DMU vs. WesternU (Pomona)

[flight24]

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Fortunately I have been accepted to multiple schools and I have narrowed my decision down to DMU and WesternU. They are both great schools as for as reputation goes IMO, but Western's tuition is about 8k higher per year. Here's my comparison of the two schools.

Overall, I really liked DMU. I felt the vibe was very positive. Everyone from the staff to students were super nice. The facility was nicer too with a lot of cool technology like a surgery skills lab, simulation lab, etc.

Western's facility wasn't as nice compared to DMU. But what's most important is that it's only 35 miles away from my home. Having lived in Southern California for the vast majority of my life, I would definitely be more comfortable overall at WesternU.

But I'm trying to decide which school will give me the best education and will have me most ready for the residency that I want. I'm not really sure what field I want to go into, but I will most likely specialize in something. Looking at the match list alone (I know that this isn't a true reflection of the school) for the last two years, DMU definitely has more people going into surgery. But Western has many going to other specialties as well. Not sure if it's "easier" to specialize in a surgical field at DMU?

Rotations: This would be kind of the difficult to figure out. From what I have gathered is that both are decent. There are complaints from some students from both schools. Though @ DMU some of the students have to rotate at a different state. Western would allow me rotate in SoCal, which is big.

Board exams: Does anyone know where I can find average scores for Western? I have a list that DMU gave me, but nothing for Western. Also I have noticed that about 30% of the students decide to take the USMLE at DMU, whereas at Western it seems like most of the students take the USMLE. Not sure if there's a reason for that? DMU pays for a review course (Kaplan I think) for their students. Can anyone at either school comment on how they felt preparing for the board exams? Western gives about 5-6 weeks to prepare...not sure if that's a good time frame. MCAT took about 70-80 days lol. Don't know how much time DMU gives their students.

Teaching: Many of the professors at DMU are primarily focused on teaching. Students really like their professors from what I gathered during my interview day at DMU. Can anyone comment about Western's professors?

Both are good schools, but I'm trying to figure out which school is best for me (very difficult I might add). I would really appreciate it if a fellow student from either school can comment on some the concerns that I addressed in the post.

Thanks!

 

[flight24]

I also narrowed things down to these two schools when deciding where to attend.

To be honest, your opportunities for success will not be diminished if you go to either school. Both programs are very strong. I don't think it's any easier to go into a specialized field by going to DMU, I think the match lists mostly reflect the interest areas of those classes for that particular year.

For rotations, I have no idea how Western Operates. For DMU you are either in 'central iowa' (~60% of the class) or in a core site in Michigan or Ohio at some of the osteopathic programs out there. Fourth year is completely up to you, and its a lot of work but you can rotate pretty much wherever you want.

For boards, you are probably equally prepared at both. To be honest, what allowed me to smash the comlex was my work ethic in studying for it on my own time. I only went to a few of the Kaplan lectues..wasn't really my thing and they are realllly long. I will say that DMU laid a strong foundation for board prep over the course of the first two years.

For you -- I would think long and hard to be sure you are OK living in the midwest for at minimum 3-4 years and realistically might be 7-9 years after residency is all said and done. I am a west coast transplant as well and it's been difficult for me to be away, but the education I am getting is really good so it's worth it.

Best of luck to you

Thanks. That was some great info. I'm not sure how I would do in the Midwest as for the environment, cultural diversity, weather, etc...which is why I'm leaning towards Western despite the tuition. But ultimately it's the education.

How much time did you get between the 2nd year and 3rd year to study for the board exams? And did you take both the COMLEX and USMLE? Also you mentioned that they do great job in preparing you for the boards in the first two years...as far as I know aren't most of the classes rather large with students from other programs (dental, etc). In that sense it's similar to Western too, but how does that dynamic work as far as getting you prepared for the boards. I mean do the professors perhaps emphasize more on what will be on the boards to the DO students?

Thanks!

