Disappointing situation

[MSUSpartan642]

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Well after years of work I have been lucky enough to get multiple acceptances to medical school (CCOM and LECOM-B) so far. I have always been extremely interested in DO schools for a variety of reasons (Philosophy, OMM, past experiences, etc) but now that I have been accepted the debt at some of the schools is truly becoming astounding.

I LOVED CCOM but the more and more I look at the tuition its absolutely crazy high. My family is closers to CCOM, i like the city more, the curriculum, basically everything I like about CCOM except for the tuition. In comparison to LECOM-B it wins in nearly every category (for me). The reason I'm unsure about LECOM-B is that I'm just not sure about how PBL will work for me, it may not be the most effective way to learn.

How disappointing this is to finally get into my #1 choice and barely even feel excited due to financial concerns.

 

[prionsRbad]

What's the difference in tuition? Those are both private schools, right? I mean, by going to a private DO school you kinda have to prepare yourself for at least ~$200,000 for all 4 years. That's kinda the way it goes. 🙁

 

[ChiDO]

Think LECOM is ~$30k vs CCOM ~$46k. Just because your #1 choice was CCOM before going to all the interviews and getting all the information, doesn't mean it has to be #1 after interviews.

Many people fall in love with places that they thought would be to the bottom of their lists and vice versa. So go where you feel you will be the happeist to SUCCEED.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

Thats part of my concern. CCOM is where I would feel happiest for sure. But, the debt I would accrue is significantly more than LECOM-B. I'm just kind of feeling obligated to chose the school that is nearly 100K (in the long run) cheaper even though its not as good of a fit for myself.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Cost should always be important and considered carefully. However, remember this ... you'll pay it back. You need to ask yourself where cost falls on your list of med school qualities. If it is number one and above all others, than you have your answer. However, if it falls somewhere in between location, fit, closeness to family, etc ... then you need to consider all those options and the weight you give to them. It's not easy. I can contest to that first hand. It's also impossible for someone to simply answer the question for you. SDN is definitely a good place to get advice and help, but in the end, it has to come down to what is most important to you.

 

[prionsRbad]

Thats part of my concern. CCOM is where I would feel happiest for sure. But, the debt I would accrue is significantly more than LECOM-B. I'm just kind of feeling obligated to chose the school that is nearly 100K (in the long run) cheaper even though its not as good of a fit for myself.

I'm confused. If you go to CCOM and live with your parents wouldn't that make the tuition comparable to LECOM? Just a thought. 🙂 Also, it's more like a $60,000 difference, which is not huge when you are already taking out loans.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

I'm confused. If you go to CCOM and live with your parents wouldn't that make the tuition comparable to LECOM? Just a thought. 🙂 Also, it's more like a $60,000 difference, which is not huge when you are already taking out loans.

Parents live closer to Chicago (edge of Michigan) so I wouldnt be able to live with the parents regardless, its just a 3 hour drive rather than a 23 hour drive. I know I will be super busy regardless and probably wont be able to see them a whole lot, but it would be nice to be kinda close.

 

[prionsRbad]

Parents live closer to Chicago (edge of Michigan) so I wouldnt be able to live with the parents regardless, its just a 3 hour drive rather than a 23 hour drive. I know I will be super busy regardless and probably wont be able to see them a whole lot, but it would be nice to be kinda close.

Aww bummer. 🙁 You will be busy, but it's still nice to have family close. Sorry about your dilemma. I'm sure you'll figure out the best situation for yourself. Honestly, I think it's better to be at a school you LOVE for 4 years instead of being at a school you feel luke warm towards. In my opinion, it might even be worth $60,000 😉

Good luck! When it comes down to it, you have 2 acceptances! Woo Hoo! 😀

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

CCOM, end of discussion.

 

[Bacchus]

This is one of those cases where I will have to break from my own stride and tell you to go to CCOM. The happiness factor (and other factors) are worth the cost. I had the choice between VCOM, LECOM, and PCOM. The costs for tuition were roughly 28.5, 25.5, and 37.5k for this year. I chose PCOM. LECOM, despite its low cost, just wasn't worth it. VCOM, although I loved it, was just too far away from home, friends, and other concerns I had.

Go to CCOM.

 

[Bones DO]

Happiness > Cost ergo, IMHO, CCOM > LECOM for you.

