Des Moines University or CCOM?

[Superman_4399]

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I realize that you all get threads similar to the one I am about to post, but I could realize use some advice and help. Fortunately, I have been accepted to both Des Moines University and CCOM, but these are my top two choices and I am having an extremely difficult time deciding between the two. I got a great feeling from both of them, but I live in the Chicago area. I realize that it would probably be a bit cheaper at Des Moines and I really enjoyed the new building there. However, I also liked CCOM's campus and the fact that they have competitive intramurals for relieving stress. I am almost positive that I would like to go into surgery, most likely ortho, so I was wondering which school would give me the best opportunity to land an ortho residency. I would appreciate any advice or help that anyone could give. I realize that any school you go to is going to give you a good education, I just want to make sure that I make the right choice. All help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Docgeorge]

I dont think that there is any good reply to your question. The decsion that you are going to have to make is intensly personal...the only thing that I can say is look with in your self and see where you fit in the most.


As far as ortho, both schools i'm certian have good match ratea for ortho. Getting ortho or any other competive speciality is not so much dependant up on the school as it is on you.

As far as surgery and DMU I'm a little biased, but the prep you get here during the preclinical years and espically with the surgery labs is second to none. When our people hit the floors 3rd year we are well prepared and the attendings take notice. They are considering publishing our surgial lab cirricula for other schools to use as a model.


Good luck with your descion.


PS

we have intermurals here too...

 

[Thousandth]

If you like BIG city life and harsh winter go to CCOM. If you like smaller city life and HARSH winter go to DMU. If you ask most would say that DMU is one of , if not the top, DO school. CCOM is very good as well. The one difference I can tell you about them is the test schedule. I have a friend at CCOM and she told me that they have A LOT of tests. Where we may have 5-10 a month they have 20-30. They may be smaller but they are all the time, almost every day. Other than that and the fact that DMU has the absolute BEST OMM program the choice is more location than anything else.

 

[Popoy]

Getting residency spots is a whole different ball game... I most definitely agree with DocGeorge's comments...

Residency positions are going to be based on your school performance, board scores, letters of recommendation... More importantly, your connections during your third and fourth year.

So go to wherever you feel most comfortable... this usually will translate to doing well at school and during rotations... then you'll be able to show that you really want to be an orthopod.

But being a DMU grad, our surgery training is definitely superb...

 

[Superman_4399]

Thank you to all of you for your replies, I greatly appreciate it. You have all been very helpful. And, just to clarify, I am not by any means 100% sure that orthopedics is where I am heading. I just want to make sure that if it becomes what I want to do later in my medical school career that I have made the right choice in schools so that I am able to pursue a particular specialty (if that makes any sense). I am just most interested in surgery at this particular point in time. Thanks again.

 

[Docgeorge]

Getting residency spots is a whole different ball game... I most definitely agree with DocGeorge's comments...

Residency positions are going to be based on your school performance, board scores, letters of recommendation... More importantly, your connections during your third and fourth year.

So go to wherever you feel most comfortable... this usually will translate to doing well at school and during rotations... then you'll be able to show that you really want to be an orthopod.

But being a DMU grad, our surgery training is definitely superb...

Hey...how's it going? How do like the Bots so far?

 

[Dr Alo]

If you like BIG city life and harsh winter go to CCOM. If you like smaller city life and HARSH winter go to DMU. If you ask most would say that DMU is one of , if not the top, DO school. CCOM is very good as well. The one difference I can tell you about them is the test schedule. I have a friend at CCOM and she told me that they have A LOT of tests. Where we may have 5-10 a month they have 20-30. They may be smaller but they are all the time, almost every day. Other than that and the fact that DMU has the absolute BEST OMM program the choice is more location than anything else.

You may not like our test schedule, but trust me you retain much more when you are tested frequently than when you go months without a test. All that material sticks in your brain and you remember it well.

Our test schedule is exagerrated. We don't have tests everyday, except during finals week. And our test schedule is not that bad. Usually one test every 2 weeks or so.

