Go with my gut??

[docisthegoal]

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I am a firm believer in pursuing things that I have a gut feeling about.

I was accepted into LECOM-B and CUSOM. To me, my head says go to LECOM simply because they are more established and have great COMLEX I board scores. On the other hand, my gut is telling me to go with CUSOM. I have come to decide that cost of attendance should not be a factor in my decision which has left Campbell Med with only 1 con, that it is only in the third year of running. This to me, does not seem like a large con anyways as I have a "gut" feeling Campbell will produce great students.

My question is, what is your stance or previous experience on choosing a school from a gut feeling. Does that sound crazy and way too risky or smart?

@AlteredScale @Goro any advice please?

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

I will summon @sandstorm223 and @crazyboi1993

 

[AlteredScale]

I am a firm believer in pursuing things that I have a gut feeling about.

I was accepted into LECOM-B and CUSOM. To me, my head says go to LECOM simply because they are more established and have great COMLEX I board scores. On the other hand, my gut is telling me to go with CUSOM. I have come to decide that cost of attendance should not be a factor in my decision which has left Campbell Med with only 1 con, that it is only in the third year of running. This to me, does not seem like a large con anyways as I have a "gut" feeling Campbell will produce great students.

My question is, what is your stance or previous experience on choosing a school from a gut feeling. Does that sound crazy and way too risky or smart?

@AlteredScale @Goro any advice please?

None of this will really be gut feeling. It'll be an informed decision. But I do know what you mean. I chose to drop the rest of my interviews last year to go to the school I'm at because I had a gut feeling it was the place for me (and me wife) to go. So I'd say as long as you've really weighed out the pros and cons and have asked yourself "will I be happy here for the next few years" you'll make a sound decision.

Also, I think a big decision maker should be whether you're a better independent learner (which would seem to fit PBL from LECOM B) or if you enjoy a more traditional lecture based approach (such as CUSOM). That could also make a world of difference.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[sandstorm223]

I know you've probably heard my opinion on this matter several times, but I strongly suggest going with your gut. My gut said CUSOM. However, if my gut had said LECOM-B, I would have committed to attend there. Your gut tells you where you're most comfortable, and being comfortable is a key to being happy and excelling.

 

[docisthegoal]

None of this will really be gut feeling. It'll be an informed decision. But I do know what you mean. I chose to drop the rest of my interviews last year to go to the school I'm at because I had a gut feeling it was the place for me (and me wife) to go. So I'd say as long as you've really weighed out the pros and cons and have asked yourself "will I be happy here for the next few years" you'll make a sound decision.

Also, I think a big decision maker should be whether you're a better independent learner (which would seem to fit PBL from LECOM B) or if you enjoy a more traditional lecture based approach (such as CUSOM). That could also make a world of difference.

Good luck on your decision!

I know you've probably heard my opinion on this matter several times, but I strongly suggest going with your gut. My gut said CUSOM. However, if my gut had said LECOM-B, I would have committed to attend there. Your gut tells you where you're most comfortable, and being comfortable is a key to being happy and excelling.

Thanks for the tips. Yeah I have found that I am most happy and successful when I follow my gut. I submitted the background check and drug test today so I can get a jump on things. It will give me a few more days to logically and "emotionally" choose which school is best for me.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

I am a firm believer in pursuing things that I have a gut feeling about.

I was accepted into LECOM-B and CUSOM. To me, my head says go to LECOM simply because they are more established and have great COMLEX I board scores. On the other hand, my gut is telling me to go with CUSOM. I have come to decide that cost of attendance should not be a factor in my decision which has left Campbell Med with only 1 con, that it is only in the third year of running. This to me, does not seem like a large con anyways as I have a "gut" feeling Campbell will produce great students.

My question is, what is your stance or previous experience on choosing a school from a gut feeling. Does that sound crazy and way too risky or smart?

@AlteredScale @Goro any advice please?

CUSOM, LECOM is more established but has been established as a bad school. Board scores are on you not the school. Rotations at lecom aren't good. CUSOM all the way.

