Deferred Acceptance at Western vs KCU This Year

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letmein1992

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Hello,

I have recently interviewed at the end of March at Western-COMP, and was given a deferred acceptance because their class was full by the time they reviewed my application. I also have an acceptance from KCUMB for this year, and I'm also on the high alternate list at Touro-CA. Western said that if a spot opens up in their current class, they will admit the people from the deferred acceptance list before pulling the alternates.

Right now, I'm really conflicted as to what I should do. I want to stay in CA for school and residency, so I think in that aspect, I like Western-COMP a lot more than I like KCU. I can see myself at KCU, but I want to maximize my chances of landing a residency in CA.

Another thing is that I have already taken a gap year, so if I take a deferred acceptance, I would be taking two gap years.

1. If I were to find something meaningful to do in this year (research, work...), would it be worth it to wait a year for Western? Also, if I do research during my gap year, can that be used in my residency application?

2. If I can't find something to do during another gap year, should I attend KCU this year?

3. Does anyone know how the waitlist movement at Western is? Because they offer seats people from the deferred acceptance first before offering it to the alternates, would I have a good chance that I might start this year at Western?

Good thing is that I don't have any deposits due from KCU, or Western until July, so I do have some time to decide on this. Thanks!
 
Hello,

I have recently interviewed at the end of March at Western-COMP, and was given a deferred acceptance because their class was full by the time they reviewed my application. I also have an acceptance from KCUMB for this year, and I'm also on the high alternate list at Touro-CA. Western said that if a spot opens up in their current class, they will admit the people from the deferred acceptance list before pulling the alternates.

Right now, I'm really conflicted as to what I should do. I want to stay in CA for school and residency, so I think in that aspect, I like Western-COMP a lot more than I like KCU. I can see myself at KCU, but I want to maximize my chances of landing a residency in CA.

Another thing is that I have already taken a gap year, so if I take a deferred acceptance, I would be taking two gap years.

1. If I were to find something meaningful to do in this year (research, work...), would it be worth it to wait a year for Western? Also, if I do research during my gap year, can that be used in my residency application?

2. If I can't find something to do during another gap year, should I attend KCU this year?

3. Does anyone know how the waitlist movement at Western is? Because they offer seats people from the deferred acceptance first before offering it to the alternates, would I have a good chance that I might start this year at Western?

Good thing is that I don't have any deposits due from KCU, or Western until July, so I do have some time to decide on this. Thanks!

KCU is probably the best school of the 3. What would you do if you take 2 gap years?
 
omg.. KCU without a freaking doubt. Even if you were accepted into all three schools, KCU seems like a solid choice as well.
 
If it were me I would wait things out until July (your deadline) and then plan on going to KCU if either of the 2 waitlist don't pull you off. I wouldn't want to waste another year sitting around and a year of lost income as an attending just to go to school in CA. Especially when I have an acceptance to a school like KCU. If you work hard and do well KCU will give you all the opportunities to land a residency in CA if that's what your set on. If you can see yourself happy at KCU go for it. You just have to decide if sitting around for another year is worth staying in CA for school.

I personally just took a gap year and cannot imagine taking another one, bored out of my mind. Plus I'll be there too


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I wonder if you could talk to Western about some kind of research gig or something for 1 year. You could boost your residency application, make some connections, and save up some cash, all with a guaranteed spot in next year's class.


This being said, I personally am itching to begin med school and couldn't imagine taking any more time off than I have to.
 
Do you live near WesternU? Also, why is KCU considered better by those who have posted. Sorry, I know its older but that it. Does it have a hospital?
 
I wonder if you could talk to Western about some kind of research gig or something for 1 year. You could boost your residency application, make some connections, and save up some cash, all with a guaranteed spot in next year's class. This being said, I personally am itching to begin med school and couldn't imagine taking any more time off than I have to.

That was what I was thinking too... I thought that I could do research if I had to take a year off so that I could use it for my residency application..
 
Thank you for everyone who was responded so far.. Do you all think that it would not be worth a year even if I found a place to do research?
 
That's really up to your personal preference... Sounds like you personally prefer Western a lot more so just go with that. I personally would get on with my medical education and not miss a year of income, which is quite a substantial amount. Again, it is a trade off and you can never say in hind sight.. One year of research will do little for you unless you are very experienced. I currently work in research so I know exactly how much work is required to publish a paper that is worthy of anything. I will say it will take longer than a year to get it done. However, you do get experience that will make it easier to get into research in the future if you see yourself doing that.

Also, you probably have a really good chance of getting off the hold list at Western anyway.
 
