Don't hate me for asking: Is RVUCom good?

[Necr0sis713]

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I'm looking into RVUCOM out of some possible DO schools. I've run into some mixed reviews here after searching around, and wanted to get the general SDN opinion on the school. I personally believe Colorado is a beautiful state so I would definitely not mind going to school there.

It appears that one of the major "problems" is the fact that it's for profit. What if financial aid wasn't an issue and you could (thankfully) afford the school? How does it compare to some of the other more popular DO schools like CCOM and what not.

I know i'm opening a can of worms here because people can have strong opinions on the subject. I'm not trying to instigate anything here or attract negative attention. I'm just a concerned applicant who has to make some pretty big decisions at the moment.

 

[Goro]

Best to ask its current students in the school-specific thread.

 

[Necr0sis713]

Best to ask its current students in the school-specific thread.

True, but I feel that I would just get some biased answers. I will definitely do that too, however. I'm posting here though because I figured some of you more seasoned members can provide me with some good advice in regards the school.

 

[MusicDOc124]

From what I've gathered based on others' opinions who are current and matriculating students is that it is good as are the vast majority of schools in the US, sans very few (some MD and some DO - mostly opinion based again though).

The best thing you can do (if possible) is visit the campus and talk to current students. When you apply, if you interview, you will continue to get a feel for the school and other schools at which you interview.

 

[kamakazi5]

True, but I feel that I would just get some biased answers. I will definitely do that too, however. I'm posting here though because I figured some of you more seasoned members can provide me with some good advice in regards the school.

I get what you're saying but first hand is always going to be better than anecdotal. With that said I've heard mostly good things regarding the school.

 

[change4med]

It was a school I was definitely interested in! Where I used to work, I'd be able to talk to a lot of rotating 3rd/4th years, and I'd ask them about what they liked/disliked about their own schools and if they would have chosen another school based on what they experienced, and a lot of them told me that they had friends who ended up going to RVU (which was still a bit newer at the time) but that they seemed very happy with it and had a great sense of camaraderie with their classmates and that looking back now they wish they attended that one etc.

It was just a few students but it was always at different times and I never specifically asked them about RVU, it was a school they always brought up themselves during conversations. They all went to what I would consider pretty competitive schools to get into as well, so it made their feedback to me seem more genuine. And the school specific thread seems to all have similar feedback about how much current students like it, and IIRC they have one of the highest first time pass rate for their boards of all the DO schools?

 

[hbslax4]

I'm looking into RVUCOM out of some possible DO schools. I've run into some mixed reviews here after searching around, and wanted to get the general SDN opinion on the school. I personally believe Colorado is a beautiful state so I would definitely not mind going to school there.

It appears that one of the major "problems" is the fact that it's for profit. What if financial aid wasn't an issue and you could (thankfully) afford the school? How does it compare to some of the other more popular DO schools like CCOM and what not.

I know i'm opening a can of worms here because people can have strong opinions on the subject. I'm not trying to instigate anything here or attract negative attention. I'm just a concerned applicant who has to make some pretty big decisions at the moment.

Financial aid isn't an issue. RVU students get the same loans all other US medical student receive. PM if you have any specific questions, I am a soon to be 2nd year at RVU.


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[Dr. Death]

Yes

 

[Isotopes]

Great board scores and matches.

 

[sharpstickie]

Apply there. At first I only applied because it was close to home but once I went to the interview there I was sold (starting school in July). No financial aid issues to speak of and the staff has been fantastic. Someone from the school has called a few times just to make sure I was able to get ready for school. Very good experience so far.

 

[Ioannes Paulus]

Honestly, OP, my best advice is to visit campus or read up on current literature (School magazine is called Vista View). I applied to this school as a safety but meeting the faculty and current students made me choose RVU over many other older DO schools.