 

[j4pac]

CUSOM, LECOM is more established but has been established as a bad school. Board scores are on you not the school. Rotations at lecom aren't good. CUSOM all the way.

Not to be rood...but what the hell are you talking about?

OP...don't let the idiots on this forum scare you away from LECOM. Make an informed decision that isn't based on bias. If your gut is heavily influenced by bias created by the idiots on this forum...tell your gut to shut up. Go with the place with the better learning platform for you. If it doesn't make a difference for you...go with the place with the lower cost. Don't let the immature you screw up things for the mature you. Make your decisions based on the right reasons.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

Not to be rood...but what the hell are you talking about?

My experience with LECOM from talking to residents who went there, and interviewing there. I know you liked it but its a get what you pay for situation with LECOM IMO.

 

[j4pac]

My experience with LECOM from talking to residents who went there, and interviewing there. I know you liked it but its a get what you pay for situation with LECOM IMO.

Your opinion is that of someone ignorant on the topic. Saying that LECOM is a bad school is an ignorant thing to say. You need to increase your sample size.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

Your opinion is that of someone ignorant on the topic. Saying that LECOM is a bad school is an ignorant thing to say. You need to increase your sample size.

The resident I talked to atleast said how awesome it was so cheap. I asked what LECOM did to help with rotations she said nothing. I talked to a doctor involved with clinical education at LECOM and he had negative things to say. I was disappointed to say the least but it is in my opinion not a good school. I also am not a fan of PBL. I know you went there and you liked it and sorry to trash your school but it seems like most students there where unhappy. Heck they even made a website saying so. Tumblr blog makes constant jokes (from lecom-b students) about how bad rotations are. Click through there. I would love for LECOM to address these issues. OP seems to have this false impressions about this school and that its to good to turn up over CUSOM. My purpose is to simply dispel these notions.

http://lecomasutra.tumblr.com/

 

[crazyboi1993]

I got accepted at both schools too, but chose LECOM-B.. and cost was definitely one of those reasons. LECOM-B is 12k cheaper, if I had gotten a scholarship, I wouldve chosen CUSOM! But aside from cost, location was a big deal for me, CUSOM was extremely rural for me, and I just feel like I would be depressed, LECOM-B was in a subarban location, with the beach close by, and Florida just made me very happy when I visited there. In addition, I hate lecture, as an undegrad I never went to lecture, I studied by myself, and pulled great grades, and I wasnt attracted to the mandatory lecture at CUSOM. I think PBL is a great way too learn because it offers you the oppurtunity to learn on your own pace. I will work hard to get good rotations. I feel like most of the hate that comes towards LECOM is from people who never attended there, or people who want to be spoon-fed the information, your in medical school, and you should WORK hard! Also, I liked the idea of going up North for rotations, because I am from New York and my parents lived there. CUSOM did have better facilities, but at the end of the day, it doesnt really matter about the amazing facilities, LECOM has one of the highest board scores in the nation, and

 

[j4pac]

The resident I talked to atleast said how awesome it was so cheap. I asked what LECOM did to help with rotations she said nothing. I talked to a doctor involved with clinical education at LECOM and he had negative things to say. I was disappointed to say the least but it is in my opinion not a good school. I also am not a fan of PBL. I know you went there and you liked it and sorry to trash your school but it seems like most students there where unhappy. Heck they even made a website saying so. Tumblr blog makes constant jokes (from lecom-b students) about how bad rotations are. Click through there. I would love for LECOM to address these issues. OP seems to have this false impressions about this school and that its to good to turn up over CUSOM. My purpose is to simply dispel these notions.

http://lecomasutra.tumblr.com/

Medical school is medical school. It's not fun...and it's not suppose to be fun. I have actually heard more people complain about the USF medical school than Bradenton (knowing countless people at both programs). Is Bradenton perfect? Absolutely not...but on the whole students appreciate their education just like they do at any other school. If someone was looking for consistent excellence in clinical rotations...they need to consider MD. Every DO program has problems with clinical education. It is largely due to lack of affiliated research hospitals. You can get a good clinical education experience at LECOM Bradenton, especially if you are willing to travel. The clinical education department is hands off...no question. They want you to know the rules about rotations before chirping up. Dr. Ferretti will not read the student handbook to you...he will tell you to read it yourself. He hates laziness and entitlement...he won't help those people. But if you are willing to be invested in your own education and aren't a complete entitled prick about it...he will help you.