 

[Iliketoytles]

For boards, you are probably equally prepared at both. To be honest, what allowed me to smash the comlex was my work ethic in studying for it on my own time. I only went to a few of the Kaplan lectues..wasn't really my thing and they are realllly long. I will say that DMU laid a strong foundation for board prep over the course of the first two years.

For you -- I would think long and hard to be sure you are OK living in the midwest for at minimum 3-4 years and realistically might be 7-9 years after residency is all said and done. I am a west coast transplant as well and it's been difficult for me to be away, but the education I am getting is really good so it's worth it.

Best of luck to you

Informative post as usual DoktorB! Thanks for this.

I had a similar situation between DMU and KCUMB, but I knew DMU was where I wanted to go. I felt really comfortable there, and the layout of the school just made a lot of sense. I'm from the south, so Iowa will be very, very different for me... but like DocB, I'm willing to make that sacrifice for a good education. I figure when I'm on campus, the weather outside won't really matter, lol.

One thing I liked about DMU was how many families are there. I don't have a family or wife (or girlfriend... 🙄) but I love the atmosphere DMU gives because it's so family-oriented. Like you said OP, the teachers seem very friendly as well. I love their open-door policy... it makes me feel like I can get to know my teachers on a more casual and personal level, as I did during undergrad. Facilities are great, and even though DMU won't channel more people into surgical residencies despite it's surgical skills lab emphasis, everyone says it helps immensely during rotations.

KCUMB is a fantastic school which has many similar and different positives, but I won't elaborate since it's not relevant to the thread.

If Western is so close to home though... that seems really important. It's within commuting distance! And now that I think about it... this would trump anything else (for me at least), especially since Western and DMU are so similar as far as everything else goes. So if I was in your shoes, I'd honestly choose to go to Western.

I like how scattered my post is, haha. Anyway, best of luck! 🙂

 

[DocGodfather]

The only reason I would select Western is because the school is literally 20 minutes from my house. Other than that, I've heard a lot of good things about DMU. I think it partly depends on where you want to practice, and also where you want to do your rotations. Congrats on getting into two of the top DO schools. 👍

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Dmu.

 

[Pleepl3us]

Currently a 3rd year at DMU. I think the difference in the number of students who take the USMLE is based on geographic location. For the most part midwest residency programs know what to do with a COMLEX score and have numerous DO students in all sorts of specialties. The west coast has a greater bias toward having a USMLE score thus, more western students take it.

I took both and scored well on both. If you put in the work DMU will prepare you well.


Cheers

 

[flight24]

We get about 2 months off which is plenty of time. If you can't be ready with the time that DMU gives you, you aren't utilizing your time correctly. Only a few classes first year are with the DPM class which is about half the size of ours. Anatomy has the DPT students too, but they are a small class. Otherwise, the end of first year and all of second year is just the DO class. I know that Western has a lot more combined classes, which is probably due to the huge number of programs that they have there. Really doesn't make a difference to be totally honest. I am of the opinion that med school is about figuring out how to take what they profs teach and then learn it on your own. Most profs don't teach to the boards per se.. however the content is on boards so yes and no. That is true at most places though.You would be well prepared at both institutions, I can all but guarantee that.

I took both. Did well on both. Glad I took both.

Two months! Wow that is a lot of time, more than most institutions actually. Thanks for all the valuable info!

 

[flight24]

Currently a 3rd year at DMU. I think the difference in the number of students who take the USMLE is based on geographic location. For the most part midwest residency programs know what to do with a COMLEX score and have numerous DO students in all sorts of specialties. The west coast has a greater bias toward having a USMLE score thus, more western students take it.

I took both and scored well on both. If you put in the work DMU will prepare you well.


Cheers

Thanks. That's an interesting point. I guess most people @ Western want to practice in California therefore are taking both exams. Do you think there's an advantage applying to some of the more competitive residencies in the Midwest coming from a Midwest school like DMU?

