I originally come from the North (MA, CT, and NY), but now reside in FL. I must admit I love it here, and I will be attending NSU, but I do think back to the colder, snow-filled days. Although there is no snow in FL, we do have 1 week of nice chilly weather. It fits right into the holidays so you can still enjoy that aspect of the winter. Yes, you could most likely fry your egg on the sidewalk (or hood of your car) in the heat of summer, but most of the time it is in the 80s, sunny, with a nice breeze. Put on some shorts and rub on some sunblock and youre ready to go...let it be to the beach, pool, park...you can never go wrong here.

Besides all this, though, both schools are amazing...both places that offer the education needed to become a great physician, which is the most important factor. The rest just depends on what each individual wants

 

[Munchkin6245]

MrBoxy
I'm from Houston as well, and in my first real winter experience here in Des Moines I have to admit that it was not bad at all. You have nothing to base your bias on since you have not experienced it and I'm sorry b/c I feel that you would have a different opinion if you had. The cold in Texas is absolutely different than the cold in Iowa. I can't explain it but 8 degrees isn't all that bad. It's not like you're sitting outside freezing your kiester off. The summer is absolutely wonderful and enjoyable. You can go outside without sweating a gallon full. They claim to have humidity here, but I have yet to feel it, sorry northeners. So I believe that DMU is the ultimate choice. I was also accepted to NSU and decided to not go there b/c I'm tired of not seeing the seasons change, the school was nice but I am a big self-learner so mandatory class time would be a strain on me - side note: there is something to be said about the different way people learn; i was always a firm believer in attending class, I worked for awhile after undergrad and having to show up to do "your job" is no biggie for me - the cost of living was a huge issue for me. DMU gave me that "wow, I'm supposed to be here" feeling, and you really feel part of a big family here and not one of a populus. good luck to all and remember that these threads are to allow you to get all different opinions and to use those to help make your decision....and not to make the decision for you.

 

[Jamers]

RedNeck,
I'm glad you love Iowa. It sounds like you enjoy the snow very much, and no doubt it is the place for you to be. But I didn't write to tell people to avoid Iowa, I wrote to give people the different perspective of NSU vs. DMU. My point is, some people prefer DMU, some prefer NSU...all for different reasons.

It sure sounds fun with the things you can do in the snow, and Iowa might make a great place for a short vacation. But, being there for a duration of 2 years or longer just isn't for me. Like I mentioned, I prefer Florida. And that is simply my personal preference.

Snow isn't that bad. I was born in Upstate NY (near Buffalo), you get what is called "lake effect" which basically means a **** load of snow. While I do not love the cold, I don't like high heat either. Is there anywhere that is 70 all the time??

 

[FS-Pro]

Is there anywhere that is 70 all the time??

yes, san diego... well most of the time.