Unfortunately there is a good percentage of well-off entitle prick medical students. Those are the types of students who struggle with the clinical education department...and they are the same ones who find message boards to complain on. The others don't.

The problem with LECOM-B is that until recently...the school was one of the newest schools on the block with the lowest entrance requirements. So LECOM-B was often a program for students with few other options. So students...despite knowing that they were either a poor fit...either because of the rules, autonomy, or PBL...went anyway. Those students, then became medical students and even possibly residents...and they completely forgot that LECOM-B was their only option. So they bash LECOM-B about it's short comings because it wasn't where they wanted to go...it just so happened to be the place they got accepted. Eventually the LECOM-B hate will go away...as it continues to churn out high board scores and match results...and more competitive students who had other options will decide to go to LECOM-B. Those students are going to be far less likely to whine...because they didn't settle for the program...they selected it. There will still be an occasional pre-med or rivaling med student bash the program because they figure that it wasn't a good fit for them that it wouldn't be a good fit for others. LECOM-B is NOT for everyone. It was for me...and it was for the majority of my classmates. It's up to the applicant to have an unbias, objective opinion on the decision. Your opinion quite frankly is useless.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

Medical school is medical school. It's not fun...and it's not suppose to be fun. I have actually heard more people complain about the USF medical school than Bradenton (knowing countless people at both programs). Is Bradenton perfect? Absolutely not...but on the whole students appreciate their education just like they do at any other school. If someone was looking for consistent excellence in clinical rotations...they need to consider MD. Every DO program has problems with clinical education. It is largely due to lack of affiliated research hospitals. You can get a good clinical education experience at LECOM Bradenton, especially if you are willing to travel. The clinical education department is hands off...no question. They want you to know the rules about rotations before chirping up. Dr. Ferretti will not read the student handbook to you...he will tell you to read it yourself. He hates laziness and entitlement...he won't help those people. But if you are willing to be invested in your own education and aren't a complete entitled prick about it...he will help you.

Unfortunately there is a good percentage of well-off entitle prick medical students. Those are the types of students who struggle with the clinical education department...and they are the same ones who find message boards to complain on. The others don't.

The problem with LECOM-B is that until recently...the school was one of the newest schools on the block with the lowest entrance requirements. So LECOM-B was often a program for students with few other options. So students...despite knowing that they were either a poor fit...either because of the rules, autonomy, or PBL...went anyway. Those students, then became medical students and even possibly residents...and they completely forgot that LECOM-B was their only option. So they bash LECOM-B about it's short comings because it wasn't where they wanted to go...it just so happened to be the place they got accepted. Eventually the LECOM-B hate will go away...as it continues to churn out high board scores and match results...and more competitive students who had other options will decide to go to LECOM-B. Those students are going to be far less likely to whine...because they didn't settle for the program...they selected it. There will still be an occasional pre-med or rivaling med student bash the program because they figure that it wasn't a good fit for them that it wouldn't be a good fit for others. LECOM-B is NOT for everyone. It was for me...and it was for the majority of my classmates. It's up to the applicant to have an unbias, objective opinion on the decision. Your opinion quite frankly is useless.

Yea I know all DO school don't have the best clinical education but talking to do residents (one from KCU and one from LECOM) LECOM seems worse then the other schools. Even the doctor I spoke to at LECOM who was involved in clinical education made it sound horrible. It seems they have alot of cost cutting measurements. There is no other way they can charge so little.

