I’m currently trying to decide between the MD and DO route between these two schools so I appreciate any input. VCOM is the VA location.
ETSU v VCOM
- Thread starter HawkeyeMD
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Go to ETSU
Any particular reason why?
ETSU, cheaper and Johnson City > Blacksburg. Without knowing additional details, location and cost are common default criteria. Plus ETSU is a MD school, and your profile says MD, so assuming your goal is MD.
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MD and I cannot think of anything in particular that VCOM has an advantage for. You did not list your own pros and cons, but I assume being in Blacksburg is not a requirement for your situation.
Haha no that’s actually a TV show character. I actually kinda like the DO approach more. I’m less concerned about location and more concerned about the school if that makes sense. I like both areas for the most part. VCOM is private and ETSU is OOS so cost is fairly negligible as they’re similar.
No, I honestly like both areas so that aspect doesn’t matter as much. However, I am interested in sports med so I wondered if VCOM has the advantage in that realm just because of the ACC school.
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ETSU. This is not even a debate
Ah I see, don't watch much TV. If you're not a TN resident and got accepted to ETSU, I would think your life experices, passions, and desires aligns very strongly with their mission, which makes me think you'd find a lot of fulfilment going there. But if you're more into the holistic approach and want OMM as part of your schooling and think those skills and training would benefit you more in your interest in sports med VCOM makes sense.
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Nope. I’ve been a team doc for pro teams, and unless you’re ortho, it’s unlikely you’re going to be involved in anything cool. Tickets and access are fun at least, but I doubt you’d get that as a med student.
Agree with above. Unless you’re super big on OMM or some feel thing since location doesn’t matter, this is a slam dunk (ha) ETSU.
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ETSU.
The short version is that LCME accreditation standards are higher than COCA's. At ETSU you will have access to resources and opportunities that are not omnipresent at DO schools. ETSU sponsors 16 GME programs, including FM, IM (and five IM subspecialties), OB/GYN, ortho, pathology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery. The ability to learn clinical medicine inside a true academic infrastructure is compelling.
The "DO approach" is marketing. How "holistic" your practice is will depend on the choices you make when you are a licensed physician.
I personally would prefer not having to debate taking the USMLE on top of COMLEX, or worry about finding DO-friendly elective rotations and residency programs.
The short version is that LCME accreditation standards are higher than COCA's. At ETSU you will have access to resources and opportunities that are not omnipresent at DO schools. ETSU sponsors 16 GME programs, including FM, IM (and five IM subspecialties), OB/GYN, ortho, pathology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery. The ability to learn clinical medicine inside a true academic infrastructure is compelling.
The "DO approach" is marketing. How "holistic" your practice is will depend on the choices you make when you are a licensed physician.
I personally would prefer not having to debate taking the USMLE on top of COMLEX, or worry about finding DO-friendly elective rotations and residency programs.
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If I wanted to do something like what you did/do, what route would you recommend I take?
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You won’t do it as a medical student. It’s an attending job with fellows and residents getting to tag along sometimes. So basically, find a residency/fellowship that has that kind of relationship.
I do eyes, so we’d do a mostly worthless screening exam once a year. Practically nothing in season other than checking in at halftime/intermission.
In my experience, sports is a field where folks dream of being on the sidelines, but rarely are involved in big time jobs because they’re already taken. It’s time consuming. You do less than the athletic trainers. It pays crap (if it pays at all) other than the mentioned tickets and some food if you’re doing big college or pro.
