CUSM vs PCOM

[Isacat14]

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I was fortunate enough to be accepted to the California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM) as well as PCOM. It's hard to decide between a well established DO school vs a new/unaccredited MD school in the state that I live in. I would like to do Internal Medicine for residency so super competitive factors favoring MD is not a big issue. They also have roughly the same tuition.

PCOM
Pros
-Great reputation
-more research opportunities
-great city to live in
- subsidized federal loans


Cons
-future obstacles because of being DO
-across the country from my family
-affiliated hospitals are not near the school (but are within 30min I think)

CUSM
Pros
-in California where I live
- MD school
-school on same campus as an affiliated hospital
-brand new building/equipment

Cons
-no federal loans
-not accredited
- not an establish curriculum
-fewer research opportunities if any really

Any insight on either of these schools would be amazing!
Thank you in advance for the advice.

 

[Texadelphidoc]

I did my post-bac in Philadelphia and was accepted to PCOM as well. It has an excellent reputation. Many of their graduates go on to do their residency at Jefferson, Temple, Drexel in internal medicine and beyond.

I am in a strikingly similar situation but with two different schools. Nonetheless, top DO vs. new MD.

I am moving forward with the new MD because

• I don't want to explain what a DO is.
• I don't want to be looked down on by old-school doctors.
• The average MCAT/GPA of students matriculating to allopathic schools are roughly 511 and 3.7 versus 504 and 3.5 for DO. You'll most likely be studying with academically stronger minds.
• I don't want to discover in my third year that I love Derm or Ortho (however unlikely it may seem from my current vantage point) and realize I closed the door on it by going to a DO school.
• I want my degree to be more broadly recognized globally so I can help during humanitarian crises.

I know there are exceptions and qualifications to everything I listed, but if you have the opportunity to make it easier on yourself, you might as well.

Another thing to consider regarding your concern about lack of research at CUSM. Residencies will likely be more impressed by someone who was able to spearhead research where research was difficult to come by as opposed to a place where publication opportunities fall on your lap and anyone who can spell their name can manage to slap it on five papers by the end of their fourth year.

Good luck on your decision. Very best regards, and above all, congratulations!

 

[drstranger]

I did my post-bac in Philadelphia and was accepted to PCOM as well. It has an excellent reputation. Many of their graduates go on to do their residency at Jefferson, Temple, Drexel in internal medicine and beyond.

I am in a strikingly similar situation but with two different schools. Nonetheless, top DO vs. new MD.

I am moving forward with the new MD because

• I don't want to explain what a DO is.
• I don't want to be looked down on by old-school doctors.
• The average MCAT/GPA of students matriculating to allopathic schools are roughly 511 and 3.7 versus 504 and 3.5 for DO. You'll most likely be studying with academically stronger minds.
• I don't want to discover in my third year that I love Derm or Ortho (however unlikely it may seem from my current vantage point) and realize I closed the door on it by going to a DO school.
• I want my degree to be more broadly recognized globally so I can help during humanitarian crises.

I know there are exceptions and qualifications to everything I listed, but if you have the opportunity to make it easier on yourself, you might as well.

Another thing to consider regarding your concern about lack of research at CUSM. Residencies will likely be more impressed by someone who was able to spearhead research where research was difficult to come by as opposed to a place where publication opportunities fall on your lap and anyone who can spell their name can manage to slap it on five papers by the end of their fourth year.

Good luck on your decision. Very best regards, and above all, congratulations!

I don't agree with most of your post, but I do say new MD > established DO because it opens more doors.
but here is my rebuttal
1. 99% of pts won't care if your MD/DO yes you will have to explain it here and there but maybe just her and there
2. looked down by old dr??? who cares you are a physician and their peer if they don't give you respect they should that's on them. But these Drs will be the same that look down on you for not going to Hopkins or UCSF, so not a great argument.
3. better at taking test yes, stronger minded I would not agree with
4. Valid point about it keeping doors open
5. DO/MD are board-certified US physicians so this will not help global medical trips. Yes a few countries might be confused because of the osteopath in your name but not a majority of countries
6. I highly doubt a PD would look at your school and say this guy has lots of research it must have been easy but this guy who has a bit from a school that doesn't have dedicated research so he must be better. Not true at all because if this was the case lots of PDs would be impressed with lower MD schools and DOs that have less research. The logic just makes no sense to me

all in all OP MD will open more doors but you will have some growing pains of CUSOM like changing curriculum and no federal loans. Its manageable just know there will be bumps

 

[Splenda88]

If COA is similar, go to the MD school...

 

[BeLikeH2O]

MD over DO, all day, every day, twice on Sunday.

 

[enchantments]

The only reason someone chooses a DO over a US MD should be substantial family/personal responsibilities that limit them to a geographic region (or similar conundrums). Otherwise, US MD > DO.

 

[silvershark3]

I feel like money should also play a factor into your decision as well. I know many people talk about how money can't stop you from your dreams etc etc, but accumulating debt can be daunting. If you do not have financial/family support, then taking on those loans may take a very long time to repay, especially since CUSM does not have subsidized federal loans yet.

 

[Isacat14]

Thank you, everyone, for your advice! I will probably go with CUMS since it being in California and MD are just too good to pass up on.

I feel like money should also play a factor into your decision as well. I know many people talk about how money can't stop you from your dreams etc etc, but accumulating debt can be daunting. If you do not have financial/family support, then taking on those loans may take a very long time to repay, especially since CUSM does not have subsidized federal loans yet.

I do have financially sound parents that will help me if I ever need it, even though I am going to try to do this all on my own.