In terms of it being a "good" school, well, you have to define your metrics. What defines a good school for you?
Board pass rates are near 100% for the COMLEX. The school requires students to take the USMLE too and we were told that the pass rate is also very high. The class size is on the smaller side for DO schools but I consider that a huge advantage. They place students in some great residency programs every year in a very broad range of specialties.
Most importantly though, for me, the students seemed to be really happy every time I visited. RVU has the longest calendar of any DO school with only a 6 week summer break after OMSI and a short Christmas holiday but I never got the feeling that they were ever burnt out or stressed during the multiple times I visited campus. Just my thoughts. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

 

[IslandStyle808]

I remember they had a rather good "ceiling matches" when they graduated their 2013 (I remember reading their list more recently also), they had a rad onc match, ortho match, and anesth BID (harvard), etc. This is something I would expect out of a 20+ year old school, but not one that has been around for only 5 years.

 

[sharpstickie]

I remember they had a rather good "ceiling matches" when they graduated their 2013 (I remember reading their list more recently also), they had a rad onc match, ortho match, and anesth BID (harvard), etc. This is something I would expect out of a 20+ year old school, but not one that has been around for only 5 years.

If I remember right, there were 6+ orthos and 10+ gen surg. It was quite the match list (I only saw the AOA though).

 

[IslandStyle808]

If I remember right, there were 6+ orthos and 10+ gen surg. It was quite the match list (I only saw the AOA though).

My bad, referring to acgme ceiling matches. Yes there were many good AOA matches also.

 

[Henry101]

I'm matriculating at an MD school but I interviewed at a number of DO schools this cycle, including RVU. I have no dog in this fight but of all the DO schools I interviewed at, RVU impressed me the most. If you want subjective/anecdotal reasons/opinions, going to the school specific thread might be more helpful but, objectively, RVU is pretty high up there with numbers and BELIEVE ME, there are a ton of other DO schools that applicants should be worried about.

RVU has the longest calendar of any DO school with only a 6 week summer break

This is one of the few things that turned me off the school. You essentially only have a month for summer break. Something to consider.

If I remember right, there were 6+ orthos and 10+ gen surg. It was quite the match list (I only saw the AOA though).

Yeah. This year they had a crazy number of students match into categorical surgery positions, I think like 13% or something. They've also matched into a few ivy-league programs in the past, Radiology at Yale, Anesthesiology at Harvard, categorical surgery at Dartmouth, etc. I'm assuming it's because they have an intense pre-clinical curriculum. Match lists don't mean anything though but it shows that the school provides the resources for students to match into diverse programs. Other than that you really can't deduce much from these lists.

 

[Dustbowl12]

RVU is fantastic, board scores/match lists

For profit doesn't matter when there are same strict regulations for everyone.

 

[BelieveMeChile]

I'm matriculating at an MD school but I interviewed at a number of DO schools this cycle, including RVU. I have no dog in this fight but of all the DO schools I interviewed at, RVU impressed me the most. If you want subjective/anecdotal reasons/opinions, going to the school specific thread might be more helpful but, objectively, RVU is pretty high up there with numbers and BELIEVE ME, there are a ton of other DO schools that applicants should be worried about.



This is one of the few things that turned me off the school. You essentially only have a month for summer break. Something to consider.



Yeah. This year they had a crazy number of students match into categorical surgery positions, I think like 13% or something. They've also matched into a few ivy-league programs in the past, Radiology at Yale, Anesthesiology at Harvard, categorical surgery at Dartmouth, etc. I'm assuming it's because they have an intense pre-clinical curriculum. Match lists don't mean anything though but it shows that the school provides the resources for students to match into diverse programs. Other than that you really can't deduce much from these lists.

Which DO schools should people beware of?


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[Necr0sis713]

Which DO schools should people beware of?


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That's a good question.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Which DO schools should people beware of?


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That's a good question.

The ones that push for only taking the COMLEX. The ones that push for preceptor based education. The ones offered a low amount of away rotations. And most of all the ones that ignore their students concerns.

 

[Dustbowl12]

The ones that push for only taking the COMLEX. The ones that push for preceptor based education. The ones offered a low amount of away rotations. And most of all the ones that ignore their students concerns.

