I'm driving myself crazy with this decision. I know there are a few other threads about this, but they are old and things have changed since then, especially regarding the rotations at AZCOM.
Here's where I am right now, but I'd like to hear from others. I only got to spend a short time at each campus/city.
AZCOM
PROS:
-1st interview - had a great feeling there
-loved the campus & faculty, staff was very friendly & helpful through the whole process
-my family (husband & 3 kids) would prefer to live in AZ
-cheap cheap housing
-board scores
-ability to stay in 1 place for all 4 yrs (if Dr. Speicher gets back to us about our rotation choices soon)
-weather - I seem to have a more positive attitude when it's sunny
CONS:
-tuition
-perhaps doesn't have the reputation DMU has? Not sure about this though.
DMU
PROS:
-tuition
-laptop & recorded lectures
-I know some alumni who graduated from DMU - they might not like it if I choose somewhere else.
really only kidding about this
-reputation
-anatomy lab was less smelly
CONS:
-family not as excited about Des Moines
-not as good housing options
-weather
-possibly have to move for 3rd & 4th yr, not sure, but it sounds like there is also the possibility of some short term moves too. I probably would like to avoid this since I have a family.
-This interview was 3 days after AZCOM interview, and I honestly thought during the day that I preferred AZCOM. Although that could have been due to my exhaustion from driving 11 hrs the day after flying back from AZ.
So what does everyone think. I ask my family, classmates, instructors and get different answers. I thought maybe other premeds or med students could give a different perspective.
Here's where I am right now, but I'd like to hear from others. I only got to spend a short time at each campus/city.
AZCOM
PROS:
-1st interview - had a great feeling there
-loved the campus & faculty, staff was very friendly & helpful through the whole process
-my family (husband & 3 kids) would prefer to live in AZ
-cheap cheap housing
-board scores
-ability to stay in 1 place for all 4 yrs (if Dr. Speicher gets back to us about our rotation choices soon)
-weather - I seem to have a more positive attitude when it's sunny
CONS:
-tuition
-perhaps doesn't have the reputation DMU has? Not sure about this though.
DMU
PROS:
-tuition
-laptop & recorded lectures
-I know some alumni who graduated from DMU - they might not like it if I choose somewhere else.
really only kidding about this-reputation
-anatomy lab was less smelly
CONS:
-family not as excited about Des Moines
-not as good housing options
-weather
-possibly have to move for 3rd & 4th yr, not sure, but it sounds like there is also the possibility of some short term moves too. I probably would like to avoid this since I have a family.
-This interview was 3 days after AZCOM interview, and I honestly thought during the day that I preferred AZCOM. Although that could have been due to my exhaustion from driving 11 hrs the day after flying back from AZ.
So what does everyone think. I ask my family, classmates, instructors and get different answers. I thought maybe other premeds or med students could give a different perspective.
