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DMU vs KCU - full disclosure, I am actually waitlisted at KCU right now, so this could be a null issue, but I want to sort everything out in case I do end up having to choose.
DMU
Pros:
- I am from Iowa, so I actually could live at home.
- Fantastic school with good rep, good board scores, good match rates
- Research opportunities galore - also there is research in the fields I'm interested in
- I have contacts with the specialty I'm interested in already, so I could maintain those, probably even rotate with those same people.
- I can stay near my pets, family, friends, etc.
- I do sincerely love the DSM area, I love love love it during the summer so I won't have to leave it.
- Heard repeatedly how supportive the other students and faculty are - this is encouraging and makes me think the school supports their students
- Nice new campus
- I've heard DMU really tries to make its curriculum do-able. It's still medical school, but it seems they really try to make it manageable.
Cons:
-I'm a little nervous about graded curriculum. I don't plan on doing poorly of course, but medical school is a new beast and I'm afraid if it takes me a while to get adjusted, it could negatively impact me with it being graded. Instead of worrying about passing, I might be worrying about making an 80 vs a 70, for example.
- Rotations can be a **** show.
- I think I prefer systems based curriculum - I guess I don't know for sure but it makes more sense to me in my head. The first semester in DMU is block based, but their second one is systems based.
- Not as interesting club/orgs (IMO)
KCU:
Pros:
- I have family in Kansas City - so I could probably stay with them, at least initally. This would change if I got accepted to Joplin however, so I can't bank on it.
- Still fairly close to where I'm from. 2-3 hours is nothing.
- Pass / fail!!!!! This is a huge plus.
- Also a known school with good results.
- Bigger than DSM, so a bit more to do and explore.
- I like their double pass curriculum thing
- Systems based curriculum - possibly a plus.
- Cheaper by a few thousand. - would probably even out with housing, food, etc though.
- They have clubs and organizations that interest me more
- They have their elective rotations available, and I like what I see.
- Seem to have more support with applying for residency
Cons:
- Less availability for research
- I've heard their curriculum is more intense - not sure what that means in practice
- Would have to figure out housing and scramble if placed in Joplin. Would still need to eventually figure out the housing stuff for KC.
- Don't have some of the contacts that I have made already with DMU - would have to "start over" so to speak. Not the worst or undoable, just something to keep in mind.
Thank you!
DMU
Pros:
- I am from Iowa, so I actually could live at home.
- Fantastic school with good rep, good board scores, good match rates
- Research opportunities galore - also there is research in the fields I'm interested in
- I have contacts with the specialty I'm interested in already, so I could maintain those, probably even rotate with those same people.
- I can stay near my pets, family, friends, etc.
- I do sincerely love the DSM area, I love love love it during the summer so I won't have to leave it.
- Heard repeatedly how supportive the other students and faculty are - this is encouraging and makes me think the school supports their students
- Nice new campus
- I've heard DMU really tries to make its curriculum do-able. It's still medical school, but it seems they really try to make it manageable.
Cons:
-I'm a little nervous about graded curriculum. I don't plan on doing poorly of course, but medical school is a new beast and I'm afraid if it takes me a while to get adjusted, it could negatively impact me with it being graded. Instead of worrying about passing, I might be worrying about making an 80 vs a 70, for example.
- Rotations can be a **** show.
- I think I prefer systems based curriculum - I guess I don't know for sure but it makes more sense to me in my head. The first semester in DMU is block based, but their second one is systems based.
- Not as interesting club/orgs (IMO)
KCU:
Pros:
- I have family in Kansas City - so I could probably stay with them, at least initally. This would change if I got accepted to Joplin however, so I can't bank on it.
- Still fairly close to where I'm from. 2-3 hours is nothing.
- Pass / fail!!!!! This is a huge plus.
- Also a known school with good results.
- Bigger than DSM, so a bit more to do and explore.
- I like their double pass curriculum thing
- Systems based curriculum - possibly a plus.
- Cheaper by a few thousand. - would probably even out with housing, food, etc though.
- They have clubs and organizations that interest me more
- They have their elective rotations available, and I like what I see.
- Seem to have more support with applying for residency
Cons:
- Less availability for research
- I've heard their curriculum is more intense - not sure what that means in practice
- Would have to figure out housing and scramble if placed in Joplin. Would still need to eventually figure out the housing stuff for KC.
- Don't have some of the contacts that I have made already with DMU - would have to "start over" so to speak. Not the worst or undoable, just something to keep in mind.
Thank you!