LUCOM is only DO school with a bad reputation

 

[Henry101]

Which DO schools should people beware of?


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LOL I'd rather not say. Not my place.

The ones that push for only taking the COMLEX. The ones that push for preceptor based education. The ones offered a low amount of away rotations. And most of all the ones that ignore their students concerns.

mehhh. Not really. When you start interviewing at schools, you'll figure it out.

 

[sandstone]

Yes it is a good school. I just graduated from there and matched into my number one choice ortho residency at a great program in a really nice location. The school definitely got me to where I wanted to be. The pre-clinical curriculum is ass-kicking, but excellent for setting you up to do well on boards. Rotations were mostly good. I had a mix of preceptor based rotations which were mostly very good and some ward based rotations. We get as much time as we need for away rotations which is aweome. I overall had a pretty decent and balanced lifestyle throughout, with plenty of brutal times mixed in. Our match list was good and pretty much all of my classmates got what they wanted. We had nine ortho matches (7 AOA, 1 ACGME, 1 Military), ophtho, ENT/plastics, some gen surg, lots of EM and anesthesia. Most who went FM, IM, or peds got where they wanted to go as well. Don't worry about those older fear-mongering doom and gloom posts about its for profit status. I'm glad I didn't buy into that **** when I was applying. The school has proven to be solid. Good luck!

 

[IslandStyle808]

mehhh. Not really. When you start interviewing at schools, you'll figure it out.

Actually I am basing this on my interviewing experience. I had a couple school really tell us how great getting a preceptor based education and that it gives us a leg up because of the first hand experiences they get without residents around (they even cited a few example). I was a little green (naive) at the time when I heard this, but the more I read on SDN, the more I realized how wrong this perception is. And surprise, one of those schools receives a lot of complaints on SDN about rotation quality. (There is also one school I interview at where the vast majority only take the COMLEX.)

When interviewing at MD schools, you don't even need to worry about this aspect (the vast majority have rotations with residencies). They also have home departments were you can do research, get exposure to the field of interest more easily, and have a PD back you up during your interviews for residency programs. So there is a ton more to worry about when interview for DO schools.

 

[redhope]

LUCOM is only DO school with a bad reputation

That's it. Really? Let's be real here ya'll. Schools that I would not matriculate at, much less throw 200 grand at are: LUCOM, William Carey, and KYCOM. I will leave BCOM alone since they haven't even had a chance to prove themselves and it really does seem like a solid option for those from the Southwest. The above schools on the other hand already had their chance to impress us and they are not good...not good at all....

 

[IslandStyle808]

That's it. Really? Let's be real here ya'll. Schools that I would not matriculate at, much less throw 200 grand at are: LUCOM, William Carey, and KYCOM. I will leave BCOM alone since they haven't even had a chance to prove themselves and it really does seem like a solid option for those from the Southwest. The above schools on the other hand already had their chance to impress us and they are not good...not good at all....

I'd add LMU to that list. Most of the schools with rotation issues are rural schools. People whine a lot about the new school lowering the quality of clinical education, but I'd say wait about 4-5 years before really passing judgement. Of course, I am still against these rapid school expansions, if set up wrong can decrease rotation quality (especially for the schools around them). I blame COCA more for this than the schools themselves.

 

[Dustbowl12]

That's it. Really? Let's be real here ya'll. Schools that I would not matriculate at, much less throw 200 grand at are: LUCOM, William Carey, and KYCOM. I will leave BCOM alone since they haven't even had a chance to prove themselves and it really does seem like a solid option for those from the Southwest. The above schools on the other hand already had their chance to impress us and they are not good...not good at all....

KYCOM is solid. Rural schools draw rural students who will likely work in a community hospital setting. It's a unique situation. Schools that aren't rural in focus have no excuse though

 

[redhope]

.

 

[Henry101]

When I said that there were DO schools that I interviewed at that concerned me in a previous post, none of the aforementioned schools were on my mind.

