3rd year med student at Creighton...
Good Stuff
I think it's a pretty good school. As a third year student I think clerkships could be better organized as far as feedback, timely reporting of grades (still waiting for my official grade from my first clerkship... I know what I got but the fact that it hasn't been officially reported is kind of ridiculous). But as far as years 1 and 2 go I have no complaints. Exam feedback is immediate as far as raw score (nice because you know right away if you need to be worried or not), all exams (except practicals) are online, lectures are podcast. I like the systems based curriculum. Honors/Pass/Fail grading system is good and really makes for a nice environment that is supportive/eliminates the competitive attitude I've seen other places. I think it's also part of why students feel they have the liberty to get involved to the extent that they do. In the end CU students seem to do well, and we have good match outcomes.
Not So Good Stuff
Born and raised in Omaha... even so I would have left Omaha for medical school had it not been for family. Omaha is not a bad town but there's nothing really great about it either. Might be a good thing though as you won't get too distracted while studying. And we do have everything you need... including a Cheesecake Factory (and within a day's drive to other cities... Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Denver). Cost... obviously. Creighton is expensive, no denying it.
I think the hospital at which we do much of our clinical training (formerly St. Joseph's, now CUMC) is kind of a slum. It's a private, for-profit hospital (don't know how the hell that works) and it shows; nothing for students is paid, not even testing and prophylaxis for healthcare exposures... really ridiculous. However, you will see a lot of varied pathology... very diverse patient population and the hospital is a tertiary care center and an excellent trauma center. Honestly, my biggest issues with the hospital are probably typical for most teaching hospitals where medical students are basically the lowest on the totem pole. In general though I've been treated well by residents/attendings... my beef is mostly with the hospital administration itself.
Overall I have to give Creighton a good review. I think as an institution, it takes a very difficult process (allopathic medical school) and makes it as "friendly" and do-able as it really can be. The school has a strong reputation in the region and within the medical community. In the end, you can't argue with results and the fact is that Creighton students are prepared for boards and CU grads match well.
I was spot free.