Hello,

I have recently interviewed at the end of March at Western-COMP, and was given a deferred acceptance because their class was full by the time they reviewed my application. I also have an acceptance from KCUMB for this year, and I'm also on the high alternate list at Touro-CA. Western said that if a spot opens up in their current class, they will admit the people from the deferred acceptance list before pulling the alternates.

Right now, I'm really conflicted as to what I should do. I want to stay in CA for school and residency, so I think in that aspect, I like Western-COMP a lot more than I like KCU. I can see myself at KCU, but I want to maximize my chances of landing a residency in CA.

Another thing is that I have already taken a gap year, so if I take a deferred acceptance, I would be taking two gap years.

1. If I were to find something meaningful to do in this year (research, work...), would it be worth it to wait a year for Western? Also, if I do research during my gap year, can that be used in my residency application?

2. If I can't find something to do during another gap year, should I attend KCU this year?

3. Does anyone know how the waitlist movement at Western is? Because they offer seats people from the deferred acceptance first before offering it to the alternates, would I have a good chance that I might start this year at Western?

Good thing is that I don't have any deposits due from KCU, or Western until July, so I do have some time to decide on this. Thanks!

My thought on this is from a financial viewpoint. By waiting another year, you are throwing away at least 200k in earnings for that year that you won't be working as an attending. Also, Western is one of the more expensive schools tuition-wise. Other things you need to think about as well is the COL in Pomona. I am from San Diego and went to school in LA. I know how expensive it is around that area and I remember counting down the days to get OUT of LA/California so that my wallet wouldn't be taxed any longer. One of my friends goes to Western and is 300k in debt right now as a 3rd year student because of cost of living and tuition. Sure, you may have a better chance of landing a residency in Cali if you go to a Cali school, but is that worth the extra debt and loss of income? To me it wasn't and that is why I chose to go to KCU over Western (besides KCU's campus is nicer 😉 )

Also, just because you go to a Cali school doesn't mean you are a shoe in for a Cali residency and if you don't go to school in Cali, it doesn't mean you can't land a Cali residency. What if you go to Western, spend the extra year, extra money, and then STILL don't land the residency in California? IMO, I would go to KCU this year and get your long path started. KCU is a strong program and you won't be disappointed. Plus, you will love the cheap COL and BBQ.
 
Keep in mind, the folks on SDN are pretty calculating and logical. Do what works for you.

I'm personally looking at deferring a year because of personal reasons and honestly, as much as it sucks to give up a year of physician income, I'm kinda stoked to have a whole year of not thinking about getting accepted to med school. The idea of doing whatever I want for an entire year sounds kind of awesome. And then at the end of it all, you get to go to your top choice? Swoosh!


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Thank you for everyone who was responded so far.. Do you all think that it would not be worth a year even if I found a place to do research?
Yellow group? Congrats on your success this application cycle! For your situation I would probably wait it out as long as you can until you have to make a choice. Maybe Western will take you in by July. If not I would really think about your choices and what YOU want to do. I think going to KCU would be fine if you want to get into California residencies in the future if you do well there, but do you see yourself living and being happy there? Don't underestimate your happiness and how it can affect your studies. Also try looking for some research positions now!
 
Yellow group? Congrats on your success this application cycle! For your situation I would probably wait it out as long as you can until you have to make a choice. Maybe Western will take you in by July. If not I would really think about your choices and what YOU want to do. I think going to KCU would be fine if you want to get into California residencies in the future if you do well there, but do you see yourself living and being happy there? Don't underestimate your happiness and how it can affect your studies. Also try looking for some research positions now!

Going off this post...what are the reasons that you want to live in California? If you want, PM me and I can give you some insight into moving from Cali to Midwest.


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Yellow group? Congrats on your success this application cycle! For your situation I would probably wait it out as long as you can until you have to make a choice. Maybe Western will take you in by July. If not I would really think about your choices and what YOU want to do. I think going to KCU would be fine if you want to get into California residencies in the future if you do well there, but do you see yourself living and being happy there? Don't underestimate your happiness and how it can affect your studies. Also try looking for some research positions now!

I was actually in the yellow group! I'm just feeling really conflicted right now because I know that I would be happy at both schools, but I did get a better impression from KCU when I visited.. I also liked the fact that KCU was geared more for board prep, but it's in Kansas, but idk if it would be worth another year to wait for Western..


Going off this post...what are the reasons that you want to live in California? If you want, PM me and I can give you some insight into moving from Cali to Midwest.


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Pm'ed!
 
Anecdotal I know of someone who was from san diego, went to ucsd, went to kcu and ended up matching to ucla olive. Another was from san diego state and is now an EM physician at USC.