Edit: Never-mind, not worth it. I have no bone in this fight.

Edit 2.0: If you haven't interviewed for a spot in a medical school program or haven't matriculated into a program, please refrain from commenting on the program. We all have he said / she said stories. Let the objective data speak for itself.

 

[abn632]

I'm looking into RVUCOM out of some possible DO schools. I've run into some mixed reviews here after searching around, and wanted to get the general SDN opinion on the school. I personally believe Colorado is a beautiful state so I would definitely not mind going to school there.

It appears that one of the major "problems" is the fact that it's for profit. What if financial aid wasn't an issue and you could (thankfully) afford the school? How does it compare to some of the other more popular DO schools like CCOM and what not.

I know i'm opening a can of worms here because people can have strong opinions on the subject. I'm not trying to instigate anything here or attract negative attention. I'm just a concerned applicant who has to make some pretty big decisions at the moment.

RVUCOM is in the US and is blessed off by the powers that be in the DO education world as being qualified to create physicians, so it's a legit school. It's "for-profit" status is largely irrelevant. Compare the tuition/fees of RVUCOM against other non-profit schools (looking at you Midwestern COM in AZ) and ask yourself if RVUCOM is gouging their students. (BTW I am not associated in any way with either of these schools).

If you've visited the campus and could see yourself being happy there for 4 years, then apply. If not, then don't apply.

 

[Ho0v-man]

Which DO schools should people beware of?


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I'd love for there to be a thread called "which schools should be closed down?", but too many people would get their feelings hurt. As to answering your question, none of them until you have an acceptance. Then you get to be picky.

Look in that thread over in osteo called "clinical rotations by school". You'll be shocked to see how much of a rip off some of these places can be.


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[Dustbowl12]

Let's not pretend there aren't MD and DO schools that aren't up to par but at the end you will be an American physician

 

[Instatewaiter]

The 2013 class was supposed to have someone match into BIDMC anesthesia. They should be a CA3 currently. IT seems they either didn't match there, were fired or quit:
http://www.bidmc.org/Medical-Educat...Care-and-Pain-Medicine/Meet-Our-Team/CA3.aspx

 

[Necr0sis713]

I appreciate all the unique input folks.

 

[IslandStyle808]

The 2013 class was supposed to have someone match into BIDMC anesthesia. They should be a CA3 currently. IT seems they either didn't match there, were fired or quit:
http://www.bidmc.org/Medical-Educat...Care-and-Pain-Medicine/Meet-Our-Team/CA3.aspx

Probably the latter two you are stating, I highly doubt they would lie about their match lists. I did a random check of the other ACGME matches and they do show up on the other rosters.

Anesthesia (Mayo)
http://www.mayo.edu/mayo-edu-docs/m...dical-education-documents/anesthesia-ca-2.pdf

Optho (Henry Ford/Wayne State)
http://www.henryford.com/body_program.cfm?id=52418

Ortho (Texas tech)
https://www.ttuhsc.edu/som/ortho/residency/residentprofiles.aspx

Radiation Oncology (Baylor)
https://www.bcm.edu/people/view/nab...56b104be/54246cc7-213c-425f-9d81-257a0a1612dc

 

[AlteredScale]

I'm looking into RVUCOM out of some possible DO schools. I've run into some mixed reviews here after searching around, and wanted to get the general SDN opinion on the school. I personally believe Colorado is a beautiful state so I would definitely not mind going to school there.

It appears that one of the major "problems" is the fact that it's for profit. What if financial aid wasn't an issue and you could (thankfully) afford the school? How does it compare to some of the other more popular DO schools like CCOM and what not.

I know i'm opening a can of worms here because people can have strong opinions on the subject. I'm not trying to instigate anything here or attract negative attention. I'm just a concerned applicant who has to make some pretty big decisions at the moment.