 

[FutureDocDO]

I would choose LECOM 🙂. But seriously, you are only required to be on campus for the first two years. During your clinical years you can do rotations closer to your family. LECOM is affiliated with hospitals in Cleveland. You can choose to do all your 3rd and 4th year rotations there. Having said that, if you love everything except for tuition at CCOM maybe it's worth it.

I chose LECOM-PA over WVSOM solely based on tuition.

 

[DoctaJMa]

Cost is always a concern when going to med school, and yes LECOM is more cost friendly than a majority of other schools. However, I want to throw in my two cents.

I am going to LECOM-Seton Hill which gives me a 20 hour drive from home. I have to say NEVER underestimate the power of having family close by. I have to fly home when I want to go...thus...this break was the first time in 5 MONTHS I have been able to go home. Sure the cost is nice but I would definitely choose a school that is closer to home over cost any day. It is a nice recharger when you hit the point during the semester when you cannot find any motivation to go on (you will have these). Realistically...60,000 extra dollars is going to be what? another 4 years of paying loans if you take ur time paying them and maybe 1 or 2 if ur proactive on paying them!

Go to ur #1 choice.

BTW not knocking LECOM. I absolutely love my education I am getting...just wish I was closer to home!

 

[Vita]

Cost is always a concern when going to med school, and yes LECOM is more cost friendly than a majority of other schools. However, I want to throw in my two cents.

I am going to LECOM-Seton Hill which gives me a 20 hour drive from home. I have to say NEVER underestimate the power of having family close by. I have to fly home when I want to go...thus...this break was the first time in 5 MONTHS I have been able to go home. Sure the cost is nice but I would definitely choose a school that is closer to home over cost any day. It is a nice recharger when you hit the point during the semester when you cannot find any motivation to go on (you will have these). Realistically...60,000 extra dollars is going to be what? another 4 years of paying loans if you take ur time paying them and maybe 1 or 2 if ur proactive on paying them!

Go to ur #1 choice.

BTW not knocking LECOM. I absolutely love my education I am getting...just wish I was closer to home!

What they said X 2.

Cost shouldn't be taken into consideration over happiness. As a first year, having my family so close AND going to the school that was my first choice has made it much easier to adjust. It is still very hard, but knowing that it would not be a huge ordeal to get home if I really had to takes a lot of stress off of me.

Plus, having a curriculum that fits your learning style will be crucial for making your first and second years doable. Overall, I think you will not regret paying a bit more when it means that you will be happier.

If you have outstanding considerations, such as a family/children, perhaps cost should be weighed a bit more. If you are young with no children, though, you will have plenty of time to pay back the loans.

 

[211519]

GO WHERE YOU ARE HAPPIEST. Cost is irrelevant when you take into consideration the importance of success in med school. You'll pay off your debt, especially if you do well. You will have a much harder time if you are miserable, lonely and not where you wanted to be.

 

[cassrae]

What they said X 2.

Cost shouldn't be taken into consideration over happiness. As a first year, having my family so close AND going to the school that was my first choice has made it much easier to adjust. It is still very hard, but knowing that it would not be a huge ordeal to get home if I really had to takes a lot of stress off of me.

Plus, having a curriculum that fits your learning style will be crucial for making your first and second years doable. Overall, I think you will not regret paying a bit more when it means that you will be happier.

If you have outstanding considerations, such as a family/children, perhaps cost should be weighed a bit more. If you are young with no children, though, you will have plenty of time to pay back the loans.

Ditto on what's been said so far. Some people make the argument that it's only 2 years out of your life, but being at a place you don't LOVE or in a location you don't love can wear on you quickly, and being happy can make it much easier to succeed in school! I didn't choose LECOM because I didn't think the PBL curriculum was for me and I didn't want to be that far away from home (only 9 hours from home now, which is driveable- 25 hours- not so much); cost didn't factor into my decision once.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

If you have outstanding considerations, such as a family/children, perhaps cost should be weighed a bit more. If you are young with no children, though, you will have plenty of time to pay back the loans.

I feel like I'm pretty young still 🙄

23 and single (I'll be 24 when I start). I'v gotten to this point with no debt and now looking at about 200K is debt seems like a crap load hahah.