I understand you liked the school and I'm glad it was a good fit for you. Your good words about it is one of the reasons I applied! However, I didn't have a good experience there talking to students, interviewing, talking to faculty. I'm also not a complainer I LOVE MY SCHOOL I'm just giving my opinion on my experiences with them. I'm also not one to complain about the rules. I find those people to be babies. My criticism is on the education.

 

[sandstorm223]

I would also like to reiterate that though I didn't choose LECOM-B, it is still an excellent school. As long as you aren't afraid of clowns.

 

[j4pac]

Yea I know all DO school don't have the best clinical education but talking to do residents (one from KCU and one from LECOM) LECOM seems worse then the other schools. Even the doctor I spoke to at LECOM who was involved in clinical education made it sound horrible. It seems they have alot of cost cutting measurements. There is no other way they can charge so little.

I understand you liked the school and I'm glad it was a good fit for you. Your good words about it is one of the reasons I applied! However, I didn't have a good experience there talking to students, interviewing, talking to faculty. I'm also not a complainer I LOVE MY SCHOOL I'm just giving my opinion on my experiences with them. I'm also not one to complain about the rules. I find those people to be babies. My criticism is on the education.

I'm not saying that you are whiny...I'm saying that the two residents you have spoke with are whiny. How are going to go to a school knowing it's reputation and then whine when you get there? Answer...LECOM was their only option, it was a poor fit, and despite that they decided not only to go to the school...but to whine about it after going.

I've said it a million times and I'll say it again...LECOM-B isn't a one size fits all. It's not a good fit for LOTS of people. It wasn't a good fit for you for one reason or another. It wasn't a good fit for the few residents you spoke with. But don't assume that your poor fit and your contacts poor fits automatically makes it a poor fit for everyone...because that simply isn't true.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

I'm not saying that you are whiny...I'm saying that the two residents you have spoke with are whiny. How are going to go to a school knowing it's reputation and then whine when you get there? Answer...LECOM was their only option, it was a poor fit, and despite that they decided not only to go to the school...but to whine about it after going.

The resident didn't actually say anything bad about LECOM and liked it. They didn't whine whatsoever just told me that basically LECOM did nothing to help with clinical education. They didn't specifically complain about it just said that was how it is. From the docs, residents, students, and faculty I spoke with I made an opinion about the school. No one was whining they dealt with everything and didn't complain but if you ask them about it, they make the school sound bad. I was interested in the school myself mostly due to the price.

 

[j4pac]

The resident didn't actually say anything bad about LECOM and liked it. They didn't whine whatsoever just told me that basically LECOM did nothing to help with clinical education. They didn't specifically complain about it just said that was how it is. From the docs, residents, students, and faculty I spoke with I made an opinion about the school. No one was whining they dealt with everything and didn't complain but if you ask them about it, they make the school sound bad. I was interested in the school myself mostly due to the price.

So if they liked it...I don't see where the problem is. I have stated on a number of occasions (along with every other LECOM-B student/alumni who frequents this site) that the clinical education department is hands off. They give you a list of sites (some in Florida and some up North) and you pick among the sites. The flexibility comes with some drawbacks but also can be greatly beneficial as well. It really depends on what you want to get out of it. If you want to get an rural clinic, you can get it. If you want a teaching hospital, you can get it. At LECOM-B...what you get out of your education is what you put in. Some folks can't handle this. Some want to be told where to go to simplify their lives. I did go on a few weaker rotations at LECOM-B...but most of them were strong because those were the sites I selected. And the truth is that I knew that the handful of weaker rotations were going to be weak before I went into them...but was unwilling to travel out of the state of Florida because I was married. But I was able to go to very strong audition rotations, including military hospitals without a hassle. Again...LECOM-B isn't for everyone...people need to objectively decide whether or not they would be a good fit. Those that are a good fit generally like it...those who aren't a good fit don't. LECOM-B is less traditional than the average school due to the amount of autonomy placed on its students...so you will probably find more people complaining about the school than other schools (along with the other factors I have already discussed).