During my first 2 years of med school I have played more sports and spent more time doing things I like than ever before. yes, I did study, and it was excruciatingly difficult, but I managed my time well. I come from a business background.

Read my blog to see what our rotations are like and how much time we have to do recreational stuff. Our clinical rotations are tops, bar none!

And if you want a competitive residency, its better to be in a town that has them all, so that they can see you and you can get a lot of face time. You can't beat the city of Chicago for residencies and hospitals.

 

[Popoy]

Hey...how's it going? How do like the Bots so far?

Hey... I love it hear! I'm apprehensive but then again who isn't?

It's pretty extensive here. After two months in Ob, I'll be programmed to do all the c-sections and ran the entire floor... nothing beats a track program... i don't think it gets any more intense than this. This monday, I'm already the house officer for BGH... that's right... I have 4 floors to manage!!!

I think I'll disappear as everything starts on Friday... which by the way, I'm already on-call for OB!!! Welcome to internship/residency!!! Yeeehaw...

To sum it up, I'm thrilled, excited, and apprehensive... But what can I do, I just smile and ride the wave...

You should really consider the Surg program here, DocG... Bots has won several Michigan state awards... I didn't realize how great this place is until I got here...

Email me from time to time, I still have my dmu account... I'll catch ya' later.

Hope things are going well for you.

 

[Popoy]

Thank you to all of you for your replies, I greatly appreciate it. You have all been very helpful. And, just to clarify, I am not by any means 100% sure that orthopedics is where I am heading. I just want to make sure that if it becomes what I want to do later in my medical school career that I have made the right choice in schools so that I am able to pursue a particular specialty (if that makes any sense). I am just most interested in surgery at this particular point in time. Thanks again.

Makes absolute sense to me.

MaloCCOM makes a great point. Frequent testing has its benefits.

As for surgery, I really think the DMU has one (if not the best) and as a first year you can already get trained and certified as a surgery TA. If you want training in surg... you can't go wrong with DMU.

Good luck in your choice, at least you have a couple of great ones to chose from. No matter what you chose, I'm sure you'll do great in either.

Let us know which one you ultimately chose... Till then, I bid you Lots o'luck 😎

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

If you ask most would say that DMU is one of , if not the top, DO school. CCOM is very good as well.

If you can qualify your statement that DMU is the top DO school and that most would say that, I'd love to see it.

But since you can't, don't make statements like that.

You would have been fine had you simply said that it was one of the top schools.

 

[Thousandth]

If you can qualify your statement that DMU is the top DO school and that most would say that, I'd love to see it.

But since you can't, don't make statements like that.

You would have been fine had you simply said that it was one of the top schools.

Well obviously it's because I go there...sheesh.

Really though if you ask any student at any DO school he/she will tell you that they go to one of the best if not the best. There is no ranking system whatsoever when it comes to DO schools. Not that the MD school rankings mean a damn thing, they are all based on research dollars. It is all a matter of opinion.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

Basically you are saying one thing and then saying something totally different.


FYI, Im likely going to CCOM in the fall and whether or not it is the best is of little relevance to me because I liked the school.

 

[bbake87]

Basically you are saying one thing and then saying something totally different.


FYI, Im likely going to CCOM in the fall and whether or not it is the best is of little relevance to me because I liked the school.

Buckeye, what is the scoop with your school selection? Man, I sense just a smidge of bias on this thread. To the person who stated that school selection is intensely personal - touche'. You have to decide for yourself. Everyone has different likes/dislikes.

Billy
CCOM 2009

 

[DO it right]

Don't know much about CCOM, but to be honest go to a school that makes you feel more comfortable. But as far as DMU based on what I read, researched and heard when I was applying to Med schools...they have a lot going for them..i don't think i could say that about other med schools. If you're worried about residency landing...your best bet is to rely on yourself..since its so hard to compare the schools in those terms neck to neck. Good luck!