 

[beckhunter116]

I feel like I'm pretty young still 🙄

23 and single (I'll be 24 when I start). I'v gotten to this point with no debt and now looking at about 200K is debt seems like a crap load hahah.

You are young. I know we were both commenting on the OSUCOM/CCOM thread in pre-DO and that is where a lot of the hesitation over money probably came up. Whenever I think of the money aspect I do get a little sick, yet happiness has no price. Really you only have one chance to go to medical school, so you should make this the best opportunity that you can. If it costs more just recognize that you may have live more modestly for a few years after residency. If you are interested in anything primary care related there are a lot of opportunities for loan repayment so there is that option.

Celebrate that you have gotten to this point. There are some on here who don't have a choice between schools or a school to attend at all. You made it, enjoy it!

 

[Hernandez]

I can't help but notice that many of those who say go where you'll be happy despite the cost are medical students. cost should be a concern, especially since it looks like there will be more graduating medical students than residency spots before long and the costs are only going to get worse.

I was lucky and went to an state DO school and still have over 200k of debt after living expenses. and considering that there is no longer the 20/200 deferment, you'll be making crap pay if you're lucky to get into a residency and be required to pay on your student loans while you'll barely be able to pay your monthly utilities.

unless you think you'd be downright miserable at LECOM (I can't say their strict dress code and attendance policies would have sat well with me), I'd give it a hard look.

 

[Hernandez]

yet happiness has no price.

If you can't pay for you happiness loans post-graduation, then happiness has a very real unobtainable cost.

 

[Bacchus]

I feel like I'm pretty young still 🙄

23 and single (I'll be 24 when I start). I'v gotten to this point with no debt and now looking at about 200K is debt seems like a crap load hahah.

I have a lot of undergrad debt. Knowing you don't have any, I would say go for it. You have more of a buffer than some of us.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

I have a lot of undergrad debt. Knowing you don't have any, I would say go for it. You have more of a buffer than some of us.

The debt that we are accruing is crazy. The government really needs to think about helping us medical students out. I mean what are they thinking.

"We have a shortage of doctors...What should we do?"

"Lets make is ridiculously expensive!!!"

 

[beckhunter116]

If you can't pay for you happiness loans post-graduation, then happiness has a very real unobtainable cost.

What about choosing the income sensitive payment option during residency and even beyond if the OP chooses a lower paying specialty?

I didn't mean that he should go crazy with loan money, but that he should attend the school where he will be happy, so he can be productive and land the residency of his choice (Or at least have the best chance).

 

[Hernandez]

What about choosing the income sensitive option during residency and even beyond if the OP chooses a lower paying specialty?

I didn't mean that he should go crazy with loan money, but that he should attend the school where he will be happy, so he can be productive and land the residency of his choice.

From what my new incoming residents who can't defer, they're telling me the cheapest monthly payment is still over $600/month. Do you have any idea how much that additional $64/k of debt will amount to by the time you're done paying them off?

 

[ACSurgeon]

Thats part of my concern. CCOM is where I would feel happiest for sure. But, the debt I would accrue is significantly more than LECOM-B. I'm just kind of feeling obligated to chose the school that is nearly 100K (in the long run) cheaper even though its not as good of a fit for myself.

Med school is very stressful as it is. If you have a significantly better enviornment (family, friends, or just a comfort zone) at one medical school, I say go there. Otherwise, you might end up in the 50% of medical students who battle depression (maybe even the 5-10% who don't make it to the end). That can impair future earnings by much much more than 100K in the long run. You gotta think big picture. Now, had you said you like school A and B with a 60%:40% ratio and school B was cheaper, I'd say the cost should make up for the 20% difference. You make it seem like it's closer to 80%:20%, if not more. Go where you'll be happier.

 

[IMDoc607]

GO WHERE YOU ARE HAPPIEST. Cost is irrelevant when you take into consideration the importance of success in med school. You'll pay off your debt, especially if you do well. You will have a much harder time if you are miserable, lonely and not where you wanted to be.

I can't disagree more, but if you will be absolutely miserable then don't go to the school regardless of price.

 

[smq123]

Also, it's more like a $60,000 difference, which is not huge when you are already taking out loans.

It's a $60K difference UP FRONT. Factor in interest that will accrue, and you're looking at something more like a $100K difference.