 

[cliquesh]

Boards are really up to you. I know its hard to believe, but it is the truth. Some of it has to do with natural ability, some with luck, but it is mostly your work ethic during that month or two of hardcore board studying.

You should really be picking schools based on their 3rd year clinical sites, but how the hell would you, as a pre-med, know what is a good or bad hospital?

 

[flight24]

The only reason I would select Western is because the school is literally 20 minutes from my house. Other than that, I've heard a lot of good things about DMU. I think it partly depends on where you want to practice, and also where you want to do your rotations. Congrats on getting into two of the top DO schools. 👍

Thanks man. Yeah Western is like 35 miles, which is about a 35-40 minute from my parents house in Downey. Not sure if I would commute and risk driving up to a total of 2 hours (if I hit traffic) a day though.

 

[IDFsoldierboy]

both are great schools and will provide you with great opportunities in rotation...I truly think you should focus on cost-benefit....its more expensive to go to western but with that expense your living in So Cal which of course is really nice lol...the plus side is that even though Downey is a good distance (LA-wise lol) from Pomona and you might need to get an apt for your first 2 years you could probably live at home for your clinical years and save a good chunk of change...I know the DO I shadowed went to PCOM close to family and she saved a ton by living with them during the last 2 yrs (she rented her first 2 yrs)

I would just look at the expenses and ask yourself...is the extra money I am spending to stay in so cal going to be worth it in the end as I believe BOTH schools with hard work will give you the opportunity to get into a residency of your choice

 

[flight24]

both are great schools and will provide you with great opportunities in rotation...I truly think you should focus on cost-benefit....its more expensive to go to western but with that expense your living in So Cal which of course is really nice lol...the plus side is that even though Downey is a good distance (LA-wise lol) from Pomona and you might need to get an apt for your first 2 years you could probably live at home for your clinical years and save a good chunk of change...I know the DO I shadowed went to PCOM close to family and she saved a ton by living with them during the last 2 yrs (she rented her first 2 yrs)

I would just look at the expenses and ask yourself...is the extra money I am spending to stay in so cal going to be worth it in the end as I believe BOTH schools with hard work will give you the opportunity to get into a residency of your choice

You make an interesting point. The first two years, I will probably have to stay in Pomona and the last two I could potentially stay at home which would save some $$. Where as in DMU, I would obviously have to rent an apt for all 4 years. That alone could compensate for the 32k (8 x 4) tuition difference over the 4 years. Hadn't thought about that...thanks!

 

[doingit9]

You make an interesting point. The first two years, I will probably have to stay in Pomona and the last two I could potentially stay at home which would save some $$. Where as in DMU, I would obviously have to rent an apt for all 4 years. That alone could compensate for the 32k (8 x 4) tuition difference over the 4 years. Hadn't thought about that...thanks!

The rent in SoCal is much more expensive than in Des Moines though..so you probably wouldn't save that much.

 

[flight24]

Any current student want to comment on the quality of professors at Western? Unfortunately we didn't get to see the anatomy lab during our interview? Is it 4 per body, is there a flat screen on each table, prosection or dissection?

Thanks!

 

[Pleepl3us]

Thanks. That's an interesting point. I guess most people @ Western want to practice in California therefore are taking both exams. Do you think there's an advantage applying to some of the more competitive residencies in the Midwest coming from a Midwest school like DMU?

Good question. Competitive specialties are just that.....competitive, so you automatically are being judged compared to more competitive applicants. I can't comment on match lists of the two schools although I believe there are threads on SDN that have them, but I know DMU places students in competitive specialties in all sorts of programs at Mayo, Cleaveland Clinic, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, and many other allopathic residencies. Yesterday I chatted with a guy who is in his second year of residency at Harvard for PM&R.

Both schools will give you the opportunity to work hard and have a shot at some great programs, it matters much more how hard you want to work personally.