DO School Suggestions

[fia59]

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Alright, I have looked through the different postings on the different schools and have gone to most of their websites... I am still having trouble narrowing down my list. I was hoping that some people were really familiar with schools and might be able to help me out- I think the easiest way is to describe what I like/want/am:

I live in New England
I have most of my application strength in a post-bac. program
I love and need outdoors fun (climbing, body of water, mountains or hills or
something adventurous around) in order to focus
I don't really like cities (but would be fine if in close proximity to nature)
I love the philosophy of D.O. and especially the holistic mindset
I would like to go into primary care
I would like oppurtunities in rural health
I am open to anywhere if it sounds right

I know this might be a tough question, but I would really appreciate ANY suggestions. Thanks

PS
So far interested in UNECOM, TUCOM-C, AZCOM, UNTHSC/TCOM, MSUCOM
but I know 2 of these REALLY stress residency (which I don't have)- if you have comments on these (and my "fit") they would also be appreciated...THANK YOU

 

[mx_599]

I love and need outdoors fun (climbing, body of water, mountains or hills or something adventurous around) in order to focus

Well...there are one thousand hills for you to explore in a state park right adjacent to KCOM campus. I am from CT and cannot wait to get out of AZ and to MO in the country.

KCOM is the oldest school too...nice nostalgic look to some of the school 👍

Good Luck

 

[fia59]

Are you at AZCOM? Is the area pretty desolate (in terms of outdoor recreation)? Anything in driving distance?

 

[Kazema]

Pikeville College (PCSOM) is in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Kentucky, and has a rural primary care medicine focus.

http://pcsom.pc.edu
http://www.pc.edu

 

[goinverted]

If you really love the outdoors; ie. rock climbing, skiing, hiking; then I would probably go to Kirksville and then you can spend your third and fourth years doing rotations in Utah or Colorado. I'm from Utah and usually go climbing weekly and snow skiing throughout the winter.

 

[mx_599]

Are you at AZCOM? Is the area pretty desolate (in terms of outdoor recreation)? Anything in driving distance?

No...I am going to go to KCOM, But I have been in AZ for 8 yrs. now. I am probably not the best person to tell you about AZ because I am negative about it now and I realize this. You would be better to get advice from those who just moved here and are still thoroughly excited about it

I will try to give you some info. AZCOM is sort of up in the NW corner of "the Phoenix-Metro Valley". Most people who live in AZ are in this valley 🙄

I do think AZCOM is in a fairly good location to avoid daily traffic. Some parts of the valley suck. I am from CT (for 20 yrs!). I am tired of the never-ending-traffic-road-construction-walgreens/osco-on-every-corner out here. However, again, I think it is better up there on the 101 loop freeway in that area...built up pretty nice with more of a Scottsdale/money approach. Some parts of Glendale are dumpy....but not the AZCOM part.

As far as outdoor activities, AZ can be fantastic. If you are well conditioned, the heat won't bother you. I go running when it is 115 degrees...it makes you feel good! The Fall through Spring are fantastic weather. Good study environment...wake up to sunshine, a brand new positive day before your anatomy final 😉

AZCOM is a good location for going to Flagstaff or Vegas 😀 . It cuts out a lot of travel time for someone coming from...let's say Apache Junction. Flagstaff could be a beautiful weekend get away! (probably about 70-90 minutes away)

There are probably fun things to do closer to school...maybe 10-20 minutes away. Hiking and what not. Don't expect vegetation, woodlands, and winding roads like New England, nothing like that around the school or the entire valley. I think this is some of what I miss.

You won't be here that long in case you don't like it. Most people I ever run in to are excited when they first come here. Honestly, 8 years was enough for me. The only way you could feel my pain would be to live here that long. You never know...some love it after that long! I think if you aren't going to like it here, these feelings manifest after about the 3rd or 4th year. By that time you'll be ready to move on with residency.

Conclusion, I think you would love AZCOM!

 

[Shodddy18]

As far as the list of schools you are interested in, they are all great schools. I go to UNECOM (MSII), so I have to put in a plug for it. We are right on the water (litteraly, the school has private beaches a few hundred yards from classes). We are in New England. Very Close to great skiing, hiking, camping, etc. UNECOM has great strength in rural/ primary care training. I'm sure the other schools have great perks to but I am not familiar with them. Let me know if I can answer any more questions for you about UNE.

 

[Dr JPH]

You sound like a UNECOM person to me.

 

[box29]

What about VCOM and WVSOM?

 

[JRiCe09]

From reading your description of self, activity interests, and medicine interests, I would really look at WVSOM. The school is in the mountains and it is ranked 6th in US News and World report for rural medicine, and it is also ranked in primary care. It's a small town and very beautiful. A nice ski resort (SnowShoe) is only about 45 min. away, and yes, students have time to go! Just thought this might help.
Janice