I can't help but notice that many of those who say go where you'll be happy despite the cost are medical students. cost should be a concern, especially since it looks like there will be more graduating medical students than residency spots before long and the costs are only going to get worse.

Completely agree.

Not to mention that those who say "Oh, you'll pay it back!" are assuming that doctors will continue to be reimbursed at current rates. There's no guaranteeing that doctors salaries will stay at this level and won't drop, especially with Obama Care on the horizon.

Well after years of work I have been lucky enough to get multiple acceptances to medical school (CCOM and LECOM-B) so far. I have always been extremely interested in DO schools for a variety of reasons (Philosophy, OMM, past experiences, etc) but now that I have been accepted the debt at some of the schools is truly becoming astounding.

I LOVED CCOM but the more and more I look at the tuition its absolutely crazy high.

First off, congrats on getting two acceptances this early in the application season. 🙂

Second, I get what you're saying about why you'd rather go to CCOM than LECOM. If you feel that strongly about it, then you should probably try to figure out ways to make the costs comparable, if not making CCOM cheaper. Do they offer scholarships? Do you qualify for any scholarships? Are you a "rah rah primary care rah rah" type, who might be interested in the NHSC? Or are you willing to spend several years in the military? Not that any of these options are necessarily easy decisions either, but if you DO fall under one of those categories, it might make your decision about CCOM vs. LECOM easier.

If you'll be 24 when you start, you'll be 28 when you finish. An extra $60K in debt principal (which translates to nearly $100K by the time you get done paying it off) might get in the way of trying to get other things off the ground. By that time you might want to get married, start a family....it's harder when you have so much debt hanging over you.

 

[DarkCloudXD]

I rejected my state school to attend CCOM. I felt the education and the clinical rotations were awesome so I went that route. I think the cost is important but I didn't want to base my decision on the school just on tuition alone. I know that at the end of my education I will make enough money to pay it all off eventually anyways. I think it is unwise to make a decision just based on debt ALONE. I think you should choose a school you feel the most comfortable with and the school that is positioned to give you the best opportunity for success, and if the school you choose has a low tuition then consider that a huge bonus.

 

[punkiedad]

The debt that we are accruing is crazy. The government really needs to think about helping us medical students out. I mean what are they thinking.

"We have a shortage of doctors...What should we do?"

"Lets make is ridiculously expensive!!!"

Cost is really secondary to your concern. You are ranking each school as it is equal with cost the only factor (were are not talking about reputation or goofy dress code stuff). You cannot compare apples to apples until you factor in PBL. Bradenton is PBL only. So, I would say you really need to understand what PBL is and how it works.

I have been in the LDP program (we all start there) and am in an ISP type program now. I have not done PBL, but I don't know that I would be successful. I know how I learn and PBL is too different for me. I have done way better in ISP than when I was in LDP.

So, make a post and see if you can get someone from PBL to talk to. Not sure if you have already done this or not, but I saw an earlier post where you mentioned it, so I would explore that deeper and answer the PBL realted questions.

Congrats on the multiple acceptances and good luck.

 

[womp]

Like others have said, $16,000 tuition difference over 4 years and 4 years of residency is about $95,000.

You have to realize that the interest rate is higher beyond $40k, because Stafford maxes out at that point. So if you go to CCOM you will likely take another $15k from GradPlus (at 8.5%) after maxing out Stafford.

But if you like everything about CCOM more, then you should probably bite the bullet and go with CCOM. Your performance in medical school is important in determining how good a residency spot you get, and you're not going to perform well if you're not happy about the place.

 

[lentilfarm]

Cost is really secondary to your concern. You are ranking each school as it is equal with cost the only factor (were are not talking about reputation or goofy dress code stuff). You cannot compare apples to apples until you factor in PBL. Bradenton is PBL only. So, I would say you really need to understand what PBL is and how it works.

I have been in the LDP program (we all start there) and am in an ISP type program now. I have not done PBL, but I don't know that I would be successful. I know how I learn and PBL is too different for me. I have done way better in ISP than when I was in LDP.

So, make a post and see if you can get someone from PBL to talk to. Not sure if you have already done this or not, but I saw an earlier post where you mentioned it, so I would explore that deeper and answer the PBL realted questions.

Congrats on the multiple acceptances and good luck.