It's a solid school that has so far proven itself to be a strong institution. The curriculum it's had is essentially the same as the one KCU has right now (Dr. Dubin and his team all originally came from RVU). Now does that mean it's the curriculum's doing for getting their grads to have a fairly strong match list (when compared to other DO programs)? Maybe. The one thing I believe that has made their students succeed is simply that they choose those who are going to work their tail off to get to where they need to go. There academic stats were also pretty high (for a DO school and for being a newcomer so to speak).

 

[cabinbuilder]

RVU is a beautiful school if you can stand Colorado. Their anatomy professor taught me at LECOM. He is one of the best.

 

[Necr0sis713]

RVU is a beautiful school if you can stand Colorado. Their anatomy professor taught me at LECOM. He is one of the best.

Looks like i'm applying there. I personally loved Colorado every time I visited. I wouldn't mind going there for some nice 2,3-BPG and erythropoietin action.

 

[sharpstickie]

Looks like i'm applying there. I personally loved Colorado every time I visited. I wouldn't mind going there for some nice 2,3-BPG and erythropoietin action.

When I applied I really didn't think I'd end up going there. The interview day blew me away.

 

[hbslax4]

RVU is a beautiful school if you can stand Colorado. Their anatomy professor taught me at LECOM. He is one of the best.

Gotta love Dr. Buck and his Buck Books!


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[Henry101]

It's a solid school that has so far proven itself to be a strong institution. The curriculum it's had is essentially the same as the one KCU has right now (Dr. Dubin and his team all originally came from RVU). Now does that mean it's the curriculum's doing for getting their grads to have a fairly strong match list (when compared to other DO programs)? Maybe. The one thing I believe that has made their students succeed is simply that they choose those who are going to work their tail off to get to where they need to go. There academic stats were also pretty high (for a DO school and for being a newcomer so to speak).

I don't think it has anything to do with admissions as the Class of 2016 had (4 years ago) an average MCAT of 27. I think it more has to do with (1) faculty and (2) location. This is one of the only DO schools I interviewed at that had a very diverse faculty list with full time MD and DO internists and surgeons on the teaching faculty roster. I think this allows for very valuable mentorship and advising opportunities very early on that other DO schools lack. And (2) the location is awesome. Colorado is a huge state with multiple metropolitan centers but only 1 medical school which is 20 minutes away from RVU. They had a bunch of research posters on the third floor that had the CU logo on them so it looks like students don't have too much trouble finding research if they want to. From what we were told some of the clinical sites are shared with CU as well (St. Joseph, Jewish Health, etc.)

 

[cabinbuilder]

Gotta love Dr. Buck and his Buck Books!


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Yes, he is a favorite for sure. I still have his notes from medical school 15 years ago and refer to them regularly.

 

[Necr0sis713]

I don't think it has anything to do with admissions as the Class of 2016 had (4 years ago) an average MCAT of 27. I think it more has to do with (1) faculty and (2) location. This is one of the only DO schools I interviewed at that had a very diverse faculty list with full time MD and DO internists and surgeons on the teaching faculty roster. I think this allows for very valuable mentorship and advising opportunities very early on that other DO schools lack. And (2) the location is awesome. Colorado is a huge state with multiple metropolitan centers but only 1 medical school which is 20 minutes away from RVU. They had a bunch of research posters on the third floor that had the CU logo on them so it looks like students don't have too much trouble finding research if they want to. From what we were told some of the clinical sites are shared with CU as well (St. Joseph, Jewish Health, etc.)

Yeah, at first I was a bit hesitant because I had no idea where Parker, CO was. I thought it was just some random city out in the middle of nowhere. Turns out it isn't too far from Denver.

