DMU vs. KCU

[TheBoneDoctah]

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So up till this morning, I was 100% going to attend KCU in the fall. However, this morning I received an email from DMU stating that I was accepted off the waiting list. I don't know what to do at this point because I really liked DMU and I few years ago (according to the stuff I have been reading on here) I would have chosen DMU. However, it seems as though KCU has picked up the pace recently with board scores, etc.

Does anyone have any insight into the two schools that could compare them and offer some insight?

Also to note, I already placed my deposits at KCU so thats 2k down the drain if I decide to go to DMU. In the grand scheme of things, 2k isn't much though.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

DMU has multiple choice anatomy practicals from what I heard. That's always nice.

 

[xBODOMx]

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[TheBoneDoctah]

A lot of people end up facing this decision it seems. I did, and chose DMU but for what it's worth I often wonder if I would have liked KCU better. They're clearly both excellent schools, so your choice will likely come down to a few preferential things. I'm sure you're aware of most of this but if it helps I can recap some of the reasons why I chose to come here.

For starters, the curriculum. I liked that we do basic sciences in year 1 and then do pharm and systems path 2nd year. I'm not exactly sure how KCU's exam schedule works now but here we average 1-2 tests a week. This is good in that there's not as much testable material per exam, but it can be exhausting at times. Also, I thought DMU was super OMM heavy, but its really not. We have 1 hour of lecture and 1.5 hour lab a week. For practical exams I'll maybe start studying a couple days in advance, and for written exams I'll literally start studying the night before and do just fine. Having had 1 year of OMM already (and realizing I'm not a fan) I was relieved that it wasn't as intense as I'd heard.

Other Pros:
-Slightly smaller/safer city (this was the big selling point for me since I have a family)
-An amazing gym (KCU's wasn't anything special I thought)
-Surgery skills lab (not really my cup of tea, but a lot of people want to do something surgical)
-Other health science programs here, if you like the inter-professional aspect
-Multiple choice anatomy practicals (I would have undoubtedly failed the class otherwise)

I know it's hard to think about now when pre-clinical years are looming, but I wouldn't underestimate the importance of your school's rotation sites. Unfortunately I'm not much more help in that regard, but anything you can find out about either school would be good.

Thank you for the response. The pros you gave are exactly what I have already written down haha. It's a tough decision.

To add one to your pros list, DMU has better campus food 😉

 

[touchpause13]

Pretty sure that KCU has block exams and we don't. So there's that too depending on your preference.

 

[Roxas]

Pretty sure that KCU has block exams and we don't. So there's that too depending on your preference.

As stressful as we have it, I'm pretty sure a block system would kill me

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Pretty sure that KCU has block exams and we don't. So there's that too depending on your preference.

Isn't a block exam just an exam on the topic for that 2-3 weeks?

Are you saying at DMU you may have 2-3 exams for biochemistry?

 

[touchpause13]

Isn't a block exam just an exam on the topic for that 2-3 weeks?

Are you saying at DMU you may have 2-3 exams for biochemistry?

I believe we had 5 exams for biochemistry. The smallest number of exams we have had for a class is 2. Usually we have anywhere from 30 to 70 questions per exam.

Right so block exams are huge and long and would cover all the material for a period of time. You'd have to ask someone from KCU tho because I'm not entirely sure how they structure it.

 

[ananasmed]

I would have picked DMU between the two. Loved the "feel" there. But you've been all set to move to KC... Seems like it would be hard to switch now. Either way, big congrats and I don't think you can go wrong 🙂

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

I would have picked DMU between the two. Loved the "feel" there. But you've been all set to move to KC... Seems like it would be hard to switch now. Either way, big congrats and I don't think you can go wrong 🙂

Exactly. That's the same for me too. When I left the DMU interview, I said " this is where i want to go" because of the feel.

It's just tough now that I got so far into KC.
$2000 deposits paid
financial aid set up
$300 deposit on housing setup

 

[Roxas]

Exactly. That's the same for me too. When I left the DMU interview, I said " this is where i want to go" because of the feel.