I agree. The high costs do suck, but your choice is whether or not PBL will work for you. If you choose the cheaper option and don't succeed in PBL, you're going to have some trouble paying off that debt, too!

 

[Slevin]

The thing to consider isn't the price but rather which school you will be more successful at. Figure out what is the best learning style for you and go to the school that supports it. If you don't think you can do well in PBL then don't go to LECOM-B, you'll suffer.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I can't express enough that PBL is NOT for everyone, and if it isn't conducive to your learning style ... do not, not, not go to a school with a strictly PBL learning style. Disaster.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

PBL was cool to watch and I think it would be a great tool to supplement learning. But seriously how do you only have 3 PBL sessions per week (6 hours) and learn everything you need to, excluding the couple of lecture based classes. I'm just not sure that I could see myself being happy sitting at a desk by myself reading a book for 6-8 hours a day.

I looked through my financial funds and I have about 25K I can bring with myself into CCOM or LECOM-B. With the MAX projections of each at approximately CCOM:325K and LECOM-B:250K (including 7% tuition increase each year). So I guess its a difference of 300K or 225K in the end. I think as of right now I'm leaning towards CCOM for all of the reasons above. Who knows maybe I'll eventually hear something from PCOM, Nova, or MSU and I can weigh those options in to.

 

[JaggerPlate]

PBL was cool to watch and I think it would be a great tool to supplement learning. But seriously how do you only have 3 PBL sessions per week (6 hours) and learn everything you need to, excluding the couple of lecture based classes. I'm just not sure that I could see myself being happy sitting at a desk by myself reading a book for 6-8 hours a day.

I looked through my financial funds and I have about 25K I can bring with myself into CCOM or LECOM-B. With the MAX projections of each at approximately CCOM:325K and LECOM-B:250K (including 7% tuition increase each year). So I guess its a difference of 300K or 225K in the end. I think as of right now I'm leaning towards CCOM for all of the reasons above. Who knows maybe I'll eventually hear something from PCOM, Nova, or MSU and I can weigh those options in to.

If you can't see yourself doing PBL, I personally would not recommend going to Bradendon, at all.

 

[123165]

If you can't see yourself doing PBL, I personally would not recommend going to Bradendon, at all.

I agree, PBL is the main reason to go to Bradenton.

Back to the OP, Go where you will be happy. I made the same decision for KCOM, being close to family and a support network was extremely high on my list, and it sounds like it is high on yours.

 

[scpod]

PBL was cool to watch and I think it would be a great tool to supplement learning. But seriously how do you only have 3 PBL sessions per week (6 hours) and learn everything you need to, excluding the couple of lecture based classes. I'm just not sure that I could see myself being happy sitting at a desk by myself reading a book for 6-8 hours a day....

You don't really learn things in the PBL sessions. That's where you determine the issues that you really need to learn. As for studying at a desk 6 to 8 hours a day.... why would you do that? I used to study out by my pool. When it would get hot I'd dive in for a while then get out and study some more. If I had a later PBL session maybe drive over and eat breakfast with Dick Vitale at his restaurant and study out on the patio for a while. They make great Mimosas there.

Since Thursday is OMM lab day you really have 4 days a week where you are at school for only 2 hours a day. There's so much opportunity to enjoy not being cooped up in a classroom. Now, if you are not a self-motivated studier it would be a bad idea to choose Bradenton, BUT, they are pretty good at picking students who will excel in this type of environment.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

Haha I think I'm going insane

I want to like LECOM-B and think PBL is such a cool way to learn. The last match list was crazy good and the COMLEX scores are no joke either. As of tonight I'm going to send in my deposit to both CCOM and LECOM-B so that I can hold my position at both so I can have more time to decide on LECOM-B.

Seriously CCOM has scared me away solely due to their cost of attendance kind of. I mean tuition can't even be covered by Stafford loans, you have to get Grad Plus just to get to the 46K. I wonder why CCOM's cost of attendance went through the roof over the past 5/10 years...

Sorry if I'm all over the place on this thread, I've just had a really difficult time deciding over the past couple of days. I really appreciate everyone giving their input as always!