 

[AlteredScale]

I don't think it has anything to do with admissions as the Class of 2016 had (4 years ago) an average MCAT of 27. I think it more has to do with (1) faculty and (2) location. This is one of the only DO schools I interviewed at that had a very diverse faculty list with full time MD and DO internists and surgeons on the teaching faculty roster. I think this allows for very valuable mentorship and advising opportunities very early on that other DO schools lack. And (2) the location is awesome. Colorado is a huge state with multiple metropolitan centers but only 1 medical school which is 20 minutes away from RVU. They had a bunch of research posters on the third floor that had the CU logo on them so it looks like students don't have too much trouble finding research if they want to. From what we were told some of the clinical sites are shared with CU as well (St. Joseph, Jewish Health, etc.)

I never interviewed there so it's good to see your perspective on it. A strong clinical faculty is very important. Here at KCU, despite having solide research, the collaboration between us and KU Med as well as UMKC is practically non-existent..

 

[Henry101]

I never interviewed there so it's good to see your perspective on it. A strong clinical faculty is very important. Here at KCU, despite having solide research, the collaboration between us and KU Med as well as UMKC is practically non-existent..

I think relationships come and go depending on faculty and hospital contracts and stuff.

I'm much more interested in seeing what the opening of a satellite campus is going to have on each school, namely KCUMB in Joplin and RVU in Southern Utah.

 

[IslandStyle808]

I don't think it has anything to do with admissions as the Class of 2016 had (4 years ago) an average MCAT of 27. I think it more has to do with (1) faculty and (2) location. This is one of the only DO schools I interviewed at that had a very diverse faculty list with full time MD and DO internists and surgeons on the teaching faculty roster. I think this allows for very valuable mentorship and advising opportunities very early on that other DO schools lack. And (2) the location is awesome. Colorado is a huge state with multiple metropolitan centers but only 1 medical school which is 20 minutes away from RVU. They had a bunch of research posters on the third floor that had the CU logo on them so it looks like students don't have too much trouble finding research if they want to. From what we were told some of the clinical sites are shared with CU as well (St. Joseph, Jewish Health, etc.)

Kind of surprising that University of Colorado is very welcoming of Rocky Vista students in research and clinics. I remember several threads about CU charging $4000 dollars for osteopathic students who want to do rotations . Not sure if this applies to osteopathic students outsides of Colorado or Rocky Vista students.

EDIT: here is one thread on the subject (out-of-state DOs its $4000 for specialty aways and $2000 for Rocky Vista students)
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/opsc-email-re-university-of-california-rotations.1064103/

 

[cabinbuilder]

Yeah, at first I was a bit hesitant because I had no idea where Parker, CO was. I thought it was just some random city out in the middle of nowhere. Turns out it isn't too far from Denver.

It is Denver on the South side, near Aurora. Just another suburb.

 

[ChrisMack390]

One of my best friends goes there. He loves it and loves life in Denver. They require both COMLEX and USMLE and apparently the students do quite well on both.

I will point out that, though my friend does not complain, his school schedule seems absolutely brutal in comparison to students I know at other schools. As someone mentioned, barely a summer break between M1 and M2, and they usually schedule exams on Mondays and start the next unit on Tuesday. So I would say yes its good, but also maybe a tough life/work situation.

 

[cabinbuilder]

One of my best friends goes there. He loves it and loves life in Denver. They require both COMLEX and USMLE and apparently the students do quite well on both.

I will point out that, though my friend does not complain, his school schedule seems absolutely brutal in comparison to students I know at other schools. As someone mentioned, barely a summer break between M1 and M2, and they usually schedule exams on Mondays and start the next unit on Tuesday. So I would say yes its good, but also maybe a tough life/work situation.

That's the same schedule that LECOM has. I don't think it's unusual.

 

[ChrisMack390]

That's the same schedule that LECOM has. I don't think it's unusual.

Hm. Is this a general difference between DO and MD schools? The other med students I know are all at MDs and party excessively post exams.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Hm. Is this a general difference between DO and MD schools? The other med students I know are all at MDs and party excessively post exams.

I believe so. MD students that I know seem to have much more lax schedules. We at LECOM had exams every Monday then started the next section Tuesdays. We had OMM exam and practical every 4th Wed. We also had Anatomy, Histology, Neuro, and Micro practicals too.