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I was actually in the yellow group! I'm just feeling really conflicted right now because I know that I would be happy at both schools, but I did get a better impression from KCU when I visited.. I also liked the fact that KCU was geared more for board prep, but it's in Kansas, but idk if it would be worth another year to wait for Western..




Pm'ed!

It's NOT Kansas though... Hehe
 
It's 100% not worth it to take another year. Completely stupid.

Take the KCU. Dump it if you get into either CA schools for starting in the fall.
 
Well, all of this is considering the fact that you don't get off the deferred acceptance list at Western. I'd wait a bit longer (closer to July) and see if there is any movement or people getting acceptance offers from the deferred acceptance list. If so, you may have a chance at getting the acceptance at Western this fall. But if not, KCU all the way. Don't waste a year.
 
Well, all of this is considering the fact that you don't get off the deferred acceptance list at Western. I'd wait a bit longer (closer to July) and see if there is any movement or people getting acceptance offers from the deferred acceptance list. If so, you may have a chance at getting the acceptance at Western this fall. But if not, KCU all the way. Don't waste a year.
It's not a waste if you chillin' it up. But more seriously, this is a very tough personal call I think.
 
This is a very tough personal call, if I were put in the same situation between a deferred offer from my in state and a good OOS program id be torn as well. The logical answer will always be to take the immediate acceptance and start banking that attending salary ASAP, every year is important with compound interest! Haha, but really I agree with previous posters. Wait it out as long as you can, then take the KCU offer.

Unless you have other personal reasons besides residency (from what I've gathered you'll be able to get a CA residency at KCU), such as taking care of a loved one, single parent obligations, spouse with great job in current state of residence(others might not consider this/work around this but it would be something I'd personally consider), or something else that geographically restricts you. But I bet if you think and try hard enough some of those restrictions can be worked with regardless.

Anyways congrats on the acceptance! Hope it works out for ya!


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My thought on this is from a financial viewpoint. By waiting another year, you are throwing away at least 200k in earnings for that year that you won't be working as an attending. Also, Western is one of the more expensive schools tuition-wise. Other things you need to think about as well is the COL in Pomona. I am from San Diego and went to school in LA. I know how expensive it is around that area and I remember counting down the days to get OUT of LA/California so that my wallet wouldn't be taxed any longer. One of my friends goes to Western and is 300k in debt right now as a 3rd year student because of cost of living and tuition. Sure, you may have a better chance of landing a residency in Cali if you go to a Cali school, but is that worth the extra debt and loss of income? To me it wasn't and that is why I chose to go to KCU over Western (besides KCU's campus is nicer 😉 )

Also, just because you go to a Cali school doesn't mean you are a shoe in for a Cali residency and if you don't go to school in Cali, it doesn't mean you can't land a Cali residency. What if you go to Western, spend the extra year, extra money, and then STILL don't land the residency in California? IMO, I would go to KCU this year and get your long path started. KCU is a strong program and you won't be disappointed. Plus, you will love the cheap COL and BBQ.

The COL in LA vs. Pomona are night and day. Compared to the COL in Kansas and other states Pomona can be expensive, but it's regarded as the hood out here and it's one of the cheaper cities for sure. I'm sure housing within a few miles of campus is sky high, but not the rest of the city. There are several cities nearby that are less expensive (less desirable) as well.
 
The COL in LA vs. Pomona are night and day. Compared to the COL in Kansas and other states Pomona can be expensive, but it's regarded as the hood out here and it's one of the cheaper cities for sure. I'm sure housing within a few miles of campus is sky high, but not the rest of the city. There are several cities nearby that are less expensive (less desirable) as well.
Pretty much any city near Pomona is more desirable to live in than Pomona.
That being said, it is cheaper out in the IE than it is in many parts of LA proper.
 
Go to the school that you can see yourself the happiest at. Nobody else here has to live with the decision of where you go to school, the only person this decision will affect is you. Wish you the best!
 
Anecdotal I know of someone who was from san diego, went to ucsd, went to kcu and ended up matching to ucla olive. Another was from san diego state and is now an EM physician at USC.


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Crazy how many DO students are from UCSD. Gina Moses came to our school for an AACOM/DO school fair and gave a presentation on how our school ranks 5th(?) in the nation for number of alumni who matriculates at a DO school. Rank may have changed since this talk was last year.
 
Crazy how many DO students are from UCSD. Gina Moses came to our school for an AACOM/DO school fair and gave a presentation on how our school ranks 5th(?) in the nation for number of alumni who matriculates at a DO school. Rank may have changed since this talk was last year.
Whoah! I didn't know that! I mean I have seen a few Ucsd-ers head through onto the DO track but didn't realize we were ranked that high. Wonder if it's because we have so so so many premeds haha.