 

[devlyyn]

This sounds like a tough decision, but you really need to do some calculations and look at the numbers to see just how much extra you're going to have to pay back by going to CCOM. I would have gone to my state school in a heartbeat if I had gotten in. I didn't, but thankfully LECOM has the lowest private osteopathic tuition in the country, and I'm happening to like it here so far despite being 800 miles from my family. Anyway, consider the interest rates you're getting with these loans. If you go to LECOM you can probably squeak by without having to go with the gradplus loans at 8.5% (!!!!!). If you go to CCOM they will be inevitable. With your calculations, if you take out an extra $75k at 8.5% it's going to be almost $1,000 extra a month in loan payments. And thats if you don't let it grow even more during residency. You really want to minimize your debt in school or you're going to find it very unrewarding having your choices of specialties limited by salary or facing the prospect of living with several thousand dollars less per month into your 40s.

 

[beckhunter116]

This sounds like a tough decision, but you really need to do some calculations and look at the numbers to see just how much extra you're going to have to pay back by going to CCOM. I would have gone to my state school in a heartbeat if I had gotten in. I didn't, but thankfully LECOM has the lowest private osteopathic tuition in the country, and I'm happening to like it here so far despite being 800 miles from my family. Anyway, consider the interest rates you're getting with these loans. If you go to LECOM you can probably squeak by without having to go with the gradplus loans at 8.5% (!!!!!). If you go to CCOM they will be inevitable. With your calculations, if you take out an extra $75k at 8.5% it's going to be almost $1,000 extra a month in loan payments. And thats if you don't let it grow even more during residency. You really want to minimize your debt in school or you're going to find it very unrewarding having your choices of specialties limited by salary or facing the prospect of living with several thousand dollars less per month into your 40s.

Yeah, but the problem here is that it is two completely different learning styles. If this was between LECOM-E (Lecture) and CCOM it would be easier to say just look at the numbers. However, when you throw PBL in it becomes a difficult situation b/c not everyone is going to be able to handle that type of learning environment.

OP, I'm not saying you can't handle PBL! Only you know what you can do. 🙂

 

[Vita]

How much more expensive is CCOM than LECOM-Br? I know Chicago is a higher cost of living than Florida, but combine all the factors (tuition plus living expenses) and then how much of a difference is there? After that, add travel costs (if you plan to visit your family, etc) and figure out the difference.

Is that difference worth being close to home and in a learning environment that you like?

If CCOM really is a lot more expensive, are there schools with similar curriculums that might be slightly cheaper/closer to family than Florida?

For me, LECOM and VCOM ended up being similar costs simply because the living costs here in Blacksburg are ridiculously low; averaging out how much I would spend to travel and live in Erie compared to Blacksburg (a 2 hour drive from home) it came out to roughly the same cost. When I first saw the budget each school set up it seemed like I would be paying $20,000 more to go to VCOM, but VCOM included A LOT of things in the budget that I did not need while LECOM included the bare minimum. So just make sure you do all the calculations on how much you will spend (and don't take out more than you need).

 

[JJMrK]

Thats part of my concern. CCOM is where I would feel happiest for sure. But, the debt I would accrue is significantly more than LECOM-B. I'm just kind of feeling obligated to chose the school that is nearly 100K (in the long run) cheaper even though its not as good of a fit for myself.

At this point in the cycle, I'm in a similar situation, although it doesn't deal with quite as much debt. At the moment I'm not committing myself to either school (take as long to make this decision as you need), but in reality I know I'll almost certainly go to the cheaper of the two. The extra debt just isn't worth it, IMO.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

Well I decided to pass on LECOM-B, I don't think PBL was for me. Sadly enough. I'm going to find a way to make CCOM less expensive for myself in one way or another, if I end up there.

 

[JJMrK]

Good luck OP. Hope everything works out for you. 👍

 

[JaggerPlate]

Well I decided to pass on LECOM-B, I don't think PBL was for me. Sadly enough. I'm going to find a way to make CCOM less expensive for myself in one way or another, if I end up there.

I know the debt seems foreboding, and CCOM is definitely high as far as tuition and area cost of living, but you'll be alright. LECOM-B has an amazing program, but honestly, I know I've beat this point to a pulp, you made the right decision based on your slight hesitation to PBL. Fantastic way to learn, but if it is not for you, it's not for you. I had two interviewers and the dean of Bradenton tell me this on the interview day. They make this point very clear, and for good reason. Congrats on CCOM. You're going to be happy, busy, and made a good decision. Best of luck.