It's just tough now that I got so far into KC.
$2000 deposits paid
financial aid set up
$300 deposit on housing setup

Your MPN isn't school specific, is it? I remember that part being the hardest part of the whole process. Once you have that and a FAFSA filled out it shouldn't be a big deal

 

[touchpause13]

Just for the record a couple grand is a drop in the bucket at the end of the day. Idk what your financial situation is but we all have a buttload of loans so I wouldn't let that hold you back from somewhere you really want to go. You just gotta decide what you want

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Your MPN isn't school specific, is it? I remember that part being the hardest part of the whole process. Once you have that and a FAFSA filled out it shouldn't be a big deal

But I "accepted" the loan amount...could I back out of this

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Just for the record a couple grand is a drop in the bucket at the end of the day. Idk what your financial situation is but we all have a buttload of loans so I wouldn't let that hold you back from somewhere you really want to go. You just gotta decide what you want

She's right.

You're basically paying ~$45k a year to get your ass kicked. Pick where you feel most comfortable.

Just make sure you take into account the right priorities. Premeds make a big deal about the most random things.

I liked the facilities at DMU a bit more. The OMM room had nice big windows, the cafeteria has pretty good food, and I wouldn't have been afraid to show my parents the surrounding area. In retrospect if I had picked DMU for these reasons I would have felt like an idiot.

Talk to MS1 students from both schools and ask about the quality of education and how well the faculty respects you.

Ask about tests, professors, student body. Honesty, right now I would go to school in a dump if the education was exceptional.

Btw, our new administration is big on board scores. We got an email from Kaplan a few weeks ago letting us know we were signed up for Step 1 prep. First year hasn't even ended FFS! So don't get too worried about board scores.

But I "accepted" the loan amount...could I back out of this

People have changed schools during orientation. You're not obligated to anything right now.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Lets have a brag off between @O Grady and @chizledfrmstone !
GO!
hahaha jk jk

 

[Roxas]

.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Lol I already admitted I still wonder if I should have gone to KCU. Med school has just beaten crap out of me and left me a little jaded, and chances are that would have happened wherever I went.

Haha, is there anything that you would have liked at KCU that DMU doesn't have/offer?

 

[touchpause13]

Haha, is there anything that you would have liked at KCU that DMU doesn't have/offer?

This may sound stupid but I like the bar scene in KC better and I miss being able to see a major league baseball team easily.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

So I have been in KC for the last few days - checking out housing and such. It's a cool city. I am super pumped to move here.

 

[AlteredScale]

I think @touchpause13 has a point regarding the environment. Seems like there may be more to do in KC then Des Moines.

Tough choice man!

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

I wish DMU would have just rejected me lol @AlteredScale

 

[AM508]

At least this is a decision where there is no bad choice. Either way you will go to a great school. It really depends which city you like best. Myself, I turned down KCU because Kansas City is just a little too much city for my rural blood. Though I kick myself at least every couple of days because I COULD have been living in the BBQ capital of the world.

 

[Roxas]

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[AM508]

Lol but hey, Des Moines has Jethro's! (and was subsequently on an episode of Man Vs. Food)

Right your are. I decided on KCOM though so I am either 150 miles south or 150 miles north of awesome eating .

 

[touchpause13]

Lol but hey, Des Moines has Jethro's! (and was subsequently on an episode of Man Vs. Food)

Damn I want me some Jethros

 

[ortnakas]

Hard to say because I mostly just saw the same superficial things you see on interview day. It is telling though what @chizledfrmstone has said about their approach to board prep. DMU students typically do well in that area too, but anytime boards are brought up here it seems like it's always followed up with: ".....but we're here to teach you to be clinicians too." Take that for what you will.

If this isn't abundantly clear already, I'm not the greatest authority on the matter since I struggled quite a bit with M1 while 99% of my classmates have coasted through just fine. You're getting the perception of "that student" who can't seem to get their **** figured out. I can all but guarantee you would thrive at either school. If you work hard you can match pretty much any specialty at either school. Pick where you felt most at home and the rest will undoubtedly fall into place.

I'm at a different school, but I had a tough time through first year too-- spring less so than fall,but still. However, I SERIOUSLY doubt you're the only one with problems while 99% are doing fine, although I know it always feels that way. I got more social this semester, and realized that being on the struggle-bus was more of the norm than I had thought.

Edited for atrocious grammar