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Whoah! I didn't know that! I mean I have seen a few Ucsd-ers head through onto the DO track but didn't realize we were ranked that high. Wonder if it's because we have so so so many premeds haha.


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It didn't strike me as a reality until I ran into UCSD applicants on two of my interviews. It started to sink in afterwards that tritons go DO maybe because it's much easier to shadow an osteopathic physician near La Jolla area than allopathic physicians, whereas the latter most likely has to take place at Palomar (too little spots open now).
 
What in the world does California do to you people that the thought of leaving for even four years is so unbearable?

As someone on the other side of the process, med school + residency is a small fraction of your medical life. In my mind it's not enough to give up a year of back-end attending salary in an attempt to game a system (the match) that can't really be gamed.
 
What in the world does California do to you people that the thought of leaving for even four years is so unbearable?

As someone on the other side of the process, med school + residency is a small fraction of your medical life. In my mind it's not enough to give up a year of back-end attending salary in an attempt to game a system (the match) that can't really be gamed.

I think just being born and raised in CA is what makes it hard. You get used to the lifestyle, having family there etc etc. hard to see the big picture of your med ed when you're comfortable.

But def agree with you there about giving up an year of attending salary!

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I think just being born and raised in CA is what makes it hard. You get used to the lifestyle, having family there etc etc. hard to see the big picture of your med ed when your comfortable.


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I get it, but I don't really see people from any other state so filled with angst at the thought of leaving temporarily. I mean it's not as if a lifestyle you are used to, or having family, is exclusive to Cali.
 
I get it, but I don't really see people from any other state so filled with angst at the thought of leaving temporarily. I mean it's not as if a lifestyle you are used to, or having family, is exclusive to Cali.

That's true. But I think there's also the fact we are told from OOS-ers that they're so zealous of us living in a state that has pretty temperate weather when compared to the rest of the country. Which now that I'm in the Midwest is sorta kinda true. My classmates at Ucsd always freak out when I say I loved out to KC because they think everyday here is riddled with tornadoes and snow. Lol


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I get it, but I don't really see people from any other state so filled with angst at the thought of leaving temporarily. I mean it's not as if a lifestyle you are used to, or having family, is exclusive to Cali.

The lifestyle is unequivocally, exclusive to California. I've spent years living blocks from the ocean, great weather, chilled out vibe, fresh food year round, healthy/active people everywhere, and the ladies ain't bad to look at.

I've gone to school outside ca, family on the east coast, interviewed in the midwest, etc. I've seen life elsewhere and there's just nothing that comes close to that coastal socal vibe.
 
The lifestyle is unequivocally, exclusive to California. I've spent years living blocks from the ocean, great weather, chilled out vibe, fresh food year round, healthy/active people everywhere, and the ladies ain't bad to look at.

I've gone to school outside ca, family on the east coast, interviewed in the midwest, etc. I've seen life elsewhere and there's just nothing that comes close to that coastal socal vibe.

Oh, trust me, I didn't mean the California lifestyle wasn't unique. I meant that being used to the lifestyle of the place where you grew up, whatever/wherever that may be, isn't something that only Californians deal with.

Full disclosure- I am now delivering babies at the same hospital where I was born. So I get the draw of home. But I wouldn't trade my years living elsewhere for anything, even though I had to leave my comfort zone. Actually because I had to leave my comfort zone.
 
Oh, trust me, I didn't mean the California lifestyle wasn't unique. I meant that being used to the lifestyle of the place where you grew up, whatever/wherever that may be, isn't something that only Californians deal with.

Full disclosure- I am now delivering babies at the same hospital where I was born. So I get the draw of home. But I wouldn't trade my years living elsewhere for anything, even though I had to leave my comfort zone. Actually because I had to leave my comfort zone.

Oh I'm a definite proponent of living elsewhere for a little while. I spent a few years in the bible belt... that was a real a trip!
 
What in the world does California do to you people that the thought of leaving for even four years is so unbearable?

As someone on the other side of the process, med school + residency is a small fraction of your medical life. In my mind it's not enough to give up a year of back-end attending salary in an attempt to game a system (the match) that can't really be gamed.

If you have to ask... You won't get it

But in all seriousness, people are just afraid to branch out. Everyone tells them that they live in the best state so they believe it. I believe It's really more of an ego thing.
 