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

So if they liked it...I don't see where the problem is. I have stated on a number of occasions (along with every other LECOM-B student/alumni who frequents this site) that the clinical education department is hands off. They give you a list of sites (some in Florida and some up North) and you pick among the sites. The flexibility comes with some drawbacks but also can be greatly beneficial as well. It really depends on what you want to get out of it. If you want to get an rural clinic, you can get it. If you want a teaching hospital, you can get it. At LECOM-B...what you get out of your education is what you put in. Some folks can't handle this. Some want to be told where to go to simplify their lives. I did go on a few weaker rotations at LECOM-B...but most of them were strong because those were the sites I selected. And the truth is that I knew that the handful of weaker rotations were going to be weak before I went into them...but was unwilling to travel out of the state of Florida because I was married. But I was able to go to very strong audition rotations, including military hospitals without a hassle. Again...LECOM-B isn't for everyone...people need to objectively decide whether or not they would be a good fit. Those that are a good fit generally like it...those who aren't a good fit don't. LECOM-B is less traditional than the average school due to the amount of autonomy placed on its students...so you will probably find more people complaining about the school than other schools (along with the other factors I have already discussed).

@docisthegoal J4pac is a lecom b graduate to be clear.


Don't think that your crazy for picking cusom though

 

[j4pac]

@docisthegoal J4pac is a lecom b graduate to be clear.


Don't think that your crazy for picking cusom though

And you are some guy who may have interviewed there.

Do you think I would advising someone to go there if myself, my friends, and my wife had bad experiences?

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

And you are some guy who may have interviewed there.

Do you think I would advising someone to go there if myself, my friends, and my wife had bad experiences?

Yes I did interview at LECOM and was accepted. I'm a medical student somewhere else.

I know you didn't have a bad experience and neither did the docs I met. Just because the school has flaws doesn't mean your experience will be bad. I think the pre clinical experience in the Erie campus is fine (lecture pathway).


I really hate to rag on a DO school. I really only do so for (BCOM, RVU, LUCOM, and the clinical aspect of LECOM). I would have attended LECOM be it my only acceptance and considered it heavily. The price being the main reason.


That being said it had alot going for it. I liked the students there alot. But even from what you told us the clinical aspect seems to be harsh. My school doesn't have these issues.

http://lecomasutra.tumblr.com/page/2


It appears the student book is having trouble with rotations

I know these are jokes but there is truth here.

" give me my rotation spot I'm pretty"

"How I feel when talking to administration about rotation, I feel like I'm taking crazy pills"

"Rabbit taking cookie from a baby in regards to rotation spots"

Also tons of reports of using GPA for rotations.


One person posted a meme that said in regards to LECOM "run bitch runnnn"

Someone made a website "wehatelecom"

 

[mathnerd88]

I really hate to rag on a DO school. I really only do so for (BCOM, RVU, LUCOM, and the clinical aspect of LECOM). I would have attended LECOM be it my only acceptance and considered it heavily. The price being the main reason.

What's your reason for ragging on BCOM? Many accepted students there seem to love the school. CUSOM was new 2 years ago.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

What's your reason for ragging on BCOM? Many accepted students there seem to love the school. CUSOM was new 2 years ago.

Medical education shouldn't be for profit. If havard became for profit I wouldn't recommend it either. I actually would have loved to go to RVU (Colorado) but for profit? No way.

I'm not the only one to consider for profit schools to be bad idea. The dean of burrel also used to share this opinion "before he realized the potential cash cow"

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

What's your reason for ragging on BCOM? Many accepted students there seem to love the school. CUSOM was new 2 years ago.

Most likely the for profit thing... Which has been shown to have a grand total of 0 effects on students education, why else do so against BCOM and RVU... The LUCOM thing though... I wouldn't apply there if it was my last option... I would honestly rather be a podiatrist

Honestly though OP I think you should follow your gut, I personally would choose CUSOM for my own reasons. In the end I think your gut is the way to go, there is usually a reason you feel a certain way

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

And I rest my case... All students who have gone to RVU that I know have nothing bad to say. Heck most of the MDs I work with say that if you have to go DO then to go to RVU because they churn out really good students. At the end of the day the tax status means nothing compared to receiving a good education, and the chance to match in my dream specialty (whichever that may end up to be)

I suspect BCOM will follow the same mold

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

Most likely the for profit thing... Which has been shown to have a grand total of 0 effects on students education, why else do so against BCOM and RVU... The LUCOM thing though... I wouldn't apply there if it was my last option... I would honestly rather be a podiatrist

Honestly though OP I think you should follow your gut, I personally would choose CUSOM for my own reasons. In the end I think your gut is the way to go, there is usually a reason you feel a certain way

http://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2093567


A for profit schools first job is to make money. That is incompatible with medical education. The owner of rvu also owns a carribean school. Nothing against their grads I know one who I like very much. I hate their bussiness model.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

http://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2093567


A for profit schools first job is to make money. That is incompatible with medical education. The owner of rvu also owns a carribean school. Nothing against their grads I know one who I like very much. I hate their bussiness model.

Yes but non-profits also exist to make money.... It is just a different model for doing so. Until we have proof that it actually affects the education I think everyone should just relax.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

Yes but non-profits also exist to make money.... It is just a different model for doing so. Until we have proof that it actually affects the education I think everyone should just relax.

"
Nevertheless, there is no evidence to support the concept of for-profit educational institutions as superior to or more efficient than nonprofit educational institutions.11 Furthermore, there is speculation that for-profit medical education will not provide students with an opportunity for a complete experience of humanity, professionalism, and ethics—factors that are ingrained in the nonprofit model of medical education.11
For osteopathic medicine, the dangers of for-profit education are very real. Regardless of whether RVUCOM provides an education equal in quality to the nonprofit model, there has been no cogent argument put forth as to why the osteopathic medical profession—which has struggled for more than a century to establish its credibility and gain acceptance—needs to take this step. I believe that the individuals who invested in RVUCOM have jeopardized our profession—and, thus, our patients—merely to turn a profit. "


Anyway we disagree and thats fine. Let's switch to the subject "lecom -b"

 

[docisthegoal]

Eyyy didn't expect all the debating on this thread. Everyone has valid points, but I will be taking the weekend and beginning of next week to make the decision that is right for me. If it happens to be CUSOM or LECOM-B I think I will be able to make a good experience come out of each school. Med school is what you put into it anyways right? Thanks everyone for the assistance.

 

[doapplicant2015]

OP whichever you decide on, be sure to come back to SDN and crap on all other schools because yours is the best. Goodluck

 

[abolt18]

http://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2093567


A for profit schools first job is to make money. That is incompatible with medical education. The owner of rvu also owns a carribean school. Nothing against their grads I know one who I like very much. I hate their bussiness model.

The TRUE hilarity of the article you cite is that the man who wrote it is now the new Dean of BCOM. HAHAHA

http://bcomnm.org/about-bcom/the-team/

 

[abolt18]

OP, save yourself the money and go to LECOM. It's not like it's a 1-2K difference. It's 60K+ including interest by the end of it. Most of your education is really on you anyway. Is CUSOM REALLY going to provide you an education that is worth 60K extra? I assure it will NOT.

All the schools I was accepted to were within 5K of each other in tuition, so my choices were less affected by money. I have frequently wished I'd applied to cheaper schools in the process. I just didn't have the foresight or experience to realize what little difference it would make what school you go to.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

The TRUE hilarity of the article you cite is that the man who wrote it is now the new Dean of BCOM. HAHAHA

http://bcomnm.org/about-bcom/the-team/

Haha yep. I think I mentioned this in post 22 but he used to be very logical. Now he just doesn't care. Atleast he made a solid connection to NMSU. Research might be decent. I would be excited for the school if it weren't for profit.