It didn't strike me as a reality until I ran into UCSD applicants on two of my interviews. It started to sink in afterwards that tritons go DO maybe because it's much easier to shadow an osteopathic physician near La Jolla area than allopathic physicians, whereas the latter most likely has to take place at Palomar (too little spots open now).

lol are you kidding me? You really think that's the reason? Every single Triton pre-med without a college transcript comes in with aspirations to be an MD. Competition is fierce and getting A's in those upper division science courses is as elusive as it gets. How many students in a particular class do you think get solid A's in recombinant DNA techniques, chem 140C, Molecular Biology, Mamm Phys II, etc?

Those that survive the science gauntlet at UCSD walk away with either an incredible GPA and get into a top medical school (fyi no med school in the country is off limits if you're a top student at UCSD) or finish with a muddling 3.3-3.4 GPA. Rather than forgo their life's dream, they realize (with a little research and no shadowing) that there exists an extremely viable option called DO that is every bit what they envisioned in a career as a physician. This has nothing to do with what they see through some useless experience that they can get at any time. I know a ton of peeps that got no love at their top schools, applied DO late in the game without a LOR, and still get in to the AZCOM's, Western's, KCU's, and PCOM's because what can I say, UCSD students are just that strong. DO's might be in abundance in the 92093 area, but don't speculate with shear nonsense when it comes to people's reasons because it's just so obvious.
 
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It's not just the mild weather, or Napa grapes. A lot of the applicant pool comes from cultures that value the extended family. It's a reason why my school, which is located west of the Missouri River, can glom onto so many good UC grads. VCU and Wake, eat your heart out.


What in the world does California do to you people that the thought of leaving for even four years is so unbearable?

As someone on the other side of the process, med school + residency is a small fraction of your medical life. In my mind it's not enough to give up a year of back-end attending salary in an attempt to game a system (the match) that can't really be gamed.
 
I get it, but I don't really see people from any other state so filled with angst at the thought of leaving temporarily. I mean it's not as if a lifestyle you are used to, or having family, is exclusive to Cali.

Try telling this to those die hard surfers or bodyboarders who have to move mid-west...

In the grand scheme of things, its a matter of what is important to you. Medical school is an important goal to many that is worth the change (I agree with you on this point). However, to say that one isn't sacrificing a certain lifestyle is not always correct.
 
However, to say that one isn't sacrificing a certain lifestyle is not always correct.

Again. I am not saying that sacrifice isn't happening. I'm saying that it isn't exclusive to California (or the West Coast in your case).

And @Goro, come hang out in my state and see how important the extended family is. Another non-California exclusive. We get the bonus of being the butt of incest jokes!! 😛

I definitely understand that people from other states are less likely to have to move overall, so that probably contributes to the California angst. But the ones who do leave their states somehow manage to deal with it without as much woe-is-me.
 
Again. I am not saying that sacrifice isn't happening. I'm saying that it isn't exclusive to California (or the West Coast in your case).

And @Goro, come hang out in my state and see how important the extended family is. Another non-California exclusive. We get the bonus of being the butt of incest jokes!! 😛

I definitely understand that people from other states are less likely to have to move overall, so that probably contributes to the California angst. But the ones who do leave their states somehow manage to deal with it without as much woe-is-me.


I'll admit, when I left CA last year I seriously thought I'd lose it. But come to find out I really really enjoy the Midwest. It is odd how CA-ers have such a woe-is-me mentality haha. Maybe coddled perhaps 😛


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Again. I am not saying that sacrifice isn't happening. I'm saying that it isn't exclusive to California (or the West Coast in your case).

And @Goro, come hang out in my state and see how important the extended family is. Another non-California exclusive. We get the bonus of being the butt of incest jokes!! 😛

I definitely understand that people from other states are less likely to have to move overall, so that probably contributes to the California angst. But the ones who do leave their states somehow manage to deal with it without as much woe-is-me.

We all deal with it. I had a friend more recently who has a large family in Hawaii, but had to move to Colorado for a better job to help support is wife and new born son. I don't think anyone I knew had a woe is me attitude about moving when they needed to do. I also knew some one who applied to my state school three times, before getting in (would not apply beyond the West Coast), to stay close to family. It sounds ridiculous, but people value things all differently. A younger me would have hit my head over a wall, but a older me has accepted that there are these types of people also.
 
Both are good schools.

I ended up choosing KCU because I wanted to save +$10k a year.

Sometimes I regret the decision because I'm further from my family.
 
I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that, rare occurrences aside, every day in California is pretty much the same. That's a comfort to some people. I describe it as living in a diorama, a fake version of real life where the only thing that changes is the temp and wind speed. The smog is disgusting. I was flying from Monterey to El Monte one day and couldn't see the airfield at 3,500 AGL and five miles with supposed 10 miles viz over the valley because of the smog and haze. Just nasty.
 
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